Emerson wows Sky Sports commentator with ‘Perfect’ Newcastle v West Ham moment
Emerson has been praised by Andy Hinchcliffe after the full-back’s assist for Tomas Soucek helped West Ham United into the lead against Newcastle United.
Hinchcliffe, co-commentating live on Sky Sports [25 November, 20:10] lauded the Italian international for his “perfect” delivery to feed the towering Soucek, who planted home the opener at St James’ Park.
The Hammers are desperate for a win to reignite a frustrating season with Julen Lopetegui under immense pressure.
“It’s the perfect set-piece, it’s an away swinger but it doesn’t really move that much in the air,” Hinchcliffe said.
“It lands just outside the six-yard box. It’s not a big booming, arching ball in – it’s there to be attacked, pretty flat, got pace on it, far too easy for Soucek.”
Emerson one of the older heads Lopetegui relies on for West Ham
Emerson is a virtual ever-present in the West Ham United team, with Lopetegui – who has often not known his best team this season – entrusting him in that left-back berth.
The 29-cap Italian has been a regular since moving across London from Chelsea, and only Max Kilman has played more Premier League minutes so far under the head coach.
The tactical setup of out-swinging corners is an intriguing one but is certainly a formula that has worked for the Hammers, who boast a lot of set-piece firepower with the likes of Soucek, Kilman and Michail Antonio.
Emerson is an athletic full-back, even as he moves north of 30, with the stamina required in a system which needs plenty of focus in away matches against intense attacking outfits like Newcastle.
With the Irons having been lambasted for their defensive discipline since Lopetegui’s arrival, Emerson’s no-nonsense approach will help plentifully.
In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher shares the “alarm bells” he first noticed with the side.
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