Angelo Ogbonna has hailed goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for his first-half penalty save in West Ham United’s 3-1 victory against Cardiff City on Tuesday.
Two goals from Lucas Perez and Michail Antonio’s header in the second half secured another three points for the Hammers in the Premier League, making it two wins on the bounce.
However, the game could have headed in a very different direction in the first period after the away side were awarded a penalty. However, goalkeeper Fabianski stepped up to deny Joe Ralls from 12 yards, superbly stopping the Cardiff man’s spot-kick.
The Poland international’s save has been praised by teammate Ogbonna, who knows how huge the stop was to the flow of the game.
“We stayed strong,” Ogbonna told West Ham TV. “We’ve improve every game and I think it was a good game for us.
The penalty was a big moment for them and then, after Lukasz saved the penalty, it was a big moment for us.
Angelo Ogbonna
“For them, away, they tried to take the points, and they got the penalty, but Lukasz saved us. I think it was a big moment for them and then, after Lukasz saved the penalty, it was a big moment for us.”
The stop ensured a level scoreline heading into the interval, and West Ham kicked on in the second period, scoring three goals in a 12-minute spell that ensured the points remained at London Stadium.
Not even a late consolation, bundled in by Josh Murphy, could change Ogbonna’s opinion that the Hammers deserved the result.
The Italian international relished the chance to return to the starting XI and is proud of his contribution to Tuesday’s result.
He continued: “I think we deserved this win. It was a very good victory for us. It was very important for us.
“It was a game that we had to step up in, and I think we did that. We concentrated from the beginning and we had the chances to go ahead. I’m really, really happy. I’m back in the squad and I’m playing my game like I used to.”
The match featured a brace for Spaniard Lucas, and two assists for Robert Snodgrass, and Ogbonna also pointed out the duo as worthy of individual praise.
“Lucas did well,” Ogbonna added. “He scored well, and I am really happy for him.
“Snoddy, as well, has been so fantastic for us. He put a great ball in the middle for the corner when Michail scored, and also for my header that the ‘keeper saved.”