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[이데일리 스타in 이석무 기자] Jesse Lingard (29), who was a’ugly duckling’ at Manchester United, turned into a gorgeous’swan’ by scoring multi-goals in his debut match as soon as he put on his West Ham United uniform.
Lingard scored two goals in an away match in the 22nd round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2020-21 season against Aston Villa held at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on the 4th (Korean time), leading West Ham’s 3-1 victory.
Lingard, who had never competed in the EPL game at Manchester United this season, took a chance to start the day as soon as he made a loan transfer from the transfer market to West Ham in January. West Ham coach David Moyes used Lingard as a second-line attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Lingard didn’t show much of that in the first half. However, in the second half, the unique fast speed and shooting ability was demonstrated. Lingard shook the net with a strong left-footed shot after a cross from Mikhail Antonio from the right flank in the 11th minute of the second half, ahead of West Ham 1-0. In the 38th minute of the second half of the lead, he received Antonio’s pass and scored a key goal with a right foot shot.
It is Lingard’s first time since Trevor Sinclair in January 1998 that a West Ham player scored more than two goals in his team debut. On this day, Lingard recorded a total of 6 shots (3 effective shots) and the pass success rate reached 91%. Of course, the best player in the match was his job.
Lingard, who participated in the league game for the first time since July of last year, said, “I came here to play soccer and play soccer.” “I scored 2 goals, but it is more important that the team get 3 points.” I expressed my feelings. “It was helpful to have some familiar faces,” he added. “Thanks to the team’s good work, I was able to adapt quickly and easily play with Antonio and Declan Rice.”
West Ham, led by former Manchester United Command Tower coach Moyes, has been in fifth place, continuing a terrifying rise with five wins (one loss) in recent six games. The difference between 4th place Liverpool, who lost 0-1 to Brighton on the same day, was only 2 points.