“Brilliant achievement, Two years in a row is special, he’s World Class” – David Moyes hails West Ham win over Gent to reach UECL semi-final as he singles out Hammers star for special praise

avid Moyes hailed his West Ham squad after they made it into back-to-back European semi-finals.

The Hammers came from behind at the London Stadium to beat Gent 4-1 and win the tie 5-1 on aggregate. A Michail Antonio header cancelled out the opener from Hugo Cuypers before the home side turned on the style in the second-half.

In fewer than eight minutes, Lucas Paqueta, Declan Rice and a second goal from Antonio had booked their spot in the Europa Conference League final four. Having reached same stage of the Europa League last season, Moyes believes his team are building a platform in continental competition.

“It is a brilliant achievement,” said the Scot.

“To do it two years in a row is special, it really is. It doesn’t happen very often so we’ll look forward to that semi-finals.

“It’s been tough. We’ve had so many positive things coming from European football that it has built a great relationship with the players. It was really important we got to the semi-finals. Gent caused us problems and we had to work hard for the win.”

David Moyes also praised West Ham midfielder Declan after his extraordinary goal on Thursday evening

The midfielder’s moment of brilliance put the Hammers 3-1 up on the night in their Europa Conference League quarter-final to ease all nerves after a disastrous start saw the visitors take a shock lead.

Rice’s contribution is bound to trigger more speculation about the future of the 24-year-old, who, despite being under contract for another season, has been heavily linked with Arsenal.

“If anybody didn’t think he could do that, they are completely naïve and don’t watch us close enough,” Moyes said.

“He is some player. That is why we value him so highly. It was a Roy of the Rovers-type goal.

“He has so many parts to his game, he doesn’t always show them. He has a good personality but he could show it even more.

“His experiences with England have been huge. I can see him when he comes back, he has grown quicker and bigger, getting a chance to work alongside the quality of players they have got, and a great coaching staff, will do Declan the world of good.”.

talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham couldn’t help but also heap praise on the Hammers skipper, writing on Twitter: “Wow. Declan Rice is world class. Just wow.”

Dutch side AZ Alkmaar await in the semi-finals, with the first leg in east London on Thursday May 11th before the return fixture a week later.