Charlie Cresswell blown away by West Ham ace Antonio
Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell has spoken about his battle with West Ham striker Michail Antonio last month, and he is in awe of him.
The Jamaican international, 31, scored at the death as the Hammers left Elland Road with all three points after a 2-1 win, but Cresswell, 19, had done an excellent job limiting his influence all game until that moment.
The Leeds sensation was making his Premier League debut, and coming up against the West Ham ace was never going to be an easy task.
The youngster was blown away by the qualities of the striker, telling The Athletic: “He’s so big and strong and quick.
“It’s weird in the Premier League, because the players are all like robots — they know exactly what to do and they do the right things over and over again. I couldn’t afford one mistake.
“I could tell straight away that if I made one, Antonio was going to score. They’re programmed to do that whenever the chance comes.”
Constant threat
Antonio is a bully and every defender’s nightmare, and Cresswell was not going to win such a battle easily given his lack of first-team experience.
Once the West Ham hitman broke clear, he proved clinical when it mattered most, slotting the winner past Illan Meslier, and the Leeds kid surely learnt a crucial footballing lesson.
With five goals and three assists to his name in six Premier League appearances so far this season, the Irons star is currently in the form of his life.
West Ham headed into the international break on the back of a defeat to Brentford, with Antonio failing to hit the right notes against the Premier League new boys.
He opted against travelling for Jamaica’s World Cup qualifiers, getting much-needed and deserved rest instead.
David Moyes’ side visit Everton on Sunday, and the striker will be keen to get on the scoresheet and fire his side to victory.
The Toffees defence have a tough job to do if they want to keep him quiet, and an exciting battle is on the cards.
In other West Ham news, Lingard has named Hammers player who was on his case in training.
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