Julio Enciso was nearly in tears after being named Player of the Match on Thursday evening by the Premier League after our 1-0 win over Manchester United.
He puts his success since breaking into the team down to his head coach Roberto De Zerbi, his teammates and the backing of Albion fans as he finds his feet in England’s top flight.
He said, “The head coach, my teammates and the fans have faith in me and that helps me a lot. In every game I improve and I’m aware that I need to keep working hard so I that I carry on getting better in every game.
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“It makes me so emotional [to be awarded the Player of the Match award] because as a young boy I dreamed about playing in the Premier League. Receiving my first award makes me emotional and it’s for my family and friends in Paraguay.
“We deserved the three points and I’m very happy for the team. We worked so hard and I’m so pleased with the win.
“It was revenge for the semi-final. We didn’t have luck on our side that day but we were able to prove that we are a lot better [on Thursday].”
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Albion may well have had to settle for a point against Erik ten Hag’s men had they not been awarded a 99th minute penalty.
Alexis Mac Allister had to wait to take the spot-kick after the decision went to the VAR, but Enciso insists that everyone backed the Argentine to fire home the winner.
“I have so much faith in Alexis. He is a world champion and he makes all of us younger players feel extremely comfortable on the pitch. He helps us so much.
“I’m really happy he scored so we won the game.”