Review

West Ham's 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace marked a significant milestone for Julen Lopetegui, earning his first win as the Hammers' manager. The game, played at Selhurst Park, was a tale of two halves, with West Ham overcoming a sluggish start to dominate in the latter stages.

Crystal Palace, still searching for their first win of the season, began the match with intent. Eberechi Eze, one of Palace's standout players, had a couple of opportunities to put his team ahead but was unable to find the back of the net. His inability to capitalize on these chances would come back to haunt Palace.

West Ham, initially on the back foot, absorbed the pressure well and gradually grew into the game. The turning point came in the 67th minute when Tomas Soucek found himself in the right place at the right time, drilling a shot through a crowded penalty area to give West Ham the lead. The goal seemed to galvanize the Hammers, who quickly doubled their advantage just five minutes later. Jarrod Bowen, a constant threat on the counter, finished off a swift breakaway with a clinical strike, putting the game beyond Palace's reach.

The win propels West Ham up to seventh in the Premier League standings, a positive sign for Lopetegui's tenure. In contrast, Crystal Palace's struggles continue as they remain rooted near the bottom of the table in 18th place, still searching for their first points of the season.

Overall, it was a well-earned victory for West Ham, showcasing resilience and clinical finishing, while Palace will need to regroup quickly if they hope to turn their season around.