West Ham United came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at the London Stadium on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final tie.
Tijjani Reijnders' long range strike gave Alkmaar the lead in controversial fashion before half-time, only for his goal to be cancelled out by Said Benrahma's penalty midway through the second half. Eight minutes later, Michail Antonio poked home at a scrambled corner to give West Ham a first leg win.
Here is how football.london's West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Cheeseheads.
READ MORE: Every word David Moyes said on West Ham’s AZ Alkmaar fixture, Europe dreams and Frankfurt loss
Alphonse Areola
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is the only player to feature in all 13 of West Ham's matches in the Europa Conference League this season, making his 13th start in the competition against Alkmaar in one of two changes from the win over Manchester United. Much of the Frenchman's first half saw him deal with routine shots from range, but it was the late of those from Reijnders which gave AZ the lead shortly before half-time, a chance where really, he should have done much better with. Had very little to do after half-time, but his first half error made things harder than they needed to be. 5
Thilo Kehrer
German defender Thilo Kehrer was at right-back and found himself boosted by the absence of AZ Alkmaar star winger Jesper Karlsson, dubbed the 'Swedish Neymar' due to injury. Did not have a great time, often looking muddled when going forward and not getting any of his crosses to cause problems. The move for the goal scored by Reijnders came down his side, although he could not really be blamed for it. Certainly not his best game. 5
Kurt Zouma
French centre-back Kurt Zouma was set to miss "a few weeks" after suffering an ankle injury against Crystal Palace, but he returned to the starting line-up after just 12 days of absence, replacing Angelo Ogbonna, absent due to illness. A brilliant return at the back and his influence picked up where Ogbonna had left against Manchester United at the weekend. Really good and solid in the air and positioned himself well. Made one or two good runs form to start moves, but West Ham did not make them count. Attempted an acrobatic bicycle kick in the second half, but hardly connected. 7
Nayef Aguerd
With Zouma replacing Ogbonna, Nayef Aguerd kept his place in the side but was moved to his more natural role as the left-sided centre-back. A big night needed West Ham's strongest centre-back pairing, albeit the two have played nowhere near as much football together as David Moyes hoped at the start of the season. Really good positionally and like Zouma, bombed forward to get forward and make things happen. His header at a Declan Rice cross was cleared off the line, leading to Antonio's winner. 7
Aaron Cresswell
West Ham's vice-captain Aaron Cresswell attacked well early on, but was unable to get quite as many crosses into the box as he would have liked to. AZ Alkmaar hardly created anything down his side, but he did stand out as much as some his teammates did. An okay showing, not outstanding, but not bad by any means. 6
Tomas Soucek
There was a drop off in performance from midfielder Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park, who was guilty of not going enough to close down Reijnders as his long-range shot out of nothing put Alkmaar in front. Better at winning the ball back in the second half, but saw the game pass by him at times. Did win the header at Paqueta's long pass leading to Bowen winning the penalty. 6
Declan Rice
Declan Rice was a key ingredient in midfield, with West Ham not getting a grip in the middle for periods of the game, although the same could not be said about Rice, who looked his ever usual self. Made good runs forward and did well to press high. His cross at the end of a cleared Jarrod Bowen corner for Aguerd led to a header cleared off the line, with Antonio scoring the rebound after it. 7
Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta was at the heart of controversy in the first half when a shove on him from Sam Beukema led to a AZ Alkmaar counter and Reijnders' goal from distance. Struggled for large parts to get his weight of pass right, but did improve in the final third, doing well in possession to transition from defence to attack, although his final pass lacked a bit of sting often. His one pass that was spot on was headed down by Soucek, leading to Bowen winning a penalty. Played most of the second half on a booking. 6
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen's chances of making things happen against West Ham's Dutch opponents were boosted by the fact that AZ's star left-back Milos Kerkez, who had featured in all 16 of their Europa Conference League matches prior to kick-off, was absent due to suspension. Was not having an amazing first half, although his in-swinging corners did create problems for Alkmaar goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. He did get the better of him when heading at a Soucek flick-on, taking a punch in the face for his troubles and winning a penalty. Deserved an assist when creating two late chances for Danny Ings, neither of which were taken. 7
Michail Antonio
Alongside Bowen, Antonio went into the game as the club's all-time joint-top scorer in European competitions with eight goals, netting the crucial equaliser in the second leg against Gent last month in the quarter-finals. Antonio looked lively and offered plenty of pace going forward and on the break for West Ham, exchanging well with Bowen early on, although neither could get a chance to stick. Pressed well and caused problems, deserved a winning goal when poking home from close range, his 14th goal of the season, his most for a season at West Ham. Taken off shortly after his winner. 7
Said Benrahma (Star man)
Said Benrahma was comfortably West Ham's best player in the first half. Buoyed on from his 10th goal of the season in all competitions on Sunday against Man United, Benrahma forced three saves out of ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in the first half. The first, a curler from outside of the penalty area, was the pick of the bunch, forcing Ryan to turn wide fully on the stretch. When he is at his best, he is a joy to watch, taking players on, quick feet and being a force to be reckoned with. Got his 11th goal of the season with a vicious penalty, beating Ryan even though he went the right way. 8
Substitutes
Danny Ings
Striker Ings was just about to be bought on at 1-1 but seconds before Moyes had the chance to do so, Antonio poked home from close range to put West Ham in front, delaying Ings' arrival. Then did come on with just over 10 minutes left. Linked up well with Benrahma to make a good chance, with Benrahma blasted over. Should have done better to run on to Bowen's delicious cross. Should have met Bowen's late cross but did not get there in time. 5
Pablo Fornals
Bought on in the final minute of the game to replace Benrahma, who had starred. N/A
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