West Ham boss David Moyes encouraged by Marko Arnautovic's progress, but calls for more from striker

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_25 November 2017

David Moyes says he is encouraged by Marko Arnautovic's performances since he took over at the club and is expecting him to continue to deliver after a strong showing against Leicester.

The Austrian, who arrived from Stoke as the club’s record signing, was disappointing under Slaven Bilic, however has seeming stepped his game up under the former Everton boss.

There were encouraging signs at Watford, but it was during Moyes’ first game at London Stadium where he showed just what he can offer fans in east London, as he battled hard in a 1-1 draw with Leicester.

The 28-year-old looked far from the finished article, but he showed levels of drive, strength and creativity not seen since his summer move, and Moyes was pleased with what he saw, but called on his No.7 to keep it up.

“I thought he was very good again,” Moyes said. “I thought, people tell me I didn’t see [his games before I joined] but people tell me, on Sunday it was one of his better games.

“I thought tonight he done it again, I thought he showed the other side of the game, which he has to do and he knows he has to do.

“I thought he delivered two or three really good crosses. So, you wouldn’t necessarily want to play against him if he can give you that quality.

“He just needs to make sure he keeps it up.”

While it was a pleasing performance for the Hammers fans and staff, there was another injury setback.

Having been forced off at Vicarage Road, Arnautovic took a knock late in the first half and, despite continuing into the second, was replaced by Andre Ayew with 20 minutes to go.

Moyes, however, says the injury didn’t look too bad, and was looking for the winger to battle through.

He added: “He complained before, if you noticed he got a kick - or an injury - just before half time, and I was annoyed he kept limping around.

“You need a foghorn here on the touchline to hear anybody, but i wanted him to keep going and he did. He seemed okay at half time but I think at the end it’s just caught up on him, hopefully it’s not too severe I think he should be okay.”

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