Mathew Uspon questions Emerson Palmieri after first-half moment v Southampton
Mathew Upson has hit out at Emerson Palmieri after the Italian didn’t react to a Lucas Paqueta pass in the first half of West Ham United’s Premier League clash against Southampton.
The full-back didn’t respond to a clever flick from the Brazilian in the first period with the Hammers looking to turn around their 1-0 deficit.
Upson has suggested that Paqueta is potentially one or two steps ahead of his teammates at times which lead to Emerson misjudging his pass.
Talking on ESPN’s coverage of the fixture, he said [14:30, 16 October]: “It’s a lovely little flick round the corner from Paqueta and Emerson wasn’t alive to it. That’s what you’re going to get with Paqueta, he’s a very clever player and can sometimes be a step ahead of his teammates.”
Unfortunate
How Southampton’s goal was allowed to stand is quite remarkable and David Moyes’ men will have to react in a positive manner in the second half. Gianluca Scamacca has looked lively and the Irons will need their in-form striker to continue his goalscoring touch in the second period.
After a good recent run of form, it will be interesting to see how the Hammers react to adversity on the South Coast and turn this first-half performance around.
The Irons have certainly created enough chances in the first half to hurt the Saints and if they continue to get Scamacca in dangerous positions, they should find a way back into this encounter.
Regardless of the outcome of the result at St Mary’s it does feel as if West Ham are starting to click into form after a disappointing start to the 2022/23 season.
It was always going to take time for the Irons’ new signings to settle in and now Moyes will need them to really hit the ground running in the lead-up to the World Cup.