He let them down, but Arthur Masuaku’s return is key to West Ham survival

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West Ham United returned to the London Stadium this weekend for the first time since the embarrassing scenes during the game with Burnley three weeks ago. The Hammers were thrashed by Burnley on that occasion, with fans invading the pitch and venting vitriolic frustration toward the club’s owners.

Yesterday was a completely different story. West Ham put Southampton, managed by Mark Hughes for the first time in the Premier League, to the sword. Joao Mario opened the scoring and then the darling of West Ham this season Marko Arnautovic bagged a brace, which he clearly enjoyed against former Stoke boss Hughes.

One man whose return certainly helped the Hammers is Arthur Masuaku. The Congolese made his first appearance for West Ham since the FA Cup exit to Wigan Athletic on 27th January. He was sent off in that game for spitting at Wigan attacker Nick Powell. It was a despicable act which let his team and fans down.

Because Masuaku is a key player for West Ham, which he proved yesterday afternoon.

The marauding left wing-back was in fine form on his return and left West Ham fans ecstatic at his return.

The 24-year-old was relentless in his pressing throughout the game and was a constant outlet on the left-hand touchline. To add the cherry on top of his huge display, Masuaku provided a peach of a cross for Arnautovic’s second and West Ham’s third goal.

Masuaku certainly let the team down back in January and his enforced absence has been a thorn in David Moyes’ side ever since. His energy and wicked left-foot make him a potent weapon in the 3-4-2-1 formation that Moyes fielded today.

Now he is back and West Ham fans will undoubtedly be on top of the moon to see the talented wing-back flying down the wing once again.