The rain drizzled, the fans and stewards fought and West Ham collapsed. There have been some terrible West Ham performances in the past but has to be one of the worst 55 minutes in a long time.
Watford had glimpses of a threat but lack any real emphasis in the first forty minutes. West Ham came out of the blocks quickly at the start with a great flowing interchange between the forward line. And it did not take long for them to score with Payet’s corner meeting Antonio’s head to nestle into the back of the Watford net after five minutes.
There were warning signs of defensive frailties at the back with Ighalo misses two clear-cut opportunities with one needing a great last ditch tackle by Masuaku and the other straight at Adrian. Watford cut the Hammers open far too easily.
Then the moment of sheer class which looked to have been the catalyst to kick start the season from Payet. The Frenchman was given far too much time and space. His Rabona cross skilfully met the head of Antonio again for his brace.
Now, it was the turn of the defensive mistakes. Firstly, Ighalo was given far too much time on the left flank by Byram to hit a shot which deflected off Collins past Adrian. Secondly, Collins and Adrian could not decide who wanted the ball, so Collins decided to head it over Adrian. Where it was met by Deeney who brilliantly lobbed the keeper and beat men on the line to equalise for the Hornets.
The expectation to go again from West Ham never came in the second half. It became the same old rubbish again. Fans were silent and Watford took the Hammers to the cleaners. Nice work on the right flank saw a cross eventually fall to former Spurs midfielder Capoue who had far too much time again to slice a shot into the top corner after 53 minutes.
No urgency and a lack of commitment and drive in the heart of the midfield was the difference today. The misery was compounded when West Ham failed to play on after the did not give a free kick for a foul on Payet. Ighalo did what he had been doing all game which was attack the weak link Byram, who did not close his player down, and the Nigerian’s cross found its way to Holebas. The left back hit a right-foot shot on target which could only be parried by Adrian.
When Hammers fans thought it could not get worse it could as Gokhan Tore graced the London Stadium with his presence. It was a shambles. Credit to Watford who limited a tiring, lazy offensive play by man marking Payet and Lanzini, the only outlets.
The only positives were Antonio is scoring for fun and Masuaku looked good again. Collins needs to come out and get Ogbonna back in. If Arbeloa is match fit then chuck him in too because Byram is too inexperienced at this level. The only way is up because that was dire.
