Mads Hermansen causes disbelief in West Ham vs Wrexham - 'That's astonishing'

Mads Hermansen caused surprise with some early goalkeeping in West Ham United's clash with Wrexham.

The Hammers welcomed the Welsh side to the London Stadium for Friday night's Championship showdown.

A point would be enough to take West Ham back above West Brom into top spot, but all three points will of course be the aim.

United went into the break two goals to the good thanks to strikes from Jarrod Bowen and Joel Piroe.

Wrexham would have equalised at 1-1 10 minutes before the break if not for Konstantinos Mavropanos' block on the line to deny George Dobson.

Hermansen made just one save, but something he did early on in East London surprised Don Goodman.

Mads Hermansen undecisive with goalkeeping

Hermansen has now started all seven league games for West Ham this season, as well as the EFL Cup win over Portsmouth.

In the league, he has conceded nine goals in his first six matches at a rate of 1.5 per game.

He also has just one clean sheet, which he will accept is not great.

Hermansen certainly did not fill Goodman with confidence when opting to punch a long throw clear, rather than collecting to take pressure off his side.

"I find that astonishing that a goalkeeper would punch that under no pressure whatsoever," Goodman said on Sky Sports Football.

The failure to collect the ball ultimately did West Ham no harm as they dealt with the next attacking wave.

How have West Ham performed vs Wrexham so far?

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are good value for their 2-0 lead at the break.

Bar the effort that was saved on the line, Wrexham have offered next to nothing.

West Ham's play has been slick and they are a level above their opponents, as you would expect.

West Ham's expected goals (xG) value at the midway point is 1.07, compared to 0.28 for Wrexham, which highlights the difference in quality.

Nuno will simply hope for more of the same in the second half as West Ham look to keep their winning run going.