When West Ham United co-owner David Sullivian announced that their star forward Dimitri Payet was worth 100 million pounds in the just-concluded transfer market, he was the subject of ridicule on social media. Many football fans believed that the Frenchman was not even worth half of the hefty transfer fee. And his recent slump in form after a brilliant debut season with the Hammers seemed to have justified the claims from his critics, with the likes of former Welsh international Robbie Savage suggesting that Payet should be dropped from the first team.
But on Saturday when West Ham United faced Middlesborough in their Premier League fixture, the 29-year-old silenced his critics with one of the best goals ever witnessed in the league. The former Olympique Marseille forward picked the ball along the right wing in the opponent’s half, dribbled past six defenders and blasted it into the net to send the home fans into a frenzy.
Watch the golazo below:
So much determination by @dimpayet17 #WHU https://t.co/OrlIhhmMPV
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 1, 2016
Here is how football fans reacted on Twitter:
That Payet goal vs #M'BORO is a beauty to watch..
— Yőşhimtsů (@MurokiMaterhorn) October 1, 2016
Do yourself a favour and go look at Dimitri Payet's worldie he scored against boro today
— Ashwin (@ashwin_xx) October 1, 2016
If that goal by Payet was scored by Messi the world would talking about it but it wasn't but Dmitry Payet take a bow it was Sensational.
— G (@Railforce1) October 1, 2016
Just seen Payet's goal against Middlesbrough. World class. #MOTD #WHUMID
— Antonio Vargas (@AVargas067) October 1, 2016
Payet goal looks like he planned the goal with the defenders
— Kwabena (@KbStern) October 1, 2016
And following the superb performance from the Frenchman, West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian compared him to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. He told BBC Sport after the match:
''Payet is like that in training. He scored like a Lionel Messi goal at Barcelona! It is a massive goal to us."
But despite the eye-catching goal, the Hammers could not find the winner as the two sides settled for a one-all draw. Slaven Bilic’s men are still languishing in the relegation zone with four points out of seven matches, and they face a difficult trip to Crystal Palace in their next league fixture.
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