Hammers took a big step towards the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League Cup with an 'easy peasey' first-leg victory at AEK Larnaca.
The Home team caused some early problems but West Ham grew in confidence and started to resemble a team that had topped their group and were unbeaten in the competition. It was a question of when, not if, Hammers were going to score. An unmarked Antonio expertly headed Said Benrahma's superb left-wing delivery into the right corner on the 36th minute to open the scoring.
With the side that is struggling in the Premier League side searching for a second, Pablo Fornals drove wide of the left post moments before Antonio doubled the lead on the stroke of half time when he collected a pass on the edge of the area and expertly curled his effort around his marker into the top-right corner.
The side have now won all nine of their matches in the competition this term and they deserved the victory, with Antonio almost adding a third after the break when he drove a low effort which ricocheted against the right-hand post.
David Moyes had the 'luxury' of taking off Declan Rice and others ahead of the Villa game, with the added bonus of an appearance from Cornet who only played for a brief while but managed to create a golden opportunity for Pacqueta who had chimself ome on for the closing minutes.
Incidentally, what is it with West Ham and corners this season? A further 14 conceded tonight, but at no cost!
All in all a great performance against albeit 'lesser opposition', not quite job one, but a good lead to take home.
Speaking of leads, Gianluca Scamacca looked and played like a big Labrador that had just been let of its lead, he hustled and bustled but generally just ran into the opposition conceding needless free kicks. The young Italian desperately needs more game in order to return to being the bright eyed smiling character he was when he first arrived at the club, hopefully he will get back to what he was, one of Italy's hotest young prospects!
Success breeds success, perhaps the win will remind the team that they are actually decent players, DESPITE WHAT THEY ARE SOMETIMES TOLD! - Ed
Comments
The thing is Nev. Moyes
The thing is Nev. Moyes probably thinks he's a tactical genius. Constantly winning in Europe and conceding little. By European football standard this is a very good tactic away from home, something we should be proud of as a club.
But heres the thing. This is Moyes week in week out in every game. Home or away.
Notwithstanding the fact we nearly always come out of these games the wrong way score line wise. Moyes just jogs along with the odd win here and there, just enough to keep him from the sack.
So we win in Europe it should breed confidence. Just like beating Forest 4 0 should have done. Only to see us set up against Brighton and get thumped by the same score line.
As someone said elsewhere. Villa must be rubbing there hands at the thought of playing us. They know like every man and his dog how we will set up on Sunday.
Scammacca is now a third choice 35 million pound striker. I feel for the lad, it's madness..
Spot on Boogers
He wins in a 2 bob euro Cup he keeps his job! The lunatics have taken over scaffold towers!!
It really has been a waste of
It really has been a waste of money getting Scammaca,he has not been utilised,we paid the money and used the team we already had,its like buying a new car,put it in the garage and carry on walking everywhere.I agree boogers,the odd win has just put a plaster on a deep wound.
Crazy mate
The Scamacca situation,isn't he Italys centre forward? Talk about trying to destroy a players confidence,he will be off as soon as he has a chance
He will
a swap wth a 35 year old has been man city please now in italy,what a joke
So apparently
Bonus & dildo have stated that the moyesaurus will be manager of Westham next season regardless of what happens....I've always thought they were a couple of clints & it's confirmed
You know i had a feeling
You know i had a feeling about this,i think they dont want the aggro of getting someone in,i dont know what they want at this club,it certainly isnt progression.
Spot on mate
Said it before I think Sullys lost interest since the passing of David Gold
Was he ever interested?
Cardiff fan at heart and a hard hearted business man. Gold was the West Ham boy but sadly was too quiet and his family haven't said much either.. I'm more concerned with the silence from Kretinski, Warburton and believe it or not, Noble. The departures of Irvine and Pearce must be of some consideration too
Common knowledge
Sullys always been a Cardiff fan,bonus a Tottenham/ Arsenal fan depending what side of the bed she got out of & Gold one of your own? Debatable!
The resuts today have put us
The resuts today have put us back in the bottom three,so we go tomorrow with it all to do,i dont think we are going to get out of this.
Think you're right mate
Everton are still battling,dyche not as bad as some thought.Bournemouth beat the scouse,all the pressure is on us tomorrow be lucky to get a point but 3 is needed
I cant see us winning
I cant see us winning tomorrow mate.
We need to make our feelings
We need to make our feelings known ,mass protest ,let them know their not going to get away with this ,its the only way out of this shite
I reckon it will happen
I reckon it will happen Burkie.