Antonio gets job done in Cyprus

AEK Larnaca 0 West Ham 2 (Europa Conference League

It's a 5.45pm kick-off on BT Sport in chilly London to see the lads in balmy Cyprus. Joe Cole and Carlton Cole get nostalgic about Ayia Napa in the studio and at the stadium the big news is that Mark Noble is sporting an Essex geezer flat cap.

After the Brighton debacle the Irons start slowly but at least the returning Zouma looks solid at the back. Larnaca are clearly a limited side, but the Irons come to life as Benrahma does a mazy dribble into the box to force a save. 

The breakthrough comes when Benrahma gets in a fine cross and Antonio, who has got between his markers, heads home. It gets even better when Micky scores a belter by bending it round his defender to find the top corner and make it 2-0.

The second half sees good work from Lanzini and Benrahma release Antonio again, only for his shot to strike the inside of the post. The result is never in doubt as the Hammers play within themselves for most of the second half. 

Forgotten man Maxwel Cornet has an interesting cameo, calmly playing his defence out of trouble on the edge of the box, then riding a tackle to release Paqueta with a great through ball. With just Piric to beat Lucas takes too long and allows the keeper to save. Could Cornet provide an element of surprise in the relegation fight? Areola makes a good late stop and it's all over.

Hard to read too much into this, but some good points after Brighton. Flynn Downes had a steady game in midfield (but was booked and will miss the second leg), Antonio boosted his confidence after his Old Trafford misses, Lanzini looked eager, Zouma and Cornet returned, and even Scamacca got 36 minutes of football. 

So it's nine wins out of nine in Europe - though as Nigel points out WHU currently have more wins in Europe than the Premier League. The really important game is Aston Villa on Sunday. But this will do our confidence no harm.