West Ham United manager David Moyes is hoping to get more chances to celebrate this season like he did during the Europa Conference League win over Gent on Thursday night.
The Hammers booked their place in the Europa Conference League’s semi-finals on Thursday, despite going 1-0 down in the first half and 2-1 behind on aggregate thanks to Hugo Cuypers’ second goal in as many games against the Hammers.
However, after Michail Antonio’s first half header set the tie level going into the second half, goals from Lucas Paqueta, Declan Rice and Antonio sealed a 5-2 aggregate victory.
READ MORE: Every word David Moyes said on West Ham’s Gent win, Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta and Europe
For Moyes, he could not help but hold back his happiness which showed as Rice went on a stunning 60-yard run before scoring to make it 3-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
Not quite Jose Mourinho-esque, but Moyes did go on a small jog down the touchline, jump and punch the air as Rice netted one of West Ham’s goals, waving to the stands as he did so.
Speaking on that special moment, Moyes said that he hopes it is not just a one off, adding that he wanted to celebrate with wife Pamela and brother Kenny, who were both in the London Stadium, as well the members of the board who have repeatedly stuck by him during a challenging season.
“I have got more of them to come I hope,” Moyes joked. “My wife and my brother were there last night. It was a wee bit as well for the board.
“They have been strong when they have had to be. The club getting to a semi-final is a big thing.
“My wife got a smile out of me last night, which is not normal. Sometimes what you must not forget how much our families all care, they are engrossed in it because it is part of your life. If you are going to be a football manager, your wife, family, kids have to understand exactly how it is going to be.
“It plays a big part in their life because they don’t want a miserable husband or dad coming home. They’ve seen quite a miserable husband or dad quite regularly to be honest.”
Moyes was also asked whether his celebrations or either based on elation or relief, with West Ham getting past Gent the hard way in having to overturn a one-goal deficit.
He admits the celebration was a combination of elation and relief, as well as reacting to the brilliance that was Rice’s goal.
“It was both [elation and relief],” added Moyes. “When we went 3-1 up it felt the two-goal advantage was huge to give me the chance that there is a bit of daylight. Let’s be fair, it was a wonder goal.”
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