West Ham United vs Silkeborg. UEFA Conference League Group B.
London StadiumAttendance35,911.
Match report as West Ham beat Silkeborg 1-0 in their Europa Conference League Group B clash; Manuel Lanzini's first-half penalty was the difference between the two teams at the London Stadium
Friday 28 October 2022 06:10, UK
Manuel Lanzini's first-half penalty was enough to see West Ham overcome Silkeborg 1-0 at the London Stadium, a result that ensures David Moyes's side will finish top of their Europa Conference League group.
The only goal of the game came after 24 minutes when Michail Antonio was upended in the box by visiting goalkeeper Nicolai Larsen, with Lanzini confidently converting the resulting spot-kick.
That was enough for a "hugely important" victory, according to Moyes, for a much-changed West Ham team, who should now have a more favourable draw when the knockout phase of the competition resumes in March.
Already guaranteed a place in the knockout stages, the Hammers needed just a point to be sure of topping Group B and avoiding a two-legged playoff in February.
But they maintained their perfect record in Europe this season with a seventh win from their seven matches in total.
The penalty was soft to say the least, with Antonio needlessly clipped by Silkeborg goalkeeper Larsen.
But nobody of a claret and blue persuasion was complaining, least of all manager Moyes who can now put this competition to bed until March and concentrate on climbing the Premier League.
Antonio, one of nine changes from the win over Bournemouth on Monday night, made a fast start and skipped round Silkeborg defender Robert Goljani before pinging in an angled shot which Larsen blocked with his leg.
Moyes gave a belated debut to Nayef Aguerd, the Morocco defender signed for £30 million in the summer only to suffer an ankle injury in pre-season.
The 26-year-old, whose World Cup place had seemed to be in jeopardy, looked composed at the back and also showed he has a taste for a goal after firing into the side netting from a corner.
West Ham took the lead in the 24th minute when Said Benrahma played in Antonio, who appeared to have over-run the ball before he was taken out by Larsen's ungainly, unnecessary challenge.
With no Video Assistant Referee at this stage of the competition there was no chance of a reprieve and Lanzini duly dispatched the spot kick.
Benrahma glanced a header wide while Larsen held a Pablo Fornals header as West Ham chased a second.
They should have got it at the start of the second half when Fornals worked his way into a shooting position 14 yards out, but he pulled his effort wide.
Silkeborg almost capitalised immediately, but Hammers 'keeper Alphonse Areola denied Anders Klynge and then palmed Soren Tengstedt's shot over his crossbar.
Larsen saved again from Benrahma after he shot through a crowd of bodies and substitute Gianluca Scamacca headed over as Silkeborg, who can still qualify in second place, gamely limited the hosts to just one goal.
West Ham boss David Moyes:
"I thought we had a lot of the ball and controlled the game for long periods," he said.
"The biggest thing tonight was that we didn't get many goals. We've been bemoaning that, not being clinical, but in the main, we deserved the victory.
"To be through already is hugely important with the way the season's going. It's great credit to the players over the last two years, to win the group last year and this year."
Silkeborg boss Kent Nielsen:
"We are disappointed with the result but we can't disagree with it, West Ham were the best team," he said. "We were irritated by the scrappy penalty."
West Ham are back in Premier League action on Super Sunday, travelling to Man Utd, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.15pm. Their final Europa Conference League group game is against Steaua Bucuresti on Thursday November 3.
Silkeborg's final Europa Conference League group game is against Anderlecht on Thursday,
