Both the demise and rise of West Ham United were dramatic and quick during our 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. There was one man who led both of them: Fabian Balbuena.
We conceded before the clock had even reached a minute, when Heung-min Son cut across him and struck the ball past Lukasz Fabianski into the bottom corner.
While this sort of situation has happened to many a defender when facing the Korean, Balbuena seemed to make it so easy for him with his body shape.
However, it is also his goal which started the comeback that culminated in that incredible strike from Manuel Lanzini, as he climbed above Moussa Sissoko to head in Aaron Cresswell’s pinpoint free-kick delivery.
Perhaps the quality of this goal is overshadowed by how bleak our situation looked at the time, as well as just how brilliant Lanzini’s one was, but it was a superb header from the Paraguayan, who gave Hugo Lloris absolutely no chance.
How would you rate Balbuena's performance against Spurs?
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Looking at the 29-year-old’s performance outside of those two monumental moments, he was successful with the only tackle he attempted, made two clearances and one interception.
He may have scored the winner with his head, but the centre-back actually only came out on top in one of the three aerial duels that he competed in.
He was also fairly composed on the ball, completing 78% of the passes that he attempted throughout the match.
This game showed the best and worst of West Ham, and it is safe to say that is also the case for Balbuena, who arguably epitomised that more than anyone else on the pitch.
