Not sure if I'm seeing this through C&B tinted specs, but I seem to have a different take from every pundit and report I'm reading on it.
'Long ball punted up field, headed down back of the net', seems to be the view on it but for me it was a beautifully executed move.
Now Cresswell's cross field ball was inch perfect and the pass you look for if you have a big target man. He looked up, and put it on his head. Feck, if that had been Beckham a few years back, the commentators would all be blowing their wads and patting each other on the back as if the messiah had parted the red sea. But it's West Ham and Cresswell's not an England international for some unknown reason, so it's a hopeful punt up field right off page 1 of BFS's football tactics. (That's a 1 pg book btw)
The knockdown from Carroll is outstanding, beating 2 defender's to the ball, a lovely flick from Sakho, that again, if Messi had done, you'd think they'd been a stag party in the commentary box judging by the wads of kleenex. Payet is right on hand as all top quality players are and slots it beyond the keeper.
I sat and watched the goal about 50 times last night (kept rewinding it) and fail to see how it's a route 1, hopeful punt. Looks wonderfully crafted to me.
Anyone else?