West Ham qualify for ECL knockout stages amid crowd trouble

West Ham made it four wins out of four to qualify for the Europa Conference League knockout stages with two games to spare as Jarrod Bowen starred in a 2-1 victory over Anderlecht amid crowd trouble at the London Stadium.

David Moyes has targeted finishing top of Group B to avoid needing to play in a two-legged play-off after Christmas, and goals from Said Benrahma (14) and Bowen (30) put his side in control against their Belgian opponents.

Sebastiano Esposito’s 89th-minute penalty set up a tense finale in a game which had already been ignited by unsavoury scenes involving both sets of supporters which could lead to UEFA action.

The Hammers are yet to cement their position at the summit, however, with Silkeborg’s 5-0 away victory over Steaua Bucharest meaning they still require a point to be guaranteed of an automatic place in the last 16.

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How Hammers moved to brink of last-16 berth

Anderlecht showed they can be dangerous opponents during the reverse fixture just seven days ago in Brussels when Gianluca Scamacca’s strike was enough to clinch a 1-0 win for West Ham at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium – but they fell behind cheaply inside quarter of an hour.

The visitors – who are 12 points adrift of leaders Genk in the Belgian Jupiler League – had been warned when Aaron Cresswell’s set-piece cleared the crossbar, but after another foul from Amadou Diawara on the edge of the box allowed Benrahma to pull rank, his right-foot free-kick from 25 yards out was perfectly executed into the bottom corner.

Angelo Ogbonna was again selected in a bid to build up his fitness following his lengthy lay-off – but the Italian was forced off midway through the opening period having received treatment on his left knee.

It temporarily dampened the mood, but home supporters were lifted from their seats on the half-hour mark when Bowen continued his rich vein of form to double West Ham’s lead. The ball was worked well down the left by Manuel Lanzini and Emerson Palmieri, who found Bowen with time to take aim and rifle his shot beyond Hendrik Van Crombrugge.

It was Bowen’s third Europa Conference League goal of the campaign and fifth in total, and he might have helped himself to another before half-time when he failed to make contact with Cresswell’s cutback.

Anderlecht, whose boisterous fans lit five flares in the away end, one of which landed near the pitch, threatened to spoil the party when Yari Verschaeren drilled narrowly wide and Esposito forced a fingertip save from Alphonse Areola.

But it was largely plain sailing for the hosts and Pablo Fornals, on at the break for Lucas Paqueta, should have hit a third only to see his shot blocked by Diawara on the six-yard line.

Bowen was given a rest after an hour by Moyes with Scamacca sent on, and the Italian almost converted a cross from Fornals, while Benrahma put a header narrowly wide from Vladimir Coufal’s centre.

It should have been an ultimately comfortable night for West Ham, although the scenes in the stands were depressingly unpleasant.

A pitch invader briefly halted play before missiles were hurled between sets of rival fans, including another flare which landed in the home end.

While attentions were focused on the nonsense in the crowd, Anderlecht scored a consolation from the penalty spot through Esposito after a foul by Ben Johnson.

West Ham have qualified – and they will most likely do so as winners of the section given they are six points clear of Silkeborg, who they are at home to next, and they will be among the teams to beat when the competition resumes after Christmas

Moyes using Europe to build momentum again

Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds at the London Stadium:

“West Ham reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season and are now very well placed for another long European run.

“The group winners will advance to the last 16, while whoever finishes second will play an additional two matches in a play-off against one of the sides that come third in the Europa League.

“Moyes has mastered the art of using Thursday nights to get his Hammers squad up to speed and, following a sixth win in seven in all competitions, momentum is building in east London.

“The Scot isn’t taking any risks, removing Ogbonna in the first half as a precaution while Paqueta was taken off at half-time on a booking. There is now depth to this group and after a shaky start to the campaign, we are seeing the fruits of Moyes’ rotation in this competition.

“Benrahma buzzed around menacingly after his free-kick injected confidence into his play. When Paqueta was withdrawn, Pablo Fornals picked up the fight.

“On the flanks. Vladimir Coufal and Emerson aren’t noticeable downgrades, Declan Rice wasn’t missed in midfield, Scamacca wasn’t needed but both were brought on to maintain standards during a second half that had drifted.

“Stiffer challenges lie ahead in Europe, of course, but with summer signing Nayef Aguerd returning from injury, all the signs are pointing towards another season of real substance on multiple fronts.”

What’s next?

West Ham return to Premier League action on Sunday when they travel to St Mary’s to take on Southampton, with kick-off at 2pm.

The Hammers are then on the road again on Wednesday when they journey to Anfield for a clash with Liverpool, with kick-off at 7.30pm.