Craig Dawson’s lion-hearted contribution to Thursday’s backs-to-the-wall UEFA Europa League draw with Lyon was the embodiment of this West Ham United team.
The central defender was a rock for the hosts as they overcame the disadvantage of Aaron Cresswell’s first-half red card to make sure they would head to France next week still level in the quarter-final tie.
Dawson made three tackles, two blocks and completed three clearances in a commanding display at the back, but it was the passage of play in second half stoppage time, when he won a header on the edge of the box, came out on top in a 50-50 duel which followed, and continued to make another tackle straight away, which summed up his – and the team’s – never-say-die attitude.
It carried us to a valuable first leg draw and Dawson believes that same endeavour will stand them in good stead for success in the second leg.
“The group here is special,” Dawson explained. “Moments like tonight show the togetherness in the group. It’s a great set of lads and I think that’s what carries us forwards. Everyone’s together and right behind each other and that comes from the manager.
“The game plan changed from the red card on, but you could see how we worked defensively and obviously Jarrod and Mick were a threat going forward.
“We created a couple of chances which on another day could have gone in, so credit to the lads, we worked ever so hard after that sending off, but you wouldn’t expect anything else from West Ham.”
Dawson felt for his defensive colleague Cresswell, who was given his marching orders by referee Felix Zwayer for the faintest of touches on Moussa Dembéle’s arm as he burst clear in the right channel.
West Ham argued that the Lyon striker was moving wide of the goal, but Dawson felt his team handled any perceived injustice well.
“It was difficult, obviously,” he continued. “It was a big call from the referee, but I thought the lads showed great courage and togetherness to stay in the game and keep fighting.
“He made his decision very quickly, but there’s not much we can do as players. We had to deal with it and I thought we did that – we put in a great shift.”
Having now had a good luck at their French Ligue 1 opponents, Dawson is sure the Hammers will turn in an improved performance in the second leg to complete the job and keep our European run going.
The 31-year-old says the travelling Claret & Blue Army will also have a big role to play, after another night of tremendous backing from a sold-out London Stadium.
“We’ve seen them now, we know about them a little bit more, so we’ll get back on the training pitch [after Brentford], prepare for the game and hopefully get the result we want,” he added.
“I’ve had great support from the fans and you could see that tonight – they were so important to us and we’ll need them more than ever in the second game.
“The manager and his staff will work hard and prepare us for the game. Eleven v eleven I’m sure we’ll give them a game.”
