Fans had a typically witty chant for forgotten West Ham man Maxwel Cornet in Cyprus as the star made an impressive cameo comeback.
While the Premier League season continues to take its toll on Hammers fans, it is fair to say they have been loving their European tour over the last two seasons.
And that continued with a trip to sunny Cyprus this week as West Ham faced AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last 16 clash.
A professional but unspectacular 2-0 win means West Ham have one foot in the quarter-finals.
There were several positives from the game including a clean sheet, Said Benrahma’s attitude and performance, a brace for Michail Antonio and the return of Kurt Zouma.
But a surprise and sprightly return to action from Cornet was perhaps the biggest positive for David Moyes and the Hammers on the night.
Cornet has been out for five months but had barely featured prior to that following his £17.5m summer arrival at West Ham.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Moyes said Cornet would be going on the trip to Cyprus but was unlikely to feature until after the international break.
So it was something of a surprise to see him get on in the second half of West Ham’s 2-0 away win.
Fans had a typically witty chant for forgotten West Ham man Maxwel Cornet in Cyprus as star makes impressive cameo comeback
Cornet instantly stood out as having that acceleration, sharpness and speed West Ham have been sorely missing all season.
He was involved in some very neat exchanges which had commentators Peter Drury and Clive Allen purring.
One particular moment could and should have put the tie to bed. Cornet flicked the ball around his marker, ran the other side and played a perfect defence splitting through ball to Lucas Paqueta who could not apply the finishing touch.
West Ham’s travelling army were delighted to see Cornet back in the mix.
And fans had a typically witty chant for forgotten West Ham man Cornet in Cyprus as the star made an impressive cameo comeback.
Hammers supporters are famed for their cockney wit and sense of humour. Goodness knows we need it much of the time.
That was on display at the AEK Arena with a tongue in cheek chant aimed at Cornet during his cameo which had fans watching at home on TV in stitches.
Sung to the same rhythm, West Ham fans transitioned from the chant “We’re winning away, we’re winning away, how (bleep) must you be, we’re winning away” to let Cornet know how happy they were to see him back.
“We thought you were dead, we thought you were dead, Maxwel Cornet we thought you were dead!”
Obviously the chant was said in typical West Ham gallows humour fashion and with love towards their winger.
It got a laugh from the West Ham players on the bench too as cameras panned to Moyes while the Hammers fans belted it out.
Never change West Ham fans.
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