Craig Dawson showcased his leadership skills by talking Issa Diop through the game during West Ham’s 3-0 Premier League thrashing of Sheffield United on Monday, as reported by Football London.
We have to admit that, when West Ham announced the loan signing of a 30-year-old centre-back from relegated Watford, we were a little underwhelmed.
But few could have predicted, back in October, that Dawson would make such an almighty impact at the London Stadium.
The former England U21 international has proved to be one of the most inspired signings made by any Premier League club in the last 12 months, forming a supreme partnership with Angelo Ogbonna.
West Ham fans might have been concerned that Dawson’s sky-high standards would slip in Ogbonna’s injury-enforced absence, but it seems they needn’t have worried.
The one-time West Brom defender was as solid as ever as The Hammers swept Sheffield United aside at the London Stadium, throwing his head at everything while ensuring that Diop was on his toes throughout.
Football London claims that Dawson gave the £22 million Frenchman instructions from the first minute to the last.
Given that this was only Diop’s fourth Premier League start of the season, you would imagine that he was glad of the help.
Diop was just as impressive at the other end of the pitch too, scoring the second goal in a comfortable win that puts West Ham within touching distance of second-placed Manchester United. Declan Rice and Ryan Fredericks were also on the scoresheet.
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