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Five stand-out moments from West Ham’s forgettable season

By Louis Pye

West Ham United's Ukrainian striker Andriy Yarmolenko (R) celebrates scoring their second goal by high-fiving a member of his team in teh stands during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Norwich City at The London Stadium, in east London on August 31, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United's Ukrainian striker Andriy Yarmolenko (R) celebrates scoring their second goal by high-fiving a member of his team in teh stands during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Norwich City at The London Stadium, in east London on August 31, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The football season may have been postponed, but the campaign so far is still fresh in the memory of West Ham fans – albeit more so depressing rather than refreshing.

However, we are deciding to wipe all of those turgid times out of our minds and focus on the happier moments that we have witnessed over the course of the last seven months for West Ham United.

1)    Yarmolenko comeback goal v Norwich

It was still in the early stages of the season when Andriy Yarmolenko officially announced his return to London Stadium in style as he confirmed all three points against Norwich with a well-taken goal.

The occasion clearly meant a lot to him as he held back the tears before running over to the West Ham medical team who helped him get back fit after an Achilles tendon rupture, which left him on the sidelines for almost a year.

This win also boosted the Hammers into the Champions League places in what was considered one of their best performances of the season.

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2)    Hammers dominate hapless Man United

It was in their next home fixture after Norwich were West Ham, like in the previous season, proved too much for Man United, and everyone was well and truly on the “Pellegrini at the wheel” train.

It was Yarmolenko again who scored, this time the opening goal, just before half-time to put the Hammers in a dominant position. After a few missed chances at both ends, Aaron Cresswell rounded the win off with a memorable free-kick to keep the good times rolling at London Stadium.

If the season does end how it is, then it will be West Ham’s first 100%-win ratio in a campaign over the Red Devils since that famous 2006/2007 season.

3)    Martin’s heroic debut at Stamford Bridge

After weeks of watching Roberto in-between the sticks for the Hammers, it was more than a relief for fans to see David Martin’s name on the team-sheet prior to their match away to Chelsea.

Not many would have predicted the final outcome, though, as Martin looked calm and assured as he kept a clean sheet on his debut, contributing to a famous away win at Stamford Bridge, as Cresswell struck the second-half winner in front of the cheering away fans.

A beautiful moment occurred after the final whistle as Martin climbed through the stands to hug his father and West Ham legend Alvin Martin, who sent a heartfelt “thank you” to West Ham fans for their support of his son throughout the game.

4)    Moyes’ first game to start the New Year off with a bang

It was all moans and groans as West Ham re-appointed David Moyes as their manager, just a year and a half after letting him go from his first stint. His first game against relegation rivals Bournemouth on New Year’s Day was a big test to win the skeptical Hammers fan base over.

To everyone’s delight, however, he did not disappoint, as his side recorded a 4-0 win at London Stadium – their biggest margin of victory in the Premier League since 2007.

Captain Mark Noble bagged a brace along with a cultured performance, Sebastien Haller scored a remarkable volley, and Felipe Anderson struck his first goal of the season to round the occasion off nicely, as 2020 peaked far too soon.

5)    Hammers new-found front four click

Most recently, but what now must seem like a lifetime ago, West Ham beat Southampton 3-1 at London Stadium.

It was a performance of excitement, exuberance, and hope of what was to come for the remainder of the season. Haller, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and newly signed Jarrod Bowen all combined exquisitely as they slammed three past the Saints, in what in all honesty should have been more.

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It finally gave Irons fans a sample of belief as all previous hope seemed to have been lost in the midst of the dreary season. The Hammers’ faithful will be keeping their fingers crossed that the attacking quartet can take over from where they left off if the season is ever to re-start.