Goalscorer Michail Antonio praised the push that the returning West Ham United supporters gave their side in Saturday’s clinical 2-0 victory over Atalanta.
The Hammers sealed an unbeaten pre-season campaign with a well-earned victory against the Champions League and Serie A heavy-hitters, roared on by London Stadium’s highest attendance in almost 18 months.
And after dominating the match’s chance count and largely restricting their free-scoring opposition, Antonio took the opportunity to praise the Claret and Blue Army for the salient inspiration they provided in helping the Hammers lift the Betway Cup.
“It was quality,” Antonio told West Ham TV. “It’s been weird without the fans, obviously being able to hear each other speak and stuff like that!
“Having the fans there – that extra push, that extra 20 per cent that we need to get the ball back and to pressure and to score goals… we’ve missed them.
“It’s always quality to win something, and today we have.”
The Hammers’ newest No9 and top scorer for each of the last two seasons put in a typically industrious display leading the line against Atalanta’s back three on Saturday.
I’ve taken the No9 shirt now to show that I am the No9, I am the person who’s meant to be scoring the goals, and hopefully I can keep doing it
Michail Antonio
And when his opportunity arrived to open the scoring, Antonio – who will hope to top his last two seasons’ Premier League tally of ten apiece – showed a good touch and a striker’s instinct to lash home from Said Benrahma’s cute through ball.
“To be fair, it was a great ball from Said,” Antonio recalled. “I managed to get through and get the goal.
“It’s one of those things where, during the season, I want to start taking more opportunities when they come to me. Obviously, I’ve taken the No9 shirt now to show that I am the No9, I am the person who’s meant to be scoring the goals, and hopefully I can keep doing it.
“I don’t want to put any type of pressure on myself. I know that over the last few years I’ve been scoring goals, so if I just keep going out there and doing the same things that I’ve been doing, I’ll get a good tally at the end of the season.
“Obviously, being the No9, people could put a bit more pressure on that, saying that maybe ten goals isn’t enough, but all I’m going to do is go out there and do the best I can and score as many goals as I can.”
Antonio was also pleased to help his team put in a thoroughly professional performance against Serie A’s third-placing team – and top scorers – for each of the last three seasons.
He explained: “In the first 30 minutes, Atalanta showed their quality in how they keep the ball, their rotation system, their movement, their passing, but after that we got into the game and managed to get the goal and we went on from there.
“We’ve gone through all pre-season without losing a game. We are looking sharp, we’re looking good, and hopefully we can take that into the season.”
That competitive season begins with a Premier League trip to Newcastle United and the prospect of a fully-packed St James’ Park next Sunday 15 August.
“Newcastle away, the fans are amazing up there, to be fair!” Antonio smiled. “They’re loud and they fully support their team.
“Hopefully we’ll have some fans up there to help push us, but it’s going to be quality. It’s going to be good and I’m looking forward to it.”
