West Ham United made it six wins in a row in all competitions on Tuesday night with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
A first half brace from Tomáš Souček helped the Hammers battle back from a goal down after Wilfried Zaha’s early strike had given Palace the lead.
Craig Dawson added a deserved third in the second half to seal all three points despite Michy Batshuayi’s late consolation goal for the Eagles.
The win sees the Irons climb up to fourth in the Premier League table on 35 points, ahead of the visit of Liverpool to London Stadium on Sunday.
It was a really difficult start but the lads responded with great spirit and we felt that we could have been three or four in front at half time.
Craig Dawson
Central defender Craig Dawson put in yet another assured defensive display alongside regular partner Angelo Ogbonna in south London.
Speaking to West Ham TV afterwards the summer signing expressed his delight at the Hammers' response after going behind in just the third minute.
“It was a really difficult start,” he said. “But the lads responded with great spirit and we felt that we could have been three or four in front at half time.
“The resilience and determination come from the work that we do on the training pitch, there’s a real competition for places at the moment and that keeps everyone pushing on.”
Amid the torrential rain, it was another night where Tomáš Souček's goalscoring exploits came to the fore. A quickfire double took the Czech International’s tally to seven on the season, whilst Dawson was quick to praise the 25-year-old’s work at both ends of the pitch.
“Tomáš (Souček) is a great player to have ahead of you, he works so hard for the team, and picks up great positions in both boxes.”
It’s great to come and play in such a positive side and I’m really enjoying myself at the minute.
Craig Dawson
Dawson’s powerful header was his first in the Premier League in Claret and Blue and the experienced defender is relishing life in east London.
“It’s obviously nice to get a goal, it’s always good to get yourself on the scoresheet. It’s great to come and play in such a positive side and I’m really enjoying myself at the minute.”
Although the Hammers currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, Dawson insists the squad are only focused on their next game.
“Look we’re on a great run at the minute,” he concluded. “But we’ve got a tough game coming up against Liverpool at the weekend, hopefully we can keep the momentum going and get a good result against them.
“We’re not going to get carried away, we’ll prepare ourselves for the next game, recover well and get ready because it’s going to be a tough game and we need a full squad.”
