Slaven Bilic says Dimitri Payet's strike was a 'Lionel Messi goal'

By Andrew Dickson

Slaven Bilic says he's happy his West Ham side have picked up a point at home to Middlesbrough but is disappointed it wasn't all three as they drew 1-1

Slaven Bilic believes Dimitri Payet scored a goal Lionel Messi would have been proud of as he earned West Ham a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

Payet's excellent individual effort cancelled out Christhian Stuani's header as both clubs ended runs of defeats - four successively in West Ham's case.

Bilic was not happy to take just one point from a fixture but was at least encouraged by the response he got after last week's 3-0 home defeat to Southampton.

In particular, he had praise for Payet's contribution after he ran past five men before shooting beyond Victor Valdes.

Bilic said: "It was an unbelievable goal. It was a great goal which brought us back into the game and it's only a shame it wasn't a winning goal.

Advertisement
Image: Payet went past five men before scoring beyond Victor Valdes to make it 1-1

"It stands out. First of all, it was a goal that brought us back into the game and the way he scored the goal is quite amazing.

"It was such an individual goal with the highest class. I don't see those kinds of goals from many players.

Also See:

"You see free-kicks, you see volleys, scissor kicks, all different types of goals, but this was like Messi's goals.

"In this situation, you need that class. You need a moment of class from your best player to lift the whole team up.

This video is only available on Skysports.com.
Open to watch

"It was a brilliant, brilliant moment of magic. But we can't rely on him doing that every week.

"The response from the whole team, of course, - and especially from him with his goal - was good and was positive. It's one of the positive things we have to take out from this game."

Watch the Ryder Cup on NOW TV

Get a NOW TV Week Pass for £10.99. No contract.

Bilic conceded he was more heartened by his team's performance than their result as they took their fourth point of the campaign.

Image: Slaven Bilic's West Ham side have now won just one of their first seven league games this season

He added: "Okay, we stopped that losing streak with a point but we were looking for three. To be fair, the guys did everything.

"They showed character, spirit and quality. That's what I asked from them, it's what I demanded from them and they have done it.

"It was not enough to win the game and at the moment we are not playing great football in terms of creating a lot of chances.

Image: Cristhian Stuani (left) celebrates scoring Middlesbrough's opener with a header confirmed by goal line technology

"We were looking for three points. We are not happy with a draw at home, with the greatest of respect to Middlesbrough.

"But we showed a lot of positive things and every point in the Premier League can be crucial in the end.

"It was a fighting game, a working game and although we are not happy with the result, there were a lot of positives in our performance."

Watch every minute of the Ryder Cup, plus Premier League football and the Malaysia Grand Prix, on NOW TV for £10.99. No contract.

Outbrain