This week, West Ham United officially confirmed the departure of Saïd Benrahma to former Europa League quarter final opponents Olympique Lyonnais, for a fee of €14 million after his three and a half years stay in East London.
In that time, the Algerian put in some quality performances however, was criticised by the West Ham fans for being too indecisive at times.
In total, the Algerian Hammer scored 24 goals in claret and blue and in this read we take a look back at some of his best and most memorable goals during his time at the London Stadium.
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Honourable mentions
Throughout his time at West Ham, Benrahma scored many blinders, here are a few which only just missed the Top 5 ranking.
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Manchester United (A) FA Cup 5th round 22/23 (3-1)
The magic of the FA cup is truly special. However on this cold night up north, the Hammers came short of a victory as they fell to the feet of the Red Devil’s late on, due to two goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Fred.
Despite this disappointing end to West Ham’s 22/23 FA Cup run, the six thousand travelling Hammers were blessed with a stunner from Benrahma in the 54th minute as he curled one in past De Gea to fire West Ham 1-0 up at Old Trafford.
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Norwich (A) “Demolition at Carrow Road” 21/22 (0-4)
The weekend after West Ham’s elimination from the UEFA Europa League in the semi finals vs Eintracht Frankfurt, the Hammers travelled to Carrow Road to face an already relegated Norwich City.
45 minutes into the game, and the Hammers had responded brilliantly, regardless of their European disappointment over the weekend as they comfortably cruised 2-0 up.
Then at the brink of half time, Jarrod Bowen swiftly passed the ball to Benrahma from the edge of the box resulting in a strike from the Algerians right foot, cruising the ball towards the roof of the net and over the head of a gutted Tim Krul, whom was in between the sticks as the Irons led 3-0 at the end of the first 45.
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Manchester United (H) “Survival” 22/23 (1-0)
Coming to the end of an anti-climactic season in the Premier League, an inform Manchester United came down South to play a critical match at the London Stadium against a West Ham side 4 points above the drop zone, and in need of 3 more points to confirm survival and Premier League football next season.
In 27th minute, Benrahma danced past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and took a shot towards goal which somehow made it in due to a shocker from the experienced David De Gea, giving West Ham the lead and a bit of hope in staying in the Premier League next season.
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Anderlecht (H) “Cold free kick” 22/23 (2-1)
Participating in European football for a second season running, West Ham welcomed Belgium giants Anderlecht to a rainy Stratford for their fourth game in the UEFA Europa Conference League, with a win guaranteeing the Hammers qualification into the knockout stages.
With the tie goalless 15 minutes into the first half, Benrahma was fouled on the edge of the box, winning West Ham an optimistic free kick to hopefully open scoring.
Both Benrahma and Cresswell stood over the ball until the experienced left back ran in front of the ball leaving confusion on the face of the Anderlecht keeper, until Benrahma struck the ball, pinning it into the bottom corner both cooly and calmly- in celebration, shushing the travelling fans.
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5) Brighton (A) “Benrahma’s first goal for the Hammers” 20/21 (1-1)
Hunting for Champions League football in the 20/21 season, West Ham took a trip down the South Coast to face a struggling Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex with a win being vital to keep the Hammers UCL dreams alive.
Unfortunately for David Moyes’ side, a late Danny Welbeck goal seemed to have burst the Irons Champions League bubble as the Seagulls led 1-0 up in the last ten minutes of the match with West Ham pushing on for a wishful equaliser.
Three minutes remaining of normal time, the ball landed at Benrahma’s feet from a Ben White clearance outside the D, allowing the Algerian to swiftly strike the ball off the post and into the back of the net past Sanchez, gifting him his first goal for West Ham and a late equaliser for West Ham in a 1-1 draw.
4)Genk (A) “Solo run” 21/22 (2-2)
During West Ham’s 21/22 Europa League campaign, the Cockney boys faced RC Genk away in Belgium after a promising few games in the group stages- winning their first 3 games during their debut in Europe and needing an additional 3 points to qualify for the Round of 16.
However Genk did not make this easy as they quickly pinned the Hammers 1-0 down within the first 4 minutes before Benrahma scored in the second half, bringing the game level at 1-1.
Searching for the winner, Cresswell found Benrahma who jinked in and out of Sadick’s challenge to put himself through on goal, performing a short solo run before cooly smashing the ball past the keeper awarding the East End boys the advantage.
3)Crystal Palace (H) “Screamer” 22/23 (1-2)
Whenever West Ham face Crystal Palace, fans are always guaranteed that a great goal will be scored. For example; Lanzini’s goal at Selhurst Park in the 21/22 season, or Sebastian Haller’s bicycle kick at home in 2020, the list goes on...
A few games prior to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, West Ham played Crystal Palace in the pouring London rain - a must win game for the South London club as manager and former Arsenal midfielder, Patrick Vieira, was on the verge of potentially being sacked due to the Eagles poor run of form.
The pressure was building from both sides until in the 20th minute the deadlock was finally broken as Lucas Paquetá fed the ball to Benrahma who ran forward, battling against the defenders and blasting a rocket into the top left-on his 100th appearance for West Ham.
The Algerians strike was so fast, that it won the most powerful goal of the Premier League season, at an estimated speed of 107.17 kilometers per-hour.
2)Brentford (A) “Benrahma returns to haunt his former club” 22/23 (0-1) FA Cup
During Benrahma’s time at Brentford in the EFL Championship, the Algerian put in many solid performances and was adored by many of the Bees fans, many of whom were left devastated when it was confirmed that he had left the club.
West Ham faced Brentford at the Gtech Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup to kick off their cup campaign and hopefully grab their first win of the new year.
The first half went by in a flash as Brentford’s Yoan Wissa missed a sitter to give Brentford the lead, commencing the second half with the score level at 0-0.
69 minutes into the game, Benrahma was brought on as a substituted for the tired Tomas Soucek, stepping into the pitch with the both the home and away fans singing “Oooh Saïd Benrahma” as the Brentford fans welcomed their old player home.
With extra time looming, skipper Declan Rice won the ball off of Wissa, playing it to Brentford’s old hero who ran forward to load power into his shot before striking the ball from outside the box, blasting it into the top right and leaving the keeper stunned and unable to move as Brentford fans looked away in despair, whilst the away fans of the East End were sent into pandemonium.
1)ACF Fiorentina “The penalty” 22/23 (1-2) The Conference League Final
June 7th 2023 will always hold a special place in many Hammers' hearts as West Ham made it to the UEFA Europa Conference League Final in Prague, facing Italian opposition, the feared ACF Fiorentina.
If you were to ask any Hammer what the most memorable moment of that historic night was, no doubt they would say Jarrod Bowen’s 89th minute winner to seal the deal and win the Irons their first trophy since 1980.
However, many forget Benrahma’s calm and composed penalty to open the scoring in the second half- his contribution towards West Ham’s European success in the summer of last year.
The tension was high as Bowen pressed forward into the box, chesting the ball down as it bounced of him and deflected onto Biraghi’s hand whom punched the ball away from his path, leaving the Hammers screaming for appeals of a handball.
After a lengthy VAR check, the Spanish referee Carlos Del Cerro pointed to the spot, elating the West Ham fans in attendance as Benrahma collected the ball in preparation to make West Ham United history.
With only Terracciano to beat, the no22 awaited for the referees whistle- only contributing more towards the Hammers fans nerves as they looked on anxiously awaiting to see the back of the net ripple.
As the whistle blew, the Algerian scored his most important West Ham as he coldly sent the Fiorentina goalkeeper the wrong way, putting West Ham 1-0 up in the final and filling the West Ham fans with ecstasy and excitement.
