West Ham United

James Jones
Fan writer

There was enough evidence from West Ham's opening weekend defeat to Aston Villa to suggest it wouldn't take long for new boss Julen Lopetegui to get his first win as boss. Seven days later and he's off the mark with a hugely impressive 2-0 victory away at Crystal Palace.

Only a few months ago, we lost 5-2 at Selhurst Park as David Moyes' hugely successful four-year reign threatened to end in a whimper. Given just two of Lopetegui's summer signings started the win last weekend, it just shows the impact he's already having on the squad.

What was most evident this time around, though, was the options the Spaniard had at his disposal on the bench. The likes of Niclas Fullkrug, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Edson Alvarez and Jean-Clair Todibo were called upon in the second half, with Fullkrug going on to win more aerial duels than anyone from both sides (5) and Wan-Bissaka's run up the right wing from his own half leading to West Ham's opener. Max Kilman, another new signing, assisted the second goal.

Back in April, all Moyes had to try and turn the game on its head was Maxwell Cornet, Danny Ings, Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson. They didn't obviously.

Squad depth - or a lack of - was one of the biggest frustrations amongst the fanbase throughout the last four years. It was partially blamed on the failure to reach the Europa League final in 2022 and the club's Premier League struggles in 2022-2023.

In just one summer Lopetegui hasn't just improved the starting XI, he's also improved squad depth to a level that means players can be introduced off the bench and actually have a meaningful impact on proceedings.

It's exciting to have so many strong options now - it's just a shame we don't have European football this season to really put them to the test.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

Nottingham Forest are planning a move for England midfielder James Ward-Prowse, 29, who is not in the plans of new West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui. (Football Insider), external

West Ham might be willing to listen to offers for Ward-Prowse, but are not actively looking to sell him. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Flora: We played so poorly and were constantly losing possession through poor passes. We desperately need to replace Olise as we are leaving Eze with too much to do. Mateta didn't seem fit and Edouard was not on form. Disappointing.

Clive: Two games, no points - not a good start. We have sold Olise, Andersen, Ayew and maybe even Guehi! Why? Before the season started, the chairman said this season would be very exciting and asked if we could 'be another Leicester City and win the title' - well, maybe with the team we had and if we actually added to it! A new stand or a great team? I know which I prefer.

Moggy: Mateta looks tired but he will hopefully bounce back. I would prefer Sam Johnstone in goal instead of Dean Henderson. I didn't think West Ham were better than us, but they scored and we didn't.

Colin: Bring Hodgson back! Toothless. That is what you get when you sell your best players. Glasner got it all wrong and, the way we're going, it will be relegation. I've supported Palace for 60 years, it's the same old rubbish. Parish needs to get a new striker. He told Glasner a load of lies by saying: "We will buy you players". He did the same with Hodgson, but Glasner will just walk away.

West Ham fans

Mark: Julen Lopetegui's style of posterior football is refreshing and it is giving West Ham fans more enthusiasm. With the new signings, we will soon start to see more positive results. After a hard game against Aston Villa and now an easy trip to Crystal Palace, it looks like we have a great chance of achieving what we deserve this year.

Dave: It was all a bit frantic I thought. I'm really pleased to get the win and that Kilman and Wan-Bissaka contributed brilliantly to the goals, but there is still room for improvement, particularly in possession. We still give the ball away too often and we never really had control of this match until we scored.

Simon: Aaron Wan-Bissaka made an instant impact after coming on and he really seemed to liven things up. It is still too early to tell what the new manager will do, but a clean sheet is always welcome.

Chris: Good for Tomas Soucek making it difficult for the new manager to drop him. Everyone wrote him off as unsuitable for the new system. He probably isn't the best fit in reality but he gives his best every time he gets on the pitch, which makes all the difference.

West Ham are ready to offload England midfielder James Ward-Prowse, 29, before Friday's transfer deadline. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator at Selhurst Park

Image source, Getty Images

Once the full-time whistle has blown, it is normally a bit of scramble to get down from the television gantry to the interview area. Each ground has its own nuances but Selhurst Park, like many others, presents the challenge of navigating narrow stairs, security gates, fans and diligent stewards.

Therefore, at times, it is no surprise to be informed upon arrival that the player you requested to speak to has already been through the interview area and is now back in the changing room.

It is not very often they come back and the club press officer normally suggests an alternative player to interview. After the win over Crystal Palace, the West Ham United player in question was Jarrod Bowen - and he did return.

I don't think there were many objections - if any - to the decision to award the 27-year-old West Ham captaincy this summer.

Off the back of a campaign where he equalled the club-record number of goals scored in a single Premier League season (16), becoming an established member of the England squad, plus signing a new seven-year contract back in November - it would be a no brainer, right?

Not that he needs any further vindication, but Bowen's actions on and off the pitch showed why he is the perfect captain for West Ham United.

In addition to the tireless work-rate, which we know the fans love, there was the quality of his finish for West Ham's second goal and the awareness both he and team-mate Tomas Soucek displayed to quickly move a Crystal Palace ball boy out from underneath a collapsed advertising board. He also sought out the youngster after the match to check he was OK and hand over his match shirt.

When exchanging messages about the game with a West Ham fan, he informed me that his 10-year-old daughter's favourite player is Jarrod Bowen. A footballing opinion I don't think anyone can take issue with.

Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 4-0 Everton

• Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It is really important coming off the back of last week [against Aston Villa]. We believed we could win this game and we came away with a massive three points.

"Last time we came here, we conceded five goals, so we obviously didn't want to do that again. We had the belief and game plan. When we had the chances, it was about putting it away."

On the ball boy who was hurt in the aftermath of West Ham's first goal: "I managed to grab him out as quickly as possible. It was just instinct. I have seen him after the game – he has got my top and he is smiling."

On scoring his first goal of the season: "You always want the first goal [of the season] as soon as possible. It is a really nice feeling.

"When I got the ball, I knew what I was going to do and it was just about executing it as well as possible."

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the win: "A lot of things [were key]. The first thing is to compete - we were able to compete and be resilient. They have only lost to Manchester City at home [under Oliver Glasner], so we knew it would be difficult.

"When you win, you need to be balanced. We have to improve and we have a lot to do. It is always important to be able to score goals, but it doesn't matter who scores. Sometimes we suffer, but this is the Premier League. You always play against big teams.

"We are happy with the commitment of the players on the pitch and on the bench. There are a lot of players who are able to help you on the bench, so I'm happy they were able to help. I'm happy for all of them."

On West Ham's first clean sheet since January: "Clean sheets are key to be able to win matches. Sometimes we are going to suffer, but clean sheets will always help you to be closer to winning matches."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham were perhaps a little unfortunate to lose at home to Aston Villa last weekend, but Lady Luck was on their side at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace squandered several opportunities to establish a first-half lead.

Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Edouard both failed to find the net with only Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to beat, while the former also struck the woodwork with a magnificent curling strike late in the first half.

Despite going close early on through Michail Antonio and Mohammed Kudus, West Ham failed to register a shot on target until midway through the second period, when Tomas Soucek latched onto a loose ball and beat Dean Henderson with a low drive.

Soucek and Jarrod Bowen deserve huge credit for coming to the aid of a Crystal Palace ball boy, who had become trapped under an advertising board as the travelling fans rushed forward to celebrate the game's opening goal.

The Czech Republic midfielder lifted up the board and Bowen grabbed the youngster, who was unharmed, back to his feet.

It was Bowen who put the seal on a satisfactory afternoon for the Hammers five minutes later, finishing low into the corner for his first of the campaign - and his first-ever goal against Palace.

Manager Julen Lopetegui will be delighted after watching his side claim their first win of the season, but there is plenty of room for improvement too.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham defensive midfielder Tomas Soucek has scored more Premier League goals against Crystal Palace than any other side (4), with all four goals coming away from home at Selhurst Park.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance, Eagles fans, external

What did you make of West Ham's display, Hammers supporters?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are seven games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week two, he takes on Make Me A Mixtape hosts Clara Amfo and Jordan Stephens.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Crystal Palace played very well against Brentford and ended up losing. It is a totally different Palace under Oliver Glasner, but Joachim Andersen has left for Fulham and will be a big loss for them.

It is a new dawn for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham and he will want to get his first win under the belt.

Amfo's prediction: 2-2

Stephens' prediction: 1-3

Another good shout. Oddly I've gone for 1-3, because I feel like West Ham are going to go for it.

Read the full predictions and have your say

This season, English top-flight clubs are trialling a new financial system that limits spending based on the earnings of the bottom side, designed to "protect the competitive balance of the Premier League".

Football finance expert Rob Wilson tells The Football News Show why, if permanently introduced, it could make the top Premier League sides less competitive against their European counterparts.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Maheta Molango, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association tells The Football News Show why he is concerned at the current and potential future financial rules in the Premier League.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "We've had a little problem in the training session, but we have to wait and see what happens."

• On midfielder Edson Alvarez's availability: "He has been out for a while and he is progressing well, but let's see. We're not going to have a clear view of how our squad looks until tomorrow."

• On further transfer activity: "My focus is on the players who are here. They all have to be ready, and that's all we're thinking about. We don't want to talk about players who aren't here, although it's true that anything can happen."

• On how his new players are settling in: "They're not all in the same way, because they've been with us for different amounts of time. It's a process, but the season is long and they're all going to help us hugely."

• When asked if any signings who are yet to make their debut [Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug] will play on Saturday: "We will see tomorrow who is ready. Step by step they feel better and more ready, and it's up to us to decide when is the right time to put them in the line-up. They're all here to help us be a better team."

• On facing Palace: "It's gone well [preparations for this game]. We're going to face maybe one of the best teams from the end of last season at their home, so it's a challenge and we're going to have to be ready."

• On his first London derby as Hammers boss: "The importance of the points is the same for us. We know the kinds of things we're going to face at Crystal Palace. We played them in pre-season so we'll be ready. We have to focus on our strengths and believe in our ability."

• After reflecting on his first game in charge against Aston Villa: "Maybe in the last match we deserved to win - but that's in the past and I think we have to look forward. We have another big challenge against Crystal Palace, but we believe in ourselves and we have to show our qualities both with and without the ball in a difficult stadium."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news