West Ham 4 AEK Larnaca 0 (agg 6-0): Jarrod Bowen puts England snub behind him with double as Hammers reach quarters
GIANLUCA SCAMACCA toe-poked his way back into David Moyes’ good books.
Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen rewrote the history books with a quick-fire double to guide West Ham into a major European quarter final for the second season on the spin.
After a comfortable 2-0 victory out in Cyprus, this proved to be another confidence-booster for the Hammers as Scamacca made his first start in all competitions since January 4.
The Italian striker, 24, has been criticised in recent weeks by boss Moyes for his disappointing “physical data” and running stats after returning from a knee injury.
But he finally showed his commitment to the cause – even if he only lasted 54 minutes, and his 20th minute goal was down to some very questionable defending by the visitors
AEK Larnaca’s Gustavo Ledes saw red for a nasty challenge on Pablo Fornals just before the break after to a lengthy VAR intervention – the catalyst for a flurry of second half strikes.
Bowen scored twice in two minutes straight after the break to make it 10 goals for the season, and a record-breaking eight in Europe for the club.
Academy graduate Divin Mubama, 18, then added the cherry on the cake off the bench with his first senior goal for the Irons.
Even with the threat of relegation looming over West Ham, they can continue to dream of reaching the Europa Conference League final on June 7 and lifting a first trophy since 1980.
Without a game until April 2, Moyes went strong to see off the Cypriots early.
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Scamacca looked in the mood, sprinting at everything and firing a long-ranger narrowly wide.
His opener was far less dramatic, wriggling free down the right before seeing his dribbler squeeze under the body of keeper Kenan Piric.
A fifth goal in nine Conference League games.
Both Scamacca and Larnaca’s Nemanja Nikolic then had strikes ruled out for offside before Fornals hit the bar and Ledes was sent for an early bath.
Bowen got in on the act in the 47th minute, netting from Scamacca’s rebounded shot, and grabbed a second soon after with a fine looping head from Aaron Cresswell’s pick-out.
After Mubama’s corner flick-on in the 65th minute, Moyes even had time to hand out a senior debut for local lad Levi Lang.
A rare worry-free 90 minutes for the Scot.