Four goals, three points, two consecutive 4-0 wins at Carrow Road, and one biggest Premier League win of the season so far.
Amidst the sunshine, the sing-songs of the supporters, and West Ham United’s impressive performance against Norwich City, Mark Noble’s 35th birthday was to be a delightful day indeed.
The Hammers skipper featured for the final quarter of Sunday’s comprehensive victory, at which point the Irons were already four goals to the good thanks to Saïd Benrahma (two), Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini's penalty.
With the skipper spraying some lovely passes around the Carrow Road turf on his 21st appearance in all competitions in his final season as a player, Noble was even able to enjoy a rendition of ‘happy birthday’ from a travelling Claret & Blue faithful in fine form.
Noble’s tenth Premier League appearance this season could come against Manchester City at London Stadium next weekend, the long-serving Captain’s final home game – but Sunday was still a day to savour, as he told West Ham TV…
It was really nice to watch the boys, and especially to play 25 minutes myself – it was lovely.
The game was already won by then so it was good to come on, get sung ‘happy birthday’ to by the fans – which was lovely – and enjoy 25 minutes of football.
We had to get over the disappointment of Thursday's UEFA Europa League loss quickly, because we knew we want to qualify for Europe again.
Today was a really big game for us. We needed the three points – obviously with Wolves coming back and getting a point against Chelsea on Saturday, and Manchester United losing – so we just need to keep pushing.
It’s the start of a massive week for myself, but I’m looking forward to it.
I said to Saïd before the game “I think you’re going to score today” as a little birthday present for myself!
After 12 minutes, he scored and came running over, which was nice!
It was a good performance from the boys. In spells we didn’t play the best, I don’t think, but when you win 4-0 it’s pretty convincing.
We just hope Saïd’s alright as obviously he got a knock late on.
But being able to be in a situation to bring [Craig] Dawson off, because he got a knock, and Michy [Antonio]… it was a good performance for the boys and fully deserved.
After the disappointment of Thursday, it was a good reaction.
We can’t rest on this.
We want to keep pushing and finish as high up the table as possible.
To be in the position where we are now, with getting into the semi-finals of the Europa League, is a testament to the players themselves because it’s not easy to play that many games.
Today was nice. The weather was nice, it’s a beautiful pitch, and a good performance.
That’s West Ham fans for you – I’d expect nothing else.
When you come away, a two-and-a-half or three hour drive, and you see a performance like that, and the goals, it’s really pleasing.
I know exactly what the fans were going to be like before I turned up to the game, so it doesn’t surprise me.
I am really looking forward to my last-ever home game [against Manchester City next weekend].
It’ll be emotional, but in the position we’re in, it would be a real pleasure to play against one of the best teams in world football.
I’m hoping we perform well, but it still be a fantastic occasion for me and my family, and just to say ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’ to our – my – home fans.
