Premier League
Sep 10, 2016 3.00pm
2
4
HT : 2 2
FT
  • Michail Antonio 6' goal
  • Simone Zaza 12' yellowcard
  • Michail Antonio 33' goal
  • Sam Byram 84' yellowcard
  • goal Odion Ighalo 32'
  • yellowcard Valon Behrami 42'
  • yellowcard Craig Cathcart 42'
  • goal Troy Deeney 45'
  • goal Etienne Capoue 53'
  • goal Jose Holebas 64'
  • yellowcard Stefano Okaka 86'

Dimitri Payet responds to Troy Deeney criticism

Payet responds to Troy Deeney criticism

West Ham United attacker Dimitri Payet has defended his use of the 'rabona' during his team's 4-2 defeat to Watford in the Premier League last weekend.

With the Hammers leading 1-0 at the London Stadium, Payet produced an audacious rabona cross to allow Michail Antonio to score his second goal of the match inside 33 minutes against the Hornets.

After the match, Watford captain Troy Deeney claimed that his team felt that West Ham were trying to 'mug them off', but Payet has insisted that his use of the skill was purely 'instinctive'.

"It was something that came instinctively to me at that time in the game," Payet told West Ham's official website. "I thought that it was the best thing to do at that moment and I did it and it worked. When it works, the skill becomes even more impressive.

"If it worked every time, then of course [I would use it]. Unfortunately, it is not a piece of skill that you can use every time, so we will have to see."

Payet scored 12 times in 38 appearances during his debut season at West Ham before helping France reach the final of the European Championships earlier this summer.

Author photo

Written by

Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe