Forget the result. The manner of that defeat last night is important to emphasise. Lopetegui’s era was full of four -and- five goal capitulations, so that newly discovered team spirit could have evaporated if Aston Villa had banged four or five goals in.
Importantly, West Ham did not cave in, instead they still pressed forward and might easily have equalised. Full marks. No capitulation.
Bad luck for the Hammers compounded the loss- Fullkrug won’t be appearing for months, to add to the Bowen and Antonio injuries.
Summerville was the brightest light and the biggest loss having to leave at half time: Lee Dixon stated he’d have won the man of the match award if he’d stayed on for the second half.
And the Kudus / Summerville combination on the RIGHT ( Please note, Señor Lopetegui, Kudus on the right) took Villa by surprise and would have won the game if it had continued into the second half.
A ‘man of the match’ award for Ollie Scarles on debut was well deserved. Take the positives. West Ham have a spine again. Shortcomings in midfield with leggy Alvarez and falling-down Paquetá remain and need Potter’s attention.
But I’m quietly content. West Ham looked competitive, instead of leaking like a colander. Just keep hoping that Crysencio Summerville is ready to go again for Fulham, and West Ham will score goals. Stopping them at the other end may be a bit more problematic.