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Sam Allardyce wary of Dimitri Payet threat as Sunderland visit West Ham

Sam Allardyce during a Sunderland training session
Image: Sam Allardyce knows Dimitri Payet is the man to watch for West Ham

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has singled out West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet as the man to watch when his side visit Upton Park on Saturday.

The 28-year-old France international has been in impressive form for Slaven Bilic's side since his £10.7m summer switch from Marseille, and turned in a fine individual display in the FA Cup demolition of Blackburn last weekend, in which he scored twice.

And former West Ham boss Allardyce is aware Payet poses a major threat to the Black Cats' hopes of extending their unbeaten run to three games.

"He's one that we have to watch - but there are many players from West Ham that we need to look at," he said.

"There's no doubt about it, he's been the outstanding difference because while he was injured, it was probably the worst run of results Slaven has had when he wasn't playing.

"It shows what a difference one special player can make to your team."

Dimitri Payet of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during The Emirates FA Cup fifth-round tie at Blackburn
Image: Payet celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal against Blackburn

The Hammers have not lost at home since suffering back-to-back defeats to Leicester and Bournemouth in August, and that represents a major challenge for a resurgent Sunderland, who have given their survival hopes a significant boost with a battling draw at Liverpool and a famous victory over Manchester United in their last two games.

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Allardyce said: "What gives you belief is drawing at Liverpool after being 2-0 down, and beating Manchester United gives you more belief.

"There's an extra belief in the camp at the minute - but we have got to go out and take that belief and make it a reality. We have got to perform on Saturday at the highest level.

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is looking forward to welcoming back Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce to Upton Park

"We have got a task to go and meet head on and try to get a result. The only way we will do that is by being at our best and paying attention to one very exceptional player for them at the moment.

"They have got a lot of exceptional players, but Payet at the minute is the game-changer for them, he's the game-winner for them."

January signing Wahbi Khazri scored one goal and made the other in the 2-1 win over United, and his manager has challenged him to deprive Payet of the headlines this weekend.

Sunderland's Wahbi Khazri (second right) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring his side's first goal
Image: Wahbi Khazri (second right) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring his side's first goal against Man Utd

Allardyce said: "He's an unknown commodity at the moment. People don't quite know how he plays or how good he is or what are his strengths or what are his weaknesses because he has not been here that long, so at the moment, he's taking full advantage of that.

"Certainly at West Ham, I suppose he's got to try to outshine Payet if he wants a challenge, and it would be very nice if he could do that."

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