- Defender Sam Byram delighted to play his part in winning effort against Crystal Palace
- 23-year-old was making first team return after three months out injured
- Former Leeds full-back hails team unity after clinical performance against the Eagles
Sam Byram could not have asked for a better 45 minutes in which to make his return to first team action than the second half against Crystal Palace.
Following a three-month absence from first team action due to a hamstring injury, the 23-year-old full-back came off the bench at half time to help the Hammers to a 3-0 victory over the Eagles on Saturday.
He was thrilled to be back in action at London Stadium, but even more happy with a valuable three point haul for his team.
“It was a great game to make my return in,” he smiled. “I thought we played well in the second half. We were a bit slow moving the ball in the first half, but we put together some good moves after half time and scored three good goals.
“Being on the bench you’ve always got a chance [of coming on], so I made sure I was ready, I had a good warm-up and was happy to make my return.
“I’m still feeling a little rusty to be honest! It’s early for me to come back but I’m absolutely delighted that it’s come.
“I’ve got another week now until the next game to get some fitness in and keep showing the manager what I can do in training.”
We’ve needed this, it does feel like a real lift. The team were together afterwards and it was a great atmosphere around the place
Sam Byram
After single-goal victories over AFC Bournemouth, Sunderland, Burnley and Hull City at London Stadium this season, Byram is hoping to use a first thumping win at the Club’s new home as momentum to really kick-on in the second half of the campaign.
He continued: “We’ve needed this, it does feel like a real lift. The team were together afterwards and it was a great atmosphere around the place, so hopefully it’s upwards from here.
“There’s been a lot in the news over the last week but we’re a team and we stick together. We showed on Saturday, particularly in the second half, that we can pull together and that we’ve got a great squad.”