BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has hailed the importance of Issa Diop after the Frenchman’s impressive performance in West Ham’s London Derby triumph over Fulham.
The Friday night affair saw Manuel Pellegrini’s men return to action with a resounding home win over the struggling Cottagers, and Diop open his Premier League account for the club.
It took the 22-year-old 25 league games before finding the net in Claret and Blue, having previously scored his first goal for the club against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup back in August, in what was only his second game for the club.
Now, 28 games down the line, the summer arrival is a key figure at the London Stadium, and led from the back on Friday despite conceding an early goal to Ryan Babel.
All in, Diop attempted the joint most defensive aerial duels of any of the hosts’ players, as well as a team-high four clearances, which combined to ensure that Aleksandar Mitrovic attempted fewer shots than the 6 foot 3 defensive rock.
His performance also caught the eye of BBC pundit Crooks, who felt Diop had down enough to earn a spot in his Team of the Week.
“The Frenchman produced a similar performance at Everton earlier in the season,” Crooks wrote. “This time his contribution was rewarded with a brilliantly taken goal against a Fulham side who got what they deserved.
“Diop took total advantage of Fulham’s poor organisation. If you’re going to score your first league goal for the club, you might as well do it in front of your own supporters.”
Our number 23 was the only Hammer to make Crooks’ Team of the Week, with Burnley, Crystal Palace and Manchester United earning two spots each.
