David Moyes has waxed lyrical over Michail Antonio after the forward became West Ham United’s all-time record goalscorer in the Premier League, via quotes by football.london.
Antonio struck his 48th top-flight goal in claret and blue during the Hammers’ 4-1 win over Leicester on Monday. His strike restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage after the Foxes pulled back within one, and soon snagged a brace to secure the Irons’ top-spot in the table.
Antonio, a former right-back, right-midfielder and versatile winger turned striker, has now moved above Paulo Di Canio for goals. He may even have had a hat-trick against Leicester, but unselfishly crossed for Said Benrahma after intercepting Caglar Soyuncu’s mistake.
Soyuncu was unable to prevent Antonio from striking his first and West Ham’s third, either. Before the 31-year-old capped his night by flicking the ball past two defenders and prodding past Kasper Schmeichel. Earning Moyes’ praise for turning his game around.
“The second half, he was different class. His link up play, positioning, he offered an awful lot. He was very good,” Moyes said. Before adding: “He has got a big personality, he is a big character and I think he probably just needed some direction, which he has got himself.
“I think Mick’s big thing is he has got to the stage in his career when he has realised being in top condition can make a big difference. His home life and family life is steady, and we have given him a position where he has performed really well.
“He is probably wondering why he was not a centre-forward all along! I think he can score more goals and I am hoping he will this year. He is a great worker, he has power and pace.”
Antonio deserves every plaudit for West Ham success
Antonio deserves every plaudit he receives for becoming West Ham’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League era. He has changed his game time and time again to suit a myriad of systems under a wealth of coaches. And he now has a home at striker and made it his own.
The forward showed against Leicester how he can change his style mid-game to get the best results, as well. Rightly then earning Moyes’ praise when the West Ham boss spoke so fondly post-game of Antonio’s exploits.
Moyes will hope to see Antonio now stretch his West Ham record by targeting a third-straight double-figure campaign. Potentially bettering the 10-goal hauls the Jamaica international has secured in each of the last two top-flight seasons.
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