Pushing for Europe and a great start to 2021- West Ham Half Season Review

It’s been a brilliant season so far for West Ham United who currently sit in a very respectable seventh place in the Premier League. 

Unbeaten in their last six top-flight matches, the Hammers have really hit the ground running in 2021 and after a difficult start to the season, will be delighted with the progress they’ve made since then.

Five Key Games

West Ham 4 -0 Wolves

Having lost their opening two league games against Newcastle and Arsenal, the Hammers really kick-started their impressive league campaign with a thumping 4-0 win at home to Wolves.

A Jarrod Bowen double sent West Ham on their way to a fine victory over Wolves, laying down a marker of what to expect in the coming games.

Leicester City 0-3 West Ham

Following on from their remarkable win over Wolves, West Ham began the month of October with an excellent display away to a Leicester side that could challenge for the title.

Goals from Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Bowen provided a day to remember for the Hammers fans as they tore the Foxes apart.

This game started off a difficult month for the Hammers with games against Spurs, Manchester City and Liverpool to follow.  With seven goals scored and zero conceded against two top opposition teams, David Moyes and his team were looking a threat going forward and could feel very optimistic about the future.

Spurs 3-3 West Ham

It took 16 minutes of the first-half which saw Spurs take a 3-0 lead which could have been extended when Gareth Bale made a Premier League return off the bench and squandered a glorious chance in the second half.

However, in the final ten minutes, the Hammers provided an outstanding comeback with goals from Fabian Balbuena, a Davinson Sanchez own goal and quite possibly the goal of the season rocket from Manuel Lanzini.

The resilience and determination shown is something that West Ham arguably missed last season.  The belief to even manage just a point that late into the game was a sign of things to come from the West London side, proving they have no fear of anyone in the league this season.

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

Anfield is arguably the toughest place in England to go and win and although the London club did not come away with 3 points, they showed character, pushing the champions all the way to the finish.

Albeit it ended in defeat, David Moyes would have taken positives away from the game having taken the lead through Fornals’ composed finish but a Mohamed Salah penalty late in the first half and a Diogo Jota late strike in the second half saw off the Hammers who take great pride and confidence from the fixture.

Everton 0-1 West Ham

Definitely not one of the most entertaining games but an extremely important win on the opening day of the year saw the Irons fight and graft out a victory at Goodison, with Tomas Soucek grabbing the late winner.

This is exactly the kind of game David Moyes will be thinking his team have to win if they are to seriously push for a European spot and continue their super start to 2021.

Players of the Season So Far

West Ham have been solid at the back this season and have kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League.  Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell have been standouts for West Ham, with Ogbonna at the heart of the backline and Cresswell showing his versatility as a left-back in a flat back four and a centre back in a three.

Both combined in a brilliant set-piece goal against Leeds with Cresswell whipping in a wicked ball for Ogbonna to meet with his head in a 2-1 win, one of their best games of the season.

The physical presence in midfield has formed an ever-growing partnership in Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.  Both have been crucial for the Hammers, Soucek coming up with big goals in big games such as his late winners against Fulham and Everton and Rice providing cover for the defensive line and leading his club as captain with honour as he continues to perform week in week out.

West Ham have struggled for goals this season, however, the big Czech has scored seven goals, four more than he managed last season.

Michail Antonio is arguably West Ham’s most crucial player. Although he has missed a lot through injury he is still so important when he has played, scoring five times in 11 League appearances.  When fit, they simply cannot leave him out.

What Next?

There is no doubt with the quality they have in their squad West Ham can finish in a European spot this season.  However, they need more goals in the second half of the season, potentially sign a new striker in Haller’s absence as Antonio is injury prone though lethal when fit.

Games against Brighton and Newcastle where they have previously dropped points this season must be avoided if they are to push for Europe and continue to impress against the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Hammers have the ability but it will come down to whether they have the determination to go all the way in search of a European placed finish.

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