Emi Buendia

[Smithy]

I think it's the work ethic that makes him stand out.  He works SO hard, pressing, hassling, winning headers he has no right to win, going full throttle for 50/50 tackles, that when things aren't going his way, you're more likely to forgive.  But when things ARE going for him, and you get the effort too, it's a sight to behold.  Whether it's competition, or feeling like he's had a second chance after his injury nightmare, I don't know, but he's certainly grabbing his chance with both hands.

He's 29 next month, so in his peak really, and really I'm glad his latter peak years are now coinciding with a run of fitness and form, when he's had such a rough couple of years.

[andyh]

Never been his biggest fan, but more than happy to eat humble pie.
He has been excellent this season.

His movement, tenacity, energy and now his goals have deservedly cemented his place in the team, and he has probably saved the club £50m looking for exactly the type of player he now is.

[eye digress]

Humble pie here too, I was a big fan pre injury but thought he was a busted flush after last season.

On top of the goals, he has recently become less wasteful in possession (one or two small transgressions today notwithstanding). Where earlier in the season, our play seemed to frequently break up at his feet (too often looking for the threaded pass, and at other times just plain mistakes), he seems to have cut out a good portion of the errors and his judgement in forward passing is better.

It’s a great redemption story.

[ldavfc4eva]

MOTM for me today, ran the show at times and his constant running was something else

Free kick was up there with CR7’s “knuckle ball” efforts

[john2710]

I'd seen enough over the last 3 seasons to believe he wasn't good enough to play in an Emery team. Well I'm happy to say he is proving myself and a lot of others wrong.

A fantastic performance today & that free kick did look like he just chipped it. Unbelievable technique.

[LeeB]

I'd go as far to say he's been the key to our resurgence, not just in how he's played but his attitude, instead of moping about FFP over the summer this lad has not given up when was almost out of the door and he's now absolutely part of our best 11.

Never give up, nobody is out of the picture if they knuckle down. Top man.

[ChicagoLion]

Outstanding today, we have been pretty awful with direct shots from free kicks for a while now. What a pleasure to think we might now be dangerous from those situations.
Brilliant technique.