Gabby Agbonlahor makes Julen Lopetegui admission after West Ham United win v Manchester United
Gabby Agbonlahor has admitted Julen Lopetegui’s changes changed the game in West Ham United’s win over Manchester United.
The Hammers got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over the Red Devils on Sunday (27 October) thanks to second-half goals from Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen.
Although the Irons skipper’s last-minute winner was shrouded in controversy, talkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor was quick to heap praise on Lopetegui for making some bold calls “under immense pressure”.
Speaking on the talkSPORT YouTube channel (28 October) he said: “My manager of the weekend is Lopetegui.
“He has been under immense pressure, these West Ham fans want results and what better way after a struggling start to the season to go and beat Manchester United at home?
“Did they ride their luck at times? Yes, they did, but he made the right substitutes at the right time. [Crysencio] Summerville was itching to come on, came on and scored a goal.
“Bowen gets the winner last minute and I think West Ham showed fight in the second half and Lopetegui’s changes changed the game so credit to Lopetegui and credit to West Ham, great result.”
What has happened to West Ham and Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium?
It is safe to say that Lopetegui has been a divisive figure among pundits and supporters alike from the moment he stepped foot back into the Premier League.
The former Real Madrid boss is an incredibly pragmatic manager and a lot of fans have complained that Tim Steidten and the Irons board have replaced David Moyes with a very similar manager.
However, the Spaniard showed that doesn’t have to necessarily be a bad thing during the win over Manchester United last time out. After a slow start from the home side, he made the substitutions to help the Hammers not only get a foothold in the game but also secure all three points.
Will one win ease all the pressure on the former Wolves boss? No, of course not, but it is a sign that he can get a tune out of this side.
Lopetegui deserves time to get to grips with this side and who knows what he could go on to achieve.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have pinpointed a Premier League forward as their new primary striker target
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