The next task for David Moyes becomes clear as West Ham again fail to win when the favourites

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_12 December 2021

West Ham fans began the afternoon warning Barcelona that “we’re coming for you” but a more pressing concern is being able to beat the likes of Burnley.

In years gone by a point at a windy and wet Turf Moor would be a welcome result, but David Moyes has raised standards and wants to push the team even further. If that is the aim, the Hammers must do better against sides of this ilk.

Moyes’ side - who remain fourth, it must be remembered - have claimed some wonderful scalps this season. There have been superb victories over Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League which have helped ensure they remain a point ahead of Manchester United and in hunt for Champions League places as the festive run begins.

Undermining those highs, however, have been dropped points against Burnley, Brentford, Brighton, Southampton, Wolves and Crystal Palace.

At Turf Moor on Sunday - facing a side which had won just once in their previous 17 Premier League games - the Hammers dominated for the most part, created good openings in the second-half with Declan Rice driving from midfield but didn’t show the clinical quality needed to break apart Sean Dyche’s defence.

Michail Antonio was off form once again, while Said Benrahma was inconsistent in the final third. The Algerian, often a frustration for Moyes given his obvious talent but lack of output, tested an impressive Nick Pope with a far-post header but managed little else.

Tomas Soucek continues to lack a threat in the final third and fired over with the final kick of the game when he should have hit the target.

No side, not even Manchester City or Liverpool, can be expected to win every week, but having had such a strong record against sides below them in the table last season, it is a frustration for Moyes that they are able to mix it with the best but not see off those below them.

"I think it's part of growing your football club,” Moyes said. “We said this season that we wanted to challenge the top teams. We've done that quite well.

“Last season we had a near perfect record against teams below us in the league. Maybe teams have tightened up, maybe they're harder for us.

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“I think we've just not quite done as well as we should have done in this period. You couldn't question our work in the opening couple of months of the season for example. We were clean, clinical, crisp.

“It's just a little bit hard to get to that point at the moment. We're just trying to find that little bit extra. But we found it enough to get the three goals against Chelsea last week."

It is that early season form which forced West Ham into the conversation for the Champions League. Victories over Liverpool and Chelsea have kept them in that race, and it is one Moyes wants to be in for the duration of the season, having finished just two points off fourth last time around.

If Hammers fans want to continue singing songs about Barcelona, Moyes must find a way to see off the likes of Burnley.

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