LONDON: West Ham’s dreams of a first major trophy since 1980 are still alive as they came from behind to secure a narrow Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg win over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at London Stadium.

The Hammers’ hopes of reaching the final in Prague on 7 June were hanging by a thread when Alphonse Areola made a mess of saving Tijjani Reijnders’ low shot four minutes before the break.

But in front of jubilant home support, David Moyes’ side turned the tie on its head after half-time.

They had former Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan to thank for offering them a way back into the contest when he recklessly punched Jarrod Bowen in the face as he arrived late to challenge for a high ball the England man actually headed over.

After Ryan took an age to take his position for the penalty, Said Benrahma beat him with a powerful shot into the corner.

And 15 minutes from time Michail Antonio hit the winner from close range, stabbing home the loose ball after Nayef Aguerd’s initial header had been blocked by Yukinari Sugawara on the line.

West Ham will take nothing for granted given AZ were two down after the first leg of their quarter-final with Anderlecht and still made it through.

However, the hosts did carry the greater threat and would have taken a firmer grip on the tie had Benrahma found the target rather than blazing over after being set up by Danny Ings.

“We’ve got a narrow lead but nothing more than that,” said Moyes.

“The tie is very evenly balanced, there is very little in the game, if we were losing by a goal I wouldn’t be saying we were out of the tie.

“I’m pleased we’ve got ourselves in front, which is a big thing. It was a difficult night.

“I hugely believe we’ve got a big resilience here, through the club, through the team, and we’ve needed it.”

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