The season of good will has definitely departed from David Moyes, or you would think so given his acerbic post match interview. The Hammers manager 'snapped' at the reporter from the moment his post match presser began, all the poor interviewer did was to have the temerity to suggest the Irons migh be on their way to the top four of the Premier League after a difficult spell of results.
Moyes displayed a rare condescension when replying to what were relatively unambiguous questions, questions that were nowhere near as annoying as some of those asked by people like Geoff Shrieves on a regular basis. The fact that the interview was conducted by a female reporter perhaps accentuated the situation, after all Moysie does have a bit of previous with female reporters!
All this is a pity, because Moyes was eventually won round as the FEMLE reporter drew the manager's attention to the fact that he had just overtaken 'Arry Redknapp in the Premier League's most games managed table. This brought a wry smile to the Scot's face that had previously looked like stone.
Moyes WAS furious about the VAR decision to cancel what would have been Hammers 3rd goal, due to a 50-50 tackle by Tomas Soucek just before the goal was scored being deemed as a foul. When he has calmed down a bit he will realise that it WAS a foul, despite being the mildest of touches.
Watford were a disparate and desperate side, but they still managed to go ahead within 4 minutes, partly due to a bit of an error by their ex-player 'Les' Dawson. However West Ham, calmly marshalled by captain Mark Noble who filled in superbly for the suspended Declan Rice, began the process of clawing the match back.
Two goals within the space of THREE MINUTES, the first from Tomas Soucek who was playing a more advanced role, the second following so swiftly afterwards coming from Said Benrahma who had hit the bar earlier on in the game. The novice referee did NOT have a good game and seemed unable to make spontaneous decisions when required to do so.
The home side did have their moments, but were generally kept at bay by a nervous yet resolute back line that cooped with most of what was thrown at it, their cause being helped in no small way by Lukasz Fabianski who was in superb form, especially as the home team tried to rally in the closing minutes.
The 3rd goal came just a moment after the denied goal when Hammers were awarded a penalty after intervention by VAR, Captain Mark Noble duly dispensed said penalty with aplomb. Unfortunately young Ben Johnson had to be replaced by Authur Masuaku, with what looks like a recurrence of the injury he had just returned from.
Watford threw all they could to try and force an unlikely come back, but were left repeatedly exposed with Michail Antonio having had what looked like a certain goal saved following a brilliant cut back from Jarrod Bowen who also assisted Tomas Soucek's opener.
In the closing minutes the cherry on the cake arrived as Nikola Vlasic scored his 1st goal for the Irons, courtesy of a pass from who else, but Jarrod Bowen! This 4-1 away win will go some way to heal the wounds of the Southampton defeat and instil a bit of belief in what had become a slightly beleaguered squad.
The next game, away to Palace comes sooner than the club would have wished, but it is what it is and there is at least a decent break before the next game at home to Leeds, so lighten up Moysie! Break open a festive smile and enjoy a wee dram tonight while looking at the 1000th video sent by agents of players they are trying to hoick in the January sales!- Ed
