Ian Wright blown away by West Ham defender Nayef Ageurd’s showing against Newcastle United
Ian Wright was blown away by the “impressive” defensive showing of West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd in their draw with Newcastle United on Saturday.
A Lucas Paqueta equaliser was enough for the Hammers to make it three games unbeaten in their quest to climb up the Premier League table, following a dreadful start to the game in which Callum Wilson put the hosts ahead in just three minutes.
However, thanks to the performance of their Moroccan World Cup star, the Magpies struggled to properly test Fabianski in the Hammers’ goal, and his showing was enough for Wright to lavish praise on his complete defensive showing.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, [4 February, 59m:19s] the Arsenal and Crystal Palace legend asked by Gary Lineker whether he was “exceptional” against Newcastle, responded by saying: “He was. £30million from Rennes, Moroccan, played very very well in the World Cup and I thought that what he did today was, you’d like to think that yeah he should have done what he was doing, but I thought he was quite impressive.
“He didn’t let anybody get past him, he was right in people’s faces, he was there to mop up all the problems that Newcastle were causing, they were trying to go over the top he showed great pace, good positional play, you know I thought he done that very very well.
“And this is brilliant from him, Callum Wilson would have been a bit disappointed he didn’t get across Aguerd but he got back fantastically well there. I thought he did very, very well today and he was one of the reasons why West Ham probably got that point today.”
Key man
Aguerd was sensational against the Magpies on Saturday.
In a game where David Moyes needed 100% performance levels from his stars against such a tough and unbeatable Newcastle United side, the Moroccan defender stepped up like his career depended on it.
The defender showed how he might well be one of the best central defenders in the division, and his recovery sprint and tackle on Callum Wilson who ran clear on goal was the telling highlight of a complete defensive performance alongside Angelo Ogbonna.
Aguerd won three of his four ground duels, three out of four aerial duels, recorded five clearances, two interceptions and was dribbled past zero times in what was one of the best individual performances of the Hammers’ season so far.
The East Londoners will need Aguerd in top condition if they are to improve on what’s been a rather difficult and awkward Premier League campaign so far.