Add as preferred source on Google
Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos were imperious once again as West Ham United edged out Brentford in the FA Cup fifth-round, much to the delight of an adoring Tomas Soucek.
Hammers icon Joe Cole singled out the ‘brilliant’ Disasi after what was another imposing central defensive performance from the Chelsea loanee. His often overshadowed centre-back partner would enjoy his moment in the sun, too, as West Ham United set up a quarter-final meeting with Leeds.
Konstantinos Mavropanos became the first since Said Benrahma against Manchester City in October 2021 to score a winning spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out.
And what a penalty it was; punted perfectly into Caoimhin Kelleher’s top corner. ‘Where the owl sleeps’, to borrow your correspondent’s favourite Portuguese footballing phrase.
We win it on pens 😎 Do you fancy us to beat Leeds and book a trip to Wembley?!
Credit: Getty Images/Ben STANSALL / AFP
Tomas Soucek, playing just ahead of Axel Disasi and Dinos Mavropanos in midfield, is better placed than most to comment on the form of the two central defenders racking up a staggering number of clearances at the heart of a much-improved backline.
Tomas Soucek lauds West Ham United’s defensive effort v Brentford
Between them, Disasi and Mavropanos made 21 clearances on Monday night. Up against a Brentford side infamous for their physicality and for Michael Kayode’s cannon-like long throws, West Ham’s two big centre-halves needed to be at their most imposing.
“[Brentford] have played this style for a long time, so we knew what to expect. It is very difficult to defend against them. They show that in the Premier League, they are a really good team,” Soucek said when asked about the performances of Disasi and Mavropanos at full-time.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
“And I have to say well done to them, [and] all of the lads. Everyone did great work. It was a really tough game. To play 120 minutes made it even tougher.
“I’m happy because we scored two great goals, including the penalty, and we created a few other chances so we could have won it within 90 minutes. But that’s football; it’s for the fans.”
Soucek dreaming of Wembley as Leeds quarter-final awaits
Nuno made seven changes from the side which beat Fulham in midweek. Adama Traore won the penalty converted by Jarrod Bowen in the 35th minute, and Mohamadou Kante excelled in an advanced midfield role.
The experience and consistency provided by a spine of Soucek, Disasi, Mavropanos, Bowen and Mateus Fernandes gave West Ham the platform, though, upon which a couple of youngsters and fringe players could make their mark.
Kante has just given Nuno something to think about! 🇫🇷
What did you make of his performance?
“This is something we wanted,” a beaming Soucek adds. “We are so happy with how we’ve been doing these last few games in the Prem. We want to keep this momentum going for the fans as well. We want to give them nice moments and great nights, and this was one of them.
“This season is really tough, but we can still end it as one of our best seasons. I’m so happy for this game. We have to take it game by game, but it was a perfect night with all of the moments.
“[Reaching the semi-finals] would be great. I’ve played at Wembley twice for the Czech Republic against England and it was tough, but to be there with the West Ham fans would be unbelievable. To have half of Wembley filled with our fans would be a crazy night.
“We are still one game away, so we have to do everything to prepare for that. It’s a big challenge. Obviously, our biggest priority is being ready for the Premier League, but this is something special we can think of for the fans and everyone in East End. We want to make that night at Wembley happen.
“I believe in us. With the momentum we have – I think over the last 10 games we’ve had really good performances and results – and with the fans at our back, anything is possible. Our fans are unbelievable; they know how we fight and they stay with us.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox