Marvellous Noble sets up precious win
Once again the Hammers were slowly away in the first half which saw Ayew sent off for the most disgusting elbow in the face of Aaron Cresswell after 17 minutes.
The Irons just couldn’t get on their game during a depressing first half but it changed dramatically in the second as Noble covered every blade of grass and finally set up Antonio for the opener.
He picked out a magnificent diagonal ball for Antonio to fire in a fabulous header from some distance which curled into the far corner.
And as the bottom of the table outfit tired, Kouyate smashed home the second when from a counter attack after a Villa corner, he and Valencia ran from their own box to make it 2-0.
Noble revelled in a more forward midfield role which had been allowed with Song sitting deeper and, although Dimi Payet was not at his outstanding best, the Hammers always had too much after the manager had clearly got into them at the break.
It means we remain unbeaten at Upton Park since August and now move on to a clash with Southampton at the weekend followed by the FA Cup replay against Liverpool.
We have maintained sixth place, five points ahead of Saints and one behind Manchester United – the story goes on.