James Ward-Prowse is already proving his worth at West Ham United with Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino highlighting his devastating set-piece threat following Sunday’s 3-1 win at the London Stadium.
Maybe, just maybe, there is life without Declan Rice after all.
Rice’s replacement certainly made risotto out of Chelsea on Sunday afternoon; James Ward-Prowse marking his home debut with two stellar assists as the former Southampton captain went some way to repaying West Ham’s £30 million outlay.
It took just seven minutes for Ward-Prowse’s world-renowned set-piece ability to plunge a dagger into Chelsea’s hopes of a first league win of the Pochettino era. The England international located the towering Nayef Aguerd with a typically pinpoint delivery.
James Ward-Prowse inspires West Ham win over Chelsea
“(I am) only disappointed, and the players are really disappointed, in the way we conceded the first goal,” Pochettino sighs, via Football London. “Because we start the game knowing West Ham are so, so dangerous in set-pieces, corners.
“We conceded a few corners, and then we conceded the goal. That is a little bit disappointing.
“I was really upset at half-time about that. I think the players will agree and feel the same and then I think also we did really well in the first-half. We should be winning the game at half-time.
Ward-Prowse set up Michail Antonio’s second too with a wonderful pass into space early in the second half; the veteran forward making mincemeat out of Chelsea’s new £38.7 million centre-half Axel Disasi before slamming home from range.
“We want midfielders who look to make assists and score,” beams a delighted Moyes. “We’ve got him in now, and he’s already made a difference with his set-piece quality today. I’m really pleased for him. He’s settled in well and he looks a really good lad for our dressing room.”
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was also singled out for praise at full-time, the Frenchman justiying his place ahead of Lukasz Fabianski with an excellent penalty save to deny Enzo Fernandez when the score was still 1-1.
“I like the word ‘brilliant’ for moments like Michail’s goal and Alphonse’s penalty save,” Moyes adds.
“I’ve seen (Chelsea) in pre-season and went to watch (them) last week at Liverpool. And they were so, so good. So, for us to get a result today was incredible.”
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