Manuel Lanzini has now grabbed 13 goals against teams from across the capital after two goals against Crystal Palace in the 3-2 weekend win..
Six goals in ten appearances is a superb record for any forward against a single top-flight side, but only onne thing mattered to the brilliant midfielder – the victory itself.
That he manages to score unforgettable goals such as his first is one thing but as far as he concerned three points is the be all and end all.
In reality he will no doubt reflect on that amazing strike but clearly, going into the new year with a win and surviving a massive climax from Palace was all that mattered to him,
He admitted his side were not always at their best during the game, felt that securing back-to-back Premier League victories was the main objective.
“Yes, it was an unbelievable start [to 2022],” the attacker smiled, speaking to West Ham TV. “It was a very good game for us.”
“I think we can play much better than this, but we scored three goals and that’s what’s important.
“It’s important for our confidence and for the team as well to get the goals to win the games – it’s very important.
“We know Crystal Palace are a very good team. They have good players. It was a very tough game, we know this.
“We couldn’t [afford to] concede goals, that was important for us, because I think they created many chances, but a win is a win, and we need to keep going now.”
West Ham against Crystal Palace has traditionally proven an entertaining fixture with both sides have scored in each of the ten most recent Premier League encounters, but prior to Saturday, the team scoring first had failed to win any of those matches.
That sequence was broken thanks to the Hammers’ first-ever 3-0 half-time lead away from home in the Premier League, Said Benrahma’s accurate cross converted by Michail Antonio just seconds before Lanzini’s first goal of the afternoon – a moment of outstanding quality – arrived.
The Argentinian collected a square ball from Declan Rice 20 yards out and, fully aware of his surroundings, flicked the ball up and away from Joachim Andersen before lashing a left-footed finished into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
The playmaker went on to add another deep into injury-time when Palace were penalised – upon Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review – for Luka Milivojević’s handball, but despite the Eagles going to on to pull two goals back late on, Lanzini was to prove the match-winner.
“Yes, it was very good!” he reflected on his goal.
“I was just watching it now and the touch I took and the finish was good. It’s good because it helped the team to win the game.
“I just want to help the team. Whatever the score, if it’s important for the team, it’s good for us.
“We have very good strikers and very good players. It’s easy to play with everyone, but I think we need to play much better and it will be good.”
“We need to rest now,” Lanzini confirmed. “We deserve it because the games in December were crazy!
“Now, we have time to rest and recover well, and think about the next game.”
He loves to hit the underside of the bar to score. Such was his other wonderstrike against Spuds. He is defo getting back to his old self.