David Moyes can’t wait to face his former club Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio sealed West Ham’s 2-0 victory in the third-tier Derby Monday.
Bowen put West Ham ahead early in the first half and Antonio doubled the lead shortly after the interval in the fourth round.
Moyes’ side travel to Old Trafford at the end of February as they continue their bid to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 2006.
It will be Moyes’ final return to United, having sacked the Scot in 2014 just 10 months after succeeding Alex Ferguson.
“I’m really looking forward to the game. It’s a really good game for us.” said Moyes.
“Maybe right now that’s the game we need because we have players who want to play on the platform.
“There is nothing bigger than Old Trafford, so I say to the players, ‘Come on, let’s go on and challenge them’.
Avoiding a humiliating defeat against Derby was vital for the under-fire Moyes, but Premier League survival remains his priority.
The Hammers are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
“This was a difficult game because Derby had gone 16 unbeaten. In the end, we did a very professional job on them,” said Moyes.
Moyes made six changes following West Ham’s crucial 2-0 win over Premier League relegation rivals Everton in their last game nine days ago.
Despite the selection gamble, West Ham proved too strong for a Derby side going up after a turbulent period.
Just 12 months ago, Derby were in turmoil, with the club on the verge of going out of business after falling into administration and suffering relegation to the third tier for the first time since 1986.
Last saved in July 2022 when lifelong Derby fan David Clowes bought the club from Mel Morris, the Rams were revamped this term.
Paul Warne’s side are fourth in League One and an FA Cup exit should not hamper their promotion challenge.
– Antonio shines –
Bowen was one of West Ham’s established stars to feature despite a difficult season which Moyes admits has been caused by the winger’s frustration at not making England’s World Cup squad.
The 26-year-old is finally showing that he is getting back to his best after visiting Everton and was on the scoresheet again in the 10th minute.
Antonio’s long pass caught the Derby defense and Tomas Soucek headed the ball towards Bowen, who coolly slotted home from close range.
Moyes has insisted Antonio will not be sold before Tuesday’s transfer deadline after hinting he could be set to quit the London Stadium amid intriguing reports from Everton.
With Gianluca Scamacca and new signing Danny Ings out injured, Antonio is West Ham’s only suitable senior striker.
And it was Antonio who killed Derby in the 50th minute with a close range header after Bowen’s cross was deflected into his path by Derby’s Craig Forsyth.
West Ham’s victory came just hours after the last 16 draw.
Wrexham will host Tottenham if the non-league side can beat Sheffield United in a fourth-round replay.
Fifth-tier Wrexham, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were seconds away from a shock victory against Sheffield United on Sunday before the Championship side earned a 3-3 draw.
With Reynolds looking on at the Racecourse, John Egan scored a late goal for United and the teams meet again at Bramall Lane for the right against Tottenham.
Manchester City, who beat Premier League leaders Arsenal 1-0 on Friday, travel to second-tier Bristol City for the first meeting of the teams since the 2018 League Cup semi-finals.
Brighton head to second-tier Stoke after eliminating Liverpool with a stunning 2-1 win on Sunday.
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