AEK Larnaca 0 – 2 West Ham

A fine first-half double from Michail Antonio gave West Ham a 2-0 win at AEK Larnaca in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16.

The striker immediately returned to the side after picking up a hamstring injury, although he was ruled out after appearing to strain his calf during the hour.

However, Antonio plays down any talk of other spells out, telling bt sports after the game: “Hamstrings are good, my calves are good. I got a couple of kicks today and I just tightened up. I’ll be fine.”

The striker certainly made his mark, nodding home brilliantly in the 36th minute before a stunning curling effort (45+1) doubled the Hammers’ lead – their first brace in 19 months. He could have made it a perfect hat-trick shortly after the break as well, but saw his left-footed shot clip the post.

However, he has seen West Ham take command ahead of next Thursday’s second leg at the London Stadium.

Larnaca, who have never made it to the last 16 of a European competition, certainly tested West Ham at the start and end of the game. They collected 14 corners – West Ham’s zero – but the Hammers’ quality was evident at both ends of the pitch.

“Tonight I knew it would be difficult,” said West Ham boss David Moyes. “I didn’t think it was going to be a walkover and they made it difficult and we stayed and got a clean sheet.

“It’s nine games we’ve won in Europe now this season and we need a few.

“Not many managers and players go back to the European quarter-finals. We still have work to do to get there, but it’s not a bad achievement.

“Then the next part is getting to the semi-finals. We have to embrace it, have fun. There is something different about Europe, even in a small stadium like tonight, it’s great to be involved at this level.”

How West Ham beat Larnaca in the first leg

West Ham took a while to get going as Larnaca started well. In the 18th minute, Marin Jakolis was fed on the left wing, dragging Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd towards him, but his cross was found behind by Declan Rice. From the third corner in the spell, Nikos Englezou nodded.

But if West Ham found their quality, it was only a matter of time before the goals came. In the 31st minute, Manuel Lanzini sent a shot just wide after some good work from Antonio and Pablo Fornals. Seconds later, Said Benrahma’s shot was saved at the near post by Kenan Piric.

But it was an injury stoppage for Englezou after allowing David Moyes to talk to his squad – especially Antonio – and the opening goal came from the striker just four minutes later.

Benrahma did brilliantly to leave two Larnaca defenders as he dropped his shoulder, with a floating cross nodded home decisively by the unmarked Antonio.

In the first minute of three added on, a stunning finish gave West Ham their second. Rice broke through midfield before finding Antonio, who had all the space to play and attack, to send a curling shot past Nenad Tomovic and into the back of the net.

Antonio completed a perfect hat-trick three minutes after the break. Lanzini and Benrahma linked up well down the left, with the latter feeding his team-mate with a superb pass, but Antonio sent a left-footed shot wide of the far post.

Larnaca ended the match as it started – plenty of set-plays and tests for West Ham’s defence. Substitutes Ivan Trickovski and Imad Faraj both saved from Alphonse Areola, but couldn’t get past the keeper.

But in the end, the Hammers saw out a comfortable first-leg victory, taking commanding position back to the London Stadium next Thursday.

Moyes: Happy with the result – but we didn’t play well

West Ham manager David Moyes to BT Sport:

“We didn’t play well, but it’s a good job when you’re disappointed with your performance. But happy with the result we won 2-0 away from home.

“I’m disappointed with the game as a whole. I don’t think we played very well tonight. But getting two goals is very important for us, we haven’t done it regularly, but maybe we have a few more. That’s another part of the disappointment, but overall, very happy that we got that result.

“If we can get to the quarter-finals of the European competition two years in a row, that will be great. I hope we can talk about the semi-finals and the final this year, but first we have to try to make the quarter-finals.”

When asked if making three changes in the 60th minute had the weekend match with Aston Villa in mind: “Of course, but also, I wouldn’t have made the changes if I didn’t think we were comfortable enough in the game. We got a very good position.”

Antonio: I’m so close to a perfect hat-trick!

West Ham goalscorer Michail Antonio to BT Sport:

“We’re trying to win, get a good distance between us, so when we go home next week, it won’t be any easier, but at least we’re ahead.

“I was so close to the perfect hat-trick! When I hit the post, I was very angry. But to get two goals, I was excited. Hopefully next week, I can get more.

“One of the things in football is always competition, someone tries to take your shirt. Today, I could go out and score some goals. Did I get a chance at the weekend.

“We are more comfortable, but in football, anything can happen. We are at home with the fans, I think we can take it easy and hopefully win another.”

What’s next?

West Ham host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 2pm. The return leg against AEK Larnaca is at the London Stadium on Thursday; kick-off at 8pm.