The Man in The Shed

9^th April – Garden of Eden

I was glad to be back in The Shed – my second home. Although West Ham (or is that Stratford United) have never been a top 6 opponent there is always that edge to the games with them. For those of a certain age (who remember football existed before the Premier League) things were very different years ago. West Ham were one of those teams with a band of tough away fans who saw the main purpose of attending opponents’ grounds as a challenge of seeing if they could attack the main home end and “take it over”. Stealthily entering the home end with scarves hidden they would slowly move in on their target before attacking the home fans to take their prize. I’ve witnessed it and it wasn’t pretty.

So, the history gave the game a much needed edge. The away support filled the full half of the Shed End and the home fans were in good voice. Game on.

Much to my delight – and most others – the two young Englishmen, Loftus-Cheek and Hudon-Odoi were in the starting eleven. There was much speculation in the press that Real Madrid’s less than subtle serenading of Hazard was unsettling him and he would not be playing. Wrong. Hazard would start too.

Someone who would not be playing was West Ham’s Andy Carroll. Crocked again. I had a grudging respect for the guy. Still living his life like a 1970’s player if you believe the gossip. Either way, his body was unable to cope with 21^st century English football. He was one of the few forwards I reckon John Terry dreaded playing against. Many a time you could see Terry leave Cahill or Mikel to challenge the big Geordie. On his day unplayable. But not today thank goodness as I think he would have destroyed Rűdiger and Luiz.

So onto the game. Well, the first half was a joy. The only disappointment was that it only finished one nil to us. But what a goal that was. Whilst most of the wing play in the first 20 minutes seemed to come via Hudson-Odoi It was Hazard who broke the deadlock with a real goal of the season. Slaloming through four or five defenders before shooting into the corner. Brilliant. Time to go barmy and hug complete strangers. Hazard wasn’t finished though. He set up Higuain who hit the post and then completed another dribble resulting in him being brought down in the area – no penalty said the ref.

Half time arrived.  Whilst still buzzing from witnessing such a great goal I had a nagging doubt. It was starting to feel like one of those games where try as you might, you cannot get another goal and then the opponent has one chance and scores.

There was plenty to smile about from the Shed too. The Zigger Zagger man was on form (https://youtu.be/d-p-smr8k0U) and I even heard a bunch of fans singing “The wheels on the bus go round and round” - a first for me !

West Ham didn’t seem to be very good at parking the bus. We’d overrun them in midfield with Kanté finding space to be an attacking threat.

The second half started pretty much the same way. More chances but still no more goals. Huguain was working hard but not having any luck. At least his head didn’t drop and he didn’t get booked (like Morata). My concerns racked up a few levels as West Ham finally got some momentum and started to threaten our goal. A good save from Kepa and then a header which we all thought was a goal for a good second or two. Phew.

More pressure now from Chelsea. The game was opening up at both ends. An inevitable series of substitutions (Pedro and Barkley replacing the two young Englishmen and Giroud on for Higuain) but still no second goal to calm the nerves. Both Barkley and Giroud came close but finally, with a minute left Barkley looked up and rather than shoot, chipped a pass to Hazard who scored a second. Game over.

Almost a one man show from Hazard. We may need to bottle this and look back fondly on it next season as it really seems like it’s just a case of getting as much money as possible out of Madrid when  he leaves in the summer.

So three more valuable points and we’re up to 3^rd. We’ll need these points with tough games away to Liverpool and United to come.

A big shout out for Rűdiger too. He seems to be growing in stature every game. Strong, quick and prepared to get stuck in.

Barely a break of three days and it is back to the Europa League. I really can’t wait.