Monk- Gomis tribute a nice touch

Gomis rose highest at a 74th-minute corner with his header striking a post and going in off Hammers captain Kevin Nolan for what will probably go down as an own goal.

But Gomis wheeled away in delight and ran to the Swansea bench where he was handed a French flag, holding it aloft in respect of the 17 people who lost their lives in the Paris terrorist attacks this week.

"I thought that was a really nice touch," Monk said after the Barclays Premier League spoils were shared.

"He is very passionate about his country and where he is from and that showed in his celebration and why he got the flag."

Gomis was deputising for top scorer Bony, who is away on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup and on the verge of completing a £30million move to Premier League champions Manchester City.

The 29-year-old has himself been linked with a move away in the January transfer window after failing to secure a regular first-team place at Swansea since his summer move from Lyon, but Monk insists Gomis is very much part of his plans.

"I brought Bafi in the summer and he has worked very well," Monk said.

"He has been frustrated with his game time but the games he has played he has shown his quality.

"Now he has the perfect run and you saw against West Ham the quality he has, and in the coming weeks he will be an even better player.

"I would give him the goal, it was a great delivery in and a fantastic header which created the situation.

"He deserved it for his sheer work

He covered every blade of grass and was determined to help the team.

"West Ham always make it a hard game physically but apart from 10 minutes in the first half I thought we controlled the game.

"We made the substitutions which gave us a bit more cutting edge and managed to get the well deserved goal."

West Ham assistant Neil McDonald stood in for Sam Allardyce as the Hammers manager was unable to travel to South Wales due to a chest infection.

But McDonald revealed that Allardyce had watched the game at home and was in constant contact with the West Ham coaching staff.

"He watched the stream on a computer and gave us some tips on the phone," McDonald said.

"He has taken time off to recover and he should be fine for next week."

McDonald felt West Ham deserved more than a point after taking the lead through Andy Carroll's superb 43rd-minute strike and going close several times in the last 10 minutes following Gomis' equaliser.

"I think we should have won as we created some really good chances," McDonald said.

"Andy's goal set us up and it was a very pleasing goal because we have worked on his movement in the box.

"The first touch was great, he showed fast feet to get half a yard and he sticks it in.

"People think he is just a lump but he has more to his game

He has great touch and is a goalscorer with his head or feet."

Source : PA

Source: PA