Tomáš Souček is hoping to complete a hat-trick of wins over Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The 29-year-old scored the winner on New Year’s Day 2021 on Merseyside, slotting home in the 86th minute to make it 1-0, and also played a lead role in the Hammers’ other narrow victory there later that year, when Angelo Ogbonna popped up with the vital strike.
David Moyes’ Hammers go into the upcoming contest off the back of a 4-2 victory over Brentford on Monday, a result that lifted the Club up to eighth in the table and marked a first win in seven Premier League outings.
And, though the Czech Republic international is confident of furthering such winning momentum, at a stadium where he has fond memories, he is wary of the threat posed by a Toffees side who themselves prevailed 1-0 the last time the teams met on their home patch.
“It was a perfect game with a late winner," said Souček, reflecting on the January 2021 clash. “To score again and complete a hat-trick would be perfect, but it will be a tough game.
“We are happy to have won the last game against Brentford - we needed that win. Now, we need to carry on in this way with performances and results as well. It will be tough there [Goodison Park] as they are a strong side, but I believe we are ready for the game.
“I remember the manager [Sean Dyche] from Burnley where he played a similar style. He has now taken that to Everton, and they are scoring many goals from set-pieces and corners, so we know we are going to have to be at our best."
The win over the Bees was a much needed one for the Irons, and Souček’s performance was arguably among his best of the season, highlighting his importance to the team.
Souček, who has only missed one of West Ham’s 26 Premier League games this season, contributed an impressive nine aerial duels - five offensive, four defensive - winning 67 per cent of them. He did well defensively, making eight clearances, two interceptions and two tackles, while also showing he is just as strong at the other end, as his towering early header almost opened the scoring.
“I felt very good [on Monday],” he said. “I told myself we need to win and will do everything to get the three points, and from minute one I felt super good.
“I just hope I can have a similar performance for the next game because it gave me confidence. It’s great when you go into the changing room after the game, and everyone tells you you were superb.”
