West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic justifies reported £50 million price-tag with superb display

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West Ham United beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park Sunday.

West Ham United secured their first victory of the Premier League campaign as they defeated Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park Sunday, with striker Marko Arnautovic proving his worth to the club.

Two goals from Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko set the Hammers on their way, but it was Arnautovic who ultimately stole the show as he grabbed an assist and scored West Ham’s third to round off a great day for the club.

There were question marks over the Austria international upon his big-money move from Stoke City, but since the turn of the new year only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been involved in more Premier League goals.

Arnautovic has scored nine and assisted seven top-flight goals over the past nine months, more than the likes of Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

A report in May suggested Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho had pinpointed the West Ham striker as a summer transfer target, but the east London club were said to be asking for a whopping £50 million (Metro).

After his contribution over the past nine months, such a fee doesn’t seem out of the question, and against Everton Arnautovic justified his reported hefty price tag as he ran the Toffees ragged during his time on the pitch.

Aside from his goal and assist, the 29-year-old recorded an 82.4% pass-accuracy rate (among his side’s best) and showed his qualities as the ideal focal point with three aerial dues won – the joint-most on the pitch (Whoscored).

Arnautovic’s contribution in the final third is key to West Ham climbing the Premier League table and moving towards a top ten spot – and at this rate he may well go down as their best striker of the past decade.