A rallying cry from a legend helped fire up West Ham for their stunning rout of Freiburg in the Europa League.
Much was made about the London Stadium crowd – or potential lack of it – in the run up to West Ham’s crunch last 16 second leg against the Germans.
But West Ham fans produced one of the best atmospheres at their Stratford arena since that night against Sevilla two years ago.
And just like that night the team responded.
In some style too as the Hammers put in a superb display to win 5-0.
UEFA’s ridiculous 5.45pm kick-off time had seen 10,000 tickets unsold on the morning of the game.
But thousands were snapped up late in the day and there was an air of anticipation as the ground filled up for the do-or-die clash.
West Ham had to win by two clear goals to avoid penalties.
In the end one of the most complete performances for a long time saw Freiburg demolished.
And a rallying cry from a legend was the secret behind the rocking London Stadium which inspired this West Ham rout.
The manager and his players deserve all the credit for getting West Ham into a third European quarter-final in as many years of course.
But the West Ham fans more than played their part.
And they were sparked into life by a brilliant pre-match rallying cry from West Ham legend Ray Stewart.
West Ham’s former penalty king scored 62 goals in 345 appearances in 12 years at the club. He is one of the most revered players in the club’s history.
The 64-year-old took the microphone in a pitchside interview with Chris Scull. And he ran with it.
Stewart delivered a fantastic, inspirational call to arms, telling West Ham fans in no uncertain terms they had to set the tempo for the game.
Just like he was as a player, Stewart was completely no-nonsense. And he told Hammers fans to stick by the team even if they didn’t start well.
This was Delia Smith on steroids and then some. And Stewart had the crowd roaring well ahead of kick-off.
That buzz stayed in the crowd and genuinely helped generate a cauldron of noise that is all too rare at the London Stadium.
West Ham’s players fed off the energy and rampaged to victory.
Perhaps Stewart should do that every home game.
Come. On. You. Irons.
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