It’s easy for West Ham as Benrahma weaves his magic
SAID BENRAHMA is still chasing a first West Ham goal – but he is starting to look like the real deal for the Hammers.
Goals from Pablo Fornals, Andriy Yarmolenko, an own-goal from Andy Butler and a fourth for delighted debutant Oladapo Afolayan easily accounted for League One Doncaster.
But Benrahma, who arrived on loan after scoring 17 times for Brentford last season, played a big part as his side earned a glamour fifthround FA Cup trip to Manchester United or Liverpool.
The Algerian wing wizard provided a superb assist for Yarmolenko’s goal and offered other tantalising glimpses of his talent.
This stroll further reinforced the fact that most things in the West Ham garden are looking rosy.
Throw another topclass striker into the mix, something David Moyes is targeting this month after Sebastien Haller’s exit to Ajax, and they could do some real damage.
And there was a fairy-tale moment at the end for 23-yearold sub Afolayan (below left, with Ben Johnson), making his Hammers debut.
Standing in for manager Moyes, assistant Alan Irvine said: “It is fantastic to be through, get four goals and a clean sheet and see young lads get debuts and one of them score.
“Said Benrahma took his chance today, along with others he played very well. He is desperate for that goal, but he has given us some assists and it will come.”
Darren Moore’s Rovers came into the tie fourth in League One and Moyes accorded them the respect of a line-up packed with Premier League experience.
Moore said: “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb with that goal after the first couple of minutes, and it will have shown our players the quality you see from teams at this level.
“There is speed and effectiveness and closing down from players at West Ham’s level. So just loads to learn for me and the players.
“It was a massive lesson, and we have to shake it off quickly.”