Monday, 15th September, 2014
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Enner Valencia's goal in tonight's 2-2 draw away at Hull City shows why the Hammers splashed the cash on the Ecuador striker.
Allardyce watched his team fall behind at the KC Stadium after Abel Hernandez headed the Tigers ahead on the 39th minute mark, sending Hull in 1-0 ahead at half-time.
However Valencia, who was being handed his maiden Premier League start by Allardyce, blasted home a sensational 25-yard shot, giving the Hull goalkeeper no chance and drawing the Hammers level in the 50th minute.
Hull struck back when Mo Diame, a former West Ham player, scored in the 64th minute, but Curtis Davies then deflected a Diafra Sakho shot only three minutes later to level the game up.
And 2-2 was how it finished.
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"What a goal by Enner Valencia, I think everyone has seen now why we have bought him", Allardyce told Sky Sports.
"I was up and ready to start dancing, which is not a pleasing sight, had the one gone in at the death."
And the West Ham boss, who admits he had a nervy night, was pleased with the character his side showed to claim a point.
"It was a bit hair-raising for me when you go down twice and probably don't deserve to, especially the second one when Mo Diame scored having just joined them.
"But we showed great character, I did not think there was much between the two teams."
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