West Ham full back Paul Konchesky believes Alan Pardew's side can cap a remarkable return to top flight football by winning the FA Cup final against Liverpool next month. Marlon Harewood's brilliant left foot strike against Middlesborough was enough to see the Hammers into their first FA Cup final appearance for 26 years, and with it a place in next season's UEFA Cup.
Just 12 months ago, the Upton Park outfit were languishing on the fringe of the Championship play-offs, but Pardew has masterminded an incredible turnaround in fortunes at the club and Konchesky is convinced this season's success is just the beginning.
"Coming into the Premiership, we knew it would be tough. We had to bond quickly - we did that with the early results and have grown stronger and stronger. It's amazing to be in Europe. Nobody expected us to even stay up this year. We have put a few pundits right – with the FA Cup final and European qualification," said the England international.
"Being in the final is a great opportunity for us. I was here as a fan in 1991 when West Ham lost the semi final to Nottingham Forest and was very disappointed that day. But now I'm going to the final as a player and it's a dream come true."
Many Hammers fans believed it was their destiny to reach the Cardiff showpiece after the sudden death of John Lyall last week, and the passing away of Ron Greenwood in February, and the club's supporters broke out into a chorus of 'Johnny Lyall's Claret and Blue Army' after the minute's silence prior to kick off at Villa Park.
Pardew added: "I put one word on my notes, that was 'destiny'. I am pleased for their families, who have lost two people. So for the two families of John Lyall and Ron Greenwood – that was for you.
"It's been a fantastic season, our fans have had a great day and in the second half we showed what we are about. You have to say the players won that by turning it around. It's a fantastic achievement for a promoted team."
Match winner Harewood insists the Hammers will go into that final on May 13 believing they can lift their first trophy since 1980.
"It's possible – the things we have done this season, anything is possible. It's been a great day for all of us. Never in my life have I scored a more important goal. It was awesome.
"The lads put in all the effort and I got the goal - I can't believe it. I'm loving it. We've been waiting ages for this - it was an opportunity we couldn't miss."
Defender Anton Ferdinand added: "For a lot of us, it was our first big game, but to go out and show we can do it on the big stage means a lot to the boys. We showed we can handle the pressure.
"We came out for the second half all guns blazing, put them on the back foot a bit more and the pressure paid off. It all tops a fantastic first season back in the Premiership."
