Hammers close on top four
LONDON: Michail Antonio marked his return from injury with two goals as West Ham United rallied to beat Burnley 21 in the English Premier League and move to three points behind fourthplaced Chelsea.
West Ham’s runin — featuring games against
Everton and lowly trio Brighton and Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton — appears more benign than that of Chelsea, which must still play championelect Manchester City, Arsenal, Leicester City and Aston Villa.
Just as significant for West Ham manager David Moyes, his injury list is clearing up.
Antonio, the team’s star striker and jointtop scorer, and creative defender Aaron Cresswell made their returns against Burnley, and Declan Rice, the England holding midfielder, is back in training after a knee injury that has kept him out since the end of March.
All White Chris Wood, fresh off a hattrick at Wolverhampton, gave 16thplaced Burnley the lead from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after being fouled by Tomas Soucek. It was the New Zealander’s 150th goal in English football.
However, Antonio equalised within two minutes by heading in Vladimir Coufal’s cross.
Antonio then glanced in Said Benrahma’s whipped cross from the left, with the slightest of touches, into the far corner in the 29th.
West Ham vaulted Tottenham into fifth place.
In the other match, West Brom is 10 points from safety with just four games remaining after its 11 draw with 12th placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.