Garth Crooks has praised West Ham’s Michail Antonio after he scored a last-gasp winner against Leeds United at the weekend.
Naming him in his ‘Team of the Week’, the BBC pundit credited Antonio for his contribution, claiming that the 31-year-old has developed into an excellent all-round forward:
“The ball from Antonio for Pablo Fornals earlier in West Ham’s game against Leeds was just brilliant but his finish was indicative of a striker on top of his game. e might have been player of the month for August but he was certainly man of the match against Leeds. The Jamaica international plays a very physical game but in front of goal there is also a touch of class as well. When I first saw Antonio play he was like a bull in a china shop. Now he looks like a match-winner. I suppose that’s what happens when you work at your game.”
You run out of superlatives for what Antonio is currently doing. He has been key to West Ham’s superb form over the last twelve to eighteen months.
In terms of the other names that made it into Crooks’ team. Aston Villa pair Emi Martinez and Kortney Hause, Manchester City duo Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias, Liverpool’s Mo Salah & Jordan Henderson, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, Wolves’ Raul Jimenez, as well Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were all included in the eleven.
Said Benrahma could probably feel hard done by in being left out of Crooks’ side after another excellent performance on Saturday, but there can be no doubt about Antonio’s inclusion.
