Tomas Soucek devoted his purpose in West Ham’s essential 2-1 win over Wolves to injured striker Michail Antonio after he was concerned in a automotive crash.
Antonio continues to be handled in hospital after the incident on Saturday, with the Jamaica worldwide honoured by gamers and supporters on the London Stadium on Monday evening.
The Czech midfielder opened the scoring towards fellow strugglers Wolves, with Jarrod Bowen scoring the winner after Matt Doherty had levelled the sport.
After his header discovered the far nook within the 54th minute, Soucek honoured his team-mate by doing his celebration, earlier than Bowen held up a shirt with the 34-year-old’s identify on it after netting within the 72nd minute.
Tomáš Souček with a HUGE purpose for West Ham!
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— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
Soucek instructed Sky Sports activities: “The purpose was for him. I devoted it to him. I mentioned earlier than the sport I actually wished to attain much more in the present day. He’s been right here since I got here right here. He’s actually my favorite. I mentioned it might be powerful for me to play with out him.
“I’m comfortable that he’s doing nice, however that is for him. He’s a large participant and he’s in my coronary heart. It was actually powerful for us. I used to be with the youngsters and I noticed this data on the cellphone.
“I messaged everybody asking what occurred and the way he was. I used to be so scared what was going to occur. It was a extremely powerful week for him, his household and us.
“We had a video name with him, the entire workforce, earlier than the sport. He smiled to us and gave us all the most effective. I can’t wait to go to him. He’s a extremely beautiful man and likewise humorous. He even made a number of jokes earlier than the sport and he wished us all the most effective.
“He’s West Ham’s all-time main scorer. He’s most likely probably the greatest gamers West Ham have had. He shall be quickly with us. These items can occur, however hopefully he shall be even higher quickly.”
Bowen: Aim means ‘the whole lot’
On what his purpose meant, Bowen mentioned: “Every little thing.
“To share that second, he’s not right here with us however I’m positive he [Michail Antonio] was watching and the followers, you heard them. An emotional couple of days.”
Win offers Hammers large carry
West Ham have climbed 9 factors away from the relegation zone with the victory and captain Bowen hopes it might probably encourage a robust run of type heading into the festive interval.
He added: “It ought to give everybody a carry. This is a chance now, December might be the busiest time in our schedule all season.
A number of video games are arising and it’s the beginning of a run we will put collectively. We go to Bournemouth subsequent week which shall be a troublesome recreation however this might actually begin us.”
