Mohammed Kudus stuns as West Ham bully dominates Ipswich man after major error in win
Mohammed Kudus wowed Tony Gale as he responded to a glaring miss for West Ham by bullying Wes Burns in the 4-1 win over Ipswich.
The ex-Irons defender reacted live on the world feed commentary of the London Stadium clash on 5 October, as the Ghanian star robbed his opposite number out on the left flank late in the first half before driving inside to set up a chance.
The sequence came moments after Kudus have contrived to miss a gaping net from Michail Antonio’s perfect cross, the ball coming off his shoulder and clipping the post on the way wide, but Gale was delighted by how the ex-Ajax man rebounded.
He said (3.41pm): “Brilliant play by Kudus, he really bullies Burns out on that far side. Look at that, he bullies him [off] the ball.
“He gets his mojo back again there, Kudus, when he’s on form he really gets physical and tough.”
Julen Lopetegui gets crucial West Ham win at the London Stadium
Kudus and Julen Lopetegui had a brief spat after the 24-year-old was substituted early in the draw at Brentford on 28 September [The Athletic, 2 October].
He started slowly against Kieran McKenna’s men as well, at least compared to his outstanding teammates Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen, and fans might have feared another off-colour display when he missed a huge chance to put his side in front.
But it was a testament to the Ghana international’s attitude that the error sparked him into life and he began to dominate in the closing minutes of the half.
Having quickly made light work of Burns on the left to create one threatening opportunity he then made amends for his miss as he refused to be second best to the loose ball to score, after Antonio’s header bounced down onto the line off the bar in the 43rd-minute.
He got there ahead of the Ipswich defence and out-jumped Tomas Soucek to nod in the rebound, sending the Hammers into the break ahead and ruling out any chance of being substituted early again.
Bowen scored a third early after the break to press home the advantage and the Irons played out a vital victory.
The early weeks of Lopetegui’s first campaign at the London Stadium has rarely seen doubts creep in around his job without any of the top men on form, but Kudus showed some of his best in the win.
And with Bowen and Antonio both turning in vintage displays West Ham fans can spend the international break feeling far more positive than prior to the game.
In other West Ham news, Lopetegui has to win another seven games by Christmas to save his job.
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