Mark Noble doesn’t get much recognition for the attacking contributions he makes, but his first goal in the 4-1 final day win against Watford was too good to ignore at the time.
He flicked the ball to Michail Antonio before running forward to get the return pass; once he had the ball at his feet he burst forward, dropped his shoulder, cut across Christian Kabasele before placing it into the bottom corner.
The goal was simply sublime from start to finish and West Ham have tweeted out a reminder of it:
That drop of the shoulder… #MrWestHam pic.twitter.com/7MZo3spSy0
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) June 27, 2019
While some remembered it already, there will have been many – especially those outside of West Ham – who have already forgotten about the brilliance involved in creating the chance he converted.
It inevitably leads some to question whether that would still be the case if it was somebody like Andres Iniesta, or another of the game’s creative greats, who had produced the goal.
While he isn’t known for what he offers in attack, Noble managed five goals and five assists in the 2018/19 Premier League season, which is a pretty good return.
A selection of Twitter reaction to the goal against Watford, including posts from swooning West Ham fans, can be seen below:
Possibly the best goal he’s ever scored!!
— Michelle Thomas (@msmith85) June 27, 2019
— Ironwork Tours (@IronworkTours) June 27, 2019
Inside the centre circle. 9 men behind the ball. 6 touches later Nobes passes the ball into the corner of the net. Such an underrated goal. Such an underrated player (by most outside of @WestHamUtd)
— Bradley Morton (@Bradley_Morton) June 27, 2019
Such an underrated goal, you do that playing for top 6 you never hear end of it
— Brad Palmer (@Mr_BA6) June 27, 2019
Nobody does a faint/dummy better than Noble! That’s where the lack of pace is compensated for and why he continues to perform at the top level!
— Dale (@drobe10) June 27, 2019
Iniesta scores that it’s goal of the month…
— Bilko (@Bilko13) June 27, 2019
Didn’t know he had it in him.
— Heisenberg (@Heisenb57510722) June 27, 2019
@brad18finan9 cold as ice, mr west ham putting players to shame
— Jamie (@jamiewhusteele) June 27, 2019