UECL: 3 Takeaways as West Ham Defeat Anderlecht
It’s a case of ‘mission accomplished’ for West Ham in the Europa Conference League: they made it four wins from four to advance to the knockout phase as Jarrod Bowen starred in a routine victory over Anderlecht at the London Stadium.
David Moyes named a heavily rotated side for the visit of Felice Mazzu’s team, returning to the 3-4-3 that he has often used on the continent this term.
Saïd Benrahma broke the deadlock with a wicked free-kick in the 14th minute, whipping his shot over the wall and into the bottom corner. Bowen doubled West Ham’s lead on the half-hour mark, beating Hendrik Van Crombrugge with a fierce effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Sebastiano Esposito scored from the penalty spot in the final minute to create a tense finale, but it wasn’t to be for the away side.
If the Hammers secure a point versus Silkeborg later this month, they will advance straight to the round of sixteen as group winners.
With that said, here are your West Ham+ 19 takeaways.
Jarrod Bowen: Back in England Contention?
Bowen started the season poorly after a run of four appearances for England in the summer but is now back to his best. The 25-year-old has found the net three times in his last four starts, including a stunner versus Anderlecht.
“I think he’s looking closer [to being] back to exactly what he was last year: looks a threat,” Moyes told reporters in Stratford. “Every time we play him, I think he’s a threat and at the moment… he’s starting to do a lot better.”
Bowen was a key contributor to West Ham’s fast start and combined excellently with Lucas Paquetá and Benrahma in a fluid front three. The Englishman was a thorn in the side of Anderlecht’s defence until he was replaced after the break, wreaking havoc with his off-the-ball movement.
“I’m always in the pull-back position when the full-back has the ball,” the former Hull City forward said of his first-half strike. “I controlled [the pass] well and then it was about hitting the target with power. I’m delighted for another goal.”
Bowen is back.
Flynn Downes: The Midfield Controller
Flynn Downes is a player. The Brentwood-born midfield bossed the centre of the park for the second week in a row, completing 54 of his 59 passes en route to the man of the match award.
He also recorded 12 ball recoveries, three interceptions, and one clearance.
Downes anchored West Ham’s midfield with poise.
He used his football intelligence to draw fouls on either side of the break, placing his body between the ball and his marker to control the tempo:
It’s the 10th minute and Ben Johnson’s passing options are limited. He plays a risky pass to Downes, who protects the ball with his 5’8” frame and wins a cheap free-kick.
It’s the 81st minute and West Ham are trying to establish territorial dominance in the Anderlecht half. Pablo Fornals plays a simple ball inside. Downes turns into space but quickly notices pressure from behind. Again, he shields the ball to win a free-kick.
Downes is across the minor details. His breakthrough in the Premier League isn’t far away.
Injuries: Worrying, Maybe?
West Ham suffered poor injury luck versus Anderlecht, with Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson trudging to the treatment room before the final whistle was blown.
Ogbonna was replaced in the 22nd minute after receiving treatment for a lower-body concern.
“Angelo felt his hamstring: he felt it really early, in his first run,” Moyes explained.
“He had a little bit of an incident with it in training a week or so ago. He’s someone who was coming back from really serious injury and we’re disappointed he had to miss a big part of tonight’s game. He’s making good progress, so let’s hope tonight’s injury isn’t too bad.”
Dawson, who was sent on in the Italian’s place, also took an early shower – albeit after colliding with Downes.
“Daws’ had a dead leg anyway and he got another one tonight right in the same spot,” said Moyes. “We took him off more as a precaution rather than anything else.”
West Ham finished the match with a three-player defence of Emerson, Declan Rice, and Ben Johnson. They cannot afford to lose key depth pieces at an important point of the season.
It’s a situation to monitor.