West Ham fans ramp up campaign for Craig Dawson to win BALLON D’OR after heroic Lyon goal despite busted nose
WEST HAM cult hero Craig Dawson has fans campaigning for him to win the BALLON D'OR after his goal scoring heroics against Lyon in the Europa League.
And all that with a completely busted nose!
David Moyes' happy Hammers went into Thursday's game level with their French opposition after playing out a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium last week.
And with a first European semi-final in 46 years on the line, cult hero Dawson stepped up to the plate and powered West Ham ahead in the 38th minute.
The centre-back, whose £2million summer signing was heavily scrutinised, got free of his marker and steered his header inside the near post.
West Ham grabbed a second just before half-time.
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Captain Declan Rice kept his cool and slotted the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
And Jarrod Bowen added a historic third not long after the restart to win the tie 4-1 on aggregate.
Dawson was Man of the Match in both legs of the Europa League quarter-final tie.
And the experienced defender's stunning form has fans calling for him to win the Ballon d'Or.
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Fans on social media showed off their new 'Ballon d'Orson' banner, which they unveiled in France.
One said on Twitter: "Craig Dawson deserves the Ballon d’Or an England call up and free Stella for life."
Another said: "Craig Dawson for Ballon D’Or 2022."
There are also shouts for Dawson to be on the plane to Qatar with England for the World Cup.
A Hammers fan said: "I better be seeing Craig Dawson in Qatar."
Dawson or Tyrone Mings? It could be a debate.
A Dawson enthusiast declared: "Craig Dawson should have more of a claim for Qatar than Mings, been top all season."
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The Englishman also picked up this third bloodied nose in three consecutive games.
Dawson's fine header also means he has more goals in the quarter-finals of European competitions in the 2020s than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have between them.