West Ham United have the upperhand when they head to the AFAS Stadium this Thursday evening for the second leg of their Europa Conference semi-finals clash against AZ Alkmaar following on from a comeback win in London.
Tijani Reijnders scored for Alkmaar in the first half of the game and it looked as if they would end up taking a 1-0 lead with them back to the Netherlands.
This touch from Myron van Brederode 🥵@AZAlkmaar || #UECL pic.twitter.com/k7TBsyEmSS— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) May 16, 2023
This touch from Myron van Brederode 🥵@AZAlkmaar || #UECL pic.twitter.com/k7TBsyEmSS
However, Said Benrahma scored from the penalty spot midway through the second half of the game to bring the clash level. Michail Antonio then came up with the winning goal for the Hammers in the final 15 minutes of the match.
It means West Ham have one foot in a European final since they last were in the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1975/76.
It will also be the first time they have won a major trophy - should they go all the way - since winning the 1980 FA Cup.
West Ham did, however, fall to a 2-0 loss to Brentford in the last outing in the Premier League. It does mathematically mean they can still be relegated with just six points left to play for and a six-point gap on Leeds United in 18th.
However, with a much better goals difference, it would mean every result has to go against them and also mean conceding a lot of goals.
West Ham defeated Manchester United in a 1-0 win before that win against Alkmaar too, as a goal from Said Benrahma stole all three points for the London club.
The club remain in 15th with 10 wins, seven draws and 19 defeats with 52 goals let in and 38 scored with just two games left to play for.
Alkmaar stunned FC Emmen in their match in between these two ties. Sven Mijnans scored after 13 minutes before Myron van Brederode netted two minutes later.
Sam Buekema scored twice inside five minutes 10 minutes later before Jordy Clasie scored a goal just before half time to secure five goals all in the first half of a 5-1 win.
It does keep the club in fourth and behind Ajax by two points with just two more games left to play. As they are, however, six points clear of Twente with a far greater goals difference, Alkmaar will be in Europe in some capacity next season.
Forebet predicts a win for Alkmaar and for the game to see over 2.5 goals.