Filed under: Arsenal, West Ham, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
The match widely expected to be Avram Grant's last as West Ham manager ended as a straightforward victory for title challengers Arsenal.Goals from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott gave Arsene Wenger's side a 2-0 advantage at the break.
And when Walcott was fouled in the box late on van Persie made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
Even before kick-off, Grant's short tenure at Upton Park had been expected to come to an end as soon as the game was concluded, with Martin O'Neill the man understood to be replacing him.
It was a poor send-off for former Chelsea manager Grant and West Ham remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Arsenal had been on top even before van Persie fired them into an early lead.
The goal was an eye-catcher too, with the orange-booted Samir Nasri letting Walcott's ball into the box from the right go through his legs and, with the home defence duly unhinged, the Dutchman applied the appropriate finish by drilling the ball past goalkeeper Robert Green.
Van Persie almost doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark but this time his angled drive, which again had the beating of Green, rebounded back off the far post.
But there was no reprieve in the 41st minute when Walcott took advantage of some dozy defending in front of goal by debutant Wayne Bridge, who had only just joined on loan from Manchester City, to slam the ball in the roof of the net.
West Ham had only occasionally threatened at the other end and their best opportunity before the break was the result of an error from Johan Djourou, who let in Carlton Cole. But goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny pulled off a fine save and Zavon Hines was too high with his follow-up effort.
Cole was also guilty of failing to make the best of a free header before half time and the restart saw Arsenal resume superiority.
That was rewarded with just one goal, van Persie's penalty, after the hapless Bridge had ruined an already imperfect debut with another rash challenge.
Many West Ham fans had already left by the time referee Andre Marriner blew for time; those who stayed met it with boos.
REACTION:
Grant refused to shed any light upon the likelihood that he will be leaving imminently and took issue with Sky Sports for insisting all day he had no future at West Ham:
"Why do you ask this question? There was a report? Where? On your television? You need to ask the person who gave you these rumours. Ask them about the rumours. You say the source gave you this? Ask the source."
So is he still manager of West Ham? According to him, yes:
"I'm speaking with you. I have a job to do. The game is the most important thing. I'm doing my job, not asking questions."
Was he contemplating resigning?
"When I came here the club was not in a good position and my job was to make it better. And I think we are doing the right things."
On throwing his so-called lucky scarf to supporters:
"I have done this after every game for the last few games."
On the game:
"I must say it was emotional. We lost 3-0 and they were so supportive. I don't say it was not touching. You need to respect the supporters."
On his players' performances:
"It is not easy to play against Arsenal. Everybody did their best."
On the need for new players - and the likelihood of owners David Sullivan and David Golf giving him any:
"They know my ideas. We brought in Wayne Bridge and I wanted Steve Sidwell very much but we couldn't do it."
On the fact that vice-chairman Karren Brady didn't want Sidwell very much at all:
"I will not answer about other people."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had sympathy for Grant's plight:
"I have big sympathy for Avram Grant. Our job is difficult enough without some more on your back. You don't need problems of that sort."
On the ease of his side's victory:
"It was pretty comprehensive, yes, because we had a very sharp first half that affected West Ham's morale. We put in a very mature performance."
On Robin van Persie:
"You could see he is getting sharper physically and that is important."
On his side's title challenge:
"It's in our hands. We play the big teams at home. We have played many games away so we will see."
WHAT IT MEANS:
A P45 for Grant and a big job on his successor's hands as well as enhanced title chances for the Gunners. There was a huge gulf in quality out on that pitch.
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