Said Benrahma has enjoyed a mixed start to life as a West Ham player following his deadline day arrival on an initial loan from Brentford in October.
Perhaps owing to the confusion surrounding the transfer, Hammers fans might have expected the Algerian’s early weeks would be anything but smooth sailing.
However, having only been given a handful of minutes since his move, David Moyes showed faith in the 25-year-old on Monday night as he introduced the winger at half-time against Aston Villa.
Seconds after his introduction, Benrahma was justifying his manager’s decision as he delivered a cross for Jarrod Bowen to head the Irons back into the lead with what was ultimately the winning goal.
The cross was Benrahma’s second assist in his time at London Stadium – albeit his first was shortly followed by the concession of a penalty against Fulham recently.
This time, he continued to influence proceedings for the better. His touches, vision and dribbling ability were all on show as the Irons hung on – just about – for their third victory in a row.
Plenty of West Ham fans on Twitter were raving over Benrahma’s second half display last night. One Hammer feels that he is already “better than Diangana”, a reference to the Irons academy product who was sold to West Brom in the autumn. Another insisted that the Algerian “has to start against Man Utd”, who visit London Stadium on Saturday evening.
Twitter: @KageyPOV @westhamtransfer He has to start against Man Utd, I’m dying to see him over 90 minutes when the whole team ia playing well (@TheLawless)
Twitter: @westhamtransfer He’s better than Diangana (@AnvilFrom)
Twitter: First attacker on the team sheet from this point forward. Not a case of opinions anymore https://t.co/hCWlOUoa1T (@_ghzst)
Twitter: Things you love to see https://t.co/1d5nRQW41Q (@AnthonyDRegan1)
Twitter: Not even a full 90 mins and he’s doing more than anyone else’s midfielders out there #benrahma #WestHam #coyi #WHUFC https://t.co/DRvwVp8IaC (@fflynnnn)
Twitter: What a player benrahma is. (@OwenKennedy05)
