Frank McAvennie: Andriy Yarmolenko ‘did it again’ for West Ham
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham have had to rely on late goals in both of their past two games and Frank McAvennie has hailed the man who stepped up on both occasions.
Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko was the man who sent the Irons into the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday having already scored a crucial goal against Aston Villa the weekend before.
The 32-year-old had been struggling with a severe lack of game time at the London Stadium but recent events in his homeland seems to have inspired him to do great things in claret and blue.
Ex-Hammers striker McAvennie loved what he saw from Yarmolenko on Thursday and was delighted to see him overcome the adversity he has faced over the past few weeks.
“Yarmolenko did it again,” McAvennie said exclusively to West Ham Zone. “Last couple of games he’s come on and scored a goal for us.
“The place was rocking; it was incredible for him to score with the solidarity within the stadium behind him.
“Seeing him with the Ukrainian flag around him brought a feel-good factor to the stadium.”
The quarter-final draw, that took place yesterday afternoon, saw West Ham be drawn against Ligue 1 outfit Lyon with games to take place in early April.
Should they go on to beat the French club, either Eintracht Frankfurt or Barcelona await David Moyes’ side in the last four.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has been urging one of the Irons’ star players to take advantage of his good form.
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