West Ham United’s Nigerian-born defender, Angelo Obinze Obonna got one of the goals that compounded an already condemned English Premier League relegation nightmare for Semi Ajayi and his colleagues at West Bromwich Albion, megasportsarena.com reports.
Ajayi was on for 90 minutes with the hosts at The Hawthorns, but he could not stop Ogbonna from netting one of his side’s three goals, as The Hammers moved within touching distance of qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa League with a 3-1 victory.
The Hammers, who had Mipo Odubeko o their bench for 90 minutes, saw Ogbonna enter the referee’s bad book with a 34th minute yellow card, while West Brom’s Hal Robson-Kanu was yanked off in the 89th minute, to make way for Mbaye Diagne.
Tottenham Hotspur’s loss earlier same day had given former Everton and Manchester United of England gaffer, David Moyes’ Hammers the opportunity to take a giant stride towards European qualification, and they made the best of it.
Ogbonna’s side had the chance to take an early lead after Michail Antonio had been felled by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in the penalty area in the first minute, but Declan Ride’s penalty struck the woodwork.
The Hammers task was made harder when Matheus Pereira’s corner crept in after a touch from Tomas Soucek, who atoned for his error, scoring the equaliser just before half-time and the comeback was complete when Ogbonna headed home in the 82nd minute.
Antonio added the gloss to what was a big night for West Ham, rebounding after he earlier latched onto Ajayi’s wayward backpass and he was brought down by Johnstone as he looked to round the goalkeeper.
The Hammers looked desperate in their race for Europe, but they initially struggled for the right momentum after the break and Randolph needed to smother another effort from Ajayi to stop the hosts regaining the lead.
Slowly, though, Moyes’ side began to assert their authority and they are now in pole position to reach the Europa League, as victory sees The Hammers move up into sixth, three points ahead of Tottenham and Everton with just one game left to play.
Ogbonna’s side have now won 31 away points this season in the EPL, equaling their club record for most away points in a single top-division campaign set in 1985-86 when they finished in their highest position of third.
The Nigerian-born former Italy international and his colleagues will next play Southampton on the final day on Sunday and a point would see them secure European football for the first time since 2016.
On the other hand, West Brom’s defeat proved to be The Baggies’ coach, Sam Allardyce’s final game at The Hawthorns, as it was announced straight after the match he will step down from his post as the club’s head coach at the end of the season.
