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Emerson thrilled to deny former club

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Emerson equalises against Chelsea

By Hughie Southon

Former Chelsea man Emerson lived up to football’s reputation of ensuring coincidences can become common by grabbing his first ever Premier League goal against the Blues.

The smiling ex Stamford Bridge man was thrilled when he appeared in front of the BT cameras after the game  declaring that he believed it really was his day.

Emerson arrived late at the far post after Coufal had fed a great ball into Bowen who flicked on the assist for him to stab home what turned out to be the equaliser.

“I can’t explain the sensation, but it is so, so good to score against them,” the wing-back said.

There were a lot of emotions before the game. I can’t explain how it feels! I have a lot of respect for them but today I think it is my day.”

The Italy international played 71 times for Saturday’s opponents and might have seen his goal play a role in a win too.
A point against Chelsea means that the Hammers have lost just one game since the turn of the New Year.
In their last three Premier League matches, the Irons have taken five points and head into a London derby next Sunday, against Tottenham Hotspur, in improving form and frame of mind.

“It was a tough game,” the No33 explained, after seeing his close friend Paquetá and Nayef Aguerd both forced off with injuries.

“They (Chelsea) played very well and we suffered a lot but it is an important point against a big team.

“When you play against a big team with a lot of quality you have to stay with high concentration for 90 minutes. We feel it is an important point for us.

“The first half of the season we dropped a lot of points, but now we have started to play well, which is good because when you play well wins come naturally. We need to stay focused and work hard and 

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon