Manuel Lanzini’s rocket last night for West Ham has added to list of great moments that the Argentinan has had in a claret and blue shirt.
West Ham fought back from a three-goal deficit in dramatic fashion to snatch a point away from London rivals Tottenham. A brilliant strike from Manuel Lanzini completed the comeback. The midfielder has had it tough in recent years.
After the controversial exit of former star player Dimitri Payet, Lanzini was forced to step out of his shadow and become the club’s star player. For eighteen months the midfielder did exactly that and. was even called up into his national teams World Cup squad for the 2018 tournament. Unfortunately, an awful ACL injury ruled Lanzini out, and he has struggled for consistency ever since.
But it is time to remember what he is capable of.
LANZINI’S TOP 5 WEST HAM MOMENTS
5. First Premier League Goal.
Despite having already scored his first goal for the club in a Europa League qualifying match. Lanzini announced himself to the Premier League on one of the biggest stages. A famous 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield was put into motion in the third minute of the game.
On his debut, Lanzini gave the Hammers the perfect start. Aaron Cresswell picked up the ball on the edge of the Liverpool box and miss-hit his shot. The ball ran for Lanzini, who’s clever finish was enough to beat Simon Migolet and send the Hammers on their way.
Lanzini would then go on to set up the second goal. The 27-year-old disposed Dejan Lovren and charged into the Reds box. His cross found it’s way to Mark Noble who slotted home to double the West Ham’s advantage.
The game would finish 3-0 to the Hammers after Phillipe Coutinho’s red card and Diafra Sakho‘s third. But the game would be remembered as the day Lanzini announced himself in English football.
4. Having Palace under his thumb.
Lanzini has made a habit of coring in London derbies. The former River Plate man has scored in ten different matches against Chelsea, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. The Eagles have no doubt been Lanzini’s favourite team to play against in the past.
The Argentine scored four goals in his first four games against the South London side. These include two winners at Selhurst Park, but his best moment against Palace was at the London Stadium in 2017.
In a relegation battle which was made worse by the exit of talisman Payet, Slaven Bilic‘s side was in a bad place going into their match against Palace. Fans were worried about the impact of the Frenchman’s exit would have on the side. The team, however, showed great character and togetherness in the match.
There were standout performances from across the team. Michail Antonio assisted all three of the goals. Andy Carroll scored a magnificent overhead kick. Lanzini was pulling the strings from midfield. The Argentine was under the most pressure as he had to take the responsibility of Payet’s role and did so superbly.
Lanzini’s performance was capped off perfectly in the 86th minute. On the counter-attack, Antonio played Lanzini through on goal and chipped the on-rushing keeper. Ironically. It was the same keeper that Payet had lobbed the previous season at Selhurst Park.
It was the night that made Lanzini the new Hammers talisman.
3. Lanzini at the Double
It was hard to choose between Lanzini’s two braces against. Everton and Huddersfieldeld Town in the 2017/18 season, so we have squeezed both in.
Lanzini’s first brace for West Ham came against Huddersfield Town in what was a crucial result for the club. In the middle of a relegation battle and Moyes was starting to get the team performing. Against Huddersfield, everything came together. Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic linked up together in devastating fashion.
The Hammers had a slender 2-1 lead over the Terriers until Lanzini took the game by the scruff of the neck and fired in two powerful strikes.
The second brace was on the final day of the season in a match against Everton. Lanzini’s first goal was made by some quick thinking as he latched onto a loose ball and slotted past Jordan Pickford from 18-yards out.
But Lanzini’s second goal was special. The Toffees were battling to get back in the game after making it 2-1, Arnautovic had scored West Ham’s second. the Argentinian wrapped up the game on the 82nd minute.
Picking up the ball on the top-left-corner of the Everton box, Lanzini cut back onto his right-foot and curled a spectacular effort beyond Pickford into the top corner. The goalie did get a finger to the ball but was unable to keep it out. Lanzini finished that season with five goals and nine assists in all competitions.
Which brace of Lanzini’s do you prefer? Let us know in the comments.
2. Ending Spurs title hopes.
Even though Lanzini had a great moment against Palace in 2016/17 season, his moment in the campaign came against Tottenham. West Ham had put together a run of four games unbeaten which had put them within touching distance of Premier League safety.
Spurs, on the other hand, were fighting for the title but had seen their challenge fade in the game weeks before. A loss to the Hammers would be the death of their title charge and condemn them to another trophyless season.
Lanzini put in a Man of the Match performance that night and was key to the Hammers attacking play. He was rewarded for his hard work when he scored the winning goal and sent the fans in London stadium into a frenzy.
A deep Aaron Cresswell cross evaded Jonathan Calleri and ran through to Sam Byram. The right-back sent the ball back into the box. The cross was missed by the Spurs defence and fell to Lanzini. The midfielder took his chance and smashed it past Lloris to give the Hammers a famous win.
The victory was even more memorable as it not only stopped Spurs title chase but also confirmed the clubs spot on the Premier League.
1. Lanzini’s best ever goal.
It might be the freshness of it the rocket against Tottenham surely has to be Lanzini’s best moment in a West Ham shirt. With Spurs racing into a 3-0 lead in the first 16 minutes of the match, making it likely the Hammers would leave empty-handed.
In the 82nd minute, Fabian Balbuena started the club’s fightback, and an own-goal from Davinson Sanchez put a point within reaching distance. With the game fixed a 3-2, Gareth Bale broke through the Hammers defence and should have put the game to bed, only for his shot to fly past the post.
West Ham went up the other end of the pitch in search of an equaliser. Robert Snodgrass won a free-kick on the left-wing, and that would be the last chance of the game. Cresswell sent in a dangerous ball that was defender by Spurs.
The clearance was on its way to Snodgrass who was lining up a shot only for Harry Winks to get a touch on the ball first. The touch took the ball to Lanzini. The Argentinian took his shot from all of 35-yards-out. Lanzini cut across the ball and sent it flying past Lloris into the top right-hand corner. The ball crashed into the goal via the crossbar to complete a historic comeback.
But that’s enough typing, see Lanzini’s crowning moment below.
The goal means the Hammers remain unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches and have moved up to 8th in the League. But this moment is down to Lanzini so, for now, let us sing it!
“Ain’t nobody,
like Lanzini,
makes us happy,
plays the West Ham Way!”
Lanzini may not be the most consistent player and can be frustrating at times, but there is no denying he has given West Ham fans some memorable moments.