West Ham United

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra joined West Ham United on a free transfer until the end of the season on Wednesday.  

The Irons confirmed the free agent's arrival via their official Twitter account:

Evra was released by Marseille in November after he kicked a fan prior to the club's UEFA Europa League clash with Vitoria Guimaraes. The Frenchman is banned from participating in European competition for the remainder of the campaign but can feature in domestic matches.

The 36-year-old spent eight years at Manchester United, with whom he made 273 Premier League appearances and won five league titles, and he played under Hammers manager David Moyes during his final season at Old Trafford.

He then spent a further two-and-a-half years at Juventus, picking up two Serie A titles along the way, prior to joining Marseille in January 2017.

TalkSport's Andy Goldstein and Football.London's Sam Inkersole expressed concern at the left-back's age:

Playing him alongside 33-year-old Pablo Zabaleta would seem unwise, and as Inkersole noted, Evra's capture also flies in the face of comments made by West Ham co-owner David Sullivan in December:

Another concern should be the veteran's fitness. He has not played since October and hadn't played a great deal for Marseille before being released, having appeared in just nine of a possible 20 matches.

Evra has evidently taken steps to keep fit during his absence from the game:

Nevertheless, given his age it's likely it will take time for him to be sharp and match fit once again.

The defender was an excellent player in his heyday, but how much he still has to give on the pitch is unclear at this point.

That said, as a short-term free transfer it's a relatively low-risk deal for West Ham. If his experience and presence in the dressing room can have a positive influence on their fight for survival and they stay up, it will have been a worthwhile acquisition.

Premier League club West Ham United have sacked Director of Player Recruitment Tony Henry following the latter's insensitive remarks about African players. 

The club announced the news in a statement on Friday:

''West Ham United have today terminated the contract of Director of Player Recruitment, Tony Henry, with immediate effect following his unacceptable comments that were widely reported in the press.

''Our action follows a full and thorough investigation.

''West Ham United will not tolerate any type of discrimination.

''The West Ham United family is an inclusive one where, regardless of gender, age, ability, race, religion or sexual orientation, everybody feels welcome and included.''

As reported by Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail, Henry made headlines near the end of the January transfer window when he wrote in an email the Hammers were not interested in signing African players.

When Sportsmail reached out, Henry didn't deny the comments, saying it is "nothing racist at all" before detailing the issues the club has had with certain players in the past. He specifically pointed to their ''bad attitude" and tendency to "cause mayhem," citing Diafra Sakho—who recently transferred to Rennes—as an example.

The revelations led to immediate outrage, as well as a suspension by the club, who promised an immediate investigation. Football writer Sam Inkersole praised the Hammers for their speedy response:

Said investigation didn't take long, as Henry has now been sacked.

West Ham's squad contains several key players of African origin, including Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate and defender Arthur Masuaku, of Congolese heritage, among others. 

West Ham United director of player recruitment Tony Henry has said the Premier League club does not want to sign African players because "they can have a bad attitude" and "cause mayhem," per Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail.

Lawton detailed how Henry sent an email on January 27 telling an agent for the Hammers, along with another official at the club, to disregard a player of Cameroonian origin after a scouting mission. The e-mail was leaked to Lawton's publication, prompting Lord Ouseley, the head of anti-racism organisation Kick it Out, to describe Henry's actions as "potentially unlawful," per the report.

Lawton relayed the content of the email: "We don't want any more Africans and he's not good enough. I sent Thomas to watch him and the other lad last week and he said no. If Palace take them good luck."

Henry was then asked by the Mail if his views reflected club policy. After an initial denial, he confirmed the club backed his view while attempting to justify his stance:

"It's nothing racist at all. It's just sometimes they can have a bad attitude. We had problems with Sakho, with Diafra Sakho. We find that when they are not in the team they cause mayhem. It's nothing against the African race at all."

Expanding on his original comments, Henry denied there was any racist overtones or import:

"I don't know what you are trying to get at here. All I said was, look, we have a great lad in (Cheikhou) Kouyate, he's brilliant, a great player for us, he's a good lad.

"But the likes of Sakho have caused mayhem. When he's not playing…he always wants a new deal. That's all it was. It was nothing discriminatory at all."

As a further attempt to explain his words, Henry stressed his concerns were focused more on squad harmony rather than any particular nationalities:

"I could say we get offered Russian players. I just find with Russian players that they don't settle in England. It's like Italians. How many Italians come and settle in England? As a club we are not discriminatory at all."

"If you've got too many, they all sit together and it becomes a situation where you can have problems. But then you can have problems with English players. I don't know what you are driving at."

Henry's statements come after West Ham sold Ghana international Andrew Ayew to former club Swansea City for an initial £18 million on the final day of the January transfer window, per BBC Sport.

Senegal international Diafra Sakho also joined Rennes for £8 million.

However, his international teammate Cheikhou Kouyate remains an important member of the Hammers' squad, as does full-back Arthur Masuaku, who is of Congolese heritage. Meanwhile, new loan signing Joao Mario is eligible to represent Angola but opted to become a Portugal international.

Despite suggesting the club supported the views, West Ham have moved swiftly and suspended Henry pending an investigation.

Per Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror, a club spokesperson said: "The club can confirm that director of player recruitment Tony Henry has been suspended pending a full and thorough investigation. West Ham United will not tolerate any type of discrimination and has, therefore, acted swiftly due to the serious nature of these claims."

West Ham United have completed the signing of Joao Mario on loan from Inter Milan for the remainder of the season.

News the transfer had gone through came via the Hammers' official website on Friday. The club also released this short video:

Our new number 1️⃣8️⃣, @joaome17! pic.twitter.com/yM8KIS0aRJ

— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) January 26, 2018

The move could spell the end of the midfielder's career at the San Siro, having arrived for around £38 million in the summer of 2016. 

The former Sporting CP man moved to Inter having excelled in Lisbon and performed brilliantly in the UEFA European Championship, in which Portugal marched to glory. However, he failed to show his best with the Nerazzurri.

This term he's fallen further down the pecking order under Luciano Spalletti, starting just five Serie A games.

Sam Tighe believes it's crucial the 25-year-old gets minutes ahead of the FIFA World Cup in the summer:

He'll also be keen to remind the football world what a talented player he is, as Mario was considered one of Europe's rising stars during his time at Sporting.

Indeed, Mario was outstanding in Portugal's top flight, showcasing quality in possession, versatility and a tremendous work ethic. Those traits were there for all to see on the international stage in 2016, when his brilliant work on the flanks gave his country an edge.

When he has got on the field this season, the midfielder has still been conjuring chances for his team-mates, as noted by WhoScored.com:

For West Ham, this will be deemed a coup, especially considering the club is in a battle to stay afloat in the Premier League still. The Hammers are in 11th place, yet only four points clear of the relegation zone.

Manager David Moyes will be hopeful that Mario gives West Ham some vital composure in the final third, as he has the quality to knit attacks together. Should he link up with Manuel Lanzini and a rejuvenated Marko Arnautovic, then the Hammers will be a potent attacking force.  

Marko Arnautovic scored his first West Ham United goal to help the relegation-threatened Hammers beat champions Chelsea 1-0 in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Saturday.

West Ham remained in the bottom three but pulled level on points with 17th-placed West Bromwich Albion. It was their first win with David Moyes in charge. Meanwhile, Chelsea's hopes of retaining the title look slim, with leaders Manchester City having the chance to go 14 points clear if they win on Sunday.

Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard revealed the lineups prior to kick-off:

West Ham were in front on six minutes after Arnautovic combined brilliantly with Manuel Lanzini. The goalscorer drifted off the left flank and belted the ball past Thibaut Courtois to cap a smart one-two.

Goal's Nizaar Kinsella offered a damning assessment of Chelsea's attempts to prevent the early breakthrough:

The Blues' first decent chances came on 27 minutes, when N'Golo Kante, then Davide Zappacosta forced Adrian into saves. Reducing the visitors to shots from the edge of the box was a credit to the Hammers' defensive organisation and rigid shape, which denied space between the lines.

At the other end, Michail Antonio worked tirelessly as a target man. His pace and power made him a natural outlet on the break, while the 27-year-old also pressed Chelsea's three central defenders out of possession, preventing the Blues from playing out from the back.

West Ham stayed direct after the break and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Andreas Christensen stopped the ball with his hand as Arnautovic was breaking through. Referee Anthony Taylor was unmoved by the protests.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made a trio of changes in the 20 minutes after the break, swapping Tiemoue Bakayoko for Pedro, Marcos Alonso for Victor Moses and Zappacosta for Willian. Yet the away side still lacked ideas for how to break West Ham's discipline and resolve.

ESPN FC's Liam Twomey described how the Hammers' strategy was working:

It didn't help that Chelsea's players were misfiring when opportunities came their way, with both Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard wasting promising chances inside the final 10 minutes.

West Ham held on for a creditable three points. They pressed and stayed physical all game, never letting Chelsea get comfortable.

The Blues were left to hope Manchester United do them a favour in Sunday's derby, but Conte probably knows the title is already gone.

Essex Police have taken to Twitter to tell West Ham United fans not to ring 999 to complain about the club losing.

The Force Control Room sent the message out after the Hammers lost 2-0 to Watford on Sunday:

Ringing 999 because @WestHamUtd have lost again and you aren't sure what to do is not acceptable! It is a complete waste of our time. #999foremergenciesonly

— Force Control Room (@EPControlRoom) November 19, 2017

Force Control Room added it was a "genuine call" they had received, one of "hundreds" wrongfully made to 999 on a daily basis.

Manager David Moyes was taking charge of his first game with the Irons, but his side failed to muster a result as Will Hughes and Richarlison fired the Hornets to victory.

Sports broadcaster Ian Abrahams shared the chants that could be heard from West Ham fans during the game:

According to the Press Association (h/t the Guardian), both Moyes and club captain Mark Noble commented on the supporters.

The former said "it's hard to play when the crowd’s like that," but added he "can understand their frustration because we didn't play well enough."

As for the latter, he said: 

"It's a very difficult situation for us. The fans show their emotions, and rightly so because they're not happy and they pay a lot of money to come and watch us.

"I know it's hard, I know they’re frustrated, and we are too because we know we’re better than what we're showing, but I urge them to stick by us and hopefully the good times will come back.

"As much as we're not performing on the pitch at the minute, we need them to stick by us."

The Sun's Duncan Wright offered an explanation as to the current atmosphere around West Ham:

On the pitch, the defeat has left the Hammers in 18th place with just nine points from 12 matches, and they've shipped 25 goals, the worst defensive record in the Premier League.

West Ham United have confirmed the appointment of David Moyes as their new manager.

The club's official website relayed the news on Tuesday. 

Joint-chairman David Sullivan said: "I would like to welcome David to West Ham United. This is a unique position for David Gold and myself—it is the first time in almost eight years at West Ham United that we have appointed a new manager during the season.

"We need somebody with experience, knowledge of the Premier League and the players in it, and we believe David is the right man to turn things around and get the best out of the players at the Club. He is highly regarded and respected within the game, and will bring fresh ideas, organisation and enthusiasm.

"He proved with Everton that he has great qualities and we feel that West Ham United is a Club that will give David the platform to display those qualities again." 

Moyes is looking forward to getting down to work after being approached about "other opportunities recently."

The Scot, per the club's website, said: "West Ham is a big club. Wherever you go they are known. I've been really fortunate in that I've managed some really great clubs, and I have been offered some other opportunities recently.

"But I wanted a job that would give me a real good chance [of success]. I wanted a big fanbase, a big club, and West Ham fitted the bill.

"I'm really just looking forward to getting started, because we are now in the season and we have to get up-and-running right away to get the job done."

The Hammers sacked Slaven Bilic on Monday after a disappointing run of results, leaving the team down in 18th in the Premier League table and in the middle of a relegation battle.

Moyes takes on the position having struggled in his recent managerial posts, meaning the signing has prompted many to raise eyebrows. As noted by Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph prior to the confirmation, plenty of supporters are unhappy with the decision:

The 54-year-old's finest spell in management was his 11-year stint at Everton, where he steered the club away from the bottom of the table and established the Toffees as regular challengers for European places.

It was a job so impressive that Moyes was chosen to succeed the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. However, after a tough start, he failed to last the entirety of the campaign and was sacked.

Moyes has struggled to recover from that blow, and in his next managerial position, with Real Sociedad, was also sacked after just a year in charge.

In July 2016, he took over Sunderland. While Moyes inherited a team of struggling players put together by previous bosses, he drew ridicule for his decisions to sign former Everton stars, while the team turned in some awful displays on the pitch. Their relegation was confirmed in April, and Moyes was moved on.

All things considered, Sachin Nakrani of the Guardian is finding it tough to understand why West Ham have turned to Moyes:

According to Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol, there was a host of other managers keen to take over:

The big challenge for the new West Ham boss will be adding some cohesion and discipline to a team that have been easy to score against so far this season in the top flight. No side has a worse defensive record than the Hammers in the Premier League.

There is talent to utilise, though, especially in the final third, where Moyes will have Andy Carroll, Javier Hernandez and Manuel Lanzini to call upon.

In his managerial heyday, Moyes' bread and butter was making his Everton sides among the most difficult teams to play in the Premier League due to their work rate and organisation. But his last three roles have painted the picture of a once-fine coach who has been passed by by the rapid pace of modern-day football.

West Ham United parted ways with manager Slaven Bilic on Monday, bringing to an end a two-and-a-half-year spell for the Croatian at the east London club, per the club's official website.

The Hammers also confirmed in their statement that "Bilic's coaching assistants Nikola Jurcevic, Edin Terzic, Julian Dicks and Miljenko Rak have also left the club with immediate effect."

The 49-year-old said he was not surprised to lose his job, per Sky Sports (via Vaishali Bhardwaj in the Evening Standard): "I expected it. There are no hard feelings. I can be very proud of my work here. We didn't start this crucial season well. As in many clubs across Europe, the manager is the one who pays the price. It's a very logical move. The fans were brilliant to me from the start until the end."

Bilic leaves the Hammers lying in the drop zone in the Premier League after a mediocre second season in charge has been followed by a terrible start to the current campaign.

Originally appointed West Ham boss in June 2015, Bilic made some astute summer signings—notably the terrific Dimitri Payet—and led the Irons to a seventh-placed Premier League finish in 2015-16.

They accumulated 62 points in the domestic season, the club's highest-ever return for a Premier League campaign. Yet 11th was the best the Hammers could do in Bilic's second year at the helm.

Payet returned to Marseille, injuries mounted and the squad struggled to adapt to life in the new London Stadium. Heavy defeats became common, and that pattern continued during the early stages of the 2017-18 season.

West Ham began the current campaign losing 4-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Defeats to Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and promoted duo Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion followed in the next eight matches as the Hammers won just twice.

In each of those four defeats West Ham conceded three goals, a clear indicator of the Hammers' defensive frailty on Bilic's watch.

The final straw was then a 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, a game in which the hosts were poor barring a short spell at the beginning of the second half when they pulled a goal back, only to concede again barely a minute later. 

Bilic ultimately paid the price for failing to get a squad featuring several talented individuals to play as a team. Big-name signings such as Javier Hernandez, Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic and Pablo Zabaleta couldn't end the malaise as West Ham lacked a collective plan to improve form.

The next manager will be tasked with getting more from the experience and quality at his disposal in a team surely too good to be relegated.

West Ham United welcome Liverpool to the London Stadium on Saturday, searching for a first Premier League win since September.

The Hammers were denied all three points against Crystal Palace on Saturday despite going 2-0 up, thanks to a 97th-minute equaliser from Wilfried Zaha at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool, meanwhile, head into the game after beating Huddersfield Town 3-0 at Anfield on Saturday.

Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: 5:30 p.m. GMT/1:30 p.m. ET

Venue: London Stadium, London

TV Info: BT Sport (UK), NBC Universo (U.S.), SiriusXM FC (U.S.).

Live Stream: BT Sport app, NBC Sports (U.S.)

Team News

Liverpool will again be without Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane, although manager Jurgen Klopp has said they are closing in on a return to first-team action, per the club's Twitter account:

Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has also been ruled out after picking up an ankle problem in the UEFA Champions League win over Maribor.

Philippe Coutinho is also expected to miss the game but Dejan Lovren could return, according to James Carroll of Liverpool's official website.

West Ham have problems defensively with James Collins, Winston Reid and Jose Fonte all injury doubts, while Pablo Zabaleta is suspended, per Kristian Walsh at the Liverpool Echo.

The loss of Zabaleta in particular is a big blow after impressing against Palace last time out, as shown by WhoScored.com:

Slaven Bilic could therefore be left with just Angelo Ogbonna and Declan Rice as his only two fit and available centre-backs for the game, although midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is also an option.

Preview

West Ham go into the game in real need of a victory as they are just a point above the bottom three.

The Hammers' perilous position has led to increased scrutiny on manager Slaven Bilic, who could face the sack if they lose on Saturday, per Duncan Wright at The Sun.

Defence has been a problem for West Ham—only Stoke City, Everton and Palace have conceded more in the Premier League—and Bilic may be without key players on Saturday.

Liverpool have also looked vulnerable at the back this season, and West Ham will look to in-form Andre Ayew to test the Reds.

His recent contribution was highlighted by Opta:

However, Liverpool's greatest strength is their attack, and with Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge, they will really test what may be a makeshift defence.

The Reds will go into the game as favourites, but West Ham have shown recently in the Carabao Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2, they still have the ability to upset the top sides.