By Hughie Southon

Larnaca 0 Hammers 2

Mikey Antonio scored two fine goals to set up what looks like a comfortable passage into the last eight in tonight’s Europa Conference clash against Larnaca.

His first was a superb header from Benrahma’s cross on 36 minutes and the second a fine curling right foot shot into the top corner a minute in the 46th.

He might easily have had a hat trick when he roared through the middle to pick up Benrahma’s cross but fired against the inside of an upright and saw the ball rebound clear

But he was substituted by Scamacca in the second half having appeared to pick up a calf injury as the Hammers cruised to a comfortable win.

Although in the end it was an easy win there was still the opening half hour causing  worries as once again the team failed to get any sort of grip on the game or create chances.

However, the Cypriots were never at the races themselves and unable to create anything  in front of goal.

The Hammers were quite happy to run the clock down but became sloppy themselves in possession and whether the win has given the team confidence for Sunday and Villa is probably questionable.

Maxwel Cornet made a surprise appearance and set up a great chance for Lucas Paqueta but the midfielder could not beat the Larnaca keeper from close in at the end of a solo run.