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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

West Ham player ratings vs AEK Larnaca: Antonio produces moments of quality; Benrahma justifies fans’ love

Michail Antonio produced the magic moments as West Ham downed AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League.

Thursday’s last-16 first leg in Cyprus was decided by two fine first-half strikes from the Hammers forward. Said Benrahma also imrpessed after his substitution against Brighton sparked fans’ anger against David Moyes, who successfully guided his side through a tricky trip across Europe.

Here’s how David Moyes’ side rated at the AEK Arena…

Alphonse Areola 6

Scarcely worked as home side’s pressure built through corners, rather than shots. A bit flappy at one or two.

Thilo Kehrer 6

Steady enough and made superb late block. With Vladimir Coufal injured, will hope to start against Aston Villa after Ben Johnson’s horror-show at Brighton. Booked.

Kurt Zouma 6

Return to the side for first time since mid-January a big boost. Made a couple of important clearances.

Nayef Aguerd 6

A clean sheet after starting alongside Zouma in a pair for the first time. Moyes will hope the partnership finally becomes a fixture of his defence.

Aaron Cresswell 6

Has fallen out of favour with poor performances following the World Cup restart. Not always at ease but made important back-post header late on.

Declan Rice 6

Got roasted down the right for early Larnaca opening but played much of his comfortable hour in second gear.

Flynn Downes 6

The usual tenacious display but booking means he will miss the home leg in seven days’ time.

Pablo Fornals 7

Always probing and almost teed up back-post chance for Gianluca Scamacca moments after Italian’s arrival.

Manuel Lanzini 6

Opportunities have been increasingly hard to come by this season but showed some nice touches.

Said Benrahma 7

Cut-back to deliver fine cross for Antonio’s opener, then set up chance with which forward hit the post.

Michail Antonio 8

Was genuinely having a poor first-half but turned it around with a brilliantly taken header and then stunning finish from just outside the box. Struggling with injury when replaced.

Substitutes

Jarrod Bowen (Benrahma 60’) 6

Shot just wide with first involvement, though flag would’ve ruled out effort.

Tomas Soucek (Rice 60’) 6

On to give Rice a half-hour breather ahead of Villa.

Gianluca Scamacca (Antonio 60’) 5

Marquee summer signing suddenly looks like third-choice but Moyes decision to start Antonio was justified. Not much of an impact.

Lucas Paqueta (Lanzini 77’) 5

Should’ve sealed the tie when sent through late on.

Maxwel Cornet (Fornals 82’) 6

First appearance since October 1 after troubling calf issue. Set up Paqueta’s chance with sharp turn and pass.

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