West Ham Fights Back to Claim Narrow Win Over AZ Alkmaar, in First Leg of Europa Conference League Semi-final

West Ham Fights Back to Claim Narrow Win Over AZ Alkmaar, in First Leg of Europa Conference League Semi-final
West Ham Fights Back to Claim Narrow Win Over AZ Alkmaar, in First Leg of Europa Conference League Semi-final

West Ham’s dreams of a first major trophy since 1980 are still alive as they came from behind to secure a narrow Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg win over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at London Stadium.

The Hammers’ hopes of reaching the final in Prague on 7 June were hanging by a thread when Alphonse Areola made a mess of saving Tijjani Reijnders’ low shot four minutes before the break. But in front of jubilant home support, David Moyes’ side turned the tie on its head after half-time.

After Ryan took an age to take his position for the penalty, Said Benrahma beat him with a powerful shot into the corner. And 15 minutes from time Michail Antonio hit the winner from close range, stabbing home the loose ball after Nayef Aguerd’s initial header had been blocked by Yukinari Sugawara on the line.

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