3 – 3
Did it deliver?
The match more than justified its billing. A 3-0 lead was wiped out in 24 second-half minutes, and the game finished with five goals in a very open contest.
Cardiff made the most of limited chances. Jack Moylan scored three in 28 minutes, a close-range finish, a penalty and a corner-routine goal, and Cardiff led 3-0 despite West Ham creating the better openings. After the break the Hammers took over. They finished with 18 shots to 7, 10 on target, six big chances and 56% possession, and the changes at half-time brought a sharp lift in tempo. Divine Mukasa pulled one back from a Jarrod Bowen assist, Arne Engels made it 3-2 after Joël Piroe's work, and Max Kilman headed in another Bowen delivery from a corner to level at 3-3 in the 82nd minute. Cardiff's keeper made seven saves, but his side wasted a three-goal cushion and ended up thankful for a point. West Ham will be pleased with their resilience but frustrated by such a poor first half, and the draw leaves both sides with plenty to fix.
West Ham arrive in Wales after sacking Nuno Espírito Santo, with Mark Noble in caretaker charge following two straight defeats. Cardiff are unbeaten at home but winless away and short of bodies, so a tight midweek contest is on the cards.
West Ham's main attacking threat, and he could be key against a Cardiff defence missing several regulars.
A clinical forward who can punish a thin Cardiff back line if West Ham get service.
Cardiff's creative midfielder, who will help set the tempo on a pitch that suits their passing game.
An experienced forward who can lead the line with Isaak Davies out and give Cardiff a goal threat at home.
Cardiff City
West Ham United
Cardiff City•MidfielderCorner awarded.
Tomas Soucek takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Ezra Mayers takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Edvin Austbo takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Tomas Soucek comes on for Joel Veltman.
Corner awarded.
Joel Veltman receives a yellow card.
Max Kilman takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
assist: Jarrod Bowen
Goal! Max Kilman scores to make it 3-3, assisted by Jarrod Bowen.
Konstantinos Mavropanos takes a shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Mohamadou Kante takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Offside.
Ronan Kpakio is on, and Perry Ng is off.
On comes David Turnbull, off goes Calum Scanlon.
Edvin Austbo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Edvin Austbo comes on for Manor Solomon.
Jarrod Bowen takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Ollie Tanner takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Shot with the left foot results in a goal.
Perry Ng takes a right-footed shot but misses.
assist: Joël Piroe
Goal! Arne Engels scores to make it 3-2, assisted by Joel Piroe.
Manor Solomon takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Joel Piroe takes a left-footed shot but misses.
assist: Jarrod Bowen
Goal! Divine Mukasa scores to make it 3-1, assisted by Jarrod Bowen.
Divine MukasaDivine Mukasa scores with a left-footed shot.
Cian Ashford replaces Chris Willock.
Joel Colwill is substituted for Rubin Colwill.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Manor Solomon takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Yousef Salech takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Joel Piroe's header is saved.
On comes Joel Piroe, off goes Valentin Mariano Castellanos Gimenez.
Mohamadou Kante is on, and Soungoutou Magassa is off.
On comes Ezra Mayers, off goes Felipe Rodrigues Da Silva, and Morato is also substituted.
Konstantinos Mavropanos takes a right-footed shot but misses.
First half ends with the score at 3-0.
Valentin Mariano Castellanos Gimenez takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jack MoylanJack Moylan takes a shot with his head and scores a goal.
assist: Joel Bagan
Goal! Jack Moylan scores to make it 3-0, assisted by Joel Bagan.
Corner awarded.
Goal! Jack Moylan scores a penalty, making it 2-0.
Jack MoylanJack Moylan takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Shot - Will Fish Head Shot Missed
Corner awarded.
Soungoutou MagassaYellow CardYellow card shown to Soungoutou Magassa.
Max Kilman receives a yellow card.
Offside.
Jack MoylanJack Moylan takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Alex Robertson
Goal! Jack Moylan scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Alex Robertson.
Jack MoylanJack Moylan takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Valentin Mariano Castellanos Gimenez takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jarrod Bowen takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Edward Duckworth.
