THE most surprising thing about this game was that West Ham only won by two goals, though the Norwich manager took a somewhat different view.

Club boss Daniel Farke felt his team dominated the first 20 minutes, with the game-changing moment coming when West Ham striker Sebastian Haller fouled and injured centre back Christophe Zimmerman. 

Haller then got away to put West Ham in front, with Zimmerman unable able to get back due to injury.

“My player is on his way to hospital, the other player is on the shoulders of his teammates,”said Farke, who was also aggrieved that Andriy Yarmolenko hadn’t been more harshly penalised for use of the elbow.

The Norwich manager was right about his team having much of the early possession and pushing hard but the Hammers were always more incisive.

It took until the 23rd minute for the deadlock to be broken, with Arthur Masuaku exchanging passes with Felipe Anderson before storming to the byline to cross for the incoming Haller to stroke home.

In the second half, West Ham took total control, with the endlessly inventive Anderson at the centre of most things.

The second goal came after Yarmolenko had seen his full-blooded volley from the corner rocket back off a post. West Ham retained possession before the ball again fell to Yarmolenko, who lashed the ball home from an angle.

Norwich keeper Tim Krul kept his side in the game with a series of fine saves.

The pick of the bunch was a tip-over of a Manuel Lanzini goal-bound header and a double save from Haller and Anderson.

Issa Diop also saw his thumping header from a corner cleared off the line.

There was a good shout for a penalty when Haller was hauled down late on in the penalty area but referee Paul Tierney waved away the appeals.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted his team had four or five good chances but was pleased how they kept possession and control of the game.

“We created, had a lot of good possession and started playing the way I want them to play,” said Pellegrini, who was also pleased that his side managed to keep a clean sheet.

“We conceded too many goals last season, it is something we needed to address.”