Saturday, 31st March saw the Hammers take on Southampton at the London stadium, and although the team emerged triumphant, they did so without forwarding Michail Antonio. Antonio was visibly distressed as he limped off the pitch after injuring his hamstring during an attempted shot in the early stages of the game. Even though he was given lengthy treatment on the pitch, he was removed from the game for further medical assessment.

Antonio’s hamstring setback is unfortunately another impediment in a line of serious injuries that have kept the former Nottingham Forest player from participating in 16 games between last October and February 2018. He was originally ruled out back in October with damaged ribs, and then some serious disruptions with his calf muscles pulled him out of action during January and February.

According to the Hammers recently-installed Club Manager, David Moyes, Antonio will be “out for the season. He is going to have an operation on his hamstring”. Even though the club is providing all the support he needs to get “ready for the start of next season”, Moyes has admitted that the forward has “had a few pretty bad injuries” during his tenure with the club. However, he went on to say in the club’s official statement that Antonio is definitely missed and “someone we need. He has great pace, great strength and we will miss him…”

Despite losing one of their crucial players so early on in the match (as predicted in the news sections of bookmakers like BetStars), the Hammers were victorious against Southampton 3-0. Edmilson Fernandes was drafted in to replace Antonio, and the team racked up two quick goals from Jose Mario and Marko Arnautovic. Then Arnautovic scored a third during the first-half stoppage time, taking them into the second half. The win has taken the Hammers clear out of the regulation zone, and the team went on to claim another vital Premier League point the following weekend at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

Although the Hammers were behind at halftime with the score 1-0 to Chelsea, they pulled out a brave and spirited performance against some tough competition. Javier Hernandez (aka “Chicharito”) was pulled from the bench during the final 20 minutes of the match and swept a cross sent by Marko Arnautovic into the goal to equalise the score. It wasn’t quite a repeat of the victory West Ham gave Moyes back in December, when The Academy put up a fine defence against The Blues and claimed a 1-0 win, but fans in attendance on 8^th April were thrilled nonetheless.

West Ham will next be facing Stoke on Monday 16^th April at the London Stadium, and there will be everything to play for. The Hammers are currently 6 points clear of the regulation zone, but Stoke are floundering in the bottom three, along with West Brom and Southampton. Stoke may well seem destined for the drop following the outcome of this match. However, the Hammers will be walking in without Sam Bryam and Winston Reid (who are still recovering from their ankle and knee injuries, respectively), Pedro Obiang (who is still in recovery from his knee operation back in February) and, of course, Michail Antonio.