THE NOTEBOOK: Stuart Pearce’s tea occasion was a nasty omen for West Ham

A loopy afternoon at Selhurst Park noticed extra objectives than what the house of Crystal Palace has seen in the complete 12 months previous to West Ham’s arrival.

Roy Hodgson‘s interim appointment could not have labored higher with the membership now all however sure of their Premier League survival as they picked up one other three worthwhile three factors.

However that wasn’t the case for West Ham who’s relegation considerations are actually turning into a critical and reasonable menace for David Moyes and his squad.

The Hammers are simply 5 factors above the drop and erratic performances corresponding to Saturday’s 4-3 defeat do not encourage a lot defensive confidence. 

Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill takes a have a look at among the issues you might have missed. 

Crystal Palace’s Premier League security is all however confirmed after beating West Ham

STUART PEARCE’S TEA PARTY WAS A BAD OMEN

 Although now not a coach on the membership, Stuart Pearce popped into West Ham’s coaching floor on Tuesday to host his annual St George’s Day tea occasion on the veranda. 

Slightly like Ray Winstone main a knitting circle or Vinnie Jones instructing a category on the artwork of floristry, it doesn’t appear to suit the ‘Psycho’ persona we all know him for. Since then, West Ham have misplaced twice – 2-1 to Liverpool and 4-3 right here to Crystal Palace.

Their predicament is way more critical than a storm in a teacup. They’re nonetheless on this Premier League relegation race and searching over their shoulder.

Stuart Pearce’s West Ham tea occasion within the week did not result in a victory at Selhurst Park

PALACE’S HISTORIC FORMATION CHANGE  

Have a look at Crystal Palace’s common participant positions from this frantic first half and you could possibly argue Roy Hodgson makes use of a 2-3-5 formation – a system which was often called the ‘Pyramid’ and well-liked within the late 1800s. 

Hodgson often is the Premier League’s oldest supervisor however he isn’t that previous! However, that is a part of trendy soccer the place gamers are continuously on the transfer, not often sticking to their beginning positions.

HOW’S YOUR TOUCH ROY?

He could also be 75 however Hodgson can’t resist attempting to manage a ball dropping from the Gods. His contact within the technical space drew one of many day’s loudest cheers, with Crystal Palace’s backroom employees laughing behind him.

Roy Hodgson tried to carry a excessive ball down and received a giant snort from the gang inside Selhurst Park

SOUCEK’S SLIDING RATING

Participant rankings are tough and Tomas Soucek was throughout my sliding scale right here. First, he scored a objective. Proceed like this, Tomas, and also you’re in your approach to an eight. Then, he price a objective. Oh expensive, down to 5 you go. 

 Then, he made a objective. OK, now I’m misplaced. Soucek epitomised this up-and-down spectacle. Ultimately, Soucek acquired a protected six.

Tomas Soucek was a reporter’s nightmare throughout his loopy efficiency in opposition to Crystal Palace

THE STAT THAT HAUNTS WEST HAM FANS

As anybody who has been in Selhurst Park’s away finish will attest, it’s cosy, it’s cramped, it’s sweaty. You get to know the followers in your left and proper higher than you’d care to. 

West Ham’s supporters went wild once they took the lead, although they need to have been conscious of 1 statistic specifically. 

The workforce scoring first on this fixture had received solely one of many final 11 Premier League conferences. We are able to now make that 12.

RICE’S RECORD MILESTONE

Declan Rice made his 2 hundredth Premier League look for West Ham right here. Aged 24 years and 105 days, he’s the ninth youngest to achieve this milestone within the Prem and the youngest since Raheem Sterling in 2018. 

What number of of his subsequent 200 shall be for West Ham stays to be seen.