Rapid progress

Rapid Vienna 0 West Ham 2 (Europa League)

It's back to the days of lockdown as the Irons take on Rapid Vienna in an empty stadium with a team of squad players while I watch on BT Sport. The lads look at it early on as Masuaku crosses low and Bowen pokes wide. Yarmolenko produces a mixture of one brilliant cross and a lot of running into defenders, but it's the big Ukranian who makes the difference on 40 minutes. Vlasic gets in a decent cross and Yarmy rises above his man to head home. That will do the confidence of both players a lot of good.The game is put to bed before the break as Yarmolenko is foolishly fouled on the edge of the box and Mark Noble steps up to take the penalty and score his first of the season.

The second half sees the Hammers contrive several ways not to get a third as Rapid are restricted to long-range efforts. Bowen wriggles through a group of defenders only to poke the ball at the keeper. Yarmolenko finds Soucek with a fine ball, Tomas hits the keeper when he should score and then Bowen has his shot cleared off the line.

Subs Fornals and Benrahma add some late energy and the game is enlivened by the debut of 17-year-old Sonny Perkins. He almost scores with his first touch, getting his head to Coufal's cross and forcing a good save from Gartler. Sonny looks very eager and might even be a possible long-term deputy for Antonio. 

All in all a fine professional performance from a much-changed side, against a dispirited Vienna side who have sacked their manager. We win Group H while Spurs got battered in the Europa Conference at NS Mura. A good night all round. Irons!