KURT ZOUMA started for West Ham TONIGHT against Watford on the day his shocking cat violence video emerged.
And although Zouma’s performance passed without incident, he was subjected to constant boos and chants from the travelling Watford fans. His own fans too weren’t exactly forgiving, and also booed the defender when he touched the ball.
- Result: West Ham 1-0 Watford
- TV/live stream: BT Sport 3
- West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio
- Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara, Kucka, Sissoko, Kayembe, Cleverley, Dennis, King
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Thanks for joining us tonight
That’s all from us this evening as West Ham moved up into the top four with a narrow 1-0 win over Watford.
Jarrod Bowen’s deflected strike was the difference maker in a game that lacked real quality throughout.
The biggest talking point of the night was the decision to start the disgraced Kurt Zouma, despite footage emerging of the defender kicking and slapping his pet cat.
And despite the uproar David Moyes has confirmed Zouma WILL remain available for selection as things stand.
That means he is in line to start again when the Hammers travel to Leicester on Sunday afternoon.
Watford meanwhile host Brighton on Saturday with Roy Hodgson still searching for his first win as Hornets boss.
But that’s all from us for tonight.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
Joe Cole speaks on Zouma
Former West Ham man Joe Cole believes the decision to start Kurt Zouma was a ‘strange’ one, and believes there is still more to come in the ongoing saga.
While on punditry duty for BT Sport, Cole said: “I thought that was a strange decision [to play Zouma].
“The actual incident is shocking.
“It’s an unfortunate incident that we won’t hear the end of for a while.”
Moyes on Kurt Zouma
David Moyes has confirmed Kurt Zouma WILL remain available for selection for West Ham’s coming games.
When asked by BT Sport whether Zouma will continue to play, Moyes said: “Yes he will. The club will sort the other side of it out, and I’ll look after the football side.”
Bowen reacts after scoring winner
Here are the thoughts of Jarrod Bowen after his goal was the difference between the sides.
He told BT Sport: “It was difficult at times, we had a lot of the ball.
“It was just a case of keep plugging away and keep plugging away and with the goal we get a slice of luck.
“But you know, it happens, and we’re happy with the hard fought three points.”
Waiting on David Moyes interview
David Moyes is yet to speak to the press, but when he does you would expect him to be further quizzed on the Kurt Zouma situation.
Earlier he justified starting Zouma by claiming him as one of the club’s ‘better players’ in response to questions about the decision.
Full time at Turf Moor
It has finished Burnley 1-1 Manchester United at Turf Moor.
That means West Ham end the night in the top four!
Zouma inclusion a head scratcher
David Moyes’ decision to include Kurt Zouma in his starting squad was one that was met with fury before the game.
And although Zouma’s performance passed without incident, he was subjected to constant boos and chants from the travelling Watford fans.
His own fans too weren’t exactly forgiving, and also booed the defender when he touched the ball.
You get the impression though that the saga involving the defender after vile footage emerged of him kicking and slapping his pet cat is far from over.
Credit: Getty Hammers bounce back
West Ham had suffered back-to-back defeats against Leeds and Man Utd before tonight.
That made this game against relegation favourites Watford an absolute must-win.
And win it they did, albeit via a huge chunk of fortune.
Anything to stop the rot though.
Full time – Bowen the difference
Jarrod Bowen’s goal is the difference between the two sides in the end.
His effort took an enormous deflection on its way to goal, and Watford will feel very hard done by to lose the game in that fashion.
Lose they did though, and that leaves Roy Hodgson’s side without a point for their efforts.
David Moyes and Co meanwhile are currently in fourth place as it stands, with Manchester United being held by Burnley at Turf Moor.
Full time – West Ham 1-0 Watford!
It’s all over at the London Stadium!
West Ham claim a valuable three points with a narrow victory over Watford.
Kurt Zouma has the final touch of the match, hacking the ball downfield to a chorus of boos as Martin Atkinson’s whistle blows for full time.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
92. It doesn’t look like they will be able to.
This one is just petering out towards the final whistle.
Ngakia swings a hopeful cross into the box, but Fabianski is off his line well to confidently claim the delivery.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
90. Three minutes of added time are signalled by the fourth official.
Can Watford fashion one last chance to nick a point?
They did it at Newcastle, could they do it again?
West Ham 1-0 Watford
88. West Ham free kick.
A long ball forward from Foster is flicked on by a Watford shirt towards King.
The striker tries to hook the ball goalwards, but Dawson beats him to it.
King instead makes connection with Dawson’s face, and the Hammers have a free kick.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
87. Less than five minutes left to play in this one.
It hasn’t been pretty by any means, but West Ham look like they’re going to get the job done.
Bowen’s goal is the difference so far, and even that came with an enormous slice of luck.
West Ham won’t care one bit though, they’re in the top four as things stand.
Goal alert at St James’
Newcastle have gone 3-1 up against Everton at St James’ Park!
Kieran Trippier is the scorer this time, to pile more misery onto Frank Lampard and the Toffees.
What a result that would be for Eddie Howe and Co.
West Ham 1-0 Watford – What a save!
Jarrod Bowen is SO close to adding a second!
He cuts inside on his left foot, and fashions enough space to get an effort at goal away.
It’s a brilliant striker, low and arrowing in to the bottom corner, but Foster is equal to it.
The Watford keeper flings himself down to his right to tip Bowen’s goal-bound effort onto the post.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
83. Yellow card.
The first booking of the game goes to Vladimir Coufal.
The right-back talks his way into the book after also being left fuming that he’s not awarded a foul after being bundled over.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
81. Michail Antonio is fuming after a lengthy tussle with Samir sees the Watford man go unpunished.
Antonio is even more aggrieved when the throw in goes in favour of the Hornets.
David Moyes isn’t happy either, as he confronts the fourth official on the sideline.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
79. Clearly Louza isn’t up to match speed yet, as his corner fails to beat the first man.
There’s just over ten minutes left to play in this one.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
78. Coufal is powerless to prevent a cross from Kucka coming off him and going out for a corner.
The newly introduced Louza is across to take.
West Ham 1-0 Watford – Hornets subs
Roy Hodgson is making a triple change here as Watford are forced to change the game.
Cleverley, Kayembe and Femenia are replaced by Pedro, Louza and Ngakia.
Bowen the difference maker
The disgraced Kurt Zouma congratulates Jarrod Bowen after the latter opened the scoring for West Ham.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun West Ham 1-0 Watford – Good save!
74. Cleverley is involved again for Watford!
Sissoko fires the ball into his feet on the edge of the box, and Cleverley has takes aim for the far corner.
It’s a great effort, but Fabianski is equal to it and beats it away as he dives to his left.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
72. Watford deal with the corner well and suddenly are on the break.
King is released over the top and drives into the left hand side of the box.
It looks like he’s going to have to do it all on his own, but he holds the ball up well to wait for reinforcements.
He lays it into the path of Cleverley, but he can’t adjust his body as he meets it on the run, and loops the ball over the bar.
West Ham 1-0 Watford
71. That goal has sparked West Ham into life!
Bowen is picking up dangerous positions in between the lines, and he slides a glorious pass into the path of Creswell.
His cross is too long for Antonio, but it drops to Soucek at the far post.
Kamara does well to get his body in the way and deflect the ball behind for a corner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
