Many West Ham fans had to do a double take during their 3-0 win over Sheffield United last night to ensure they were not seeing a footballing mirage.
Prior to the game, the Hammers had not been awarded a penalty in 2,110 minutes of football all season, but Declan Rice’s composed finish from 12 yards past Aaron Ramsdale ensured that the Hammers’ barren spot-kick period came to an abrupt halt.
West Ham had previously had a fairly innocuous penalty call denied, although Jesse Lingard’s incisive run around the 40-minute mark was a far more threatening move and culminated in that long-overdue spot-kick. Chris Basham’s reckless felling of the 28-year-old left far less ambiguity in the officials’ minds, who duly enabled West Ham to, at long last, have the opportunity to score from the penalty spot.
The win could ultimately prove the crucial in the Irons’ chase for European football next season and they ended the night in fifth even after Chelsea’s subsequent win over Newcastle, putting the Hammers two points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool and outside the top four only on goal difference.
The club’s official Twitter account posted an amusing compilation of clips from popular culture and West Ham player celebrations, captioned ‘[That feeling when] you finally get and score your first Premier League penalty for 208 days’.
Tfw you finally get and score your first Premier League penalty for 208 days pic.twitter.com/CCzMLZJSWi
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 15, 2021
These Irons fans wasted no time in expressing their own surprise and to praise the compilation…
Twitter: @WestHam This is not a drill! COYI (@Bobby_Seagull)
Twitter: @WestHam Give this admin a raise (@JackkWHU)
Twitter: @WestHam Admin has been on fire lately (@TheWestHamYank)
Twitter: @WestHam Whoever made this compilation: you’ve also made my week, ty.
(@nek539)
Twitter: @WestHam Unsure what’s more surprising this evening against Sheffield United- West Ham actually being awarded a pen… https://t.co/C9bY7rIV1Z (@WestHamJoshV)
Twitter: @WestHam new admin is actually sensational wow (@harrythills)
