By Conor Higan
**“Souček again, Souček again, Souček again!” was the chant from the West Ham PA when Tomáš Souček put the Hammers in front against Burnley this afternoon.**
The Irons recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since February at London Stadium, defeating Scott Parker’s side 3–1.
After falling 1–0 behind courtesy of Zian Fleming’s opener, Nuno’s Hammers once again showed great resilience to claw back three goals and secure another vital three points in the Premier League.
At the centre of the Irons’ comeback was substitute Tomáš Souček, who scored his second goal in as many games this week. The Czech skipper’s chested finish from point-blank range put the Hammers in front on 77 minutes, following Callum Wilson’s equaliser just before half-time.
The West Ham No. 28 then set up his side’s third goal to seal the victory — his powerful strike was parried by goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka into the path of Kyle Walker-Peters, who scored his first goal for the club.
The “Souček again” chant has come to embody the sense of inevitability surrounding the big Czech’s place in this West Ham side. Upon the appointment of the Irons’ last three managers, supporters have believed that Souček’s time in the team was up — only for him to prove everyone wrong by consistently finding the net.
Souček is a textbook professional — nobody works as hard as he does on the pitch, he’s the first man to take a blow to the head, and he always seems to come up with goals. He’s not a glamorous player like Mateus Fernandes or Crysencio Summerville, but he is undoubtedly effective for the Irons.
Souček now has the sixth-most goals for West Ham in Premier League history, with 38 — and he will likely surpass Carlton Cole on that list this season.
The midfield trio of Potts, Fernandes and Paquetá has been a joy to watch in the last two games and should be Nuno’s preferred midfield going forward — provided Potts’ hamstring strain today is nothing too serious — but there is still a place for Souček in this West Ham team.
With Callum Wilson unable to complete 90 minutes, and the perennially injured Niclas Füllkrug once again sidelined, Tomáš Souček could be the impact substitute the Hammers require up front this season — especially if they fail to sign a striker in January.
In a West Ham side brimming with players in their early to mid-twenties, 30-year-old Souček remains a vital presence. Some supporters may have grown weary of his regular appearances, but I’ll never tire of watching him rise to win a towering defensive header or surge into the opposition box to score — wheeling away in trademark celebration.