Noble, Lanzini and Arnautovic score as Hammers leapfrog Hornets into tenth on the final day
JOSE HOLEBAS is set to miss the biggest match of his career and deal Watford’s FA Cup hopes a savage blow after being sent off.
The Chilean defender was given a straight red four minutes into the second half for what looked a soft challenge on West Ham winger Michail Antonio.
Antonio hit the deck after Holebas put his hand in his left shoulder as the pair raced towards goal.
And Holebas was dismissed for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity by ref chris Kavanagh.
Watford may yet appeal and try to get the red card reduced to a yellow in order to get their key left back the green light to face Manchester City in next Saturday’s Cup Final.
The controversial decision added to miserable preparations for next week’s match as Watford’s defence gifted West Ham two goals in the first half.
Hammers skipper Mark Noble was allowed to run unchecked through the middle of the pitch and into the area.
TENTH FINALE
He turned Christian Kabasele and rolling the ball past keeper Ben Foster on 16 minutes.
Seven minutes before half time Manuel Lanzini scored his first goal since returning from a serious knee injury after more worrying scenes at the back for Watford.
Antonio worked the ball right across the face of Watford’s box then smashed a shot against the bar with Lanzini following up to head into an open goal.
Gracia’s team pulled one back just 12 seconds into the second half when sub Pablo Zabaleta’s mishit backpass fell to Gerard Delofeu.
He tapped the ball round advancing keeper Lukasz Fabianski then followed it up to tap in a classy goal.
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After Watford were reduced to ten men West Ham were put under pressure and were lucky to get away with it when Antonio appeared to knock the ball onto his own arm under pressure in his box.
Marko Arnautovic got the third – pouncing on the rebound after Felipe Anderson hit the post with a volley.
And Noble got his second of the game to seal a win that took West Ham above Watford and into tenth from the penalty spot after Kiko Femenia felled Antonio.