West Ham enjoyed a successful outing in south London as they secured a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. However, amidst the scoreline, one particular moment stood out.
It was Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek who broke the deadlock for the Hammers at Selhurst Park in the second half. As he hurried over to celebrate with the traveling West Ham fans, the electric advertising hoarding gave way under the weight of the enthusiastic supporters leaning on it.
Such incidents are not uncommon in football stadiums, but what made this situation alarming was the presence of a young ballboy positioned in front of the collapsing hoarding. He found himself trapped beneath it in an uncomfortable position.
Fortunately, Soucek and Jarrod Bowen were quick to notice the boy’s predicament amidst the celebrations. They immediately sprang into action, lifting the hoarding and pulling him to safety before matters worsened. The potential harm inflicted upon the youngster could have been far more severe.
In a heartwarming turn of events, Bowen provided a positive update on the situation after the match. He revealed that the boy emerged unharmed and was even given Bowen’s shirt to lift his spirits.
“Yeah, I just managed to grab him out as quickly as possible,” Bowen shared with BeIn Sport after the final whistle. “It was just instinct to do it. I’ve seen him after the game, he’s got my top now. He’s smiling. He’s all good now, which is good to see.”
West Ham went on to secure a second goal shortly after, with new signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka proving to be an instant threat against his former club. The defender joined West Ham from Manchester United earlier in the summer and made his debut at Selhurst Park.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can arise during moments of celebration in football. However, thanks to the quick thinking and actions of Soucek and Bowen, what could have been a disastrous situation ended with a happy ending.
