The Hammers only played one home fixture in November, when they were held to a 1-1 draw with Stoke City. In an attritional contest, Michail Antonio’s goalbound header was diverted into his own net by Glenn Whelan midway through the second half.Â
Bojan, a substitute deployed as a response to the Hammers taking the lead, scored Stoke’s equaliser just five minutes later, turning Jonathan Walters’ cross into the net.
December was a mixed month for the Hammers at London Stadium, defeat by Arsenal followed by back-to-back home wins saw Slaven Bilic’s side reach 13th in the Premier League table by Christmas.
The month began with a humbling at the hands of the Hammers’ city rivals. It was an Alexis Sanchez-inspired masterclass by the Gunners, the Chilean’s hat trick inside 15 minutes killing the fixture.
That defeat aside, back to back wins followed against Hull and Burnley to begin the season’s turnaround.Â
Starting the pair of fixtures at 17th in the table, Mark Noble’s first half finish proved decisive against Burnley. After a first half which saw the Hammers strike the woodwork twice, Winston Reid was brought down by Ben Mee inside the penalty area. Despite Noble’s penalty being saved by Tom Heaton, Noble tucked away the follow up to ensure his side led at the break.
After a second half which saw action at both ends, it remained 1-0, and the result lifted the Hammers to 15th.
15th became 13th after another match, another win and another Mark Noble penalty as the Hammers saw off Hull City at London Stadium. This time it was a second half finish that consigned the tigers to defeat, and West Ham to back-to-back league wins at London Stadium.
