West Ham’s 1-0 win against Stoke on Friday evening made it back to back 1-0 wins at home. This was Mark Robson’s side’s third league win on the bounce, their sixth win in their last seven in all competitions, moving them up to fifth in the PL2 table with a game in hand on most of the teams around them.

The Hammers made a bright start to the game as Josh Ajala had an excellent chance to put Mark Robson’s side in front within the first minute after latching on to a defensive error, but Stoke keeper Alfie Brooks denied the Hammers forward. The visitors gave West Ham some problems of their own early on too. Fin Herrick punched a dangerous set piece delivery away to safety and Stoke had a penalty appeal dismissed by the referee in the 14th minute.

Mark Robson’s side created their first big opportunity when Kamarai Swyer set up Sean Moore, only for Stoke defender Jadon Dixon to clear Moore’s effort off the line. West Ham found their breakthrough in the 29th minute. Sean Moore found Kamarai Swyer out on the left hand side, Swyer’s first time cross found Ajala who had a simple tap in giving the Hammers the lead.

In the second half, Mark Robson’s side remained on top with Swyer and Moore both having chances to extend West Ham’s advantage. Stoke went close to levelling late on after substitute Dean Adekoya’s strike hit the side netting. That late scare aside, the Hammers did enough to see out the game, claiming all three points and moving up to fifth in the PL2 table.

The win against Stoke is a great example of West Ham’s continued progress of late. With excellent momentum behind them, a number of players stepping up to the plate, and games in hand on teams around them, Mark Robson’s side have a great opportunity to have a strong finish to the season. The young Hammers are now well positioned to challenge the teams above them and make a real statement in the remaining weeks of the season.