I’M STAR GAZING
Watching Kane and Lukaku inspires Cherries ace King
BOURNEMOUTH hat-trick hero Joshua King says studying Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku has turned him into a goal machine.
King took his season’s haul to 11 with a blistering hat-trick, which included a dramatic last-minute winner, to end Bournemouth’s nine-match winless run and boost their survival hopes.
The bargain £1m buy from Blackburn said: “I watch most Premier League games when I can and from watching Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku I can learn a lot.
“They are doing well and I want to be able to help my team the way they help theirs.
“Growing up I looked up to Thierry Henry. The way he carried Arsenal at times and won games on his own was magnificent.
“I’ve been practising a lot with the gaffer about goal instinct and getting myself in the box, whereas, normally, last year I would have been outside the box.”
Stolen
King would have had four goals but for blazing an early penalty wide, while strike partner Benik Afobe also missed from the spot, setting the tone for a crazy game.
West Ham took the lead moments after King’s spot-kick woe when Michail Antonio sliced through the home defence to net for the first time since Boxing Day.
King made amends for his wayward effort from 12 yards just after the half-hour mark when he flicked the ball over Jose Fonte’s head with his right foot before finishing with his left.
The former Blackburn striker made it 2-1 to the Cherries just after the break but the Hammers equalised late on as sub Andre Ayew slotted home from close range.
But Norway ace King grabbed the match-ball by smashing in his third after goalkeeper Darren Randolph could only parry Jack Wilshere’s shot.
King added: “I set myself a target of 15 goals at the start of the season and I’ve already nearly doubled my tally from last season.
“But I just want to help the team and try and score as many goals to climb the table.
“I’m playing in a higher position and more as a nine, whereas last year I was more of a deep 10 or playing as a winger.”
West Ham’s January signing Robert Snodgrass came off the bench but failed to make an impact.
The winger has not scored since his switch from Hull and admits he is struggling to properly settle in London.
He said: “My team-mates and the management have been superb since I joined, it couldn’t be better.
“But the only thing is that my family aren’t here. They are back at home because of school and things like that.
“I’ve got myself a flat but I’m trying to get a house so I can get the family down in the school holidays and then it will be a lot better on that side.
“Unfortunately, for myself, I haven’t been able to score, but I believe it will come and I’m looking forward to the games coming up.”