Sky Sports pundit hails Danny Ings after emulating Johan Cruyff in West Ham United draw vs Sheffield United

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Published on:

22 Jan 2024, 5:10 am

Dean Ashton hailed striker Danny Ings for his "magnificent" work that won West Ham a penalty in their 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.

Ings was brought down by Gustavo Hamer after taking the ball past Jack Robison, with referee Michael Salisbury quick to point to the spot.

James Ward-Prowse converted the 79th-minute spot-kick, only for Oli McBurnie to deny West Ham all three points in controversial circumstances.

Speaking on Sky Sports News [21 January, 3:40pm], former West Ham striker Ashton said: "The penalty is all down to Danny Ings. It's magnificent centre-forward play.

"The ball gets played into him in the corner of the 18-yard box. It's fired in he instantly controls it with kind of a Cruyff flick then tries to put it through the legs of Jack Robinson.

"He gets a bit lucky because it doesn't quite come off. But it ricochets back off him from the opposite side, Gustavo Hamer tries to get the ball, Danny Ings steps across and he just clatters into the back of his ankles - it's a definitely penalty.

"It's just brilliant quick-thinking, beautiful touch centre-forward play."

Well in

The final scoreline at Bramall Lane was a huge disappointment from West Ham's perspective, but credit must go to Ings.

Many supporters have questioned why he is still at London Stadium, but he stepped up with his performance against Sheffield United.

Ings looked sharp throughout, particularly in the build-up to the penalty when beating one man and being felled by another.

As pointed out on BBC's Match of the Day 2 [21 January, 38m 29s], Ings led the way among West Ham players in a number of metrics.

He was first for shots (six) and dribbles attempted (five), and joint-first for chances created (four) and touches in the opposition box (nine).

Moyes will still no doubt be after a new striker capable of scoring every other game, but at least Ings has showed he can still play a part.

All you can ask is that fringe players perform when called upon, and in this case that is exactly what Ings did.

In other West Ham news, an anonymous source has shared a "problem" the Hammers face with two players likely on their way out.

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