Gary Lineker shares four-word verdict on West Ham United, MOTD pundit totally agrees
Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy both agree West Ham are looking good this season despite their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.
The Hammers’ unbeaten streak came to an end at the London Stadium on Saturday (16 September) as David Moyes’ side were well beaten by the Premier League champions despite taking a first-half lead through James Ward-Prowse.
While defeat is never likely to earn too much praise, both Lineker and Murphy agreed that the Hammers had started the season well and believed that it would be unfair to judge any side based on their performance against Pep Guardiola’s team.
Speaking on Match of the Day (16 September, 40:30) Lineker said: “You can’t really judge teams against Manchester City, but West Ham look sound.”
Murphy agreed, replying: “Good start to the season, lots of positives, all the new signings settling in. You’ve got (Mohammed) Kudus to come into the team that will give them a bit more flair going forward.
“Even today they had moments in the game. I think West Ham fans will be more than happy with what they’ve seen so far.”
More than happy
It’s perhaps been lost just how difficult a start to the season West Ham have had because of their good form, but Moyes’ side are yet to have a truly easy test. But that is the nature of the modern Premier League, especially when you’re eyeing European places.
Very few teams take a point, let alone three off of Manchester City so both fans’ and players’ spirits shouldn’t be too damaged by the Hammers losing for the first time this season in that manner and they gave Guardiola’s side a better test than most will this year.
Wins over Chelsea and Brighton as well as three points against Luton Town in their first game at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League more than make up for a dropping points against the best team in Europe and arguably the world.
As Murphy said, there is still more to come from Moyes’ side in the coming weeks with Kudus waiting in the wings to make his impact on English football. The 100 per cent unbeaten record was always going to end at some point and while most fans would have hoped not for a few more weeks, there is no shame in losing to City.
To soften the blow, the Hammers get a return to European football next week and the London Stadium will likely be rocking.
