December 28, (THEWILL) – West Ham put their previous poor record behind them with a convincing 4-1 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday in the English Premier League.
Goals by Tomas Soucek, Said Benrahma, Mark Noble (from the penalty spot), and Nikola Vlasic were enough to demolish a Watford side that looked sluggish from the start, despite gaining an early lead through the prolific Emmanuel Dennis.
The Hornets made three changes to the team that last played 18 days ago, starting Francisco Sierralta, Adam Masina, and Ozan Tufan, while West Ham boss David Moyes reinstated Michail Antonio off the bench after his goal-scoring return on Boxing Day.
Claudio Ranieri had stated in the build-up to the game that Watford had only been able to train together once, but the early indications were that it would not damage his team, with Dennis giving the Hornets the lead after only four minutes to continue his good form in front of goal.
The Nigerian’s magnificent shot into the top corner, on the other hand, would be a rare bright spot in a half and game that West Ham would go on to dominate in every department.
Five minutes after Dennis’ goal, Benrahma struck the crossbar with a fizzing effort, before Soucek rewarded the visitors’ relentless offensive effort with an equaliser just before the half-hour mark.
Taking advantage of Jarrod Bowen’s wonderful reverse through pass, the Czech blasted home inside Daniel Bachmann’s near post for his third Premier League goal of the season.
Benrahma capitalised on an error by Kiko Feminia to strike a deflected attempt home from Michail Antonio’s left wing centre 110 seconds later, as Moyes’ charges went on a rampage.
Ranieri introduced Joao Pedro after the break, but the visitors maintained their lead and might have added a third through Bowen had Soucek not fouled Dennis in the course of getting the ball back.
West Ham did, however, get that third goal, with VAR once again playing a role in awarding a penalty. Antonio pursued a lost cause, looped the ball into the area, and Bowen was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Bachmann.
Skipper Noble, who came in for the suspended Declan Rice, stroked home the spot kick, virtually putting the game to bed with 30 minutes remaining. There was still time for substitute Vlasic to add a fourth goal in stoppage time, capping off an excellent day for the Hammers.
Their efforts lift the team up to fifth, while Watford remain 17th, hanging perilously just above the drop into the relegation zone.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
