Masuaku Rocket Adds Gloss To Victory Over Bolton

West Ham United continued their 100% home record this season after being Bolton Wanderers 3-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup at London Stadium.

After Angelo Ogbonna and Diafra Sakho scored in the first half, before a wonder strike from Arthur Masuaku late in injury time added gloss to the performance.

Manager Slaven Bilic celebrated his side’s professionalism in victory, and is already looking forward to Saturday, and the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to London Stadium.

“We did the job tonight. It was a good game, especially first half. We started really well, we scored and we didn’t stop. We should have scored more goals and we didn’t stop.

“It was a really good performance from us. Second half, we slowed it down which I didn’t like but I can understand it with a game in mind on Saturday.

“We have to continue like this and we have to build on this. We have the confidence back, we have a pattern, and let’s build on that. This was a performance which will help in that building.

“As I said before the game to the players, some players who had a game and think they should be playing, there’s only one place that you can impress me; on the pitch in a game. A number of players did that today.”

The manager continued to celebrate Arthur Masuaku’s late goal, the defender hitting the ball flush from 25 yards into the top corner. It was an exclamation point on West Ham’s performance, and a move that signified a confident player - and team - ahead of the Hammers’ derby fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

“The strike was unbelievable. It was a brilliant goal and it was a nice way to finish the game, for not only him but for the whole game and for the team,” added Bilic.

“To be fair, it is a privilege to see those kind of goals from down by the pitch. It was a wonder goal.

Austrian forward Marco Arnautovic returned from a three-match suspension to make his home debut against Bolton, and his influence was huge. Assisting both of the Hammers’ first half goals, Arnautovic was in confident mood, and a player of his quality could be the difference against a Spurs side who again will have title aspirations.

"I'm really pleased with this, how we played, how we acted,” said Arnautovic.

“Of course, we can always improve, we had many chances to score more goals, but I think we played very solid and we can progress like that.

"The first three games of the season was not West Ham, but now we're progressing and getting better.

"Bolton had nothing to lose. They came here and wanted to impress, but I think we handled this perfect. We didn't let them have any chances, we played solid and we showed good personality and this is the most important thing.

“We have done our job and played well, but the game is gone and we have to focus on Saturday.”

 

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