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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Watford 1-4 West Ham: David Moyes’ side overcome slow start to finish 2021 on winning note

West Ham finished 2021 on a positive note as they proved too good for Watford in a comfortable 4-1 win at Vicarage Road.

Emmanuel Dennis gave the hosts the lead early on, but Tomas Soucek and Said Benrahma turned that around in a brilliant spell for West Ham.

Mark Noble added a third from the penalty spot in the second-half, before Nikola Vlasic capped off the victory in added time as David Moyes’ side brought an end to their winless run.

The Hammers go into 2022 four points behind Arsenal, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.

Dennis put Watford in front inside the first five minutes. Josh King picked up space in a central position and had time to slide the ball through to his teammate, who cut inside Craig Dawson and fired it into the top corner.

But West Ham responded well and they got the rewards their performance deserved. Jarrod Bowen found Soucek who made a lovely run into the box before firing it into the near post.

And less than two minutes later Moyes’ side were ahead, as Michail Antonio found Benrahma in the box and he made no mistake with a first-time finish from 12 yards out.

Jarrod Bowen thought he had extended the lead just after the break after firing Soucek’s ball in from close range, but the goal was disallowed for an earlier foul.

But West Ham did get their third goal eventually. Bowen was brought down by Daniel Bachmann after the referee gave the penalty after checking the pitchside monitor. Mark Noble stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The rest of the match followed without much incident as West Ham coasted to a much-needed three points, with Vlasic adding a fourth in stoppage-time after more good work from Bowen.

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