Luis Boa Morte was exhausted but delighted after making a
valuable contribution to our magnificent triumph against Wigan
Athletic on Saturday.
After scoring his first goal for the Club and helping the side to an emphatic 3-0 victory, the Portuguese winger admitted afterwards that the encounter hadn't been as comfortable as the scoreline suggested.
"It was a tough game because there was a lot of pressure on us," said Luis. "We knew that we had to fight for our lives and that's what we did - we fought really hard to get the three points.
"Sometimes you can turn things around if you concede the first goal, but it is much better to get yourself in a good position early on and it gave us a lot of confidence to score the first goal."
His opening strike in the 30th minute marked the first goal of Luis's claret and blue career, and he might have doubled his tally with 10 minutes to go after being released by Nigel Reo-Coker, but unselfishly chose to present Marlon Harewood with an open goal to round off the afternoon.
"It was a great feeling to score my first goal," he said. "I managed to get in front of the right back and then just got my foot to the ball. I thought the defender might get back to clear it, but thankfully it went in.
"We created a lot more opportunities in the first-half but didn't manage to take them, and so it was a big moment for us when we scored the second goal after half-time.
"I had an opportunity to get another goal but football is a team game, and if a team-mate is in a better position to score, you have to pass to him. It is good to share the goals and the main thing is that we win."
Luis's appearance at Wigan signalled only his second Premiership start in almost three months, after a frustrating battle with injury and illness since his transfer from Fulham in January, and he admits that he would like to have delivered more on the pitch.
"It has not been a great time for me, and I have been a bit frustrated with myself," he says. "The supporters were expecting more of me when I came here in January, and I understand that.
"It has been a difficult season for me with injuries and illness, and it has been frustrating to not feel 100%. I feel much better and stronger now, though, and I was happy with my performance at Wigan.
"Of course there are only two games left, but hopefully I can produce the same level for West Ham United from now on."
Finally, Luis reserved a special mention for the 5,500 Hammers fans who travelled up to the JJB stadium to cheer their team on, admitting that their support did much to spur the players on.
"The supporters were amazing," he said. "To have that many supporters travel from London to Wigan was fantastic.
"When they turn up in numbers like that, we feel so determined to make sure that they are not disappointed."
After scoring his first goal for the Club and helping the side to an emphatic 3-0 victory, the Portuguese winger admitted afterwards that the encounter hadn't been as comfortable as the scoreline suggested.
"It was a tough game because there was a lot of pressure on us," said Luis. "We knew that we had to fight for our lives and that's what we did - we fought really hard to get the three points.
"Sometimes you can turn things around if you concede the first goal, but it is much better to get yourself in a good position early on and it gave us a lot of confidence to score the first goal."
His opening strike in the 30th minute marked the first goal of Luis's claret and blue career, and he might have doubled his tally with 10 minutes to go after being released by Nigel Reo-Coker, but unselfishly chose to present Marlon Harewood with an open goal to round off the afternoon.
"It was a great feeling to score my first goal," he said. "I managed to get in front of the right back and then just got my foot to the ball. I thought the defender might get back to clear it, but thankfully it went in.
"We created a lot more opportunities in the first-half but didn't manage to take them, and so it was a big moment for us when we scored the second goal after half-time.
"I had an opportunity to get another goal but football is a team game, and if a team-mate is in a better position to score, you have to pass to him. It is good to share the goals and the main thing is that we win."
Luis's appearance at Wigan signalled only his second Premiership start in almost three months, after a frustrating battle with injury and illness since his transfer from Fulham in January, and he admits that he would like to have delivered more on the pitch.
"It has not been a great time for me, and I have been a bit frustrated with myself," he says. "The supporters were expecting more of me when I came here in January, and I understand that.
"It has been a difficult season for me with injuries and illness, and it has been frustrating to not feel 100%. I feel much better and stronger now, though, and I was happy with my performance at Wigan.
"Of course there are only two games left, but hopefully I can produce the same level for West Ham United from now on."
Finally, Luis reserved a special mention for the 5,500 Hammers fans who travelled up to the JJB stadium to cheer their team on, admitting that their support did much to spur the players on.
"The supporters were amazing," he said. "To have that many supporters travel from London to Wigan was fantastic.
"When they turn up in numbers like that, we feel so determined to make sure that they are not disappointed."