Michail Antonio’s performance for West Ham proved Manuel Pellegrini wrong

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Making his first start in over two months, Michail Antonio had a point to prove as he stepped out onto the field at the London Stadium on Saturday to face Manchester City.

The scoreline did not end well for the Hammers, but Antonio’s bright display, hitting the woodwork in the process, was one of very few highlights for Manuel Pellegrini.

Having slipped down the pecking order below the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko, Grady Diangana and Robert Snodgrass, it was a much needed display from the winger who was linked with a £15 million exit in the summer by Sky Sports.

Winning more than half of his aerial duels, Antonio showed that he was not afraid to get stuck in and do the dirty work, yet he also broke forwards well and made two crosses and also went close with one effort on target and another hitting the woodwork.

After such a performance, Pellegrini will surely be left with no choice but to call upon the versatile former Nottingham Forest man for upcoming fixtures.

With an easier run of fixtures coming up, facing the likes of Newcastle, Cardiff and Fulham, Antonio’s threat in attack could be more than welcome.