West Ham stars rushed to the aid of a fallen ball boy after celebrating fans swarmed the advertising shed at Selhurst Park.
Hammers fans packed into the stands after Jarrod Bowen’s goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Floodwaters caused an advertising board at the bottom of the visitors’ block to collapse, falling on a group of fans and the board itself onto a ball boy sitting on the sideline.
Concerned West Ham players found him at the bottom of the pile and quickly rushed to his aid, freeing him. Ms Soucek was seen picking up pieces of the broken sign to help the boy climb out, while she and Bowen were seen talking to him.
After the ball boy was safely out, West Ham players checked on him before he was escorted away by stadium security. After the final whistle, the players spoke to the boy again and one player handed him his jersey.
Fans praised midfielder Tomas Soucek for recognising the danger. They tweeted: “Kudos to Tommy Soucek for recognising the danger when the ball boy fell under the advertising fence as West Ham celebrated their second goal.
Another fan said: “Fair play to Soucek and Bowen for helping their team out.” The young ball boy who got stuck under the fence. Definitely heartwarming.
Praise rang out throughout the afternoon. Another fan wrote: “Good to see West Ham players checking on Crystal Palace ball boy when the stand fence collapsed on him. Sliding through the front fence and landing on a ball boy. Luckily he seems to be OK. Fair play to Soucek and the other West Ham players who looked after him.
Hammers fans had a second chance to celebrate against Palace.” Czech midfielder Soucek gave the Hammers the lead midway through the second half. And just five minutes after Soucek’s opener, the fans were on their feet again. Bowen capitalised on a brilliant counter-attack to double his team’s lead.
West Ham lost their opening game of the season 2-1 to Aston Villa at the London Stadium. Palace also lost their opening game 2-1 to Brentford.
West Ham are back in action on Wednesday when they host Bournemouth in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Palace host Norwich on Tuesday night and also have a League Cup match scheduled for later this week.
Both teams then face Manchester City and Chelsea respectively in their next Premier League matches towards the end of the month.