The Hammers forced a late goal against an impressive Watford side as both teams came away with a point.
West Ham made three changes from the team that beat Cardiff on Sunday with Jack Collison, Ricardo Vaz Te and Henri Lansbury making way for Matt Taylor, Julien Faubert and Carlton Cole.
West Ham started the game better and in the first minute Matt Taylor has an effort from 40 yards out. His effort cannoned back off the crossbar and Watford were able to get it clear.
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Watford created their first chance of the game after five minutes. James Tomkins brought down Troy Deeney outside the penalty box. Which saw Watford youngster Sean Murray given the chance to have a shot at goal but his effort was easily saved by Robert Green.
The Hammers missed a glorious chance on 12 minutes to take the lead. Taylor broke down the left and managed to get the ball to Julien Faubert at the back post but he put the ball wide of the Watford goal.
On 16 minutes West Ham again spurned a great chance to take the lead, after nice play between Joey O’Brien and Faubert the ball was played into Nicky Maynard who looked like he was in on goal but a last ditch tackle from Bennett saved Watford.
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On 37 minutes Carlton Cole played Mark Noble in behind the Watford defence. Noble’s shot looked destined for the top corner but a fantastic save from Watford keeper Tomasz Kuszczak kept Noble out.
As the second half got underway West Ham continuied where they left off, on the front foot. A corner on 48 minutes from Noble was met by Tomkins but his header went over the bar.
After 54 minutes Watford defender Bennett clashed with midfielder Eustace. This lead to a long stoppage in the game as Bennett had to be stretchered off.
On 68 minutes Watford were able to find youngster Murray in space outside the West Ham penalty box and after encouragement from the Watford fans to shoot he fired in on a shot that hit the far post and beat Green in the West Ham goal to give Watford the lead.
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Watford has several chances to put the game to bed and were made to pay on 87 minutes when West Ham won a corner and despite Watford’s best efforts to clear the ball good work from Tomkins and Nolan kept the ball alive before it fell to Ricardo Vaz Te whose attempt on goal ends up in the back of the net.
Due to Bennett’s injury there were 9 minutes of stoppage time and on 98 minutes West Ham had a great chance to snatch a late victory. McCartney crossed into Faubert at the back post but the Frenchman was unable to make contact on the ball.
By Colin Cowan
