After four straight defeats in all competitions, a cup fixture against a lowly opposition in Accrington Stanley offered welcome rest-bite for West Ham you’d think.
Well, think again.
The League 2 outfit, playing in the third round of the League Cup for the very first time after beating a Premier League opposition for the vert first time in the previous round, were more than a match for the Hammers.
A poor first-half saw the Hammers welcome Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet into the game at the break to give Slaven Bilic’s side a great attacking threat against an Accrington Stanley side who were resolute at the back.
Michail Antonio was also introduced as the Hammers looked to pile on the pressure and find a winner.
As the game entered the sixth minute of injury time, Payet was brought down around 25 yards from goal. The free kick was placed right-of-centre, and Payet over it.
He steps back, and guides it past the Accrington ‘keeper to send the Hammers into the next round of the EFL Cup. Where we’d be without him I don’t know.
Here are our player ratings for all involved for the Hammers tonight.
