West Ham defender Emerson has reflected on a roller coaster victory for our Hammers at the weekend with the defender a key component in the drama.

The Hammers left-back was at the centre of most of the action in what was an afternoon of talking points away at Molineux yesterday afternoon, speaking to West Ham TV after the game, the Italy international discussed the emotions he went through in what was a hectic 90 minutes.

The Hammers No 33 gave away a first half penalty after his foul on Rayan Ait-Nouri gave Wolves the chance to go in front, which Pablo Sarabia duly converted from 12 yards to give Gary O’Neil’s side the lead going into half time.

After half time, following Jarrod Bowen being substituted having picked up a knock, Emerson had a goal ruled out for an apparent foul after heading home what he thought was an equalising goal for the Hammers.

The left back then won a penalty for West Ham, having delivered a cross into the box which was handled by Wolves defender Max Kilman, which Lucas Paqueta dispatched and levelled the tie with 18 minutes left to play.

James Ward Prowse scored directly from a corner to put West Ham back in front in the 84th minute. The Hammers managed to hold on and claim all three points after Max Kilman’s equaliser for Wolves in added time was ruled out by VAR.

Speaking to West Ham TV after the game, Emerson said: “We didn’t start well with the ball, or without the ball, but in the second half we showed our strength. Everyone wanted to show our mentality in the second half, me included.” Going on to add: “We showed, not just me, but everyone, that we did very well. We scored the two goals and won the game.”

Emerson was delighted he could make up for giving away a penalty in the first half by winning one for the Hammers in the second half: “When I saw their defenders just start to pass the ball, I went just to press and take the ball. I took it and crossed it with my right foot, and the ball went to the hand (of Kilman).” Adding: “I just prayed that it was a penalty, and it was. Paqueta scored and it was a nice feeling.”

Looking ahead to next Thursday’s trip to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Europa League quarter finals, Emerson said: “It’s a big game. We are here, we have arrived in the quarter final, so we need to believe and we have all the qualities to pass to the semi finals.”