David Moyes’ first game in charge of West Ham United ended in defeat as Watford ran out 2-0 winners at Vicarage Road.
Goals from Will Hughes and Richarlison earned Marco Silva’s men all three points in front of their own supporters on Sunday afternoon.
Below are four talking points.
1. Watford in control as they end winless run
Watford may have headed into this match in the top half of the Premier League table, but they were in need of a win after losing all three of their previous outings in the top flight. The Hornets have also struggled at home in 2017/18, emerging victorious in Hertfordshire on just a single occasion – a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal last month.
This was, in some ways, a strange encounter; Watford were much the better team for the vast majority of the game, but they did give up some excellent opportunities. Nevertheless, it was they who played the better football on Sunday, circulating the ball with real purpose and producing some terrific combinations in the final third.
Andre Gray linked the play brilliantly at the top of the pitch, Richarlison was a real threat coming off the left flank, wing-backs Kiko Femenia and Marvin Zeegelaar pushed forward at every opportunity, and Tom Cleverley and Abdoulaye Doucoure kept things moving in the centre of the park. There were plenty of positives for Silva to take from his side’s performance.
2. Moyes has a big job on his hands
Had Cheikhou Kouyate demonstrated a little more composure in front of goal, the outcome at Vicarage Road could have been very different. Yet although the visitors did spurn a handful of presentable opportunities – they were also denied by two brilliant saves from Heurelho Gomes and a goal-line clearance by Christian Kabasele – West Ham were second best for long periods here.
It is difficult to decipher what the Hammers’ idea of play is; there is often little coherence to their approach, which is part of the reason for their struggles so far this season. Moyes enjoyed success at Everton because he fashioned a collective which amounted to more than the sum of his parts, and he will need to similarly instil some much-needed organisation and direction to this West Ham outfit. Whether or not he is able to do so will determine the east Londoners’ fate.
3. Silva should resist Everton’s overtures
Having previously been linked with Thomas Tuchel, Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce, Everton turned their attention to Silva as their hunt for a new manager continued over the recent international break. Watford rejected the Toffees’ approach and insisted the Portuguese is going nowhere, although that could change should the ex-Hull boss declare himself interested in the vacancy at Goodison Park.
Silva, however, would be wise to stay put for the time being. He has created an excellent side at Vicarage Road and, after failing to spend more than a single season at Sporting CP, Olympiacos and Hull, he probably needs to prove he can be successful over a longer period of time. The job offers will not subside if Silva continues to impress at Watford.
4. West Ham need Hernandez back as soon as possible
There are few better headers of the ball in the Premier League than Andy Carroll, but West Ham are too one-dimensional when the 6ft 4in target man is selected as the sole leader of the line. The visitors fired long balls in the striker’s direction for much of the first half, but they struggled to get men up in support of Carroll and the result was frequent turnovers of possession.
Diafra Sakho was introduced in the second half and failed to make much of an impact, but he does offer more mobility and speed up top. Moyes, though, will be hoping to get the injured Javier Hernandez back on the pitch as soon as possible.
