Mateus Fernandes was certainly many supporters’ Man of the Match after West Ham United made it two Premier League wins from two against Burnley on Saturday at the London Stadium.
He was Hammers News’ pick, for what it’s worth.
On an afternoon in which Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Callum Wilson and Crysencio Summerville produced their best football of the entire campaign, Mateus Fernandes was head and shoulders above the rest in claret and blue.
Comfortably his most impressive outing since his debut away to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest in August. A devastatingly complete performance, in all facets of the game, which not only saw West Ham United see some return on their £40 million investment, it also vindicated Southampton icon Jo Tessem when he said Fernandes could be an ‘ultimate Premier League midfielder’ in time.
As humble as ever though, Fernandes had another man in mind when selecting his very own ‘MVP’.
Yes, he was the driving force from the centre of the park. But West Ham might not have turned the game around at home to relegation rivals Burnley if it wasn’t for the stunning impact of supersub Tomas Soucek.
Tomas Soucek celebrates during West Ham United v Burnley - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Mateus Fernandes calls Tomas Soucek West Ham United’s MVP against Burnley
For the second weekend in a row, the long-serving Czech stepped off the bench and scored a crucial goal in a comeback victory.
Surely there can be no debate now. Tomas Soucek has sealed his place in the pantheon of West Ham icons.
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He is a Premier League joint-record holder now too. Soucek drew level with Czech legend Patrick Berger on 38 top-flight goals as he tapped in at the back post following the rarest of Martin Dubravka blunders.
“What a game. We deserved it I think,” Fernandes said at full-time.
“Tomas comes from the bench and he made the difference. For me, he was the MVP of the match. A top guy, top professional.
“We go for more, we want more victories. We want to continue [like this].”
Fernandes says Leeds defeat was a turning point for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men
Nuno saw a big change in his West Ham charges after that barrel-scraping, rock-bottom hitting 2-1 defeat by Leeds at the end of October. Fernandes, who opened his Hammers account at Elland Road, agrees, successive league wins salvaging their season after making their worst start to a league campaign in 52 years.
“The game against Leeds was the most important in the season, to look at what we did wrong,” adds the Portugal Under-21 captain. “We worked. We work hard to play well, to win three points, and we did a really good game.
“We did a really good game last week and we go for more. We will work even more to win more, more games and points.
“When we start losing, it’s even more difficult,” Fernandes says, West Ham going 1-0 down at home to both Burnley and Newcastle in the space of six days. “It’s about mentality, you know?
“We work very hard and we believe. We play like we are training. If you go to the pitch with problems on the ball, with issues, we can’t play good.”
Nuno admits Soucek is a ‘nightmare’ to defend against
Nuno, meanwhile, insists that anyone writing off Soucek as he approaches his 31st birthday will have to get used to the bitter taste of humble pie.
“Look, I’ve played against Tomas many times,” the former Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest coach said on Saturday evening. “And every time I’m analysing it, it was a nightmare stopping Tomas from getting into the box.
“He recognises space, he has the belief that not many players have.
“A 250th appearance for the club, it’s huge. I think we know Tomas. We cannot have anything but respect for Tomas. What he gives for the team is huge.
“I think he came on in two games and helped the team immensely. He gives it all, no matter which position [he plays in]. I think you can play him full-back and he will deliver for us!”