Carroll’s heroic but Sakho’s a phenomenon
Match verdict
By Hugh Southon
Look beyond the Andy Carroll Show – because that’s almost what it was – and there’s a West Ham United team the like of which I haven’t seen for many years.
It was an afternoon of exploding myths as the team again came from a goal down to win – this time with a quite magnificent second half performance.
And that – by and large – was down to the second half teaming of Carroll with the extraordinary Diafra Sakho who appears to slot in alongside whoever he’s teamed up with.
The received wisdom until today was that the fleet-footed Enner Valencia or Mauro Zarate would make a more natural partner for the club’s record signing
Then comes Sakho to show industry, pace, trickery, the ability to get behind defenders and score goals…this guy is a diamond who doesn’t read the same script as anybody else – a footballing law unto himself.
He has aggression, attitude and the ability to bounce back like few players I’ve ever seen. He comes straight off the bench to form an amazing partnership with a bloke he’s never played alongside before. What a player.
After a slow first half, we saw the new Irons in all their glory with Stewart Downing pulling strings and the two full backs galloping forward to the manner born.
This is a team to die for. Just when you thought it was all about Sakho and Valencia, the plot changes and more options arise – suddenly it’s all about the Senegal international and Andy Carroll.
Sam Allardyce said before the game this team had the capability of becoming the best he has ever managed. He might – for once 🙂 – have been a little modest. It might already be that.
Tonight we sit in third place behind Chelsea and Manchester City with 27 points. Safe by Christmas and ready to push on? When was the last time any of us were able to say that?
These are unbelievable times – for God’s sake enjoy them!