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 automobile 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 night time.
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! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/cyyIWkAs1q
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
Soucek informed Sky Sports activities: “The purpose was for him. I devoted it to him. I stated earlier than the sport I actually needed to attain much more at the moment. He’s been right here since I got here right here. He’s actually my favorite. I stated it might be powerful for me to play with out him.
“I’m glad that he’s doing advantageous, 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 children and I noticed this info on the telephone.
“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 in addition 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 in all probability among the finest gamers West Ham have had. He will probably be quickly with us. This stuff can occur, however hopefully he will probably be even higher quickly.”
Bowen: Purpose means ‘all the things’
On what his purpose meant, Bowen stated: “Every part.
“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 provides Hammers enormous 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 variety of video games are arising and it’s the beginning of a run we are able to put collectively. We go to Bournemouth subsequent week which will probably be a troublesome recreation however this might actually begin us.”
