Andy Carroll was thrilled to head the Hammers to victory over Chelsea
Andy Carroll has missed the feeling of scoring big-game winners.
Injury curtailed his 2014/15 season and meant he missed the start of this, but a return to the scoresheet with a towering header against Chelsea made up for lost time.
His 79th minute goal won a pulsating London derby for the Hammers and added Chelsea to a list of impressive scalps that now includes four of last year's top six.
Carroll would love to experience that feeling on a regular basis to help the Hammers maintain their fine form.
He said: "It's a great feeling to score any goal, but obviously it has been a long time since I last scored. To get the win as well is even better.
"When I saw the ball come across I knew I had a chance to put it in and as soon as it went in it was a feeling like you really can't describe.
"I keep saying to Cress to put those balls in and he's just said to me in the dressing room that I can shut up for a couple of weeks because I've been on to him! As soon as it came in I was trying to get on the end of it - it might be a typical Andy Carroll goal but I'll take it!
"I just went off celebrating with the lads and they were all delighted as well. The noise was fantastic and with the goal at the end the place just erupted. It was great."
Injury curtailed his 2014/15 season and meant he missed the start of this, but a return to the scoresheet with a towering header against Chelsea made up for lost time.
His 79th minute goal won a pulsating London derby for the Hammers and added Chelsea to a list of impressive scalps that now includes four of last year's top six.
Carroll would love to experience that feeling on a regular basis to help the Hammers maintain their fine form.
He said: "It's a great feeling to score any goal, but obviously it has been a long time since I last scored. To get the win as well is even better.
"When I saw the ball come across I knew I had a chance to put it in and as soon as it went in it was a feeling like you really can't describe.
"I keep saying to Cress to put those balls in and he's just said to me in the dressing room that I can shut up for a couple of weeks because I've been on to him! As soon as it came in I was trying to get on the end of it - it might be a typical Andy Carroll goal but I'll take it!
"I just went off celebrating with the lads and they were all delighted as well. The noise was fantastic and with the goal at the end the place just erupted. It was great."
West Ham's other results against the big sides have come away from home this season, so Carroll was thrilled to get one over Chelsea on home turf.
He added: "We've had a great run against the top teams and hopefully we can keep on going. It's a long season but if we carry on like we have been we'll do well.
"It's nice to get the result here at home, especially for the fans. They deserve it. We've got a great belief that we can go out and beat the top teams."
Carroll's return to the fold has been a gradual one, and he says he is feeling stronger with every game.
He explained: "It's great, I just want to be on the pitch and if it's 20-25 minutes it's a great feeling. Obvioulsy I want to start, but it's been a long injury and long time so I'll take every minute I get.
"I've taken my time getting back and the manager has understood - training one day and maybe missing one out. It's a lot easier for me and my body."
He added: "We've had a great run against the top teams and hopefully we can keep on going. It's a long season but if we carry on like we have been we'll do well.
"It's nice to get the result here at home, especially for the fans. They deserve it. We've got a great belief that we can go out and beat the top teams."
Carroll's return to the fold has been a gradual one, and he says he is feeling stronger with every game.
He explained: "It's great, I just want to be on the pitch and if it's 20-25 minutes it's a great feeling. Obvioulsy I want to start, but it's been a long injury and long time so I'll take every minute I get.
"I've taken my time getting back and the manager has understood - training one day and maybe missing one out. It's a lot easier for me and my body."