Tomas Soucek made his 200th Premier League start as West Ham United deepened Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation fears with a valiant 2-1 victory over David Moyes’ Everton.
Even the most saccharine of scriptwriters would have struggled to come up with a more Hollywood-ian tale to mark such an occasion.
As Soucek joined Mark Noble, Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell and Steve Potts in the West Ham United history books, he not only scored the opening goal but denied Everton two guaranteed equalisers in his own penalty area.
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My heart can't take this 😂
Tony Gale jubilant as Tomas Soucek keeps West Ham United’s survival hopes alive
Up against a coach for whom he scored 27 of his 38 goals in the competition, the giant midfielder reminded David Moyes that understanding Tomas Soucek’s strengths and finding a way to combat them are two very different things.
“He wasn’t confident in dribbling, but he’s certainly confident attacking a ball like that,” West Ham legend Tony Gale said on the world feed, Soucek crashing home a Jarrod Bowen corner minutes after he stumbled over the ball out wide.
“That’s why David Moyes loved him.
“Good flat corner from Bowen. He gets up really well against [James] Tarkowski. Gets the flick, and what a crucial goal that could be!
“When you’re 6ft 4in and an imposing figure, it’s hard to get across him [in the air].”
Thirty-eight Premier League goals is a record figure for a Czech footballer. He might never score a more important one.
Has Tomas Soucek silenced his doubters for good with THAT Everton goal?
Not a bad way to celebrate Prem start number 200…
“This Soucek masterclass could be remembered forever,” one fan wrote on X in tribute to a bonafide modern-day icon.
“Think I would die for Soucek, ya know. Just ain’t another man like him.”
“If we win this game, build Tomas Soucek a statue.”
Soucek and Callum Wilson score in crucial win over Everton
Win the game they most certainly did. A thumping Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall volley cancelled out Soucek’s trademark header but Callum Wilson would snaffle a 92nd minute winner; thus, seeing the Hammers leapfrog Spurs in the dying embers of a topsy-turvy Saturday.
“Moyes watching Soucek do this to him, must be heartbroken. First a goal and now a goal saving interception,” another fan said after Soucek made the first of two stunning clearances.
“Soucek, you are incredible.”
“Soucek saved us again.
“Never underestimate the importance of Tomas Soucek.”
“Tomas Soucek is Man of the Match, clear as a day. Scored one goal, saved two. Absolutely brilliant performance by one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.”
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