West Ham survived a late scare to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 to get off to a winning start in 2022.
Three first half goals appeared to be enough to wrap up the points for David Moyes’ side, but Palace nearly staged a remarkable comeback.
West Ham grabbed all three points against Crystal Palace, but had to survive a late scareAFP Antonio and Benrahma combined for the fifth time this season
Michail Antonio got things going before Manuel Lanzini quickly doubled the scoreline with a magnificent effort.
Some VAR drama saw the Hammers awarded a penalty despite the home side’s protestations and Lanzini put the game well beyond Patrick Vieira’s side.
Two late goals made for a tense finish, but the Hammers clung on to grab all three points.
West Ham had picked up from where they left off on Tuesday, where they beat Watford 4-1, as Antonio broke the deadlock after 22 minutes.
Said Benrahma was the creator for West Ham with a superb ball into the area from the right and Antonio was able to get a faint touch which was enough to beat Vicente Guaita in the Crystal Palace goal.
Lanzini scored twice as he appeared to take the game away from Palace
The forward then pulled out a trademark celebration as he dived onto the turf with his arms outstretched.
The pair have now assisted one another for five Premier League goals this season, the most of any duo in the 2021/22 season.
It was 2-0 three minutes later when Lanzini continued his fine goalscoring form with a brilliant effort.
Declan Rice, who was playing his 150th Premier League game for the club, carried the ball forward from inside his own half before he passed to the unmarked Lanzini and the Argentinian rifled home via the crossbar for his third league goal in the last month.
VAR took centre stage at the end of the first half as West Ham were awarded a penaltyGetty
West Ham wrapped up the perfect half when Lanzini converted a stoppage-time penalty to make it 3-0.
Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic was at fault with a needless handball, which was judged to be just inside the penalty area by referee Darren England after he had used the pitchside monitor following VAR’s instructions.
Lanzini drilled into the bottom corner to complete his brace and put the hosts three down despite creating a number of chances themselves at Selhurst Park.
David Moyes’ side were managing the game well in the second half as they eased to victory, but allowed their clean sheet to slip.
Crystal Palace staged a late fight back against West HamGetty
Michael Olise made a difference off the bench and helped Palace pull one back with seven minutes left.
The substitute checked back on the right and curled into the area where Odsonne Edouard poked home to make it 3-1.
Palace reduced the deficit to one in the 90th minute when an Olise free kick evaded everyone to find the net.
The former Reading youngster whipped in a set-piece from the right which found the bottom corner to set up a grandstand finish at Selhurst Park with West Ham holding a narrow 3-2 lead.