Exquisite, genius, worth the entrance fee alone… just some of the superlatives lavished on West Ham United star Dimitri Payet’s display for France.
Payet in action against Bulgaria
The Hammers hero was in action as Didier Deschamps’ side came from 1-0 down to thrash Bulgaria 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Friday night.
The French showed no signs of sulking after their heartbreaking defeat in the Euro 2016 final against Portugal as they swept the Bulgarians aside with consummate ease.
And that man Payet was the key figure, orchestrating a scintilating display, playing the key pass which led to France’s equaliser before scoring the second himself with a dangerous whipped cross-cum-shot which bounced straight in.
‘Little genius’
Payet continued where he left off in West Ham’s last game against Middlesbrough, turning on the skill like he did when he beat six Boro defenders to score what is sure to be one the goals of the season.
Almost everything France did went through Payet as he pulled the strings and played the crucial passes which broke the lines of an organised Bulgaria defence.
‘You’re my favourite’ West Ham manager Slaven Bilic with Payet
His form bodes well for Slaven Bilic who will be hoping he comes home unscathed and ready to face Crystal Palace next weekend.
The TV commentators were running out of adjectives to describe Payet’s display as they gushed over his guile.
‘Worth the entrance fee alone’, ‘exquisite’, ‘little genius’, ‘scintillating skill’, ‘key man’ were just some of the phrases used to compliment the former Marseille man.
France’s Dimitri Payet celebrates
And here’s how Twitter reacted to his performance.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
