It's why we are West Ham, in fact it's what makes us West Ham. Moments like Manuel Lanzini's memorable goal at Spurs, now part of folklore for ever.
Such moments are rare for us West Ham fans, and that’s what makes us what we are. We will never forget it, a worldwide fan base marooned in our lounges, not used to such legendary moments.And that’s why they are so important, because being West Ham is more than just achievements, if it was we would not be what we are.
There’s a member of my family who supports Manchester City, he tells me he has been to Wembley more than 30 times in a decade. Charity shields, semi-finals, cup finals. He’s actually stopped doing semi-finals.
I bet you all know what you were doing the moment Manu scored. Me? The scream scared the life out of the dog, the misses arrived from the west wing to find a manic pensioner running round the room, punching the are before sliding on his knees into the fireplace.
Those three goals were scored at what would be the away end; can you imagine the mayhem if we’d have been there?
Some of us may never see the like again. We are told it was the first time in 28 years of top flight football (I refuse the use the term 'Premier League record') that a club has been 3-0 down on 81 minutes and not lost. Is that better than 30 Wembley visits, probably not, in truth, but it felt like a cup final win.
There are goals…and there are goals. Goals that stay in the memory, that become history in their own right. Lanzini‘s 30 yarder is now in that category, surely? It fits with the truly great goal moments. Ticker’s FA Cup final winning header in the last minute, Sir Trevor’s diving header to win the Cup, Paolo Di Canio’s wonder volley, obviously.
Dimi Payet’s free kick at Old Trafford, Tonker’s Cup quarter final penalty against Aston Villa, Frank Snr’s winner at Elland Road and that jig round the corner flag, Dev’s brilliant 30 yarder at Chelsea in the ‘86 season, Vaz Te and Bobby Zamora’s play off winners, I’d even include Andy Carroll’s amazing airborne volley.
Some goals come in clusters and stay with you. David Cross’ four at Spurs (they don’t like it up ‘em do they?), Alan Taylor’s Cup final double ,Alan Sealey’s Euro final double, Sir Geoff’s six, Brian Dear’s five.
Those are just off the top of my head. You can probably think of more. But I feel we can add Lanzini’s 94th minute miracle to this list of our history’s most illustrious moments.
OK, it was only a draw and Spurs are a better side generally, but the very nature of the comeback makes the result that bit more special. And don’t those annoyingly entitled Spuds hate it?
The best bit is that we can all write about and enjoy because it was football and not the never-ending debate about the owners and how they run the place.
David Sullivan must have been doing cartwheels all the way back to Epping after doing a number on Brentford over the exciting Said Benrahma, and turning a £30m move into a £4m loan to buy in a years time. A result there.
The Algerian was not going back after the medical, his wages had been trebled and he had a five-year contract. Nobody would blame him, but suddenly Brentford were over a barrel and backed into a corner, accepting that may be a bit of a squash!
And less than 24 hours later came the party line, wait long enough and it comes. Moyes had changed his mind over the midfielder. No context there in the boardroom flannel.
Moyes had decided on Josh King, a proven Premier League foreword who could play three or four different roles, critical in a small squad. Remember Alan Irvine’s remarks on the subject? And don’t forget Moyes had also decided on Eberechi Eze for that role.
So did Moyes change his mind or was he presented with a £4m deal that could not be ignored? With King not on the M3 heading to London?
We could witter on about the role of outsourced Director of Football Will Salthouse, cash flow, a ridiculous proposed loan deal for a Chelsea reserve and Sullivan’s claims that there would be a civil war if he signed a player against the manager’s wishes.
All too familiar, all too predictable. Our board branded ’spivs’ by Brentford fans on twitter, and a general unease from our own rank and file. Oh yes,and Bournemouth angry at the claims we had already agreed terms with King before talking to the Cherries.
Anything new there? Thought not. But Sully sailed through it all.
That meant he had survived a transfer window that lasted 83 excruciating days from July to October, spending £9.4m, bringing three senior players into the club and seeing 15, plus academy releases, removed from the pay roll. That had been the plan all along, a window with ’minimum expenditure’ as was the reported board policy.
But Manu and the boys in north London overtook all that anger and gloom. It’s also worth noting again the job Moyes and his staff have done. The usual flow of twitter abuse was evident during Sunday’s game. Seriously lads, you are beginning to make fools of yourselves.
Since we almost won at Liverpool last season, we have played 16 league games, won six and drawn four. We should also have beaten Arsenal twice. Let‘s leave the guy alone for a bit to his embarrassing dad dancing celebrations on the line.
We have Manchester City and Liverpool next. No chance of anything there then. One point from six would suit me, as I watch a rerun of the Lanzini goal in 20 different languages. That’s why we are West Ham.
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