West Ham’s Sebastien Haller proved some doubters wrong and was back among the goals on his international debut for the Ivory Coast.
Sebastien Haller has had a mixed start to the 2020/21 season. The striker has scored five goals in ten appearances in all competitions for West Ham; however, only one goal has come in the Premier League, a header against Wolves.
The 26-year-old was struggling to displace the impressive Michail Antonio. The Englishman has proved to fit David Moyes style far more than Haller. But an injury to Antonio has presented Haller the chance to impress.
Haller did show signs of improvement against Fulham and was unlucky not to have scored, hitting the bar early on. But now Haller has proved he is still capable of hitting the back of the net. The striker made his debut for the Ivory Coast coming on as a substitute in place of the injured former Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia.
The debutant proved to be a dominant force the Elephants. Haller won a header for an onrushing Ivorian attacker. The striker kept with the runner, and once a low cross was fired in, Haller connected well with the ball and scored a fantastic diving header.
The goal might have been against opposition deemed lower than that of the Premier League quality. But the move that led to the goal showed that when Haller receives quality service, he can score goals.
The goal proved to be decisive as it gave the Ivory Coast a crucial win over Madagascar in their AFCON group. Up next for, now Group leaders, Ivory Coast is another fixture against Madagascar, this time it will be away and played in Toamasina.
If David Moyes can get the best out of Haller, then there will be no need for further investment in the front line in January. The Hammers have been linked with moves with Olivier Giroud and Joshua King, but investment in a centre-back would be preferable.