West Ham United breezed past Newcastle United 2-0 this past weekend and with that, the Hammers have now moved within just four points from that elusive seventh spot on the table.
Midfielder Declan Rice opened the scoring in the seventh minute and then it was Mark Noble who added the insurance goal from the penalty spot right before half-time.
But what surprised everyone during the game was the inclusion of Manuel Lanzini in the starting XI.
Manuel Lanzini ruptured his ligament right before the 2018 World Cup and initially, the attacking midfielder had been ruled out for the whole of the 2018-19 season.
But the Argentine managed to recover before time and came on as a substitute vs Manchester City last month.
And everyone was expecting the same scenario to unfold this week too.
Pellegrini though, had other ideas as he not only chose to hand Manuel Lanzini his first start in months but the attacking midfielder also lasted the full 90 minutes.
After the match, many fans had shown concerns over the fitness of Manuel Lanzini claiming that the player might just have been pushed to action in a hurry.
But now the 26-year-old has given an update after the win vs the Magpies.
“I am feeling good now, I am feeling happy,” Manuel Lanzini said.
“It was a long injury, it was eight months and it was difficult at the time, but now I am feeling good and I am close to being 100 per cent, so I am happy about that.
“The knee is strong. I don’t have any swelling which is good and, of course, I do feel nervous to play again as it has been a long time.
“The first 90 minutes [since my injury was against Newcastle] and I was nervous but now I am feeling happy.”
