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Before kick-off at Selhurst Park, a graphic flashed up during Sky Sports’ live coverage. Axel Disasi, the West Ham United defender on loan from Chelsea, had four clean sheets from his first eight Premier League matches since February 1st.
Two hours later, the France international had five from nine.
Two days after Chelsea left Matheus Cunha free to fire Manchester United ten points clear in the Champions League battle, Axel Disasi produced another commanding central defensive performance. The type of which Liam Rosenior could only dream of amid his current crop of error-prone Stamford Bridge centre-halves.
Two points dropped or one point gained? 🤔
Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side outplayed Crystal Palace in the opening 45 minutes. As the visitors turned the screw after the interval, introducing Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, West Ham United needed Disasi, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mads Hermansen at their most dependable.
Axel Disasi shines for West Ham United as Chelsea lose again
Much to the frustration of a Chelsea fanbase who have seen their side ship 16 goals in five Premier League and Champions League matches, Disasi again showed his parent club what they are missing.
“Axel Disasi might actually be Chelsea’s best centre-back,” one writes on X, while another argues that ‘Disasi has improved with his defending’ since joining forces with a coach who constructed rock-solid, Europa League-qualifying backlines at both Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse /Getty Images
“Of course Disasi becomes prime ‘JT’ [John Terry] when he’s left Chelsea on loan…”
“Sky Sports just showed a stat of Axel Disasi helping West Ham to four clean sheets in last eight. Meanwhile Chelsea, who exiled him, haven’t had one in 11 games. This club is getting karma…
“The case of Disasi is a perfect example of how truly moronic our fanbase is. After the abuse he received, there is no way he’s coming back.”
“Disasi is better than all our centre-backs this season.”
“I was [in the] ‘Disasi hive’. He’s good but people always defend kids like [Wesley] Fofana or Tosin [Adarabioyo].”
Pick your Man of the Match after Palace 0-0 West Ham!
Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images Selhurst Park clean sheet for Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos
Disasi completed 10 clearances at Selhurst Park, twice as many as Mavropanos.
The former Monaco man did get away with a rare mistake in the 82nd minute, though. Disasi headed the ball up rather than out, and was extremely fortunate that Mateta had controlled the ball with his arm before Sarr fired home.
Still, if there was a moment which summed up West Ham’s defensive resilience since his deadline day arrival, it came eight minutes later. Disasi sent the ball out of play with a crunching sliding tackle. From the resulting long throw, Mavropanos rose like a salmon to slam it clear.
On a day when the Hammers’ attack struggled, their defence ensured that they are now a small but significant point closer to safety.
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