‘Rock solid’ – West Ham Super Fans choose MOTM in 2-1 win v Leeds
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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West Ham shot up to fifth in the Premier League table on Friday night with a fantastic 2-1 win against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Angelo Ogbonna’s 80th-minute goal was enough to secure all three points for the Irons, who had to come behind after an early penalty by Mateusz Klich.
Tomas Soucek headed in an equaliser before half-time but David Moyes’ men stuck at it for the entire 90 minutes and got what they deserved 10 minutes from time when Ogbonna got on the end of Aaron Cresswell’s inch-perfect free-kick.
We asked our panel of West Ham Super Fans to choose their man of the match from the win over Leeds and, as expected, the majority voted for the player who grabbed that match-winning goal.
W. David Row (@wdavidrow)
Daniele (@uptouptonpark)
Mark Smith (@ironworks68)
Talkin’ West Ham (@TalkinWestHam)
Bobby (@Bobby27590293)
Annette Smith (@Annette46557317)
Danny Proctor (@DannyProctor13)
Andrew Jacob (@AJacob1511)
Ogbonna has been fantastic for West Ham this season.
The 32-year-old has looked comfortable in a back-three with Fabian Balbuena and Cresswell but even though Moyes switch to a back-four against Leeds, the Italian international was not fazed one bit.
According to stats by WyScout, Ogbonna made 10 interceptions, nine clearances and completed 12 recoveries. For context, the centre-back has averaged 6.35 interceptions, 3.14 clearances and 10.05 recoveries per 90 minutes in all competitions this season.
It was a colossal display at the back by Ogbonna and we think he thoroughly deserves to be chosen as the man of the match.
However, he wasn’t the only player who was named by our panel of West Ham Super Fans.
Soucek, who netted the opening goal for the Hammers, and Said Benrahma, who earned his full debut at Elland Road, were also chosen by a couple of supporters.
Andrew Bushell (@Andy_Bushy67)
Floyd (@FloydWHU)
Benrahma, 25, was a constant thorn in the side of Leeds during his 85 minutes of game-time.
Stats by WyScout show the Algeria international had six shots at goal and completed eight of his nine attempted dribbles.
Benrahma was a livewire throughout and we cannot wait to see more from him.
On another day, he might have been man of the match but Ogbonna’s heroics mean we have to agree with the majority on this one.
In other West Ham news, Gary Lineker claims Declan Rice is getting better and better.