West Ham Premiership future almost secured with win over Watford

West Ham 3-1 Watford

West Ham United pretty much secured their Premiership future wirh this comprehensive win over relegation rivals Watford.

Manager David Moyes, though, was not counring his chickens, declaring that he would not be changing anything till his team are "mathematically safe."

The former West Ham caretaker manager has certainly transformed this group of players, getting them playing as a tight disciplined unit.

Perhaps the break for the pandemic helped in giving Moyes the time he needed to pull things around.

West Ham began in confident style, with the game just six minutes old when Michail Antonio slotted home, after being put through on the left by Pablo Fornals.

Four minutes later, the industrious Jarrod Bowen drove in a cross from the right, which was converted by Tomas Soucek, rising at the far post to head home. The impressive  Czech's third goal in the past five games.

The demolition looked complete, when 10 minutes before half time, Declan Rice cut in from the left to fire home into the opposite corner from 25 yards.

Rice dashed across with his team mates to embrace Moyes, as the Hammer's victory song, the Beatles twist and shout, rang out for the third time in the fan-less stadium.

Watford's best chance of the half was a header just over  from Craig Dawson in injury time.

The visitors came out though with more purpose in the second half, Troy Deeney getting a goal back with the half just four minutes old.

The big striker converted, as the ball rebounded off rhe post from an Ismaila Sarr effort.

Watford dominated the half but were unable to break down the well organised home rearguard.

The visitors best effort being a prod from Danny Welbeck that went over the bar.

Moyes felt his team "played exceptionally well in the first half and defended well in the second."

The manager paid tribute to Soucek, who he felt has brought "energy and physicality" to the team, since his arrival inJanuary.

Speaking as the manager of a team that has lost from being ahead more than 20 times this season, Moyes declared winning to be something West Ham have to do far more often than in the past."This was our best start and the finishing was conscise," said Moyes, who can now plan for the next season with certainty.