Carroll: Wily Allardyce can outfox Mourinho

West Ham striker Andy Carroll says manager Sam Allardyce is a grandmaster ready to tactically outclass Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on St Stephen’s Day.

Allardyce believes January’s goalless draw at Stamford Bridge — when Mourinho accused the Hammers of playing “football from the 19th century” — was the turning point last season.

Since then West Ham have improved markedly to sit in fourth place at Christmas, their highest December 25 position in almost 30 years, ahead of Friday’s game at Chelsea.