WEST Ham defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the Eden Arena in Prague, Czech Republic tonight to end a decades-long trophy drought.
The last time the English Premier League club won major silverware was in 1980 when they claimed the FA Cup, while their only previous triumph in Europe was in 1965 when they won the Cup Winners’ Cup.
All three goals of tonight’s final came in the second half after a drab first period ended goalless.
Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen struck to give manager David Moyes his first major trophy while the impressive Giacomo Bonaventura scored for the Serie A club, who also lost the Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan.
West Ham’s opening goal came from the penalty spot through Algeria forward Benrahma in the 62nd minute after a Fiorentina player handled the ball in the box.
Fiorentina hit back five minutes later, Bonaventura poking home from inside a crowded West Ham box.
The match was heading into extra-time when Lucas Paqueta put Bowen through with a brilliant pass in added time for the forward to finish.
Italian clubs have now lost two European finals in one week after Roma’s penalty shootout defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League decider last Wednesday.
A third Italian club, Inter Milan, will face Manchester City in the final of the UEFA Champions League on Saturday night.
