West Ham struck late once again to beat Backa Topola on Thursday night.
Substitute Maxwel Cornet, not given a start despite David Moyes' heavy rotation of his line-up in Serbia, came off the bench to deliver the cross for Tomas Soucek to net at the death.
The 1-0 win sends West Ham into the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
However it was far from a straightforward night as some players struggled at TSC Arena.
Here's how West Ham rated in Serbia...
A late goal for the Hammers ⚒️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 30, 2023
Tomáš Souček is a man in form 🔥#UEL pic.twitter.com/6yvUgrfcBq
Lukasz Fabianski 6
Made a bit of a meal of one early stop but sharp to deny Milos Milanovic.
Ben Johnson 4
Handed only his second start of the campaign. Made an important early block on Nemanja Petrovic but looked, unsurprisingly, short of sharpness.
Konstantinos Mavropanos 5
Some good anticipation but passing remains a concern. Couldn't quite get to a James Ward-Prowse free-kick late on.
Nayef Aguerd 6
A solid enough display and tried to pass through the lines.
Aaron Cresswell 4
Got away with dreadful square pass that gifted Serbians their best opening of first-half.
James Ward-Prowse 6
Free-kick created best chance of the first-half but Soucek couldn't hit target.
Tomas Soucek 6
You'd have expected him to do better with header just before the break but continued his fine scoring form with a vital late goal.
Pablo Fornals 5
A victim of his own versatility, Spaniard played off the right but struggled to get involved. Booked.
Lucas Paqueta 6
Always likeliest to create a chance from open play.
Said Benrahma 4
His 150th West Ham appearance was one to forget as he regularly squandered decent positions.
Divin Mubama 5
Handed only his second senior start after impressive cameo at Burnley but short on service here.
Substitutes
Maxwel Cornet (Benrahma 67') 6
Superb delivery created Soucek winner.
Danny Ings (Mubama 67') 5
Biggest contribution was conceding a free-kick off the ball that brought an end to a promising attack.
Thilo Kehrer (Johnson 79') N/A
Emerson (Cresswell 79') N/A
Booked.
Unused: Areola, Anang, Zouma, Ogbonna, Scarles, Coventry, Orford, Chesters.
