And Breathe… West Ham Earn Massive Win over Watford

Both West Ham and Watford were level on points and just narrowly hovering above the relegation zone; the three points in the balance were massive. An outrageous first half sees the Hammers nab all three in this crucial match.

On bated breath and mounting nerves, West Ham supporters cheered on an almost exact carbon copy of the team that battered Norwich last weekend. Ben Johnson stepped up for a late scratch of Ryan Fredericks. The XI was set, and to meet them was a predictably strong Watford team.

The feeling out period lasted just six minutes as strong play down the right-wing saw both Johnson and Bowen work the ball wide then centrally where Soucek and Fornals both shepherded the ball to Michail Antonio to calmly netted his seventh goal since the restart, nutmegging a helpless Ben Foster.

The Beast is still bang in form and had a lot of work to do on this goal. The angle was hardly flattering, as the ricocheted ball forced his terrific run wide to the right of Foster. Great acceleration and much-improved composure saw him make no mistake in the sixth minute.

Just three minutes later, off a Watford corner, stout defending sprung Bowen who forced a yellow card challenge from Cleverly. The ensuing free-kick eventually sprung Bowen down his right-wing where a cutback and perfect cross found a sprinting Soucek at the far post. 2-0 just ten minutes into the match.

The Hammers weren’t done just yet, though. The first half pressure the Hammers continued to bring help the Hornets to a few scrappy counter-attacks but everything was seemingly under control by Moyes’ men.

A 34th-minute corner kick that was headed away by the Watford was recovered by Fornals who fed Noble. With the centre-back allowed to stay committed forward, Noble teased a cross but instead found Rice who, against all odds, turned and BANGED in an absolute rocket from 30+ yards out.

Easily the goal of his career and West Ham’s season, supporters and Ben Foster were left mouth hanging open in pure disbelief. The question must be asked, what can’t this kid do? From defensive dynamo, to slick passer, to (now) goal threat from 30 yards, Rice put on an absolute display in this match, crowned by his rocket shot.

The half would end and West Ham were comfortably in control. Watford would make a change at fullback at the half and started on the strong foot after a fire and brimstone tongue lashing from Nigel Pearson one can only imagine.

Attacking down Johnson’s wing, some superb play from Doucoure would see him pull defenders across Fabianski’s box before pinging a shot off the far post. The rebound found Troy Deeney who slotted it in the open goal in the 49th minute. Watford had a prayer.

What followed was roughly a 30-minute onslaught from a motivated Watford team. Their goal enticed more from them and they pushed hard. West Ham, and this means every player, bent but didn’t crack. Angelo Ogbonna leading the way, the Hammers tightened up and diffused huge possession from Watford.

Haller replaced Fornals in the 72nd minute and the match did level back out. Antonio dropped back and allowed Haller to stay committed forward where he almost scored a wonder goal himself, forcing an emergency save from Foster in desperation.

Numerous tackles, blocks, and clearances populated the rest of the match as Moyes’ team defended bravely and well enough to deflate Watford with relative ease. Only permitting three shots on goal, the West Ham defence was outstanding in their own box, and praise is deserved all over the team sheet.

On Mark Noble‘s 500th career appearance for the club, yet again proved he still has impressive performances in him. No one deserved this win more than he did, and he ran his socks off for the entire match. A true team performance, the Hammers earned this remarkable win, doing themselves a huge favour in their near-complete bid for safety!