Czech mates Tomas Soucek and Vladi Coufal were celebrating a much needed win at the end of the Sheffield United clash with both involved in a big way.
It was Coufal who laid on a fine assist for the opener whilst the midfielder scored the second from Michail Antonio’s nice pass forward to him.
Both have been in fine form through the start of the season and the result came as a great relief with David Moyes undefeated in his meetings with the Blades.
Some were expecting the sort of crushing Newcastle our next Premier League opponents – inflicted on them but both were delighted to have picked up the three points which sees us sitting in seventh place.
Souček was also thrilled with the support offered by the Claret and Blue fans who got behind the team big time when it was seriously required.
Speaking to West Ham TV following the game he said: “Every game is hard in the Premier League and we have to fight for every point. We are so happy that we got the three points here at home.
“It was very important to get back to winning ways in the league today. We know that we played well at Liverpool away and we all felt we could get a win there, so we were unhappy with that result. We had two difficult matches on the bounce, which we lost, and we really wanted to win this home game.
“The fans were so good today. They really supported us and we’re just happy we have the three points and we’re now able to start preparing for our next two games before the international break.”
Soucek was pleased with his goal saying: “I’m just happy I could score again – even if it was with my left-foot! I have to say thank you to Michail because he played a great pass to me.
“I think I could have scored more today, because I had many headers in the box. But I am happy I scored and it’s great to get a second this week, after the one in Europe last week. But the most important thing is that we’re winning games.”
Coufal added: “Tomáš is very good with his left foot, actually with both feet, so I was not surprised to see him scoring. He keeps scoring for us, and that’s the most important.
“Three assists in three games is a fine number too. Today was a good assist and we got the victory, which is the most important thing. I would like to get more assists but I’m very pleased with this one, at the end of a good team move.”
Coufal will have been in claret and blue three years tomorrow (Mon) and said: “With so much success to celebrate in the last three seasons, the defender is targeting even more.
“The time has gone very, very quickly. Time is flying and I am three years older now. In the three years I’ve been here we’ve won the UEFA Europa Conference League, finished sixth and seventh in the Premier League, and played in Europe three years in a row, which is all very good. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Souček encouraged his teammate saying “He’s a massive player for us. Since he came here, he’s done massive things for West Ham United. He improved us a lot.
“I was here a couple of months before and, since he joined me at West Ham, we’ve done very well everywhere – in the Premier League and in Europe. It’s a massive achievement for us, for West Ham and for all of us. I hope everyone, even people back in the Czech Republic, are proud of him.”