Kurt Zouma reveals Chelsea's problem after West Ham defeat

The former Sampdoria star moved to Upton Park alongside Payet and Lanzini during the summer transfer window as part of an overhaul conducted by Slaven Bilic.

His Croatian side had ensured Steve McClaren's spell as England manager ended in ignominy when they outplayed them 3-2 at Wembley and, nearly a year on, Bilic was frank and brutal in his assessment of England's progress, now under Fabio Capello. They are young people, they are going out.

It is the first time I have a song with my name - it never happens in France. Gus Poyet signing a long contract looked like a good idea at the time - as did bringing back Dick Advocaat. All those stories, there has got to be something in them. "Winston Reid has trained with us for a few days now too". "When you talk to him, he is like a proper man".

"Quality players look forward to the big games when the players of lesser quality get a bit anxious and think: 'Oh look who I'm playing against today, '" Allardyce said following that victory over City, and his words have a certain resonance in that the current squad of West Ham players look to be brimming with confidence, packed with quality and ready to take anyone on. I have a feeling he wants to be like that as well'.

The 26-year-old striker could start at Watford with West Ham looking to maintain their remarkable away form that has seen them win at Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Crystal Palace. "The great season we're having has made expectations soar and we're being compared to the big clubs, but we have to keep working", he said during an interview with Marca.

Slaven Bilic has called on the smaller Premier League clubs to target Champions League qualification after leading West Ham into third spot following a surprising start to the season.

Payet leads the way with five goals, but he is just one of nine different players, including three apiece from Kouyate and Sakho, to have found the net this season.

'But if you are talking about wonders, then the real wonder is if you are doing it the whole season. It is very rarely seen but it is possible.