“JAMIE CARRAGHER LOSES HIS MIND! Two West Ham GODS Annihilate Everton, £19M Superstar Leaves Defenders in TEARS!”

For any Premier League defender, just the idea of facing the relentless crossing ability of El Hadji Malick Diouf is enough to bring about sleepless nights in the weeks ahead.

The Senegalese full-back has already made an impression that few newcomers can boast of, and his reputation continues to grow with each passing game.

Before he had even made his competitive debut for West Ham United, club legend Tony Cottee was full of praise, calling Diouf “unbelievable” and even daring to compare him to David Beckham for the accuracy and whip in his deliveries from wide areas.

For a £19 million signing from Slavia Prague, such lofty comparisons might have seemed premature, but Diouf has quickly shown why Cottee was so enthusiastic.

Niclas Fullkrug, the German forward, described Diouf as a “striker’s dream,” while club captain Jarrod Bowen went a step further, insisting the 20-year-old was “one of the best” crossers of the ball he had ever seen in the game.

It is little wonder, then, that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has now become the latest member of the rapidly growing Diouf fan club.

West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Everton may not have ended their frustrations defending set-pieces – Michael Keane was the eighth opposition player in just six matches to score against them from a dead-ball situation – but Diouf and fellow wide man Crysencio Summerville more than compensated with their dynamism down the left.

Bowen, as usual, carried the threat on the opposite flank, and the combination kept Everton constantly stretched.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Carragher admitted he was taken aback by Diouf’s display and the renewed energy Nuno Espirito Santo seemed to inject into his players at halftime. “The first half wasn’t great,” Carragher admitted.

“But Nuno sent them out early, and it had the desired effect. They were excellent down the left-hand side. Summerville’s energy caused real problems, and Diouf from left-back was absolutely outstanding, especially for the equaliser.”

The equaliser Carragher referred to came from Bowen, but it was Diouf’s electrifying surge that set everything in motion.

First, he brushed aside the imposing Jake O’Brien before turning on his turbo-charged legs to leave James Tarkowski in his wake.

Then, showing maturity beyond his years, he delivered a sumptuous cross that forced Everton into panic.

Keane’s initial clearance only delayed the inevitable, as the ball eventually fell to Bowen, who rifled home with his weaker foot.

“The pace to go past O’Brien, the way he left Tarkowski behind, it was sensational,” Carragher continued.

“That delivery across the face of goal was brilliant. He pulled one centre-back out and left the other exposed, creating the space for Bowen to score.”

Diouf’s ability to combine athleticism with precision has quickly made him one of West Ham’s most valuable weapons.

Entering the weekend, he led all full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues with three assists in just five starts.

While he didn’t add to that tally against Everton – Bowen’s strike technically came after a new phase of play – the impression he left was arguably his most commanding yet.

From the commentary gantry at Hill Dickinson Stadium, former Everton defender Andy Hinchcliffe offered glowing praise. “Extraordinary from Diouf. The quality is outstanding,” he said.

Hinchcliffe also highlighted Summerville’s contribution, describing the winger as West Ham’s best performer on the night.

“Every time Summerville got the ball, he looked like something was going to happen. West Ham showed a lot of character, and they created the better chances overall.”

At just 20 years old, Diouf is proving to be a remarkable bargain for the £19 million West Ham invested.

His blend of power, speed, and crossing accuracy has already made him one of the league’s most exciting full-backs. For opposing defenders, the daunting task of containing him is only just beginning.