WEST HAM pretty much secured their Premiership future with this comprehensive win over relegation rivals Watford on Friday (July 17).

Manager David Moyes, though, was not counting his chickens, declaring that he would not be changing anything till his team are “mathematically safe.”

The returned former manager has certainly transformed this group of players, getting them playing as a tight, disciplined unit.

Perhaps the break for the pandemic helped in giving Moyes the time he needed to pull things around.

West Ham began in confident style, with the game just six minutes old when Michail Antonio slotted home after being put through on the left by Pablo Fornals.

Four minutes later, the industrious Jarrod Bowen drove in a cross from the right that was converted by Tomas Soucek, rising at the far post to head home, the impressive Czech’s third goal in the past five games.

The demolition looked complete when, 10 minutes before half time, Declan Rice cut in from the left to fire home into the opposite corner from 25 yards.

Rice dashed across with his team mates to embrace Moyes, as the Hammer’s victory song, the Beatles’ Twist & Shout, rang out for the third time in the fanless stadium.

Watford’s best chance of the half was a header just over from Craig Dawson in injury time.

The visitors came out, though, with more purpose in the second half, Troy Deeney getting a goal back in just four minutes. The big striker converted after the ball rebounded off the post from an Ismaila Sarr effort.

Watford dominated the half but were unable to break down the well-organised home rearguard, the visitors best effort being a prod from Danny Welbeck that went over the bar.

Moyes felt his team “played exceptionally well in the first half and defended well in the second.”

The manager paid tribute to Soucek, who he felt had brought “energy and physicality” to the team since his arrival in January.

Speaking as the manager of a team that has lost after being ahead more than 20 times this season, Moyes declared winning to be something West Ham have to do far more often.

“This was our best start and the finishing was concise,” declared Moyes, who can now plan for the next season with certainty.