Phase one, done. Victory over Silkeborg last night saw West Ham achieve the first of their minimum requirements for the season with a game to spare, knockout European football the other side of Christmas secured for a second successive campaign.
Five wins on the bounce in the Europa Conference League group stage have made next week’s clash with FCSB a dead-rubber and, coupled with two before that against Viborg in qualifying, the Hammers’ winning streak in Europe has applied regular salve to what has hardly been a pain-free start to the domestic season.
