Dimitri Payet Is so Happy with His Free-Kick Technique, He's Stopped Practicing

"Practice makes perfect," as the old saying goes.

But what do you do once you achieve perfection? Well, according to Dimitri Payet, you can stop practicing.

The West Ham midfielder has been heralded this season for his ability from dead-ball situations, having found the net in spectacular fashion against Bournemouth, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Russia (while representing France) and, most recently, Crystal Palace.

And while Payet insists it took a lot of practice to get his technique just right, he hasn't needed to do much else since that first strike on January 12:

"I worked very hard on taking them earlier in the season up until the Bournemouth game when I scored," he told the Evening Standard's James Olley. "Since that game I have not been practising as I have been happy with the way I am hitting the ball so I am carrying on with that technique, and now I just take a few before each game when I am warming up."

The acclaim reached a new high on Saturday after Payet's stunning effort against Palace, a goal that took the player himself by surprise.

"I must say I was surprised by how the ball travelled and usually I can tell when I hit it if it is going to go in and I can sometimes celebrate beforehand, but with this one I thought it was going over but it then dropped in," he said.

No wonder opposing 'keeper Wayne Hennessey was left motionless.

"I am enjoying a very good period at the moment in terms of free-kicks. I am full of confidence and that allows me to try out these new things. The ball seems to be going in at the moment which is great for all of us," Payet said.

[h/t the Evening Standard, Instagram]