West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Zouma, Johnson, Rice (c), Souček, Lanzini, Bowen, Antonio.
Subs: Areola (GK), Ashby, Masuaku, Noble, Král, Benhrama, Vlašić, Yarmolenko, Fornals.

Chelsea: Mendy, Christensen, Silva, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Ziyech
Subs: Kepa (GK), Azpilicueta, Sarr, Saul, Barkley, Lukaku, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Pulisic

This article is definitely NOT an I told you so moment, the paucity of Hammers squad is rather historical now, as there is nothing that can be practically done before the January window opens, or is there? The left side of Hammers defence, so long a paragon of meanness, has been dismantled of late, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde “'To lose one may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”!

West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Johnson, Rice (c), Souček, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Diop, Masuaku, Noble, Král, Lanzini, Vlašić, Yarmolenko, Perkins
Brighton: Sánchez, Veltman, Webster, Dunk (c), Cucurella, Bissouma, Lallana, Moder, Sarmiento, Trossard, Maupay Subs: Steele (GK), Lamptey, Mac Allister, Mwepu, Groß, March, Duffy, Locadia, Burn

Which Moyes Ploy Ahoy?

Hammers take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Bowl this evening in a game that they really need to win in order to halt the alarming run of recent defeats, the problem being the Seagulls are the South Coast's 'nemesis' for the Irons and have always proved to be obdurate opposition, particularly when Glenn Murray was still playing for them.

Aaron Cresswell is due to face a late fitness test ahead of the 'must win' game at home to Brighton on early Wednesday evening, the unusual 7:30 PM kick off being part of Amazon, the game's broadcaster's deal that was struck with the Premier league. Cress of course did his best to dismantle one of the goal posts at the Etihad, with his BACK!

Injuries to Said Benrahma ans Aaron Cresswell were the double whammy cost of taking on Manchester City at the Etihad yesterday, the 2-1 loss was Hammers 2nd Premier League defeat in a row. Benrahma injured his ankle but didn't look too uncomfortable when he left the field to be replaced by Manu Lanzini.

Little Old West Ham travelled up to play League Champions Manchester City and got beaten, no surprise in that, but the fact that a club with such slender resources could be beaten by the same score line as that of mega rich PSG, is testament to just how far Hammers have come under the management and of Moyes.

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Ruben Dias, Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Rodri, Gundogan (c), Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus Subs: Steffen (GK), Carson (GK), Stones, Ake, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Palmer, McAtee
West Ham: Fabianski, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Masuaku, Rice (c), Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Coufal, Diop, Kral, Noble, Lanzini, Bowen, Vlasic, Yarmolenko

Hammers fans have grown accustomed to seeing David Moyes and his coaching staff prowling around the dug out during games including England set piece adviser Paul Nevin, he who is always speaking into a 'lip mic'. Ever wonder who on earth he is speaking to? Well none other than Psycho himself, Stuart Pearce. Around the time the Pandemic first made games crowdless, David Moyes tested positive and had to view the matches remotely, relying on his staff to keep him informed during the game.

Ahead of this afternoon's 'six pointer' between Manchester City and West Ham, both managers almost went to extreme measures in order to 'compliment' each other's teams during their pre-match pressers. The respect is mutual but does contain an underlying myth busting message.