Jarrod Bowen scores late winner as West Ham lift first major trophy in 43 years
Bowen #Bowen
Jarrod Bowen scored a late winner as West Ham beat Fiorentina in a tense Europa Conference League final to lift their first major trophy in 43 years.
It appeared as though extra-time would be needed to separate the English and Italian sides in Prague after Giacomo Bonaventura cancelled out Said Benrahma’s second-half penalty.
But Bowen slotted home a dramatic winner in the final minute of normal time following a brilliant Lucas Paqueta through ball to secure West Ham’s first major trophy since 1980.
Violence broke out in Prague on the day of the final and there were more unsavoury scenes during the match, which was halted for several minutes during the first half after a Fiorentina player was hit by an object thrown by a West Ham supporter.
It was tense and cagey on the pitch but David Moyes’ side eventually edged out Fiorentina to end a turbulent season in style and qualify for next year’s Europa League.
Fiorentina dominated possession without creating clear-cut chances during a low-key opening 45 minutes, with West Ham occasionally threatening from set-pieces – their captain Declan Rice dragging a rare shot wide in possibly his final match for the club.
The flow of the match was not helped by a stoppage of several minutes after an object thrown from the crowd hit Fiorentina’s Cristiano Biraghi as he prepared to take a corner and caused a nasty cut to his head.
Fiorentina, who finished eighth in Serie A, had the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of half-time but Luka Jovic was correctly flagged for offside.
The cagey nature of the match continued after the break but West Ham were handed a golden chance to take the lead as Biraghi was adjudged to have handled the ball after a VAR check.
Benrahma sent Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano the wrong way, sparking wild celebrations from the West Ham fans inside the Fortuna Arena.
But the celebrations were short-lived as Fiorentina equalised less than five minutes later, Bonaventura rifling past Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola following a knockdown.
The momentum was suddenly with the Italians and Rolando Mandragora looked set to put Fiorentina ahead, only to shoot wide from inside the box.
Both teams had half chances as full-time approached – Tomas Soucek’s header was palmed wide and Sofyan Amrabat had a long-range effort saved – but extra-time beckoned on a tense night in Prague.
However, a moment of brilliance from Paqueta sent Bowen through on goal and the England winger calmy slotted home the winner, handing West Ham a first European trophy in 58 years.
WHAT THEY SAID
West Ham goalscorer Jarrod Bowen to BT Sport: ‘I obviously dreamed of scoring but to score the winner in the last minute. It’s what you always say you want to do. To do it in front of these fans. I thought I was going to cry. I’m just happy.
‘We had a dream, we haven’t had the best season, myself included, but to give these fans this moment, I’m over the moon.
‘I think in my position you make that run 10 times you might get that ball once. As soon as you get it you’ve got to put it away.
‘Never [have I felt like this in my life]. This is the biggest game of my career. The emotion, there was time for one more chance. I’m just so happy. I’m over the moon. I’m thinking of the party tonight!’
Hammers coach Kevin Nolan: ‘We wanted this, I played for the club and have come back in a coaching capacity and it has been unbelievable. I am delighted for the gaffer, the hard work, and as you can see it is all coming out!
‘To get back into the Europa League next year is another massive step. The emotions of the lads, all the fans, it is unbelievable for us being a part of it.’
Ex-West Ham midfielder Joe Cole: ‘We’ve seen all the outpouring of emotion: I’ve never seen so many grown men cry. It’s incredible. It’s one of the most iconic scenes in this club’s history.’
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