Manuel Lanzini opens scoring for West Ham (Video)

West Ham took the lead in a must-win match against Crystal Palace. Aaron Cresswell provided the assist for Manuel Lanzini.

West Ham have struggled mightily to start the season. They had only four points from seven games and sat in 19th place heading into their match against Crystal Palace. Add to that an uncomfortable start to life in their new stadium and a lengthy injury list, and it would be fair to say things could be going better for the Hammers.

Well, things have been going a little better early on against Crystal Palace. West Ham lined up in a 3-4-3 to start the game in an effort to shore up a leaky defense, while still offering Dimitri Payet the freedom he needs in attack.

So far, it’s worked well. Left wing back Aaron Cresswell has been West Ham’s best player so far on his first start since suffering a knee injury in preseason. Cresswell provided the cross from which Manuel Lanzini opened the scoring.

Palace have been in excellent form themselves recently and will have been expecting to beat a team in the bottom three. They’ve struggled to get into the game so far, but continue to pose a threat from crosses and set pieces.

Christian Benteke, who joined the Eagles from Liverpool in the summer and already has three goals in five starts, has looked a threat in the air, but has yet to have any real opportunities on goal. Palace are looking to extend an unbeaten run that stretches all the way back to the end of August, when they lost 1-0 to Tottenham.

West Ham, meanwhile, are desperate to get themselves out of the relegation zone. A win could move them all the way up to 15th, though that could change depending on Sunday’s results. Lanzini’s goal was certainly a step in the right direction.