Read any match report of West Brom’s 4-2 win over West Ham and James McClean’s name will be all over it.
That’s because McClean was all over this game.
The Irish winger is his club’s hardest worker and the man that puts the most miles in his legs in every 90+ minute performance.
West Ham are going through a rough patch but they got no sympathy from WBA at The Hawthorns. McClean led the hounding charge.
From the get-go he was a man possessed. There has been a bit of money splashed at West Brom in recent months – as much as Tony Pulis may complain – and McClean was recently dropped to the sub’s bench.
He got a starting chance today and grasped it with both hands, both feet and anything else he could wrap around it.
https://twitter.com/JADERK93/status/777151824893714433
His first shot on goal arrived 90 seconds into the game. Adrian saved that but there were more coming. Nacer Chadli put West Brom 1-0 up but had to ride a storm for the next 15 minutes. McClean tracked back, put his tackles in and stopped a couple of crosses from getting into the box.
Punched out, West Ham were then punished by two goals before half-time. Salomón Rondón made it 2-0 before Chadli teed up McClean for his first Baggies goal.
He was acclaimed by the crowd and soaked it in before re-taking his place out wide. Ready to go again.
The Hammers found themselves 4-0 down after 59 minutes but did fight back and find the net twice. Nervy moments ensued but McClean was there to the death, snapping into tackles and providing that out ball to lift a siege.
His performance drew glowing praise from fans:
James McClean take a bow son👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 brilliant display #wba #BromLove ⚪️🔵⚪️🙌🏻
— Jay Hickman (@HurricaneHic147) September 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/Ellis_Samizdat/status/777175437592162305
James McClean take a bow, unbelievable work rate today and put some quality crosses in 👏👏 #wba
— Gareth Jones (@GmJones90) September 17, 2016
Chadli finished with two goals and two assists but there were plenty of calls for McClean to get man-of-the match
James McClean man of the match for me.
— Lizzie 💕 (@ehayward93) September 17, 2016
One supporter had a novel way of sorting the MOTM dilemma
Nader Chadli and James McClean.. Give them both man of the match #wba
— Rachel Catherine (@x_RachelC) September 17, 2016
He’s ticking along nicely.
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