West Ham can achieve ‘something special’ after ‘beautiful’ Chelsea win, says Vladimir Coufal
Vladimir Coufal says West Ham are capable of something truly special this season after another "beautiful" result against London rivals Chelsea.
Arthur Masuaku’s freak late goal, a cross which swerved to beat Edouard Mendy at his near post, ended West Ham’s run of three without a win, kept them in the Premier League’s top four and added to their impressive list of scalps this season.
This term alone David Moyes has managed victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea at the London Stadium in the Premier League while knocking both Manchester clubs out of the Carabao Cup to reach the quarter-finals.
The Hammers are also through to the last-16 of the Europa League after finishing top of their group with a game to spare.
West Ham have kicked on further from last season’s sixth-placed finish and won’t sit down in the race for the Champions League places.
"Are we capable of something special? Yes," Coufal told Standard Sport. "We beat United, then City [on penalties in the Carabao Cup] at this stadium and also Liverpool so it could be a wonderful season for us.
"It is a special season. We’re in the Europa League after I don’t know how many years. We will be there in the next half of the season because we got first in the group and we want to be as high as possible in the Premier League.
"It is just about hard work in the sessions and to be confident on the pitch.
"Of course we want to be as high as possible in the table but we are still not on this level like Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City.
"We are trying to get on this level. Sometimes we play good against these teams sometimes we play bad but we are in a process. Sometimes we are able to deliver this beautiful result."
Coufal claimed an assist for Jarrod Bowen’s goal on Saturday and looks to have won his place back at right-back. An injury last month saw the Czech drop out of the side and a run of fine form from Ben Johnson had kept him on the bench, but Coufal looks back to his best.
"I had an injury so it is normal in football," said Coufal. "Ben did well so it wasn’t any reason to change it. We won every game that I missed so there was no reason to change it. Now I am back and I hope for a long time."
Johnson was forced off with a hamstring complaint just before the break on Saturday while West Ham also lost £30million summer signing, Kurt Zouma, to a suspected knee injury in the second half.
With Angelo Ogbonna already out for the season and Aaron Cresswell and Ryan Fredericks missing Saturday’s game, Moyes will be desperately hoping scans don’t deliver a blow over both players following the almighty high of downing Thomas Tuchel’s Champions League winners.
"I need to get players back," said Moyes. "Ryan Fredericks needs to come back, Aaron Cresswell and as you well know we don’t have Angelo Ogbonna for a while because of his ACL."
Read More
Jarrod Bowen brilliance and bite shows why West Ham are here to stay in top four race
West Ham able to show off David Moyes’ greatest achievement even when not at their best
