In England, after West Ham’s victory over the Wolves on Sunday, they highlight two things. A touching welcome from the goal hero of the match Tomáš Souček with his almost 80-year-old grandfather, who was finally able to arrive at London Stadium for the first time in person. And also the exceptional performance of the controversial stopper Kurt Zouma.
As David Moyes asked, so it happened. Before the direct duel for the cup places, the Scottish manager of West Ham openly longed for a more significant goal contribution from forward Mikhail Antonio and midfielder Tomáš Souček.
Both supports then scored the only goal of the match against the Wolves.
After the selfless pass of the Jamaican forward on a small lime, the Czech midfielder had no problem reaching the ball for one of the best catching goalkeepers of the current Premier League, José Sá.
Souček immediately ran to the corner flag and pointed a specific person in the galleries of London Stadium. His grandfather came to see his grandson for the first time.
“He wanted to come to London much earlier, but because of the covid it just didn’t work. He was finally here and I’m very happy to have been able to give him such a gift,” Souček said in a post-match interview for Sky Sports.
Souček’s grandfather will celebrate his 80th birthday in a week. But the shooter was also a celebrant. On Sunday, the captain of the Czech national team was twenty-seven years old.
“This goal is the best gift. For me, for the fans, for everyone and especially for my grandfather. He has supported me since I was a child, this goal is for him,” the midfielder continued.
Take a look at the most important moments of the match:
“What a warm story,” the reporter responded, asking for the opinion of Declan Rice standing next to him. The two high pivots of the Hammers had an interview together.
“I’m happy about Tomas. He’s played so many matches for us, so many minutes. He’s been special to us since he came to us. We needed someone like that immensely. We rely on him, not just his goals, his defensive skills, his hard work. Today he was back in his best shape, he worked for the team, interrupted the action and scored a goal, “the captain praised his colleague.
Manager David Moyes was also glad that Souček scored for the fourth time of the season.
In previous months, when the Czech midfielder did not play in the form that the fans were used to in the previous season, he rejected any of Souček’s criticisms and constantly proved by his choice of the basic line-up that the Czechs are indispensable for him.
Even though it doesn’t shine with a goal and it’s not so visible.
“Tomas set the bar extremely high. There was practically nothing he couldn’t do. He’s a great guy you just want to have on the team,” he said on Sunday, Souček’s work, which was finally reeled by a goal, and a winning one.
The London media also praises Souček. “He covered every blade of grass. He put forward a number of dangerous passes. He constantly helped the defense. And he scored the goal he needed so much,” Football.London said.
“He scored ten goals last year, now his numbers have dropped. But this winning goal can be triggered by a late surge,” they said at Evening Standard.
But the first star of Sunday’s duel was someone else, the best marks were earned by hitchhiker Kurt Zouma, the man of the match was also on Sky Sports.
The French defender drove the Wolves’ offensive aces crazy with uncompromising play and sacrificial blocks. He won the most air battles, scored the largest number of defensive interventions and in the first half prevented almost a certain goal from Fábia Silva’s football.
Message of Tomáš Souček to fans:
“He was strong, he was the leader, he had absolutely incredible blocks. He played absolutely exceptionally,” Moyes said.
Despite public opinion, Zouma survived the affair from early February, when a video of torturing his cats appeared relatively unscathed. The Frenchman had to pay a large fine of 7.3 million crowns, the money went to an animal charity and the cats were taken from him.
Moyes, however, withstood general pressure and did not remove Zouma from the lineup.
“We all regret it, most notably Kurt himself. We are trying to help him in difficult times,” the Scottish coach returned to the burning subject. In previous weeks, he had asked fans to forgive Zoum. “Most of us make a mistake in our lives,” he stressed.
Thanks to a close win, West Ham rejoined the fight for the Champions League. In fourth place, currently occupied by Manchester United, they lose only two points. However, the sixth Arsenal have the same gain and three good matches. If he manages two passes, another London team, Tottenham, can also go in front of the Hammers.
