Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Sun 15 March 2026 11:10, UK

El Hadji Malick Diouf’s growing importance at West Ham United was plain to see in the battling 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

West Ham moved out of the relegation zone for the first time since December after holding Premier League title hopefuls City at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 31st minute, but a towering header from Konstantinos Mavropanos drew them level four minutes later.

City had 24 shots to West Ham’s one, 71.5 per cent possession, and an Expected Goals tally of 2.12 versus 0.54, but couldn’t find a winner as their title hopes faded.

There were many standout players for Nuno Espirito Santo, and West Ham left-back Diouf was certainly among that impressive selection.

El Hadji Malick Diouf reveals top transfer goals

Diouf started at left wing-back for West Ham again as they climbed out of the bottom three with a hard-fought point against City.

Despite being dominated throughout the contest, Nuno’s side dug deep to climb to 17th in the Premier League table.

And summer signing Diouf played his part in that, as he had a 100 per cent tackling success. The 21-year-old also made six recoveries and achieved a combined three interceptions and clearances.

Diouf was also successful with his dribbles (1/1); he carried the ball 115 metres, and he was fouled twice.

The £19million signing from Slavia Prague joined West Ham in July, but by November, he already admitted to having ambitions to play for the world’s biggest teams.

The Senegal international said at the time, “Ideally, I see myself at a top club, among the five best in the world. I think I have the potential to get there through hard work, and I hope, God willing, to achieve that. I’ve only been playing professionally for two years, so I’m remaining patient.”

If he keeps playing like this, top teams may make a move for him in the not-so-distant future.

West Ham revitalised by outcast’s return

Mads Hermansen was signed by West Ham last summer from Leicester City, but after a poor start to the season, Alphonse Areola took his place in goal.

While the Hammers’ return to form pre-dates Hermansen’s first-team recall in early February, the Dane’s recent form has helped the east London team rise out of the bottom three.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has kept two clean sheets in his last six league games, and since his return, West Ham have picked up nine points, losing just once.

West Ham’s Hermansen was equally impressive against City, with the goalkeeper making five saves, including a superb one-on-one from Erling Haaland.

If he keeps this up, West Ham look primed to stave off relegation to the Championship.

They are the form team among their relegation rivals, with Nuno’s players closing in on Tottenham, Leeds United, and overtaking Nottingham Forest already.

There are still eight games to go, but it seems West Ham have all the ingredients to stay up, starting with Hermansen and Diouf.