Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic continued their recent scoring form to secure West Ham United a 2-0 victory over Watford this afternoon.
The Mexican had a goal disallowed for offside on 31 minutes, but was on the scoresheet before the break when he headed in his third goal in as many league games from Michail Antonio's cross.
Watford dominated much of the second half but failed to work Adrian as much as they should have, with the Spaniard only really stretched by Gerard Deulofeu's 25-yard free kick.
The Hammers hit them against the run of play on 78 minutes as the ball fell kindly for Arnautovic to poke home from close range, for his seventh goal in nine matches either side of an injury layoff.
Relive how the action unfolded at the London Stadium with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon everyone! The Hornets will be buzzing, if you'll pardon the pun, after thrashing Chelsea 4-1 on Monday for their first win under new manager Javi Gracia. Today they have another London derby against West Ham United. Stick with me for all of the action, and more terrible puns.
Full team news from the London Stadium coming up shortly, but the big news for West Ham is that Marko Arnautovic is back from injury. The Austrian was in fine form as David Moyes's main striker prior to picking up a muscle strain a couple of weeks ago and his return is a massive boost.
WEST HAM: Adrian; Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Collins, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate; Joao Mario, Antonio, Arnautovic; Hernandez
Subs: Hart, Rice, Fonte, Cullen, Byram, Evra, Hugill
Subs: Hart, Rice, Fonte, Cullen, Byram, Evra, Hugill
WATFORD: Karnezis; Mariappa, Prodl, Holebas; Janmaat, Doucoure, Capoue, Zeegelaar; Deulofeu, Deeney, Richarlison
Subs: Bachmann, Mukena, Ndong, Pereyra, Lukebakio, Carrillo, Gray
Subs: Bachmann, Mukena, Ndong, Pereyra, Lukebakio, Carrillo, Gray
So Arnautovic returns and there is also a first start since September for Michail Antonio in an exciting West Ham forward line, with Javier Hernandez retaining his place up front after a couple of goals. The Mexican may not have been in Moyes's plans a month ago but has taken his opportunity.
Moyes has favoured a three-at-the-back formation throughout most of his time with the Hammers but has reverted to a four-man defence after the disappointing defeat to Brighton last weekend. Sam Byram drops out and Pablo Zabaleta is restored to his more familiar right-back position.
Youngster Declan Rice is the other player to be dropped following the loss at the Amex, so Moyes has effectively swapped two defenders for Arnautovic and Antonio which sets up his team to play very expansively. The Scotsman has a reputation for being conservative, but not this afternoon!
Four years after leaving Manchester United, Patrice Evra is back in the Premier League having joined the Hammers on a free this week, in somewhat of a surprise move. The experienced Frenchman has to make do for a place on the bench today, alongside January signing Jordan Hugill.
Arthur Masuaku is unavailable for West Ham because of his suspension for spitting against Wigan in the FA Cup. Winston Reid has also been ruled out with a throat infection and while Arnautovic and Antonio are back, Moyes is still without Pedro Obiang, Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini.
Unsurprisingly, Javi Gracia names an unchanged team from the one which put four past Chelsea on Monday. Captain Troy Deeney, who bagged a goal and an assist against the Blues, is back in favour and leads the line with Richarlison and Gerard Deulofeu providing support from the flanks.
With Heurelho Gomes missing a fifth game in a row with a back problem, Greek international Orestis Karnezis continues to deputise in goal. Younes Kaboul, Kiko Femenia and Craig Cathcart are also still injured so Adrian Mariappa's Watford second coming continues with a third straight start.
RESULT! It is all over in today's early Premier League kickoff, with Harry Kane's header the difference in the North London derby as Tottenham Hotspur beat Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley. Spurs are now seven points clear of their fierce rivals in the super competitive top-four race.
This is a good omen for the Hammers. Can Moyes get another one over Watford today?
David Moyes has never lost a home league match against Watford & has won both home #PL meetings against them#WHUWAT pic.twitter.com/c80yvNky2p — Premier League (@premierleague) February 10, 2018
The Scotsman has been pretty complimentary of West Ham's opponents insisting that the Chelsea result was not a surprise to him despite Watford's mid-season dip under Marco Silva.
He told his press conference on Friday: "I think Watford have always been a decent team. Look at the start of the season, the opening three months they were right up there. They had a middle spell where they didn't do as well but they've always been seen as a good side."
The Scotsman has been pretty complimentary of West Ham's opponents insisting that the Chelsea result was not a surprise to him despite Watford's mid-season dip under Marco Silva.
He told his press conference on Friday: "I think Watford have always been a decent team. Look at the start of the season, the opening three months they were right up there. They had a middle spell where they didn't do as well but they've always been seen as a good side."
Gracia has revealed the top-secret plan which inspired the triumph over the defending champions. "Running a lot, and working a lot," the Spaniard explained to BBC Sport.
Victory today would be the first time since November that Watford have secured back-to-back wins. It could also lift them as high as ninth in the table depending on results elsewhere.
However, their recent form on the road has not been good. After winning their first three away league matches of the season, the Hornets have since managed just five points from 10 games.
They may have put four past Chelsea but scoring goals away from home has been a problem for Watford, who have only found the net twice in six matches on their travels - both coming in defeats.
Are the Hammers finally starting to settle into their London Stadium home? This afternoon, they are attempting to go five successive games without defeat for the first time at their new home.
Having said that, the Irons have only won one of their last five home league matches with three being draws. Andy Carroll's double, including a stoppage-time winner, against West Bromwich Albion on January 2 was the only victory in that run.
STAT: The Hammers have won only one of their 13 league matches this season against teams currently above them in the table - 1-0 at home to Chelsea on 9 December. They have drawn six of those but anything less than three points today will be considered a disappointing result.
The end of their six-match unbeaten league run at the hands of Brighton has dragged West Ham back into the relegation mix, just as they were threatening to move clear of trouble. The Hammers are only three points above the bottom three, and Watford can move six clear with victory today.
While Hammers fans will be thrilled to see such an attack-minded team named today, they may be concerned with how open their side has been at the back lately. West Ham have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight league fixtures since a three-match run without conceding a goal in December.
It is not just David Moyes who has a good record against Watford. Michail Antonio has scored six goals in his last seven league encounters with the Hornets, but has failed to score in his last 19 home appearances for the Hammers - a run stretching back to September 2016.
While having Antonio back in the starting lineup will be a welcome sight for the Hammers, Arnautovic's return is the big one. The forward scored six goals and contributed three assists in seven matches prior to his injury, making up for lost time after a slow start to his Irons career.
The Austrian's upturn in form came as a number nine, but that role will be taken by Hernandez today. It will be interesting to see how West Ham set up today - I suspect with Arnautovic in behind Chicarito, or even directly alongside the Mexican, and Antonio and Joao Mario on the flanks.
Watford now have their own enigmatic talent in Gerard Deulofeu, the loan signing from Barcelona who was outstanding against Chelsea. The winger's problem has always been consistency so Gracia will be looking to the Spaniard to string together a collection of good performances.
Another Watford man to watch out for today is Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has been brilliant all season for the Hornets. His displays have reportedly caught the attention of Liverpool and Spurs, which is no surprise considering his all-action approach is combined by a real eye for goal.
Less than five minutes until kickoff at the London Stadium on a miserable day in the capital. Sports Mole also has live coverage of the Premier League clashes between Everton and Crystal Palace and Stoke and Brighton. If they tickle your fancy, check out our commentaries section.
PREDICTION: Although Watford have been shy in front of goal on the road of late, their glut against Chelsea may put them in the mood, and West Ham also have plenty of attacking firepower in their lineup. I fancy a high-scoring draw, so will plump for an entertaining 2-2.
KICKOFF We are underway in the capital, where West Ham will be hoping to avenge the 2-0 defeat to Watford in Moyes's first game in charge back in November. They have come a long way since then but could do with a win today.
It has been an uneventful start here with Watford stroking the ball around in midfield. Richarlison went on an encouraging run down the left flank but, as has been the case lately, there was no end product from the Brazilian, who is goalless in 16 matches.
Interestingly, Moyes has stuck with the back five and asked Antonio to operate as a left-wing back. The former Reading man has done that role plenty of times on the right flank but might be uncomfortable doing the same on his weaker side, certainly reluctant at least.
SAVE! Mariappa gets above Cresswell from a corner - a bit of a mismatch from a West Ham point of view - and powers a header goalwards but straight at Adrian. The corner was earned from a deflected Capoue shot, so Watford are just starting to get on top.
Antonio bursts down the left and gets to the byline but the cross with his weaker foot is poor and easily collected by Karnezis.
SAVE! Mario is denied a first West Ham goal by an excellent block by Karnezis. The chance is manufactured by some outrageous footwork by Arnautovic as he danced through three Watford defenders and into the area before the ball broke to the new signing.
Hernandez breaks the offside trap from Arnautovic's through ball. Mario gets into the box to support but the cross is cut out at the near post by Prodl. Arnautovic is playing very close to Chicarito but appears to have the freedom to drift wherever he wants.
After a slow opening five minutes, this game has sprung to life and we have Arnautovic to thank for that. The Austrian has picked up exactly where he left off before injury, and every time he gets the ball the London Stadium purs with excitement and anticipation.
Deeney stands tall in the box to clear a corner from off the head of Collins.
Watford win a corner of their own and, after the initial delivery is recycled to Holebas, he picks out Richarlison's run into the left side of the box but the Brazilian completely scuffs his shot. His early-season form looks a long way away on the evidence of the opening salvos here.
Both teams have showed a willingness to go direct and so far it is West Ham who are having a little more joy in pumping the ball up to Arnautovic. Collins is dealing with most of the aerial balls directed towards Deeney with authority at the moment.
We are still goalless at the midway stage of the first half, with the best chance so far falling to Joao Mario. Watford haven't created much from open play so far, although Mariappa did work Adrian with a header from a corner.
The match is going through a bit of a lull in the last 10 minutes. When the ball isn't at the feet of Arnautovic, there is a lack of spark to the action. Watford haven't been able to get Deulofeu involved as of yet.
Antonio has the beating of Janmaat for pace down the Hammers left but is struggling with the delivery on his weaker foot. I don't expect the winger to last 90 minutes at the rate he is going after a couple of months on the sidelines, so we might yet see a debut for Evra.
Holebas over-enthusiastically charges into Mario to concede a free kick over on the West Ham right. He is lucky to escape a yellow card actually, but West Ham have the consolation price of Cresswell wandering over to take the set piece, and the big boys are strolling forward.
DISALLOWED! From the free kick, Hernandez heads home brilliantly at the near post but is flagged for offside. It was a borderline call and the Mexican can count himself unlucky having won the header above much bigger bodies, and directed it past Karnezis.
© Offside
SHOT! Capoue takes aim from range and Adrian parries the powerful drive, but manages to collect it at the second attempt.
This game is coming alive and only a vital Zabaleta interception prevents Deulofeu from playing Richarlison through one-on-one.
CHANCE! Fantastic chance for Arnautovic who stretches out a foot to meet Antonio's cross 10 yards out but the effort is straight at Karnezis. A yard either side and West Ham would have led.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-0 WATFORD (JAVIER HERNANDEZ)
West Ham are ahead now and the offside flag does not deny Hernandez this time! It is another very well-taken header, with Antonio finally producing a good cross on his left foot, standing the ball up for the striker to steer a header low past a helpless Karnezis. Three in three games for the Mexican now.
© Offside
Javi Gracia won't be pleased with Marvin Zeegelaar's role in that West Ham goal. The defender needed to be much stronger at the back post but was brushed to the ground by Hernandez to allow the Hammers man a free header.
Deulofeu weaves his way into the penalty area but is crowded out by a combination of Ogbonna and Cresswell. That is better from the Spaniard but Watford haven't seen enough of his dribbling so far.
West Ham are pinging the ball around with confidence now. It has been a pretty even first half but Arnautovic and Hernandez have been much more lively than the Watford front three, and that has been the difference as we approach the break.
YELLOW! No player has been booked more times in the Premier League this season than Pablo Zabaleta, and the Argentine picks up his eighth of the season for hacking down Richarlison to prevent a Watford counter attack. A very cynical but 'smart' foul from the savvy veteran.
HALF TIME: WEST HAM 1-0 WATFORD
A classic Javier Hernandez six-yard box finish separates the two sides at the London Stadium. The Mexican might have had another had it not been for a debatable offside call cancelling out a very good header. A two-goal lead may have flattered West Ham after a fairly even first half.
© Offside
Watford have been decent up until the final third but they have lacked the spark that Arnautovic has provided for the Hammers. Deeney is losing the physical battle with Collins and the Hornets haven't had enough from Richarlison or Deulofeu either.
As it stands, West Ham will go level with Watford on 30 points, and move six clear of the relegation zone. Watford will be hoping for a repeat of this fixture from last season when they came from behind to win 4-2.
LATEST: There has only been one other goal in the 3.00pm Premier League kickoffs, with Brighton leading at Stoke through Jose Izquierdo, which could be a massive result. Crystal Palace versus Everton and Swansea against Burnley remain goalless.
STATS: Watford trail at the break but there is reason for encouragement. They have had 56% possession and four shots on Adrian's goal, which is just one less than West Ham. Getting better service into Deeney is key to turning those attempts into clear-cut chances.
KICKOFF: The action is back underway at the London Stadium, with both teams unchanged. West Ham have lost 14 points from winning positions this season but, with Liverpool and Man United on the horizon, won't want to give up these three this afternoon.
Deulofeu submits his nomination for worst free kick of the season with an awful cross which reached the first man at ankle height. Still, the ball nearly breaks for Zeegelaar in the area and only an intervention from Ogbonna stops the Watford man getting a shot away.
The visitors have started this second half with a bit more purpose, and seem to have identified their right side as their best route forward. That makes sense with Antonio as a makeshift wing-back, and Deulofeu potentially their most dangerous player.
Cresswell concedes a corner from which Deeney wins the first header, but Collins gets to the second ball. There were no complaints from the Watford skipper but Ogbonna had a handful of his shirt.
Corners are proving a nuisance at both ends, with Kouyate winning a header at the back post which goes into the ground and bounces up, forcing Prodl to use all of his height to clear from underneath his own crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Gracia goes early and attacking with his first change, swapping Zeegelaar for Roberto Pereyra which could also see a switch in formation to a flat back four with Holebas moving over to left back.
SAVE! A much better free-kick this time from Deulofeu as he lifts it over the wall from 25 yards and nearly dips it inside the post, with Adrian making a decent save to push the ball away.
Watford are enjoying their best spell and Deulofeu is central to it. The away fans are beginning to make their voices heard, perhaps sensing that an equaliser is on the cards.
The momentum has definitely swung in Watford's favour now. Moyes looks a bit concerned in his technical area and might be pondering his first change. Relieving Antonio of his left wing-back duties may be a start.
Arnautovic has been excellent on his return from injury. He is occupying at least two Watford defenders and even that isn't enough to win the ball from him here. Unfortunately the subsequent cross from Kouyate is very poor and the Hornets are let off the hook.
Deeney nearly engineers a chance for himself on the edge of the box, but he is penalised for a tug on Ogbonna before he can get away a shot, which is blocked by Cresswell anyway.
Watford have a really good chance to break but Deulofeu ducks out of a 50-50 with Ogbonna and West Ham clear the danger. If the Spaniard had been a bit braver there, Watford could have been through two-on-one.
The Hammers are really being pushed back now but are defending strongly so far. James Collins has been excellent, and must surely be going a long way to earning himself a new contract at United. His current deal expires at the end of the season.
CHANCE! Great opportunity for West Ham to hit Watford with a sucker-punch as Hernandez runs into the box but is foiled by a combination of Prodl and Karnezis. Arnautovic wanted the square pass in the middle but the Mexican only had eyes for goal.
SUBSTITUTION: Watford make their second change and it is a surprise one, with Deulofeu coming off and Dodi Lukebakio, a £1.3m January signing from Charleroi, coming on for his debut. Deulofeu had looked the most likely to make something happen.
SUBSTITUTION: David Moyes turns to his bench for the first time, introducing the fresh legs of Sam Byram in place of Joao Mario, who was good in the first half but has struggled in the second.
GOAL! WEST HAM 2-0 WATFORD (MARKO ARNAUTOVIC)
West Ham strike against the run of play with a second goal which should secure them three valuable points! Arnautovic gets the goal that his performance deserves, but there is a huge element of fortune to it as the ball lands at his feet after some penalty-box pinball, and he sneaks a shot past Karnezis from just a few yards out.
Richarlison spins away from Noble outside of the West Ham box but his left-footed shot is very weak and rolls into the arms of Adrian, who hasn't really had much to do despite Watford's recent dominance.
SUBSTITUTION: It has not been Richarlison's day again and he makes way for Andre Gray.
SUBSTITUTION: Arnautovic gets a standing ovation as he leaves the field to be replaced by Declan Rice.
Watford haven't quite given up the chase yet but the quality and conviction they showed against Chelsea has been nowhere to be seen today. Doucoure and Janmaat fail to make the most of decent positions.
SUBSTITUTION: January signing Jordan Hugill gets a brief home debut as Hernandez leaves the field to an ovation which is nearly as appreciative as the one which Arnautovic received a few minutes ago.
YELLOW! One of Hugill's first contributions is to buy a free kick on the right wing which earns Prodl a booking.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time, but West Ham already have the points wrapped up.
FULL TIME: WEST HAM 2-0 WATFORD
The final whistle blows to signal West Ham's first win in four league matches, and one which takes them level on points with Watford in the table. As the standings suggest it would be, it was a pretty even game but the hosts carried more menace in attack and deserved the three points.
That's it from the London Stadium, but stick around as we have coverage of the 5.30pm kickoff between Man City and Leicester at the Etihad. That gives you time to give our match report of West Ham's win a quick read, and check out today's other football scores. Thanks for joining us this afternoon.
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
