As usual, it’s been another unforgettable year of action and events at London Stadium in 2018. West Ham United welcomed Manuel Pellegrini and numerous signings this summer whilst Marko Arnautovic led by example with 11 goals and six assists last season. Saracens and Harlequins battled it out on Derby Day, the inaugural Athletics World Cup took place and a historic summer of music entertained us all.
Let’s start back at the beginning, when David Moyes was in charge of the Hammers…
JANUARY-MARCH
It was a positive end to 2017 for West Ham, defeating the defending Premier League champions Chelsea and taking a well-earned point against Arsenal, they were in a good position heading into a new year.
They followed this up with an unbeaten January to propel themselves further up the table. Andy Carroll arrived in perfect time to net a 94th minute winner versus West Brom. The Geordies brace kicked off 2018 in style to set off wild celebrations inside London Stadium and continue their growing momentum.
Chicharito and Mark Noble were on the scoresheet in draws with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively and sights were set on a top-half finish as West Ham laid in 11th.
Although, they hit a stumbling block over February and March but crucial wins over Watford and Southampton maintained stability. Arnautovic scored three in the two wins, proving his importance and why he remains the talisman of the Hammers. The triumph over Mark Hughes’ Saints was a stand-out performance of the season, leading 3-0 by half-time as Joao Mario opened the scoring with a wonderful curling strike.
Away from football, London Stadium hosted Premiership Rugby for the first time with the local rivalry between Saracens and Harlequins being brought to Stratford. It was a tense encounter in front of 55,329 avid supporters.
It was Sarries who took the bragging rights in a 24-11 victory, Alex Lozowski kicking 14 points through the posts and England star Maro Itoje capping a Man-of-the-Match performance with a stunning try.
A game filled with star-studded internationals, Itoje proved why he is one of, not just English rugby, but World rugby’s brightest prospects. Former England captain Christ Robshaw led the Quins but it was a combination started by Scotland and ending with Wales that opened the scoring. Sean Maitland made the break-away and Liam Williams added the finishing the touch for the first try of the day.
Mark McCall’s men took over from there with Lozowski and Itoje dictating the score-line in a wonderful afternoon for the Premiership champions.
Australian James Horwill did manage to score a Quins try but they will seek retribution when the two rekindle their rivalry at London Stadium, next year.
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