Paul Merson wowed by ‘Outstanding’ Jesse Lingard goal in West Ham v Arsenal
Paul Merson was in awe of West Ham and England ace Jesse Lingard for his superb strike in the London derby with Arsenal on Sunday.
Lingard struck in the 15th at the London Stadium to give the Hammers a one-goal lead. It’s his fifth goal for the club in just his seventh Premier League appearance of the season.
Unfortunately, the Hammers could not hold onto the three-goal advantage they held in the first half as the game ended 3-3.
Speaking on Sky Sports Super Sunday, Merson praised Lingard for the effort. He said: “That is someone bang in form, bang in form.
“Everything about it – his touch, he just flicks it up, his composure, he doesn’t rush, he waits for it to come down and hit it on the half volley.
“If you’re not on top of your game there the touch isn’t good, and if it is good you’re panicking, you’re trying to hit it quicker than you should do. Outstanding.”
Outstanding indeed
What a cracking half of football that was! We were hopeful before the game that Lingard would have an impact. He’s had a weeks rest as he couldn’t play last weekend at Old Trafford.
Lingard was sensational in the first half. After his belter of a goal, he provided an excellent assist for Jarrod Bowen. The winger made it 2-0 to West Ham after 18 minutes thanks to a quick freekick from Lingard to slip him in.
Tomas Soucek added a third, before seeing an Alexandre Lacazette effort deflect off of him to give Arsenal a lifeline.
In seven matches for West Ham, Lingard now has five goals, two assists, and has won two penalties. Not bad for a player who was deemed surplus to requirements by Ole Gunner Solskjaer.
It was a cracking first half of football in east London. Hopefully, the Hammers can hold out for a win that will take us level on points with Chelsea in fourth place.
In other West Ham news, Declan Rice is turning into a real leader at the age of 22.