LONDON – Lucas Perez turned the back of his jersey to West Ham’s jubilant fans and pointed to his name.
After a rather anonymous start to his career at the London club, West Ham fans are much more aware of the Spanish forward after his game-changing display against Cardiff in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Perez scored two second-half goals after coming on as a substitute for the injured Marko Arnautovic, setting West Ham on their way to a 3-1 win at the Olympic Stadium.
Michail Antonio also scored for the Hammers, whose goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski saved a penalty in the first half.
Perez, who previously had an underwhelming spell at Arsenal, joined West Ham from Deportivo la Coruna in the off-season for his second stint in English soccer.
Before Tuesday, he had made just five appearances in the league, all as a substitute.
He was summoned to come on earlier than expected against Cardiff, with Arnautovic hobbling off with an apparent left hamstring injury in the 38th minute.
Lucas opened the scoring in the 49th minute by running on to Robert Snodgrass’ lofted pass and driving a fierce shot past Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
His second goal, which came five minutes later, was a finish through the legs of Etheridge after being played in by Arthur Masuaku.
That was when he showed the back of his jersey to the fans.
Antonio wrapped up a second straight victory for West Ham – they won 3-0 at Newcastle on Saturday – by heading in an in-swinging corner from Snodgrass.
Cardiff grabbed a consolation through Josh Murphy with virtually the last kick of the game in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Earlier, Fabianski guessed the right way to save a 35th-minute penalty from Joe Ralls, after Junior Hoilett was fouled by Arnautovic.
Another 3️⃣ goals and another 3️⃣ points!! 🙌 #WHUCAR #COYI pic.twitter.com/mVRkp2Rs8R
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) December 4, 2018
Manuel Pellegrini’s side moved seven points clear of the relegation zone, though the injury to star player Arnautovic is a blow heading into a busy period of matches over the festive period.
In other Premier League games on Tuesday night, Brighton and Hove Albion beat Crystal Palace 3-1, Bournemouth saw off Huddersfield Town 2-1, and champions Manchester City triumphed 2-1 away to Watford.