Premier League
Watford 2-0 West Ham United 

Sunday, 19th November 2017
by Staff Writer

The appointment of David Moyes failed to lift West Ham out of the doldrums as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

And of even greater concern will be that there were few signs, if any, of improvement despite the new boss having spent the last two weeks with his new squad.

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Although hamstrung by a reduced squad missing the likes of Javier Hernandez, Andre Ayew and Michail Antonio, Moyes' West Ham proved to be no more efficient, threatening or likely to pick up a much-needed win than his predecessor's had in recent weeks.

And they could have been reduced to ten men inside the first minute after Andy Carroll landed a trademark right hand on his marker as they rose for an early aerial challlenge - for which he was perhaps fortunate to see yellow, instead of red.

As it was Moyes' team managed to last for just 11 minutes before conceding the first goal of his managerial reign, against a side that had been beaten in their last three consecutive Premier League outing.

Andre Gray's mishit effort fell kindly for former Derby midfielder WIll Hughes, who fired past Joe Hart to score his first goal in Watford colours - and put West Ham on the backfoot yet again.

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Distinctly second best for much of the opening half, the Hammers enjoyed their best spell of the match in the last five minutes of the opening period.

And with a little more luck, David Moyes' squad could have entered the break on level terms - at least - after Cheik Kouyate and Marco Arnautovic both fluffed golden opportunities to score when left with just the 'keeper to beat.

Those misses proves to be costly to West Ham, who conceded a second midway through the half. Moments earlier Joe Hart produced a fantastic save a point blank range, only to be beaten a little too easily by Richarlison with a drive across the face of goal.

There was also a worrying injury for Moyes - celebrating his 500th Premier League game as a club manager - to contend with when United's club-record signing Arnautovic sustained what appeared to be a nasty knock to the wrist, leading to several minutes of on-pitch treatment before he was substituted.


And in addition to the on-pitch issues he has to deal with, there were a series of anti-Board demonstrations by the away supporters throughout the game, with David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady left in no uncertain terms what the supporters feel of their management of the club.


West Ham Utd: Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Obiang, Arnautovic (Masuaku 72), Lanzini, Carroll (Sakho 65).

Subs not used: Adrian, Martinez, Fernandes, Quina, Rice.

Bookings: Carroll (27), Arnautovic (37), Obiang (41), Noble (82).

Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Femenia (Holebas 86), Britos, Kabasele, Doucoure, Cleverley, Zeegelaar, Hughes (Pereyra 83), Richarlison, Gray (Carrillo 90+7).

Subs not used: Karnezis, Prodl, Capoue, Okaka.

Goals: Hughes (11), Richarlison (65).

Bookings: Britos (29).

Referee: Andre Marriner.

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Player Ratings

Joe Hart
Comments to follow.


Pablo Zabaleta
Comments to follow.


Winston Reid
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Angelo Ogbonna
Comments to follow.


Aaron Cresswell
Comments to follow.


Cheikhou Kouyate
Comments to follow.


Pedro Obiang
Comments to follow.


Marko Arnautovic
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Manuel Lanzini
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Mark Noble
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Andy Carroll
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Substitutes

Arthur Masuaku
(Replaced Arnautovic) Comments to follow.


Diafra Sakho
(Replaced Carroll) Comments to follow.


Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
Did not play.


Antonio Martinez
Did not play.


Edimilson Fernandes
Did not play.


Domingos Quina
Did not play.


Declan Rice
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang, Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble, Andy Carroll.

Goals: None.

Booked: Andy Carroll 27 Marko Arnautovic 37 Pedro Obiang 41 Mark Noble 82    .

Sent off: None.

Watford: Gomes, Mariappa, Femenia (Holebas 86), Britos, Kabasele, Doucoure, Cleverley, Zeegelaar, Hughes (Pereyra 83), Richarlison, Gray (Carrillo 90+7).

Subs not used: Karnezis, Prodl, Capoue, Okaka.

Goals: Hughes (11), Richarlison (65).

Booked: Britos (29).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.

Attendance: 0.

Man of the Match: Manuel Lanzini.