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The feeling among some sections of the West Ham United support, in the aftermath of Monday’s bore draw at Crystal Palace, is that Nuno Espirito Santo missed a trick not introducing Adama Traore off the bench.
The January signing from Fulham watched on as Jarrod Bowen struggled, Crysencio Summerville tired, and the visitors’ attacking threat dissipated following an impressive first-half in South London.
Should Nuno Espirito Santo learn from many felt was a mistake on Monday evening – the looming visit of David Moyes’ Everton may be another tight, tense encounter decided by fresh legs and an inspired substitution – well, let’s just say the Toffees boss knows all about the turbo-charged threat of Adama Traore.
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David Moyes knows how devastating West Ham United’s Adama Traore can be
Back in 2020, after Adama Traore’s introduction inspired Wolves’ 2-0 away win at an empty, echoey London Stadium, Moyes became the latest in a growing collection of top-flight managers to talk up the unique talents of the Barcelona graduate.
Pep Guardiola said Traore was ‘impossible’ to deal with in full flow; scoring twice in a famous victory at the Etihad. Jurgen Klopp called him ‘undefendable’.
Moyes, seeing Pablo Fornals and Aaron Cresswell choking on Traore’s dust before he clipped a gorgeous cross into the onrushing Raul Jimenez, was left wondering what, if anything, his West Ham side could have done differently.
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images
“I thought up until they brought on Traore, we had defended quite well. We were trying to hang in there. I think the difference was when Traore came on,” Moyes said.
“We felt as if we were doing OK and hoping something would come for us, but what we got was a very strong and powerful winger coming on for Wolves and making a big difference.
“Ultimately I am disappointed we didn’t defend the crosses well. I am probably more annoyed at that, but the boy’s power and pace is hard to stop sometimes.
“I thought he put in two or three brilliant crosses when he came on. Hands up, it was excellent play.”
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While game-breaking performances such as this have been more folklore than reality in recent times, Traore’s Man of the Match display during West Ham’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Leeds a fortnight ago shows he is still capable of leaving defenders for dead when he slams his foot onto the accelerator.
It remains to be seen, though, if Nuno has learned from what some felt was a mistake on Monday night at Selhurst Park.
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