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David Moyes compares Michail Antonio’s influence at West Ham to Marko Arnautovic

West Ham United boss David Moyes believes Michail Antonio has become vital for his side, likening his influence to that of former forward Marko Arnautovic.

The Irons produced a great performance yesterday to earn an unlikely point against Manchester City at the London Stadium in the Premier League.

West Ham went ahead through Antonio, who executed a bicycle kick in the first-half to stun the visitors, before Phil Foden levelled after the break for City.

West Ham United v Manchester City - Premier League
(Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)

It was an outstanding goal from the 30-year-old, who now has three for the season. He has 11 since Project Restart last term and only Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (12) has more.

Moyes lavished praise on £70,000-a-week star Antonio () after the game, talking up his talismanic status at the club.

: “It was a great goal. He’s become really important to the team here. A couple of years ago we had Marko Arnautovic – he was incredibly important to the team.

“Michy Antonio is doing the same. Most football club’s need a really good number nine and we’ve got one at the moment.”

TBR’s View – Antonio is the real deal

It’s a fair comparison from Moyes.

Watford FC v West Ham United - Premier League
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Arnautovic – who was sold by the club last year for a reported £22 million () – had the ability to provide moments of magic and win games on his own, and it seems Antonio has now reached a level where he’s capable of the same.

To be performing as well as he is without being an out-and-out striker is highly impressive, and so long as he can stay fit, West Ham should have no relegation fears and instead have top-half hopes.