Harri Burton

Fri 29 December 2023 11:10, UK

Jim White was astonished as West Ham completed a 2-0 victory against Arsenal on Thursday 28 December and broke into the Premier League top six spots.

Tomas Soucek opened the scoring after turning home Jarrod Bowen’s cross, with VAR contentiously allowing the goal after checking if the ball had gone out of play. Konstantinos Mavropanos added a second with a fine header after 55 minutes.

The victory saw the Hammers climb above Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League table into sixth place, with White applauding David Moyes for his impact at the club.

“Wow! So West Ham top six,” the talkSPORT pundit wrote on Twitter on Thursday (28 December). “Take a bow, David Moyes! 2-0.”

Only one stat matters

Despite total dominance by Arsenal, maintaining 74 per cent possession, having 30 shots and boasting a 2.77 xG, the only stat that matters is the 2-0 scoreline in the Hammers’ favour. [FotMob]

It is not the first time Moyes’ side has soaked up pressure before attacking on the counterattack. They frustrated Brighton & Hove Albion in the same way in August, with the opposition having 78 per cent possession and 25 shots but James Ward-Prowse, Bowen and Michail Antonio punished the Seagulls on the counterattack. [FotMob]

Although it may not be pretty to watch, it is clearly a tactic that works, with West Ham currently sitting in sixth place, three points behind Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur, whom the Hammers have also claimed victory against.

West Ham could be in for a special season. They are separated from the top of the Premier League table by nine points, with the Europa League trophy also an aim during this campaign. The Europa Conference League trophy was brought back to London Stadium last season despite a poor showing in domestic football.

But Moyes and West Ham may be aiming for success in the league and Europe this time out.

In other West Ham news, Mark Clattenburg has reacted to the controversial incident versus Arsenal.