Cheikhou Kouyate was pleased to score a late equaliser and snatch another Barclays Premier League point for West Ham United
Cheikhou Kouyate was happy to contribute yet another goal as West Ham United snatched a 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with Norwich City.
The Hammers trailed twice to the Canaries, but strikes from Senegal internationals Diafra Sakho and Kouyate secured a share of the spoils at the Boleyn Ground.
Speaking to West Ham TV, the No8 was naturally happy to score his third in six league appearances this term, but a shade frustrated not to beat the newly-promoted visitors.
“I got another goal, but it was a draw,” he said. “All the players wanted to win the game, but it was a very difficult game. Norwich played well and with very good organisation.
“I am happy with my goal, but I am not happy with the result. It was not a bad result, so now we have to focus on the next game.
“I scored in the last minute when usually we might lose the game, but instead we drew 2-2 and it is good that we didn’t lose the game.”
The Hammers trailed twice to the Canaries, but strikes from Senegal internationals Diafra Sakho and Kouyate secured a share of the spoils at the Boleyn Ground.
Speaking to West Ham TV, the No8 was naturally happy to score his third in six league appearances this term, but a shade frustrated not to beat the newly-promoted visitors.
“I got another goal, but it was a draw,” he said. “All the players wanted to win the game, but it was a very difficult game. Norwich played well and with very good organisation.
“I am happy with my goal, but I am not happy with the result. It was not a bad result, so now we have to focus on the next game.
“I scored in the last minute when usually we might lose the game, but instead we drew 2-2 and it is good that we didn’t lose the game.”
Dimitri Payet was again to the fore, creating Sakho’s first equaliser after Robbie Brady’s early opener before whipping in a 93rd-minute free-kick which Kouyate converted after John Ruddy had punched the ball into the head of substitute Andy Carroll.
The midfielder’s clinical finish cancelled out a well-placed strike from Norwich replacement Nathan Redmond, which looked to have earned Alex Neil’s side all three points.
“Dimitri is a good player,” Kouyate enthused. “He has a lot of quality. This guy loves to play football and he got another assist for Diaf and one for me. He is an unbelievable player.”
West Ham’s point means Slaven Bilic’s side now have 13 from their opening seven matches, leaving them third in the table ahead of next weekend’s trip to struggling Sunderland.
While the Black Cats may be winless, Kouyate says the Hammers simply cannot afford to take things easy at the Stadium of Light, or else they will lose their 100 per cent away record.
“Third is not bad,” he continued. “We just need to keep working hard and work this week because the Sunderland game is not easy.
“I know Sunderland have not had good results, but this is a very dangerous match. We need to stay humble, work hard and go to Sunderland to battle for the points.”
The midfielder’s clinical finish cancelled out a well-placed strike from Norwich replacement Nathan Redmond, which looked to have earned Alex Neil’s side all three points.
“Dimitri is a good player,” Kouyate enthused. “He has a lot of quality. This guy loves to play football and he got another assist for Diaf and one for me. He is an unbelievable player.”
West Ham’s point means Slaven Bilic’s side now have 13 from their opening seven matches, leaving them third in the table ahead of next weekend’s trip to struggling Sunderland.
While the Black Cats may be winless, Kouyate says the Hammers simply cannot afford to take things easy at the Stadium of Light, or else they will lose their 100 per cent away record.
“Third is not bad,” he continued. “We just need to keep working hard and work this week because the Sunderland game is not easy.
“I know Sunderland have not had good results, but this is a very dangerous match. We need to stay humble, work hard and go to Sunderland to battle for the points.”