Diafra Sakho was thrilled to open his Barclays Premier League account for the season on an unforgettable day for the Hammers at Liverpool.
Sakho’s 90th minute goal set the seal on a stunning 3-0 victory for the Hammers – their first victory at the home of the Reds since 1963.
The Senegal man’s strike followed first half goals from Manuel Lanzini and Mark Noble, leaving him delighted for all the team.
“It was very important for the team, and for me as well,” he explained. “I’m very happy for the team as every player gave their all and winning 3-0 at Anfield after not winning here for a long time is a great feeling.
“It is very hard to play at Anfield, but we’ve come here, kept a clean sheet and won 3-0. The last two games at home were not brilliant, so we needed a result.
“We’ve had two away games and won them both, so now we need to win at home too.”
Sakho may have ploughed a lone furrow up front, but he was ably assisted by the likes of Lanzini and Dimitri Payet, meaning the Hammers carried a constant threat.
“Playing at a Liverpool or an Arsenal is very hard for a striker,” Sakho continued. “You don’t touch the ball as often as in other matches and I have to defend for the team.
“But I scored a goal at the end and that was important for me and the team. Now I want to score more goals.”
Next for Sakho are a brace of international games for Senegal and he is looking forward to representing his country again for the first time in 2015.
He added: “I’m linking up with the Senegal squad now with Cheikhou for games in Namibia and South Africa.
“It’s important for me, my comeback for Senegal after the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
“It’s important for me and my family and I’m happy to go and try for Senegal again.”