James Collins was delighted to return to the starting eleven with three points at Crystal Palace
James Collins was thrilled to mark his return to the starting eleven with three points at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The defender has had to be patient as he waited for his chance this season, but a minor injury to Winston Reid saw him partner James Tomkins at Selhurst Park and help the Hammers to a hard-earned three points.
Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet struck late on to see off Palace by a 3-1 scoreline and give Collins even more reason to celebrate following Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016.
He said: “It was amazing to be back in the starting line-up. The Gaffer told me on Thursday, Friday when I got back from Wales that I’d be playing and I was excited from then.
“It’s been a long time since I started a Premier League game and to be on the winning side is great.
“It’s been a great couple of weeks – I’m still celebrating and on the crest of a wave! Hopefully it can continue for a long time.
“We had to work hard for the three points on Saturday. We knew it was going to be a tough game because Palace have been playing very well.
“We matched them at the start and then obviously got the goal. We were unfortunate to then concede a penalty but we’re delighted with the three points as always away from home.
“It didn’t look like it was coming the later it goes, but we’ve got quality in the attacking areas so if we kept on giving them the ball we knew we’d score. Luckily we did.”
West Ham have now won four of their five away games in the league this season – a sign for Collins that this season’s squad is well balanced.
He added: “Manuel has been tremendous – him and Dimitri are both flair players who can create chances and score goals. Both of them are doing unbelievably for us.
“We’ve got boys who work hard and get behind the ball. We defend well and the lads up front score goals. So anywhere we go we know that if we defend well we’ll create chances.”
The defender has had to be patient as he waited for his chance this season, but a minor injury to Winston Reid saw him partner James Tomkins at Selhurst Park and help the Hammers to a hard-earned three points.
Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet struck late on to see off Palace by a 3-1 scoreline and give Collins even more reason to celebrate following Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016.
He said: “It was amazing to be back in the starting line-up. The Gaffer told me on Thursday, Friday when I got back from Wales that I’d be playing and I was excited from then.
“It’s been a long time since I started a Premier League game and to be on the winning side is great.
“It’s been a great couple of weeks – I’m still celebrating and on the crest of a wave! Hopefully it can continue for a long time.
“We had to work hard for the three points on Saturday. We knew it was going to be a tough game because Palace have been playing very well.
“We matched them at the start and then obviously got the goal. We were unfortunate to then concede a penalty but we’re delighted with the three points as always away from home.
“It didn’t look like it was coming the later it goes, but we’ve got quality in the attacking areas so if we kept on giving them the ball we knew we’d score. Luckily we did.”
West Ham have now won four of their five away games in the league this season – a sign for Collins that this season’s squad is well balanced.
He added: “Manuel has been tremendous – him and Dimitri are both flair players who can create chances and score goals. Both of them are doing unbelievably for us.
“We’ve got boys who work hard and get behind the ball. We defend well and the lads up front score goals. So anywhere we go we know that if we defend well we’ll create chances.”