Antonio double boosts West Ham top-four hopes after win at Burnley

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West Ham moved to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea after Michail Antonio scored twice in a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Burnley on Monday night.

Chris Wood gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot, against the run of play, before Antonio struck twice in eight minutes to turn the game around.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche stuck with the same XI that beat Wolves 4-0 last weekend as he named an unchanged side to take on the Hammers.

Ashley Barnes was again among the substitutes after a thigh problem with Chris Wood and Matej Vydra continuing in attack.

After back-to-back defeats, David Moyes made five changes to his side as Aaron Cresswell, Craig Dawson, Said Benrahma, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio came in.

Fabian Balbuena had to make do with a place on the bench after having the red card he was shown in last week’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea rescinded, while Angelo Ogbonna and Mark Noble dropped out of the squad entirely.

The visitors started brightly but Burnley were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute when Issa Diop failed to cut out Ashley Westwood’s lobbed pass to Wood.

The New Zealand striker cut back in towards goal but was fouled by Tomas Soucek as he did so, picking himself up to score from the penalty spot.

Antonio at the double

But West Ham needed only two minutes to reply as Antonio got in between Ben Mee and James Tarkowski to meet Vladimir Coufal’s cross with his head after Dwight McNeil lost possession.

And Antonio then put West Ham in front with 29 minutes gone as he ghosted through the Burnley defence to apply the finishing touch to Said Benrahma’s inswinging cross.

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Substitute Jay Rodriguez squandered a guilt-edged chance to level the scores with 25 minutes to go when he blazed wide from five yards after a goalmouth scramble.

Antonio then went close to completing a hat-trick when he curled an effort wide from the edge of the area.

Lingard could have wrapped up the points in the 90th minute on the break but Pope stood strong at this near post.

A late Burnley charge failed to produce an equaliser as the Hammers held on for a massive three points in their hunt for Champions League football. The Clarets remain in 16th spot.