Wimbledon produced the most amazing comeback in Premiership history to win a seven-goal thriller at Upton Park last night. Wimbledon had looked dead and buried after just 26 minutes as West Ham raced into a 3-0 lead with some sublime football.
John Hartson's first goal of the season after six minutes was quickly followed by a brace from ex-Arsenal team-mate Ian Wright as the Hammers exploited gaping holes in the visitors defence.
But Wimbledon gave themselves what looked at the time like a faint hope before the break when Marcus Gayle powered a brilliant header past Shaka Hislop after 30 minutes.
Jason Euell reduced the deficit after a mistake in the home defence, Gayle's second levelled the scores after 76 minutes and substitute Efan Ekoku added the fourth after 80 minutes.
The result had looked beyond doubt before half an hour had gone, as the Hammers ripped Wimbledon apart.
At times the home side were almost irresistible despite missing the services of injured duo Rio Ferdinand and Steve Lomas.
Trevor Sinclair's deep cross after six minutes found Wright pulling away from his marker at the far post and Hartson pounced on the knock-back to slide in his first goal of the season.
Eyal Berkovic's left wing corner wasn't cleared by Wimbledon's defence and Wright slammed home his second goal of the season after 13 minutes.
Wright then hammered the ball into the top corner after great work by Lazaridis.
That looked like game, set and match but Wimbledon gave themselves a fighting chance of salvaging something from the game.
Marcus Gayle put a towering header from just inside the area past Shaka Hislop into the top corner.
West Ham: Hislop, Ruddock, Sinclair, Hartson, Wright, Moncur, Lazaridis, Lampard, Pearce, Berkovic, Margas. Subs Not Used: Forrest, Keller, Potts, Impey, Abou. Booked: Impey. Goals: Hartson 7, Wright 14, 27.
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Perry, Earle (Ekoku 73), Roberts, Gayle, Leaburn, Hughes, Euell, Jupp. Subs Not Used: Heald, McAllister, Kennedy, Fear. Booked: Cunningham, Sullivan, Roberts, Jupp, Hughes. Goals: Gayle 30, Euell 64, Gayle 77, Ekoku 81.
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford).
