Leon Fest

Leon Best made his first Premiership tonight in the absence of Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi. Both players, out injured, would be watching this game with mixed emotions; on the one hand happy for the lad to bag a hat trick, but on the other also thinking about their starting places. Both Lovenkrands and Best got goals tonight along with Nolan who has not seen a goal in a few games. These players have stepped up to the mark and took the initiative which has resulted in a goal or threes apiece, with Leon's performance worthy of a man of the match award, even without the hat-trick. His movement, touch and general desire were spot on tonight but they have to be as not many chances have come his way this season. This performance has definitely lifted his profile and sent out a message. As always, Joey Barton was class out on the right. He fed balls in all night and good ones at that. His performances are getting better and he is a calm but committed player.

Two worries from last night's game came with the two injuries. Steven Taylor, just back from god knows how many injuries, did not come out for the second half and Gutierrez was hauled off with an injury. With the likes of Gosling back in full training and Ben Arfa not far behind, things are looking good and competition for places is hot as everyone is playing well. Morale at the club could really not be better as the players are visibly good friends - long may this continue. West Ham were nowhere near us again and seem to be a team we take points from for fun. That won't be for long though as they look doomed for the Championship where Sheffield United wait patiently to give them a good old hiding, like the one we gave them last night. Scotty Parker was up to his old tricks tonight churning up the turf doing his circle thing. He had a shot at goal but his head was soon down as he was given a lesson in how to play center midfield by Cheik Tiote.

West Ham, funnily enough, started out by coming out fighting and looked like they would give us a decent game. The same thing happened at the Boleyn; we got on top of them, they could not handle it and Newcastle were all over them like England playing the Aussies in the Ashes (how long is it since the Aussies had the Ashes now, by the way?).

So three goals for Best must give him the confidence to come in for the FA Cup game at Stevenage. Andy Carroll is not playing the FA Cup match but is 50/50 for the away trip down the road to the ghetto. He will be banging on the door to play in that but so will Carroll and Shola, who has a knack of scoring against the unwashed. Ranger came on for Best last night as he picked up a knock and had a very good chance to bag one and make it six. However, he opted to use his right foot instead of sweeping it in with his left. His feet were in a terrible position and the ball went embarrassingly wide. He made another good chance later on but nobody got in the box to support and his good work went up in smoke. There was also a first Premiership start for fresh face Ferguson too. He looked comfortable but this was the game to blood a young lad as West Ham had nothing. A long, long trip back to East London for the Cockneys for a jellied eel supper.

Highlights

Picture Source http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk