A nervy West Ham made it two wins out of two in the Europa Conference League as Gianluca Scamacca’s stunner helped them come from behind to beat Silkeborg 3-2 in Denmark.
After trailing Romanian side FCSB in their opening game last Thursday, West Ham had to dig deep again but Scamacca’s thumping effort, along with Manuel Lanzini’s penalty and Craig Dawson’s header, ensured they avoided a potential upset on an artificial pitch at JYSK Park.
Silkeborg had taken a fifth-minute lead through Kasper Kusk’s brilliant first-time strike but the Hammers hit back eight minutes later when Lanzini converted his spot-kick after Maxwel Cornet had been pushed over in the box.
Scamacca, who scored two goals in qualifying against Silkeborg’s domestic opponents Viborg, then empathically put the Hammers ahead in the 25th minute before a Nicklas Helenius goal was ruled out for a dubious foul on West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Thirteen minutes later, Aaron Cresswell and Dawson – both back in the starting line-up following injury – combined from a corner to score what proved to be the match-winning goal.
Toney handed first England call-up Dier in squad, Sancho & Rashford out
Mead opens up on sexuality: ‘I’ve tried to make it the norm rather than a statement’
Federer retiring from tennis I ‘I love you and will never leave you’
PL Predictions: Saints to crank up pressure on Gerrard
Transfer Centre LIVE! Freund refuses to rule out Chelsea move
AJ trainer: “Rather him take two or three fights” before Fury
‘Intense AJ is going to shock the world’
Federer retires after glittering career – reaction and tributes
With West Ham cruising, David Moyes introduced Jarrod Bowen in the second half, but a mistake from the England international saw Silkeborg surge forward before Soren Tengstedt smashed the ball past Alphonse Areola to give the hosts a lifeline in the 75th minute.
With the Hammers desperately holding on, Areola then produced a fine one-handed save late on to deny Silkeborg substitute Tonni Adamsen a memorable equaliser. The result means West Ham top Group B after matchday two. Silkeborg are bottom after Anderlecht and FCSB drew 0-0 in Romania.
Sloppy Hammers will concern Moyes
Sky Sports’ Dan Sansom:
Coming from behind to win any football match shows character and determination, but it is not something West Ham boss David Moyes will want to get used to.
His side were in cruise control for large periods in Denmark, but several lapses in concentration and questionable defending made it a tougher job than it needed to be.
An artificial surface at JYSK Park may have been a contributing factor, but the Hammers will need to be much better defensively if they want to enjoy a similar campaign to last season.
Having said that, another comeback victory in the Europa Conference League after last week’s win over FCSB shows they can dig in to produce results when not at their best.
“The performance wasn’t great, but we got the three points in the end,” Craig Dawson told BT Sport.
It’s two wins out of two in Europe, but West Ham only have four points after six games in the Premier League. Moyes will know better than anyone that they will need to improve to push on domestically – starting at his former club Everton on Sunday.
What’s next for West Ham?
West Ham’s next game sees them travel to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 2.15pm).
After the international break, the Hammers host Wolves – live on Sky Sports – and Fulham either side of their next Europa Conference League clash away at Anderlecht on October 6 (kick-off 5.45pm).
West Ham’s remaining Europa Conference League fixtures
October 6: Anderlecht (A) – kick-off 5.45pm
October 13: Anderlecht (H) – kick-off 8pm
October 27: Silkeborg (H) – kick-off 8pm
November 3: FCSB (A) – kick-off 8pm