It was a stylish way to end our home campaign for the 2022/23 season.
West Ham United might have started Sunday's Premier League clash with Leeds United slowly, but they ended it strongly to claim a merited 3-1 success, much to the Claret and Blue Army's delight.
It was also fitting that two of the goalscorers had been two of our standout players this season - newly-crowned Betway Hammer of the Year Declan Rice and 12-goal Jarrod Bowen.
The pair were delighted to continue the feel good factor following Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final success with another victory, as they told Sky Sports at the final whistle...
Jarrod Bowen: “We were delighted on Thursday night but this was our last home game of the season.
“To go out and put on a performance on and win the game for us, for the fans and for everyone, it’s been the best four days we’ve probably had for a long time.”
Declan Rice: “I think, if you look back on Thursday night, that night took its toll on us in the first 15-20 minutes against Leeds.
“You can see we probably weren’t at 100 per cent. We were still creating chances in those moments but, as the game stretched and went on, you could see we dominated.
“In the end, it probably could have been six or seven, but we were a bit wasteful with our chances. But it was an all-round great day.”
Rice: “I had a feeling I was going to score today.
“I said to the guys before the game that I was going to score. I think it’s my best goalscoring season now.
“I think I made a lot of runs into the box today and it’s probably the most I’ve done in a while. I want to keep adding that to my game.”
Bowen: “Declan could have had a hat-trick today! But the way he arrived into the box in the first half for my cross, for the first goal, and the way he finished it was great. He’s hit it down into the ground as well and it’s a great finish.
“For me, I thought mine was going to be offside again! The last few have either been offside or for handball, so I thought it would be disallowed. I was so happy when it wasn’t.”
Rice: “Going into the last game and into the UEFA Europa Conference League final, it was important we build momentum.
“We had the fans behind us, full voiced and singing, and they are loving our performances at the minute, which is giving us the confidence to perform and play well.”
Bowen: “It hasn’t been a straightforward season but I’ve never questioned the fans.
“They have turned up in their numbers, home and away, and to get to the final was so special for them. Today, in our last home game, to put that performance on for them and then to have that moment with them after the match, it’s so important.
“We’ve got one more league game to go, which we want to win, and then we go into the final.”
