Manuel Lanzini's first-half penalty was enough to see West Ham overcome Silkeborg 1-0 at
the London Stadium, a result that ensures David Moyes's side will finish top of their
Europa Conference League group.
The only goal of the game came after 24 minutes when
Michail Antonio was upended in the box by visiting goalkeeper Nicolai Larsen, with
Lanzini confidently converting the resulting spot-kick.
That was enough for a "hugely
important" victory, according to Moyes, for a much-changed West Ham team, who should
now have a more favourable draw when the knockout phase of the competition resumes in
March.
How West Ham secured first place in Group B
Already guaranteed a place in the
knockout stages, the Hammers needed just a point to be sure of topping Group B and
avoiding a two-legged playoff in February.
But they maintained their perfect record in
Europe this season with a seventh win from their seven matches in total.
The penalty
was soft to say the least, with Antonio needlessly clipped by Silkeborg goalkeeper
Larsen.
But nobody of a claret and blue persuasion was complaining, least of all
manager Moyes who can now put this competition to bed until March and concentrate on
climbing the Premier League.
Antonio, one of nine changes from the win over Bournemouth
on Monday night, made a fast start and skipped round Silkeborg defender Robert Goljani
before pinging in an angled shot which Larsen blocked with his leg.
Moyes gave a
belated debut to Nayef Aguerd, the Morocco defender signed for £30 million in the
summer only to suffer an ankle injury in pre-season.
The 26-year-old, whose World Cup
place had seemed to be in jeopardy, looked composed at the back and also showed he has
a taste for a goal after firing into the side netting from a corner.
Team news
Unsurprisingly, West Ham boss David Moyes rung the changes knowing his side needed only
avoid defeat at home to Silkeborg to win their group, with the Scot making nine
alterations from the team that beat Bournemouth 2-0 at the London Stadium on MNF.
And
that meant a debut, finally, for summer signing Nayef Aguerd, while there was also a
start for Connor Coventry, while from Monday's win, only Ben Johnson and Said Benrahma
kept their places.
West Ham took the lead in the 24th minute when Said Benrahma played
in Antonio, who appeared to have over-run the ball before he was taken out by Larsen's
ungainly, unnecessary challenge.
With no Video Assistant Referee at this stage of the
competition there was no chance of a reprieve and Lanzini duly dispatched the spot
kick.
Benrahma glanced a header wide while Larsen held a Pablo Fornals header as West
Ham chased a second.
They should have got it at the start of the second half when
Fornals worked his way into a shooting position 14 yards out, but he pulled his effort
wide.
Silkeborg almost capitalised immediately, but Hammers 'keeper Alphonse Areola
denied Anders Klynge and then palmed Soren Tengstedt's shot over his crossbar.
Larsen
saved again from Benrahma after he shot through a crowd of bodies and substitute
Gianluca Scamacca headed over as Silkeborg, who can still qualify in second place,
gamely limited the hosts to just one goal.
What the managers said...
West Ham boss
David Moyes:
"I thought we had a lot of the ball and controlled the game for long
periods," he said.
"The biggest thing tonight was that we didn't get many goals. We've
been bemoaning that, not being clinical, but in the main, we deserved the victory.
"To
be through already is hugely important with the way the season's going. It's great
credit to the players over the last two years, to win the group last year and this
year."
Silkeborg boss Kent Nielsen:
"We are disappointed with the result but we can't
disagree with it, West Ham were the best team," he said. "We were irritated by the
scrappy penalty."
Live Super Sunday
West Ham are back in Premier League action on Super
Sunday, travelling to Man Utd, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.15pm. Their final Europa
Conference League group game is against Steaua Bucuresti on Thursday November
3.
Silkeborg's final Europa Conference League group game is against Anderlecht on
Thursday,
