Michail Antonio was delighted after grabbing a vital equaliser in West Ham's 3-2 over Manchester United
A 3-2 win over Manchester United in the Boleyn Ground’s final clash was a fitting way to cap off an amazing day, according to goalscorer Michail Antonio.
Rising at the back post to head West Ham United level, the 26-year-old’s goal inspired Slaven Bilic’s Hammers to go on and grab a winner through Winston Reid ten minutes from time.
West Ham had previously taken a first half lead when Diafra Sakho’s perfectly placed strike found the bottom corner, though Louis Van Gaal’s team bagged two without reply through Anthony Martial’s brace.
But Antonio, notching his eighth of the season in Claret and Blue, was delighted to end the Club’s Boleyn Ground era in style.
He said: “What a day and what a way to finish at the Boleyn Ground. It was just one of those games where we came out on top.
“We kept pushing and we stayed on top of them all the first half and then second half, they showed their ability and why they used to be champions and showed what they can do.
“They showed their threat and managed to get in front of us, but I always believe that it’s a better victory when you’ve gone down and managed to get back and get the victory in the end.”
Though often utilised at full-back for Bilic’s team this campaign, Antonio has always been confident in his ability to find the back of the net, he revealed.
“There was only one place that header was going! This season, I’ve always been confident with my heading, and I’ve always believed I can do it, especially from right-back as well. I didn’t really get to finish the celebration off, though!
“Obviously Winston with that late header, what a great feeling and what a night. It was an amazing day. It started off with us getting here, and the fans were all singing our names and stuff like that, and it’s been a great feeling so hopefully we can finish this and get home.
“[Europe] is the plan. Other teams might slip up and we might end up getting a Champions League spot so hopefully we can push on and keep moving.”
Rising at the back post to head West Ham United level, the 26-year-old’s goal inspired Slaven Bilic’s Hammers to go on and grab a winner through Winston Reid ten minutes from time.
West Ham had previously taken a first half lead when Diafra Sakho’s perfectly placed strike found the bottom corner, though Louis Van Gaal’s team bagged two without reply through Anthony Martial’s brace.
But Antonio, notching his eighth of the season in Claret and Blue, was delighted to end the Club’s Boleyn Ground era in style.
He said: “What a day and what a way to finish at the Boleyn Ground. It was just one of those games where we came out on top.
“We kept pushing and we stayed on top of them all the first half and then second half, they showed their ability and why they used to be champions and showed what they can do.
“They showed their threat and managed to get in front of us, but I always believe that it’s a better victory when you’ve gone down and managed to get back and get the victory in the end.”
Though often utilised at full-back for Bilic’s team this campaign, Antonio has always been confident in his ability to find the back of the net, he revealed.
“There was only one place that header was going! This season, I’ve always been confident with my heading, and I’ve always believed I can do it, especially from right-back as well. I didn’t really get to finish the celebration off, though!
“Obviously Winston with that late header, what a great feeling and what a night. It was an amazing day. It started off with us getting here, and the fans were all singing our names and stuff like that, and it’s been a great feeling so hopefully we can finish this and get home.
“[Europe] is the plan. Other teams might slip up and we might end up getting a Champions League spot so hopefully we can push on and keep moving.”