WEST HAM stormed into the lead after just four minutes at the London Stadium and then enjoyed an easy night as they cruised comfortably into the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Defender Angelo Ogbonna scored only his second goal in three seasons with the Hammers when he climbed to powerfully head home Marko Arnautovic’s right-wing free-kick early on. Diafra Sakho tucked in the second from 10 yards in the 31st minute without Boltonmanaging a single serious threat in the first-half.
And in stoppage time Arthur Masuaku curled home a top-corner left-footer.
It was the Senegalese striker’s first goal since he incurred the wrath of manager Slaven Bilic by attempting to engineer an unauthorised move to French club Rennes on transfer deadline day – and then being spooted watching horse-racing at Chelmsford when he should have been training.
It was also a satsifying night for £24 million record signing Arnautovic on his home debut for the club as he also set up the second goal after getting clear down the left.
The Austrian had been keen to make an impression after being suspended for three matches following the straight red card he received in only his second appearance in claret-and-blue at Southampton last month.
Bilic made 10 changes from last Saturday’s draw at West Bromwich Albion – with injury-prone striker Andy Carroll rested completely ahead of the weekend derby against Tottenham. West Ham were in complete command from the start and Sakho alomost scored one minute when his 30-yar shot was slightly fumbled by Bolton ‘keeper Mark Howard.
Arnautovic lashed a free-kick into the side-netting after six minutes and only four minutes later he was close again when he burst through into the box to forced a good diving dave from Howard.
Andre Ayew then cranked up the early pressure even further when he slid a 20 -yard shot just wide in the 13th minute.
The Hammers took pot-shots against their overwhelmed visitors through-out the first-half – and Sako was clsoe again in the 39th minute. Wanderers had to show some response after their dismal first-half and they roused themselves slightly after the break.
They finally managed an effort when substitute David Wheater had a close-range shot blocked in the 51st minute.
But there was a more serious opportunity for West Ham again when Arnautovic and Sakho teamed up in the 60th minute for a one-two which sent the Austrian hurtling into the six-yard box – with Howard diving at his feet to save,
Full-back Masuaku then wrapped up a simple night’s work with a 20-yard screamer four minutes into added time at the end.
From The Sun
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