A goal either side of the half time interval was enough to secure a comfortable win for David Moyes' West Ham against the Hornets this afternoon.
Javier Hernandez scored with a fine header seven minutes ahead of the interval before the returning Arnautovic doubled United's advantage with just 12 minutes of normal time to go.Embed from Getty Images
In the end the win was no more than West Ham deserved for a determined and courageous performance on a miserable day in east London, punctuated by a series of showers and downpours.
A comfortable scoreline, it could have been even better for the Irons had Arnautovic been awarded a penalty for a first half foul and Hernandez's header - adjudged to have been marginally offside - been allowed to stand.
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However the Mexican's later effort, from a fine cross by Antonio - himself just returning from a spell on the sidelines - did stand and sent the Hammers into the half time interval with a slender advantage.
Although the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the match after the restart, Hammers 'keeper Adrian was rarely troubled - although one save from a Gerard Deulofeu free kick midway through the half was particularly important.
But in the end it was the Hammers who would go on to secure all three points courtesy of the returning Austrian's seventh goal in West Ham colours. Aaron Cresswell's persistence paid off as the loose ball squirmed to the lurking Arnautovic, who fires home from just three yards out.
The victory lifts West Ham five points clear of the relegation zone, although they remain in 12th place in the Premier League.
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West Ham Utd: Adrian, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio, Mario (Bryam 77), Arnautovic (Rice 84), Hernandez (Hugill 88).
Subs not used: Hart, Evra, Fonte, Cullen.
Goals: Hernandez (38), Arnautovic (78).
Booked: Zabaleta.
Watford: Karnezis, Mariappa, Prodl, Holebas, Janmaat, Capoue, Doucoure, Zeegelar (Pereyra 56), Deulofeu (Lukebakio 75), Richarlison, Deeney.
Subs not used: Bachmann, Ndong, Gray, Carrillo, Mukena.
Referee: Graham Scott.
Tickets sold: 56,917.
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