West Ham’s blistering first-half performance ensured a significant victory which virtually secures their Premier League status but leaves Watford in major trouble.
David Moyes’ side picked up a crucial win to move six points clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining and, with a goal difference that is also significantly better than their rivals’, the Hammers’ place in the top flight seems assured.
But the picture looks much bleaker for Nigel Pearson’s men, who lie just three points outside the drop zone and face Manchester City and Arsenal in their remaining games.
The hosts scored twice in the opening 10 minutes through the in-form Michail Antonio, who swept home and Tomas Soucek’s bullet from Jarrod Bowen’s cross.
Declan Rice curled in a sublime third before half-time and although Troy Deeney pulled a goal back at the start of the second half, Watford could not conjure a miraculous turnaround.
