MY ACCOUNT
It has been quite the week for Andriy Yarmolenko, emerging as the unlikeliest of West Ham heroes.
The 32-year-old winger’s underwhelming stint in East London appeared to be petering out before netting against Aston Villa last Sunday.
Then, just four days later, he followed it up with a seismic extra-time Europa League winner against Sevilla.
Ahead of the Hammers’ trip to Tottenham, we put the in-form Ukrainian under the microscope.
Back into the fold
Yarmolenko’s spell with West Ham has largely been a story of frustration for all parties.
Arriving from Borussia Dortmund during Manuel Pellegrini’s tenure in 2018, big things were expected of the wide man.
However, heading into this campaign, Yarmolenko had only managed 47 Premier League appearances in three seasons — only finding the net seven times.
It has been much of the same this time around, with his most memorable moment of this term prior to last week being a rather embarrassing dive against non-league Kidderminster in the FA Cup.
The ongoing situation in Yarmolenko’s homeland of Ukraine saw boss David Moyes grant him compassionate leave last month, with the player told to return to action only when he felt ready.
His performances in the last seven days have been almost unrecognisable.
Emotional success
Yarmolenko’s goal from the bench against Villa last weekend was, unsurprisingly, an emotional moment.
The 106-cap international was embraced by his team-mates with the tannoy at the London Stadium describing the strike as “a goal for West Ham and for Ukraine”.
After that 2-1 win, Moyes spoke about the process of bringing the winger back into first-team affairs.
He said: “It was a special moment when he scored and it’s really good he’s back involved.
“He was brought in and the whole dressing room applauded him and it was a big moment for him, it really was.
“The other games he did not feel right and when I spoke to him yesterday, he has not done a lot of training, just a few days. He’s lost a bit of weight which is understandable.
“There has been a real team spirit, a real team effort behind the scenes.”
Super sub
Sure enough, there was an even bigger moment just around the corner for Yarmolenko against Sevilla.
Introduced late in normal time to replace Said Benrahma, the 6ft 2in attacker was on hand to follow up Pablo Fornals’ parried low drive in the second half of extra-time.
His strike sparked unprecedented scenes among the home faithful, virtually banishing all of his previous struggles into the distant past in the process.
On full-time, Hammers talisman Declan Rice spoke glowingly about his team-mate.
“I’ve just seen him in the kit room and he was a little bit emotional,” said Rice. “He was away from the lads to take it in.
“From what he’s been through recently, to perform how he’s done against Villa and tonight is a credit to him. His desire, the way he’s run after players, two crucial goals.
“He’s been through so much. Us as players, we are there for him and he deserves this.
“He’s stepped up and is a big player for us. I’m delighted for him.”
Turning things around
In difficult circumstances, Yarmolenko has risen to the challenge and breathed new life into his West Ham career.
With a Europa League quarter-final against Lyon on the horizon and the battle for a top-four spot set to go to the wire, Moyes will surely call on his squad players even more than usual in the next few weeks.
With two telling contributions in as many appearances, the Irons’ No7 will be hopeful of playing some kind of role against Spurs.
And if he can keep the goal involvements coming, an extension to his expiring contract is not entirely out of the question.
Right now though, it is just good to see the forward producing special moments and making his nation proud.
