Dimitri Payet scored a stunning goal for West Ham against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that Dimitri Payet’s solo goal for West Ham United against Middlesbrough on Saturday reminded him of Ricky Villa’s goal for Spurs again Manchester City.
West Ham snapped their four-game losing run against Middlesbrough on Saturday, but did fall behind at the London Stadium as Cristhian Stuani headed Boro in front.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet scores their first goal
However, West Ham hit back in the second half, and it was Dimitri Payet who was their saviour yet again with an incredible solo goal to earn a 1-1 draw.
The French playmaker picked the ball up on the left hand side after a diagonal pass from Winston Reid, and danced past Antonio Barragan, Marten de Roon, Calum Chambers, Ben Gibson and George Friend before turning the ball home.
Payet had a slow start to the season due to injury, but is now firing on all cylinders – and appears to be the only West Ham player to be doing so right now after a dismal opening to the campaign.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet celebrates scoring their first goal with Mark Noble
His goal has sparked hopes that West Ham could yet improve, and pundit Jamie Redknapp has heaped praise on Payet for his wonder goal in his Daily Mail column.
Redknapp believes that Premier League defenders are double-teaming Payet, meaning he’s unable to get the ball as much and have the impact he had last season.
However, Redknapp raved about Payet’s goal, and compared it to Ricky Villa’s legendary solo run for Tottenham in their FA Cup final replay with Manchester City in 1981, where the Argentinian waltzed past defenders to score a similarly exceptional goal.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet
“He’s such an influential player but he hadn’t scored in the Premier League this season before West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough — opposition teams have finally become aware of what he can do and have been putting two men on him when he picks up the ball.
“Last season, West Ham’s midfielders looked to get the ball to him as quickly as possible, but their confidence is down this season and an extra second’s delay means Payet is often heavily marked by the time they look up.”
“So on Saturday Payet took it on himself to get his side back in the game, and did so with a sublime run past five players before slotting into the far corner. It reminded me of Ricky Villa’s goal against Manchester City in the 1981 FA Cup final — it was that good — and will give his team-mates a lift after a tough spell. The result will feel more like one point gained than two points lost,” he added.
What did you think of Payet’s goal against Middlesbrough?
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