Thu 21 Oct 2021, 21:00
West Ham United West Ham United 3 - 0 KRC Genk KRC Genk

Our third Europa League match of the season was played in wonderful conditions in London, with excellent weather for football, a billiards-flat pitch and a lively atmosphere, the perfect setting for a beautiful evening of European football. West Ham, currently seventh in the Premier League, started with few changes to a side who had already taken six points from six in the group, while we brought the duo of Cuesta and Lucumí back into the team, with Preciado on in place of the suspended Muñoz, making three changes from team who had started in Charleroi.

And things started well. We were in a good position from the off, keeping the Hammers far from Maarten Vandevoordt’s goal. On nine minutes, Preciado sent Ito forward up the right flank. Our Japanese winger raced away, and crossed for Onuachu, who didn't get a clean strike on the ball, but Bongonda followed up to head home for what seemed a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately not, however; Ito turned out to have been (slightly) offside, a bit of bad luck. Bongonda would threaten again, and quickly, but was again slightly offside, even as the hosts’ goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola – ex-PSG – had done well to come out for the ball before Onuachu headed over. Then the home team became more dangerous, first with a header by Souček, which forced an excellent save by Vandevoordt. Then there was a phase of the game that saw more control from our team, and another chance. Arteaga found Onuachu, with Areola wrong-footed, but the striker’s effort flashed just wide of the post. Just before the break we were a bit lucky, after Bowen's deflected effort in the area, as Vandevoordt was able to get to it. In stoppage time of the first half, West Ham won another corner, and Dawson rose highest and nodded home to make it 1-0 for the hosts, a disappointment in coming so close to half-time. In the first 45 minutes the hosts had done little, while we had had some good opportunities.

In the second half, we took the initiative immediately, with a first attempt falling to Thorstvedt. Even though the Norwegian’s shot was deflected, it was not enough to beat Areola. Ten minutes later the result would be all but sealed. West Ham doubled their lead with a header from Diop after a nice free kick, before Bowen found the target to make it 3-0, two punishing goals within 60 seconds of each other. Thorstvedt tried his luck again from range, and for West Ham David Moyes made a substitution. A goal certainly seemed in the cards for us as Onuachu released Thorstvedt - him again- but he couldn’t get any power on his shot. Substitutes Ugbo and Trésor also came close to scoring, but were left empty-handed. Luca Oyen would then come on in the 83rd minute - his talent immediately making itself known with some fine play on his debut in European play.

After three matches in the UEFA Europa League, West Ham have a perfect record: 9 out of 9. Our team is still on three points, as many as Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Vienna, the Austrians having won 2-1 against the Croats earlier in the evening.

 

Starting XI:

Vandevoordt, Preciado, Cuesta (Sadick 46’), Lucumí, Arteaga, Heynen, Hrošovský, Thorstvedt (Toma 83'), Ito (Oyen 83'), Onuachu (Ugbo 72'), Bongonda (Trésor 72')

Goals:

45+1’  1-0  Dawson
57’      2-0  Diop
58’      3-0  Bowen