The Football Association has confirmed it will investigate the crowd disturbances that occurred during West Ham’s Premier League match at home to Watford on Saturday.
Advertisement
“In the second half we didn’t have that space behind them”.
The early joy of West Ham’s openers dissipated and fans began to clash mid-way through the second half. But there were warnings for West Ham too.
Watford capitalised on an abysmal defensive display by West Ham to score goals through Odion Ighalo, Troy Deeney, Etienne Capoue and Jose Holebas – and they could have won by more.
The match was end to end in spells, but it was West Ham who extended their lead when an audacious rabona from Payet perfectly dropped on the head of Antonio, who headed the ball past Gomes from three yards out.
It was four just after the hour mark, it proved too easy for the Hornets as Ighalo teed up Holebas. And then Pereyra crossed low from the right and Ighalo’s first-time shot blocked was by Adrian.
Bilic added: “It was a really good 40 minutes with so many good actions”. Antonio then doubled the advantage with his fourth goal of the season in the 33rd minute after heading home another fine delivery. But if we defend like this we are not going to win many games. Watford appealed for offside, with some justification, but it was marginal and a goal created by supreme artistry was allowed to stand.
The thrills continued when Watford reduced the deficit five minutes before the interval with Ighalo turning Sam Bryan inside-out before stabbing home a shot that deflected off James Collins.
Not only that, but James Collins managed to head it over his own goalkeeper in a weird misunderstanding which Troy Deeney was only too happy to profit off, working his way towards a chip which turned the momentum of the game round completely. “It came from a very predictable attack”, Bilic said.
Advertisement
The defeat is a third of the league season for West Ham, who sit 17th in the fledgling standings and have already crashed out of the Europa League.
