Fan blogger Joe Difford reflects on Saturday's 2-2 draw with Norwich City...
Many would have seen our draw with Norwich on Saturday afternoon as two points dropped, but considering the way the visitors approached the game, it is certainly one point gained, and a good point too. Having fought off Manchester City at the Etihad last week to complete a hat trick of historic away wins, expectations were high for the visit of newly promoted Norwich City.
The Canaries started exceptionally well, taking the game to Slaven Bilic’s men and then capitalising on a mistake. If we can take any positives from the points we have dropped at home so far then it’s that almost every goal conceded has simply been a result of a lapse in concentration. If the mistakes are cut out, then we can make Upton Park a fortress.
Diafra Sakho did well to equalise for the Hammers, combining wonderfully with Dimitri Payet, who picked up yet another assist.
Norwich managed to take the lead yet again, but you can’t take anything away from Nathan Redmond. His run inside and precision to fire the shot into the far corner was impressive, but painful for West Ham who dominated the end of the first half.
Just as it seemed as though we would suffer a third home defeat, Cheikhou Kouyate stepped up in stoppage time to rescue us a hard earned point and send the fans into raptures.
The result wasn’t ideal, but the season is a marathon, not a sprint, and nine unexpected points picked up away make up for the two dropped on Saturday.
Manuel Lanzini had arguably his best game in a claret and blue shirt. Dimitri Payet still picked up two assists, showing that he can be a handful even if he isn’t having the best day.
West Ham are now unbeaten in four games, and are still a few players away from a full-strength side. Alex Song is yet to return, and he will solidify the midfield when the team take the lead. Enner Valencia is also yet to make an appearance this year due to injury, and fans certainly won’t have forgotten the impact he and Sakho had on the league this time last season.
It’s hard to understand exactly why our form at the Boleyn Ground has been so inconsistent this season, but given that it is the last year at the famous ground, perhaps Lady Luck is just out to have some fun.
Next up is a trip to Sunderland, and Mark Noble and Co. will hope to continue their incredibly impressive away form. Sunderland may not be on the same level as Arsenal, Liverpool or City, but the players will hopefully be just as fired up.
A draw against Norwich is being seen by many as a poor result, but despite not taking all three points, West Ham are still third in the Premier League, and have a good chance of continuing their unbeaten run against Sunderland next weekend. After all, it is an away game.
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The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United