Mueez Ajao
– Jarrod Bowen became West Ham’s leading European goalscorer as David Moyes’ side easily beat Cypriot side AEK Larnaca to reach the last eight of the Europa Conference League.
– Bowen struck twice in as many minutes at the beginning of the second half to take his overall tally to eight across two European campaigns.
– The victory equalled West Ham’s biggest in Europe as, for the second season running, they reached the quarter-finals of a European competition.
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– However, this success was far removed from the memorable and nail-biting extra-time triumph over Sevilla in the last-16 of last season’s Europa League.
– Two down from the first-leg, Larnaca were outclassed at the London Stadium as the Hammers strolled to victory.
– The Cypriots gifted the opening goal to Gianluca Scamacca and then had Gustavo Ledes sent off just before the break for a poor challenge on Pablo Fornals that was upgraded from a yellow card to red following a video assistant referee intervention.
– Bowen took the home side further clear. His second in particular was impressive as he looped a header from Aaron Creswell’s cross over the Larnaca keeper and into the corner.
– West Ham’s victory was rounded off by 18-year-old local boy Divin Mubama, who has been with the club since he was eight and scored his first senior goal on only his third first-team appearance.
