Michail Antonio was West Ham’s match-winner against Bournemouth.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told Sky Sports that he thinks Slaven Bilic’s decision to play Michail Antonio out wide paid dividends against Bournemouth on Sunday.
West Ham played their first Premier League game at their new home, the London Stadium, on Sunday afternoon, but it looked like being a frustrating game for Bilic’s men as Bournemouth frustrated them.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio scores their first goal against Bournemouth
With the game edging towards a 0-0 draw even after Harry Arter was sent off for Bournemouth, West Ham needed a hero – and they got one as Michail Antonio headed home the winning goal with just five minutes left to play.
It was a great moment for the West Ham fans as they got to celerbrate their new home in style, but particularly for goalscorer Antonio, who had endured a miserable evening against Chelsea just six days earlier.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
Antonio had been playing at right back at Stamford Bridge, and committed a huge error before giving away a penalty to give Chelsea the lead, and was then hauled off as Bilic brought on Sam Byram in his place.
Antonio looked downbeat at that point, but when restored to his natural position as a winger against Bournemouth, he was back to his best, and replicated the performances that made him such a success last season.
After the game, pundit Jamie Redknapp spoke to Sky Sports about West Ham’s win, and hailed Bilic for his decision to put Antonio back on the wing, suggesting that his move paid dividends as he scored the winning goal.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring their first goal against Bournemouth
Redknapp also named Antonio as his man of the match, as he was the player who stepped up and scored the late winning goal to hand West Ham all three points.
“Bilic will be absolutely delighted,” said Redknapp. “He played Antonio further forward and it really paid off as he got that match-winning header – a big moment for West Ham.”
“Man of the match has to go to Antonio, there weren’t a lot of contenders but he was the man that made that decisive moment with a great header at the back post,” he added.
Do you think Antonio should return to being a winger full-time?
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