LONDON — West Ham United put themselves within touching distance of their first European final in 47 years with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the Europa Conference League semifinals on Thursday.
David Moyes’ Hammers looked lively early on, but Alkmaar took the lead through a low-hit 20-yard effort from Tijjani Reijnders just before half-time.
West Ham showed poise in the second half and led a spirited comeback. First, Jarrod Bowen won a penalty on 67 minutes, which Said Benrahma calmly dispatched, then shortly after Michail Antonio was alive to a loose ball in the Alkmaar penalty area and prodded the hosts to a narrow and crucial victory.
West Ham will travel to Alkmaar for the return leg on May 18, with the winner set to face either Basel or Fiorentina in the final.
Rapid reaction
1. Hammers in prime position to right last season’s wrongs
The ghosts of last season’s Europa League semifinal defeat to eventual winners Frankfurt would have been present this week: The memory of Frankfurt’s first-leg goal inside the first 50 seconds, of Aaron Cresswell being sent off inside 19 minutes in the second leg, of manager David Moyes becoming so overcome with frustration that he volleyed a ball at a ball girl. It could have been a joyous occasion. Instead, it became a nightmare.
Thursday’s clash with AZ Alkmaar, then, was about righting those wrongs and going one step further. A Europa Conference League semifinal may be a tier lower than the Europa League, but in West Ham’s eyes it is all the same: a rare chance at European glory.
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However, after 45 minutes at the London Stadium on Thursday, it looked as though history would repeat itself. West Ham had the better of the chances before Alkmaar took the lead on 41 minutes. Moyes raged on the touchline. It all seemed rather familiar.
Then came a change, though. Perhaps it was down to Alkmaar possessing far less quality than Frankfurt over a year ago that meant West Ham this time found the courage to come back into the game. Maybe it was evidence of a side feeding off that past experience and avenging past demons. Whatever it was, West Ham found a way back, then prodded ahead, and now carry a crucial advantage into the away leg in the Netherlands.
The Hammers within touching distance of the final in Prague on June 7, and so close to a piece of rare silverware.
2. If this is the West Ham swansong for Rice or Moyes, it will be a memorable one
Nobody around the London Stadium would be surprised if Declan Rice departed this summer in search of a grander stage. It has been widely discussed for some time. Fans are keenly aware, too.
One sign on Thursday — a painted bedsheet draped across one stand at the halfway line — read: “DEC PLEASE STAY.” Again, Rice provided all the evidence to show why West Ham will battle to keep him. He broke up counter-attacks, settled the side when they went behind and acted as a key lynchpin.
Should West Ham eventually lift the trophy, Rice will become the first West Ham captain to lift a European title since Bobby Moore in 1965. It would prove the ultimate ending. The perfect swansong.
