David Moyes is delighted Michail Antonio is back among the goals after a slow start to the season.
Antonio found the back of the net 13 times and laid on another 11 goals last year across 47 games in all competitions for the Hammers, helping them to a top eight finish and a UEFA Europa League semi-final.
This season, goals had been harder to come by for the Jamaican international, but a recent upturn in form has seen him reach double figures.
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A brace in the 4-1 win over Gent on Thursday night took him to 11 goals this campaign, though he has fared better in Europe than in the Premier League.
Antonio has five goals in six European games compared to three in 27 league ties, and Moyes is glad his striker is scoring once again after an up and down 2022/23 season.
"I'm more pleased that Mick's beginning to find that goalscoring tough again because it's vital," said Moyes. "Danny's [Ings] got a couple, Danny scored a goal in Gent, Jarrod [Bowen] got one against Arsenal on Sunday and last night, Mick getting back amongst the goals was huge for us.
"I'm really pleased for Mick. I think the biggest thing is his form is picking up as well, to go along with the goals."
Moyes said he was never really worried Antonio wouldn't get back to scoring form and stuck by him through injuries and lack of form. But the former Scot did admit that brining in Danny Ings in January was on the back of Antonio's lack of goals over the first few months.
"I don't think I was necessarily worried, but it's taken a while, let's be fair," added Moyes. "We've given him every chance to do so. He got an injury, Gianluca got an injury and we weren't scoring in the first half of the season.
"So we bought Danny Ings in as well who has been pretty consistent over the years with his goalscoring."
West Ham are next in action on Sunday when they take on Bournemouth, looking to move up the table and a win would see them leapfrog the Cherries who are one place above them, 14th, and two points clear.
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