West Ham United 1-0 Watford
Premier League
Jarrod Bowen’s eleventh goal of the season in all competitions was the difference as West Ham United returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory against Watford.
Bowen’s low shot on 68 minutes came as the Hammers turned up the pressure on a resolute Hornets side, under the management of new boss Roy Hodgson, with the West Ham forward finding the net via a slight deflection off Watford defender Samir.
The No20 came close to adding a second late on, only for his curling effort to be excellently denied by Ben Foster, while Łukasz Fabiański had to dive quickly to deny Tom Cleverley for levelling for the away side with a powerful strike.
A game that saw West Ham United and Watford fans show their love for Isla Caton, both sets of supporters stood to pay their respects for the seven-year-old on seven minutes, taking part in a joint, minute-long applause in her memory.
In truth, it took a little while on the action on the pitch to get going; A neat passing exchange between Bowen and Tomáš Souček, instigated by Michail Antonio’s controlled knock-down, only ended when the Czech Republic midfielder sent the ball out for a goal-kick.
Despite the two teams only last facing each other at the end of December, the visiting Hornets appeared a much more organised outfit at London Stadium. Under the guidance of new manager Roy Hodgson, it was Watford who could have taken the lead as Juraj Kucka headed wide from Hassane Kamara’s deep cross.
Moussa Sissoko then dragged a low effort wide for Watford, before the best move of the game so far nearly yielded the opening goal.
Bowen did superbly well to hold off a challenge and, with his defender on the floor, nearly threaded a perfect pass into Saïd Benrahma, who had space to play with inside the box. The Algerian turned and shot, only for his effort to be immediately smothered out by three incoming tackles.
The rebound fell to Benrahma again, but a combination of the near post and Craig Cathcart stopped the rocket from bursting the net and giving the Irons the advantage at half-time.
It was Benrahma again who almost put West Ham in front just seven minutes after the interval. Vladimir Coufal’s throw into the box resulted in some head tennis, as Bowen and Souček swapped possession. The drop fell kindly for the Algerian midfielder, only for his effort to go over the bar.
A change on the hour mark saw Benrahma substituted in place of Manuel Lanzini, and it was the Argentinian jewel was instrumental in driving the home side into an attacking possession, ultimately seeing West Ham take the advantage.
The No10 collected the ball and gave it immediately to Bowen in a central area. The No20 turned and had space to work with as the Watford defence backed away. Bowen would drive forward before driving an effort on goal from around 20 yards.
In truth, Watford’s Ben Foster probably had the effort scouted, but a flick off the ankle of defender Samir wrong-footed the Hornets goalkeeper, allowing the effort to trickle into the net and give West Ham the lead.
The Hammers, buoyed by the rejuvenated noise of the home faithful at London Stadium, went in search of a second. Bowen found Aaron Cresswell with a superb through-ball, which led to a corner, but Watford were able to break away and probably should have done better; Cleverley fired over from Josh King’s lay-off after a run forward with possession.
Watford would make a triple change on 77 minutes, just moments after Fabiański was forced into making a terrific, instinctive save to his left from Cleverley’s curling strike.
Bowen almost capped an excellent individual effort with a second goal, only for Foster’s low save to tip the shot onto the post following a twisting run from the Hammers forward.
But the result was secured as West Ham claimed three points against Watford in a battling effort.
West Ham United: Fabiański; Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma (Lanzini 60); Antonio
Subs: Areola, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Kral, Noble, Vlašić, Yarmolenko
Goal: Bowen 68
Booked: Coufal
Watford: Foster; Femenia (Ngakia 78), Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Sissoko (c), Cleverley (Joao Pedro 77), Kucka; Dennis, King, Kayembe (Louza 77)
Subs not used: Bachmann, Masina, Sema, Kabasele, Kalu, Hernandez
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 59,581