West Ham Untied took a massive step towards qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night with a 1-0 win over Anderlecht.
Substitute Gianluca Scamacca got the goal with just over ten minutes remaining to move the Hammers five points clear at the top of Group B.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Anderlecht.
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Alphonse Areola
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola resumed his role as the cup goalkeeper replacing Lukasz Fabianski in the side. Forced to make one good save in the first half when batting away a Yari Verschaeren effort on the counter attack. Like the first half, he was not needed all that much after the break, but a save to deny Fabio Silva's point-blank header was crucial and proved to be massive in the tie. 7
Vladimir Coufal
Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal started at right wing-back having been left out of the Hammers' 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The wing-back role seemed to suit him as he was able to press high and join attacks. Solid in defending and while he made the right runs, he was not able to get on them or produce crosses with quality as much as he'd like to. 6
Ben Johnson
There was a first outing in more than a month for Ben Johnson after sustaining a hamstring injury in the win over Aston Villa in August. He started on the right side of a back three in Belgium. A really solid showing, strong in tackles, carried the ball out in possession with confidence and hardly put a foot wrong all game. A great boost considering his absence of the best part of six weeks from the team. 7
Craig Dawson
Craig Dawson was one of only two players who started against Wolves to keep his place in the starting side, scoring against Slkeborg in this competition three weeks ago. Not able to add to his goal in Denmark but defended solidly, able to shackle Silva where he could and just led the back line well. Easy to see why he looks to be back in Moyes' back four. 7
Angelo Ogbonna
On the left of the three-man defence as captain was Italian centre-back Angelo Ogbonna. Led the side by example and was kept busy by the Belgians' striker Fabio Silva, on loan from Wolves. A couple of occasions in the first half forced Ogbonna to challenge or block Silva's attempts, which he did well. Almost caught out goalkeeper Hendrik Van Crombrugge when his looping header off an Emerson cross landed on the top netting. Kept busy again after the break and forced into a tactical foul on Silva to deny a big chance for the hosts. Commanding, put his body on the line and like Dawson and Johnson, really solid. 6
Emerson
Making his first start since returning from international duty with Italy was Emerson, who was one of six players going into this game who had scored in the first two group games of the season for West Ham. Forced to defend more than he could attack, an okay performance but not one where he was able to show attacking quality compared to normal. Gave the ball away too often before the break. 6
Flynn Downes (Star man)
There was only a second start in West Ham colours for Flynn Downes, bought into the midfield allowing both Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek a rest. Looked really good in possession, keen to both receive the ball and move it forward where fit, creating a half chance for Antonio with a clipped in cross. Consistent throughout the game, won battles in midfield, fought for possession as much as he could and really impressed facing an Anderlecht midfield that had plenty of energy in it. 8
Manuel Lanzini
Joining Downes in the heart of midfield was Argentine Manuel Lanzini, who scored from the penalty spot out in Denmark last month. A tale of two halves, moved the ball well before the break, but gave it away too easily in the second half, leading to him being taken off as part of a vital triple change in the second half. 6
Jarrod Bowen
Along with Dawson, Jarrod Bowen was the only member of the starting side against Wolves that kept his place, fresh after scoring his first league goal of the season. The goal at the weekend really seems to have given him a lift, he was excellent in the first half, with mazy runs, excellent control and a willingness to create chances for others. He put one effort narrowly wide before teeing up Benrahma twice, the second of which really should have been taken. Continued to look purposeful after the break and had more options to create when he played alongside Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta for 15 minutes before being replaced late on. 7
Said Benrahma
Algerian winger Said Benrahma's start means it is likely that Pablo Fornals will start on the left against Fulham on Sunday, with Maxwel Cornet sidelined with a calf issue. David Moyes was left frustrated with the Algerian after he lost possession too easily on a counter attack in the first half and you could only imagine that his frustrations were even greater when Benrahma fired over from close range off a Bowen cross, when it seemed easier to score. Had earlier chances in the first half, putting one tamely on goal, the other forcing a headed clearance. Got another shot off early in the first half to force Van Cromburgge into a save. Had the chances, but that miss will be a big mark against him while he tries to win his spot back. 5
Michail Antonio
After losing his starting spot against Wolves, Michail Antonio was used as the lone striker, with Gianluca Scamacca currently leading the striker race, for now. Antonio did a good job of holding the ball up and won four fouls before half-time, one fewer than the entire Anderlecht starting 11. In front of goal however, he was less successful, blazing one effort way over, miss-hitting a header so that it went sideaways and not being in the right spot to shoot after a Bowen cut back. Did well to tee up Benrahma early in the second half but was replaced by Scamacca with just over 20 minutes to go. 6
Substitutes
Declan Rice
Given a rare rest, Rice was called into action midway through the second half, with West Ham needing need a goal and some inspiration in the tie. Partnering summer signing and West Ham fan Downes in midfield, he gave the Hammers an extra tick and control and whenever he was on the ball, those ahead of him were able to fly forward and run at their Belgian opponents with purpose and intent. 7
Lucas Paqueta
Brazilian Lucas Paqueta was also thrown into the occasion with Moyes opting for a triple change, replacing Benrahma and playing as a narrow forward off fellow substitute Scamacca. That Samba flair came out with his first touch, flicking an outside of the foot pass to send Coufal away on a run. Got his first assist for the club when his flick found Scamacca before the Italian netted his fourth goal in five games in this competition this season. 7
Gianluca Scamacca
The final part of the triple substitution saw Italian Scamacca come on, replacing Antonio up front. Created a chance shortly after coming on with a clever flick and attempted to stretch the back line, a different threat to that of Antonio. Went on one sensational run before passing to Coufal, with mazy running and trickery not normally going with someone of his stature. Shortly after doing so, he opened the scoring, controlling at the end of Paqueta's flick and firing across goal past Van Crombrugge, finishing with a confidence that proves why he is above Antonio. Also impressed defensively after the goal. 7
Pablo Fornals
On in place of Bowen for the final few minutes, didn't really get a kick. N/A
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