West Ham: Why David Moyes’ astonishing record was always set to be bad news for the Hammers
West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Southampton at The London Stadium, in east London on February 29, 2020. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United slipped back to defeat against Arsenal on Saturday, having recorded a rousing win over Southampton the previous weekend. The win against Southampton was just Moyes’ second since joining, with the only other coming against A.F.C Bournemouth, as he has struggled to deliver on his promise of winning is “what I do“. Given that the Hammers are above the relegation zone on goal difference alone, it is not surprising that they lost to the Gunners. Still, the defeat highlighted their manager David Moyes’ appalling record away against the north London side.
In his last 16 visits to Arsenal as a manager, the current West Ham boss is yet to win a single one of those meetings, losing 12 and drawing four. The 1-0 loss on Saturday means that Moyes’ away record against Arsenal is the most times a manager has faced a side away from home without winning in the history of the Premier League. But it is not just Highbury and the Emirates Stadium where the Scottish manager has struggled, as he is on wretched runs against all of the traditional ‘big four’.
The current West Ham boss is only one game behind with regard to both Stamford Bridge and Anfield, having gone 15 matches without winning at each of those famous old Premier League grounds. Against Chelsea away Moyes has lost eight and drawn seven, while when he has visited Liverpool, the Scot has lost nine and drawn six. Despite having previously carved out an impressive reputation as the manager of Everton, it appears that Moyes has some obvious issues when visiting the Premier League’s elite.
Even against his former Manchester United side, the West Ham manager has continually struggled and has now not won when visiting Old Trafford in his last 12 appearances. It means in total against the Premier League’s former four most established sides, Moyes has now gone 58 away matches without tasting victory. Given it is such a vast sample size, it is beyond belief that the Scottish manager has been unable to mastermind at least one odd defying away win against either Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester United.