David Moyes revealed his West Ham players waded over the barrier to protect their families after the Hammers' triumph was tarnished by hooligan shame.
Moments after substitute Pablo Fornals' 94th-minute winner sent the Irons into their first European final since 1976, black-shirted AZ Alkmaar thugs in balaclavas ran along the front of a stand to attack a contingent of West Ham fans celebrating behind the away dugout. Flynn Downes, Michail Antonio, Said Benrahma and Aaron Cresswell all jumped over the barrier to offer their support.
But Moyes, through to only his second major final in almost 1,100 games as a manager - where the Irons will play Italian side Fiorentina - said: "I can't explain what happened or why it happened, but there were players involved because it was the section containing their families and friends. I don't want that to put a blight on the night because it wasn't West Ham fans who were looking for trouble."
