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West Ham in 2021 – Year Recap

By Alex Smith

Said Benrahma of West Ham celebrate with Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Said Benrahma of West Ham celebrate with Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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August 

The month started with West Ham finally winning the Betway Cup, defeating Atalanta 2-0.

Tomas Soucek won the Hammer of the Year award (a belated announcement from West Ham).

The Premier League was back with a bang as the Irons smashed Newcastle 2-4.

The next match we hit four again, this time against Leicester. It was the first of a number of fantastic and atmospheric nights at the London Stadium with a full capacity allowed in for the first time in over a year. Michail Antonio broke West Ham’s Premier League goalscoring record, who can forget him running over to pick up a cardboard cut out of himself!

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester City at The London Stadium on August 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester City at The London Stadium on August 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

The squad was looking thin fortunately Kurt Zouma signed from Chelsea for £25 million, Alex Kral arrived on loan then on deadline day Nikola Vlasic signed. There was some frustration as Conor Coventry left for a loan spell at Peterborough United.

September

This month gave fans the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Our Europa League campaign got underway with a 0-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb, thousands travelled out to Croatia to see West Ham win on the European stage for the first time since 1999.

West Ham lost 1-2 to Man United, Lingard now back at United scored the winner however, in the 95th minute Moyes subbed on penalty specialist and club legend, Noble to convert a spot kick to earn a point with the last kick off the game only for it to be saved by David De Gea.

West Ham bounced back and it was their turn to celebrate in additional time the weekend after. Antonio showed the touch and composure of a world class striker to score the winner over Leeds at Elland Road, 1-2. The goal in front of the travelling supporters sparked jubilant scenes with fans on the pitch.

This was the second successful away day in a week as Manuel Lanzini’s goal in front of the Stretford End at Old Trafford was enough to knock Man United out of the Carabao Cup.

September ended when European football arrived in East London. West Ham confidently dispatched Rapid Vienna 2-0 as Rice and Benrahma scored.

Club hero Winston Reid announced he had left the club on mutual consent.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates with team mate Mark Noble after scoring their sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League group H match between West Ham United and Rapid Wien at Olympic Stadium on September 30, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates with team mate Mark Noble after scoring their sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League group H match between West Ham United and Rapid Wien at Olympic Stadium on September 30, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

October

Again there was late drama, an international break was on the horizon but newly promoted Brentford struck a 94th minute winner after the Irons failed to deal with a set piece. Yoane Wissa’s goal was a dagger in the hearts of fans in claret and blue.

West Ham would respond winning their next six matches. The run began with three clean sheets in a row 1-0’s over Everton and Spurs were either side of another home European win over Genk 3-0.

We then welcomed serial League Cup winners and holders Man City to London Stadium. A much changed Hammers side took Pep Guardiola’s side to penalties. West Ham converted every spot kick to win it 5-3.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Issa Diop celebrate after Said Benrahma of West Ham United (not pictured) scored the winning penalty in te shootout during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on October 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Issa Diop celebrate after Said Benrahma of West Ham United (not pictured) scored the winning penalty in te shootout during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on October 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

The great run then continued on Halloween night, a 1-4 demolition of Aston Villa. Ben Johnson scored and celebrated with his teammates by mocking a video of himself dancing while at school! It was a sensational performance as West Ham remained in 4th place after a strong start.

November 

The month began with a special night at the London Stadium. West Ham pulled off a shock victory over Liverpool 3-2 in one of the team performances of the year. It was a perfect night and some fans began to believe there is a serious chance West Ham will be in the battle for a top four spot again this season. The only negative was that Ogbonna picked up an injury that will keep him out until the end of the season.

There was then confirmation that Daniel Kretinsky had purchased 27% of the club.

Defeats to Wolves and Man City followed along with a draw away at Genk and a win over Rapid Vienna in the chaotic away day that never ended up happening.

December

The busy festive period was upon us and we received little Christmas gifts from referees this month. West Ham never beat Brighton and it happened again, we drew 1-1 with VAR controversially ruling out a Hammers goal.

There was another day to remember at home as David Moyes out smarted Thomas Tuchel as West Ham stunned title chasing Chelsea 3-2. Lanzini, Bowen and Arthur Masuaku’s peculiar cross-come-shot was the difference setting off mass celebrations filled with shock on the 4th December.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

Perhaps, Christmas joy came too soon as four defeats came in the month, an already qualified West Ham played a number of youngsters in the Europa League ‘dead rubber’ loss to Dinamo Zagreb 0-1, to Arsenal and Southampton in the league, not with the help of controversial decisions. Additionally, we were knocked out the Carabao Cup by Spurs 2-1.

However, the month ended positively with the 1-4 victory over Watford. Bowen ran the show, Vlasic got his first goal and Noble scored from the spot. In his final season before retirement, that goal meant he has scored a Premier League goal in every calendar year since 2006. What a way to end.

In 2021, West Ham collected more points (73), recorded more victories (22) and scored more goals (73) in the Premier League than in any previous calendar year.