The 2020/21 season was crammed full of memorable moments for everyone connected to West Ham United - a Club-record Premier League points total of 65, a sixth-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa League attests to that.
With a whole host of highs to look back on, from high-scoring doubles over Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, to that unforgettable 3-3 draw at Tottenham Hotspur - not forgetting the London Stadium win over the north Londoners too - and an incredible nine league victories on the road, it's a story that will feature prominently in West Ham history books.
Here, we take a look back over the campaign in the words of the men who made it happen, with the stand-out quotes.
I’ve said it before as well: I think this Club has got unbelievable potential – and it’s untapped. It has been one of the leading clubs in English football for so many years, but that's many years ago, so now we have to come back. We will come back. The potential here is so big
David Moyes
Heading back to pre-season, following an intense and successful training camp in Scotland, it was clear that the boss was not content with standing still after leading the team away from relegation danger last term. He wanted more, and over the next nine months, he certainly got it.
There was a link between David and Pearcy and that got passed on via radio to Paul, who was standing beside me for most of the game. It seemed to work extremely well. I don’t think there was anything that David was saying that didn’t get through to me.
Alan Irvine
The campaign did not catch fire straight away though. Defeats by Newcastle United and Arsenal were followed by a positive COVID-19 test for the Gaffer. The meticulous nature of the Hammers' preparations came to the fore as the team shrugged off their manager's absence to bounce back with 4-0 and 3-0 wins over Wolves and Leicester respectively. And as assistant Alan Irvine explained after defeating Wolves, teamwork was the key.
It was the perfect debut for me. Before the match I was a little nervous, but I must say 'thank you' to all my teammates because they've supported me every day since I joined, and especially Tomáš.
Vladimír Coufal
The summer (or autumn in this COVID-19 affected season) transfer window closed with the Hammers making a move for Slavia Prague right-back Vladimír Coufal and the Czech defender wasted no time in endearing himself to the Claret and Blue Army, giving a storming display at Leicester just a couple of days after signing.
I was jumping up and down, because it was such a big moment. To come back from 3-0 down to three each [that celebration] is what you get.
David Moyes
Next-up was that dramatic trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which saw the Hammers go three down inside the game's first 16 minutes. They still trailed by that scoreline with just eight minutes remaining, but Fabián Balbuena's header, an own-goal from Davinson Sánchez and Manuel Lanzini's quite brilliant last-gasp strike salvaged an astonishing point - and led to the manager's memorable celebration.
We knew it was going to be a tough game - we're both in form, both started the season strongly and we needed the three points. We got them, however it came. We dug in, got a stroke of luck which we probably needed, and then dug right in to the last whistle for the three points.
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham's belief was really starting to shine through by now. A 2-1 home victory over Aston Villa in late November was a fifth win in eight starts and took them into the top five for the first time of the season. That it was secured with a display of defensive resilience was also a sign of the team's fantastic spirit, as match-winner Jarrod Bowen explained.
It's the first time in my career that I've played over Christmas, normally I've had three weeks off and eat some potato salad in the Czech Republic! But I love to play football during Christmas time. We've had three difficult games in six days, so it's good for us to end with the win tonight.
Tomáš Souček
Into 2021 and the New Year kicked-off in perfect fashion, as Tomáš Souček's late goal secured a 1-0 victory at Everton. Festive football was a novelty for the Czech midfielder, who revealed the customs he'd normally be following at that time of year!
Let’s keep it going, because I’m not getting tired of winning, that’s for sure! I just hope that it’s giving the supporters something to really get excited about, and they see hopefully we’re here to stay and we’re not going to go away.
David Moyes
January continued in fine fashion, with the 3-2 success at Crystal Palace towards the end of the month bringing a fourth straight victory. The team's potential was becoming clear for the whole football world to see by now.
I was smiling before the game, during the game…I just love football and enjoy playing. It’s been a long time. I enjoyed myself, and came out with two goals and three points, which was the most important thing.
Jesse Lingard
How could this group be improved further? Moyes had the answer by bringing Jesse Lingard in on loan from Manchester United. The England international hadn't started a Premier League game all season, but his impact was immediate, with a double as the Hammers defeated Aston Villa 3-1 on his debut.
Before the game yesterday Pablo was like, ‘right, if we score today Jesse you do that, I’ll be on the guitar’, and I said I wanted to be on the drums! Literally it was just made up before the game, we just had a little giggle about it, and luckily enough Jesse scored and it call came off. But my drumming needs work I think, I’ve been turned into a meme overnight!
Declan Rice
The visit of Tottenham gave the Hammers the chance to get one over their London rivals, and they didn't disappoint as Michail Antonio and Lingard, again, found the net in a 2-1 win. Lingard's goal preceded one of the more memorable celebrations of the campaign, christened the 'Backstreet Moyes', as Declan Rice explains.
We scored three scintillating goals. They were so good. Jesse and Micky were a handful for them and the boys did a good job. We’ve got bundles of commitment and courage.
David Moyes
We were into the finishing straight by now, and even injuries to key men couldn't derail the team's charge. A 3-2 win at Wolves was further evidence of the Hammers' resilience, resulting in one happy manager.
The most important thing I want to say is that we showed brilliant character and we showed brilliant team spirit. That’s why we’re up in the table now and we have now the same number of points as the best West Ham team in [Premier League] history. I am really proud of every member of our squad and every person at West Ham, because it’s a really big success.
Vladimír Coufal
With two games to go, the Hammers were right in the race for European football, and they came from behind to defeat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 with another display full of character. Vladimír Coufal's first season in English football was one he'll never forget.
Qualifying for the Europa League is a huge achievement. We want to build West Ham up and we want to keep doing it. I see a great chance to go further and make it bigger and better. I hope that the standards we’ve set this year will continue as we’ve had such a good year and we don’t want to be at the bottom any more.
David Moyes
And the final word goes to the boss, who speaking after Sunday's win over Southampton, could not disguise his pride as just what his team had achieved. It has been some year.
