Ayew took his chance, says Bilic after League Cup exploit

Prince Narkortu Teye

Ayew took his chance, says Bilic after League Cup exploit image

There was a rare start for Andre Ayew in West Ham United's League Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and the Ghanaian certainly did not spurn the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting spot. 

The Black Star emerged hero at Wembley Stadium as his double drew the Hammers level from two goals down before Angelo Ogbonna notched the winner.

Ayew was one of many new faces in Slaven Bilic's starting XI following a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to new boys Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Friday.

"I made nine changes to the team on Wednesday night and the boys who came into the side have given me and my staff a positive headache when it comes to picking the team for Saturday," Bilic said as reported by his club's official website.

"I’ve always said it is about the squad and there is no space for individuals. Whoever plays on Saturday knows that. We will need all of them over the course of the season.

"We wanted to go through to the quarter-finals. OK, one or two of them were rested, but only because we believe in the guys behind them and that they deserve to play – the likes of Sam Byram, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice, Edimilson Fernandes and Andre Ayew – and they took their chance.

"We have two days to prepare for Palace, which is not ideal, but the win gives us energy and freshness and nobody felt tired and there were no long faces at the training ground on Thursday morning."

Ayew could be rewarded with his fifth league start of the season when West Ham play away to Crystal Palace in the English topflight on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has featured in eight of nine West Ham league games this campaign, half of his appearances of which have come from the bench.

 

Prince Narkortu Teye