After a slow start to the season, David Moyes is pleased to see Michail Antonio scoring goals again, reports the football.london. Antonio was instrumental in West Ham’s success last year, contributing 13 goals and 11 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions, which led to a top-eight finish and a semi-final spot in the UEFA Europa League. However, Antonio has struggled to find the back of the net this season, but his form has improved lately, and he has now scored in double digits.
Scoring two goals in the 4-1 victory over Gent on Thursday, Michail Antonio has now netted a total of 11 goals this season, although his performance has been more impressive in European competitions than in the Premier League.
With five goals in six European games and only three in 27 league matches, Antonio has had a somewhat inconsistent season. Nevertheless, his recent return to form has been welcomed by West Ham manager David Moyes, who never doubted that his striker would regain his scoring touch. Despite Antonio’s injury and form struggles, Moyes stood by him, although he did concede that the signing of Danny Ings in January was partly influenced by Antonio’s early-season goal drought.
“I’m more pleased that Mick’s beginning to find that goalscoring tough again because it’s vital,” said Moyes. “Danny’s [Ings] got a couple, Danny scored a goal in Gent, Jarrod [Bowen] got one against Arsenal on Sunday and last night, Mick getting back amongst the goals was huge for us.
“I’m really pleased for Mick. I think the biggest thing is his form is picking up as well, to go along with the goals.”
“I don’t think I was necessarily worried, but it’s taken a while, let’s be fair,” added Moyes. “We’ve given him every chance to do so. He got an injury, Gianluca got an injury and we weren’t scoring in the first half of the season.
“So we bought Danny Ings in as well who has been pretty consistent over the years with his goalscoring.”