If Fabian Balbuena wasn’t there to head it away, Issa Diop wasn’t far behind to clear the danger.
If Diop failed to make the tackle, Balbuena was on hand to clear up the mess.
At full-time on Saturday they turned to each other and embraced. Job done. Again.
Four wins on the spin and West Ham are dreaming of Europe — the club’s burgeoning central defensive double-act leading the charge.
Balbuena is the Hammers’ unflinching South American general. Hard as nails in the tackle, but with the positional acumen to sense danger before it develops.