Perfect as Fornals creates superb climax

We are through to a European final, our first for 47 years !!

Last night’s game  felt so much more restrained compared with last year’s heartbreak against Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final of the Europa League.

West Ham blew that tie with Aaron Cresswell’s red card in the second leg summing up their lack of composure, but here they were calm. They were in control after coming back from being a goal down in the first leg and were determined not to give AZ hope of a turnaround.

It was not entirely clear why the hosts were unbeaten in 25 European home games. The Irons  simply looked stronger and fitter, and we had fun when Lucas Paquetá had the ball.

The Brazilian was a joy to watch at times, his footwork a level above the others on the pitch, and he would go closer than anyone to scoring during the opening period. He deserved better than for his bending drive to clip a post after fine hold-up play from Michail Antonio.

Ar that stage AZ had been reduced to hopeful pot shots from long range. They played in front of West Ham and were struggling to get enough bodies into the box. It was too easy for Aguerd and Kurt Zouma to keep heading the crosses away.

Ultimately it never seemed likely that AZ would find a way through the wall of black shirts protecting Alphonse Areola’s goal.

Yes, the statistics at the end had suggested an evening of Dutch dominance. AZ had more shots, more of the ball and more corners.

Yet Pascal Jansen’s young side would pay for their lack of incision. In the end it was not a total surprise when Fornals’ clinical goal gave us all the chance to dream of beating Fiorentina in the final in Prague on 7 June.

By Simon Leyland