For a player who was once rejected by AFC
Wimbledon over a £7 registration fee, Michail Antonio has definitely proved his worth to West Ham. Absent since the end of November with a groin injury, it took him less than 10 minutes to find the net against Burnley as David Moyes’ side secured a battling victory.
Antonio was signed as a winger in 2015 and even played as a full-back under Manuel Pellegrini but it is as a lone striker that he is excelling under Moyes. Inspired by their returning talisman in attack, West Ham should really have put this game beyond doubt in the first half and were forced to dig deep to hold off a spirited late onslaught from Sean Dyche’s side. But a victory that lifts them into real contention for the top six thanks to Antonio’s 40th
Premier League goal – just seven behind Paolo Di Canio’s West Ham record – was just about a fair reward.