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Read all about it! West Ham United have completed one of the most incredible games of Premier League football which saw Lanzini come into the mainstream once again, Noble scoring his 50th goal and Arnie doing bits over Huddersfield. However, we also saw David Moyes win his 200th game, joining Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp in the 200+ club.
However, this is Five Things We Learned from West Ham’s emphatic 4-1 drubbing over Huddersfield Town.
5: In Moyes, We Trust.
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Chicharito was named on the bench again this week, along with FIVE other substitutes as David Moyes seemed to have a plan for this Premier League fixture against David Wagner’s Terriers.
As Marko Arnautovic had an excellent December, many West Ham fans were curious to see whether his spike in great form would continue into January. It proved miracles are real, especially in Arnautovic’s case, having spent time on the physio’s table with tight hamstrings.
Michail Antonio’s injury woes continue to be a struggle for the Englishman as he looks to be out for some time through groin injuries. David Moyes has openly admitted to looking for a right winger to fill in for Antonio for now, however it seems to be slightly low on the Scotsman’s list of “To Do’s”
Regardless, the message here is for us to trust David Moyes as his time at West Ham United continues.
4: Mark “Mr 50 Goals” Noble - Club Captain.
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Mark Noble has had an illustrious career with West Ham United. His highest point, in some West Ham fans eyes, coming at the end of the 2015/16 Premier League season with fans singing “Too Good For England” following his stellar season at the Boleyn.
However, today marked his 50th goal for West Ham United, second of the season, with an amazing goal coming from a total breakdown in communication from Huddersfield Goalkeep Jonas Lossl and Joe Lolley. Noble has once again earned the praise of West Ham fans so far this season with a select few still hoping for an England call-up for the West Ham captain.
Noble, 30, has been with West Ham United since 2000, breaking into the first team at 17 years old during the 2-0 win over Southend United in the League in August 2004. He’ll turn 31 this year.
3: Marko Arnautovic can’t stop scoring.
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Marko Arnautovic not only scored, but set Manuel Lanzini up twice against Huddersfield. Town looked as if they’d cause a couple of problems for West Ham United, however Marko Arnautovic quickly changed that following the second half whistle blowing. A Cheikhou Kouyate header sent Marko Arnautovic up top, then, following a battle with two Town defenders, Arnautovic slipped the ball past Lossl in goal, sending the away end into a fit of euphoria.
It was a brilliant goal by the Austrian, but it was also one of the best of the season. Arnautovic, who came into great form last month, has proved his doubters wrong with six goals for the club thusfar.
In his post-match interview, Arnautovic poked fun at teammate Lanzini by saying “Manu Lanzini told me I never give him assists for goals, today he got two so I think he needs to be quiet until the next game.”
In the words of Master Yoda from Star Wars: The banter is strong with this one.
2: Fitness, Strength and Offence look better.
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Fitness was something we struggled with under former boss Slaven Bilic, however since the introduction of David Moyes, Stuart Pearce, Billy McKinley and Alan Irving, fitness has improved, as well as the overall team dynamic.
The performances of all players on the pitch showed the team has well and truly adjusted to the physically demanding training sessions which impresses West Ham fans worldwide. Players like Lanzini, Arnautovic, Masuaku and Antonio have looked good in the past, however they should continue developing their physical skills and become more physically imposing on the ball.
Our offence looked shakey in the first half, however 15 minutes of magic saw the Irons claw 3 goals to beat the hosts 4-1 at full-time, with Lanzini and Arnautovic doing the work between them.
1: 11th Place for West Ham United.
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West Ham United climbed to 11th in the table following today’s win over the Terriers, only 1 point separating the two teams. West Ham United have done well in this game to upset the newly-promoted Terriers, however it has given them the determination to fight harder for the three points in their next game.
West Ham return to the FA Cup with the Third Round Replay against Shrewsbury Town taking place on Tuesday 16 January at 7:45pm (Wednesday 17 January at 8:45am NZDT), with the next Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth at the London Stadium at 3:00pm on Saturday (4:00am Sunday NZDT).