Reggae Boy Antonio caps Hammers' FA Cup win
West Ham United's Jamaica international Michail Antonio dribbles during the English FA Cup fourth-round match against Derby County at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, central England on Monday. (Photo: AFP)

LONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) — Reggae Boy Michail Antonio, who has said he is open to leaving London Stadium, ended a personal drought when he scored the second goal as West Ham United secured a deserved 2-0 win away at League One Derby County on Monday night, to book an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Manchester United.

Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring after 10 minutes at Pride Park and the England man then turned provider five minutes after the break when his cross deflected into the path of Antonio to head his fifth goal of the campaign in all competitions from close range.

The goal ended Antonio's six-match scoring drought spanning two and a half months.

On Antonio scoring, Bowen said: "Massive goal for Micky. We've been working on tap-in goals. It was at a crucial time to get a firmer hold of the game."

West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals said: "Everyone knows it hasn't been an easy season so every game we can win gives us massive confidence.

"We work hard every day in training to get a chance, and then you have to take it — that's what the players tried to do tonight. In this situation, every player wants to help."

It was the first time Manager David Moyes' side had completed successive victories since October, following last weekend's Premier League win against fellow strugglers Everton.

The result marked the end of Derby's 14-match unbeaten run, but Manager Paul Warne's main challenge this season is to try to return to the Championship.

Antonio told a BBC podcast last week that he is open to the idea of leaving Hammers in the January window and closing the curtains on his seven-and-a-half-year stint at the club.

But Moyes, knowing his other two strikers — Gianluca Scamacca and new signing Danny Ings — are currently injured, has rejected the idea out of hand.

Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy