Jarrod Bowen had a goal and played a part in another as West Ham United picked up its first win of the Premier League season with a 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Tomas Soucek’s deflected goal was West Ham’s other marker, as the Irons scored twice in the game’s final 25 minutes.
Palace slipped to defeat at Brentford in Week 1, while West Ham suffered a home loss at the hands of Aston Villa, two results well before what’s expected from their bosses this season.
The win boosts West Ham to three points, while Palace are still looking for a first point of the young season.
West Ham gets foothold while Palace must be patient
Oliver Glasner’s going to have to wait for a third-successive London derby, so at least one more week, to get a first Premier League win this season after another “could’ve been” loss against a local rival. First it was Brentford’s late 2-1 win, and this time the loss came at home as dead-even xG and 59% of the ball couldn’t get the Eagles on the score sheet. Glasner will get to try others in a midweek League Cup tie but Chelsea’s next and if the Blues are at their best this could be 0-3 with Leicester City visiting town after that.
The Irons, however, have now taken three-of-six points from decent opposition in games where they showed the steel they had under David Moyes with an added dimension of possession intent. Both goals did come off the counter, led by new boys Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Max Kilman. The latter was especially brilliant and West Ham could have something going this season in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United player ratings
From our friends at fotmob.com, you can see that this was not one-sided but rather a testament to West Ham’s midfield. Soucek was joined by Guido Rodriguez and Lucas Paqueta in exploiting a tactical mismatch in the center of the park. Oliver Glasner might’ve missed in not trying Cheick Doucoure before the Eagles went behind.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Palace host Norwich City in a League Cup match on Tuesday afternoon, then visit Chelsea at 8:30am ET Sept.1 (Sunday).
West Ham have Bournemouth at home on Wednesday in the League Cup, then host Man City in the Premier League at 12:30pm ET Saturday.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs West Ham, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Selhurst Park
TV channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Crystal Palace vs West Ham live updates — By Nick Mendola
Crystal Palace vs West Ham final score: 0-2
Tomas Soucek 67', Jarrod Bowen 72'
Ismaila Sarr showing danger
Palace has twice come close to pulling one back, as Ismaila Sarr is producing danger.
Kilman and Bowen combine to make it 2-0
Bowen’s on the score sheet, and he deserves it for both his day and this finish, but how about Max Kilman.
A second back leads a goal-producing counter attack with a brilliant dribble, the big man then sliding a delicious invitation to Bowen through traffic.
This is what Julen Lopetegui wanted for his men.
Best of old and new West Ham on display as Soucek scores
What a play, and it starts with a magnificent bit of work from Aaron Wan-Bissaka,
The former Palace (and Man Utd) man drives down the right side and lays off for Jarrod Bowen.
The England international’s shot bounds around a bit and is eventually cleaned up by the Czech who seems to do something meaningful every week: Tomas Soucek.
Henderson to the rescue
Michail Antonio rockets a cross into the danger area, and it takes a wild bounce off a Palace defender.
Dean Henderson reacts very quickly to save the loose ball. Close.
Halftime — Palace 0-0 West Ham
There was intent, we’ll give them that.
Palace had 51% of the ball in a back-and-forth game with 17 shot attempts, nine to West Ham, and an almost even xG split also in favor of the Irons (0.80-0.74).
Shot attempts finally turn to danger
There have been 15 shot attempts in this game, but 14 and 15 have been the most dangerous.
First, Lucas Paqueta showcases his deft dribbling but misses wide with a good chance.
Then Eberechi Eze cracks the cross bar at the other end in what would’ve been a Goal of the Month candidate.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Riad, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Lerma, Edouard, Mateta, Eze.
West Ham lineup
Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Rodriguez, Paqueta, Soucek, Bowen, Kudus, Antonio.
Crystal Palace team news, focus
Eze is the key piece, but there’s much more here. Adam Wharton is one of England’s rising midfield stars, Guehi an in-demand Three Lions center back, and Jean-Philippe Mateta was fantastic at the Olympics. This is a sneaky fun side, and Daichi Kamada flashed some good early signs in his Premier League debut.
OUT: Matheus France (chest/abdominal)
West Ham team news, focus
Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen are rampant attacking forces, as West Ham have rebuilt their squad and are capable of controlling almost any games. But Lopetegui will want momentum soon after a loss to Aston Villa in his home Premier League debut and is still figuring out his order of operations after leaving James Ward-Prowse and Niclas Fullkrug on the bench to start Week 1.
QUESTIONABLE: Edson Alvarez (thigh)
Crystal Palace vs West Ham prediction
This should be a decent contest and not one-sided. Palace’s defense is a bit stronger than West Ham’s, but the Irons have better depth and strength in their midfield. We think that’ll lead to less danger reaching the West Ham 18 and more goign the other way. Crystal Palace 1-2 West Ham.