All the talk was understandably about Sebastien Haller and Declan Rice as the dust had settled on West Ham United’s win at Sheffield United.
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Rice was the best player on the pitch once again in what is becoming something of a recurring theme with West Ham in the Premier League this season.
And Haller relieved some of the pressure that weighs on his £45 million shoulders with West Ham’s winning goal. A fine one it was too.
West Ham’s best start to a season for five years
The fact is West Ham’s best start to a season comes down to quality and consistent performances from the team as a whole.
But David Moyes showed his appreciation for one particular unsung hero after the win at Bramall Lane, Fabian Balbuena.
With his contract up next summer, the Paraguayan looked certain to be shipped out by the Hammers after failing to impress Moyes last season.
But Issa Diop’s poor pre-season form and injury gave the South American another chance.
And he has not let anyone down.
Moyes sings the praises of unsung hero Balbuena
Like many at West Ham, Balbuena is seemingly better suited to Moyes’s wingback formation.
The ?-year-old is less exposed in a back three and his reading of the game comes to the fore.
‘Commitment’ was the key word from Moyes after the victory over the Blades.
And the Scot was particularly delighted with Balbuena’s commitment after he travelled over 12,000 miles during the international break, arriving back in England on Thursday night before making the trip to Sheffield and putting in a solid performance.
“I’m really pleased for Fabian Balbuena because he was a concern whether we should use him or not as he was in South America,” Moyes told whufc.com.
‘Credit to him’
“He had the games for Paraguay and didn’t get back until 5pm on Thursday evening, and everyone is aware of the type of jet lag you’ll go through with that.
“So great credit to him, it’s another clean sheet.
“We’re not going to do well enough if we don’t defend well enough, and we’ve started to pick up a few clean sheets, so long may that continue.”
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