West Ham player ratings vs Gent: Declan Rice provides best moment of the season as Michail Antonio comes alive

Hammers sail into final four with brilliant second-half display

West Ham made it into consecutive European semi-finals with a 4-1 win over Gent on Thursday night.

David Moyes’ side booked a Europa Conference League final four meeting with AZ Alkmaar with a stunning second-half display.

Hugo Cuypers had given the visitors the lead before Michail Antonio nodded in Jarrod Bowen’s free-kick before half-time.

Goals from Lucas Paqueta, Declan Rice and a second from Antonio, however, saw the Hammers win the 5-1 on aggregate.

Here’s how David Moyes’s side rated at the London Stadium...

Alphonse Areola 6

Dragged out of position for the opener, then untested.

Vladimir Coufal 5

Staggering lack of composure in possession. Cross did win free-kick that led to equaliser.

Kurt Zouma 7

A major factor in the dangerous Gift Orban having a markedly quieter night than seven days ago.

Nayef Aguerd 6

Back after missing Arsenal draw with a heel problem. Almost got back on the line to clear opener. Good on the ball.

Emerson 6

A decent attacking threat down the left and largely unworked going the other way.

Tomas Soucek 6

Really ought to have put West Ham ahead when hitting the bar but that is a mere footnote now.

Declan Rice 9

Set the tone with first-minute cruncher on danger-man Orban. Run and finish to give West Ham cushion was club’s best moment of the season.

Best moment of the season: Rice scored a stunning solo goal
PA

Lucas Paqueta 7

Made a bright start but dreadful pass gifted possession to Gent for opener. Demanded to take penalty and tucked it away nicely.

Jarrod Bowen 8

Dangerous free-kick created equaliser, set-up glaring chance for Soucek and had a goal disallowed.

Michail Antonio 8

Cracking front-post header to level scores, then lashed a second home. Has come alive in recent weeks.

At the double: Antonio bagged a brace on Thursday night
PA

Said Benrahma 7

A bit miffed and not taking penalty having scored four out of four this term. Dangerous when allowed to stand his man up, though crossing was wasteful.

Substitutes

Flynn Downes (Rice 70’) 6

Danny Ings (Antonio 70’) 6

Enjoyed himself with a few needless tricks.

Thilo Kehrer (Zouma 70’) 6

Maxwel Cornet (Bowen 79’) N/A

Pablo Fornals (Benrahma 79’) N/A

Unused: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Cresswell, Potts, Lanzini, Mubama

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