The FA Cup Round 5 weekend has started with quite the bang. While it’s not completely shocking that West Bromwich Albion defeated West Ham United at home, the scoreline is sure to open some eyes. The Baggies netted four times, rare from a Tony Pulis side, and peppered West Ham’s net with 17 total shots. The end result was a West Bromwich 4-0 victory at the Hawthornes.
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After West Ham controlled possession for the first 10 minutes, the match turned on it’s head and progressively got worse for the Irons. Typical of a Tony Pulis side, West Brom did a magnificent job of sitting back and soaking the pressure early. This, along with an error from West Ham left back Aaron Cresswell, led to the first goal. A lofted ball found Craig Dawson, who put a cross on a platter for Brown Ideye to tap in and put West Brom up 1-0 in the 20th minute. The goal did not go without controversy as the Nigerian striker may have been offsides.
From that moment on, James Morrison pulled the strings in midfield for much of the first half and the Baggies brought the pressure on West Ham. Morrison capped off a great half with a scintillating strike from distance to put West Brom up 2-0 heading into the break.
Brown Ideye completed his brace to put West Brom up 3 before a moment of rash stupidity from Morgan Amalfitano. The West Ham midfielder was going in the books for a dangerous tackle on midfielder Chris Brunt. Amalfitano then proceeded to let his frustration boil over as he slapped Brunt when confronted by him. Referee Martin Atkinson had no choice but to go to his pocket for the red card. With West Ham down a man, Saido Berahino put the match to bed, bagging a fourth goal for West Brom.
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Tony Pulis has West Brom playing quite commendable football. The Baggies defeated Swansea City 2-0 at the Hawthornes on Wednesday and have followed that up with another clean sheet.
Pulis is doing it again; he is employing his pressure soaking-to-counter strategy with forwards that have pace like Berahino and Ideye and it’s working. This method is saving another side that was potentially bound for relegation. Now, West Brom are playing fascinating football and not looking back for a second.
Speaking of Brown Ideye, West Brom’s record £10 million signing is finally settling into the English game and making the mark he was expected to when he came over from FC Dynamo Kyiv. His movement caused issues all game long for West Ham as Ideye’s positioning for both West Brom goals was brilliant.
There is no denying that West Ham were completely flat, especially after the aforementioned first 10 minutes. Errors from Cresswell on the first goal and the center backs on both Ideye strikes led to an all around horrible and embarrassing day. Big Sam and his guys need to put this match behind them as they head into a big London Derby with Tottenham next weekend.
Meanwhile, West Brom will travel to the northeast to take on Sunderland next weekend. They will await the FA Cup draw on Monday to see who their next opponent is for the Sixth Round Proper, or quarterfinals.