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Premier League: West Ham's Diafra Sakho relishing Enner Valencia link-up

Mamadou Sakho (r) Diafra Sakho
Image: Diafra Sakho (l) leaps for a ball during West Ham's 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Diafra Sakho reckons West Ham can spring a few more surprises in the Premier League this season and believes he can form a fruitful partnership with fellow new arrival Enner Valencia.

Sakho, who joined in the summer from Metz, made it three goals in three starts for Sam Allardyce's side when he lobbed Simon Mignolet during Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool.

And Valencia, whose impressive performances for Ecuador at the World Cup prompted the Hammers to pay £12million for his services, opened his account a few days earlier with a blistering strike against Hull City.

Speaking about the blossoming partnership, Sahko told the club's official website: "We've trained together for a short while now. Enner's a footballer who likes to get it down and play, and me, I like to come deep.

"I try to position myself in relation to him and vice-versa. I hope that's going to continue to serve the club well this season.

"We're working every day in training for that. We're not going to relax and we'll carry on working hard at it, because it's only the beginning of the season and there will be plenty of matches to play together."

Sakho admitted he meant the audacious effort that beat Mignolet at the weekend but believes his all-round game can help inspire a side that managed only 40 league goals last season.

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"I saw the 'keeper off his line, at the near post, and I only had one thing in mind," he added.

"I tried it and it came off. I wasn't sure if it was going to go in or not, but thankfully it's ended up in the net. I've dreamed of scoring a goal as good as that, particularly here at the Boleyn Ground.

"Goals are why I'm here and that's why West Ham signed me but beyond that I'll try to help the team, as much as I possibly can. I work every day in training to try to be as effective as possible.

"We deserved (the result against Liverpool). On the whole, we lived up to the manager's expectations and those of the staff. And if we continue to play like that - work together, united as a group - we'll do good things in the Premier League."

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