EPL – Tactical Analysis – West Ham United 3 Watford 1

EPL – Tactical Analysis – West Ham United 3 Watford 1

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Evan Morgan Grahame
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West Ham and Watford tussled, and the Hammers ran out clear and convincing 3-1 winners.

In preparation for the FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace, Watford made more than a handful of changes to their usual first team lineup. West Ham, sensing the opportunity, capitalised on the Hornets’ resulting hesitancy, with Andy Carroll and Dimitri Payet in particular excelling. Watford began in a haze, and in the 11th minute Carroll flicked home Payet’s neat lob, through a stationary defence. Two penalties either side of half time put West Ham into a strong lead. Watford rallied, and scored a fine pull-back goal, but as Adrian saved Troy Deeney’s late penalty, it was clear that this was simply a loss for the Hornets to move on from.

Formations

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It was a Watford side that was more altered than not. Seven changes were made by Quique Sanchez Flores, with key stars Odion Ighalo, Troy Deeney, Nathan Ake and Etienne Capoue all rested. Their replacements largely stumbled here, and West Ham, able to start a near-full strength team, reigned supreme. Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho began up front, with Payet and Lanzini in support. With Sam Byram and James Tomkins both fit, Michail Antonio maintained his right-back spot, and was excellent. Reid and Ogbonna began as the centre backs, as Noble and Kouyate roamed up and down the pitch.

Big/small striker combination clicks for West Ham.

Diafra Sakho returned from his mysterious absence from the first team set-up, with all mooted disagreements between he and manager Bilic seemingly patched up and healing. He started beside Andy Carroll, a highly traditional big/small striker combination. When Carroll has played alongside Emmanuel Emenike, the Nigerian and Englishman have tended to step on each other’s toes. Emenike, nearly as often as Carroll, tends to drift toward the ball, looking to turn and accelerate. Emenike is quick, but he doesn’t have the instincts – or willingness – to gamble on the knockdowns that form a large part of Carroll’s effectiveness as a striker. Sakho does, however, and this combination – when and, crucially, if they’re both fit – seems to dovetail nicely.

Carroll is enjoying a supreme run of form – five goals in his last three games – and Sakho appeared fit and sharp. This combination comes with a huge amount of attacking variation, multiple barbs with which to hurt. With Emenike flattering to deceive, and Valencia inconsistent, this is surely Bilic’s best striking option.

Kouyate’s role as a roving utility fill-in.

So much of West Ham’s fluency in midfield relies on the diligence of Cheikhou Kouyate. As Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet – nominal wide players – tuck in to control the central corridor, the West Ham full backs a shorn of cover. These situations, Kouyate – and occasionally Mark Noble – have to rotate over. Kouyate, indefatigable and athletic, is perfect in this role. Furthermore, Cresswell and Antonio surge so willingly up the pitch, and their absence in the defensive line must be compensated for.

In addition to this Herculean task, Kouyate also provides a similar service at the other end of the pitch. It was he who won the first of Mark Noble’s two penalties, drifting forward with impeccable timing to receive a lifted through-ball from Payet. His physical dominance caused Holebas to clamber illegally over the back of him, a clear foul. The foundation upon which West Ham’s attackers work is provided by Kouyate, an unsung hero of this remarkable West Ham season.

Capoue’s absence a key hindrance.

Watford were clearly preparing for the weekend’s FA Cup semi-final, such was their heavily rotated starting XI. Not even among the substitutes was Etienne Capoue, who has played every single league match for Watford until this one. The Frenchman, whose time at Spurs petered out disappointingly, is nonetheless a fine player, and has excelled this season under Flores. What he provides is two-fold; a slick, compelling dribbler from deep midfield, as well as a body with enough physical vigour to contest concussive clashes with relish.

Valon Behrami, a former Hammer, is a skilled midfielder, but is outclassed by Capoue in every respect. With Payet and Lanzini compressing the midfield from either side of the pitch, and Kouyate and Noble stern and eager tacklers, the sort of quicksilver progress that Capoue can make on his own was conspicuous in its absence for Watford. Memories of his three consecutive nutmegs against Tottenham wafted mournfully into the minds of the Hornets.

Holebas flummoxed by West Ham’s various physical challenges.

Nathan Ake was rested for this contest, and his replacement at left back, the Greek defender Holebas, endured a nightmare performance. Mark Noble’s two penalties, goals that sealed the win, were both won by players to whom he was supposed to be tending. Kouyate had appeared, like a long-limbed phantom, in the Watford penalty area, and had successfully boxed out Holebas, as Payet lifted a pass over the defence toward him. Panicking, Holebas climbed over the back of the taller Senegalese, clearly fouling him.

Then, in the second half, Michail Antonio collected ball, marked by both Holebas and Abdi. He accelerated suddenly through both Watford players, and as Holebas offered as much resistance as a greasy turnstile, Abdi lunged desperately, fouling Antonio. It was another upper-body failing, another costly mini-defeat, and West Ham seized full control. Holebas’s woes continued when Victor Moses, as compelling an athlete, came on.

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