West Ham suffered two serious – looking injuries in their bruising Boxing Day encounter with Southampton: The Hammers took three points back up the M3 after a Jarrod Bowen poked poachers goal proved the difference between the two sides.
Lucas Fabianski was stretchered off at the end of the first half after an easy collision with a Southampton forward left him prostrate and looking out cold. Clearly he won’t be available for the Liverpool game in a few days time. Fingers crossed it is ‘merely’ concussion and he recovers quickly. He did apparently take his place on the team bench for the second half after assessment and did not go to hospital which is good news.
Max Kilman left the pitch after a curious incident with little contact – he left the pitch for treatment on what looked like a strapped shoulder but was unable to continue and Jean Clair Todibo deputised. Todibo and Mavropanos looked good together but the real concern will be that Kilman faces an extended time out: There is no fourth centre back option at West Ham, Nayef Aguerd having been sent out on a season-long loan and not replaced.
That means either a first reserve slot for teenager Kaelan Casey or the repurposing of Edson Alvarez as a centre- back where he has played over 60 times in his career. Neither option is ideal especially with the game against Liverpool up next and this one being Alvarez’ low point in the Carling cup earlier in the season, being dismissed for two yellows whilst being outclassed.
There will be some worried figures waiting for news of Kilman and Fabianski as West Ham prepare for the Liverpool game.
