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Andy Carroll has claimed West Ham's Boxing Day clash with Chelsea will be like a game of chess - and Sam Allardyce has all the right moves to keep Jose Mourinho in check.

Back in January the Chelsea boss accused the Hammers of playing "football from the 19th century" in a goalless draw at Upton Park.

But this season is a whole new ball game with the inspired Irons up to fourth place in the Premier League. And the England striker has credited his manager for the club's change in fortunes - and backed Allardyce to again upset Mourinho with his tactics this time.

"He knows how to beat managers, their tactics," Carroll said. "He knows what they are going to do against us. It's just a game of chess, really, looking a move ahead.

(Image: Matthew Lewis)

"It is different tactics, different teams. He's not the same every week. Different things. Obviously he wants a win, but you've got to watch the teams, how they're playing, how we're going to break them down and win the game.

"He's got loads of different ways of attacking, we've got loads of dimensions to go forward. We can do anything. That's what our qualities are at the minute."

Jose Mourinho on West Ham's "19th century" football - and Sam Allardyce's hilarious reaction:

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From fighting relegation last winter and getting booed after a home win against Hull, West Ham have been transformed by a summer of transfer activity, especially striker Diafra Sakho.

The Hammers have reached 31 points after 17 games and netted 29 goals. Only the top three and Arsenal have scored more.

"All this great football coming from the manager," Carroll insisted. "He's brought in some great players. He's changed the team around a lot, and the players he's brought in have settled in nicely, and all the lads are buzzing about at the minute, and it comes from that really: the manager's choice of players and how he wants to play now."

(Image: BPI)

West Ham have beaten Manchester City and Liverpool at home this season but the next two games will give a true indication of their potential this season when they travel to Chelsea and then host the Gunners. Carroll, who scored his fourth goal of the season against Leicester, said: "They're tough games coming up, but we have a good team as well, and I'm sure they're going to be just as worried about us as we are about them.

"We're playing great football, and I think any team that we play against is going to be worried about us. We've got more than one attacking option. Play it on the floor, play it in the air, down the sides. Obviously we're in the position that we are in the league, and that's well deserved."