West Ham finished 2021 with a convincing 1-4 away win at Watford, the game epitomised everything good about the team over the course of the year.
It’s been a successful calendar year for the Hammers with a more ups than downs, as well as plenty of memorable moments.
We take a look back over everything West Ham in 2021.
West Ham have a had a brilliant 2021, we take a trip down memory lane looking back at the highs and lows the year has given us.
January
West Ham got off to a flying start on New Years Day with a 0-1 win over Everton. Tomas Soucek, was on hand, as he so often was last season, to score a late winner.
The Hammers enjoyed a terrific January featuring four wins in a row, Burnley 1-0, West Brom 2-1, followed up by a 2-3 win away at Crystal Palace. Soucek scored twice in that one before Craig Dawson’s powerful header sealed three points for the Irons.
West Ham were full of confidence but the month ended in a disappointing fashion being beaten by Liverpool, with a makeshift defence, 1-3, it was a rare timid performance when hope of a shock result was so high.
The Hammers had a busy January transfer window, Jesse Lingard arrived on loan, Robert Snodgrass and Sebastien Haller left.
February
Lingard made his debut and was an instant hit. The attacking midfielder scored twice and put in a man of the match performance in the 1-3 win away at Aston Villa. That may have been individual display of the year.
A dull 0-0 followed to Fulham, however, it was memorable for Soucek’s controversial red card in the 97th minute after he was deemed to have elbowed Aleksandar Mitrovic. It’s been almost a year and it’s still a decision fans haven’t worked out.
We were then knocked out the FA Cup by Manchester United 1-0 after wins over Stockport and Doncaster in previous rounds.
West Ham then beat Spurs, Michail Antonio scored before Lingard hit a fantastic strike with his left foot that sparked the famous band celebration.
The month ended on a sad note as we learnt of the death of former West ham boss Glenn Roeder.
March
Dawson couldn’t stop scoring in March however, some were for the other team! He scored in the comfortable 2-0 win over Leeds but the centre-back then scored a decisive own goal in the second 1-0 defeat to Man United at Old Trafford in two months.
Then came a thriller versus Arsenal. The match started the run of the dreaded scoreline of being 3-0 up. Lingard scored a screamer before Jarrod Bowen converted a quickly taken free-kick. Soucek then scored for both teams, the own goals continued when Dawson again diverted one into his own net. A nervy game ended 3-3 after Alexandre Lacazette’s equaliser but West Ham nearly came away with nothing.
Carry on to the next page to read the rest of the year:
April
Declan Rice picked up an injury and would miss six games, he had been so influential throughout that many feared the worse despite Mark Noble coming in to offer experience and leadership at a crucial time of the season.
West Ham led 3-0 again, surely lightening couldn’t strike twice – well it nearly did. The attack was firing, Lingard danced through the Wolves team to score a screamer, he then created Pablo Fornals‘ goal with a Diego Maradona inspired turn. Bowen then riffled in West Ham’s side’s third. Again though David Moyes’ side put all fans on edge as Wolves fought back to 2-3. The Irons held on for three points keeping them in the race for a Champions League place
Again, West Ham were 3-0 for the third game running, this time versus Leicester. A Lingard brace and Bowen goal put the Hammers in full control but again they nearly threw it away. The Foxes fought back to 3-2 and missed a huge chance to take a point away from the game. Fans were beginning to dream of Champions League nights next season, it was now a seriously possibility after beating a close rival in the battle.
A chaotic match followed away at Newcastle, we lost 3-2 but shocking defending led to Issa Diop scoring an own goal and Dawson getting sent off. It was the East London’s side turn to fight back levelling the match at 2-2 before the then on fire Joe Willock scored the winner. It was a real dent in West Ham’s top four hopes.
May
Mark Noble announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Manuel Lanzini played for the first time in a deeper position as West Ham tore apart Burnley. Antonio scored both as Said Benrahma began to shine after a slow start to life at the club. The 1-2 scoreline flattered Sean Dyche’s team.
Two back to back flat performance saw Everton beat us 0-1 then a 1-1 draw to Brighton. Benrahma finally scored his first goal in claret and blue with a fantastic long range strike proving their was promise to come for next season.
Those two results led to a top four spot being out of their hands. A European finish was still possible with two matches of the season remaining.
Former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce set to out to ruin West Ham’s season. West Brom were already relegated but it was far from an easy match. Rice’s third minute penalty hit the post then soon to become summer transfer target Matheus Pereira scored directly from a corner, catching Darren Randolph, playing instead of the injured Lukasz Fabianski, out.
This was the first time all season a match was played in front of fans, 5,000 Baggies supporters were allowed as Covid-19 rules were slightly relaxed but they were to be disappointed. West Ham fought back via strikes from Soucek, Angelo Ogbonna and Antonio as West Ham left it late to go within touching distance of a European place.
West Ham capped a brilliant season in front of 10,000 fans beating Southampton 3-0 with help from a Fornals double and a Rice solo goal.
David Moyes’ side had finished 6th in the Premier League with 65 points qualifying for the Europa League with Moyes saying in a speech after the game, “get your passports ready, we’re going to Europe”. West Ham finished above London rivals Spurs and Arsenal and were just two points behind 4th place Chelsea.
June
A quiet month took place as Dawson’s permanent transfer was completed and Fabian Balbuena departed. All eyes were on Euro 2020 as Andriy Yarmolenko starred for Ukraine.
July
Declan Rice ran the game in the final of the Euros but England sadly lost on penalties to Italy.
Felipe Anderson left the club to return to Lazio after a mixed spell in East London. Alphonse Areola arrived on loan from PSG.
Pre-season began, West Ham went undefeated, a 2-6 win over Celtic gave fans hope the coming season would be as good as the last.
Carry on to the next page to read the rest of the year:
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.