West Ham turned in another thoroughly professional performance against Rapid Wien in the Europa League on Thursday as they sealed a 2-0 win to take firm control of the group.

The Hammers had, of course, beaten Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in the first game of the group stages and they picked up another three points here thanks to Declan Rice’s excellent goal and Said Benrahma’s late strike.

The Irons linked brilliantly, as a superb chipped pass from Andriy Yarmolenko sent Mikey Antonio away, and he cut the ball back for Rice to finish.

As the England international celebrated, tempers flared in the stands, as Rapid and West Ham supporters appeared to throw projectiles at each other.

The Irons were in a great deal of control throughout the game and should have won the game by more.

Rice, indeed, hit the post with a header after just six minutes, having risen highest from a free-kick, while Craig Dawson also rattled the woodwork with a header.

Rapid actually thought they had a chance to get back into the game as Ben Johnson was adjudged to have conceded a penalty after bringing down Marco Grull, but replays showed there was no contact and VAR agreed, leading to the referee overturning the spot-kick.

Jarrod Bowen, on as a sub, then had the chance to add some gloss to the scoreline as he was sent clean through and rounded the goalkeeper but, as he was off balance, he managed to balloon his finish over the bar.

Instead, it came down to Benrahma to add the sheen, getting clear in the box, dropping a shoulder, and sending a finish into the far corner.

A job thoroughly well done from the Irons.