Swashbuckling Irons produce stellar performance

By Simon Leyland

Our European adventure continues after a magnificent second half.

West Ham were quick of the blocks at the start, then fell behind to Hugo Cuypers’ scruffy finish. A soft goal which was the result of a dreadful giveaway from Paqueta, which allowed Orban to run at the defence and cross for Samoise.

His shot was wayward but fell to Cuypers, who converted from eight yards. Even though Aguerd was on the line, but he could not keep it out An awful goal to concede.

But on the 37^th minute, Bowen took a free-kick and Antonio muscled his way in front of De Sart and powered the header past Roef at the near post. 1-1

swashbuckling start to the second half 56 mins saw a penalty being given and Paqueta anxious to atone for his previous mistake and despite his stuttering run up thumped the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net 2-1

It got even better in the 58^th minute when Declan Rice picked the ball up ten yards inside his own half, carried it forward on and on and on and on, past Okumu, then he hit a superb left-foot finish past Roef and into the bottom corner. 3-1

Then to add icing on the cake, in the 63^rd minute, Rice found Paqueta, who released Antonio down the left channel, where he ran at Piatkowski, cut it onto his right foot and rifled it high into the net past the Gent goalkeeper. 4-1

Only 14 Hammers have scored more goals for the Club than Michail Antonio.

Now level in joint-15th with Paul Goddard on 71, Antonio needs 13 more to catch Scottish penalty king Stewart in 14th place.

It could have been 5-1, a few minutes later when the tireless Bowen had a goal chalked off for a handball.

It just shows what confidence can do for a club, after going behind the Irons showed their resolve with a stellar second half display. This bodes well for our game against the Cherries on Sunday