West Ham make a dream start in Europe as Michail Antonio and Declan Rice cap an impressive display by firing David Moyes's men to victory at Dinamo Zagreb
- Michail Antonio intercepted a back-pass to open the scoring in the first half
- Declan Rice made it two with a brilliant solo goal in the second half
- The Hammers dominated the game and were good value for their win
- Latest Europa League news, including live action and results
West Ham are winners in Europe once more. It’s been a long time. Too long, really, but at the Stadion Maksimir last night their 2,000 supporters were partying like it was 1999.
That was the last time this club won a European tie which wasn’t a qualifier — a 3-1 victory against another Croatian side, Osijek. Dinamo Zagreb were likewise no match for West Ham here.
The party started with a gift — an under-hit back pass by Kevin Theophile-Catherine — but that was also prompted by West Ham’s high press. Michail Antonio stole the ball and scored his fifth goal in as many games this season as he continues to show why he’s now wearing that No 9 shirt.
Dave Portnoy joins backlash after Caitlin Clark's 'gross' exchange
Footy great who made history dies after six-year cancer battle
Caitlin Clark BLOCKS Antonio Brown on social media after vulgar claim
Related Articles
Declan Rice, captaining the team, made it 2-0 in the second half. The 22-year-old England international won the ball in his own half then strode towards the opposition’s goal, scoring through the goalkeeper’s legs.
On paper, Zagreb away was West Ham’s toughest game in a group which also includes Genk and Rapid Vienna. For those who travelled, this was worth dusting off the passports and paying for those fit-to-fly Covid tests. They saw a superb performance against a side used to competing in Europe.
West Ham manager David Moyes deserves credit for playing it perfectly. From how his side hurried their opponents in the first half, to their more compact shape in the second, to removing the already-cautioned Manuel Lanzini when he looked like a walking red card.
‘It’s something which is new,’ Moyes said of West Ham in Europe. ‘Certainly new to Declan Rice, for example. He’s played international football for his country but not for his club.’
Moyes feels West Ham have entered the unknown. ‘I’m really excited by not knowing how good they can be,’ he said after the match.
West Ham looked at home, and not only because Zagreb’s ground had a garish running track to rival the London Stadium’s. The visitors quickly imposed themselves on a side who beat Tottenham 3-0 six months ago, keeping the ball for much of the opening 20 minutes.
Yet it was when they were out of possession that West Ham finally pounced. Theophile-Catherine, looking uncomfortable with the ball at his feet, tried to play it back to keeper Dominik Livakovic, but didn’t put enough on the pass.
Antonio darted in and pinched possession ahead of Livakovic to score into the empty net.
After his dismissal at Southampton last weekend — described as ‘stupid’ by his boss — the striker had some making up to do. This went some way to winning forgiveness.
In the 50th minute, Moyes’ men doubled their advantage. Rice won the ball in his own half and then he ran, and ran, and ran some more. He was looking for a team-mate but with no one presenting themselves for a pass, he had a go himself. The ball flew through the legs of Livakovic and it was 2-0.
During his celebration, Zagreb skipper Arijan Ademi charged towards Rice, unhappy that the midfielder, making his 150th appearance for his club, was celebrating in front of the hosts’ fans.
With his work done, Rice was replaced by Mark Noble. He has made more than 500 appearances for West Ham, but this was his first in the main draw of a major European competition. Antonio was also substituted, and how they wish he wasn’t suspended for Manchester United this Sunday.
West Ham did a proper job on Zagreb, who didn’t trouble the visitors with a single shot on target.
Moyes said they weren’t only in the Europa League to be tourists. They want to compete, and this victory was a fine start.
Related Articles
Scroll down to see how it all unfolded with Sportsmail's live runner.
-
Spencer Morgan Host commentator
Three minutes of added time.
Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 West Ham
Rennes 2-2 Tottenham
Real Betis 4-3 Celtic
Ralston halves the deficit.
Can they find a late equaliser?
87 mins: Zagreb look beaten. This has been a really complete performance from West Ham.
85 mins: A really good ball in from the right but Petkovic can't quite reach it.
82 mins: Three changes for the Hammers as Noble, Masuaku and Yarmolenko replace Antonio, Fornals and Rice.
Zagreb also make a couple.
78 mins: Good defending by West Ham debutant Kurt Zouma to clear a Dinamo cross.
Said Benrahma tries for a West Ham third but his shot is blocked.
A cross is flicked into the path of Hojbjerg, who guides it into the far corner.
This half has come to life.
Spurs trail in France!
A quick break and Pierluigi Gollini palms out the initial effort from Kamaldeen Sulemana. However, Gaetan Laborde is there to tap in the rebound.
69 mins: Bowen replaces Vlasic
68 mins: Not much in the way of chances since the break in this one...
66 mins: Misic sees yellow for a cynical challenge on Antonio.
64 mins: Zagreb starting to have a bit more joy going forward but West Ham are still looking well organised and dangerous on the break.
60 mins: Ajeti has the ball in the net but it's correctly ruled offside.
59 mins: Just wide!
Ivanusec receives the ball in the box and tries to find the far corner. Inches.
Celtic have collapsed.
A corner isn't cleared properly and Juanmi smashes the bouncing ball in off the post.
55 mins: Close!
A deflected strike wrongfoots Fabianski but goes just wide.
Turnaround complete!
Terrible defending from Celtic as Canales has ages to pick out Iglesias, who produces a deft finish.
51 mins: Moyes isn't taking any risks with Lanzini. He's off and on comes Benrahma.
Rice makes it two!
What a goal it is as he wins the ball on the left in his own half and proceeds to drive into the box before finishing through the keeper's legs.
What a goal.
49 mins: Lanzini is a lucky boy.
He's on a yellow and seemingly fouls a Zagreb man from behind as they attempted to break.
Replays show he got nothing of the ball. Let off.
47 mins: Close!
Petkovic almost makes it the perfect start to the half, lashing one just wide from the edge of the area.
We're back underway.
One change for Zagreb.
Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 West Ham
Rennes 1-1 Tottenham
Real Betis 2-2 Celtic
44 mins: Decent effort from Klasic but his low strike flies just wide.
42 mins: Nearly half-time in Zagreb. Six shots for West Ham. Just the one for the hosts.
37 mins: Almost a chance for the hosts as Theophile-Catherine puts a good ball over the top but Petkovic can't quite reach it.
All square!
A lovely team move ends with Borja Iglesias teeing up Juanmi for a simple finish.
What a turnaround.
32 mins: West Ham's Manuel Lanzini is the first player booked for a lunging challenge on Bruno Petkovic.
And now they have pulled one back!
Miranda and Nabil Fekir combine in the box and the former slots the ball past Joe Hart.
Betis almost pull one back but Juan Miranda's effort hits the post.
Michail Antonio is now the outright top goalscorer of all Premier League players in 2021-22, with his five goals coming from only nine shots on target.
Juranovic doubles the lead from the spot!
An emphatic penalty after Ajeti was brought down by Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
24 mins: Big save!
Fredericks is played through on the right and makes his way towards goal before seeing his finished stopped by the outstretched foot of the keeper.
Big chance.
A deserved equaliser for the hosts!
Flavien Tait makes space for himself just outside the box before finding the bottom corner with a fierce strike. Game on.
West Ham lead!
It's a moment to forget for Kevin Theophile-Catherine as his poor back-pass is intercepted by Antonio, who rounds the keeper and slots into an empty net.
18 mins: The home side really have struggle to do anything in terms of going forward.
They win a free-kick 30 yards out and Orsic steps up. He gets good power on it but can't keep it down.
Albian Ajeti finishes off a fine counter to give Celtic an early lead!
There's a VAR check but it's given.
14 mins: Cresswell has a pop from distance but drags the low strike wide.
Ndombele starts a counter with a cheeky backheel and Harry Kane then plays in in Lucas Moura.
The Brazilian drives into the box and his right-footed effort takes a crucial deflection beyond Romain Salin and into the Rennes net for the opener.
11 mins: Zagreb try to get something going but Petkovic's through ball is too heavy.
West Ham looking solid.
9 mins: West Ham win their third corner of the game.
The ball reaches Soucek at the back post but his header is deflected behind for another corner.
This one comes to nothing after a foul in the box.
6 mins: Tottenham also making a bright start. They've had 90 per cent of the ball.
3 mins: A bright start from the visitors as Lanzini makes a bit of space for himself in the box before firing over.
West Ham get underway.
Not long until we're underway.
They have made it to a European group stage for the first time.
They achieved automatic qualification after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, while their hosts fell short in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League.
And welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of the Europa League clash between West Ham and Dinamo Zagreb.
We'll also be bring you updates from Rennes vs Tottenham in the Europa Conference and Celtic vs Real Betis in the Europa League.
Team news to follow with kick-off at 17.45pm.
Comments
Comments
{{formattedShortCount}}
comments