Steve McManaman stunned by Alphonse Areola for West Ham v Sevilla
Steve McManaman was left in awe of West Ham man Alphonse Areola in the first half of the Hammers’ Europa League second leg crunch clash against Sevilla.
The goalkeeper kept David Moyes’ side in the tie with a “brilliant” save to deny Youssef En-Nesyri’s powerful deflected strike.
The French stopper showed brilliant reflexes to allow the Irons a 1-0 lead going into halftime at the London Stadium.
He said live on BT Sport: “What a save this is from the keeper, what a save.
“Moving left, big strong right arm out, opposite direction. As strong as you like.
“Brilliant stop.”
Huge second half
It was a first-half very similar to the first leg over in Seville. West Ham looked incredibly comfortable in possession, creating several half chances but they failed to create anything clear with the goal even coming from a half chance.
It was brilliant to see Michail Antonio start, he made a huge difference up top. You could see the Sevilla defenders were scared into action every time he was on the ball.
You dare think how much the Hammers would have struggled if he wasn’t fit enough to play.
The fans were brilliant all half and they will need to be for the rest of the game. This tie is on a knife-edge and Moyes’ side will need every last bit of luck and support if they are to win the tie in the second half.
What the Hammers have to do in the second half is simple. Create more chances and be more clinical in goal and finish the game off whilst not conceding.
In other West Ham news, Joe Cole shares a “unique” Hammers view ahead of the Sevilla clash.
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