Tomas Soucek scored a landmark goal, but Benjamin Sesco equalized late in the game, resulting in a 1-1 draw between West Ham United and Manchester United. After the match, the emotions surrounding Tomas Soucek were quite complex. Both sides played cautiously in the first half.  

Just five minutes into the second half, the 30-year-old broke the deadlock. He combined brilliantly with Jarrod Bowen, then received a low cross from Bowen near the post and cleverly slotted the ball into the goal guarded by Sena Lamens.  

This goal was his 39th in the Premier League, surpassing former Liverpool striker Patrick Berge to become the highest-scoring Czech player in the league. Although the goal briefly suggested West Ham United could defeat the in-form Manchester United, Manchester United substitute Benjamin Sesco equalized with less than two minutes remaining, leaving West Ham with only one point. Currently, West Ham United trail 17th-placed Nottingham Forest by two points.  

Tomas Soček said: “I am very proud to have broken the record and I have always been proud of my hometown. I am from the Czech Republic and I hope the people there are proud of me too. I put in all my effort to break this record, which I had previously tied with Patrick Berg, a very good player. Now the record belongs to me, and I am very happy. It was also a wonderful goal, thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s excellent run, and I was in the perfect position.”  

"Obviously, this result is hard to accept. The course of the game was frustrating, reminiscent of similar situations we encountered a few games ago at Chelsea. But on the other hand, we must focus on the positives and not be affected by these minor incidents. We have shown our commitment to the game and our excellent level of play, and we need to maintain this momentum. The atmosphere in the dressing room has improved significantly compared to a few months ago, and we just need to keep working hard and move forward."  

West Ham United are currently on a five-game winning streak in the league, with three wins and one loss. Tomas Soucek stated that the team has many reasons to be optimistic. He and his teammates felt the full support of the fans during the match, with West Ham supporters cheering loudly throughout the 90 minutes against Manchester United. The team will next travel to Burton Albion for an FA Cup match on Saturday, before returning home later this month to face Bournemouth.  

Tomas Soucek added: "We must approach the game with a positive attitude. Whether it's the way we play, the way we press, or every action we take on the field, we need to stay focused. We must carry this into the upcoming games and continue to cultivate a winning mentality."  

“Right now I feel that the whole team and the fans are united, including the players, coaches and training staff. When I meet the fans outside the stadium, I can feel their support. The fans tonight were fantastic, and we could really feel them behind us. Everyone knows our goal, which is to return to the Premier League next season. This is our common goal, and we will continue to work towards it.”  

Image source: Internet/West Ham United official website