MIchail Antonio fired himself into West Ham’s history books by becoming the club’s all-time highest goal scorer on Monday night’s 4-1 win over 10-man Leicester City.
The 31-year-old who arguably plays younger than his age was tied on 47 goals with club legend, Paulo Di Canio, after netting in the opening 4-2 win against Newcastle United.
David Moyes’ side took the lead in front of the capacity home crowd at the London Stadium against Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes after 26 minutes.
Pablo Fornals sent the Hammers’ fans roaring as they return to the stadium after over 500 days away due to COVID-19 when he gave the hosts the 1-0 lead.
Fornals was on the receiving end of a reckless tackle in the 40th minute through Ayoze Perez who was sent off after a lengthy review by VAR.
The red car was Perez’s first in his Premier League career after 274 appearance in English football.
Although Leicester kept the one goal deficit into the break, the hosts hammered down in the second half and netted three important goals to claim all three points.
Antonio who was denied on two occasions turned provider in the 56th minute when he snatched a misplaced back pass by Çağlar Söyüncü before setting up Saïd Benrahma for West Ham’s second goal.
Rodgers introduced new signing, Patson Daka, and the Foxes fought back against all odds to half the deficit through Youri Tielemans in the 69th minute.
However, with 10 minutes to the end of regular time, Antonio came knocking and wasn’t denied a third time when he held off Söyüncü to drive in the record-breaking goal.
The 31 year old who was making his 161st appearance completed the damage by extending his goal record to 49 four minutes later to make it 4-1.
West Ham go top of the Premier League summit ahead of Chelsea on goal difference after registering eight goals in two matches, the only second time ever, after also ending a matchday atop of the league on August 22nd, 2006.
Antonio could further extend his record on Saturday when the Hammers welcome Crystal Palace at the London Stadium for their third match of the season.
Meanwhile, Leicester would be hoping to redeem themselves when they go away to newcomers, Norwich City on August 28.
