- Michail Antonio scores West Ham United's first Premier League goal at London Stadium
- 85th minute header gives Slaven Bilic's men 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth
- 26-year-old thrilled to get the Hammers' season up and running
Michail Antonio was thrilled to write his name in the history books as West Ham United’s first Premier League goalscorer at London Stadium and help his team to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Antonio rose at the far post to nod Gokhan Tore’s pinpoint cross beyond Artur Boruc and break the Cherries’ resistance with just five minutes left.
The 26-year-old has developed a handy knack of notching vital goals for the Hammers and this was no different as Slaven Bilic’s men got their league season up and running.
“It feels amazing to be the first Premier League goalscorer at London Stadium and it’s one of those things I can always tell my kids,” he beamed.
“I had an interview last year and I was asked if I’d rather be the last goalscorer at the Boleyn Ground or the first goalscorer here – I said both, but this is a great feeling!
“It’s always great to be in history and especially so as the goal won us the match.
“It was a nice bit of play, the ball held up nicely for Gokhan and it was one of those that I’m always going to be there [at the far post].
“I tell the boys if I’m not there they can cane me, because if I’m not at the far stick it’s my fault. They can expect me to be there, and today he’s done it for me. It was easy pickings.”
Antonio has become renowned for his eye-catching goal celebrations during his time with the Hammers and Sunday was no different.
“It was the Macarena this time,” he added. “I didn’t get to finish it as the boys were jumping all over me and to be honest the emotion was amazing.
“The roar from the fans was outrageous. It was deafening. What a great day.”
The former Nottingham Forest man is sure the Hammers will push on from the boost of recording their first league win of the season, with vital games against Astra Giurgiu and Manchester City to follow this week.
He explained: “We’ve always had the grit and we’re always going to keep going. Right now we’ve got the first three points in the Premier League and hopefully we can keep going and push on.
“It’s going to be a massive lift for us. To get the first three points as early as possible is always important. We’ve got it in the second game of the season and that’s nice.”