James Ward-Prowse left BBC pundit Steve Claridge in awe after producing a ‘cool and collected’ finish to score for West Ham United against Manchester City this Saturday.
The 28-year-old gave the Hammers the lead against the reigning Premier League champions at London Stadium. Ward-Prowse broke the deadlock in the 36th minute for his second goal of the campaign. He also opened the scoring as the Irons edged Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1.
Ward-Prowse is fast emerging as one of the signings of the season already after joining West Ham in August. David Moyes, finally, landed his target in a £30m transfer from Southampton following the Saints’ relegation. He has helped Moyes replace their old captain, Declan Rice.
Ward-Prowse’s goal gave West Ham a 1-0 lead over Manchester City
Moyes has started Ward-Prowse in all four of West Ham’s top-flight fixtures since moving to east London. He did not join in time to feature in the Hammers’ opening day draw with AFC Bournemouth. But the 11-cap England international has proven to be great value for money.
Ward-Prowse laid on two assists on his Irons debut to help secure a 3-1 win over Chelsea at London Stadium. Nayef Aguerd buried the Portsmouth-born star’s corner before he assisted Michail Antonio. Both goals gave the Hammers a lead over their London rivals at 1-0 at 2-1.
Brighton then fell victim to Ward-Prowse’s first goal in claret-and-blue as the midfielder put Moyes’ men 1-0 up. While Kurt Zouma repeated Aguerd’s attempt by heading home the 28-year-old’s corner at Luton Town. So, Pep Guardiola will have known he would be a problem.
But Manchester City could not stop Ward-Prowse from getting his second goal since signing for West Ham this Saturday. The Southampton product and former Saints captain broke the deadlock with a header. He burst into the box to find Vladimir Coufal’s ball in from the right.
Claridge adored Ward-Prowse’s rare header at London Stadium
A Ward-Prowse headed goal is a rare sight having never scored with his head before playing Brighton in December. The midfielder beat new Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to give Southampton a consolation effort during a 3-1 Premier League loss at home to the Seagulls.
This time, however, Ward-Prowse’s header gave West Ham a 1-0 lead against the defending Premier League champions, Manchester City. It also captivated ex-Portsmouth star Claridge.
“What a scoreline!” Claridge exclaimed on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Really cool and collected finish by James Ward-Prowse.”
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