We take a look at Mark Noble's impressive penalty record
He might not have had too much opportunity to showcase his ability from twelve yards this season – but there can be no doubting that Mark Noble is Mr Reliable when it comes to taking penalties.
The two he stuck past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes on Wednesday took his tally to three from three in 2015/16, and 26 from 29 in total for West Ham United.
That leaves his penalty conversion record at an impressive 90% - and that figure is boosted yet further when you consider he has missed just one of his last 21 attempts.
Penalty takers of his ilk are hard to find, and the Hammers skipper clearly learned from the experience of having two of his first eight saved – by Hull stopper Matt Duke and Chelsea’s Petr Cech – to become virtually unstoppable from the spot since.
Indeed, there was a feeling of shock at the Boleyn Ground when, having sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, the ball rolled the wrong side of the post.
Since then, the No16 has compiled a run of four successful attempts and it would take a brave man to bet against him extending that.
Hammers fans and Slaven Bilic would argue that he should have had far more opportunity to add to his tally this season than he has been given, but with West Ham’s last two games seeing the award of five penalties, maybe all the spot kicks have been saved for the end of the campaign!
The two he stuck past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes on Wednesday took his tally to three from three in 2015/16, and 26 from 29 in total for West Ham United.
That leaves his penalty conversion record at an impressive 90% - and that figure is boosted yet further when you consider he has missed just one of his last 21 attempts.
Penalty takers of his ilk are hard to find, and the Hammers skipper clearly learned from the experience of having two of his first eight saved – by Hull stopper Matt Duke and Chelsea’s Petr Cech – to become virtually unstoppable from the spot since.
Indeed, there was a feeling of shock at the Boleyn Ground when, having sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, the ball rolled the wrong side of the post.
Since then, the No16 has compiled a run of four successful attempts and it would take a brave man to bet against him extending that.
Hammers fans and Slaven Bilic would argue that he should have had far more opportunity to add to his tally this season than he has been given, but with West Ham’s last two games seeing the award of five penalties, maybe all the spot kicks have been saved for the end of the campaign!