Bristol City 0-1 WestHam United: Diafra Sakho puts West Ham into the 5 round of the FA Cup.
Diafra Sakho came on to put West Ham United into the 5th round of the FA Cup.
After needing a replay to see off Everton in the last round it looked like the WestHam United would have to do it all over again after a superb Bristol City side gave them all they had at Ashton Gate.
But after non stop action at both ends the Senegalese got the better of City after putting one home from an Andy Carroll cross to snatch the late win.
Sam Allardyce signalled his intent for an all out run at Bristol City by picking his strongest possible line-up with Andy Carroll leading up front.
But Andy Carroll, and Mark Noble were needed at the other end early on for goal-line clearances against City’s Matt Smith and Joe Bryan.
City’s Luke Freeman, ex Arsenal, was on form from the start in the middle of the park dictating the tempo with his magic left foot.
Another close shave followed for WestHam soon after, as Bryan’s cross-shot from Freeman’s pass just missed Adrian’s left-hand post.
It took the Hammers 20 minutes to even hit the goal, Carroll dragging a half-hearted volley wastefully wide.
Andy Carroll again looked the most likely for West Ham and forced keeper Frank Fielding into his first proper save from close range just before the half time.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce halt time talking to did nothing to raise West Ham’s first-half malaise with the League One’s top of the table again posing the biggest threat.
West Ham’s Stewart Downing showed commitment but couldn’t apply the finishing touch after some good interplay on the edge of the box.
Enner Valencia and Alex Song were subbed at the hour mark with Sakho and Morgan Amalfitano replacing them.
The Senegalese went the closest to breaking the deadlock shortly after hitting the bar with a shot from close range.
But the crossbar couldn’t save Robins a second time a few minutes later, with Sakho there to nod home off the woodwork after a lovely Andy Carroll cross to the backpost.
It wasn’t a fair reflection on the game to be honest as City’s superb 110% effort, but that’s football and the FA Cup as West Ham United go through to Monday’s 5th round draw.
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