Mohammed Kudus says West Ham United must up their levels to continue their current five-game unbeaten run.
The Hammers were made to settle for a point against Crystal Palace on Sunday after Odsonne Édouard cancelled out the No14's early opener.
A fixture in which neither side could force a winner ultimately drifted to a rather timid conclusion, with Kudus clear the Hammers expect more from themselves.
“When you get one goal, [it is important] you don’t settle for that,” Kudus stated. “You could see we were pushing for a second goal but you could also see they were a very good side and so we just have to take the point and focus on the next game.
“In games like this, we expect more for ourselves. If we don’t get three points, at least we have to get a point.
“When there are not many chances, we need to be compact and defend better to win the game with just one goal.”
While Kudus was pleased to see his fifth goal of the season secure a point, the winger admitted the Hammers must play with more intensity next time out.
His goal was a real moment of quality in east London. Having skipped past his man on the halfway line, the Ghana winger combined with Lucas Paquetá, before James Ward-Prowse sent Vladimír Coufal sprinting down the right-hand side.
The Czech’s cross then found Kudus, who did the rest from inside the area. His first-time finish nestled in the bottom corner and gave West Ham the perfect start.
“It is always good to score early on in the game,” he explained. “It gives the team momentum and energy.
“It was a good time to score and a beautiful assist from Vlad also.”
With five goals under his belt then, Kudus has enjoyed his start to life in Claret and Blue.
The Irons have tasted just one defeat in their last seven matches, and while the Irons wanted all three points against Palace, a busy December fixture list gives plenty of chances to return to winning ways.
Kudus, you feel, will play an important part over the Christmas period.
“Everyone around the Club has helped me settle in,” he concluded. “Credit to all the team, teammates, player care, and the staff.
“I believe a lot in myself and I am putting in the effort every day to be the best. It is still the beginning for me, and I feel there is a lot more I can offer so I will keep working day in and day out to be the best I can be.”
