The Hammers striker became table-topping West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer as they defeated Leicester 4-1 at the London Stadium.
Michail Antonio explained the inspiration behind his carboard cut-out celebration and issued a challenge to his rivals for the Golden Boot.
The newly-crowned Hammers No 9 took centre stage for himself late on to become the club’s record Premier League scorer,
first holding off Caglar Soyuncu to power home his 48th league goal for the club,
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breaking Paolo Di Canio’s record. He celebrated in hilarious fashion by kissing a life-size cardboard cut-out of himself.
And, he moved within one of his half century four minutes later, taking one touch from Vladimir Coufal’s cross to take the ball away from his man, and beating Kasper Schmeichel with a second.
His double salvo puts him top of the goalscoring charts in the Premier League with three goals, albeit only after two games.
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When asked if he can stay top in the race for the Golden Boot, Antonio, with his smile beaming out, replied:
“Obviously! And I’m going to put a big distance between us so no-one can catch me!”
And what was the thinking behind the celebration?
He said: “I thought, I’m making history, I’ve got to do something special.
“It was an amazing night. The fans enjoyed it, we enjoyed it. There’s nothing better than scoring a goal and hearing a roar from the fans.”
Antonio admitted that the Di Canio’s record was playing on his mind in the first half,
where he snatched at a couple of half chances.
His manager David Moyes noticed and said he was unhappy with his striker’s performance in the first 45 minutes,
but, heaped praise on his shoulders for his contribution after the break.
What was said?
“I didn’t think he’d made the right choices with the ball in the first half a few times,
but, he was a different class after half-time, with his link-up play and positioning.
“His goals are typical Mich. He can score so many.
I didn’t think he made the right choices in the first half but in the second half he was different class.
“He’s only been at centre-forward for the last 18 months or two years.
He’s gone on from there and he’s looking a real handful. His all-round play has improved so much.”
Antonio landed the man-of-the-match award for his performance
