Antonio delighted to make impact up front for Hammers

Michail Antonio was happy to take centre stage as part of a forward pair as the Hammers moved up to 13th in the Premier League at the weekend.

Antonio was pushed up top alongside Andy Carroll at half time in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hull City where he won a penalty which secured their three-point haul.

As the game headed into its final 15 minutes the midfielder fell subject to fouls from Michael Dawson and then Tom Huddlestone inside the box to earn a penalty.

Antonio is convinced the referee was correct to penalise the Hull City midfielder and award the penalty kick which Mark Noble drove home successfully.

(Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)

Antonio said: “At half time the manager told me to go out there, drive at them and use my pace. He put me up there in a two up-front and he asked me to cause some damage.

“For the penalty the ball was in the air, I out-strengthed Huddlestone. I took a touch to swing and hit but he’s held my leg. Some people will say it’s light, but I believe it was a penalty.

“It’s been a very good week with seven points from it, so we’ve just got to build on that now. Hopefully we’ve left the bad results behind us.”