What Ben Grounds: Sky Sports In An Interview:
“The dulcet tones of Doris Day played over the Ghelamco Arena’s tannoy system at the final whistle. Que Sera Sera. Day may not have had the prospect of a Europa Conference League semi-final in mind but this tie remains firmly in the balance.
“Ings tucked away Bowen’s cross on the stroke of half-time – thanks in no small part to a Gent ball boy – to give them the lead in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
“West Ham’s defending let them down after the break as they allowed Gent forward Cuypers to equalise, leaving the tie finely poised heading into next week’s second leg at the London Stadium.
“There was late drama with the red card wiped out, and so was West Ham’s lead. Moyes stood on the touchline as he remonstrated with the fourth official regarding the Piatkowski on Paqueta incident but he will reflect on this as another step in the right direction.
“This was pretty breathless at times and while Moyes might not have been entirely happy with his side’s performance, this is far from a bad result away from home in the first leg of a European quarter-final.
“Via a fairly circuitous route, referee Sidiropoulos reached the right decision to ensure Piatkowski isn’t suspended for the second leg – in keeping with West Ham’s European adventure. Moyes has fallen foul of ball boys on the continent before; he was sent off for kicking a ball at one in their semi-final defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt last season.
“He will have to make do without Angelo Ogbonna when the sides do it all again in a week’s time after his first-half booking triggered a one-match ban, but this is a sound scoreline if not a convincing display.
“There were signs of the West Ham of old, but the version that remains locked in a relegation battle reared its head. Still, the chance to seize this rare chance to deliver European silverware at Prague’s Fortuna Arena on June 7 hangs in front of them. Whatever will be, will be.”
