ANT & DEC GREB THE SPOTLIGHT
Goal heroes Michail & Rice too dynamic for Dinamo
GROUP H
FROM PAUL BROWN in Zagreb
ANT and Dec are not just a TV double act – they are not bad for West Ham either.
Michail Antonio made history by scoring his side’s first goal in a major European competition – excluding qualifiers – for 22 years.
And Declan Rice capped an inspirational captain’s performance with a brilliant solo goal to give the Hammers a dream start to their Europa League adventure.
Their namesakes may be best known for presenting Britain’s Got Talent, but it was West Ham’s dynamic duo proving there’s plenty at London Stadium, too.
Antonio was called “stupid” by boss David Moyes for getting sent off in his side’s goalless draw with Southampton at the weekend.
But he bounced back in the best way possible to score his fifth goal in as many games this season.
And Rice made sure it was a perfect start to West Ham’s first-ever Europa League group stage campaign with a second-half strike.
Moyes could not have asked for more – and it was all the more impressive because Dinamo Zagreb are no mugs.
West Ham knew what they were up against. Spurs came a cropper here last season, crashing out of this competition after losing 3-0.
Part of the Stadion Maksimir has been shut since then after an earthquake ripped through Zagreb.
But it was rocking for a different reason when Antonio sent West Ham’s 2,000 travelling fans crazy by breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute.
Kevin Theophile-catherine played a suicidal backpass that the Irons striker picked off before dancing around keeper Dominik Livakovic for a simple finish.
The visitors played with the swagger of a side used to winning and Livakovic quickly had to save a Ryan Fredericks shot with his legs.
Six Hammers fans had been arrested after a bar brawl the night before the game, but it was Dinamo who were safely locked away last night – in their own half.
And West Ham underlined their dominance five minutes after the break when Rice picked off another bad ball and stormed forward to fire home between Livakovic’s legs.
The England midfielder then wound up the locals by celebrating right in front of their Ultras.
And that finally seemed to wake Dinamo up.
Luka Ivanusec promptly had a shot blocked and then whipped another just wide.
But West Ham’s new-look back four – with new signing Kurt Zouma starting alongside Issa Diop at centre-back – held them at bay.
And, with Manchester United to come this weekend, Moyes even had the luxury of bringing off some of his big guns for a rest before the match was over.
West Ham’s key men are performing, their new faces are gelling and their confidence is high. Last season was no fluke.
This one could be even better.