Tough on Dimitri…

So Dimitri Payet only gets a runners-up medal in the European Championship Final. I thought he was unlucky to be subbed. While not at his best, he still created France's best chance in the first half with a great cross on to Griezemann's head. He was also starting to make inroads from a more central position at the start of the second half before being hooked for Coman. It was unfortunate that Payet's tackle rested in Ronaldo going off. He's not a natural tackler, though it was simply a hard challenge and a clash of knees, with Ronaldo's studs unfortunately getting stuck in the turf. 

With the game going into extra time you'd have backed Payet to find a bit of magic had he been on the pitch. Dimitri has only won two Reunion cups in his career, so this would have been his first really big medal — though a runners-up isn't that bad. But from a purely selfish West Ham perspective, had he set the final alight it might have made Real Madrid even more determined to sign him. Now we'll have to ensure he's fully rested and possibly leave him out of the Europa qualifiers. He's still had a great tournament and scored three goals, so well done Dimitri and remember that Stratford is much more scenic than Barcelona.