WEST HAM’S resurgent end to the season is being inspired by topless dressing-room dances.
The Hammers are on the verge of confirming their Premier League status for next season following their impressive 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday night.
Said Benrahma’s 27th-minute strike earned the East Londoners their sixth win since the turn of the year to put them seven points clear of the drop with three games remaining.
Four of those victories have come at the London Stadium, and after each one a tradition has developed involving the club’s soft tissue therapist and the 1995 dance hit ‘Cotton Eye Joe’.
Left-back Aaron Cresswell explained: “There is someone who might kill me if I say what really happened, but our therapist Craig Mazur absolutely loves it.
“We’ve just come in after three points, the gaffer does his speech, and then the music comes on and it’s ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ and the next minute Craig is there, no top on, swinging it around, and all the lads are just buzzing.
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“It’s something we’ve had over the last couple of years now and it’s just that great atmosphere we’ve got.
“We’ve had spells this year that have been really tough and everyone has been low on confidence, but nights like this make it special.”
Although not mathematically certain, striker Michail Antonio believes West Ham are now in an unmatchable position in comparison to their relegation rivals.
They also have the advantage of facing teams below them in two of their last three clashes, taking on 17th-placed Leeds and 16th-placed Leicester.
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All focus will now shift to Europe, where David Moyes’ men have the chance to reach a first major final since 2006 – and a first major European final since 1976.
West Ham welcome Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar to London on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi – with the final set for Prague on June 7.
Antonio, who had a goal ruled out in the second half for a foul on United keeper David de Gea, said: “We are playing some of our best football of the season at the right time.
“We believe we will be fine but we won’t settle. We are now looking to push on in the European cup and reach the final. Hopefully we can keep kicking on.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
