West Ham news LIVE: Reaction after Fiorentina final as fans clash with riot police
West Ham United players and staff will be recovering from the joy of winning their first major trophy for 43 years after beating Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in what proved to be a dramatic night on and off the pitch in Prague.
Jarrod Bowen’s 89th-minute goal gave the Hammers the most memorable of 2-1 wins, with celebrity supporters such as James Corden and Danny Dyer – whose daughter Dani is Bowen’s partner – celebrating the triumph. However, the match had earlier been marred when West Ham fans pelted Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi with objects as he went to take a corner in the first half and left him bleeding from a gash in the back of his head.
Hammers supporters then later clashed with riot police in Prague after setting off flares in celebration of victory, as a scuffle broke out after police officers tried to confiscate a lit flare in the Old Town area of the city. Riot police stormed a group after they lit a second flare, with fans responding by pelting the officers with bottles and missiles.
Earlier in the day, Czech police said they had detained at least 16 Fiorentina fans after they attacked West Ham supporters outside a bar, with videos shared on social media showing chairs and fireworks being thrown.
Follow all the latest news and reaction from West Ham’s European adventure below:
West Ham react to winning Europa Conference League final - latest updates
West Ham beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final to win their first major trophy for 40 years
Jarrod Bowen scored an 89th-minute winner to dramatically seal a 2-1 win
West Ham fans fight riot police in Prague after Europa Conference League win
Fiorentina player left bleeding on the pitch after being pelted by objects thrown by West Ham supporters
Celebrity Hammers fans such as James Corden and Danny Dyer celebrate win
West Ham will host a victory parade on Thursday evening starting at their old ground at Upton Park
West Ham end trophy drought in most dramatic style as Jarrod Bowen plays the hero
10:14 , Luke Baker
Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute winner saw West Ham United end their 43-year wait for a trophy with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
The Hammers won their first piece of silverware since 1980’s FA Cup, and a first European trophy since 1965, on a historic and emotional night in Prague.
Yes, it may be only Europe’s third-tier competition, the one treated as an unwanted distraction by Tottenham, among others, in its inaugural form last season. But this is West Ham. The West Ham who routinely see relegation as an occupational hazard. The West Ham who made a song and dance of leaving their old stadium and an almighty hash of moving into the new one. The West Ham who had to go begging to their former manager to save them from the drop, 18 months after they got rid of him when he had done just that.
Just nine weeks ago that same manager watched as the away fans unfurled a “Moyes Out” banner during a scratchy 1-0 win over Fulham, which likely saved his job. Now David Moyes has written his name in West Ham folklore, joining Ron Greenwood and John Lyall as trophy-winning Hammers managers. A place in next season’s Europa League means the club has qualified for Europe three campaigns in a row, for the first time.
West Ham end trophy drought in most dramatic style as Jarrod Bowen plays the hero
West Ham win Europa Conference League final - reaction
10:04 , Luke Baker
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the fallout and reaction to West Ham’s dramatic Europ[a Conference League victory over Fiorentina.
