Tomas Soucek hailed for ‘brilliant’ act after incident in West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
Dermot Gallagher has lauded West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek for helping a Crystal Palace ball boy in the match between the sides on Saturday [24 August].
While celebrating his goal, Soucek pulled the ball boy out from underneath an LED sign that collapsed on top of him during the celebrations at Selhurst Park.
Gallagher addressed the incident on the Sky Sports News, Ref Watch segment [26 August, 11:30] and hailed Soucek and Jarrad Bowen for helping the boy.
He said: “Well obviously make sure the ball boy’s alright, it was brilliant that Tomas Soucek spotted it and obviously Jarrod Bowen helped him and that the young lad was alright. But it was not a nice incident, he’s shook up isn’t he?
“He was taken away and looked after but I think this it was really, really nice how the players – their priority is to make sure that he’s okay, it’s almost like the game’s forgotten which is what happens, it’s a lovely gesture. But the referee’s just got to monitor everything and make sure A) the young lad’s looked after and that’s he okay and B) that’s he focused when the game restarts to get going again properly.”
West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek is a class act on and off the pitch
The match against Crystal Palace was a testament to the impact of Soucek on and off the pitch during his time at West Ham.
As Julen Lopetegui firmly puts his stamp on the East London side with a flurry of transfer activity, the Czech midfielder has been focused on the task at hand for his side.
Guido Rodriguez has played alongside him for the opening two matches of the 2024/25 season and more incomings are expected in midfield with a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Carlos Soler nearing completion [L’Equipe].
James Ward-Prowse is likely to be a casualty for the Hammers [The Athletic] as Lopetegui strengthens his midfield options whereas Soucek has looked very assured at the start of the campaign.
Against Aston Villa, he won the penalty that saw the sides enter the break on level terms and came inches from an equaliser in the closing stages as the Irons lost 2-1 at the London Stadium on the opening day.
However, he was rewarded for his efforts against Crystal Palace, opening the scoring on the day, and was excellent in helping Lopetegui secure his first win for West Ham.
Amidst all the chaos in East London, as David Sullivan provides the funds for the Hammers to mount a challenge for the European spots this season, Soucek has been a model professional and has continued his role at the heart of the midfield.
While all the transfer activity will excite the West Ham faithful, it is equally important to maintain the nucleus of the side moving forward and Soucek will surely have a big role to play this season.
In other West Ham news, an Ernest Muci update emerges as the Hammers eye a £11.9m transfer.
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