Noble about to pay up for Jesse’s form
JESSE LINGARD has cost his West Ham captain Mark Noble a fortune as he leads the Hammers’ charge towards a Champions League miracle.
Noble promised Lingard he would foot the bill for an evening out in London, and an overnight stay at the five-star Corinthia hotel inWestminster – where rooms start at around £450-a-night – if he contributed eight goals towards the Irons’ march on Europe.
The England forward, surplus to requirements at Manchester United but already East End royalty, reached Noble’s target with two goals in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Leicester.
Now West Ham are seven games from landing the big prize – a top-four finish nobody thought was possible after last season’s close shave with relegation.
Since Lingard announced himself with two goals on debut in the 3-1 win at Aston Villa two months ago, the Hammers have taken 20 points from 10 games.
Noble laughed: “As much as Jesse’s goals were fantastic, I had a bet with him when he first came to the club that if he scored eight goals, I’d pay for a night out for him – and a stay in the Corinthia hotel.
“So he’s going to cost me a few quid but he’s been fantastic for us, hasn’t he?”