There were plenty of reasons for celebration for Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal coming out of this weekend’s Premier League win over Sheffield United.
Both played a pivotal role in West Ham United’s return to winning ways in the league, with Coufal laying on the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s opener on 24 minutes. The lead was doubled on 37 minutes as Souček confidently side-footed in from Michail Antonio’s pass, securing all three points at London Stadium against the Blades.
Souček was delighted to pick up three points in the league after back-to-back defeats, against reigning champions Manchester City and away at Liverpool, and was full of credit for the Claret and Blue Army who cheered the Hammers onto success on Saturday.
“Every game is hard in the Premier League and we have to fight for every point,” the midfielder told West Ham TV. “We are so happy that we got the three points here at home.
“It was very important to get back to winning ways in the league today. We know that we played well at Liverpool away and we all felt we could get a win there, so we were unhappy with that result. We had two difficult matches on the bounce, which we lost, and we really wanted to win this home game.
“The fans were so good today. They really supported us and we’re just happy we have the three points and we’re now able to start preparing for our next two games before the international break.”
Beating Sheffield United also came with a first league clean sheet of the campaign, and a second in succession after a 1-0 win over Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup during the week.
Blunting the Blades, according to Coufal, was essential to the win.
“It was very important we finally kept a clean sheet in the Premier League,” the No5 said. “It was with a little bit of luck in the second half because we did not play well in the second half, but we have the three points and the clean-sheet and that’s all that matters now.”
Having scored in that win at LNER Stadium on Wednesday too, Souček grabbed his second of the week and third goal of the campaign overall with a well-taken finish on Saturday.
The No28 was pleased to get another finish under his belt, although believes he could have netted even more on a productive afternoon for the Irons.
“I’m pleased with this finish,” he continued. “I’m just happy I could score again – even if it was with my left-foot! I have to say thank you to Michail because he played a great pass to me.
“I think I could have scored more today, because I had many headers in the box. But I am happy I scored and it’s great to get a second this week, after the one in Europe last week. But the most important thing is that we’re winning games.”
Coufal was full of praise for his compatriot's finishing too, and was not shocked in the slightest to see Souček add his third finish of the campaign.
The right-back also reached the number three in his own personal assist record for the campaign, having also provided the final passes for West Ham’s goals against Manchester City and Liverpool.
“Tomáš is very good with his left foot, actually with both feet, so I was not surprised to see him scoring. He keeps scoring for us, and that’s the most important.
“Three assists in three games is a fine number too. Today was a good assist and we got the victory, which is the most important thing. I would like to get more assists but I’m very pleased with this one, at the end of a good team move.”
Monday will mark three years for Coufal in Claret and Blue, and the No5 is delighted with how his time in east London has gone so far.
With so much success to celebrate in the last three seasons, the defender is targeting even more.
“The time has gone very, very quickly,” Coufal added. “Time is flying and I am three years older now. In the three years I’ve been here we’ve won the UEFA Europa Conference League, finished sixth and seventh in the Premier League, and played in Europe three years in a row, which is all very good. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
While Coufal was ever humble, Souček was eager to compliment his friend and teammate.
“He’s a massive player for us,” the midfielder said of Coufal. “Since he came here, he’s done massive things for West Ham United. He improved us a lot.
“I was here a couple of months before and, since he joined me at West Ham, we’ve done very well everywhere – in the Premier League and in Europe. It’s a massive achievement for us, for West Ham and for all of us. I hope everyone, even people back in the Czech Republic, are proud of him.”
