Chelsea vs West Ham: Hammers post brilliant coach and horses tweet in response to Jose Mourinho's '19th-century football' jibe

West Ham photoshopped a picture of a coach and horses with Sam Allardyce at the reins

West Ham posted this picture of Sam Allardyce at the reins of the 'team coach and horses' (Twitter/@whufc_official)

West Ham responded to Jose Mourinho’s “19th-century football” jibe the last time they met Chelsea with a brilliant picture of the Hammers horse and cart arriving at Stamford Bridge ahead of their Boxing Day encounter.

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Following the 0-0 draw between the two sides in January last season, Mourinho accused Allardyce of deploying defensive tactics akin to “19th-century football”.

Unsurprisingly, Allardyce did not take too kindly to his comments – although he did crack up in fits of laughter when informed of them at the post-match press conference – and the Portuguese’s remarks clearly haven’t been forgotten by their London rivals.

Ahead of kick-off, the official West Ham Twitter account posted a picture of a horse and cart – complete with Big Sam at the reins – in a light-hearted jibe at the Blues.

The post had the caption: “The West Ham United team coach (and horse) has arrived at @chesleasfc for today's game #19thcenturyfootball.”

Mourinho has since apologised for using the remark and admitted he was “silly” to criticise the West Ham side given they were in a relegation battle at the time.

“Last season they were in big trouble,” said Mourinho. “When you are fighting against relegation, you have to do everything to get points.

“Yes it was a turning point for them because it gave them the confidence they needed and after that they kept in the division. This team is different.

Jose Mourinho and Sam Allardyce (Getty Images)

“You see the way they play every game, they are a better team, they have better players and I think also Big Sam is showing now he is not what people sometimes say - a defensive coach, only knows how to play defensively and direct with long balls.

“He is giving a completely different image about himself, which can make the game more difficult for us but at the same time more attractive for everyone.

“He has my respect. Last season I had a couple of words about the fact they started winning time after two minutes of the game, which I don't like.”