West Ham United striker Andy Carroll deserves all the success he gets according to teammate Cheikhou Kouyate.

England international Carroll headed the winning goal against Chelsea on Saturday and Kouyate feels that goal, the striker's first since January, was just reward for the hard work he put into recovering from his latest injury setback over the summer.

The former Newcastle United man was often found at the club’s training ground during the off-season, even when afforded time off, and now looks to be fully fit as a result after struggling with injuries throughout his time at West Ham.

And the Senegalese midfielder was among the first to join Carroll's celebrations after his winner at tUpton Park on Saturday afternoon.

Kouyate told the club’s website: “I am very happy for Andy. He is a nice guy and has worked so hard to get back to full fitness."

He continued: “It is great that we are third in the league. We just need to take it game by game and then see where it takes us.

“Andy Carroll has come on and done well. It is about all the players and we are one team. We need to carry on this good form and stay positive."