Goals from Bowen, Emerson and Antonio helped West Ham complete a second half comeback to defeat Romanian side FCSB 3-1 at the London Stadium.
Italian international Gianluca Scamacca also made his return to the starting lineup after missing the last 2 matches due to illness.
It was a poor start for the hosts, who struggled to get a hold of the game. The Hammers fans were becoming frustrated, as the team wasted numerous chances.
Frustration amongst the fans grew larger after 35 minutes, as FCSB took the lead. Olaru hit a low cross which found winger Cordea at the back post who finished past Areola.
David Moyes made a triple substitution at half time in the hopes of bringing West Ham back into the game. Bowen, Paqueta and Antonio came on to replace Benrahma, Lanzini and Scamacca.
West Ham slowly started to grow back into the game, and in the 66th minute, they were awarded a penalty after FCSB goalkeeper Tarnovanu took out Maxwel Cornet.
Cornet was unable to continue the game after a head injury, and was replaced by Pablo Fornals.
3 minutes after the penalty was given, Jarrod Bowen stepped up to take it, and he placed the ball high into the net to bring West Ham level.
It wasn’t long before the Hammers had the lead, as 5 minutes later, the ball fell to Emerson after a scramble in the box, and he fired home from close range to score his first goal in claret and blue.
The game swung massively into West Ham’s favour, and if it wasn’t for Tarnovanu pulling off some excellent saves, West Ham would’ve had some more goals to celebrate.
However, in the 90th minute, Tarnovanu was beaten once again, as Antonio shrugged off the defender before hitting a left footed strike into the back of the net.
Next up for the Hammers in the Europa Conference League is a trip to Denmark to face Silkeborg, who lost 1-0 in their first game to Anderlecht.
Comments