Marko Arnautovic’s first West Ham goal secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea and a first win for manager David Moyes.
Arnautovic struck after only six minutes to condemn the champions to a first defeat in seven Premier League matches.
The £24million club-record signing was jeered by home fans earlier in the season after some below-par displays, but he looks a player reborn under Moyes.
Tweet of the match
Adrian. That’s all. #COYI
— Shaka Hislop (@ShakaHislop) December 9, 2017
Star man – Marko Arnautovic
???? pic.twitter.com/LlIrDBKNXD
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) December 9, 2017
Arnautovic looks unrecognisable to the player that was operating under former boss Slaven Bilic, producing the superb winner early on.
Moment of the match
IRONS. pic.twitter.com/bdEPrXHBrc
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) December 9, 2017
The London Stadium erupted when Arnautovic fired West Ham ahead in the sixth minute. The former Stoke forward exchanged passes with Manuel Lanzini before curling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
View from the bench
Chelsea team today: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill (c); Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Hazard, Morata. #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/M7jVA07hb3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 9, 2017
Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi took bench warming to a new level at the London Stadium. The Belgium international, regularly named among the substitutes under Antonio Conte, went viral on social media when he was seen fighting the cold in a unique way. Wearing gloves, a woolly hat and an overcoat, Batshuayi was seen warming his face with a hot water bottle.
What next for Joe Hart
#Breaking England goalkeeper Joe Hart has been dropped for West Ham’s Premier League clash with Chelsea #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/RpJuzGo5JT
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) December 9, 2017
The West Ham goalkeeper paid the price for his unavailability against his parent club Manchester City last week. Adrian stepped into his shoes and produced a fine performance, leaving David Moyes with no option but to retain him in goal against Chelsea. The Spaniard kept a clean sheet to make matters worse for Hart and, in a World Cup year, Moyes’ decision could leave the England goalkeeper’s number-one hopes in tatters.
Data point
Huge 3 points for the Hammers ! ????????
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) December 9, 2017
After a difficult start to life with the Hammers following his big-money move from Stoke, Arnautovic picked the perfect game to open his account for the club at the 14th attempt.
Ratings
West Ham: Adrian 7, Winston Reid 7, Angelo Ogbonna 7, Aaron Cresswell 7, Pablo Zabaleta 8, Pedro Obiang 7, Mark Noble 7, Arthur Masuaku 8, Manuel Lanzini 8, Marko Arnautovic 8, Michail Antonio 9. Subs: Diafra Sakho (for Arnautovic, 69) 6, Andre Ayew (for Antonio, 79) 6. Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois 6, Cesar Azpilicueta 6, Andreas Christensen 6, Gary Cahill 6, Davide Zappacosta 5, Cesc Fabregas 6, Ngolo Kante 7, Tiemoue Bakayoko 5, Marcos Alonso 5, Eden Hazard 5, Alvaro Morata 5. Subs: Pedro (for Bakayoko, 46) 6, Victor Moses (for Alonso, 55) 6, Willian (for Zappacosta, 64) 6.
Who’s up next?
West Ham v Arsenal (Premier League, December 13)
Huddersfield v Chelsea (Premier League, December 12)
