Saïd Benrahma smiles, and for good reason too.
“I remember it well,” he says, “one of the goals I scored was very good!”
The Algerian forward is recalling his last outing against Derby County, the opponent West Ham United will face in their Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie on Monday 30 January.
Two and a half years ago, the second goal of his brace was not just ‘very good’ but one of the goals of the 2019/20 EFL Championship season.
With his trademark blonde dyed hair, Benrahma darted inside and, as he has against Crystal Palace and Brentford for West Ham this season, found the back of the net from distance. The top corner bulged, Rams goalkeeper Ben Hamer was well beaten, and a brace from Benrahma secured his former club Brentford a well-deserved league double.
“I do remember that game,” he adds, joyfully. “I remember the two goals very well in fact. It was during COVID [in July 2020]. I have happy memories of that game, and hopefully, it will be more of the same on Monday.”
Benrahma’s record against Derby, a side currently unbeaten in 14 games and on a six-match winning streak, is one he will hope to maintain.
In his four previous meetings, he has registered three goals and two assists. And after scoring the winner in the previous round against Brentford, confidence is high as the No22 heads to Pride Park once more.
The Hammers will face Derby for the second time in the historic competition. The first FA Cup meeting between the two historic clubs in 100 years is a challenge Benrahma will not take lightly.
“Ultimately with the cup games, there is the possibility of winning a title, so we need to be on it,” the Algerian states. “We need to give 100%, whether it is the cup or the league we have to continue to work hard, and I am sure the victory will come.
“When we play cup matches, we feel even more pressure because of what is at stake, but our recent performances in cup games have given us a lot of confidence too.
“When we have won games in the cup, it has helped us with our performances in the league too. I want us to continue that against Derby, of course!”
