Watford 2-0 West Ham: Marco Silva takes plaudits as David Moyes era starts with a whimper

The appointment of David Moyes at West Ham failed to deliver an instant reaction as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Watford on Super Sunday.

On his Hammers bow, Moyes' team were seen off by goals from Will Hughes (11) and Richarlison (64) as Watford boss Marco Silva - heavily linked with the Everton job - further enhanced his reputation.

There was cause for hope for Moyes as his team had six shots on target, but a mixture of wayward finishing and two brilliant stops from Heurelho Gomes blunted their progress.

Cries of "you're not fit to wear the shirt" were sung from a disgruntled away end, who have seen their team lose their last four games and remain in the relegation zone.

Moyes' men were behind inside 11 minutes and could have been a man down inside 90 seconds had referee Andre Marriner deemed Andy Carroll's challenge on Marvin Zeegelaar worthy of violent conduct. The Watford debutant felt the full force of Premier League football and was left with a bloodied nose.

The goal came when Richarlison sprung too easily past Pablo Zabaleta and delivered a cross which was poorly dealt with by Angelo Ogbonna. Hughes finished with a fine half-volley after Andre Gray's effort had been blocked.

Watford continued to press as Richarlison tested Joe Hart with a curling effort on 32 minutes before the rebound was lashed wide by Kiko Femenia.

Despite their control of the match, Watford were indebted to Gomes, who showed superb reactions to deny Cheikhou Kouyate and then Marko Arnautovic just before the break.

Kouyate missed another gilt-edged chance on 52 minutes when he spooned an effort from 12 yards over the bar.

From there, Watford took over.

Abdoulaye Doucoure fired a strike inches wide before Hart denied Adrian Mariappa with a fine one-handed save.

Watford did not have to wait long to double their lead as the dangerous Richarlison sprinted clear down the left on 64 minutes and finished powerfully into the far corner.

Manuel Lanzini had an effort cleared off the line for West Ham, whose fans stayed until the end but turned on some of their own players and the club's hierarchy as the clock ticked down.

Live FNF

On his 500th game as a Premier League manager, Moyes saw first-hand the huge job on his hands.

Man of the match: Will Hughes

Alan Smith on co-commentary duty said: "He's looked really comfortable today. He scored the first, created the second and his general play has been top class. It's a day to be proud of."

Opta stats

• Watford ended a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats and kept a clean sheet for the first time in their last eight top-flight games.
• Only in 2010/11, had West Ham accrued fewer points (8) after their first 12 games of a Premier League campaign than this season (9).
• Indeed, the Hammers have shipped 25 goals in their first 12 league games this season, their joint-most at this stage of a Premier League campaign (level with 2001/02).
• Hughes scored with his first-ever shot in Premier League football, in his third game in the competition.
• Richarlison has been directly involved in seven Premier League goals this season (5 goals, 2 assists), three more than any other Watford player. However, his strike against West Ham was the first to come at Vicarage Road.

What's next?

Watford are back in action next Saturday lunchtime against Newcastle. Meanwhile, West Ham are back in front of the Friday Night Football cameras for the visit of Leicester City to the London Stadium.

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