Darren BenttalkSPORT

Darren Bent amazed by what West Ham player constantly manages - 'My goodness'

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Published on:

21 Sep 2026, 6:10 pm

Darren Bent was once again impressed by what he saw from Konstantinos Mavropanos in West Ham United's draw at Millwall.

The Greek centre-back powered in a header 10 minutes from time to earn West Ham a point at The Den.

Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli had earlier given the hosts a two-goal lead in Saturday lunchtime's clash.

But Mohamadou Kante levelled from range and Mavropanos converted from a cross into the box to snatch a 2-2 draw.

That was the 28-year-old's fourth goal of the Championship season already after just seven matches.

And Bent is amazed at how good the Greece international is in an attacking sense.

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Mavropanos struggled at the back against Millwall in the first half, but he more than made up for it later in the game.

His celebration in front of the travelling fans will go down in folklore.

Incredibly, despite being a centre-back, only three players have scored more goals in the Championship than Mavropanos this season.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday afternoon, Bent said of the defender: "Mavropanos did what he does.

"That man from set-pieces - oh my goodness. He's so big and gets his head on everything."

Of the three players ahead of Mavropanos in the scoring charts - Mohamed Toure, Will Lankshear and Cyle Larin - nobody has a better goal conversion rate than his 31 per cent.

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Bent said prior to the season he fully expects West Ham to bounce straight back up.

After a shaky start, it has been a positive enough opening to the campaign for the Irons, even if they are second to Swansea City.

Middlesbrough are only behind Nuno Espirito Santo's men on goal difference, meanwhile, and Charlton Athletic as far down as ninth are only three points worse off.

Despite that, Bent is sticking with his pre-season prediction.

"They'll be in first or second," he said of West Ham. "I'm sticking with West Ham and Wolves automatically."

The Championship really is a marathon and not a sprint, and there is no reason for West Ham fans to be worried about anything other than a top-two finish.

Millwall Football Club