'Everything you need': Carlton Cole lauds £52k-a-week West Ham star

West Ham United defender Craig Dawson has been lauded by Carlton Cole on BT Sport after his heroics against Lyon.

The 31-year-old played a crucial role in helping the Hammers reach their first European semi-final in nearly 50 years.

West Ham, who drew 1-1 at the London Stadium in the first leg, had to withstand plenty of pressure early on.

But once David Moyes’ charges found the net, they never looked back.

Dawson got the Hammers up and running with a superb near-post header from Pablo Fornals’ corner on 38 minutes.

Declan Rice then made it two with a deflected strike after Ben Johnson’s cross was cleared into his path.

And three minutes after the break, West Ham added their third, with the Lyon defence floundering once again.

A sensational pass from Fornals sent Jarrod Bowen through on goal, and he swept a fine finish past Julian Pollersbeck.

The hosts offered little in the way of a response as the Hammers saw the game out for a historic European victory.

“No-one on that field matching him”

Cole, speaking on BT Sport – via the Daily Mail – loved what he saw from the £52,000-a-week star in France.

“He gets there by sheer determination, drive,” said the former Hammers striker after Dawson’s goal.

“Everything you need from ‘Ballon d’Orson’! Everything you need from a footballer of his ilk.

“He is a special person to have on that pitch because he’s the one who’s going to lead that team to victory. You can see (it).

“He had a few that came his way (before his goal), and his eyes are fully focused on the ball.

“He knows on that field, in the air, there’s no-one on that field matching him. So I’m really happy he got onto the end of that.”

West Ham have set up a semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Bundesliga side beat Barcelona 3-2 at the Nou Camp to win 4-3 on aggregate.

An all-British final could be on the cards, with Rangers taking on RB Leipzig in the other semi-final.