Speaking to West Ham United’s official website, the Manchester City loanee hailed Kante for his willingness to run in behind and duly create chances. 

He said: “All season Mo’s [Kanté]runs in behind have been really good. As soon as he gets into that position, I knew that he’s going to go in behind, so I should make the box.” 

Kante was the furthest West Ham player forward in the build-up to the goal. Mukasa dropped deep, played in Pablo Felipe, who in turn found the Frenchman stretching Swansea’s backline. 

The win takes West Ham one point off the top of the table, where they sit behind the Swans. Though it has often felt as if a crisis is just around the corner for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, it’s been a very positive week following the win 6-0 win over Lincoln just 72 hours before Saturday’s clash. 

Kante is still a developing talent but it increasingly looks as if he has the tools to succeed. His brilliant goal against Wrexham in September was another fine example of his ability to stretch play, but his moment against Swansea meant so much more as it quite literally decided the game.

Nuno Espirito Santo must build West Ham around Kante

There is little doubt that West Ham boast a huge amount of attacking quality for the level in which they are operating. Jarrod Bowen, Taty Castellanos and Manor Solomon are all international footballers, while loanee Joel Piroe has previously thrived in the second tier. 

Yet, there are often games in which the Hammers fail to flex their muscle. Draws against Watford, QPR and Charlton were hugely frustrating, and there has long been a theory that West Ham rely too heavily on individual quality. 

Irons coach Nuno is hardly renowned for his ability to build attacking patterns and while there will be games when West Ham are simply too good for the opponents, relying on that does not feel sustainable.

As such, Kante stretching the play does feel like a genuine attacking ploy to exploit. It is perhaps not the most complex of movements, but that does not matter as long as it works.

The midfielder has started six of West Ham’s 11 Championship games this season, albeit he was banned for one following a red card against Millwall. He is getting his fair share of minutes, but they need to increase over the weeks to come. 

Kante is a genuine difference-maker, offering something West Ham do not boast in abundance.