West Ham 2-1 AZ Alkmaar LIVE! Europa Conference League result ...
West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar - LIVE!
West Ham came from behind to beat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 but their Europa Conference League semi-final tie still remains in the balance.
Looking to reach a European final for the first time in 47 years, the Hammers endured a frustrating first-half at the London Stadium as Tijjani Reijnders fired the visitors in front, with Lucas Paqueta perhaps fouled in the build-up and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola poor in letting the shot beat him.
But West Ham responded after the break, as Said Benrahma levelled it up with a confident penalty before Michail Antonio continued his strong goalscoring form in the competition to put the hosts in front and give them a narrow lead at the halfway stage. It’s still all to play for next week when the teams meet again in the Netherlands, with Fiorentina or Basel waiting for the winner in Prague on June 7.
GOAL! Antonio puts West Ham in front
GOAL! Benrahma equalises with penalty
GOAL! Reijnders fires AZ in front from distance
Thanks for following!23:11 , Matt Verri
Between David Moyes’ disco fever and his opposite number, Pascal Jansen, being the son of one half of a Dutch pop duo, the build-up to this game carried a distinctly musical feel.
In the end, it was Moyes’ West Ham who hit the higher note, overcoming yet more refereeing controversy to take a sizeable step towards a first European final in 47 years with a 2-1 first-leg win over AZ Alkmaar at the London Stadium.
Moyes has been left fuming by the state of officiating in the Premier League of late, and at half-time could not have been overly impressed with the continental offering either, referee Halil Umut Meler having waved away West Ham protests for a foul on Lucas Paqueta in the build-up to Tijani Reijnders’ opening goal.
For the second season in a row, the Irons found themselves behind in a home first-leg at this late stage of a European competition and chasing the tie, but unlike against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League 12 months ago, Moyes’ men succeeded here in reeling their rivals in before the midway stage and will go to the Netherlands next week with a slender lead to defend.
Read our full report here
(Getty Images)
Michail Antonio explains game-plan22:07 , Matt Verri
“We made it difficult for ouselves, we had chances, we just needed to be more clinical. In the end we got the result.
“We know they’re a possession-based team, they know how to work it. We were like ‘alright, we’re let you have it, and on the counter we’ll damage you’.”
Goal that separates them at halfway...21:55 , Matt Verri
FT: West Ham 2-1 AZ Alkmaar21:53 , Matt Verri
West Ham will take a narrow lead to the Netherlands.
Had to come from behind to do so, with Benrahma and Antonio scoring in the space of ten minutes to turn things around.
All to play for next week!
(Action Images via Reuters)
21:50 , Matt Verri
90+1 mins: Three minutes added on.
We’re very much in ‘both teams will take it’ territory.
21:49 , Matt Verri
89 mins: Pavlidis hammers a strike at goal, blocked and AZ can’t keep the attack alive.
Moyes turns to his bench again, as Fornals comes on for Benrahma.
21:46 , Matt Verri
86 mins: It’s West Ham’s turn to slow things down when the ball goes dead.
Without wishing to jinx it, something would have to go terribly wrong for the Hammers not to take a lead into the second leg. AZ look really flat as an attacking force.
21:42 , Matt Verri
83 mins: Nearly 3-1!
Brilliant from Ings and Benrahma. They combine superbly, as Benrahma is played into space in the box and fires over the bar. That was a very decent chance.
21:41 , Matt Verri
82 mins: AZ starting to commit more bodies forward now, as they have a couple of shots blocked.
Haven’t seen this at all since the break. They won’t risk too much though, this isn’t a disastrous result for them at all.
21:39 , Matt Verri
79 mins: Antonio was due to come off before he scored that goal!
He has been replaced now, with Ings on in his place for the final ten minutes or so.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium21:37 , Matt Verri
That feels like a huge goal in the tie - and I suspect West Ham will be thinking they could yet add more tonight. Remember how they suddenly blew Gent away in the second leg here...
GOAL! West Ham 2-1 AZ Alkmaar | Michail Antonio 75’21:35 , Matt Verri
WEST HAM LEAD!
They’ve turned it around! Comes from a corner, Zouma’s header doesn’t quite cross the line but Antonio is there to make sure it does count.
21:33 , Matt Verri
73 mins: AZ haven’t offered anything in attack since the break, will they change approach now?
Doesn’t look like it. With West Ham having the momentum, you’d imagine the visitors will be more than happy to keep this level heading into the second leg.
21:30 , Matt Verri
70 mins: West Ham are up now, dangerous moments for AZ. Paqueta skips to the byline, fires the ball across the face of goal and it’s turned behind for a corner.
Cresswell takes, Zouma down in the box holding his head but nothing given.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium21:27 , Matt Verri
David Moyes is on halfway waving his players back as they celebrate that goal in the corner. He knows they’ve got to use this last 25 minutes or so to push for a first-leg advantage.
GOAL! West Ham 1-1 AZ Alkmaar | Said Benrahma 67'21:26 , Matt Verri
WEST HAM ARE LEVEL!
Brilliant penalty from Benrahma, hammered into the corner. Ryan went the right way but he was never keeping it out.
PENALTY WEST HAM!21:25 , Matt Verri
HERE WE GO.
Ball whipped into the box, nodded back across goal and Bowen flicks his header over the bar but he’s clattered at the same time by Ryan.
Wild from the goalkeeper, can’t complain about that.
21:23 , Matt Verri
63 mins: West Ham going very direct, not too much success from it though.
Long throw this time, Zouma goes for an outrageously ambitious overhead kick and barely makes contact. Imagine he doesn’t practice that too often.
21:20 , Matt Verri
60 mins: Ryan continues to take an age over every goal-kick. His yellow card is coming very shortly, you’d imagine...
Half an hour to go, nothing in the way of chances since the break for West Ham so far. Saying that, Bowen cuts inside and lets fly with a left-footed strike, Ryan always comfortable that was going wide though.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium21:17 , Matt Verri
An earlyish marker from the referee on the time wasting front. Suspect there might be a few more of those to dish out by full-time...
21:17 , Matt Verri
57 mins: We’re back to the West Ham fans turning on the referee.
Paqueta goes in late and earns himself a pointless yellow card, which AZ are happy to take their sweet time over.
That is until Clasie is booked himself for time wasting!
21:15 , Matt Verri
55 mins: AZ not really looking for a second goal.
They’re just looking to keep the ball when they win it back, no desire to burst forward on the counter. They would, obviously, be delighted if it stays like this.
21:12 , Matt Verri
53 mins: Home fans getting frustrated again, more with the players than the officiating this time.
West Ham still very passive, not pressing high up the pitch and looking to force the issue. That’s surely got to change soon.
21:09 , Matt Verri
50 mins: Deep cross from Benrahma, Bowen not going to get there but it’s nodded behind for a West Ham corner.
Bowen swings it in, right on top of Ryan and the goalkeeper punches it straight up. Hacked away back to Bowen, who clips it straight out of play.
21:07 , Matt Verri
47 mins: Decent chance for AZ to create a big opportunity early in the half.
Odgaard makes a great run through the middle of the West Ham defence, poor ball from Mijnans though. Didn’t get anywhere near enough on it.
Back underway!21:04 , Matt Verri
Up and running again at the London Stadium.
20:59 , Matt Verri
West Ham have to get that frustration out of their system during half-time.
Need to get on the front-foot after the break and get themselves a result to take to the Netherlands next week.
Big team talk for Moyes.
Should it have stood?20:54 , Matt Verri
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:51 , Matt Verri
Cresswell, Antonio, Benrahma and Kehrer all in the referee’s ear as the half-time whistle blows. West Ham have every right to feel aggrieved.
There were about 16 seconds between the foul and the goal. Who knows what the rules are, but I wonder if VAR has looked at it and decided too much time had passed?
HT: West Ham 0-1 AZ Alkmaar20:49 , Matt Verri
And that’s half-time, chorus of boos aimed at the officials.
Very little in the match, but AZ lead through that long-range strike from Reijnders. Areola had to do better, even if it was a foul in the build-up.
Response needed from West Ham.
(AFP via Getty Images)
20:46 , Matt Verri
45 mins: West Ham think they’ve got a corner, goal-kick given. Home fans have very much turned against this referee.
Two minutes added time, he’ll be rushing off the pitch at the end of that.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:45 , Matt Verri
We’ve not seen a replay from a decent angle yet but in real-time that looked a foul on Lucas Paqueta to my eye. Moyes and West Ham are furious.
But Areola has to be doing miles better at his near-post. Different game now.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 AZ Alkmaar | Tijjani Reijnders 41'20:43 , Matt Verri
AZ TAKE THE LEAD!
And West Ham are furious. Looked a lot like Paqueta was fouled in the build-up, but play was waved on.
AZ came forward, and Reijnders lashes an effort past Areola from distance. Not the best goalkeeping you’ll ever see.
20:42 , Matt Verri
40 mins: Bowen nearly bundles his way through inside the box, door is eventually slammed shut on him.
Comes to Benrahma, looks to float a curling effort to the far corner but it’s straight at Ryan and he has the simplest of saves.
20:39 , Matt Verri
38 mins: Benrahma has to beat his man about three times before eventually earning enough space for a cross to be whipped in.
Eventually fires it to the back post, but the whistle has gone. Nobody has any idea what the free-kick has been given for... Moyes bemused as he once again enters discussions with the fourth official.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:37 , Matt Verri
Terrific battles going on in the middle of the park there. Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta just shrugging off the tackles.
AZ have been brave in possession but they look a bit overwhelmed by West Ham’s physicality at the moment.
20:36 , Matt Verri
35 mins: Challenges starting to fly in, crowd very much engaged again as the temperature rises.
West Ham threaten to get in behind, scrambled away by the visitorswho are just starting to look a bit rattled.
20:34 , Matt Verri
33 mins: Odgaard is down on the far side, nobody paying him any attention until eventually the referee halts play. Fury from the stands and on the pitch.
Officials thought it was a head injury... Odgaard makes a swift and miraculous recovery, jumping back up almost immediately.
20:32 , Matt Verri
30 mins: AZ backing themselves to play out from anywhere and everywhere, though it constantly feels like they’re on the verge of disaster. Just about getting away with it.
De Wit just lets the ball run under his foot there though, gifting possession to the Hammers high up the pitch. Aguerd tries his luck from somewhere between two and three miles out. Well over.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:29 , Matt Verri
Just the final pass missing from Lucas Paqueta’s game so far tonight. He’s been superb in this first half-hour otherwise.
20:28 , Matt Verri
26 mins: Pavlidis very nearly played in behind the West Ham defence, Zouma sticks out a toe to divert the pass. AZ striker was well offside anyway.
Play goes on though, with Mijnans firing over the bar. Not sure why the flag didn’t go up at any pont from the assistant.
20:25 , Matt Verri
24 mins: Soucek clips the ball out wide to Cresswell, he’s just about the whip the ball in when the whistle goes. Referee deems that the left-back controlled it with his arm.
Moyes having a laugh with the fourth official on the touchline, not sure he fully agrees with that decision...
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:23 , Matt Verri
Not just the Premier League that’s got a goal-kick time-wasting problem then...
20:23 , Matt Verri
21 mins: Bowen down in the box after getting a shove from the main man himself, De Wit. Referee waves away the appeals.
Benrahma plays a nice one-two with Paqueta, lashes an effort at goal from all of 25 yards out and it’s well wide.
Ryan not exactly rushing to get the ball back in play, home fans not impressed.
20:20 , Matt Verri
19 mins: De Wit again goes sliding in, gets the ball this time. AZ full-back doesn’t look like he’s going to take things a bit more cautiously after that booking.
Neither side particularly keen on pressing right up the pitch, both sets of centre-backs having comfortable possession.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:18 , Matt Verri
De Wit is not Alkmaar’s first-choice left-back, he’s playing because Milos Kerkez is suspended. Could be a real test now on a yellow card.
20:17 , Matt Verri
16 mins: Terrible challenge from De Wit as Benrahma looks to turn, advantage played. Paqueta has the time and space to slide Antonio in, gets the pass all wrong though and he’s furious for himself.
Referee takes long enough, but eventually strolls over and shows the yellow card to De Wit.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:15 , Matt Verri
That’s a heck of a save from Mat Ryan. Right in the corner, it’s bounced just in front of him and he’s managed to get fingers on it to push it round the post.
20:15 , Matt Verri
14 mins: AZ want a free-kick, not getting it though and Benrahma can run onto the loose ball 20 yards out.
Bends the shot towards the far corner, Ryan at full stretch gets down well and turns it behind for a corner. West Ham unable to make anything of the set-piece.
Both sides looking dangerous when they come forward.
20:13 , Matt Verri
12 mins: Long spell of AZ possession, West Ham happy to let them have it and sit back in their shape.
Visitors work it nicely, move eventually Clasie loses possession and tries his luck from miles out. Areola not even vaguely concerned by that.
20:10 , Matt Verri
9 mins: Antonio drifts out to the left, gets the ball and drives at the AZ defence.
Pokes a ball into the middle, Bowen not sure whether to go with his head or foot so instead just launches himself at the ball and he can’t make any sort of meaningful touch.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:08 , Matt Verri
I think the covering AZ defender there will be pretty relieved Bowen got something on that header.
He didn’t really challenge for the ball and if the winger had missed it it probably would’ve sailed over his head to Soucek at the back post.
20:07 , Matt Verri
6 mins: West Ham respond, space not there for Rice on the edge of the box but he keeps the attack going.
Comes back to him out wide, he puts a great ball in and Bowen gets up well six yards out, can’t keep his header down though. Soucek was lurking behind him.
20:06 , Matt Verri
5 mins: First promising attack comes from AZ, as they work the ball out to the left wing.
Van Brederode cuts inside onto his right foot, curls a dangerous cross into the box but it’s just over everyone in a blue shirt and out for a goal-kick.
20:05 , Matt Verri
3 mins: Most of the first few minutes has been spent watching Cresswell take throw-ins.
Not much going on in the opening stages of the match, West Ham have had the ball when it’s been in play. Been pretty rare though.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium20:03 , Matt Verri
We’re a minute in and it’s already the best atmosphere I’ve seen at this ground all season. It’s rocking.
West Ham have also kept AZ out for longer than they managed Frankfurt last year...
KICK-OFF!20:01 , Matt Verri
We’re up and running in the first leg!
19:56 , Matt Verri
Lights, pyrotechnics, some very questionable music...
The London Stadium has it all going on. Players are in the tunnel, they’ll be out onto the pitch any minute now.
Not long now!19:49 , Matt Verri
Just ten minutes to go now until kick-off in east London.
Home fans right behind their side after the weekend win over Manchester United, mood has been well and truly lifted at the club.
Important West Ham make a quick start and ensure the atmosphere does not ease off.
Away fans have travelled in numbers...19:44 , Matt Verri
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium19:38 , Matt Verri
DJ Tony Perry (who for some reason I thought was called the only slightly more underwhelming ‘DJ Pete’) is back for another night under the lights, building the atmosphere at the ground.
Bowen talks up Saka and Salah19:34 , Matt Verri
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen says Bukayo Saka’s “phenomenal” form this season has made him the Premier League rival he most admires, alongside Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
“Salah, I saw the other day he’s scored 30 goals and people say he’s having a bad season so for the numbers he produces consistently since he came to the Premier League,” Bowen said.
Salah seems likely to miss out on a spot in many peoples’ Premier League team of the season however, given Saka’s form in inspiring Arsenal’s unexpected title challenge.
The 21-year-old has 24 goal involvements in 35 League appearances this term and also excelled for England at the World Cup, edging out rivals including Bowen, who missed out on Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar.
“Bukayo at Arsenal as well,” Bowen added. “I had the honour to play with him at England and saw how good he was.
“This season he’s been phenomenal. So those two are the ones for me with the numbers they produce and the quality they play at.”
(PA)
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium19:30 , Matt Verri
Moyes wants fast start19:25 , Matt Verri
“We can’t win it in the opening minute, but we can lose it in the first minute,” Moyes tells BT Sport. “Hopefully we can learn a little bit from that.
“We were very much keen to get through to the final last year, came very close at times. We hope we can take it a step further tonight.
“We’re not kidding ourselves - we’re up against a really good side. It will be a big occasion for them too, hopefully we can do our job and get ourselves through.”
West Ham look to go one better19:21 , Matt Verri
Don’t they grow up fast? Twelve months ago, West Ham were the fresh-faced, new kids on the continental block, a novel force at this stage of European competition, having upset the established likes of Sevilla and Lyon to reach a first major semi-final since 1976.
Tonight, though, the role is reversed, David Moyes’s side wearing a more grizzled face and still bearing the scars of last season’s defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt as they again find themselves 180 minutes from a European final, this time with AZ Alkmaar and the Europa Conference League’s youngest line-up in their way.
Read Malik Ouzia’s full preview here
(Getty Images)
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium19:12 , Matt Verri
All the talk about AZ Alkmaar’s academy in the build-up to this game, but West Ham have got a few of their kids involved on the bench, too.
Mind you, I’d be surprised if we see any of Divin Mubama, given he played 120 minutes for the U18s last night...
Bowen with extra motivation19:05 , Matt Verri
Jarrod Bowen has revealed that Danny Dyer is on his case to deliver European glory for West Ham — and says he is ready to do so after shedding the “fear factor” that impacted his form in the first half of the season.
Bowen’s partner is Love Island star Dani Dyer, daughter of the EastEnders actor and famous West Ham fan, and the family tie is providing extra incentive ahead of tonight’s Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar.
“I’ve only been here three years, but I feel a massive part of this club,” said Bowen, who joined from Hull in January 2020. “I feel like a fan almost. I know how much it means to the fans and I want to give them that success.
“The missus’s old man is on me every week. But for everyone, it’s not been a great season, but staying in the Premier League is the main aim and bringing the trophy home for the fans would be a good end to a bad season.”
(PA)
Earlier today...18:57 , Matt Verri
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium18:51 , Matt Verri
A bit of silly buggers from David Moyes around Kurt Zouma’s availability then.
The Scot said yesterday there was a “good chance” today would come too soon for the Frenchman, so naturally he’s back in the starting lineup after that ankle problem.
AZ Alkmaar team news18:44 , Matt Verri
AZ Alkmaar XI: Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, De Wit, Clasie, Reijnders, Mijnans, Van Brederode, Odgaard, Pavlidis
Subs: Verhulst, Deen, Mihailovic, Barasi, Lahdo, Bazoer, Vanheusden, Buurmeester, Meerdink, Goes
West Ham team news18:41 , Matt Verri
West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
Subs: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings, Emerson, Potts, Mubama
Summer battle for Rice...18:37 , Matt Verri
West Ham remain determined to play hardball in securing a British record transfer fee for Declan Rice, despite acceptance that this summer is their final chance to cash in on the midfielder.
The Hammers have put a price-tag of around £120million on their captain, who has turned down several offers of a lucrative new contract and stated his desire to play Champions League football.
That would comfortably surpass the £106.8m fee Chelsea paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January, with the Blues still holding interest in their former academy player, though Arsenal have emerged as strong favourites.
(Action Images via Reuters)
Stage is set!18:28 , Matt Verri
Moyes: This would be my greatest achievement18:19 , Matt Verri
David Moyes says reaching a European final would be his biggest achievement as a manager as West Ham prepare to face AZ Alkmaar tomorrow.
The Irons take on the Dutch side in the first-leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final at the London Stadium, looking to reach a first European final since 1976, with the return to follow in the Netherlands next week.
Moyes has enjoyed numerous highlights during his 25-year managerial career, taking Everton into the Champions League and an FA Cup final, as well as reaching last year’s Europa League semi-final with West Ham, but is yet to lift a major trophy.
However, the 60-year-old cited the example of Jose Mourinho, who won last year’s inaugural Conference League with Roma, as evidence of the competition’s value.
“To get to a European final, it could be my best [achievement],” he said. “In the past I’ve got to a Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United, lost on penalties in the quarter-final of the Europa League with Everton and last year we reached a semi-final here at West Ham.
“I want to try and take it a couple of steps further, and I would refer back to the serial winner Jose Mourinho – who found winning this trophy so special for him and his football club.”
(AP)
Better start needed18:11 , Matt Verri
This time a year ago it was the Europa League semi-finals for West Ham, as they came up against eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
In the first leg they conceded inside a minute at the London Stadium, and in the second leg they had Aaron Cresswell sent off relatively early on.
Moyes might want to remind his side not to ruin things for themselves in the opening stages...
Another huge night!18:04 , Matt Verri
Standard Sport prediction17:57 , Matt Verri
The London Stadium came alive for the win over Manchester United, ensuring the club’s full attention can turn to European matters and another special atmosphere can be expected.
That will be difficult for Alkmaar to live with - their task is to keep themselves in the tie heading back to the Netherlands.
West Ham to win, 2-0.
AZ Alkmaar team news17:51 , Matt Verri
For Alkmaar, key man Vangelis Pavlidis is a doubt in what would be a significant blow, with the forward netting 16 goals so far this season.
However, the visitors may have Bruno Martins Indi back fit.
West Ham team news17:44 , Matt Verri
Despite Kurt Zouma’s return to training, West Ham boss David Moyes expects tonight’s clash with AZ Alkmaar will come too soon for the defender.
Zouma suffered an ankle injury early in last month’s 4-3 defeat at Crystal Palace and missed games against Manchester United and Manchester City last week.
There were initially concerns that the Frenchman’s season could be over but Zouma returned to training on Tuesday as Moyes prepares his troops for a second successive European semi-final.
“He’s had a day back, so he’s just started back really,” Moyes said. “We’re trying to see how his ankle is and how he’s getting on. Hopefully he’s making good progress.
If Zouma is not yet fit to start, Moyes could name an unchanged side from the one that beat Man United 1-0 on Sunday, save in goal, where Alphonse Areola will return as the regular cup goalkeeper.
Predicted West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice, Pauqeta; Bowen, Antonio, Benrahma
(Getty Images)
How to watch West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar17:36 , Matt Verri
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch through the website or app.
Live blog: Follow all the action right here with us! Malik Ouzia will be providing expert analysis from the ground.
Good evening!17:30 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar!
Big, big night for the Hammers, back in a European semi-final and looking to make the most of home advantage in the first leg of this Europa Conference League semi-final tie. Relegation fears have been eased - all eyes on reaching the final in Prague on June 7.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the London Stadium. Stay with us!
(REUTERS)
