LUCKY BREAK

Hammers up ‘n running

half-time, with all the noise already sucked out of the arena, they had faced only one shot on target.

The Hammers were back at it after the break, raining in crosses for Carroll to chase, but it was all a bit too predictable.

Huddersfield had offered little threat and it took until the 55th minute for Billing to force Joe Hart into a save with an optimistic effort from 30 yards.

But the longer it went goalless, the more you could sense the tension in the air.

There were nervy moments for the Terriers too and Chris Schindler miscued so badly he almost sliced a Pablo Zabaleta cross into his own net.

But for the most part the visitors looked comfortable and as time ticked on, Carroll started to look less of a threat.

Bilic had to act and he did so by throwing on Andre Ayew for Hernandez.

The Mexican, already a popular figure here, had looked like a fish out of water trying to run the channels next to Carroll in a three-man front line. But home fans did not like it and responded with a chorus of boos, prompting the away supporters to pipe up with a chant of, ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ at Bilic.

Sullivan, shifting uncomfortably in his seat up in the stands, did not look too impressed either. Actor Patrick Stewart was sitting not far from him but it didn’t need Professor X to read his thoughts.

Just when it seemed like the game was fizzling out, West Ham finally made the breakthrough with one of the flukiest goals you will ever see.

Obiang’s shot was sailing well wide until it hit Jorgensen on the back and looped over Lossl before going in off the post.

Ayew then added the second as Hammers fans finally had something to cheer about. WEST HAM (3-4-3): Hart; Collins, Reid, Fonte; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Obiang (Rice 90), Cresswell; Antonio, Carroll (Sakho 82), Hernandez (Ayew 64). Subs: Adrian, Ogbonna, Byram, Masuaku. HUDDERSFIELD (4-2-3-1): Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe (Malone 63); Mooy, Billing (Depoitre 83); Kachunga (Sabiri 75), Ince, Van La Parra; Mounie. Subs: Coleman, Williams, Hadergjonaj, Hefele. Referee: Kevin Friend. P W D L F APts Man United ...4 3 1 0 12 2 10 Man City.......4 3 1 0 10 2 10 Chelsea........4 3 0 1 8 5 9 Watford ........ 4 2 2 0 7 3 8 Spurs ..........4 2 1 1 7 3 7 Huddersfield ..4 2 1 1 4 2 7 Burnley ........4 2 1 1 5 4 7 Liverpool ......4 2 1 1 8 8 7 West Brom ....4 2 1 1 4 4 7 Newcastle.....4 2 0 2 4 3 6 Arsenal ........4 2 0 2 7 8 6 Stoke...........4 1 2 1 4 4 5 Southampton .4 1 2 1 3 4 5 Brighton .......4 1 1 2 3 5 4 Swansea ......4 1 1 2 2 5 4 Everton ........4 1 1 2 2 6 4 Leicester ......4 1 0 3 6 8 3 West Ham.....4 1 0 3 4 10 3 Bournemouth .4 0 0 4 1 8 0 C Palace.......4 0 0 4 0 7 0