“He did really well, He’s really hard to play against, He could be a hero forever after that performance” – Joe Cole leads praise for West Ham attacker after superb performance Vs Az Alkmaar

Joe Cole led the praise for West Ham’s winger Said Benrahma for his performance in West Ham’s first leg Europa Conference League semi-final victory against AZ Alkmaar.

The Hammers will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg in Holland next week after Michail Antonio scored the winner from close range at the London Stadium.

Benrahma equalised from the penalty spot in a much-improved second half from David Moyes’s side after a disappointing first period as they sat off their opponents.

The Algerian was the Hammers’ star player in the game, converting the spot kick in a game in which he impressed from the wing, proving a constant threat.

Cole praised Benrahma on punditry for BT Sport after the game, suggesting he could be ‘a hero forever’ if he leads his side to a European final.

Joe Cole insisted Said Benrahma could be ‘a hero forever’ after his performance for West Ham

The forward scored the Hammers’ equaliser against AZ Alkmaar from the penalty spot
Cole said Benrahma ‘had his full-back on toast all game’ in what was a match of two halves

‘He had his fullback on toast all game,’ he said. ‘He draws players to him and he’s got the quality.

‘He’ll draw players to him because he has the ability. I’ve always been a fan of his. He could be a hero forever after that performance tonight.’

Owen Hargreaves and Carlton Cole echoed their colleague’s views, praising Benrahma for standing up in the semi-final.

‘The boys on commentary mentioned he was the best player and he was,’ Hargreaves said. ‘He’s the one that played with the most urgency. No one could really live with him.

‘He was always running at people and with his ability. He’s really hard to play against, his team mates kept feeding him.’

Cole added: ‘He had bad decision making in the first half. It wasn’t all his fault. But they kept feeding him and he was in the mood.

‘He did really well. For me he is one of the players that can turn it on or be marked out the game. Today he stood up and was counted.’

West Ham will now take a slender 2-1 lead into the second leg in Holland next Thursday