Palace aim for series of hat-tricks in visit to West Ham

Records are there to be broken for Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace team in their fixture against West Ham.

For Jordan Ayew, a winner against the Hammers would resemble the third consecutive time the Ghanian has scored the decisive goal in this fixture.

Ayew enjoys lining up against West Ham, the four goals he’s netted against them represents his best return against an opponent.

In this match last season, Ayew’s late tap-in was initially ruled out for offside after goals from Sebastien Haller and Patrick van Aanholt. After checking VAR, the goal eventually stood to send the away Palace support into raptures.

Ayew’s second winner against West Ham was one of the goals of the 2019/20 season.

After once again having to come from behind after an opener by Robert Snodgrass and then an equaliser from Cheikhou Kouyate, the 29-year-old produced a moment of magic to win the game.

A roulette, some quick feet and a perfectly executed chip secured all three points in the 90th minute for Palace, a feat they’ll be hoping to repeat when travelling to the London Stadium on Wednesday.

The forward was an unused substitute in Palace’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham last weekend but will hope his record against West Ham allows for a starting berth.

Should they manage another victory against David Moyes’ West Ham, it would constitute the first time that Palace have won three consecutive league fixtures against them.

The Scotsmen’s team have impressed so far this term and sit seventh in the Premier League table coming into the game, Palace in 12th.

Moyes was full of praise for his counterpart Roy Hodgson ahead of the match against the Eagles.

“Crystal Palace have got a tremendous manager in Roy Hodgson, who’s got great knowledge and has seen many things.

I just think his longevity and experience has worked so well for Palace in recent years. I don’t think you’d consider them as a team even close to relegation – they’re looking more to get closer to the top end of the league – and you have to give Roy the credit for that.

He continues to do a brilliant job and to keep going at his age is a great credit to him, it really is.”

Despite the praise, West Ham will be confident of a positive result having won four of their last five league fixtures, as many as they had in their previous 13 Premier League contests.

Michail Antonio and Arthur Masuaku are absentees for the Hammers whilst Hodgson travels with a full squad to choose from.

Tom Hardy will be at the London Stadium for West Ham’s fixture against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening. 

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