It was a dramatic start to life back at West Ham United for Scott Parker as his side came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Cardiff City.
The 46-year-old was appointed on Wednesday morning following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday, and took charge for the first time the same evening.
A first-half hat-trick from Jack Moylan saw Cardiff race into a 3-0 lead with Parker’s Hammers looking set for a third consecutive defeat.
The Irishman gave Brian Barry-Murphy’s side the lead after ten minutes with a thunderous strike from range, Mads Hermansen had no chance in the visitors’ goal.
He soon had his second minutes later as a Cardiff corner caused pinball in the West Ham box, Moylan eventually got the decisive touch to give his side a 2-0 advantage.
Minutes from half time and Cardiff’s number eight was involved again winning a penalty, which he stepped to take and converted to secure the match ball.
West Ham were booed off at the break with fans chanting “You’re not fit to wear the shirt”, and it looked like Parker was in for a tough return to Championship management.
However, an early second-half goal from Divine Mukasa sparked life into the Hammers; the Manchester City loanee dinked Nathan Trott to pull one back.
West Ham continued to push and had a second not too long later through Arne Engels, who kept his calm to finish from close range.
Max Kilman got the decisive equaliser eight minutes from time after getting on the end of an impressive Jarrod Bowen cross to salvage a what looked like an unlikely point at half-time.
After the match, the new Hammers boss spoke to the press and reflected on a difficult first half. “First half performance was pretty poor” Parker began. “The biggest thing for me tonight is a lot of learning has taken place.”
“I leave here tonight knowing what I’m going to say tomorrow, knowing what I’m going to do tomorrow, know what I’m going to do in the coming weeks.”
Having only arrived and signed his contract in the morning the new Irons boss admitted his half time team talk was difficult. “I’ve been here for six hours so it was very difficult that half-time talk but helped them tactically.”
West Ham head to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and will be hoping to return to winning ways before the international break.
