West Ham condemned Norwich to relegation with a thumping 4-0 victory which sees the Hammers almost confirm their survival in the Premier League.
David Moyes named one change side to West Ham side that lost 1-0 to Burnley. Mark Noble returned to the starting eleven in place of Andriy Yarmolenko, reclaiming his captain’s armband from stand-in captain Declan Rice.
A win for West Ham would make them six points clear of the relegation zone. A defeat for Daniel Farke’s Norwich would see them relegated at full-time, a draw would keep Norwich safe, as long as Watford lost to Newcastle.
Match Report
West Ham started the game well and put pressure on Norwich possession, but the Canaries were holding most of the ball. The Hammers created the first chance of the match. Tomas Soucek found himself in space at the top of the box, but the Czech international couldn’t get his shot on target.
That chance was closely followed by another opportunity for Michail Antonio. Aaron Cresswell found the forward with a great cross. Unfortunately for Antonio, his effort was well saved by Tim Krul.
Antonio didn’t have to wait long for his next opportunity. Jarrod Bowen‘s corner was knocked on by Issa Diop and fell for West Ham’s in-form striker who made no mistake this time and fired the hammers into an early lead.
Antonio had a chance to double the lead soon after goal. It was that link-up with Cresswell again. The full-back found the forward with another cross, but Antonio could only hook his effort high and wide of the Norwich goal.
Norwich then came close to an equaliser against the run of play. Jamaal Lewis found the Finnish striker at the back post but he couldn’t guide his header on target. The Canaries weren’t going down without a fight and as another chance was blazed wide by Onel Hernandez.
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West Ham came back at the Canaries. Antonio received a good pass from Noble and was able to play-in Bowen. The former Hull City forward fired his shot just past Krul’s right post. Bowen was getting into some good positions and had another chance soon after but fired wide of the other post from a tight angle.
It was all West Ham at this point and they went close to doubling the lead. Some good possession play led to Noble whipping in a cross for Soucek. The Czech’s volley was perfectly hit, but Krul was equal to it.
The Hammers then made their ascendency count. Noble won and took a freekick on the edge of the Norwich box. His cross was perfectly placed on the head of Antonio, his header was glanced passed Krul and into the goal to put West Ham two-up.
Norwich did go close to pulling one back. Emiliano Buendia hit a curling effort towards West Ham’s goal. Lukasz Fabianski dived well and pushed it to safety and keep West Ham’s lead intact at half-time.
Despite an early Norwich flurry of pressure, it was, in fact, West Ham that started the second half in perfect fashion. Antonio broke through the Norwich defence and latched on to Nobles through ball.
The forward’s first attempt was saved by Krul, but he reacted quickest and scored the third to complete his first-ever hat-trick. That was West ham’s first hat-trick since Andy Carroll scored three against Arsenal back in 2016.
Norwich did start to wake up. after the third goal but couldn’t make use of any of their attacking play. This led to Daniel Farke deciding to ring the changes and make some substitutions.
The German manager made four substitutes as once, in order to try and salvage something from the game for the Canaries. But it was West Ham that struck again to wrap up the match.
After some neat passing, Ryan Fredericks barged his way into the Norwich box and cut back a perfect pass to the already hat-trick hero Antonio. The 30-year made no mistake and fired home for his fourth goal of the game.
David Moyes made his first changes of the match after the fourth goal. Sebastian Haller and Jack Wilshere came on for Michail Antonio and Mark Noble who had been superb during their time on the pitch.
Norwich thought they had scored a consolation goal. Substitute Adam Idah worked his way into the Hammer’s box and cut back a dangerous cross which deflected off of Cresswell and into the goal. Fortunately for the full-back, Idah was offside and the goal correctly ruled out.
Moyes then made more changes to freshen up the team. Andriy Yarmolemko replaced Jarrod Bowen and Arthur Masuaku made his first appearance since the restart in place of Pablo Fornals. Moyes then completed the shuffle by sending Fabian Balbuena on for Angelo Ogbonna.
West Ham did well to close out the game for their biggest away win since 2007. Defeat for Norwich meant they will be playing their football in the Championship next season.
Man Of The Match: Michail Antonio
Who else than Michail Antonio. The forward scored four, yes FOUR goals. Antonio was everywhere during his time on the pitch, he contributed defensively and was clinical in front of goal.
A mention must go to Mark Noble however, he has faced criticism since the restart but put in a brilliant performance against Norwich, assisting two goals and controlling the midfield.
West Ham next face seventeenth placed and fellow relegation candidate Watford, a match that if it ended as a draw would benefit both sides in their battle to confirm their place in the Premier League.