ELLAND ROAD — Nothing, it seems, can stop Michail Antonio right now.
The striker’s dramatic late winner at a raucous Elland Road maintained West Ham’s impressive start to the season and left him joint top of the Premier League goalscoring charts with five.
Antonio has also produced three assists and his prolific form has encouraged hopes that David Moyes’ men can enjoy another profitable campaign.
After Brazilian winger Raphinha fired Leeds ahead in the 19th minute, Jarrod Bowen forced Junior Firpo into a 67th-minute own-goal before Antonio, who was prominent throughout, struck with deadly aplomb in the last minute.
A Declan Rice-inspired counter-attack led to Antonio beating Leeds defender Jamie Shackleton with some neat footwork before blasting the ball past Illan Meslier.
Cue delirium in the away stands as a number of Hammers fans ran on to the pitch to join Antonio and his team-mates in the celebrations.
“It was unbelievable,” said the Jamaica international.
“There’s nothing better than coming back from 1-0 down, especially against a quality team like Leeds because the way they play is completely different.
“Playing against Leeds is like running a marathon – that’s exactly how I see it.
“I would never run a marathon and that’s the closest thing to it for me!
“They’re a quality team so to come away with three points is fantastic. The overriding feeling is relief.”
On his expertly-taken winner, Antonio said: “When it opened for me after I knocked the ball past their player, I was one on one with Meslier and had the whole goal to pick from.
“I always believed I would score, especially with the form I’m in now, and I’d say it’s up there with one of my best goals.
“That’s six in six [in all competitions] so let’s keep going and let’s keep scoring.
“I definitely want to see my name at the top of the scoring charts – but hopefully at the end of the season.”
Defeat for Marcelo Bielsa’s side spelt more doom and gloom and, worryingly, left them in the relegation zone.
Leeds have now failed win any of their first six games of a top-flight campaign for only the second time in the club’s history.
Amid the gloom, though, came an unmistakeable shaft of light with the Premier League debut of Under-23s captain Charlie Cresswell.
The highly-rated 19-year-old partnered captain Liam Cooper at the heart of the Whites’ defence and underlined his rich promise with a fine display against Antonio.
The son of former Leeds and Sheffield United striker Richard Cresswell was given his chance due to injuries and suspension.
Asked when he knew he would be playing, the teenager said: “About five minutes before the warm-up I got told I was starting.
“I was like ‘wow!’ so I went into the starting dressing room and had to switch my game head on.
“The manager just wanted me to go out there and do my thing because that’s what got me in this position.
“It was overwhelming, but I need to calm down now, watch the game back and see how I did. But I think I did quite well.”
Saturday’s visit of Watford has taken on added importance for Leeds and Cresswell added: “We’ve just got to stick together and work as hard as we can.
“Hopefully we can get a result soon – very soon.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3m4CyS6
Post a Comment