Sunday, September 10

Bowen and King Kurt see off Hatters

Luton Town 1 West Ham 2

Caught the updates from this one while in Glasgow and on the way to the Isle of Arran. This was exactly the sort of game the old West Ham would have lost, up against a passionate crowd in Luton's first home game back in the top flight. But Zouma and Aguerd have fine games at the back and the Irons take the lead with a Bowen header after a great instant cross from Paqueta. Jarrod celebrates by giving the shush signal to the Luton fans who have been chanting rude things about Dani Dyer - they should be careful or Danny Dyer Senior will be round to sort out the numpties. 

Emerson was a little unlucky to have a second goal disallowed by the width of a foot but the game looks settled when Ward-Prowse plays in another exemplary corner and Kurt Zouma heads home. That's one goal and three assists so far for JWP. It gets nervy late on when Andrsen heads one back for Luton, but after surviving a late handball appeal against JWP, the Hammers hold on. 

A lot of positives. Paqueta has played like a man on a mission since the betting furore, the first-choice defensive pairing of Zouma and Aguerd is looking solid, Emerson is now playing like an international full-back, Alvarez is starting to look a proper enforcer and Bowen is scoring away - that's three now having not scored any league goals away from home last season. Though Moyes will surely be disappointed with 61 per cent possession. Ten points from four games and lying in fourth spot is a great start. Another 30 points and we're safe. Irons!

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