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:
West Ham 3 – 0 Genk
68 mins: David Moyes makes a double change for West Ham. Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice, arguably West Ham’s best two players tonight, are both off and get replaced with Ryan Fredericks and Mark Noble.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:25
West Ham 3 – 0 Genk
65 mins: Arteaga swings a cross into the box from the left but can’t find a teammate. Ito does a good recovery job to keep the ball in play but he’s forced to pass it backwards by Cresswell. Genk play the ball inside and give it to Thorsvedt. He shoots from range and hoofs the ball over the goal.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:24
West Ham 3 – 0 Genk
62 mins: The wheels have come off for Genk. The second goal was always going to be the crucial one and so it has proved. West Ham are fizzing the ball around now. Cresswell sends it up to Lanzini who knocks it across to Bowen. Bowen slides a through ball into the area but Lanzini is beaten to it by the goalkeeper.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:20
GOAL! West Ham 3 – 0 Genk (Bowen, 58’)⚽️
58 mins: It’s all over now! Bongonda gives the ball away to Bowen who plays a one-two with Lanzini to get past the Genk midfield. He drives down the right side channel, runs into the box, shimmies to the left and then hits his shot at goal. Vandevoordt gets a big hand to the shot and should do better but the ball squeezes underneath him and finishes in the back of the net.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:17
GOAL! West Ham 2 – 0 Genk (Diop, 57’)⚽️
57 mins: That should be that! Genk give away a silly free kick over on the left wing. Cresswell, who’s had a brilliant night for West Ham, curls the set piece into the middle of the box. Issa Diop jumps in front of Onuachu, wins the header and fires the ball onto the underside of the crossbar where it bounces over the line! West Ham double their lead!
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:15
West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
54 mins: West Ham deal with Genk’s corner, fly up the pitch and win one of their own.
Cresswell delivers but the substitute Sadick is there to glance the initial cross over to the far side of the box. Dawson collects the ball and cuts it back to Yarmolenko who checks to the left and fires a shot high and wide.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:13
West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
51 mins: Just like the first half Genk have started on the front foot. They’re retaining possession well and pushing into the final third. A wayward cross goes over the head of Onuachu and is recovered by Ito who then wins a corner by knocking the ball into Cresswell.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:11
West Ham 1 – 0 Genk
48 mins: Genk work the ball into a nice over on the right wing with Ito, Preciado and Thorstvedt combining to slip the ball up the pitch. the visitors get men into the box but don’t send in a cross and West Ham’s defenders come across to force them to retreat.
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:08
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?
Michael Jones21 October 2021 21:02