West Ham comfortably saw off the threat of Silkeborg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday thanks to Manuel Lanzini’s’ first-half penalty.
The game was significant in the sense that the Irons technically needed a point to seal top spot in Group B.
That has been achieved with a game to spare, and with a run of five wins from five group games, something no other team in the competition has achieved.
Thursday’s result also allows David Moyes to rotate heavily for next week’s clash with FCSB.
The fact that the Hammers kept a clean sheet will also be a boon to Moyes, as he saw Nayef Aguerd make his debut in defence, and keep Silkeborg continually at arm’s length.
Lanzini scored the only goal of the game from the spot on 22 minutes, after Mikey Antonio was fouled in the area by Silkeborg’s goalkeeper.
It appeared as though Antonio fell in a slightly exaggerated manner, but replays showed contact, and the decision to award the penalty was the correct one.
While West Ham will be delighted to have sealed a comfortable victory, this was a win achieved at half-pace, with the game often feeling like a pre-season friendly in terms of its intensity.
Silkeborg passed the ball well but were unable to truly penetrate the Irons’ defence; Alphonse Areola had to make a couple of decent saves in the second half, but this was ultimately a comfortable performance.
The Hammers now have a bye into the last-16 of the competition, while runners-up in other groups will face a play-off with teams dropping out of the Europa League.
A solid night’s work for the Irons.
as a manager i would be fuming at this result. not because yes cruise through as you rightly put it but the fact that a penalty was the deciding factor not one goal from open play. which is so often in our games considering the amount of talent that is in at our disposal. i have heard so many times that we have a squad that is much admired across the prem but do not use them rightly.
yes ok the job was done as was said but come on there is something just not right here
All too often players seem afraid of having a shot first time. They want the ball to be teed up before shooting. The game is so quick there isn’t enough time to take the extra touch for the perfect shot. It doesn’t matter if you miss by a couple of inches or 5 yards. First time shots would take out the numerous defenders teams often have in or around the penalty area.