West Ham United’s two January striker signings have now scored four Premier League goals under Nuno Espirito Santo. Unfortunately for Pablo Felipe, all four of those belong to Taty Castellanos.
Castellanos netted the third-fastest brace in recorded Premier League history as the Hammers cruised past Wolves at the London Stadium. His teammate is still awaiting his moment in the sun.
But at least Pablo, much-maligned in recent weeks and a shoot-out villain during the FA Cup defeat by Leeds, ended his eleven-match wait for a first ‘goal contribution’ in a West Ham United shirt.
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After the returning Crysencio Summerville intercepted the ball from under Matheus Mane’s nose, Castellanos and Pablo Felipe exchanged passes, the latter ingeniously flicking the ball into the former as the home side doubled their lead just past the hour mark.
And Nuno Espirito Santo feels it is only a matter of time now before one January signing joins the other on the scoresheet.
Nuno Espirito Santo is backing Pablo Felipe at West Ham United
“The work that they do off the ball is very important for the boys in the back four, in the midfield, because they block lines, they work hard off the ball,” Nuno says of his two workhorses up top.
“And we need our strikers to score. We need our strikers to score. So like we mentioned about Dinos [Mavropanos], Taty, the confidence, for Pablo, the goals will come.
“Confidence plays a big part, big part.”
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Pablo did force Jose Sa into a fine first-half save when he drilled a shot towards the near post at the London Stadium. This was about as close as he has come to opening his account in English football.
Castellanos was quick to highlight Pablo’s contributions, meanwhile, on a night where both he and centre-back Mavropanos hit braces. The first time that has happened since John Hartson and Paul Kitson ripped Sheffield Wednesday to shreds all the way back in 1997.
“Very, very, very happy. We won!” a beaming Castellanos told Sky Sports. “Very happy. [Pablo] is a really, really good player. Very happy for the group and for the people [connected with West Ham].”
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