The last time West Ham United won a major trophy was in 1980, and even though their local League performance this season has seen them closer to a relegation battle than a league title race, they continue to make the European scene their hope of breaking their trophy drought.
On Thursday evening, the Hammers welcomed Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to the London Stadium and managed to pick their 12th win in 13 European games this season.
The game is the first leg of the semi-final UEFA Europa Conference League fixture, but it didn’t start well in favor of West Ham as the Dutch side took the lead at the end of the first half when Alphonse Areola fumbled a shot and was turned in by Reijnders.
It took 22 minutes of the second half before West Ham pulled level when Said Benrahma scored from the penalty spot to put David Moyes’s side back on track. Michail Antonio got the winner in the 75th minute for a much-needed to-one winner ahead of the second leg next week Thursday.
The striker admitted that the game was a tough one for the team but was glad for the win ahead of next week’s return leg.
“It definitely was [a tough game]; from watching what they’ve done, we knew they would play football, and they’re a decent team. We made it difficult for ourselves; we had chances; we just needed to be more clinical. In the end, we got the result. We know they’re a possession-based team; they know how to work it. I was hoping I dropped on a couple of other things, but it dropped on me perfectly [for my goal]. I got the goal, we got the win, and we move on to next week.” Antonio said.
West Ham United will play Brentford next in the Premier League before next week’s return leg.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
