WHZ View: Haller finally delivers - Three things learned from West Ham win v Sheff Utd
West Ham earned a 1-0 over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday, with a Sebastien Haller goal the difference between the two sides.
With the match close throughout and both sides having the chances to win it, a moment of class from the Ivory Coast international sealed the win.
Taking on the ball outside the area, Haller smashed the ball into top corner and helped the Hammers move into the top 10 in the Premier League.
David Moyes side have lost just once of their last seven Premier League matches and sit just six points adrift of leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
Haller finally delivers
With Michail Antonio out of the side in recent weeks due to injury, Haller had yet to fully take his opportunity to lead the line. However, he answered plenty of questions on Sunday, and his moment of quality proved the difference between the two sides.
It was not a perfect display and he did miss a very presentable chance in the second half, but he was far more involved and showed some impressive link up skills. Over 90 minutes he won an impressive 12 aerial duels, took four shots, completed two dribbles and scored one brilliant winner (via WhoScored).
Another clean sheet
Sunday was far from a dominant defensive display from West Ham, but this was a second clean sheet in a row and a fourth of the season in the league. With Fabian Balbuena, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell part of a back three once again, they outshot the Blades 15 to eight, but we still reliant on some poor finishing to get the win.
Oli McBurnie hit the bar and David McGoldrick hit the post, and on each occasion they were lucky to get away without conceding. However, there has been clear progress at the back and this will only build confidence.
West Ham keep on rolling
After an opening day defeat to Newcastle United, some fans will have been fearing the worst, but this was another great result for the Hammers. With 14 points from nine games and just one defeat in their last seven league matches, David Moyes genuinely looks to have built a side capable of putting a run of results together.
After years of inconsistency, this is a very pleasant surprise for Hammers fan and they will just hope to see it continue. With Manuel Lanzini and Said Benrahma on the bench and Antonio returning from injury, they have even more quality to come.
In other West Ham news, how one defender is thriving in attack