Player Ratings West Ham-Sevilla: Antonio the architect, Areola world-class, Hammers can lift the cup

West Ham reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the first time in their history after overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit to convincingly beat Sevilla 2-0 courtesy of goals by Tomas Soucek and Andriy Yarmolenko.

By beating the competition's record holders, West Ham have boosted their credentials to go all the way.

7 Alphonse Areola: The Frenchman produced a magnificent one-handed save from Youssef En Nesyri’s shot after 27 minutes. As the game went on, he didn’t really have much else to do but his calming presence in goal enabled West Ham to build out from the back and go for it. And they did, scoring the two goals they needed to advance.

6 Aaron Cresswell: Was in complete control and had Jesus Corona in his pocket. Didn't really carry a threat going forward but was solid and played a big part in the win.

6 Kurt Zouma: As the boos are fading out with each passing game, the Frenchman was switched on defensively and took no prisoners. Proved to be a tough customer for Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial. But it was not all roses as he allowed Corona to run off him once and was too late then to close him down when he got his shot away.

6.5 Pablo Fornals. Inspired performance from the Spanish attacking midfielder. Good movement off the ball and composed on it.

7 Michail Antonio: Regularly muscled his way past Sevilla defenders. But he should have done better when his pass into space for Said Benrahma was intercepted midway through the first-half. Unmarked in the box moments later, he should also have put that one away by hitting it first-time. He didn't, allowing the defender to recover. Nemanja Gudelj then stopped Soucek from converting the follow-up. But it was Antonio's brilliant cross which picked out Soucek for the Hammers' opener. He could have gone for the easy lay-off but chose to send in a cross at the far post for the Czech midfielder. Excellent hold-up play overall, Sevilla's defenders have known easier assignments.

10 Manuel Lanzini. The Argentine was twice denied by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou on the hour-mark. Not overly creative but made West Ham tick. His substitution in extra-time was met by a standing ovation.

6 Craig Dawson Almost set up Soucek with a flick-on. Hasn’t really had much to do defensively as Sevilla barely threatened. But when he was called upon, he didn't put a foot wrong.

6 Said Benrahma Offered no real impetus going forward apart from that one chance on 86 minutes when he cut inside but his bending effort lacked the power to trouble the Moroccan Bonou in Sevilla's goal. Was Replaced by Yarmolenko on 88 minutes as David Moyes opted for fresh legs. And what a masterstroke that proved to be.

7.5 Tomas Soucek: His towering header after beating Ludwig Augustinsson to Antonio's cross on 39 minutes set the Hammers on their way. Broke up numerous counter-attacks and offered protection to the defence, all while being his side's biggest threat on set-pieces and high balls, like so often. Could have had a second goal when he headed Dawson's flick on from Fornals' corner into the side-netting. Was irreproachable. Can West Ham hold on to him in the summer when the big boys come knocking?

6.5 Ben Johnson: The academy graduate put a shift in. Was dynamic going forward and assured on the back foot. Put in a few dangerous crosses as well.

6.5 Declan Rice: The captain gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position with a foul on Jesus Corona in the early minutes. The wall did its job then. Overall his presence and leadership played a pivotal role in helping `West Ham defy the odds and reach the next round.

8 Yarmolenko. Brought on to replace the uninfluential Benrahma after 88 minutes to exploit Sevilla's weary backline. Was on hand to pounce on the follow-up after Bounou repelled Fornal's low drive into his path. Given what he has been going through, the Ukrainian has been picked as MAN OF THE MATCH by Capital Football.

Mark Noble. The West Ham legend wasn't on the pitch long enough to be rated.

8 Moyes: Only made two substitutions but what an inspired one that was to bring on Yarmolenko as Sevilla tired. Without Jarrod Bowen, he lacked his side's most creative player but he set his team up wonderfully from a tactical viewpoint. West Ham were 16th when the Premier League came to a halt due to the Coronavirus pandemic two years ago to the day. They are now among the last 8th in the Europa League. He spearheaded the Hammers' revival, exceeding expectations beyond the fans' wildest dreams. Pitch invasions and fan protests are history. And probably not even the man at the wheel himself deemed it possible to scale such heights.