West Ham United remain without a Championship victory after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Watford at a rain-soaked Vicarage Road.
Amin Nabizada gave Watford the lead after 19 minutes before Matthew Pollock’s own goal brought West Ham level eight minutes later. Neither side could find a winner, leaving Nuno Espírito Santo with just two points from his opening three league matches. West Ham’s official report confirms their wait for a first Championship victory of 2026/27 continues.
Watford punish West Ham before Pollock own goal
Nuno made three changes from the side beaten by Charlton Athletic, bringing Joel Veltman, Airidas Golambeckis and Divin Mukasa into the starting XI.
Joel Piroe, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Ollie Scarles dropped out, with the full selection available in our Watford vs West Ham confirmed line-ups and team news piece.
West Ham travelled to Hertfordshire hoping Tuesday’s 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton would provide the platform for their first league win.
Instead, Watford struck first.
Nabizada continued his impressive start to the Championship by opening the scoring in the 19th minute, registering his second league goal of the campaign.
The Hammers responded quickly.
Eight minutes later, Watford defender Pollock put the ball into his own net to make it 1-1, ensuring West Ham went into the interval level despite another difficult start.
Veltman was also booked during the opening period, receiving a yellow card in the 31st minute.
West Ham possession fails to produce enough chances
West Ham saw more of the ball but struggled to turn that control into sustained attacking threat.
The visitors finished with 59% possession compared with Watford’s 41%, while Nuno’s side also won six corners to Watford’s zero.
Yet the more revealing numbers were in front of goal.
West Ham managed only seven shots and two attempts on target, with Watford producing eight shots and matching the Hammers’ two on target.
That lack of cutting edge will frustrate Nuno after his side had looked far more dangerous in the midweek cup victory.
Bowen carried a threat from the right but struggled to make his usual decisive impact, while Castellanos also endured a quiet afternoon leading the line.
Post-match ratings from West Ham Zone gave Bowen and Castellanos five out of ten, while Veltman earned the highest West Ham mark with eight following a strong defensive display.
Orford and Piroe introduced as Nuno searches for winner
Nuno attempted to change the contest midway through the second half.
Lewis Orford and Joël Piroe were introduced in the 65th minute, replacing Mukasa and Mohamadou Kanté respectively.
Orford had impressed during the Southampton victory and was unfortunate not to start after producing two assists in the cup.
His introduction gave West Ham another progressive option in midfield, while Piroe added an additional goalscoring threat.
The breakthrough never arrived.
Watford also made changes shortly before West Ham’s double substitution, with Mamadou Doumbia replacing Luca Kjerrumgaard and Martín Payero coming on for Nabizada.
Neither team could find the decisive moment.
Nuno still waiting for first Championship victory
West Ham entered Saturday heavily fancied to improve on their opening league results.
Our Watford vs West Ham prediction backed the Hammers to win 2-1 after the confidence generated by Southampton.
There was also encouraging history.
West Ham had won their previous five meetings with Watford, scoring 15 goals during that sequence, but Saturday finally brought that winning run to an end.
More concerning is West Ham’s wider start.
They surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at Burnley, lost 2-1 at home to Charlton and have now been held at Watford.
That gives Nuno:
Played three. Won zero. Drawn two. Lost one.
A point away at an unbeaten Watford side is hardly disastrous on its own.
For a squad expected to challenge for automatic promotion, however, two points from the opening nine available is already an uncomfortable return.
Tuesday’s cup performance suggested West Ham were beginning to click.
Saturday showed there remains considerable work to do.
