Lucas Paqueta volleyed an excellent winner as West Ham maintained their spot on the summit of UEFA Europa League Group A with a 1-0 victory over Olympiacos on the London Stadium.
David Moyes’ facet have been on the lookout for a powerful response following their defeat in opposition to the identical opponents in Greece two weeks earlier, however The Irons needed to endure lengthy spells of frustration earlier than lastly breaching a cussed visiting rearguard.
Defender Nayef Aguerd had the most effective of their first-half alternatives with a trio of headers off corners that every one failed to search out the online.
The hosts laboured following the interval with James Ward-Prowse’s miss-hit strike the most effective they might muster till Paqueta swept house on the volley with 17 minutes remaining. The aim was initially dominated out for offside, however the VAR examine confirmed the Brazilian’s late run was timed to perfection.
The end result means The Hammers preserve prime spot within the pool on 9 factors, forward of Freiburg attributable to a greater head-to-head file. Olympiacos are third on 4 factors with Backa Topola on one.
Subsequent up, West Ham host Nottingham Forest within the Premier League on Sunday. Olympiacos go to Asteras Tripolis within the Greek Superleague.
Speaking Level
A giant, huge win for The Hammers. This was a irritating and at occasions nervy efficiency however ultimately West Ham received the job executed and are nonetheless properly positioned to realize their major goal of topping the pool with two video games to play.
First up is a visit to rock-bottom Backa Topola earlier than a house showdown with Freiburg in a conflict that can absolutely be key to deciding who will end on the summit of Group A and keep away from a play-off with one of many groups that drop down from the UEFA Champions League.
There are some murmurs of slight discontent amongst Hammers followers in the mean time, however it’s arduous to completely see why. Moyes and Co lately gained their first main European trophy in 58 years, are twelfth within the Premier League and nonetheless very a lot within the hunt to go instantly into the knockout levels in Europe. There have been some blips to go together with highs to date this season, however West Ham have endured far worse durations in current historical past and each gamers and supervisor deserve time to search out the performances their squad is clearly able to producing.
Participant of the match
Lucas Paqueta (West Ham). Pulled the strings in a brilliant begin earlier than fading with hints of clear frustration. Discovered his Mojo once more late within the day and scored an excellent aim to guide his group to an vital win.
Participant Rankings
WEST HAM: Fabianski 6, Coufal 7, Mavropanos 7, Aguerd 8, Emerson 7, Álvarez 6, Ward-Prowse 8, Kudus 7, Paquetá 8*, Benrahma 7, Bowen 7. Subs: Cornet n/a, Soucek n/a, Mubama n/a.
OLYMPIACOS: Paschalakis 7, Rodinei 7, Porozo 7, Retsos 6, Ortega 6, Hezze 6, Alexandropoulos 6, Camara 8, Daniel Podence 6, Jovetic 6, Fortounis 6. Subs: El Kaabi 6, Scarpa 6, Masouras 6, Biel n/a.
Match Highlights
13’ – WEST HAM CHANCE! Benrahma sees a roller from the left facet of the world tipped previous the far publish after some glorious method play by Paqueta.
35’ – WEST HAM CHANCE! Aguerd glances one other header from a right-wing nook vast of the far publish. That is the third time he is gone shut from a set piece.
36’ – OLYMPIACOS CHANCE! Podence skews a volley properly vast after the guests had carved West Ham open with a speedy break down the left flank.
64’ – WEST HAM CHANCE! Ward-Prowse arrives on cue to assault Bowen’s pretty cutback from the left, however he does not fairly join how desires with a 16-yard strike that’s too near the keeper.
75’ – GOAL! – West Ham 1-0 Olympiacos. Paqueta makes a late dart into the world to volley Ward-Prowse’s clipped go into the again of the online. It’s initially chalked off for offside, however VAR checks and the aim is given!
87’ – OLYMPIACOS CHANCE! Mady Camara in some way hits the publish with a header on the again stick after a nook from the left was flicked on dangerously by Porozo.
Key Stat
West Ham have now gained 13 of their 16 matches within the group levels of main European competitions