WEST HAM ran out comfortable winners of this keenly contested mid-table Premier League clash.

Boosted by the return of Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio to the starting line-up, West Ham were on the front foot from the start.

Arnautovic was a constant threat, twisting and turning his way into the area early on, only to see Joao Mario drive his close range shot straight at Watford keeper Orestis Karnezis.

West Ham then had a Javier Hernandez goal disallowed for offside, after he headed home from another of Mario’s teasing free kicks. But the home team didn’t have to wait long — a couple of minutes later Antonio delivered a pinpoint cross from the left that Hernandez similarly nodded home. This time the goal stood.

Watford threatened, with Gerard Deulofeu seeing his goal-destined free kick pushed aside by Adrian at full stretch.

The killer goal came in the 77th minute with Aaron Cresswell twice driving the ball across the Watford defence, after taking a short corner to Antonio. The second follow up saw the ball fall kindly for Arnautovic who drove home from a couple of yards.

West Ham boss David Moyes was pleased with Arnautovic’s efforts but believes there is still more to come from the Austrian striker.

“Making him the centre forward has geed him up a bit but he still should have scored more,” said Moyes. “If Marko is really fit and in the right frame of mind, he’s very difficult to play against.”

The manager also said he wanted to see more from Antonio, though he conceded he may be a little short of match fitness.

Moyes acknowledged how few points there are between eighth and the bottom of the table, confirming that he wanted to get nearer to the top than bottom come the end of the season.

Watford manager Javi Gracia felt his side had been outfought in this game. “We can do better and I am confident we will do that,” he said.