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Andy Townsend names four West Ham players he found great last night, Jesse Lingard aside

Giuseppe Labellarte

Thu 4 February 2021 19:15, UK

West Ham United quartet Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice have been singled out for praise by Optus Sport pundit Andy Townsend following the Hammers’ Premier League victory last night.

David Moyes’ charges ran out 3-1 winners away at Aston Villa, with loanee Jesse Lingard putting in a masterclass in his first outing in claret and blue and becoming the first West Ham debutant to score a debut brace in 23 years.

After Tomas Soucek opened the scoring in the 51st minute at Villa Park, the Manchester United loanee doubled his side’s lead with a thunderous effort just before the hour.

Although Ollie Watkins halved Villa’s deficit in the 81st minute, Lingard restored his side’s two-goal lead just two minutes later with an effort which Emiliano Martinez failed to hold on to.

While the Hammers newcomer rightly claimed the spotlight following his superb efforts, the visitors also impressed from a defensive standpoint, and Townsend was eager to pay tribute to those who kept Villa at bay.

“It’s been a very good defensive display,” Townsend told .

“Ogbonna has been really good all season. Dawson tonight again has been solid. Cresswell superb, never really threatened. Declan Rice as ever composed in possession.”

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It’s been a great season so far for West Ham, and Lingard’s superb debut, combined with many of the team’s players continuing to shine, bodes well for the remainder of the campaign, with a top four finish very much within reach.

Townsend is right to recognise the team’s more defensive players for their efforts on the night – Vladimir Coufal should’ve also got a shout out as he was especially impressive, to the point that Jack Grealish swapped wings as he was getting no joy down Villa’s left.