By Sam Tonks
West Ham registered their biggest win in 35 years, sweeping past Macclesfield Town with an 8-0 victory at London Stadium, comfortably progressing to the Carabao Cup fourth round.
A thunderous strike and first Hammers goal from Ryan Fredericks was the pick of the bunch, Michail Antonio, Lucas Perez, Angelo Ogbonna and braces from Robert Snodgrass and academy graduate Grady Diangana capping an entertaining evening.
Manuel Pellegrini changed up the side for this competition, including handing a first-team debut to 20-year old academy attacking midfielder Diangana. .
The youngster impressed throughout - winning the man of the match on the night - and was immediately in the action, playing a neat one-two with Perez before hitting the side netting. Despite the disruption of an injury to Carlos Sanchez, the Hammers were in control but Adrian did have to make a save after a Macclesfield throw-in was flicked on.Â
With 28 minutes on the clock, the breakthrough came from Michail Antonio. A lofted cross from Rice on the right was finished by the forward to ease any home nerves. They could keep cheering four minutes later as the lead was doubled.
Diangana stung the hands of keeper Kieran O’Hara and Snodgrass was alive to the chance and tucked home the rebound. The floodgates had opened as on 40 minutes, the win looked secured for West Ham.
Aaron Cresswell was allowed to venture down the left flank and picked out Perez who volleyed home at the near post, his first goal for the club.
The second half continued the theme of ‘firsts’ at London Stadium. Conor Coventry was brought on for his first-team debut and another goal arrived soon after.
Fredericks cut in on his right foot and hit an unerring shot into the roof of the net, 4-0. Macclesfield couldn’t handle the aerial battles as on 54 minutes, Angelo Ogbonna headed a fifth in for Pellegrini’s men.
The confidence was oozing from the Hammers following the weekend’s impressive result. Snodgrass made it a brace for himself on the hour with Fredericks involved again, darting into the area before the Scot put the loose ball in the net.
The crowd just wanted a moment for debutant Diangana, they duly got it. Perez was on-hand for the one-two and it was a first Hammers goal for the 20-year-old, seven heaven for West Ham.
As it looked like Mark Yates’ side had managed to stem the flow of onslaught, Diangana got his own brace on 82 minutes. A fellow new boy, Joe Powell laid the ball into Diangana who curled the ball past a despairing O’Hara, a goal from the next generation.
A super eight for West Ham as the momentum continues builds, next up is Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime at London Stadium.
