TOMAS SOUCEK has been hailed for holding back with his celebrations during West Ham’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on Thursday night.
Soucek opened the scoring for the Hammers on his 30th birthday as the East London club won consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March 2024.
GettyTomas Soucek held back from his trademark celebration after scoring the opener against Leicester on Thursday[/caption]
GettySoucek is known to stretch his arms out and spin around for his usual celebration[/caption]
Despite prodding in the opener in front of a full home stadium, Soucek held back from doing his trademark celebration.
The Czech Republic international is known for his spinning celebration that sees him stretch his arms out and spin around twice before leaping up and punching the air.
However, the midfielder opted against doing so on Thursday and instead kept things cool with his arms down by his side.
Now Soucek has revealed the “gentlemanly” reason he avoided doing his usual celebration, choosing to respect Leicester’s late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Speaking after the match, he said: “I didn’t think my normal helicopter celebration was the right thing to do because of what happened to the Leicester owner.
“I wanted to celebrate my goal with my team, but I also wanted to show respect to our opponents.”
Late Foxes owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people who lost their lives in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium in 2018.
The October 27 crash occurred after the helicopter took off from inside the stadium following a 1-1 draw between Leicester and West Ham.
Getty Images – GettyLeicester City Chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, lost his life in a tragic helicopter crash in 2018[/caption]
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Srivaddhanaprabha lost his life alongside employees Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare and co-pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
A recent inquest has ruled that the crash was an incident.
Fans have credited Soucek for his decision to not use his usual celebration.
On social media, one wrote: “That sums the bloke up, a true gentleman and a Hammer”.
While another added: “That is how you know he is the absolute epitome of a gentleman”.
And a third posted: “A class act, on and off the pitch.”
Soucek’s goal was compounded by a Jannik Vestergaard own goal just two minuted before half time.
The victory for Graham Potter‘s side means they are now level on points with 14th placed Manchester United and 13th spot Tottenham.
For Leicester the defeat means they have now lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League games.
Relegation is now staring Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s side straight in the face, with the foxes five points clear of safety and sat in 19th spot.
West Ham are ahead, and it's Tomáš Souček who bundles the ball over the line after Kudus' effort was kept out ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 27, 2025
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