In the next instalment of our 2023/24 Season Review, we revisit the Irons' fortunes as the relentless schedule of Premier League and European football continued during an up and down October...
October started positively, as West Ham United set a new record for consecutive unbeaten European matches for an English team (17) with a 2-1 win away to SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League.
With the Claret and Blue Army enforcedly absent at the Stadion am Wolfswinkel, the Hammers were without their 12th man and up against a passionate home following.
However, after sustained early pressure, the visitors made the most of their positive imprint as they took an eighth-minute lead through Lucas Paquetá, who leapt highest of all to connect with Jarrod Bowen’s teasing cross from the right and head high into the net.
And despite suffering a setback through Roland Sallai’s determined finish, Nayef Aguerd restored our lead on 66 minutes to seal the points and a historic result for David Moyes' men.
As always when playing European football, it was a quick turnaround, and just three days later we welcomed Newcastle United to London Stadium.
A pulsating contest ended in a 2-2 draw, as Mohammed Kudus rescued a late point for the Irons.
Having taken an early lead through Tomáš Souček's eighth-minute opener, Alexander Isak’s quick-fire double looked to have turned the game on its head, though Kudus’ first Premier League goal - a low, driven effort into the bottom corner - ensured the points were shared.
Following the October international break, it was soon back to the hectic schedule, as the Hammers played three games in seven days, all of which ended in defeat for Moyes' charges.
First up was a trip to the East Midlands to face Aston Villa, where the Hammers fell to a 4-1 loss against Unai Emery’s side.
One of few positives on a difficult afternoon was the performance of West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who made a string of superb saves, which saw him win Save of the Month and also nominated for Save of the Season when he denied Douglas Luiz after eleven minutes.
Next up was matchday three of the Europa League and a trip to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium to face Olympiacos.
A goal from home captain Kostas Fortounis and an own-goal from Angelo Ogbonna did the damage in the 15 minutes before half-time, and despite Paquetá netting late on, the Hammers’ proud European run came to an end in Greece.
Finally, a home clash against Everton back in the Premier League yielded a narrow 1-0 defeat, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin striking the decisive blow early in the second half.
It wouldn't be too long before the Irons bounced back to form and produced one of their best performances of the season at the start of November... but that's for next time!
