Ex West Ham hero Dimitri Payet still doing it at 36 as he fires Brazilian giants out of relegation zone ahead of run-in.

It may have been short and ultimately bittersweet but mercurial French star Dimitri Payet is one of the best players to have ever graced West Ham.

His sudden departure in January 2017 sullied his name with many West Ham fans who had adored him.

The French wizard effectively downed tools to force a return to Marseille six and a half years ago for family reasons.

They say that time is a great healer and that has certainly been the case with Payet as most Hammers fans now look back with great fondness on his unforgettable 18-month spell in east London.

The midfield maestro revealed he never wanted to leave West Ham but explained why he had to in his most recent interview.

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When West Ham appeared to be struggling to make signings in the summer window, there were some calls for one last dance with Payet after a shock announcement that he was being forced to leave Marseille as a free agent.

But he ended up making a surprise move to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama - who are facing the very real threat of a disastrous relegation from the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.

Four clubs are relegated from Brazil's top flight. And Vasco were among them with 11 games to go in a seriously tight fight for survival. Until Payet's intervention.

Payet, wearing the number 10, scored the only goal of the game as Vasco beat Fortaleza to edge out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Payet takes the ball on the edge of the box, beats his man and hits a low left-footed drive into the bottom corner to spark wild scenes of celebration in football-mad Brazil.

After the game Payet posted on social media: "Three points, all together. This is Vasco."

You can check out the goal below.