West Ham The players showed their support for injured teammate Michael Antonio Premier League A home win over Wolverhampton two days after the car accident.
The 34-year-old Jamaica international is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery on what West Ham described as a “lower limb fracture”.
He was involved in a car accident outside London on Sunday (AEDT), after which he was taken to hospital and kept under close observation.
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Antonio was trapped in the vehicle for about 45 minutes as firefighters tried to extricate him from his car. Before the match, he wished the team through a video.
West Ham United players wear tops in support of Michael Antonio. West Ham United FC by Getty Ima
The players warmed up in “Antonio 9” jerseys as they walked onto the pitch.
The club will put the walk-out tops up for auction along with every match jersey worn against Wolves, with proceeds going to medical charities and matched by the board.
West Ham fans at the London Stadium gave Antonio a standing ovation in the ninth minute and when captain Jarrod Bowen scored in a 2-1 winner in the second half, he approached the supporters behind the goal holding Antonio's jersey.
“To share that moment, he's not with us, but I'm sure he's watching and the fans, you heard them,” Bowen told broadcaster Sky Sports.
West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen lifts Michail Antonio's shirt after scoring his side's second goal. Camerasport via Getty Images
“Emotional two days.”
Before the game, Bowen said, “Everybody likes Mike, he's a big character.
“He's not just a teammate, he's been a friend for many years. A father to beautiful children. It's one of those things where life is better than football. The main thing is that Mike is safe and well and here to tell the story.
“Saturday (Sunday AEDT) was a really tough time. He's a fighter and a fighter, he always has been and I know he'll be stronger for this.”
Antonio has made more than 300 appearances for West Ham since joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015 and had played in a total of 14 games this season before the incident.
Reports after the incident suggested that the Jamaican would be forced to retire from the game due to the injuries he sustained.
