Freddie Potts can be new shining light for West Ham after impact helps give Hammers gets lift-off | OneFootball

Academy graduate Potts starred on his first Premier League as West Ham beat Newcastle to record their first win under Nuno Espirito Santo

It seemed almost impossible to wipe the grin off Freddie Potts’ face as he wheeled away in celebration after firing home from close range before heading for the corner flag to bask in the adoration of the West Ham fans. Then the offside flag intervened.

Potts’ disallowed goal mattered little in the end, as Tomas Soucek sealed the three points in stoppage time.

"There is a lot of noise from outside, so it's important that we stick together,” Potts said after the match.

After Mark Noble and Declan Rice, West Ham appear to have stumbled upon another midfielder with a sensible haircut who makes sensible decisions.

Potts celebrates before his goal is disallowed

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Potts names Rice among his idols, along with his father Steve, who is a former Hammer, part of Nuno’s backroom staff and watched on from the bench as his son was crowned man of the match on his first Premier League start.

It was a performance for the whole family to be proud of.

Potts, a lifelong West Ham fan, had a bit of everything in his performance against Newcastle, with the 22-year-old making as many final-third entries as tackles in what was a domineering display against one of the Premier League’s sternest midfields.

"He played his position with real understanding," said former West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick on Match of the Day, adding that his performance was "disciplined and mature".

West Ham fans love to rally behind a homegrown hero in the centre of the park, and Nuno recognised Potts’ influence as the Hammers secured their first home win in nine months.

“I think it was really important. The midfielders today worked very hard off the ball. All of them,” Nuno said. “All of them was required against Newcastle. If you free up the middle of the park, Bruno, Joelinton, and Tonali, they can really hurt you, and Freddie did well. He did a very good game.”

Potts does not quite have the lung-busting athleticism of Rice, and he would do incredibly well to get anywhere near the level of the now-Arsenal midfielder, but Nuno will understand the value he holds not just in cajoling his midfield but also West Ham’s fanbase.

Potts’ ascendancy is an easy win for the club on and off the pitch.

Some of Nuno’s decision-making as West Ham boss have been questionable as he tries to settle on a team he can trust.

Deciding to start Potts, though, was an easy decision with an effective answer.