Jesse Lingard vows to ‘put on a show’ for returning West Ham fans to clinch Europa League spot

Jesse Lingard wants to seal Europa League football in style and “put on a show” for the returning West Ham fans on the final day of the season.

West Ham will seal a top six finish for the first time since 1999 so long as they avoid defeat against Southampton on Sunday, when 10,000 supporters will be in attendance at the London Stadium.

The Hammers came from behind at West Brom on Wednesday night to move above London rivals Tottenham and into the final Europa League place.

After a battling performance in the Midlands, Lingard - who set up the third goal for Michail Antonio - wants to end the season with a flourish in what could be his final game for the club.

“When you come here and go one down, it is time to wake up a bit and kick on then the class comes through,” said Lingard.

“It’s another big game at the weekend when we’ve got the fans there which will be brilliant and put on a show for them. We don’t play for a draw or a loss, we always play for a win no matter what.”

West Ham suffered a number of early setbacks at The Hawthorns. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was lost to a knee injury in the warm-up before Declan Rice set a new Premier League record for the fastest ever penalty miss, hitting the post after two minutes and four seconds. The visitors then fell behind to a Tomas Soucek own goal, before the Czech midfielder’s 10th goal of the season got them back on track before the break. Angelo Ogbonna headed the Hammers in front on 82 minutes before Antonio sealed the deal late on.

“We stuck together through the hard times,” said Lingard. “We knew it was going to be difficult, it is always difficult coming here and the first time with fans which is amazing. They’re going to get behind them and show support for them to win the game.

“I thought we were calm and composed in certain aspects, especially towards the end when we break and we were waiting for that opportunity all game to get a three vs two with the defenders. The lads showed courage, showed fight and great character to come back.”

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