Settled Pellegrini has easy Sunday job

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini s unlikely to change a thing as he prepares for a key match against Chelsea on Sunday.

And that would be the first time since the season started that he has been able to name an unchanged side after arriving at a starting X1 and formation which looks set to bear fruit.

Marko Arnautovic now making progress and likely to recover from pain behind his knee.

The front man was told to rest up and we are told he is already feeling more comfortable and seems 70 per cent certain to make the game and continue what looks like the start of a fine partnership with Yarmo.

The defensive cover provided by Rice, Noble and Obiang was key to success at Goodison Park but the ladsĀ  are bound to be more seriously tested by the Blues on Sunday.

It would be a surprise were Zaba not to keep his place at right back with the developing relationship between Balbuena and Diop looking more solid with each passing game.

Pedro Obiang was inspired on Sunday with the stats from Whoscored showing he madeĀ 36 passes at a success rate of 80.6 per cent.

The confidence shot came at just the right time for the Hammers as they head into the Sunday game where the visitors arrive unbeaten in the League and with 14 goals scored in five games,

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon