SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Sheffield United vs. Coventry City: 21 hrs 2 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Michail Antonio and Declan Rice fire West Ham to victory over Dinamo Zagreb

:Headline: Michail Antonio and Declan Rice fire West Ham to victory over Dinamo Zagreb:
Michail Antonio opened the scoring before Rice added the second after half-time.
Sports Mole
Michail Antonio and Declan Rice fire West Ham to victory over Dinamo Zagreb

West Ham announced themselves on the Europa League stage as goals from Michail Antonio and Declan Rice secured a 2-0 victory at Dinamo Zagreb.

The Hammers' very own Ant and Dec provided the tea-time entertainment in Croatia by finding the net either side of half-time.

Antonio was probably only in the team due to the red card he picked up at Southampton, which has instead given him an enforced rest against Manchester United on Sunday.

But striker brought his sizzling domestic form to the continent with his fifth goal of the season.

Rice, making his European club debut with 26 caps for England already to his name, added the second to give David Moyes' side a comfortable win in their first ever group stage match.

It is only the ninth time the Hammers have even been in Europe and the last time they won a match, not including qualifiers, was in 1999 against another Croatian side, Osijek.

Manager Moyes admitted beforehand that the trip to the Croatian league and cup winners might be their toughest assignment in Group H.

After all, Dinamo had reached the quarter-finals last season while accounting for Tottenham 3-0 along their way.

As such Moyes named a strong line-up despite making five changes from the weekend draw at Southampton, with Tomas Soucek and £30million new signing Kurt Zouma joining Rice and Antonio in the starting XI at the Maksimir Stadium.

His side opened the scoring in the 22nd minute thanks to a shocking backpass which will give Jesse Lingard flashbacks to his error earlier this week.

Kevin Theophile-Catherine was the guilty party with Antonio onto the loose ball like a flash.

He poked the ball past stranded keeper Dominik Livakovic and from a tight angle rolled it into an empty net.

Ryan Fredericks should have made it two moments later after he was sent through by Antonio's clever flick, but Livakovic stood up well and saved with his feet.

Another summer signing, Nikola Vlasic, back in his home country, could have added a second before half-time but saw one shot blocked in a crowded penalty area and flashed another just wide.

Instead Rice doubled the lead with a maiden European goal following a trademark surging run five minutes into the second half.

Rice burst through a challenge on the halfway line and charged forward before lashing a shot through Livakovic's legs.

Pablo Fornals saw a late effort kept out by Livakovic, while Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski barely had a shot to save in an impressive opening to West Ham's European campaign.

body check tags ::

amp_article__464054 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-16 19:03:32:
html db last update - 2021-09-16 19:03:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
WH
West Ham United manager David Moyes on September 11, 2021
Read Next:
Moyes: 'Zagreb away could be our toughest game'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Michail Antonio Football Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories.
 
Recommended Next on SM
Moyes: 'Zagreb away could be our toughest game'
Brilliant Barcelona send out La Liga title message with dominant win over Osasuna
Arsenal could face Mbappe-less Real Madrid as "indecent conduct" investigation opens
Champions League 2024-25: How many points do teams need to qualify for knockouts?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1HNK RijekaRijeka261311240112950
2Hajduk Split26139440241648
3Dinamo Zagreb26136751341745
4NK VarazdinVarazdin2681172017335
5Slaven Koprivnica269893030035
6Osijek2687113338-531
7NK Lokomotiva2694133643-731
8NK Istra 1961Istra 19612661192436-1229
9GoricaGorica2666142138-1724
10Sibenik2657142145-2422
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Leeds vs. Swansea - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PL
Preview: Leeds vs. Swansea - prediction, team news, lineups

"Wherever I go" - Man United attacker drops huge hint over future

2

&I
"Wherever I go" - Man United attacker drops huge hint over future

Cubarsi, Olmo updates: Barcelona injury, suspension news vs. Girona

NEW

3

CO
Cubarsi, Olmo updates: Barcelona injury, suspension news vs. Girona

Preview: LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PL
Preview: LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Team News: Lewandowski decision made as Flick confirms Barca XI for controversial Osasuna fixture

5

TN
Team News: Lewandowski decision made as Flick confirms Barca XI for controversial Osasuna fixture

Arsenal could face Mbappe-less Real Madrid as "indecent conduct" investigation opens

6

AC
Arsenal could face Mbappe-less Real Madrid as "indecent conduct" investigation opens

Liverpool are the 'loose cannon' as Slot plots Man City transfer hijack

7

LA
Liverpool are the 'loose cannon' as Slot plots Man City transfer hijack

Serie A star 'emerges' as shock 'summer target' for Man United

8

SA
Serie A star 'emerges' as shock 'summer target' for Man United

Preview: Norwich vs. West Brom - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PN

Chelsea 'may consider' selling Newcastle, Aston Villa-linked England international

10

C'
1x1


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .