Premier League: In-form Diafra Sakho surprises West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce praised Diafra Sakho after the Senegalese striker helped secure a 2-0 victory over QPR.

Sakho, a summer signing from French side Metz, now has five goals in as many games and Allardyce admits he has been surprised how quickly the striker has found his feet in England.

"I would have seen Sakho as being a player, coming from the French second division, playing maybe 10 to 15 games for us and finding out about the Premier League," said Allardyce.

"But he is so desperate to do well and his runs are so good at the opposition's defences and he seems to have the knack - and that's the hardest knack of all - of turning up in the right place at the right time.

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"So that's fantastic for him and absolutely outstanding business for us at West Ham."

Sakho and Enner Valencia have added some much-needed speed in the final third but the Hammers have also been spurred on by the form of Stewart Downing.

Playing in a more central role in the midfield diamond, Downing continued his impressive start to the season with another accomplished performance at Upton Park.

"Stewart Downing was outstanding for me - he was my man of the match," added Allardyce.

"The amount of ball we can get to him in that position in midfield, in a diamond, has been fantastic for him and for us.

"He is spraying balls all over the place and that confidence is growing again - that quality is fantastic to see."