It appears that Rickie Lambert has spent more time perfecting his beard than scoring goals recently.
But the West Bromwich Albion striker got back to doing what he does best this afternoon, albeit with the aid of a massive deflection, to equalise for the Baggies against West Ham United at Upton Park.
SEE MORE: Mauro Zarate goal video: Inch-perfect free-kick gives Hammers lead v West Brom
Watch more brilliant snippets like this with fanatix’s FREE sports video news app.
Lambert’s instinctive strike five minutes after his introduction as a half-time substitute may well have been gobbled up by Adrian or gone wide had it not taken a wicked nick off Winston Reid.
But the Hammers shouldn’t feel too sorry for themselves. The defender might have been penalised for handball had he not diverted the ball into the net as he seemed to use his arms to make the block.
It was a much-needed slice of luck for Lambert, who has only two goals in his previous 28 outings and just a single strike since joining Albion in the summer – a penalty against Leicester City in October.
In fact, it has been a pretty disappointing 18 months for the 33-year-old. He failed to make his dream move to his beloved Liverpool work and has been dumped from the England squad by Roy Hodgson.
Perhaps this goal could signal a change in fortunes for Lambert as he nears his career swansong. Could his new beard be a lucky charm? I guess we will find out if he decides to keep it beyond ‘Movember’!
SEE ALSO:
Diego Costa throws bib video: Petulant striker aims at Mourinho after being left on bench v Tottenham
Chelsea star Pedro remains worst in Premier League in this category with near-miss v Spurs (video)
Jamie Vardy record goal video: Man United stung by double blow as Leicester star makes history
COMMENTS