1. Well, if our unbeaten run was going to end, better it be in the League Cup against West Ham than Liverpool in the FA Cup or any Premiership game. It’s frustrating though because you had to feel like this competition was there for the taking, with so many good sides knocked out already. But we have bigger fish to fry, right?
2. It’s always a kick in the teeth when a former player scores. He spent three years on our books, one of those on loan to Charlton, and was drafted in to the first team prematurely after the defensive injury crisis in 04/05. But in all our other meetings since his joined West Ham, he hasn’t done any damage. His mistakes have benefited us if anything. Today he could have had a hattrick though, if not for the late flag of the linesman.
3. West Ham had their initial lead wiped out after Spector deflected the ball past Kuszczak from an offside position. Avram Grant was not a happy man but the replays were conclusive. You would have hoped this would have served as motivation for us and demoralising for them. Not the case.
4. The opening few minutes of the game had been West Ham, but the next 10 minutes or so were all about United. But some nice moves together and Gabriel Obertan was so close to putting us 1-0 up. A great save from Rob Green pushed his shot on to the post. How different the day could have been if that went in.
5. Our defence were caught napping all too often. John O’Shea was poor, both offensively and defensively, Fabio got beaten at right-back to easily and Jonny Evans was solely at fault for two goals. His poor form this season has been really shocking. He’s only 22-years-old though, so those writing him off for a bad few months need to lighten up a little.
6. Anderson didn’t have a good game, although showed his ability to run with the ball from midfield from time to time. I really do like that. Vasco da Gama have confirmed they want to loan him in January but that won’t happen. Sadly, Darren Fletcher was AWOL again. Like Evans, his fall from grace is disappointing and worrying. Can’t seem to get a grip of games anymore and his passing has been woeful. They central midfield was by-passed by not even West Ham’s strongest midfield, putting unneeded pressure on a weaker defence
7. Bebe looked more dangerous than Obertan and had a couple of efforts on target, which is why it came as surprise that he was the one to make way for Federico Macheda…
8. … not that would have known Kiko, or strike partner Chicharito, were on the pitch. There’s only so much they can do with little service, but Hernandez was anonymous for the 90 minutes really. He had one good effort after a nice interchange of passes at 4-0 down, but that was it really. Didn’t look up to the physical challenge imposed by West Ham.
9. West Ham are still going down. Whilst that does little to flatter us after this result, it is nice to think that those fans, gloating “shall we sing a song for you?” after being outsung for 75 minutes, will be watching football in the Championship next season.
10. You learn more from your defeats than your wins. This feeling will stick with our players, young and old, and hopefully that serves as a motivation to do the business at Blackpool this weekend. After Real Madrid got spanked 5-0 by Barcelona last night, Jose Mourinho said: “It’s a defeat, not a humiliation.” Well, we can be more honest here. It was a humiliation and I hope that stings the lads on the training ground tomorrow. Should be snowing by then too!