West Ham United ended their long wait to win major silverware this evening, claiming the Europa Conference League title courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.
The Hammers created the first chance, but Viola keeper Pietro Terracciano was up to the task. The Serie A side hit back, but West Ham’s defenders outmuscled Luka Jovic.
The game was paused for a few minutes after West Ham thugs threw missiles at Fiorentina captain Christian Biraghi as he waited to take a corner kick.
It was not the first violent incident related to the game, with Fiorentina hooligans attacking West Ham supporters before the match leading to multiple arrests.
The game continued with Rolando Mandragora, Sofyan Amrabat and Giacomo Bonaventura winning the midfield battle against Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta.
However, West Ham created the next opening. Soucek met a cross to the back post, but no one could connect with his knockdown.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side thought they had the lead before the half-time break.
Nico Gonzalez sent in a cross that Christian Kouame headed, but Alphonse Areola saved it. Jovic scored but was inches offside,
Fiorentina came out for the second half on the front foot, just as they finished the first half.
West Ham were awarded a penalty on the hour mark. Biraghi handled the ball in the box and Said Benrahma scored to give West Ham the lead.
It did not last long as Fiorentina soon pulled the scores level. Gonzalez won an aerial duel against Emerson Palmieri before Giacomo Bonaventura struck the knockdown sweetly into the net.
The Italian side could have taken the lead through Mandragora, but his effort went wide.
In the dying minutes, Paqueta sent Bowen through on goal. He slotted beyond Terracciano to win the game.
