WHZ View: A look back on Dimitri Payet and the good times with West Ham
When discussing the most gifted players to wear the claret and blue of West Ham, there is always one man who fails to get a mention.
During his 18 months in East London, Dimitri Payet had spectators on the edge of their seats at the Boleyn Ground. He had everything – charisma, skill, agility, and the perfect amount of arrogance in his own ability.
Payet played 48 Premier League games for West Ham, scoring 11 goals and providing 18 assists. His departure from the club left supporters heartbroken, and in fairness, they have every right to be. Payet turns 34 today, and his best days are absolutely behind him.
Of those best days, the majority were with the Hammers. West Ham Zone have decided to look back on the classic moments of his short and controversial stint.
Everton 2-3 West Ham – 05.03.16
The Hammers travelled to Goodison Park looking to keep their hopes of a Champions League space alive but had it all to do.
We trailed by two goals to nil up until the 78th minute. Michail Antonio equalised, then three minutes later Payet brilliant set up Diafra Sakho to draw level.
In the dying seconds of the game, Sakho returned the favour. His backheel in the box fell into the path of Payet, who tucked under an onrushing Joel Robles for 3-2. The best possible way to win a game away from home.
Manchester United 1-1 West Ham – 13.03.16
Just a week later, Payet was back to it. Slaven Bilic took his West Ham side to Old Trafford in the FA Cup sixth round. We took the lead on 68 minutes through a world-class trademark Payet freekick.
From around 35 yards out, Payet struck over the United wall past the (then) best keeper in the world, David de Gea. Even a jumping Marouane Fellaini in the wall couldn’t get in the way
The 9,000 travelling Hammers fans erupted in the away end into a chorus of ‘We’ve got Payet, Dimitri Payet’. It was one of the great FA Cup goals.
West Ham 1-1 Middlesborough – 01.10.16
With the Hammers trailing at home, Payet decided to take matters into his own hands. The Frenchman picked up the ball on the left-wing and set out alone.
He passed five Middlesborough defenders before tucking the ball past Victor Valdes. This goal is one of the great solo goals of the Premier League, the audacity to even take it on says it all.
It was the last goal he scored in front of a home crowd. What a way to go out.
In other West Ham news, Alan Pardew says Mark Noble will make an excellent manager.