Tomas Soucek revealed Michail Antonio joked with his West Ham teammates during a video call from his hospital bed to inspire his side to a huge win over Wolves.
Antonio watched the match on television from hospital as he recovers from multiple injuries, including surgery on a broken leg, following his horrific car accident last weekend.
Soucek and captain Jarrod Bowen both paid tribute to Antonio with their celebrations.
“This is for him,” Soucek said. ‘He is a huge player and he is in my heart. It was really tough for us. I was with the kids and I saw it on my phone.
‘I sent everyone a message asking what happened and how he is doing. I was so scared of what would happen. It was a very tough week for him, his family and us.
‘We had a video call with him before the game, the whole team. He smiled at us and gave us all the best. I can’t wait to visit him.
Tomas Soucek revealed that Michail Antonio joked with teammates during a video call from his hospital
West Ham striker Antonio is recovering in hospital after a horrific car accident last weekend
Photos have emerged of a wrecked Ferrari, reportedly showing the aftermath of the incident
‘He is a very nice man and also funny. He even made a few jokes before the game and wished us all the best. He will be with us soon.’
The result increased enormous pressure on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, who credited Antonio with the win.
‘We have many reasons to win games, but this one is special. We had another reason more and stronger, so I dedicate this one to Mich,” Lopetegui said.
‘Fortunately, it is possible that he will return. We are happy because he is alive. It was a terrible image [of the crash]. It was an extra energy for his teammates.’
However, it was a bad night for Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who faces another sack after another poor result that leaves him in 19th place, but he launched an impassioned defense of his time at the club.
“I understand the noise and the criticism, but when I arrived at the club the club had just achieved 39 points,” he said. ‘We’ve sold £200 million worth of talent since then.
‘If you take that away from the 39 points, there is a good chance that it will be difficult if someone expected it to be calm water. We were tipped for relegation by every pundit in the league last season and have achieved some incredible things.
O’Neil believed his side should have been awarded two penalties and felt Bowen’s winner should have been sent off for a foul in the build-up.
“Some big decisions had a huge impact on the outcome,” he added.