Normally when you say a goal is deserved you’re referring to a dominant team finally translating their control to the scoresheet. Shortly after halftime at St. Andrew’s, deserved goal was illustrated differently, as Frederic Piquionne beat Ben Foster to his far post, giving West Ham a 0-1, 49th minute lead.
Birmingham City 0-1 West Ham United: Frederic Piquionne Puts Hammers Up
West Ham had been the better team throughout the first half, so much so that you felt a goal would come, but their control had less to do with their efforts than what had been granted them by Birmingham City. Brum was predictably and disappointingly conservative, allowed an attacker heavy team to reach the final third with little resistance. With Mark Noble out of this match, West Ham is thin and weak in midfield, yet Brum is allowing the Hammers to get the ball to their area of strength: and attack featuring all of Piquionne, Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole and Victor Obinna.
Stop and think about that for a moment. Birmingham is so stoic - so predictably stoic - that Avram Grant knew he could start those attackers in front of a Scott Parker, Valon Behrami midfield without being exposed. Instead, it’s been Alex McLeish that’s been exposed as stogged, stoic, and most importantly, losing.
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