Scamacca off the mark as Hammers win

Gianluca Scamacca scored his first goal for West Ham as the club beat Viborg FF 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off.

The Italy international scored a powerful header after Maxwel Cornet whipped a perfect cross into the box to give the Irons the lead after 23 minutes.

It was Scamacca’s first start for the club, having been a substitute in the Premier League defeats to Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.

Jarrod Bowen scored a superb goal to give the Hammers a 2-0 lead against the Danish club, sending a low, powerful effort into the bottom corner.

And Mikey Antonio scored a third after combining beautifully with Said Benrahma to give the Irons a comfortable lead ahead of next week’s second leg.

The only black mark came when Jakub Bonde capitalised on some truly dreadful Hammers defending to score a header and make it 2-1, prior to Antonio’s clincher.

The second leg is next week, after this weekend’s Premier League clash with Brighton.

The Hammers can feel confident of progressing to the group stages.