Hammers can’t wait for visit of Blues now
WEST HAM are already looking forward to the visit of Chelsea a week today so they can prove their recovery is for real.
The Hammers beat a weakened Chelsea in the League Cup in October at London Stadium.
“Maybe we didn’t get enough credit for knocking them out because, for a time, whenever we won at home it was overshadowed by crowd trouble, the atmosphere or people moaning,” said skipper Mark Noble.
Noble believes West Ham did enough to beat Watford on Saturday after going behind to Troy Deeney’s early penalty but said the ball just did not bounce their way.
And he admits the late second yellow shown to Michail Antonio for a needless handling offence could prove costly.
Antonio’s pace had earlier taken him past Younes Kaboul and his shot rebounded off both posts before Andre Ayew slotted the equaliser.
“Even after Michail gets sent off, we’re sat in the changing room wondering if a point is enough and we’re a bit gutted it wasn’t all three, but it’s a shame he’ll miss Chelsea,” said Noble.
“He has been playing really well and we’re going to miss him because he has been a top player for us, but hopefully we’ll get Andy Carroll back and we have now lost away only once since November.”
Hornets centre-back Kaboul agreed.
“Antonio is very sharp and when West Ham release him through the channels, it’s always going to take a lot to stay with him because he has a lot of desire,” he said.
“In our squad I’m probably the quickest in a 60-yard sprint and I’ve faced a few quick strikers this season – Jamie Vardy was very sharp – but Antonio is right up there.”