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West Ham take on Belgium’s Genk at the London Stadium tonight as they look to strengthen their grip on Group H in the Uefa Europa League.
The Hammers have won their first two fixtures, away against Dinamo Zagreb and at home to Rapid Wien, and sit top of the standings, three points ahead of the Croatians in second place.
David Moyes’ men come into the fixture in fine form after securing a well-deserved victory over a lacklustre Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon meant they have now won five of their last seven fixtures in all competitions, including wins over Manchester United and Leeds United away from home.
This is the Irons’ first appearance in the group stages of a European competition in the 21st century, and fans celebrated the occasion in style ahead of the previous matchday’s fixture against Rapid with an enormous fireworks and flags display. Their start to life in the Europa League has been impressive too, with a comfortable 2-0 victory away in Zagreb, with goals coming from Declan Rice and Michail Antonio. The result laid down a significant marker in the group. Dinamo had knocked out Tottenham Hotspur by beating them 3-0 at home in last season’s competition.
Genk, on the other hand, are a lowly sixth in the Belgian top flight so far this season and have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. Top scorer and Nigeria international forward Paul Onuachu has scored nine times in 10 appearances this campaign and is a significant threat in the centre of the attack. Follow all the latest updates below:
Second half: West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
Kick off: Genk make an enforced change at half-time and bring on Mujaid Sadick to replace Carlos Cuesta in central defence. West Ham restart the game at the London Stadium.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:04
West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
Craig Dawson’s header separates the two teams after the first half. Can West Ham build on that to earn their third win of the campaign?
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(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:02
West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
As it stands West Ham are going to take a sxi point lead at the top of Group H with three games to play. Genk started the first half as the stronger team but West Ham’s control in the middle of the pitch took the initiative away from the Belgian side and allowed the Hammers to work the ball into the wide areas.
West Ham’s biggest problem is not getting men into the box, they’ve put a lot of balls into the area but have no-one in there to get close to them.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:57
Half-time: West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
45+2 mins: It wasn’t the most electrifying first half we’ve seen in the Europa League this season but West Ham kept on probing Genk’s defences and finally found the breakthrough right at the end of the first half.
The next goal could be vital, if the Hammers score again they’ll cruise to victory but if Genk find an equaliser if could turn into a nervous second half for West Ham.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:50
GOAL! West Ham 1 – 0 Genk (Dawson, 45+1’)⚽️
45+1 mins: Killer blow for Genk on the stroke of half-time. Dawson meets a corner ball from Cresswell and loops a header into the far top corner. Great set piece from the Hammers who have the lead!
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:48
West Ham 0 – 0 Genk
45 mins: Chance! Yarmolenko passes the ball to Vlasic who sends it out to Cresswell on the left side once again. His ball into the six-yard box is low and pacey but there’s only Bowen up to reach. He stretches but the ball hits Lucumi and Vandevoordt has to dive low to keep out the deflection.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:47
West Ham 0 – 0 Genk
42 mins: Bongonda’s just come alive over the last few minutes or so. He does a nice little flick to get the ball around Soucek before he sprints down the line. He passes it back to Arteaga whose cross isn’t great and comes straight to Cresswell for West Ham.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:45
West Ham 0 – 0 Genk
39 mins: Close! Cresswell is sent down the left side of the box once again and floats a cross to the back post. Soucek arrives to win the header but Arteaga does just enough to put him off and the ball skims off the top of his head and comes out to Bongonda.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:40
West Ham 0 – 0 Genk
36 mins: Bongonda shifts the ball over to the left of the box and wins a corner when Rice puts his low cross behind. Genk play it short to Arteaga who curls one into the middle of the box. Areola comes out to claim it but get nowhere near the ball as Onuachu leaps to win the header. He loops it goalwards but the effort drops agonisingly wide of the left-hand post!
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:39
West Ham 0 – 0 Genk
33 mins: Genk have been defensively solid so far but are finding it tough to transition into attack. Ito has been their main ball carrier over on the right wing but he doesn’t have many options coming forward with him and inevitably West Ham recover possession.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 20:35
