Conor McNamara slams West Ham United defending v Chelsea in London derby
Conor McNamara was left speechless at the passive defending of West Ham United which allowed Chelsea the “freedom of the park” for their opening goal at the London Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
The Blues had the ball in the back of Lukasz Fabianski’s net three times within the opening 25 minutes as David Moyes’ side struggled to adjust to the intensity of the game, with two of these ruled out for marginal offsides.
Commentating live on USA Network (Saturday, 11 February, 12:48 pm) McNamara slammed the Hammers for their inactive defending that allowed Joao Felix to volley home the opener unopposed from within the six-yard box.
He said: “It’s been so easy for Chelsea. It really has. For 16 minutes, Chelsea have had the freedom of the park to roll the ball around, side to side.
“And look how much they time they all have to lift their heads, find a pass under no pressure from West Ham’s defence.
“Chelsea have a lead and are strolling the game so far.”
Sloppy
West Ham were extremely sluggish in the opening periods of the game, and they could barely get a kick in the first 20 minutes. Enzo Fernandez bossed the early proceedings with his calm aura in the centre of the park, and Moyes’ side could barely touch him in parts.
The build up play from Chelsea was really nothing spectacular as they pinged the ball around the final-third under no pressure whatsoever. In the end it was some defensive miscommunication between Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd that allowed Felix to slip in behind and nod home.
Chelsea thoroughly deserved the lead, and Moyes was left speechless in the dugout at the sloppy defending he had witnessed from his side.
As soon as the goal was conceded, West Ham strangely came back to life – much like last weekend’s start against Newcastle – and starting popping the ball about with far more confidence than the early stages.