The Premier League has denied Lucas Paqueta an assist on a technicality after a magical pass in the West Ham win over Man United.
West Ham were inspired by their Brazilian magnifico Lucas Paqueta as they beat Manchester United 2-0 at the London Stadium.
The Hammers moved up to sixth in the Premier League table for Christmas after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus put Man United to the sword.
But it was Paqueta who stole the show with a man of the match display, laying on both goals with exquisite defence-splitting passes.
Premier League deny Paqueta assist
West Ham fans and even David Moyes have been proudly trumpeting the fact that Paqueta has laid on all five of West Ham’s goals in the wins over Wolves and Man United.
But that’s not actually the case it seems.
Because the Premier League have denied Lucas Paqueta an assist on a technicality after a magical pass in the West Ham win over Man United.
The Brazil midfielder delicately lifted the ball over the Man United defence with the outside of his foot to the onrushing Bowen to bundle home and make it 1-0.
Man United defender Luke Shaw even praised Paqueta’s class pass after the game.
Stat’s not on
But he will not – rather ridiculously – get an official assist for the touch of genius.
Because Red Devils goalkeeper Andre Onana saved Bowen’s initial shot, Paqueta will not get the official assist he deserves.
Of course in reality it matters very little as anyone watching the game would have seen it was the Brazil star who clearly made the goal.
But in an age where statistics mean everything in football it is a shame for the Hammers talisman.
So officially Paqueta has four assists and not five in the last two games. And he is being denied arguably the best of the lot.
But Hammers fans know the truth.
After the game Man United great Paul Scholes paid Paqueta the ultimate compliment by comparing him to his former teammate and fellow legend Eric Cantona.
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