West Ham 4-1 Gent: Hammers power into Europa Conference League semi-finals on back of Michail Antonio brace

West Ham struck three unanswered second-half goals as they blew Belgian side Gent away to claim their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, winning 4-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate. Hugo Cuypers – scorer of Gent’s equaliser in the first leg – gave the visitors the lead before Michail Antonio’s header levelled before half-time.

Ad David Moyes’ side then struck three times in eight minutes, kick-started by Lucas Paqueta’s penalty followed by a remarkable goal from captain Declan Rice before Antonio wrapped it up with his second. Premier LeagueArsenal dealt title race blow as West Ham fight back to claim draw16/04/2023 AT 12:18 West Ham will now meet AZ Alkmaar in the last-four after the Dutch side beat Anderlecht on penalties.

The Hammers made a poor start to proceedings, falling behind in the 26th minute following a catalogue of errors. Paqueta gave the ball away in a dangerous area, Matisse Samoise was left unmarked on the right and his mis-hit shot fell kindly for Cuypers, whose shot squirmed between Alphonse Areola and Nayef Aguerd and into the back of the net.

Their lead lasted only 11 minutes, however. Alessio Castro-Montes conceded a cheap foul on the right flank and it was duly punished with Jarrod Bowen’s superb whipped delivery finding Antonio whose bullet header gave goalkeeper Davy Roef no chance.

Europa Conference League group standings Europa Conference League fixtures / results West Ham ended the half on top and had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away when Said Benrahma’s header was blocked by Samoise’s outstretched arm, and they made a bright start to the second period, too, Tomas Soucek blasting a shot from point-blank range at the woodwork. Their continuous pressure was finally