West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek dedicated his latest goal to team-mate Mikhail Antonio, who was involved in a car accident.
Antonio was badly injured in a car accident in Theydon Bois and was taken to hospital, with West Ham saying the veteran striker has undergone surgery on a broken leg and will remain in hospital until he is fully recovered.
The 34-year-old forward therefore missed West Ham’s last home Premier League game, which was a 2-1 win over Wolves on Monday.
Soucek, who headed the opening goal of the game, celebrated by holding up nine fingers to represent the shirt number of his long-serving teammate. “This goal is for him. I dedicate this goal to him. I said before the game that I wanted to score even more goals today,” he said.
“He’s been here since I arrived. He’s my absolute favorite. I told him it would be difficult for me to play without him.”
“I’m happy he’s OK now, but this goal for him, he’s an important player and he’s in my heart. It’s really difficult for us.”
“I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.”
Antonio, who had appeared in all of West Ham’s Premier League games this term prior to the crash, is being monitored in hospital after his operation.
Soucek revealed his friend inspired West Ham’s win over their relegation rivals by speaking to the players before the clash at the London Stadium.
“We had a video call with him, the whole team, before the game. He smiled to us and gave us all the best. I can’t wait to visit him,” he said.
“He is a really lovely ทางเข้า ufabet guy and also funny. He even made a few jokes before the game and he wished us all the best.”