West Ham United’s globetrotting wing-back Emerson was flying again in Perth on Saturday night.
Since producing an outstanding display to help the Irons clinch the UEFA Europa Conference League in Prague in early June, Emerson has been back to the country of his birth, Brazil, to visit family and friends, before returning to England ten days ago and then jetting out to Australia earlier this week.
While travelling tens of thousands of miles might leave some people feeling jaded, the 29-year-old looked fresh and fit as he scored a superb headed goal and set up another in West Ham’s 6-2 victory over Perth Glory at Optus Stadium.
It was Emerson’s second appearance in Western Australia, as he was part of the Chelsea squad which beat Glory 1-0 in July 2018, and he was happy to bring another taste of Premier League football to this part of the world.
“It was a long trip to come here, but it’s always a pleasure to come here in Australia,” he smiled. “It’s my second time here and it’s good.
“The game I thought was good for us. It was a good result, but not just about the result, but also our performance, we did well.
“It’s incredible to come here in Australia and see our fans in the stadium. It’s always nice and of course, after the final and winning the trophy, to play in front of them and we are happy with this.”
Emerson and his teammates have been greeted by thousands of smiling Hammers since arriving Down Under, with supporters at the team hotel, at the training ground and at the stadium all sharing in the collective afterglow of winning the Conference League and lifting a first major trophy in 43 years.
“When you win, there is always a good atmosphere inside the dressing room and inside the Club and our connection with the fans,” confirmed the No33, who has won every possible major European trophy in his career.
“We are in the pre-season and we have to work a lot, but it’s a good start for us.”
Emerson’s attacking qualities have always been lauded, and after his superb display in Prague the former Chelsea and Roma man was at it again in Perth, getting forward at every opportunity and scoring a powerful header from Jarrod Bowen’s inswinging cross.
Rather than take the credit, the wing-back was quick to praise his two-goal teammate for the quality of his delivery.
“In the second half I got more to the front and Jarrod put a lovely ball in, an incredible ball, and it was a simple one to head!” he laughed.
While Emerson is now looking to the future, he did reflect on that unforgettable night in the Czech Republic, when he produced a performance many Hammers deemed worth of the Man of the Match award.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone, as I just wanted to put my best on the pitch as everyone does when they play in a final,” he explained. “We needed to win the final, so I played with this mentality and I’m happy with what I did and what the team did.
“Of course, we won, and when you see the trophy you forget everything, including your performance, because you are just proud of the team and of making history.”
