Manuel Lanzini scored a sensational goal for West Ham United who made it two wins in a row during their run of friendlies in the winter break with a 3-1 victory at Udinese.
David Moyes made five changes from the starting XI that won 4-2 against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium in midweek, with Gianluca Scamacca named in the line-up for his return to his native Italy.
Emerson, Said Benrahma, Vladimir Coufal, and Tomas Soucek were also brought in, with Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini, Ben Johnson, and Conor Coventry dropping to the bench.
READ MORE: Udinese 1-3 West Ham recap: Manuel Lanzini scores stunner in Hammers friendly win at Dacia Arena
There was no sign of Aaron Cresswell in the matchday squad after the full-back was brought off against Cambridge with a hamstring issue and Maxwel Cornet, who suffered a minor setback in his return from a calf injury, was also absent.
The Irons fell behind after 13 minutes when Roberto Pereyra was left with time and space to smash in the opener. But the visitors kept knocking at Udinese’s door throughout the rest of the first-half, with Craig Dawson coming close twice and Emerson dragging a shot just wide.
Said Benrahma managed to bring the Hammers back on level terms just before the half-time whistle. The Algerian was on hand to put the ball into an empty net after Marco Silvestri spilled Jarrod Bowen’s curling cross into the box.
Manuel Lanzini came on at half-time and put West Ham in front with a stunning strike from 25 yards out. Michail Antonio also played out the second-half and would wrap up the win with a tap-in with only a few minutes to go.
Here are football.london’s West Ham player ratings for their 3-1 friendly win at Udinese.
Lukasz Fabianski - 7
Made a good save to deny a long-range effort from Lamar Samardzic's effort to prevent West Ham from going two goals down. May have got his fingertips to a free-kick from Sandi Lovric that hit the crossbar.
Vladimir Coufal - 8
Made a number of key interceptions at the back and his darting runs down the right side provided another option for West Ham in attack. A wonderful pass from deep found Bowen free in behind the Udinese backline but it came to nothing.
Craig Dawson - 8
Came close to scoring an equaliser on two occasions. His first header from a Bowen corner went over the bar and a second header was superbly saved by Silvestri in the Udinese goal. Sensational block in the second half by diving in front of goal to deny Tolgay Arslan’s effort.
Angelo Ogbonna - 6
Almost gifted a goal to Udinese ten minutes in when he was caught in possession just outside of the box. Took a hit to the left shoulder in a collision with Beto but managed to carry on. Composed for the remainder of the game with the exception of conceding a free-kick at the edge of the box that Lovric struck the crossbar with.
Emerson - 6
Dragged out of position for Udinese’s opener that left Pereyra free in acres of space and could have done better with his tackle on Beto. Made a couple of good runs in the attacking third and could have equalised had he not dragged an effort wide of the far post.
Tomas Soucek - 7
Made a number of good tackles and his passing across the midfield was exceptional at times, spreading the play to set up attacks through Bowen and Benrahma. Came close to getting on the end of Ogbonna’s header down in front of goal but couldn’t get contact.
Pablo Fornals - 6
Played a clever short corner in behind an Udinese defender that Benrahma latched onto before shooting wide. Had another effort in the second-half that drifted high and wide. Good on the ball throughout.
Flynn Downes - 6
Composed when on the ball but had a quiet first-half in the deeper before being substituted at the break. Replaced for Manuel Lanzini.
Said Benrahma - 8
A constant threat down the left-hand side and linked up well with Emerson at times, spotting the full-backs' overlapping runs. In the right place at the right time to capitalise on Silvestri’s spill to score the equaliser. Substituted at half-time.
Gianluca Scamacca - 6
Didn’t have much luck in front of goal but started the move for West Ham’s equaliser with a quick free-kick before Bowen’s cross. Managed to get onto a cutback from Bowen that was blocked and couldn’t get the vital touch needed to guide Ogbonna’s header down in the second-half.
Jarrod Bowen - 8
Made a number of runs in behind the Udinese defence that caused problems and his crosses into the box were dangerous. His ball into the penalty area should have been easily dealt with by the Udinese goalkeeper but Said Benrahma was on hand to put the ball into an empty net. Came close to adding a third but his effort late on hit the post, but the winger managed to pick up an assist with a cutback for Antonio to make it 3-1.
Substitutes
Manuel Lanzini (on for Downes 45’) - 7
Put West Ham ahead with an incredible effort from outside the box. After Bowen’s cross was headed out, Lanzini took it down with excellent control and lashed a shot that was too hot to handle for the Udinese goalkeeper.
Michail Antonio (on for Benrahma 45’) - 7
Linked up well with the support of Lanzini and Bowen. Managed to evade his marker to be on hand to tap in from close range after Bowen hit the post before squaring the ball to the West Ham striker.
Ben Johnson (on for Emerson 70’) - 5
Faced some trouble from Udinese’s quick overlapping right-back but had a decent cameo as West Ham saw out the win.
Conor Coventry (on for Scamacca 90’) N/A
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