Paul Robinson mindblown by West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta v Leeds United
West Ham produced a gutsy performance to earn a 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road in the Premier League on Wednesday (4 January).
Paul Robinson was full of praise for Lucas Paqueta after he scored the penalty in the dying seconds of the first half to score the equalizer for the Hammers.
Paqueta looked sharp throughout the match, and Robinson, who also works for BBC Sport, hailed his penalty as “fantastic”, adding that he initially “feared” for him due to his stuttering run.
“It’s a brilliant penalty, isn’t it,” said Robinson, while commentating on the game for Premier League World feed (46th minute).
“Those stuttering runs. I don’t like stuttering run-ups. I don’t think many people do. When he started doing that I feared for him.
“Didn’t he take it well? Fantastic penalty from Paqueta.”
Finding rhythm
Paqueta was the club’s most expensive signing when he joined from Lyon in the summer transfer window.
His goal towards the end of the first half could change West Ham’s season completely.
The Hammers got an early goal in the second half and we saw the confidence gradually returning into the side.
The Brazilian was superb in the middle of the park. He made tackles, pressed hard, showed great energy and played out smart passes as the Hammers got better and better as the game progressed.
The Hammers came into this fixture on the back of five straight defeats, and it looked like it would be a long night for them when Willy Gnonto scored an early goal.
But they showed great comeback to take the lead at Elland Road, and Moyes will be very pleased with what he saw today.
However, just when it looked like the Hammers have taken control of the game, they conceded another goal. In the end, it was a nervy ending, with the Whites missing some fantastic opportunities.
It isn’t a bad result for the Hammers but they also had a great opportunity to pick up all three points.