West Ham United recorded a comfortable win over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Sky Sports pundit duo Jamie Redknapp and Kevin Nolan agree that West Ham powerhouses Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop have got into a ‘habit’ of knowing when one player is ‘in trouble’.
The duo played at the heart of the club’s defence during their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday evening at the London Stadium and secured a clean sheet in the process.
Defensive midfielder Declan Rice, who plays in front of the two in the number six position, opened the scoring before Mark Noble doubled his side’s lead from the penalty spot.
Speaking after West Ham’s win against Newcastle, Redknapp and Nolan told Sky Sports Premier League Football (02/03/2019 at 7:50 pm) that they have been impressed with United’s defensive duo.
“Diop & Ogbonna are forming a very good partnership right now,” Redknapp told Sky Sports PL. “They seem to have that habit of knowing when one player is in trouble and they will come and help them out. They have a real understanding these two.
“They look solid,” Nolan added. “Although Rondon is a big lad, the physicality didn’t bother them today and when they were needed they helped each other out. I think Declan Rice just in front of them, in and around, I think they have a nice little box four which works well for West Ham.”
Following that win on home soil, the Hammers moved into ninth place in the Premier League table as they will be hoping to secure a European place at the end of the campaign.
If that is the case then their defence will have to produce consistent results before the season comes to a close, with a number of their players, including Rice in a rich vein of form.
Nonetheless, over the course of the season, Ogbonna has played 17 league games for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, including featuring on a regular basis since December [transfermarkt].
As for Diop, he has perhaps been the most impressive from West Ham’s defensive backline after being one of a number of their summer signings.
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