West Ham United icon Joe Cole saw the ‘brilliant’ Axel Disasi nearly open his account in spectacular style before Nuno Espirito Santo’s side saw off Brentford in an FA Cup fifth-round penalty shoot out.
In the lead up to Monday’s 7.30pm kick-off at the London Stadium, claims emerged stating that Chelsea loanee Disasi is open to signing a permanent deal with the club he joined five weeks ago.
Axel Disasi is already a fan favourite – the in-form Frenchman has excelled at centre-half as Mads Hermansen puts together an impressive run of clean sheets – but West Ham United’s most impactful winter signing came within a whisker of securing legendary status with a rasping 30-yard drive at the end of extra time.
We win it on pens 😎 Do you fancy us to beat Leeds and book a trip to Wembley?!
Joe Cole lauds West Ham United duo Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos
The France international’s audacious strike fizzed narrowly over Caoimhin Kelleher’s crossbar.
“I think if he’s a bit further out, that maybe dips in!” Joe Cole, who won the FA Cup twice with Chelsea, said on TNT Sports.
“He’s been brilliant tonight, Disasi.”
Fellow centre-half Konstantinos Mavropanos would have his moment in the sun, thumping an emphatic penalty past Kelleher to set up a quarter-final clash with Leeds United.
An unexpected spot-kick taker, maybe, but clearly a very confident one.
“The two centre-halves are crucial. Gives them a nice platform,” adds Cole. “[Mateus] Fernandes has been outstanding, obviously [Crysencio] Summerville and [Jarrod] Bowen do what they do, so it’s all looking good.
“But it’s so tight down the bottom.”
Captain Bowen converted a penalty won by Adama Traore just before half-time, having already scored a close-range volley to end a four-match goal drought.
The skipper completed a hat-trick of sorts when he beat Kelleher again from 12 yards in the shoot-out, with Taty Castellanos, Callum Wilson and Tomas Soucek also on target before Mavropanos lashed into the top corner.
“Every penalty from West Ham was high [in the net]. It was outstanding,” Cole beamed. “You get the feeling this might just be our year. It’s a long time since West Ham went to the semi-finals of the FA Cup so [facing Leeds in the quarters] is a massive carrot!”
Who was West Ham’s BEST PLAYER against Brentford?! 🤔
Jarrod Bowen urges the Hammers to build on penalty triumph
Bowen dreams of FA Cup glory at West Ham, meanwhile. He admitted as much in pre-season, and that dream is becoming that little bit more vivid with every extra-time triumph.
“It’s a special feeling. I look back to the QPR game [in the third round] where our season – I don’t want to say ‘started’ – but we knew that was a chance to turn our season around. We’ve done that in the Premier League and tonight was the same thing,” Bowen said immediately after the final penalty hit the Brentford net.
“It was important to put in a good performance. I think every FA Cup game we’ve had has gone to extra time, but we want to get to the final. We want silverware. It’s a dream of mine to win it. We’ve got a long way to go, but tonight was a really, really big night for everyone to be involved in.
“Confidence comes from winning games. Winning on penalties makes it a little bit more special.
“We haven’t been good enough this season, but we are in the business end now. Things are on the up for us, but we have to keep doing it, demanding it, and reaching the level.
“Leeds are a really, really good side as well, but you saw what we did tonight at home against a Premier League side. Now, it’s important to rest up because 120 minutes on the legs is not good for anyone!”
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