Chelsea followed in West Ham’s footsteps by winning the UEFA Conference League and there were very differing reactions from current and former stars Michail Antonio and Joe Cole.
There was no shortage of West Ham links when Chelsea took on Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final.
The Hammers became the first English club to win the competition two years ago on an unforgettable night in Prague.
Chelsea couldn’t match West Ham’s achievement of winning the Conference League unbeaten.
But in coming from behind to smash Betis 4-1, the Blues completed the set of European trophies having won all UEFA has to offer.
Some in Chelsea circles have tried to play down the importance of the Conference League.
That has irked West Ham fans who feel their London rivals think the competition is somehow beneath them.
The jubilant celebrations of the players and staff suggest they don’t feel that way.
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Betis are managed by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.
But it was the apprentice beating the master as his old assistant coach from his spell with the Hammers, Enzo Maresca, led Chelsea to glory in Poland.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
West Ham fan favourite and cult hero Pablo Fornals was left in tears while former Hammers ‘keeper Adrian had a poor game in the defeat.
Fornals is very close friends with striker Michail Antonio from their time together at the London Stadium.
The pair were reunited as Antonio interviewed Fornals pitchside when he joined former West Ham Academy graduate Joe Cole on the TNT Sports presenting team for the final.
It brought memories of that unforgettable night in Prague flooding back for the Hammers.
Antonio made it clear throughout the game he was rooting for Betis to beat Chelsea due to the Fornals and Pellegrini link.
Cole wildly celebrated Chelsea triumph in Antonio’s face and instantly regretted it
And not least because behind Millwall and Spurs, Chelsea are traditionally one of West Ham’s fiercest rivals.
That’s why many Hammers fans have never forgiven Frank Lampard and – lesser so – Cole for defecting to Stamford Bridge during their playing days.
Cole was part of the commentary team during West Ham’s Europa League and Conference League adventures.
One of the Hammers’ most famous Academy products celebrated the triumph over Fiorentina just like a fan along with Carlton Cole.
But Cole also wildly celebrated the Chelsea triumph in West Ham star Antonio’s face and instantly regretted it.
Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Antonio had clearly irritated Cole and fellow former Blues midfielder Steve Sidwell by making it clear he wanted Betis to beat Chelsea on more than one occasion.
There were awkward scenes when Chelsea scored and Cole jumped for joy, leaning across visibly gutted West Ham star Antonio to embrace Sidwell.
As Cole bounced around the commentary box, he knocked over a cup of tea all over the table and his nice brown suit.
The production crew then rushed to clear up the mess as Cole realised what he’d done and started assessing the damage to his suit with a glare from Antonio.
Joe Cole explained his love for West Ham and Chelsea
West Ham fans won’t like how Cole celebrated Chelsea scoring.
There are no grey areas for most fans when it comes to club loyalties. Especially when you share a rivalry like the Hammers and Blues.
Cole was heavily criticised by many West Ham supporters for emphatically celebrating as Chelsea beat Manchester City to win the Champions League back in 2021.
So much so the former playmaker felt the need to address the issue in an interview.
Described as speaking emotionally and passionately about the subject, Cole explained he has a love for both Chelsea and West Ham that fans – who are so fiercely loyal to their club – simply would not be able to understand.
“You know what fans don’t understand as well?” Cole said.
“When I watch football, I have an affinity with West Ham and I have an affinity with Chelsea. The West Ham fans will have seen me jumping around when Chelsea won the Champions League, but if that had been West Ham in the Europa League, I would have equally loved being in that moment.
“Fans can’t comprehend that – it’s alien to them, they can’t get their head around it. When you’ve played the game and have an affection for both clubs, and you’ve got friends on the pitch, that emotional connection… that will never leave me.”