BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks is convinced West Ham have found the new Dimitri Payet as he hailed Felipe Anderson for his “outstanding” display at Newcastle United.
The Hammers attacking midfielder netted his fourth goal in four games and produced a matchwinning display as his side secured a 3-0 triumph at St James’ Park.
“I said a few weeks ago that Felipe Anderson had developed a taste for scoring goals. A run of four goals in four games makes the point. His performance against a battered Newcastle was outstanding,” Crooks said as he named the West Ham man his BBC Sport team of the week.
“Anderson is no Philippe Coutinho but the Brazilian could be the man to finally replace Dimitri Payet.
“The Hammers fans love a playmaker and while Anderson may not be as gifted as Payet, hopefully he will turn out to be considerably more loyal.”
OPINION
Crook’s straight-talking and florid descriptions have made him one of the best online pundits out there, and his summary of Anderson is a must-read for Irons. Anderson is starting to make himself a hero in the eyes of fans who know the team can’t just rely upon Marko Arnautovic for match-winning brilliance. The Brazilian has now scored five times in the Premier League this season and justified the faith shown in him by Manuel Pellegrini, who continued to select him even when the summer signing from Lazio was taking time to adjust to life in England’s top tier. Anderson doesn’t quite have Payet’s gift for the jaw-dropping or spectacular, but he is fast, direct and technically excellent. He can finish, too, and the signs are that West Ham could have star on their hands. Credit to the club for getting the deal done in the summer after extensive negotiations with Lazio that looked like ending in failure on more than a few occasions.