By Victor Kanayo
It was celebration galore for Coach David Moyes, players and fans of West Ham United after the Premier League club won the Europa Conference League at the detriment of Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
The victory signalled their first ever UEFA European club competition triumph in 58 years.
The Making Of Brand New Europa Conference League Winners
Jarrod Bowen had to score in the 90th minute for West Ham to secure a last-gasp 2-1 victory.
The match at Prague’s Eden Arena looked like it was heading to extra time when Lucas Paqueta slipped a ball through to Bowen who outpaced the defenders and fired home past a sprawling Fiorentina keeper.
West Ham took the lead in the 62nd minute when Said Benrahma converted a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball by the Italian side’s captain Cristiano Biraghi, who had earlier received medical attention after being struck on the head by a plastic cup thrown from the stands.
Fiorentina immediately stepped up the pace and were rewarded five minutes later when Giacomo Bonaventura controlled the ball with two defenders on him and sent an angled shot past the West Ham keeper.
Both sides struggled to create much in a nervy opening half with Fiorentina controlling possession but lacking a cutting edge in the final third, while West Ham had long spells without the ball after Declan Rice curled a shot wide in the early stages.
Glowing Moment
West Ham have been spectacular in the Europa Conference League this season, winning all their matches, except a second leg quarter-final loss Gent, despite local league struggles.
And as the referee signalled the last whistle, Moyes was first to wheel off to the pitch in an uncontrollable manner.
