After going level on points with third-placed Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, West Ham strengthened their top-four credentials – but by how much?
The Hammers’ 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday capped off an incredible fortnight of football, which has seen David Moyes’ side win five games in a row – making it eight wins from their last nine outings in all competitions.
After last season’s performances, many believed that the club would not be able to repeat the same feat which saw them finish in the Premier League’s top six for the first time since 1999.
Now, however, West Ham are up to fourth in the Premier League table, level on points with the current Premier League champions Man City and with a +9 goal difference.
If the Premier League season had begun at the start of the calendar year (2021), then the Hammers would be third in the Premier League with 62 points – only behind Chelsea (66) and Manchester City (80).
As well as this, the Hammers have won every Europa League game to go top of Group H without conceding a goal, and have beaten both Man United and Man City to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Can the Hammers mount another top-four push this season?
Statistically, based on the start of this campaign, West Ham are more than capable of pushing for a top-four finish – if the team continue to play the way they are.
Arguably, it would be a very tough challenge given the number of competitions there are still left to play in for the Hammers, especially compared to other rivals.
However, the squad is much more prepared this season than the last, with a much deeper squad to fall back on if injuries begin to hit over the busy winter period.
What is most fascinating, however, is how David Moyes is rotating the squad and still keeping the same standard of football. This is a big reason why they have been able to play well in several competitions so far.
A trophy push and a high league finish is a big ask for the team, but based on what we have seen so far it is more than achievable for this group of players, who many fans believe to be the Hammers’ best squad in the Premier League era.
Having said that, there is still a long way to go and the fixture list will continue to get more rigorous, not to mention the difficulty of games.
Operating with a much deeper squad gives Moyes the tools to do well this season. But the Hammers must be wary that when this form does inevitably drop slightly, they cannot let it derail their season.
Hopefully, for many West Ham supporters, this bubble never bursts and, as we have seen, a top-four push could be on the cards. Moyes has done a fantastic job so far, and if the Hammers keep flying this high – many will not be able to stop them.
