TSC Backa Topola 0 West Ham 1 (Europa League)
It's a long trip to Serbia for the lads and another night in front of TNT for me. The first half is poor with West Ham in third gear and missing the absent Bowen, Antonio, Kudus, Alvarez, Zouma and Emerson. Benrahma does manage to send a tame shot at the keeper and at the other end Backa can't score even when Cresswell plays a pass straight to the opposition. At least Dinos Mavropanos has a decent game at the back, but we look laboured.
The second half sees West Ham continue to struggle to break down the home side. Benrahma has one of his frustrating games, Paqueta doesn't get going, Fornals is peripheral and young Divin Mubama works hard up front with little service.
In an effort to inspire more urgency Moyes brings on Cornet, Ings, Emerson and Kehrer. West Ham win a series of corners and free kicks, but it looks like being a bore draw. That's until the 88th minute when Maxwel Cornet, wide on the right cuts inside on to his left foot to send over a great cross that Tomas Soucek volleys home at the back stick.
Tomas has now scored three late winners in a row (plus two goals for the Czech Republic) and does his customary twirl towards the away fans. it was a good moment for Cornet too, particularly as my pal Matt is probably dining on his West Ham bobble hat after Maxi got an assist.
So West Ham go top and just have to draw against Freiburg to win the group. Not a great performance but it's not easy winning with squad players either. And that's five wins out of the last six games - Moyesball is certainly getting results and the players keep going to the end. Irons!
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