Thursday, October 6

Scamacca seals win in Belgium

Anderlecht 0 West Ham 1 (Europa Conference League) 

Not too much happened in the first half bar a late miss from Benrahma when set up by great play from Lanzini and Bowen. Said had a better low shot saved early in the second half, but a series of Hammers' corners failed to provide a breakthrough and it was left to Moyes to bring on the big three of Rice, Scamacca and Paqueta.

Paqueta looked on form from his first touch, a great pass with the outside of his left boot, and then produced some fine Fancy Dan control on the touchline. The winner came as Rice played a crossfield pass to Coufal, who headed back to Paqueta. Lucas dinked a clever ball over the onrushing defender to Scamacca who turned to fire hard and low into the corner. West Ham's victory was assured when Areola made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Wolves' on-loan striker Fabio Silva.

The other big plus of the night was that Flynn Downes had a very solid game in midfield and looked like he could provide real competition for Soucek — while Michael and Fraser reported from the Eagle in Leyton that they have some bitter in the fridge just for me. Meanwhile away Irons Matt and Lisa were watching the game from the Belgian Riviera. Three wins out of three and it's looking increasingly likely we'll be in Europe after Christmas. Irons!

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