By Sam Tonks
Marko Arnautovic capped his return to the team with a goal as he helped West Ham bounce back to winning ways, with a 2-0 success over Watford at London Stadium.
Following two games on the sidelines, the forward was back to his dazzling form before his injury to inspire them to victory with his second half strike after Chicarito opened the scoring in the first half.
West Ham started the slower of the sides with Watford playing the ball quickly and incisively in attack.
This forced the first chance of the game after seven minutes, Etienne Capoue’s shot deflected wide for a corner, which led to Adrian Mariappa’s header, being kept out by his namesake in the West Ham goal.
That save sparked the hosts into life with the returning duo of Arnautovic and Michail Antonio becoming increasingly influential.
It was the Austrian’s mazy run that carved out a chance for his side, he bypassed three Watford defenders before the ball fell to Joao Mario, but his shot was saved by Orestis Karnezis.
The pressure was growing from David Moyes’ men, by 31 minutes they had the ball in the net. Mario floated a free-kick into Chicarito who headed home, as he wheeled away the cheers turned to groans as the linesman’s flag ruled out an opening goal.
Just six minutes later, the Mexican forward once again found himself on the end of a beautiful cross, this time from Antonio and on this occasion there was no flag to deny him.
He headed into the far corner after the cross from the left flank and gave the Hammers the lead, scoring for the fourth league game in a row.
The second half proved to be more of an open game with Watford chasing the equaliser and the West Ham needing to kill off the game.
Gerard Deulofeu was the visitors’ creative hub and central to any threat they posed. His free-kick was well parried away by Adrian on 57 minutes.
The home side dealt with the constant aerial pressure well, Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins winning most of the aerial duels.
West Ham could’ve put the game to bed when Chicarito was slipped in down the right, he cut in but a last-ditch tackle from Mariappa kept Javi Gracia’s side in with a chance.
Watford’s best chance of the half came on 76 minutes, Sebastian Prodl rising highest to meet Jose Holebas’ corner, but he glanced it well over.
West Ham had a corner of their own on 79 minutes and were able to double their lead.
Aaron Cresswell appeared to misplace a short corner but retrieved the lose ball and drilled a cross at Karnezis. As Watford looked to clear, he charged them down and it kindly fell to Arnautovic who slammed home a second from close range.
That sealed a crucial three points for the Hammers who stay 12th on 30 points. They return to London Stadium on 10th March where they will take on Burnley.
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