Anderlecht 0-1 West Ham (Scamacca 79′)
LOTTO PARK — There is wonderful cadence to the Uefa Conference League in its early stages, heightened by the early kick-off time on the edge of Brussels. The sun shone, West Ham fans drank beer in view of the pitch with giddy excitement like kids being allowed to stay up past bedtime, a game of football happened.
Supporters certainly wanted their team – do not patronise this competition by relegating it to the status of friendly. But they were not prepared to have their day ruined by the result. Typically, that is when you have the most fun.
This was an evening of great fun and one goal. We saw Fabio Silva working hard and looking quite promising until he shot, although crucially this time in another country. We saw West Ham wearing a shirt that made it appear like their stomachs were on fire. There were lots of crosses into the box without success. A 16-year-old came on at half-time for Anderlecht. And West Ham took another significant step towards another memorable European adventure.
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Congratulations to the away supporter who went to sit with home fans when the atmosphere simmered a little too close to the boil. Several dozen Belgians escaped from that section in the aftermath of the winning goal.
If we really must learn things, let’s settle for one naughty and one nice and begin with the latter. Michail Antonio is struggling a little. At his best he is a wrecking ball with a smile, holding the ball up to bring others into play and finding space in the penalty area as a cross is delivered. This was more of what we have seen lately, passes not quite sticking and runs not quite connecting with the passes.
Still, it matters less when David Moyes can use Antonio as an impact substitute and Conference League starter. West Ham’s first three options off the bench on Thursday: Declan Rice, Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta. They dreamt of this depth 12 months ago. Scamacca’s finish was exquisite; he is already becoming a cult hero.
PURE STYLE FROM WEST HAM
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 6, 2022
A smooth move from the Hammers is finished off beautifully by Gianluca Scamacca#UECL pic.twitter.com/pFTJxuQqnD
Of the starters, Flynn Downes was the star. It seems faintly comical that the central midfielder being primed as Rice’s heir could be only six days his junior, but you can see why Moyes might like the comparison.
Downes has a knack of being on call when his action is required, like an omniscient breakdown truck. He also gave the ball away three times in 90 minutes. The boy is a star.
Moyes has embraced this group stage for the mine of goodwill that it always promised to be. Despite having far weaker opponents than in the Europa League last season, if you squinted enough you could persuade yourself that this was a replica European adventure.
Unless a relative giant is humbled in the Europa League group stage and tumbles down, West Ham will rival Villarreal, Cologne and Fiorentina to be Conference League favourites. Last season proves that they can swim comfortably in those waters.
Moyes’ plan has been to pick strong teams for the first three matches, aim to win all three to virtually secure qualification and then rest players given the ludicrous upcoming schedule.
Between 9 October and November 12, West Ham are slated to play 11 matches. Rendering two of those competitive only by technicality is a welcome development. Beat Anderlecht at home next week and that will be achieved.
The Premier League problems haven’t yet been evaporated – Fulham on Sunday offers the chance for momentum to be built. But that only further emphasises how these European trips, most of them successful, exist in their own blown bubble.
West Ham supporters know that their club probably cares more about league form and merit payments. They are getting used to these European sojourns for midweek city breaks and three points brought home as souvenirs.
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