Vitesse vs Tottenham LIVE: Europa Conference League result, final score and reaction tonight
Maximilian Wittek’s 78th-minute strike was enough to secure the points and leave Spurs in real bother sat in third in Group G
Tottenham’s decision to leave their big guns at home saw them lose 1-0 to Vitesse Arnhem in Group G of Europa Conference League.
The likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Cristiano Romero and Hugo Lloris did not travel to Holland with Sunday’s clash at West Ham in mind and a second string were undone by Maximilian Wittek’s 78th-minute strike.
The side Nuno Espirito Santo picked still had nine international players, but they were never really in the game and Bryan Gil’s shot that hit the crossbar early in the second half was their only moment of note.
Last time Tottenham played in Holland they enjoyed one of the most famous nights in their history as Lucas Moura’s hat-trick against Ajax sent them through to the Champions League final.
This time the Johan Cruijff ArenA was nothing but a stop on the trainline between Amsterdam and Arnhem and that Moura miracle must seem a long time ago as Spurs now compete in the third tier of European football.
Nuno has shown the competition respect so far, but made it clear where his priorities lay, leaving the entire XI that played 90 minutes at Newcastle last weekend at home to train ahead of Sunday’s Premier League visit to the Hammers.
With the return fixture in a fortnight and then a trip to the weakest team in the competition NS Mura to come, the Portuguese decided that leaving his big guns back in London for this game was a risk worth taking.
It was a gamble because this was a big night for Vitesse, who sold out their GelreDome stadium for the first time in seven years.
Before kick-off their partisan fans held up a banner reading “For the city, the colours and our club: This is our night” and, fresh from a derby win over NEC Nijmegen at the weekend, they started with intent.
Nikolai Baden Frederiksen forced Pierluigi Gollini into a save with his feet after being played in in the third minute and then Jacob Rasmussen flashed a header just wide from a corner.
Unsurprisingly given the amount of changes, Spurs were not up to much in an attacking sense in the first half, with teenage striker Dane Scarlett up against it in a lone role in attack.
They immediately showed more after the break and were within inches of taking the lead in the 47th minute.
Giovani Lo Celso showed why he is becoming a key player for Argentina as he went on an enterprising dribble before laying it off for Gil, whose first-time shot rattled the crossbar.
That was as good as it got for Spurs who were pinned further and further back as the second half wore on, with Eli Dasa twice going close with efforts from distance, the second effort bringing a smart stop out of Gollini.
It was no surprise when the goal came 12 minutes from time as Wittek brilliantly volleyed home Dasa’s cross from the edge of the area to send the home crowd wild.
Jarrod Bowen shines as West Ham dispatch Genk to extend Europa League party
While West Ham’s last Europa League home game felt like a full-blown festival, Thursday evening’s fixture looked set to be the house party on a night when the best people had made other plans.
Of course, there was the keen group gathered in the corner – on this occasion, Genk’s travelling supporters – undeterred by the outdated playlist and underwhelming snack choice, but the most engaging attendees had stayed home. That was, until they walked in the door just in time to inject life into the party and rescue the evening.
For just minutes before West Ham’s group-stage hosting of Belgian side Genk, the London Stadium filled out, showing that fans of the east London club are rightly refusing to take their presence in Europe for granted.
Nor are West Ham’s players, who evidenced that fact here with an impressive 3-0 win to retain top spot in Group H.
Jarrod Bowen shines as West Ham dispatch Genk to extend Europa League party
West Ham 3-0 Genk: David Moyes’ side made it three wins from three games in Europe to stay top of Group H
Jarrod Bowen’s reaction
Jarrod Bowen spoke to BT Sport after the game to talk about his goal, playing through the middle and his journey to European football via non-league. He said:
It’s good. I should have had one in the first half. Even the one I scored I probably didn’t finish it right but I said before the game I bet I’ll score when I scuff it! But if you don’t shoot you don’t score. I’m buzzing with my first Europa League goal.
“Up front I feel like you can run in behind and play in both sides. You can go down the left and the right or drop off.
“I feel like I’m improving in that position. Being a target man is not my game at all but I think wherever I just love playing.
“It means everything, looking back and playing non-league... I remember scoring my first goal for Alfreton at 16/17. Now to score in the Europa League is a dream. I’m loving every minute.”
West Ham stay perfect in Europa League with comfortable victory over Genk
West Ham continued their European cruise with a thumping 3-0 win over Belgian side Genk.
Goals from Craig Dawson Issa Diop and Jarrod Bowen made it three wins out of three for the Hammers in their maiden Europa League group campaign and kept them firmly on course for the knockout stages.
West Ham are already six points clear at the top of Group H and could even secure qualification as group winners in their next match, in Genk in a fortnight, with two games to spare.
West Ham stay perfect in Europa League with comfortable victory over Genk
Craig Dawson, Issa Diop and Jarrod Bowen all found the net.
Reaction from Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson spoke to BT Sport after the match to give his reaction to West Ham’s impressive win. He said:
It’s a great feeling. We work tirelessly as a back four and do a lot of drills in training. It’s second nature now really. We are compact and we work as a back four. You can get drawn out but we keep our heads and respect teams. We were solid, strong and we’re looking good so far.
“I think we have three tough games left. We know what we’re up against so we’ll keep battling on.
“When you’re out of the team you have to be ready for these opportunities. You only get a day or so to prepare your head. I feel great and good that I’m back in the team. I’m enjoying my football.
“The [fans] see that there’s a good team this season and one that with give 100% always, but we will keep imrpving and keep enjoying these games. We’re not used to this so we will relish the opportunities we get.”
West Ham United vs Genk: Five things we learned as Hammers cruise in Europa League
West Ham United secured a very comfortable victory over Genk at the London Stadium to strengthen their grip on the top of Group H in the UEFA Europa League.
Here’s what we learned from a very impressive performance and 3-0 victory:
Five things we learned as West Ham cruise to Europa League win
The Hammers earned a third European win in three matches to continue their fine form under David Moyes
Hammers yet to concede
West Ham are only the second English side to win each of their first three group games in a single Europa League campaign without conceding, after Spurs in 2013-14.
The last team from any nation to do so won the competition, Sevilla in 2019-20. A sign of things to come?
Cresswell on top form
Aaron Cresswell had a great game for West Ham. He was a constant threat down the left side and provided two assists from set pieces.
Full-time: West Ham 3 - 0 Genk
90+2 mins: Job done for West Ham. Two goals in two minutes in the second half killed the game off and made the Hammers’ lead unassailable.
They’ve won every game so far in the Europa League and have yet to concede a goal. It’s a good confidence builder for David Moyes’ team ahead of a clash with Tottenham at the weekend.
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