Paul Merson stunned by what Crysencio Summerville did for West Ham United v Everton
Crysencio Summerville’s recovery to prevent a certain goal left Paul Merson in raptures during West Ham against Everton on Saturday.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (9 November, 3:11pm), Merson reacted as the visitors broke at speed from a Hammers corner in the 0-0 draw, with Abdoulaye Doucoure released through on goal.
Summerville, however, raced back and made the block, sliding in from nowhere to block Doucoure’s shot and spare Julen Lopetegui’s side from conceding at the London Stadium.
Merson said: “They’re away, Everton, on the counter-attack. A ball gets played to (Idrissa) Gueye on the left, and he plays the ball to Doucoure.
“Doucoure’s in one-on-one with the keeper, and Summerville’s run the length of the pitch, he’s slid back and he’s got a block in.
“It’s an unbelievable block – should be 1-0 Everton, fair play Summerville.”
Crysencio Summerville proving worth for West Ham v Everton
Keeping his place in Lopetegui’s starting XI for the first time this season, Summerville provided the Hammers’ only real outlet of pace amid a sluggish second half from both teams at the London Stadium.
Summerville’s stock in East London has risen significantly since he came off the bench to score the opener against Manchester United, but the Irons are hardly playing to his strengths at the moment.
Going up against a 39-year-old Ashley Young at right-back for Everton, Summerville will have hoped to be given possession as often as possible to make things happen down the left flank.
However, other than a few moments in which he isolated the veteran defender, Summerville’s main contribution proved to be at the other end, blocking Doucoure’s shot to prevent the visitors going 1-0 up.
Withdrawn on 83 minutes with cramp, Summerville went the closest of anyone on the pitch to open the scoring in the second half, running in behind the defence and striking the far post.
Had that effort gone in, there’s no doubt who Lopetegui would be thanking for his contributions at both ends to potentially keep the Spaniard in a job.
In other West Ham news, Jeff Stelling anticipated a backlash after throwing one name into the hat of potential Lopetegui successors.
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