West Ham player ratings vs Fiorentina: Jarrod Bowen the history-maker as Lucas Paqueta rises to occasion
The England international ended the club’s 43-year wait for a major trophy with the decisive strike after a tense final in the Czech capital.
Here’s how David Moyes’s side rated in Prague…
Alphonse Areola 6
Calm and decisive with the ball at his feet. Relieved to see offside flag go up after making a meal of Jovic header. No chance with Bonaventura’s excellent finish.
Vladimir Coufal 8
Given the nod to start ahead of Thilo Kehrer in his home city. Perhaps helped by home comforts, looked among the players least overawed by the occasion.
Kurt Zouma 6
Looked to be struggling early in the second half and hobbled off amid the chaos around the penalty award.
Nayef Aguerd 6
A couple of fine passes between the lines to get West Ham on the front foot. Booked for losing a 50-50 aerial challenge. Couldn’t get out to Bonaventura in time.
Emerson 6
A surprise inclusion ahead of Aaron Cresswell at left-back but was among West Ham’s best players in the first-half with a couple of driving runs inside. Defensive vulnerability showed, however, as he was beaten in theirin build-up to leveller.
Tomas Soucek 7
The second of the Hammers’ Czech internationals found life tough as Fiorentina dominated midfield possession. Like several teammates, perplexed at punishment of some of his aerial challenges but saw decent header pushed round post.
Declan Rice 7
Playing in his final game for the club, almost opened the scoring inside 15 minutes but dragged shot just wide. Stifled in an attacking sense and won’t reflect on his greatest night, but ended at as only the third West Ham captain to lift silverware. An epic farewell.
Lucas Paqueta 8
Played a notably more advanced role out of possession and found early pockets but Fiorentina soon adapted and largely shut the Brazilian down until wonderful pass created the winner. A moment of sheer quality.
Sheer quality: Paqueta unlocked the defence as West Ham won late in Prague
/ Getty ImagesJarrod Bowen 9
Did brilliantly to get across his man and control with his chest to win the penalty, then sprinted away to net dramatic winner. History-maker.
Michail Antonio 6
Frustrations obvious as his physicality was punished by the referee’s whistle, only to have a couple of obvious appeals for free-kicks waved away.
Said Benrahma 8
Held off late-season charge from Pablo Fornals to keep his shirt. Booked for a hilariously bad dive in one of the few decisions referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande got right. Magnificent pressure penalty.
Substitutes
Thilo Kehrer (Zouma 61’) 7
Made vital block on Cabral to deny Fiorentina an instant response.
Pablo Fornals (Benrahma 76’) 5
A couple of panicked touchesconceded possession cheaply after introduction.
Angelo Ogbonna (Antonio 90’) N/A
Unused:Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Downes, Lanzini, Potts, Cornet, Mubama, Ings
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