---
title: "David Moyes praises Vladimir Coufal’s performance in Palace draw"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2020/12/17/david-moyes-praises-vladimir-coufals-performance-in-palace-draw/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2020-12-17T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-17T14:00:00Z"
---

# David Moyes praises Vladimir Coufal’s performance in Palace draw

[David Moyes](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/17/david-moyes-insists-west-ham-wont-sell-issa-diop-in-january/) labelled [Vladimir Coufal](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/irons-fans-love-training-footage-coufal-benrahma/) as [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/17/hulk-willing-to-take-pay-cut-as-west-ham-show-interest/)‘s best player in his side’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at the London Stadium.

The Czech right-back was imperious throughout as he dealt with the visitors’ dangerman Wilfried Zaha and [set up the remarkable equaliser](https://www.skysports.com/football/west-ham-vs-c-palace/report/428963) for Sebastien Haller.

Coufal, a summer signing for the Irons, made five successful tackles on the night – the most of any West Ham player, as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485308/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-West-Ham-Crystal-Palace).

Following the match, Moyes was unreserved in his praise of the 28-year-old’s performance, saying (as per [Football.London](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/fixtures-results/every-word-david-moyes-said-19473278)): ”I thought he was our best player tonight, I thought he played really well. He’s got an assist but more importantly, he knew he’d have a really tough job up against Zaha and I thought he did it well.”

The manager also declared he was aware of the [threat posed by Zaha](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/zaha-neymar-crystal-palace-bolasie/13wc0cg4ngfd414kqbusl5w60i#:~:text=Wilfried%20Zaha%20has%20%E2%80%9Ca%20Neymar,of%20headaches%20for%20opposition%20defenders.) and the left flank for the Eagles, and backed his full-back to cope, saying: ”We knew how good they were down the left but I have to say he played well, the ball for the goal was good but he put in two or three other crosses.”

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Coufal was outstanding on the night, especially given his challenge in keeping Zaha quiet, and as such was rated 8.3 by [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/vladimir-coufal/138024) – the [highest rating of any player](https://www.sofascore.com/player/vladimir-coufal/138024) on the night.

Signed for what now seems a [snip at £5m](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/02/west-ham-sign-vladimir-coufal-from-slavia-prague-5m-transfer-news), the Czech Republic international is fast becoming a leading contender for being the [signing of the summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/transfers/verein/379)for the Irons.