1. Claret and Blue Army empty the songbook
West Ham United’s traveling support is second-to-none – and they proved why once again at Pride Park Stadium on Monday evening.
The Claret and Blue Army was 4,700-strong, but it sounded at times like double that number as the fans sang loud and proud throughout.
After greeting their team with a chorus of ‘Bubbles’, Jarrod Bowen’s opening goal was met with deafening roar from the away section.
In the second half, with the game seemingly safe, the West Ham faithful emptied their songbook, serenading former Hammers Carlton Cole, Luděk Mikloško, Winston Reid and ex-Rams favourite Christian Dailly, as well as manager David Moyes, goalscorer Jarrod Bowen and substitutes Saïd Benrahma and Divin Mubama.
It was a feelgood night for a group of supporters who love nothing more than seeing ‘West Ham win away’.
2. Downes and Souček dominate
Flynn Downes and Tomáš Souček started together in midfield for the fourth time in their West Ham United careers on Monday evening – and dominated Derby County.
The young Englishman and Czech Republic national-team captain previously partnered one another in the 1-0 Premier League defeats by Liverpool and Manchester United, and 2-0 top-flight win over AFC Bournemouth.
At Pride Park Stadium, the pair dovetailed impressively, helping the Hammers to a professional 2-0 Emirates FA Cup fourth-round victory.
Souček blocked James Collins’ shot inside the opening minute and assisted Jarrod Bowen’s opening goal with a header in the tenth, then set about covering every blade of grass, taking 68 touches and making 56 passes, three tackles and two clearances.
Alongside him, Downes was just as effective, completing 53 of his 57 passes and twice springing the Irons on the counter-attack with incisive tackles inside the Derby half.
3. Aguerd’s Rolls-Royce performance
Nayef Aguerd’s ability to progress the ball through the lines was something West Ham United sorely missed during the opening months of the 2022/23 season.
The Morocco international grew a reputation for being outstanding in possession during his time at French clubs Dijon and Rennes, and manager David Moyes was excited to add the left-sided centre-back to his starting XI, with a view to him adding a new dimension when playing out from defensive areas.
An ankle injury suffered in pre-season ruined Moyes’ plans, but the 27-year-old is now showing exactly why the Scot made him a priority signing last summer.
Aguerd was coolness personified at Pride Park Stadium, helping West Ham United play out of tight areas with his outstanding range of passing. In the second half, he also showed his ability to carry the ball forward, racing into Derby County half to launch a dangerous attack.
Defensively, he was also sound, using his positional sense, pace and game awareness to nullify the Rams and help the Hammers keep a third clean sheet in the last four matches.
In the city where the historic luxury carmaker is based, Aguerd produced a Rolls-Royce of a performance.
4. Bowen is back
Jarrod Bowen is getting back to his best.
The No20 was a constant thorn in the Rams’ side on Monday night, scoring West Ham United’s opener and having three of his side’s five shots on target.
Indeed, were it not for two Joe Wildsmith saves either side of his tenth-minute volley, Bowen could have been celebrating a brace for the second game in a row, having hit the net twice in the preceding 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at London Stadium.
Bowen has spoken of how his confidence was knocked by his omission from England’s FIFA World Cup squad, but that confidence is seemingly returning and he is now up to eight goals for the season in all competitions.
