Jaw-dropping European win
Hammers’ hopes for top 4 remain after emotional Yarmolenko opener

West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa
by Paul Donovan
at the London Stadium
THE most uplifting moment of this game came in the 69th minute as Ukrainian international Andriy Yarmolenko sunk to his knees for an emotional celebration, following his breakthrough goal for West Ham against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
The big striker had just come on to replace Michail Antonio, when Said Benrahma fed the ball into the area to Yarmolenko, who flicked the ball up with one foot and fired home with the other.
The goal lifted a previously labouring West Ham, resulting in a sweeping move started by Declan Rice, that saw Benrahma cross the ball in for Pablo Fornals to tuck into the back of the net.
More from this author

PAUL DONOVAN applauds a timely play that explores the resonances of McCarthyite nationalism in today’s US

PAUL DONOVAN is fascinated by an account of the long history of Catholic Church’s involvement in espionage