Watford outclass Hammers in 2-0 win
Watford impress with comfortable win over Hammers
Mitch Freeley
David Moyes started life as West Ham boss with a 2-0 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road. A goal in either half from Will Hughes and Brazilian attacker Richarlison sealed the victory for Marco Silvas side. As for West Ham they are still mired in the relegation zone, and have not won in the last five Premier League matches.
Watford took an early lead from Will Hughes who scored his first goal for his side with his first ever shot for the Hornets. West Ham failed to deal with a Zeegelaar cross, eventually falling to Andre Gray the strikers deflected shot fell into the path of Huges who swept the ball into the bottom left hand corner past Joe Hart.
The first half was a scrappy affair with referee Andre Mariner dishing out four yellow cards in the first half.
Towards the end of the first half, Watford could have perhaps doubled their lead. A drilled shot from the lively Richarlison was palmed away by Hammers keeper Joe Hart. Watford right back Kiko Femenía ran onto the ball, however his shot was skewed wide.
West Ham ended the half on the front foot, and could have found parity going into the break if not for two stunning saves from Heurelho Gomes. First up a neat passing move from West Ham saw Cheikhou Kouyaté find himself in goal, however Gomes was quick off his line to smother the shot.
The Brazilian keeper was again in action in first-half stoppage time to deny Marko Arnautović first palming away the header and following up with a reflex save with his foot.
The second half saw Watford dominating their opponents, with Andre Gray and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré seeing their curling efforts flying just wide of Joe Harts goal.
Eventually Watford’s pressure paid off with goal scorer Hughes turning provider for Richarlison for the Hornets to double their lead on the 63rd minute.
Hughes sprayed the ball wide to Richarlison and the Brazilian winger showed plenty of pace and composure and his shot found its way into the back of the net, via a deflection from Hart.
The victory sees Watford push up to eighth place in the Premier League, whilst as for David Moyes his 500th league game in charge ended in a defeat and raised plenty of questions for the Scottish manager and the challenge he is facing at the Hammers.