Jordan Ayew on answering his critics and admits he was unaware objects thrown after his Crystal Palace winner at West Ham
BY ROB SUTHERLAND
Jordan Ayew secured all three points for Crystal Palace with a late winner at West Ham United on Saturday, but it was a goal that relied on VAR for it to be awarded after the linesman erroneously flagged it offside.
The Eagles picked up a 2-1 victory in east London. But needed the technology to correctly rule on the Ghana striker’s effort.
“It was a tense moment,” said Ayew about the VAR delay.
“Bu things went in our favour and I was happy. When it took so long I knew it was a goal.”
The striker capitalised on a knock down from Martin Kelly to prod the ball past West Ham goalkeeper Roberto, only to see the linesman’s flag raised.
“For me, it was onside and I didn’t see any problem with it. But now, with VAR, things sometimes get a bit more complicated. It has its positives and negatives but I got the positives this time.”
After the goal was awarded, the striker ran to a corner of the London Stadium, much to the annoyance of West Ham fans in that area of the stadium, with some throwing objects at him as he celebrated.
“My family were up in a box, that’s where I went to celebrate my goal. I didn’t get hit by any bottles, I didn’t even know until you told me,” he said.
Ayew has faced down critics over the course of the last season, proving them wrong with three goals so far this campaigns. It’s a scenario he’s understandably happy with.
“Critics are part of the game,” he said. “I try to do my best, if I’m here it’s because I have quality. I try to play my quality and I try to do my best.
“I feel settled, I’m very happy. The manager believes in me, the chairman has belief in me, the club and staff have faith in me. Everything is positive.”
PICTURE BY KEITH GILLARD
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