‘Changed that game’ – West Ham Super Fans choose MOTM after 2-2 v Brighton
This is part of a regular series from our panel of West Ham Super Fans. Each week, our Super Fans will deliver their verdicts on the biggest talking points and news stories around the London Stadium.
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Tomas Soucek’s late header helped West Ham earn a point in a rather dismal 2-2 draw against Brighton at the London Stadium on Sunday.
David Moyes’ men have to come from behind twice to avoid defeat to the south coast club, who went ahead just before half-time through striker Neal Maupay.
Ben Johnson scored his first senior goal for the Hammers to level the scores on the hour-mark before Lewis Dunk put Brighton back ahead 10 minutes later.
However, the game was settled as a 2-2 draw in the 82nd minute when Soucek’s header beat Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
We asked our panel of West Ham Super Fans to name their man of the match from the draw with Brighton and there was a mixed bag of answers.
But one player stood out above all else – and he didn’t even start the game.
Mark Smith (@ironworks68)
Talkin’ West Ham (@TalkinWestHam)
Bobby (@Bobby27590293)
Lanzini entered the game at half-time and within 15 minutes managed to supply the assist for Johnson’s equaliser.
According to stats by WhoScored, the Argentina international completed 97 per cent of his passes, misplacing just one of the 31 he attempted. He also completed one dribble and was dispossessed just once in his 45 minutes on the pitch.
With West Ham failing to win and struggling to perform as well as they have done earlier in the season, Lanzini is easily a shout for the man of the match award.
He wasn’t the only one mentioned though as goalscorer Soucek and centre-back Fabian Balbuena also impressed these Super Fans.
Andrew Bushell (@Andy_Bushy67)
Daniele (@uptouptonpark)
Soucek’s goal saved the Irons from defeat while Balbuena won all four of the tackles he attempted, made three clearances and one completed one interception. He also won six aerial duels [WhoScored].
However, not all the fans could choose a man of the match as they were so uninspired by the team.
When we asked this next fan who he thought was West Ham’s best player, he said:
Andrew Jacob (@AJacob1511)
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie has shared his thoughts on Manuel Lanzini’s future at the London Stadium.