Andriy Yarmolenko inspired West Ham United to their first win of the Premier League season away at Everton on Sunday.
West Ham United finally got their season up and running away at Everton on Sunday and they did it in style.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had lost their first four Premier League games for the first time since 2010/11, when they were relegated under Avram Grant, but found form at Goodison Park with a deserved 3-1 win.
And, while the likes of Pedro Obiang, Declan Rice and Marko Arnautovic were in superb form for the Hammers, Andriy Yarmolenko was arguably the best player on the pitch.
The Ukrainian international scored his first two goals in West Ham colours, slamming in an early opener from an Arnautovic pass before cutting inside and curling in a brilliant second – the sort of strike he made his trademark during his time at Dinamo Kiev.
As a result, Yarmolenko takes pride of place in Alan Shearer’s latest Team of the Week, although the Newcastle United legend admits he expected to see the attacker make his mark a little earlier in the season.
“Two goals on his first start. I’m surprised it has taken so long (I tipped him as one to watch!),” Shearer, who also included Arnautovic in his Team of the Week, wrote on the Premier League’s official website.
A £17.5 million signing from Borussia Dortmund, there had been a few concerns about Yarmolenko’s slow start after he struggled to make an impression during West Ham’s dismal form.
The test now, however, is whether both player and club can kick on after Everton.
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