Arsenal legend Martin Keown has hailed West Ham United’s impressive UEFA Conference League performances with the ‘quality’ Lucas Paqueta catching his eye during Thursday’s 2-1 victory over Anderlecht at the London Stadium, speaking to talkSPORT (14 October, 10am).
How many times over the years have we seen a team put out a much-changed side in Europe, a place in the next round almost secured, and produced a lacklustre, almost half-hearted performance in front of hushed stands.
Well, there was certainly no sign of that in the English capital on Thursday night. With Said Benrahma, Ben Johnson and the industrious Flynn Downes seizing their chance to impress, West Ham were in excellent nick against Anderlecht; pressing high, forcing mistakes and scoring two wonderful first-half goals through Jarrod Bowen and the aforementioned Benrahma.
“They look like pass masters in Europe!” says Keown, singling out a player who left a lasting impression on him despite playing just 45 minutes against the Belgians.
“I really like the new signings. Paqueta, in midfield, looking like he’s a quality player. Scamacca (too). There’s lots of options now. So West Ham are starting to go strong.”
West Ham qualify for UEFA Conference League knock-out stage
After a sluggish start to the new season, West Ham have now won four in a row. Six out of seven in all competitions. A 100 per cent record in the group-stages, meanwhile, ensures the Hammers will be playing European football after Christmas for the second year in a row.
“I’m really pleased we’ve done (qualified for the knock-out stage),” manager David Moyes told Football London at full-time.
“The big thing is always to be in Europe again after Christmas if you can. I think we need a point still to be winners of the group. Hopefully we can do that. Winning tonight was important, we deserved a win.”
Moyes also made sure to single out Benrahma for praise; the former Brentford talisman whipping a free-kick into the bottom corner to right the wrongs of his profligate display in Belgium a week ago.
“I thought Said done a lot of good things tonight,” Moyes adds. “He obviously scored a free-kick. There was a lot of good things from Said tonight.”
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