West Ham United have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League after a 4-1 quarter-final second-leg win over Belgian side Gent, winning 5-2 on aggregate.
Hugo Cuypers had opened the scoring in the first half for Gent, but saw his strike cancelled out by a Michail Antonio header 11 minutes later. West Ham then romped to score three goals in eight second-half minutes with Lucas Paqueta (penalty), Declan Rice and Michail Antonio all scoring to set up a semi-final with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Gent.
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Alphonse Areola
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was one of three changes to come into the starting side from the 2-2 draw at Arsenal, becoming the only player to start in 12 matches in this season's Europa Conference League from West Ham. Had very little to do in the first half and could not do much about Cuypers' opening goal from point-blank range. Again, had a very quiet second half, but did not need to have his best game. 6
Vladimir Coufal
Vladimir Coufal is among the only players to have started each of the last five games in all competitions, showing how crucial his form in recent months has been on the right side of the defence. Coufal did struggle during the first half in possession, giving the ball away 19 times before the half-time whistle blew. However, it was from his cross where a handball led to Antonio heading in Jarrod Bowen's free-kick to make it 1-1. Despite giving away the ball as much as he did, Coufal's crossing again proved to be influential as West Ham got their second, with his cross leading to another handball, giving West Ham the penalty which Paqueta made it 2-1 from. Pretty solid in the second half, and although he did not have a great first half, his crosses made a big difference. 7
Kurt Zouma
With the defence lacking to show the solidity needed to keep a clean sheet in Gent, and with Angelo Ogbonna banned, Kurt Zouma returned to the Europe side in the heart of the back four. Excellent in defence, although what was required of him became virtually non-existent once West Ham took the lead and never looked like giving it away from that point. His clearing headers and defensive prowess set the tone and there was plenty that he did to get the home side chanting his name. Given a great ovation when taken off with 20 minutes to go. 7
Nayef Aguerd
After suffering an ankle injury in the first leg a week ago, Nayef Aguerd was back in the starting side to partner Zouma at the heart of the back four. Among those left red-faced as Gent broke to score an opener out of nothing 26 minutes into the tie, but was great, like Zouma next to him to bring back control in the game, helped being set by the back line. His front-foot defending and authoritative passing gave West Ham reason to get excited in the second half and his fizzed pass and intervention to Paqueta in the second half started the move that led to Antonio making it 4-1. Good showing after some mixed displays recently. 7
Emerson
The other change from the Arsenal draw say Italy international Emerson recalled to the starting side, with Aaron Cresswell spared. An okay showing on his return to the side after recently losing his Premier League spot to Cresswell. Got forward and tried to make good runs for Said Benrahma on his side, who really struggled with a cutting edge in the first half, getting a shot off minutes before Antonio's equaliser to give West Ham some kind of momentum. Bombed forward when he could and did what was needed at the back. 7
Tomas Soucek
Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek was good in his defensive work in the first half and at times, showed the defensive work and fight that was lacking at times from the team in the first leg in Gent. Given the captain's armband for the final 20 minutes when Rice's work was done and he was taken off. Golden chance to make it 2-1 early in the second half on the end of Bowen's cross but his shot at the back post from a slightly tricky angle crashed off the bar. Good solidity and helped control the midfield. 6
Declan Rice (Star man)
Captain Rice set the tone for what West Ham needed inside 20 seconds with a brilliant crunching tackle to get the home fans in voice and in real spirits for this quarter-final second leg. Carried his team and led throughout superbly, winning all of his first-half duels and misplacing just one of his attempted 26 first half passes. Came close to a first-half goal with a thumping effort from range blocked, but sealed victory in the second half when making it 3-1. Starting the move with a great tackle on Kamil Piatkowski, he galloped forward, taking the ball with him a good 60 yards before finishing superbly with his weaker left foot, a true captain's goal and one that will be remembered for years to come. Given a rare rest when the tie was done and he led his side superbly on a night where characters were called for. 9
Lucas Paqueta
A mixed game for Paqueta, but he certainly ended it with plenty of redemption. His first-half stray pass led to the Gent counter that former Cuypers' second goal in this tie to make it 2-1 on aggregate. When West Ham won the penalty to make it 2-1 on the night, he took the ball and with a shimmy and stutter, did enough to squirm the ball past Roef in goal. Involved in Rice making it 3-1 on the night and his guided pass teed up Antonio's second. A goal and assist on the night as he played a big role. 8
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen's free-kick in the first half gave Antonio the perfect platform to level the tie with a thumping header, moving him joint-top this season for assists. Deserved another when his ball through the box saw Soucek smash an effort on to the bar when he could have scored. Did convert one on his own that was ruled out for handball, certainly deserved a goal. 8
Michail Antonio
While goals have not been coming for Michail Antonio, he has proved to be West Ham's main number nine at present, especially from what he offers in terms of being an outlet and for team balance. Did well early on to stretch the play and draw fouls out of Gent's back line and netted his tenth goal of the season with an excellent header to make it 1-1, getting in front of his marker to convert Bowen's free-kick. Great again in the second half and sealed the scoring, West Ham's third in eight minutes, with a good finish on the break, running on to and converting at the end of Paqueta's pass, a curling finish to move himself level with the club's all-time top scorers in Europe once again. That's four for him in the knockout stages in Europe. 8
Said Benrahma
Not a great game for Said Benrahma, whose crossing in the first half was really poor and missed the impact needed. Better after the break as West Ham won the tie in breakneck speed with three quick-fire goals. Not the effect he has had on games, but was good to leave the ball for Antonio in close proximity to make it 4-1 on the night. Given 20 minutes off in the end. 6
Substitutes
Flynn Downes
Handed 20 minutes at the end. Some nice touches but the game was well over. 5
Thilo Kehrer
Like Flynn Downes, Thilo Kehrer was given a run at the end. Not much for him to do. 5
Danny Ings
Sprayed a few passes towards the end but was unable to get in on the goals. 5
Maxwel Cornet
Given just under 15 minutes, Maxwel Cornet was put through on goal well but Pablo Fornals, but again, lacked cutting edge. 5
Pablo Fornals
Created an excellent chance for Cornet shortly after coming on. Looked good on the ball. 6
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