West Ham have secured two unlikely results against Arsenal and Chelsea.
Manager David Moyes and goalkeeper Adrian have taken the majority of the plaudits at West Ham United following the clubs’ 1-0 win over Chelsea and a 0-0 draw against Arsenal.
Adrian has returned to the side after acting as Joe Hart’s back-up for the start of the 2017-18 season, and has conceded just two goals in three matches with both of those coming in a brave 2-1 loss to unbeaten Manchester City.
He retained his place and it is a move that has proved genius, as his passion and shot-stopping has kept out Chelsea and Arsenal’s best attackers as West Ham remain in the bottom three of the Premier League.
The Spanish goalkeeper has certainly been applauded after Hart had conceded 30 goals in 14 games, while Moyes has also been praised for his defensive tactics that frustrated Arsenal and Chelsea in the past seven days.
But could the real reason behind West Ham’s change in fortunes be the desire and determination of captain Mark Noble, after Moyes decided to recall the uncapped Englishman for the Hammers last two games.
Co-owner David Gold posted a picture on Twitter that showed 30-year-old Noble had run eight miles against Chelsea, higher than any other Premier League player last weekend.
Noble was excellent once again when facing the likes of Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil, constantly hassling the Gunners midfielders as well as organising his Hammers side and getting the best out of his teammates.
The Hammers captain’s raw passion and gritty desire to do well in claret and blue is just the kind of character West Ham need to get out of the bottom three and that has shown in his last two matches.
West Ham travel to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday to face Stoke City and although it will be a match in which Moyes’ side will not have to defend as much, the former Everton boss must start Noble to inspire his Hammers side to three points.
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