Watford celebrations in July 2020

On This Day: Rice's thunderbolt helps the Hammers past Watford

Taking a look back at a classic West Ham United moment on this day in history, in association with Heineken...

West Ham United all but confirmed Premier League survival with a 3-1 win over Watford at the London Stadium on this day in 2020.

Originally scheduled to take place on 3 April, the Hornets' visit to east London eventually occurred over three months later as part of the Premier League's 'Project Restart'.

With both sides battling to retain their status in the top division of English Football, a cagey affair might have been expected, but the Hammers quickly jumped into a 2-0 lead with goals from Michail Antonio and Tomáš Souček inside the first ten minutes.

David Moyes' side extended their advantage nine minutes before half-time, when Declan Rice's rasping effort from outside the box left goalkeeper Ben Foster motionless.

Watford hit back just after the break through Troy Deeney, but West Ham stuck to the task well to secure three vital points.

The victory put the Irons six points above the bottom three with just two games to play and a far superior goal-difference, and safety was secured with a midweek 1-1 draw at Manchester United a few days later.

 

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