Tomas Soucek dedicated his goal in West Ham’s crucial 2-1 win over Wolves to injured striker Michail Antonio after he was involved in a car crash.
Antonio continues to be treated in hospital after the incident on Saturday, with the Jamaica international honoured by players and supporters at the London Stadium on Monday night.
The Czech midfielder opened the scoring against fellow strugglers Wolves, with Jarrod Bowen scoring the winner after Matt Doherty had levelled the game.
After his header found the far corner in the 54th minute, Soucek honoured his team-mate by doing his celebration, before Bowen held up a shirt with the 34-year-old’s name on it after netting in the 72nd minute.
Tomáš Souček with a HUGE goal for West Ham! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/cyyIWkAs1q
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024
Soucek told Sky Sports: “The goal was for him. I dedicated it to him. I said before the game I really wanted to score even more today. He’s been here since I came here. He is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him.
“I am happy that he is doing fine, but this is for him. He is a massive player and he is in my heart. It was really tough for us. I was with the kids and I saw this information on the phone.
“I messaged everyone asking what happened and how he was. I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.
“We had a video call with him, the whole team, before the game. He smiled to us and gave us all the best. I can’t wait to visit him. He is a really lovely guy and also funny. He even made a few jokes before the game and he wished us all the best.
“He is West Ham’s all-time leading scorer. He is probably one of the best players West Ham have had. He will be soon with us. These things can happen, but hopefully he will be even better soon.”
Bowen: Goal means ‘everything’
On what his goal meant, Bowen said: “Everything.
“To share that moment, he’s not here with us but I’m sure he [Michail Antonio] was watching and the fans, you heard them. An emotional couple of days.”
Win gives Hammers huge lift
West Ham have climbed nine points clear of the relegation zone with the victory and captain Bowen hopes it can inspire a strong run of form heading into the festive period.
He added: “It should give everyone a lift. This is an opportunity now, December is probably the busiest time in our schedule all season.
A lot of games are coming up and it’s the start of a run we can put together. We go to Bournemouth next week which will be a tough game but this could really start us.”
