West Ham vs Genk LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the live action from the London Stadium
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.
Unlike Sunday’s opponents Tottenham, who left their entire starting XI at home for their unsuccessful continental trip to Vitesse Arnhem, Hammers boss David Moyes kept the likes of Bowen, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Aaron Cresswell in his line-up.
Moyes is clearly eager to secure qualification as quickly as possible, although he took no risks with striker Michail Antonio, having rested him completely ahead of the London derby.
Antonio’s absence as the focal point of West Ham’s attack was felt in a disjointed first half against the Belgian Cup holders.
The hosts were given an early fright when Genk had the ball in the net after Theo Bongonda converted a cross from Junya Ito, but the latter was offside.
Soucek had needed plastic surgery on some horrific facial injuries earlier in the week, having been caught by a stray boot against Everton on Sunday.
But that did not stop the Czech international getting his head to a Rice cross for West Ham’s best chance of the opening stages, with Genk goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt making a diving save.
With the Hammers settling down, Bowen missed a golden opportunity on the half hour when he kicked at thin air in front of goal from Ben Johnson’s inviting low cross, and Dawson headed over from a corner.
Yet West Ham had another lucky escape when goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was beaten to a cross by Genk’s towering striker Paul Onuachu, whose header looped just wide.
Bowen failed to get on the end of another low cross, this time from Cresswell, before West Ham broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time.
Cresswell swung in a corner and centre-half Dawson rose highest to steer the ball home off his shoulder.
West Ham have become set-piece specialists under Moyes and they were at it again at the start of the second half, Dawson’s defensive partner Diop heading home at the near post from Cresswell’s free-kick.
Moments later the hosts stole possession near the halfway line and Bowen galloped forward before firing home a fine solo goal to wrap up the victory.
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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