JAN Bednarek says Boxing Day football is “just craziness” as goals flew in across the Premier League and admitted that Saints knew their supporters “expected an enjoyable afternoon in London”.

The Polish international’s headed winner during the 3-2 at West Ham was one of 28 goals scored across six fixtures – with three other matches postponed due to COVID cases.

He connected with James Ward-Prowse’s deep free-kick for his second notch of the campaign – and his second in just three matches, after opening inside three minutes versus Leicester at St Mary’s.

Defensively, it hasn’t been the 25-year-old’s most solid season with Saints, as Bednarek battles with opposition in his centre-back position from Mohammed Salisu, Jack Stephens and Lyanco.

Read more

But in the absence of the latter two, the Pole stepped up to ensure he’d be the man to leave the lasting memory on Saints’ travelling support in the capital.

Daily Echo: Jan Bednarek rises highest to meet James Ward-Prowse's free-kick at London Stadium (Pic: PA)Jan Bednarek rises highest to meet James Ward-Prowse's free-kick at London Stadium (Pic: PA)

“I think it was an enjoyable afternoon in London,” Bednarek told the Daily Echo, speaking after becoming the match-winner.

“That’s what the fans expected with the Boxing Day entertainment, a lot of joy watching this match in tough times.

“We got the three points and that’s what we wanted and what we needed, we are happy with this.”

He continued: “I think it’s just craziness (Boxing Day games), we just wanted to enjoy our football and that’s what we did, we just wanted to win the game with a bit of joy and that’s what came today and we are happy with this.

Daily Echo: Saints' travelling support were treated to a Boxing Day feast (Pic: PA)Saints' travelling support were treated to a Boxing Day feast (Pic: PA)

“We will take these three points and we don’t have much time to recover but we will do everything to be ready for Tuesday.”

Although Bednarek has been no stranger to putting through his own net more times than he’d like to recall, he posted his fifth Premier League goal in his 112th appearance at the London Stadium.

He’d already became Saints’ first centre-back to get on target this campaign.

“I’m happy to help the team in the opposition box,” Bednarek added. “It’s important for a centre-back to score a few goals in a season and that’s what I needed.

Daily Echo: The Pole's goalscoring atoned for a couple of defensive errors (Pic: PA)The Pole's goalscoring atoned for a couple of defensive errors (Pic: PA)

“I’m happy with that and to improve this aspect. But we have to keep on going, to build up momentum, hopefully we will get another three points on Tuesday.”

Despite showing the fight required to pick up maximum points against a West Ham side that are targeting back-to-back European qualifications under David Moyes, a few points of concern were raised.

Notably, the second-half tendency to ship silly goals continued with Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma both bagging equalisers, and looked like they were to add to the 16 points dropped from winning positions already this season.

Daily Echo: It took substitute Michail Antonio just 180 seconds to net past Fraser Forster in the second-half (Pic: PA)It took substitute Michail Antonio just 180 seconds to net past Fraser Forster in the second-half (Pic: PA)

But the Saints defender is unmoved and insists there’s nothing to worry about: “I think just the opposition have enough quality to create the chances and take them.

“Every team in the Premier League has the quality and sometimes we can’t avoid for them to create chances and to create goals.

“It is what it is, thankfully today we scored more than them and got the three points.”