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David Moyes was relieved to come through a “difficult night” after West Ham recovered from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead into next week’s Europa Conference League second leg with AZ Alkmaar. Goals from Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio kept West Ham’s dreams of a first trophy in 43 years alive at a sold-out London Stadium. The Hammers were big favourites to beat the Dutch dark horses, but were put on the back foot when goalkeeper Alphonse Areola gifted AZ the lead before half-time. But another goalkeeping error from Australia international Mathew Ryan gave West Ham a penalty which Benrahma converted. Antonio then prodded home from a corner after a goalmouth scramble to give the Hammers a crucial lead going into next Thursday’s return leg in the Netherlands. “We’ve got a narrow lead but nothing more than that,” said Moyes. “The tie is very evenly balanced, there is very little in the game, if we were losing by a goal I wouldn’t be saying we were out of the tie. “I’m pleased we’ve got ourselves in front, which is a big thing. It was a difficult night. We’ve learned some lessons over the years but it’s difficult when you think you’re not getting the rub of the green. But we’re used to that at the minute. We have a big job to do next week David Moyes “I hugely believe we’ve got a big resilience here, through the club, through the team, and we’ve needed it. “We’re just off a big win against Manchester United and just won 2-1 in a semi-final first leg, so that’s OK. But we have a big job to do next week.” West Ham were given a painful lesson in last season’s Europa League semi-final, conceding in the first minute of the first leg and losing Aaron Cresswell to a red card in the second as they crashed out to Eintracht Frankfurt. They got an early warning when former Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie fizzed a low shot just past the post. And history repeated itself when West Ham allowed AZ to take a shock lead five minutes before half-time, Areola letting Tijjani Reijnders’ shot in at his near post. However, the hosts were thrown a lifeline in the 67th minute when Ryan missed his punch at a corner and caught Jarrod Bowen square in the face. Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler pointed to the penalty spot and Benrahma stepped up to bury a perfect spot-kick just inside the post. The official had infuriated the home crowd all match but, unlike last year’s match in Frankfurt, West Ham kept their heads. “There was a little period it was beginning to get a little out of hand but we’ve learned a bit from it,” added Moyes. “It’s an emotional game, football, and the players were fighting for everything.” Eight minutes later West Ham went ahead, Antonio stabbing home the rebound after Nayef Aguerd’s header was cleared off the line to give them a slim advantage and, if they improve next week, every chance of moving a step closer to a first European trophy since 1965. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ronnie O’Sullivan shows how versatile his book is – Thursday’s sporting social Counties cast rivalry aside and honour the life of Matt Dunn’s daughter Overseas territories should have representation in Parliament, ministers told

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Wataru Endo was disappointed but proud of the way nine-man Liverpool fought in the face of “difficult decisions” during the last-gasp defeat at Tottenham. Jurgen Klopp’s men saw their unbeaten start to the Premier League season end in north London as Joel Matip’s own goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time gave Spurs a 2-1 win. Liverpool had gone so close to a point after seeing Curtis Jones’ booking upgraded to red midway through the first half after his challenge was reviewed by VAR. Son Heung-min soon broke the deadlock only for the Reds to equalise through Cody Gakpo, whose half-time replacement Diogo Jota was sent off in the 69th minute for two yellows. But the main talking point was how Luis Diaz’s opener was wrongly ruled out for offside due to what the Professional Game Match Officials Limited called a “significant human error” by VAR Darren England. Summer signing Endo, who came on with Liverpool reduced to nine men, said: “At the end, a very tough game but there were 50-50 decisions in the game and yeah, it’s very difficult to play with nine players. “But I wanted to get one point so I am very disappointed about it. “I am just so proud of this team. I am just disappointed. “We have to learn from this result and of course we showed our spirit, even though we faced difficult decisions we fought until the end. “That’s Liverpool and always we have to try to win the game. We can learn from this game but we just keep going.” Liverpool will look to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat of the season at Brighton next Sunday before attention turns to international matches. Matip will be particularly desperate to win after his late own goal in the capital, but Endo says nobody in the dressing room is blaming the defender. “Actually, he played an amazing game today so no-one can say something to him,” he told the club website. “I am so proud of what he did today and I am so proud of what my team-mates did today.” Liverpool have a Europa League group match against Union Saint-Gilloise before heading to Brighton, but there are no continental distractions for Spurs this year. Tottenham missed out on European qualification in a poor 2022-23 campaign but have been reborn under Ange Postecoglou, with his new-look side second in the standings. “It was an important moment,” goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario said. “We were level, then we scored. We deserved this win all together. “We have to enjoy this moment, to rest then keep going because we have another challenge next week (at Luton) and then the international break. “We have to be focused and to prepare the best game by game. “This has to be our goal throughout the season – keep going, keep working.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live United States needing a ‘miracle’ as final day of the Ryder Cup gets under way Ryder Cup live – Europe look to finish the job in Rome Mason Mount aware Man Utd must improve after stuttering start to the season

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