Erling Haaland has scored a staggering 11 goals in seven meetings with West Ham United. Then again, the Manchester City striker has not come up against a Hammers side with Axel Disasi marshalling the backline.
Believe it or not, Erling Haaland has scored only two open play goals since his brace against the Hammers in December. That is two in 17 games across all competitions.
Yet, even the most optimistic West Ham United supporter surely won’t be heading to the London Stadium this afternoon daring to write off their own personal bogeyman.
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Axel Disasi was not yet a West Ham player when Haaland twice converted past Alphonse Areola nearly three months ago, though.
The Frenchman’s imperious performance when Chelsea held Man City to a 1-1 draw in February 2024 is something Nuno Espirito Santo will be calling on Disasi to replicate in tonight’s 8pm kick-off.
West Ham United’s Axel Disasi silenced Erling Haaland at Chelsea
Up against a centre-forward who ended that season with 38 goals in 45 games, Disasi was faultless. His tally of 16 clearances was the most made by a Premier League centre-half throughout the campaign.
On Sky Sports, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher could not shake feeling that he had just witnessed one of the best performances by a Chelsea defender since John Terry’s heyday.
“I can’t remember a better defensive performance this season, certainly from a central defender,” Carragher said.
“Coming away to Manchester City, playing against the best striker in the world, [Disasi] was brilliant. He was the man of the match. He was the best player on the pitch.”
Football London described Disasi’s peerless performance as ‘stunning’. The Athletic called him Chelsea’s ‘man mountain’. A mountain even Haaland could not conquer.
“I’m proud of the performance of the team,” Disasi said after what was arguably his standout match in English football.
“We played very, very well all together. We showed we can struggle together, stick together, and fight for each other.”
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Nuno Espirito Santo hails Disasi’s impact
Needless to say, West Ham will have to do their fair share of ‘struggling’ and ‘fighting’ if they are to end their 11-year wait for a Premier League victory over Manchester City tonight.
But with Disasi at the heart of Nuno’s backline these days, even a striker boasting eleven goals in seven meetings with the Hammers no longer feels quite so invincible.
“He’s helped us,” Nuno said of the Chelsea loanee in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “He’s one more option in our backline. He integrated himself really, really well in terms of the squad.
“The squad helped him with integrating and communicating, and he’s doing really well. The connection in the backline is helping a lot, so credit to him.”
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