Crystal Palace have made light of their early season struggles, and could underline their replacement of the Hammers as the London outfit on the rise at Selhurst Park today.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke gestures to their fans after the match
As Crystal Palace prepare to host West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, it seems as if the Eagles have replaced the Hammers as the London club on the rise.
Alan Pardew’s side have overcome a frustrating start to the season that saw them winless in their first three league games by winning their next three on the bounce, and then drawing away to Ronald Koeman’s Everton side. It has seen them soar up to 8th in the league, and buoyed by the form of record signing Christian Benteke, looking one of the better sides in the division.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic looks dejected
How Slaven Bilic could have done with someone like Benteke in his squad. Last year it was West Ham who were the London team that surprised many in the Premier League by challenging for the European places, but they are currently in the relegation zone and lacking a goal threat up front with Andy Carroll out injured.
The Hammers looked like they could really put the cat amongst the pigeons in the spring, with a Champions League place within their grasp up until the last few weeks of the season. Slaven Bilic’s impressive debut season as manager ended with the club finishing in 7th spot, and took place in what was the club’s last year at Upton Park – a big improvement on the previous season where the East Londoners finished 12th.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio Yacob
Despite optimism that they could really push on to become a consistent force in the Premier League, it has been a different story for West Ham this year, with one win in seven matches and poor form at their new London Stadium home.
Bilic’s team head to South London with the worst defensive record in the division, something Pardew’s side, and the likes of Benteke in particular will be looking to exploit as the Eagles continue their ascent up the table.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Palace in a similar position the Hammers were in last season come May, and in doing so, achieving their best finish since the 1990s.
On the flip side of that, West Ham and Bilic have the chance to show their supporters that they are determined to return to the heights of the previous campaign by clipping the feathers of their London rivals.
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