Julen Lopetegui dedicated a vital 2-1 victory to Michail Antonio after West Ham overcame the emotional aftermath of the striker's horrific car crash to secure a crucial win that eased the pressure on their manager. The result, which lifted West Ham’s spirits after a difficult few days, helped Lopetegui save his job while also honoring Antonio, who is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for a broken leg.
Before kick-off, Antonio, despite being in hospital, managed to join his teammates on a video call, sharing his positive attitude and lifting the team’s spirits. The West Ham squad, visibly affected by the news of Antonio's accident, responded with a powerful display. Tomas Soucek paid tribute by holding up nine fingers in reference to Antonio’s shirt number, and Jarrod Bowen, who scored the match-winner, revealed a shirt bearing Antonio’s name after his goal.
Lopetegui, whose job had been hanging by a thread, expressed his deep dedication to Antonio. “We are happy for the fans,” he said. “Above all, we dedicate this victory to Michail and his family. It’s been a tough time for us all, but we love Michail deeply. He’s a special person, strong, and I’m confident he’ll overcome this and return. The best thing we could do today was win and bring home the three points.”
The team honored Antonio with special training shirts ahead of the match, and Lopetegui revealed that the brief contact with the striker had been a source of motivation. “It was a special moment for us before the match,” he said. “We had some contact with him, and although he wasn’t in his best condition, he still kept his humor. He had a terrible accident, but he’s alive, and that’s what matters. We have to enjoy our professional lives because things can change in an instant. This is a good lesson for my young players.”
Despite West Ham’s emotional victory, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil faces increasing pressure, with his team still languishing in the relegation zone. O’Neil vowed to continue fighting for his position, but there are strong indications that he may be sacked imminently. “I understand the criticism,” O’Neil admitted. “Last season, we were tipped for relegation, and we achieved some incredible things. The players are giving everything—they’re still fighting for me, still fighting for the fans. But I’m disappointed with the result.”
