KRC Genk 2 West Ham 2 (Europa League)
It's Joe Cole and Carlton Cole on BT sport at home for this 5.45pm kick-off, though Fraser and Gavin have made it to the Lucky Pub. The Irons get off to the worst possible start after three minutes as Ito's clever through ball sees Paintsil (any relation to John?) get the wrong side of Diop to fire home. Areola has got a hand to it and should probably have saved it. It could easily be 3-0 after 20 minutes. Areola has to turn over a couple of headers and then Paintsil's run sets up Ito, who scuffs it wide.
West Ham are getting caught on the break and the back five isn't working. But as Lanzini takes a more central role the Hammers slowly improve and create chances. Dawson has a header tipped over and a fine cross by Masuaku is almost prodded home by Benrahma. Paintsil forces another good save from Areola and just before the break Antonio has an effort cleared off the line.
Moyes will surely have given the side a bit of a rollicking at half-time in his 1000th game as a gaffer and West Ham look much more purposeful at the start of the second half.
THE SAID SHOW
Moyes goes for it, bringing on Soucek, Bowen and Fornals in the 58th minute and West Ham look a much better team. Restoring the Soucek/Rice partnership immediately brings more control to the midfield and Fornals gives some energy to our pressing. A minute later the Irons equalise. Lanzini plays a fine through ball, Coufal crosses and Said Benrahma fires through the keeper's legs. A just reward for the Algerian who has been West Ham's best player on the night.
West Ham press for a winner as Coufal fires wide after a fine Cresswell cross and then Benrahma almost wriggles through. Meanwhile the away fans are telling the watching audience that Tottenham get battered wherever they go. In the 82nd minute it appears game over as Benrahma pushes the ball one side of his full back, runs round the other side of him and toe-pokes home for a fine individual goal.
LEVEL PEGGING
But all that changes three minutes from the end as Soucek heads a cross into his own net. Tomas is unlucky as nine times out of ten it would have gone out for a corner but this time it turns into a glancing header past Areola. He needed a goal, but maybe not that one.
West Ham almost make it 3-2 in the final stages as Coufal's cross just misses Fornals. But a draw away to the best of the rest in the group isn't a bad result and West Ham are now guaranteed to be in the top two of the group, even if we haven't won it as yet.
After the match Declan Rice tells the cameras that the squad have presented David Moyes with a signed shirt to mark his 1000th game. Presumably the slap-up dinner at the Best Cafe is yet to come.
The only downside is the following day's news that some Herberts have been filmed singing that anti-semitic song about Spurs on a plane to Belgium. We have plenty of songs without using that one. But overall, considering the squad rotation, another positive night in Europe and ten points from four games is encouraging. We'll be in Europe after Christmas for the first time since 1981. Irons!
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