West Ham United manager David Moyes admits he wishes he had given more minutes to Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals this season after his stunning goal in the second half against Bournemouth.
The Spaniard was bought on for the final 25 minutes of the game against the Cherries on Sunday afternoon and seven minutes after replacing Said Benrahma, completed the scoring in the 4-0 win with an acrobatic scorpion kick at the end of a Jarrod Bowen cross.
Fornals, who played 54 times for David Moyes’ side has struggled for minutes this season and although he has made 41 appearances in all competitions, he has played just over 1,100 minutes in his 26 Premier League appearances, starting just 12 league games all term.
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Not only did Fornals score one of the goals of the season, he almost got an assist too when fellow substitute Maxwel Cornet converted at the end of his cross to make it 5-0, only to see the goal ruled out for offside.
Fornals was seen with tears in his eyes after the goal and was shown love by the away supporters in attendance, with Moyes singing his praises after the win and the goal.
“Let me tell you, he is a brilliant, brilliant team player,” said Moyes. “He’s a great lad. He’s probably not had enough minutes and I’ve found it difficult to find him [some]. It’s not because of his form, because he’s a really great player.
“I hope we can, I hope we can find a way of getting him more minutes because what Pablo does, Pablo scores goals as well as his all-round play and it’s been pretty difficult to give him as much as time. I’m sure he was emotional, because he wants to play and today, he deserved it.
“I think nearly set up another one as well, he set up the one for Maxi so he was on the verge of a goal and assist and he was maybe on for only 20 minutes or so. I’m really pleased for Pablo.”
Asked if he had seen the goal back, Moyes admitted he had not had the chance prior to do his post-match press conference.
However, he says that the goal helped limit the Cherries chances of a late comeback, adding it is a knack that Fornals has in his locker.
“I’ve not seen it back yet,” added Moyes. “I was just thrilled that we got it because even at three, you were always saying if they get a goal, you can always put yourself [under].
“More so than ever, we are seeing teams coming from comebacks and we were 2-0 down last week. We saw Arsenal Southampton, 3-1 and a comeback, you never know at the moment how these things are going.
“It’ll be a good goal for everyone to look at, I don’t know if you've seen it but as I said, he’s got the ability, this boy, of getting goals and getting in goal-scoring positions. I’m really pleased for him.”
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