Day 5: West Ham

Everyday, from now until Christmas Eve, we will take a look at a Premier League club and rate their season so far. Today, it is West Ham’s turn to be put under the microscope as we continue our Premier League Christmas Countdown.

West Ham are at a crossroads currently. David Moyes left in the summer with a mixed legacy at the club. He won a European trophy with the Hammers, but many thought that they could do better, and right now it looks like a ‘be careful what you wish for’ moment. Julen Lopetegui came in as his replacement, and so far this season West Ham have been poor. He is dangerously close to being sacked, and the next few matches for him are critical.

A Tough Start

August was a difficult month for West Ham, having to face two of last season’s top four at home. First up was Aston Villa, and they put on a fairly good display, despite losing 2-1. The first half of their next game was entertaining, but neither West Ham nor Crystal Palace could find an opening until Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers the lead midway through the second half. They won 2-0, but the display wasn’t up to a high standard.

Tomas Soucek has scored more away winning goals for West Ham United than any other player in the Premier League (7). #LEIWHU | #WHUFC

[@OptaJoe] pic.twitter.com/e1J71htgVc

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 3, 2024

After a defeat to Manchester City at the end of August, West Ham went a full month without a win, drawing with Fulham and Brentford and losing against Chelsea. Even in the League Cup, they were knocked out in embarrassing fashion, losing 5-1 to Liverpool.

The Start of Some Home Form

October looked like a difficult month on paper, with both Manchester United and Tottenham waiting, but the Hammers started it off with a convincing win at home to Ipswich. Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta were all on the score sheet as they won 4-1.

While they did lose 4-1 to Tottenham away in their next game, West Ham bounced back with a 2-1 home win over Manchester United with a controversial late penalty. Jarrod Bowen stepped up to take and, as he usually does, gave the Hammers all three points.

Will They Or Won’t They

Whenever it seems like West Ham are in a bit of form, they then go on to lose. This is exactly what happened in November, as they came off beating Manchester United to lose 3-0 against Nottingham Forest. In that game, the Hammers only managed four shots to Forest’s 19.

Their home form had picked up in October, but they only managed a 0-0 draw with Everton in their next game at the London Stadium. It took until the 44th minute for them to even have a shot, but Jordan Pickford was in fine form in this match.

⏱️ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘:

🏁 Newcastle 0-2 West Ham ⚒️#NEWWHU pic.twitter.com/61T88Luhq3

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 25, 2024

Out of nowhere, West Ham managed to win their next game, away at Newcastle. The result was completely unexpected as the pressure had been piling on Lopetegui over recent weeks, but on the balance of play, it wasn’t entirely undeserved. West Ham forced Nick Pope into a number of saves and goals from Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were enough for the Hammers to return to London with all three points.

Since then, they have played Arsenal and Leicester and lost both. They wouldn’t have expected to get anything from the Arsenal game, but to ship five goals is poor, but the Leicester game was what pushed Lopetegui closer to the exit. Despite having more possession and more chances, West Ham didn’t find the back of the net until the 93rd minute, by which point they were 3-0 down.

Player of the Season

Jarrod Bowen is always an easy answer for this question, but in recent weeks I have been impressed by Crysencio Summerville. He has just one goal this season, but it was an important one in their win over Manchester United, and he has looked a constant threat to the opposition back line.

Season Rank: D

End of Season Prediction: 16th

Check out our Christmas Countdown article from yesterday.