David Moyes happy with West Ham win over AZ Alkmaar despite tough game

West Ham United secured a crucial 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa Conference League tie last night.

Manager David Moyes is happy his side fought for the win but knows they have a fight on their hands when they travel to the Netherlands for the reverse fixture.

AZ showed Moyes’ side just how dangerous they were as they opened the scoring through Tijjani Reijnders in the first half.

However, West Ham upped their tempo to create openings as they sought an equaliser.

It came in the 67th minute when Mathew Ryan fouled Jarrod Bowen in the penalty box. Said Benrahma made no mistake with the spot kick.

West Ham sensed that they could nick it, and they did through Michail Antonio. He poked home from close range to make it 2-1. Benrahma could have added another but missed his chance.

Moyes said (via West Ham’s official website): “It was a pretty difficult game to assess in many ways and we will look at the training ground tomorrow. 

“We got a lead. And we got in front. Any lead is important at the moment.

“But thankfully we didn’t give up too many defensive things. We should have stopped the goal, undoubtedly, but it happens.

“I have been a bit worried about the way that AZ played. They have got a good style, and they showed it at times in the first half.

“But we made really poor decisions in the final third in the first half. We were shooting (from difficult positions) and weren’t crossing it.

“We made really poor decisions and we didn’t hold the ball up well at all. And they made it difficult for us to really impact on them as well.”

The second leg will likely be an open game, with both sides going at it for a place in the final.

However, Moyes will hope his side can do enough to keep their lead as they strive to win their first trophy since 1980.