VIDEO: Fantastic Soucek! This half-volley in the setup decided three points for West Ham

Tomas Soucek has a patent for goals in the setup this season. He’s already handed West Ham important points towards the end of games on several occasions and he did it again against Everton. And he did it in spectacular fashion.

When sound signing Kalvin Phillips arrived from Manchester City over the winter break, there was speculation whether he would push Tomas Soucek out of the line-up. After all, he plays in the same position of defensive midfielder.

However, these thoughts were dispelled rather quickly. In the last round against Nottingham, Phillips was indeed given priority in the starting lineup at the expense of Soucek, only to see a red card in the second half. It didn’t give much reason to think that the Hammers leader would be forced out of the line-up.

So on Everton’s soil, Soucek returned to the line-up and repaid David Moyes in the best possible way. Yet the game didn’t go well for West Ham. At the end of the first half, Beto could have opened the scoring for the home side. But he missed the penalty.

But the Portuguese striker made no mistake at the start of the second half and Everton led 1-0. Not for long though, the renowned assistant James Ward-Prowse found Kurt Zouma who equalised at 1-1.

Soucek as hero for Hammers

As the game was heading for a draw, hero Tomas Soucek appeared again. In the 91st minute, he worked Mohammed Kudus’ overhit centre on his chest. And, like a skilled crafter, he finished with a half-volley into the net.

It was his fifth goal in the Premier League this season, having netted eight in all competitions. In total, he has scored goal number 25 in the English league.

In the 96th minute, Edson Álvarez sealed the victory and West Ham jumped to seventh place in the table with a 3-1 win. They are only two points behind sixth-placed Manchester United, but the Red Devils have a game in hand.

Source: Premier League, Canal+ Sport