West Ham United won the Europa Conference League in dramatic fashion, with Jarrod Bowen scoring a 90th-minute winner in Prague as the Irons overcame Fiorentina 2-1.
One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Bowen struck the ball into the far corner to send the travelling Hammers fans into delirium.
It ends a 58-year wait for the club’s second major European trophy – plus a 43-year drought without any significant honours – and came at the climax of an end-to-end second period which followed a tense, goalless first half.
While Fiorentina dominated possession in that first half, West Ham’s defence limited them to few clear chances. Nikola Milenkovic headed over from a corner when he was unmarked and should have done better, but it was another corner in the first half which proved more consequential.
As Cristiano Biraghi prepared to take a corner, he was struck on the head as West Ham fans showered Fiorentina’s captain with plastic tankards. It drew blood and led to a pause in the match, during which some Irons players pleaded for calm.
La Viola almost made their dominance count in first-half stoppage time when Christian Kouame headed onto the post, but Luka Jovic was offside before scoring with a diving header on the rebound.
West Ham broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, with a helping hand from a VAR review which penalised Biraghi for accidentally handling in the box. Said Benrahma sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with the spot kick.
The lead was held for only five minutes, however, as Giacomo Bonaventura equalised for Fiorentina in style. With one touch he collected a knockdown and with the next he rifled the bouncing ball into the far corner.
Both teams had chances to win it thereafter but it was Bowen, after beating the offside trap being set up by the quiet-until-then Lucas Paqueta, who took his chance and decided the final.
TALKING POINT – Moyes’ second act has its crowning glory
This was a fantastic night for West Ham and a fantastic night for manager David Moyes. It is the first major trophy of his managerial career and a fitting reward for the job he has done at West Ham.
It was not the prettiest of West Ham performances but in many ways it was vintage Moyes. The Hammers were extremely disciplined and for all of Fiorentina’s possession and pressing, they were limited to few chances by Moyes’ men. Bowen’s match-winning performance was all about energy, quick-wittedness and a touch of quality – all characteristics Moyes favours in his attacking players.
Moyes must now go down as a West Ham legend. How many people saw that coming when the club let him go after a first stint as manager in 2018?
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
Bowen won the penalty – albeit a very fortuitous one – then kept his cool to decide the final late on. The definition of a match-winning performance.
PLAYER RATINGS
Fiorentina: Terracciano 7, Dodo 7, Milenkovic 7, Ranieri 6, Biraghi 6, Bonaventura 8, Amrabat 6, Mandragora 6, Gonzalez 5, Jovic 5, Kouame 5. Subs: Cabral 7, Saponara 6, Barak n/a.
West Ham United: Areola 6, Coufal 7, Zouma 6, Aguerd 7, Emerson 7, Rice 5, Soucek 6, Bowen 8, Paqueta 6, Benrahma 6, Antonio 5. Subs: Kehrer 7, Fornals 6, Ogbonna n/a.
Sofyan Amrabat reacts to Fiorentina losing the final
Image credit: Getty Images
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
BIG CHANCE FOR FIORENTINA 26′ – Fiorentina have a first corner and could well have had a goal too, but Milenkovic sends his free header from close range well over.
FIORENTINA GOAL RULED OUT 45+5′ – Gonzalez threatens for the first time, cutting onto his left foot and crossing for Kouame, who heads onto the post. Jovic reacts quickest and his diving header squirms over the line – but then the offside flag goes up just as Jovic starts to celebrate.
PENALTY TO WEST HAM 59′ – After Bowen takes a long ball down on his chest, the ball inadvertently strikes Beraghi on the hand. There was no intent, but with handball and VAR you never know. After a check on the pitchside monitor, a penalty is given.
BENRAHMA SCORES THE PENALTY 62′ – Benrahma slams the penalty to the goalkeeper’s left – Terracciano dived the other way – and West Ham lead.
BONAVENTURA FIRES LA VIOLA LEVEL 67′ – Gonzalez nods a cross-field ball into the path of Bonaventura, who finishes with aplomb to level things up! One touch to set the ball, a second to bury it into the far corner.
TERRIBLE MISS 72′ – It should be 2-1 to Fiorentina. Cabral holds the ball up deep in the West Ham box then tees up Mandragora, who opens up his body but slots wide.
BOWEN WINS IT 90′ – Bowen is slipped through by Paqueta – just onside – and his early shot goes over the goalkeeper’s legs and into the net.
KEY STAT
West Ham won 14 of their 15 matches in this season’s Europa Conference League, never once tasting defeat.
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