Carabao Cup
AFC Wimbledon 1-3 West Ham United 

Tuesday, 28th August 2018
by Staff Writer

West Ham are through to the third round of the Carabao Cup thanks to two late goals against a ten-man Wimbledon side.

The determined League One hosts, reduced to ten men from the 18th minute were no match for West Ham but made Manuel Pellegrini's team wait until the 83rd minute before falling behind for the first time on the night.

Embed from Getty Images


Neil Ardley's side had opened the scoring whilst many of the capacity crowd were still taking their seats, when Joe Pigott headed Wimbledon ahead from Mitchell Pinnock's corner with just a minute on the clock.

However the game took a huge turn in West Ham's favour when Wimbledon's Rod McDonald was dismissed for a second yellow card after tuggling Javier Hernandez's shirt with only 18 minutes of the 90 played.

West Ham went on to enjoy 80 per cent posession following McDonald's dismissal but time after time were frustrated by a combination of dogged defending by the hosts and some profligate finishing.

Embed from Getty Images


As a result it was little surprise that West Ham's equaliser came from the foot of a defender. Issa Diop, whose debut at Arsenal was marked with an own goal finally drew United level with a fierce drive from 20 yards out just past the hour mark.

With no extra time or replays in this year's Carabao Cup competition, the game appeared to be heading for penalties. That was until Diop's defensive partner, Angelo Ogbonna, pounced at the far post to send West Ham ahead for the first time on the night, as the clock showed just seven minutes of normal time remaining.


The final score was given a more comprehensive look when Javier Hernandez rounded Wimbledon 'keeper King, deep into injury time, to add a third and put to bed to any hopes the hosts had of making an unlikely recovery.

Meanwhile the final whistle confirmed Manuel Pellegrini's first win as West Ham manager, at the fourth attempt.

Embed from Getty Images


West Ham Utd: Adrian, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Yarmolenko (Masuaku 90), Obiang (Anderson 46), Rice, Snodgrass, Hernandez, Lucas (Antonio 80).

Subs not used: Fabianski, Balbuena, Cullen, Holland.

Goals: Diop (63), Ogbonna (83), Hernandez (90+2).

Booked: Obiang.

AFC Wimbledon: King, Sibbick, Garratt, McDonald, Oshilaja, Pinnock (Wordsworth 68), Hartigan, Trotter, Wagstaff, Hanson (Appiah 79), Pigott (Nightingale 26).

Subs not used: McDonnell, Purrington, Thomas, Barcham.

Goals: Pigott (2).

Booked: McDonald.

Sent off: McDonald.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Attendance: 3,962.

Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...

 Click to view all West Ham United vs AFC Wimbledon match reports

 Click to view all match reports by Staff Writer

Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.





Player Ratings

Lukasz Fabianski
A baptism of fire for the Pole on his competitive debut - although there was little he could do about any of Liverpool's four goals.


Ryan Fredericks
Caught too narrow, too often - although this was mainly due to tactical reasons. His opportunities to bomb forward were too limited, so there was little chance to utilise his pace.


Arthur Masuaku
Once again his ability to defend competetnly as this level has been called into question. Targeted specifically during the first half, he endured a torrid time.


Angelo Ogbonna
The only player at the heart of the West Ham defence with any semblence of longevity in the team, and it showed.


Fabian Balbuena
'The General' also endured a difficult start to his Hammers career, ebing caught flat-footed on occasions and slightly off the pace during others. It will take time to adjust to the frenetic nature of Premier League football and higher grade.


Mark Noble
Chased shadows for much of the first half as West Ham simply failed to get to grips with 'Pool's midfield. Improved slightly after the break as Pellegrini adjusted his formation.


Declan Rice
Grooming the teenager as a future defensive midfieder will take time - and on reflection, Pellegrini may well agree that today probably wasn't the best occasion on which to gain experience.


Felipe Anderson
Saw too little of the ball but worked like a Trojan assisting in both defence and attack. Few positive signs today, but you can see he's a player.


Michail Antonio
Too often relied on brawn rather than brains to try and unlock Liverpool's defence and outshone by his replacement.


Jack Wilshere
Looked completely out-of-sorts in the first half but like Noble alongside him, better after the break.


Marko Arnautovic
Hardly involved and too isolated too often, but still managed to fashion a chance or two in the first half.



Substitutes

Robert Snodgrass
(Replaced Rice) Well who'd have thought Snoddy would be back in team for the first game of the season? Replaced Rice and helped the Hammers look a little more solid in the centre of the park.


Javier Hernandez
(Replaced Anderson) Replaced Anderson. Was barely involved.


Andriy Yarmolenko
(Replaced Arnautovic) Looked lively and the Hammer most likely to create something noteworthy. A promising start and his cameo was one of few positives to take from the game.


Adrian San Miguel del Castillo
Did not play.


Pablo Zabaleta
Did not play.


Issa Diop
Did not play.


Pedro Obiang
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Lukasz Fabianski, Ryan Fredericks, Arthur Masuaku, Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena, Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Felipe Anderson, Michail Antonio, Jack Wilshere, Marko Arnautovic.

Goals: None.

Booked: Michail Antonio 52 Fabian Balbuena 55        .

Sent off: None.

AFC Wimbledon: .

Subs not used: .

Goals: .

Booked: .

Sent off: None.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Attendance: 0.

Man of the Match: tbc.