West Ham 4-1 Gent: Hammers power into Europa Conference League semi-finals on back of Michail Antonio brace

West Ham struck three unanswered second-half goals as they blew Belgian side Gent away to claim their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, winning 4-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.

Hugo Cuypers – scorer of Gent’s equaliser in the first leg – gave the visitors the lead before Michail Antonio’s header levelled before half-time.

David Moyes’ side then struck three times in eight minutes, kick-started by Lucas Paqueta’s penalty followed by a remarkable goal from captain Declan Rice before Antonio wrapped it up with his second.

West Ham will now meet AZ Alkmaar in the last-four after the Dutch side beat Anderlecht on penalties.

The Hammers made a poor start to proceedings, falling behind in the 26th minute following a catalogue of errors. Paqueta gave the ball away in a dangerous area, Matisse Samoise was left unmarked on the right and his mis-hit shot fell kindly for Cuypers, whose shot squirmed between Alphonse Areola and Nayef Aguerd and into the back of the net.

Their lead lasted only 11 minutes, however. Alessio Castro-Montes conceded a cheap foul on the right flank and it was duly punished with Jarrod Bowen’s superb whipped delivery finding Antonio whose bullet header gave goalkeeper Davy Roef no chance.

West Ham ended the half on top and had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away when Said Benrahma’s header was blocked by Samoise’s outstretched arm, and they made a bright start to the second period, too, Tomas Soucek blasting a shot from point-blank range at the woodwork.

Their continuous pressure was finally rewarded from the spot after Samoise was deemed to have handled inside his box with Paqueta making no mistake with his penalty.

Skipper Rice then scored an unforgettable solo goal as he raced from inside his own half on a lung-busting run, keeping his composure to finish and put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. With Gent clearly shell-shocked they were caught cold in defence once more as Antonio grabbed his second following another rapid counter-attack.

It could have got even worse for the visitors as West Ham’s dominance continued with Bowen having a goal ruled out for handball but they had to settle for just the four goals.

The Hammers can now look forward to a second successive European semi-final with AZ lying in wait with the first leg to take place on May 11 and the second leg a week later. They will play for a place in the final, which will be held at Fortuna Arena, Prague, on June 7.

Talking point – The real West Ham stood up as they eye glory in Prague

It has been a forgettable campaign for West Ham domestically but in Europe they remain favourites to end a 43-year wait for a trophy.

On the continental stage this term, The Hammers have won 11 games, three more than they have managed in the Premier League, and it could be argued that they have been able to show their true colours in this competition, free from the pressure they face in England’s top-flight with relegation still a real threat.

And with some crucial games to come, Moyes will now be desperate for his side to transfer this kind of high-quality performance to league matters, starting away to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Player of the match – Declan Rice (West Ham)

Captain Fantastic. Rice was excellent in midfield with his reading of the game and ability to break up play, and it was fitting that the 24-year-old scored the goal that ultimately put the game beyond Gent. Bidding to become just the third club captain to lift silverware with West Ham, it was one of the best goals that has been witnessed at London Stadium.

Player ratings

West Ham: Areola 6, Coufal 6, Zouma 6, Aguerd 7, Emerson 5, Soucek 6, Rice 9*, Bowen 8, Paqueta 7, Benrahma 6, Antonio 9.. subs, Fornals N/A, Downes 5, Cornet N/A, Ings 5, Kehrer 5.

Gent: Roef 5, Samoise 4, Piatkowski 5, Okumu 5, Nurio Fortuna 5, Kums 5, De Sart 5, Castro-Montes 4, Hong 5, Cuypers 5, Orban 5.. subs: Odjidja-Ofoe 5, Fofana N/A, Depoitre 5, Godeau N/A, Tissoudali 5.

Match highlights

26’ – GOAL! WEST HAM 0-1 GENT (AGG 1-2) – HUGO CUYPERS: West Ham are behind and they only have themselves to blame! Paqueta gives the ball away cheaply and there’s no urgency from his team-mates to win it back. Orban plays a dangerous pass to Samoise, his mis-hit shot falls kindly for Cuypers whose improvised effort squirms between Areola and Aguerd and into the back of the net.

37’ – GOAL! WEST HAM 1-1 GENT (AGG 2-2) – MICHAIL ANTONIO: West Ham are level in the tie once more! The hosts are awarded a free-kick on the right flank following a cheap Castro-Montes foul. The set-piece is whipped in by Bowen, it’s a quality cross and Antonio gets on the end of it, his bullet header leaving the Gent goalkeeper with no chance.

56’ – GOAL! WEST HAM 2-1 GENT (AGG 3-2) – LUCAS PAQUETA (PEN): A stuttering run up but Paqueta makes no mistake, lifting the ball into the roof of the net! West Ham, having trailed earlier, are now ahead.

58’ – GOAL! WEST HAM 3-1 GENT (AGG 4-2) – DECLAN RICE: This is brilliant from the captain Declan Rice! The England international nicks the ball inside his own half and then embarks on a lung-busting solo run, dribbling into the Gent penalty area… can he keep his composure? Of course he can as he slides it past Roef and into the corner.

63’ – GOAL! WEST HAM 4-1 GENT (AGG 5-2) – MICHAIL ANTONIO: Oh my, West Ham are absolutely running away with this now! Gent, throwing caution to the wind, are caught on the counter-attack once more. Antonio is fed on the left flank, is allowed to check inside before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner for his second of the night.

Key stat

West Ham have won 11 of their 12 UEFA Europa Conference League games this season.