Nayef Aguerd praised for ‘quite brilliant’ tackle in West Ham United draw v Newcastle United
Sky Sports commentary duo Rob Hawthorne and Andy Hinchcliffe absolutely loved what Nayef Aguerd did during the draw between West Ham and Newcastle.
The Hammers made it three games unbeaten by claiming a draw at St James’ Park in the evening kick-off (4 February), thanks to Lucas Paqueta’s equaliser following Callum Wilson’s goal.
But late in the second half Wilson found himself through on goal again only for Aguerd to race back and make a stunning block, which had the Sky Sports pair (4 February, 19:04) gushing with praise for the Moroccan.
“Brilliant, brilliant tackle, at just the right moment from Aguerd. That for West Ham is a life saver,” Hawthorne said.
“It’s brilliant attacking play from Anthony Gordon but Aguerd has been the stand out defender for West Ham,” Hinchcliffe added.
“They’re caught out, the ball is in behind them and they’re turned around, but he just puts his head down and sprints back.
“That is not easy against Callum Wilson. This pass from Anthony Gordon is outstanding.
“Aguerd is just hoping that Wilson takes two, three touches that might enable him to make a challenge, but it’s about getting back. Hard work. Look at the defensive sprint there.
“That is quite brilliant.”
Outstanding
There was a lot of transfer business done in the summer by David Moyes and West Ham, and despite missing a lot of the season it wouldn’t be crazy to suggest Aguerd was the best of the lot.
Areola has been a back-up goalkeeper again, Thilo Kehrer and Emerson Palmieri have struggled for regular game time in the first-team, Flynn Downes has been largely an understudy in midfield, Maxwel Cornet has been injured for the most part and Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca are still finding their feet.
But Aguerd has settled into the starting lineup immediately following his ankle injury and the team already looks far more assured and comfortable with him in it than when he isn’t.
He had a great World Cup tournament and now is taking the Premier League by storm, and that tackle was just the stand-out moment in an overall excellent performance from him.