Rabiu AminuNuno Espírito Santo: “The Fans Gave Us Back So Much More”
Venue: London Stadium, Post-Match Interview AreaMatch Result: West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle UnitedInterviewer (I): Sky Sports / Premier League ProductionsI: Nuno, congratulations on your first home Premier League win as West Ham manager. It’s been a long wait for the fans here at the London Stadium. What is the overriding emotion right now?Nuno: Thank you. The emotion is happiness, but happiness for the right reasons. Happiness for the players, because they work so hard and they showed today they deserve this. And happiness for the fans, because they have waited too long for a win here at home. This feeling, this noise, the atmosphere today… it was amazing. It was a victory for all of us.I: You went behind early to a fantastic Jacob Murphy goal. What did you say to the players to get such a strong reaction to turn the game around before half-time?Nuno: It’s about character. It’s about knowing that mistakes will happen, but how you react to them is everything in football. We conceded, yes, but we kept playing, we kept trusting in our plan, and we showed great character to immediately create chances ourselves. Lucas Paquetá’s goal was vital, and then the second one just before half-time gives you the momentum. We needed to keep calm, keep control, and we did.I: Tactically, what pleased you most? There has been a lot of focus on how you set up, but today you looked very organized, particularly defensively in the second half.Nuno: Yes, I was very satisfied with the work off the ball. This is fundamental. We had to be compact, to be aggressive in our pressure, and to close the spaces against a very good Newcastle team. The back line was solid, the midfield—Freddie Potts, Mateus Fernandes, Paquetá—they ran and fought for every yard. We were much more organized, we were much more stable, and that is what allows the quality of our players, like Paquetá and Souček with the third goal, to come through.I: You mentioned the fans. The atmosphere was incredible today, the noise was loud. Do you feel that connection is now starting to build between the team and the supporters?Nuno: Absolutely. The fans gave us back so much more than we gave them today, honestly. The passion, the way they pushed us after the goal, after the VAR decision… this is the London Stadium we need. This feeling of togetherness, of fight. They were our 12th man, and we need this every single week. This is what we must use now as a benchmark for the effort, the quality, and the atmosphere.I: Finally, what does this win mean for the confidence of your team as you look to climb the table?Nuno: It’s a boost, of course, but it is just three points. It confirms that the hard work we are doing on the training ground is correct. We must take this energy, this commitment, and immediately focus on the next game. We cannot relax. We must continue to build and to improve.You can find the video footage of Nuno’s reaction in the following links: * West Ham United FC (Official Club Channel): “It Means So Much” | Potts, Bowen, Nuno & More | Post Match Reactions | West Ham 3-1 Newcastle * HaytersTV: AMAZING NOISE in the London Stadium | West Ham 3-1 Newcastle | Nuno Espirito Santo
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