Antonio strikes to ensure a pointless return for Big Sam
MICHAIL ANTONIO snatched another victory for West Ham and denied former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce a precious point in West Brom’s fight for survival.
Antonio, who scored the only goal of the game against Burnley at the weekend, struck again as David Moyes’ side made it five matches unbeaten in the Premier League.
West Ham led through Jarrod Bowen but were pegged back by Matheus Pereira, Albion’s double penalty hero in the weekend derby win at Wolves.
Robert Snodgrass impressed in that 3-2 victory but eyebrows were raised before kick-off when it emerged the Scot, who left West Ham for the Baggies a fortnight ago, was left out due to an ‘agreement’ between the clubs. The Premier League is understood to be looking into the matter.
As usual Allardyce, back at the club he led to promotion in 2012, set out his
THEY SAID IT
‘What’s that, 32 points now? Last season we finished with 39 so each game we’re giving 100 per cent. In the last couple of years we’d have lost these types of games but we keep grinding it out.’ Matchwinner.Michael.Antonio.(left).is.proud.of.the.consistency. and.resilience.West.Ham.are.showing.under.David.Moyes
side to defend their point and West Ham, again relying on Antonio as the focal point in attack, initially lacked the nous to break them down.
The first half was meandering towards a goalless conclusion when, in stoppage-time, Vladimir Coufal burst into the area from the right. The Czech full-back drilled in a cross which Bowen, with little time to react, managed to divert in with his chest from four yards out.
Early in the second half, Lukasz Fabianski kept out Conor Gallagher’s angled shot, but the Poland goalkeeper was beaten moments later and West Brom were level.
West Ham’s defence backed off Pereira as he reached the edge of the box and the Brazilian winger arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner.
Manuel Lanzini’s effort was headed off the line as the hosts searched for a winner and it duly arrived in the 65th minute when Antonio hooked home Andriy Yarmolenko’s knockdown.
The Baggies had chances to equalise again but Gallagher’s shot was too close to Fabianski and substitute Darnell Furlong volleyed wide.