Michail Antonio has sung his praises for West Ham fans when reflecting on his side’s vital win against Manchester United.

Antonio is an embodiment of West Ham. He knows exactly what the fans expect from him and he provides it. Hardworking, determination and relentless running are at the core of the strikers’ game. While for much of the season he’s not been up to his usual standard, since the Arsenal game he’s been immense. 

Bullying defenders and creating space has been crucial to our improved form and when Antonio plays like that, it really does get the crowd going. ‘One thing I’ve known since I’ve been here is that once we’ve got the crowd going it’s electric and they will sing from the beginning until the end’ Antonio stated. 

‘We don’t need to be winning, just as long as we show the fight and the grit and play well, they’re always backing us.’ West Ham fans have always favoured those who will chase down every ball rather than the flashy players, and Antonio absolutely ran himself into the ground on Sunday.

‘Sunday was a massive game for us,’ the Jamaica international admitted, adding ‘we felt like we needed three points and we got it.’ On another day West Ham could have scored 3 or 4 as Man United’s defence struggled to cope with our attacks. Antonio agreed that ‘we played some of the best football we have done all season.’

With a European semi final right around the corner, our number 9 couldn’t have found a better time to hit form. ‘We wanted to get nearer to being safe before we try to win the Europa Conference League’ he stated. Well it’s fair to say safety is now firmly within their grasp, so all attention must now be on winning the clubs first trophy in 43 years. AZ Alkmaar can not be taken lightly but if the performance is anything like Sunday’s then West Ham will be confident they can get a result.

Written by Charlie Bass