Genk 2-2 West Ham: LIVE! Benrahma brace - Europa League result, match stream and latest updates today
West Ham remain undefeated in Europe after drawing in Genk.
While the opening twenty minutes or so were a disappointing start to David Moyes 1,000th game in charge, the second-half spoke of a team capable of creating their own momentum.
Said Benrahma had scored twice as West Ham came from behind to lead 2-1 in their Europa League clash in Belgium.
But luckless substitute Soucek inadvertently headed a late cross inside the near post to leave the Hammers with just a point.
Nevertheless, Moyes will be satisfied to see his side, who were below par in the first half, still well clear at the top of Group H following three wins and a draw, and destined for the knockout stages.
The Hammers had swatted Genk aside 3-0 in London a fortnight ago, but the Belgians have since arrested a domestic slump and scored six goals in each of their last two matches.
The first bump in the road on West Ham’s continental journey came in only the fourth minute.
They were caught napping by a ball in behind which Joseph Paintsil raced onto and fired across Alphonse Areola, who got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.
It was the first goal West Ham had conceded in the competition, and they could have shipped more in a chastening start for a side on an eight-match unbeaten run away from home.
Genk captain Bryan Heynen’s header was tipped over the crossbar, Paul Onuachu nodded straight at Areola, before Paintsil broke clear again and squared for lively Japan playmaker Junya Ito, who made a mess of his shot in front of goal.
West Ham did fashion some chances to equalise, with Craig Dawson’s header acrobatically tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, who also denied Benrahma from close range, while Michail Antonio had a shot somehow cleared off the line.
But it was an incredibly sloppy first half from the visitors, so much so that it was difficult to imagine many of Moyes’ previous 999 half-time team talks being as animated as the the one he surely dished out here.
West Ham came out with more intensity after the break and Moyes made a triple substitution just before the hour with Antonio among those making way, probably with one eye on Liverpool’s visit at the weekend.
They hauled themselves level moments later. Manuel Lanzini sent Coufal overlapping down the right and his pull-back was swept home by Benrahma.
West Ham tails were up and Coufal was inches wide from Aaron Cresswell’s cross, as was Dawson with a far-post header.
With 10 minutes remaining Benrahma scored a fine solo goal, nudging the ball one side of defender Mujaid Sadick and skipping past him on the other before poking home at the near post.
But with three minutes to go Soucek inadvertently glanced a cross from Genk substitute Angelo Preciado past Areola to deny Moyes victory on his big night.
Additional reporting from PA
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Key Points
Kick-off and venue: 17.45pm GMT, Cegeka Arena
GOAL: Genk 1-0 West Ham
GOAL: Genk 1-1 West Ham
GOAL: Genk 1-2 West Ham
GOAL: Genk 2-2 West Ham
Full-time: Genk 2-2 West Ham
Full-time: Genk 2-2 West Ham
19:41 , Jonathan Gorrie
A brilliant second-half performance from West Ham but it wasn’t great overall.
Still, it was quite some finish and potentially a big night for Benrahma. Keep that up and perhaps the rest of the Europa League will be running scared.
West Ham turning into Barcelona
19:37 , Jonathan Gorrie
93:00 - Declan Rice is some player, isn’t he?
The midfielder drives at the Genk before teeing up Coufal with a clever ball, only for the Czech to slightly overhit his cross for Fornals.
That was almost something brilliant.
GOAL: Genk 2-2 West Ham | Soucek own goal 87’
19:34 , Jonathan Gorrie
87:00 - Brutal moment for Soucek as he gets in the way of a cross while trying to block it and it deflects off his head and past Areola.
Jack Rosser in Genk
19:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
‘Said Benrahma has been inspired in this second half. He should have scored before the break but has more than made up for it. He’s been their biggest threat and that is a stunning goal.’
GOAL: Genk 1-2 West Ham | Said Benrahma 82'
19:29 , Jonathan Gorrie
82:00 - Stunning work from Benrahma as he drives forward, makes a defender look foolish and finishes with ease.
What a player.
Moyes’ changes building momentum
19:24 , Jonathan Gorrie
80:00 - That triple sub from Moyes has West Ham flying.
Fornals has freed Benrahma up to attack through the middle and link up well with Lanzini out wide. Right now, there’s only one way this game is going.
CHANCE FOR WEST HAM
19:17 , Jonathan Gorrie
71:00 - Dawson so close!
He can’t quite direct his header but the former Watford man was unlucky not to finish from close range
Benrahma celebrates
19:16 , Jonathan Gorrie
🇩🇿 Saïd Benrahma ⚽️#UEL pic.twitter.com/UgeEC2HZmY
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 4, 2021
CHANCE FOR WEST HAM!
19:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
69:00 - Coufal SO close to completing the comeback after a counter-attack almost sees him curl in from a wide angle.
This game is coming to life.
All West Ham now
19:09 , Jonathan Gorrie
64:00 - Benrahma and Fornals have gone close since the goal and West Ham look ready to convert their dominance into goals.
Moyes must have given them quite the rocket at half-time!
Benrahma impresses again
19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
8 - Said Benrahma has been directly involved in eight goals in 15 appearances for West Ham in all competitions this season (five goals, three assists), already equalling his tally for the club from last season (8 in 33 appearances). Fore. pic.twitter.com/UxwkPIXkMv
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2021
GOAL: Genk 1-1 West Ham | Benrahma 59’
19:06 , Jonathan Gorrie
‘That’s so much better. Good work from Benrahma to start the move on the halfway line and then drive forward with some fantastic fast play from Lanzini and Coufal to create the chance.’ - Jack Rosser
TRIPLE SUB FOR WEST HAM!
19:02 , Jonathan Gorrie
58:00:
Antonio for Bowen
Noble for Soucek
Masuaku - Fornals
Moyes is changing things up!
Genk still looking dangerous
19:01 , Jonathan Gorrie
56:00 - The wideman of Genk (Paintsil) in particular) look dangerous.
West Ham might be working their way back into proceedings but they cannot leave the backdoor open or it could get much worse.
Jack Rosser in Genk
18:55 , Jonathan Gorrie
‘Much better from West Ham after the break. Rice has dropped a little deeper to keep control of things and they’ve taken charge of the game. Putting far more pressure on Genk now but have to make it count.’
A pre-season feel to West Ham
18:55 , Jonathan Gorrie
50:00 - It’s just all a bit ‘meh’.
While that might not be the most scientific of analysis, there’s none of the quick passing we saw in Sunday’s win over Aston Villa. At times, it looks like they’re playing in a pre-season friendly.
Moyes surely has to change it
18:51 , Jonathan Gorrie
47:00 - No changes from Moyes at the break but it’s hard to imagine he’ll stick with this set-up much longer.
Clearly, a loss here wouldn’t be a disaster but to lose their momentum with a performance this bad would be a real shame ahead of Liverpool on Sunday.
Second-half!
18:49 , Jonathan Gorrie
45:00 - Back underway in Genk.
Surely it can only get for West Ham?!
Carlton Cole to BT Sport on Genk’s goal
18:42 , Jonathan Gorrie
“The goalkeeper will be disappointed there.”
While Areola has certainly impressed for West Ham, he could have done a lot better on the opening goal.
How it looks elsewhere in the Europa League this evening
18:37 , Jonathan Gorrie
⏸️ HALF-TIME ⏸️
Biggest surprise so far? 👀#UEL— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 4, 2021
Jack Rosser’s half-time verdict
18:36 , Jonathan Gorrie
West Ham ended with their brightest moment in creating the chance that was denied by a stunning clearance off the line, but that was a horrendous first half all told. Moyes isn’t often one for changes at the break but they’re lucky to only be a goal behind.
Half-tiime: Genk 1-0 West Ham
18:34 , Jonathan Gorrie
45:00 - A miserable half for West Ham, although they were unlucky not to score in its dying embers.
Improvements desperately needed.
A closer look at THAT chance!
18:33 , Jonathan Gorrie
So close! 😲
Antonio almost squeezes the ball under the goalkeeper, but the ball doesn't quite cross the line.
Keep pushing, lads! 👏#GNKWHU 1-0 (45) pic.twitter.com/un8kMhPF7a— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 4, 2021
SO CLOSE!
18:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
43:00 - Antonio looks certain to score after West Ham break past the Genk defence.
A combination of the goalkeeper and Hrosovsky then prevented Rice from slotting home quite literally a yard out.
West Ham’s best passage so far.
CHANCE FOR WEST HAM!
18:29 , Jonathan Gorrie
41:00 - Great chance for Benrahma but Vandevoordt saves well before he can tap home.
This man’s goal the difference so far
18:26 , Jonathan Gorrie
Genk take the lead against West Ham! ⚽️ Joseph Paintsil
Who's scoring next? 🤔#UEL pic.twitter.com/C9oXN0ZYxm— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 4, 2021
Jack Rosser: Mark Noble looking
18:23 , Jonathan Gorrie
Mark Noble is a year older than Genk and it’s showing so far. He’s been guilty of slow and sloppy play in the middle, though he’s not alone. A very poor touch from Antonio there.
CHANCE FOR GENK!
18:19 , Jonathan Gorrie
32:00 - Genk are getting through the West Ham midfield far too easily and managing shots from just outside the area.
Had their finishing been better, Moyes’ big night could have already descended into farce.
West Ham stringing passes together
18:15 , Jonathan Gorrie
30:00 - It’s not been easy on the eye but you do feel West Ham are sharpening up.
Rice and Cresswell are getting onto the ball a bit better and Benrahma just had a shot from a tight angle.
A slight improvement.
What Moyes is making of it
18:10 , Jonathan Gorrie
Moyes using a break in play to get into Noble, Rice, Diop, Dawson and Masuaku. #WHUFC
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) November 4, 2021
CHANCE!
18:08 , Jonathan Gorrie
21:00 - Best chance for West Ham so far as Dawson heads over from a Cresswell free-kick.
Might be what Moyes needs to break through, just as it was in the first leg.
Jack Rosser’s 20-minute update
18:06 , Jonathan Gorrie
20:00 - As Genk tear through West Ham again, here’s Jack Rosser:
‘They’ve not responded well so far. Genk are causing problems all over the place at the moment but especially in the middle. Genk could and probably should be two or three up.’
West Ham just aren’t at the race
18:05 , Jonathan Gorrie
Now Onuachu heads over after Noble heavy touch gifts possession. West Ham so sloppy on the ball and struggling in midfield so far. #WHUFC
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) November 4, 2021
Moyes not happy
18:00 , Jonathan Gorrie
15:00 - You can hear Moyes bellowing ‘Push up’ to his team through the pitchside cameras.
Not how he imagined this night to go.
CHANCE!
17:58 , Jonathan Gorrie
11:00 - Coufal draws a safe from the ‘keeper with a well-controlled volley, though it would have been offside.
All Genk
17:55 , Jonathan Gorrie
07:00 - Half chance for Antonio just now, though the forward shoots over.
It’s been all Genk and they missed a free header from a corner which could see West Ham sink 2-0 down within 6 minutes.
Need an improvement.
Jack Rosser’s thoughts on the opening goal
17:52 , Jonathan Gorrie
This is the first real challenge West Ham have faced in the Europa League then. The Hammers had yet to concede in Europe before tonight so it will be interesting to see how they respond.
GOAL: Genk 1-0 West Ham | Joseph Paintsil 5'
17:52 , Jonathan Gorrie
05:00 - Ito catches West Ham in possession before setting up Joseph Paintsil, whose shot Areola coud have done better with.
Dreadful start for Moyes!
Early tone set
17:49 , Jonathan Gorrie
02:00 - Early little mistake from Diop, who is caught in possession with Genk pressing.
You feel that the home side are going to have to rely on some kind of mistake this evening, given the strength of the West Ham team.
Kick-off!
17:46 , Jonathan Gorrie
0:00 - We’re underway as West Ham look to wrap up the group stage with games to spare on a huge night for David Moyes.
David Moyes in high spirits as he reaches 1,000 games!
17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
"It's always nice when they chant your name!"
David Moyes is all smiles ahead of his 1000th game in his managerial career! 😄#UEL pic.twitter.com/qj4d6aUE20— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 4, 2021
Areola in focus
17:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
Focus.
Kick-off 🔜#GNKWHU #UEL pic.twitter.com/NSHLrOPtsU— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 4, 2021
West Ham man impressing
17:05 , Jonathan Gorrie
It certainly is a star-studded list but where would you rank Areola?
Pick a goalkeeper... 🧤
1⃣ Areola
2⃣ Schmeichel
3⃣ Livaković
4⃣ Meret
5⃣ Remiro
6⃣ Muslera#UEL pic.twitter.com/Ydw9GzmN0c— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 4, 2021
What a month for West Ham
16:56 , Jonathan Gorrie
The Boss has been nominated for @premierleague Manager of the Month for October! 👏
Click on the link below to vote for him! 🗳— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 4, 2021
Jack Rosser’s pre-match thoughts
16:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
🗣️ @JackRosser_ shares his pre-match thoughts.
⏰ Kick-off is at 17.45pm GMT!
Join us LIVE: https://t.co/uH03slaCOw#GNKWHU | #UEL pic.twitter.com/l9Gci0wEvX— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 4, 2021
Confirmed Genk XI
16:35 , Jonathan Gorrie
Onze 𝗲𝗹𝗳. 💪#krcgenk #mijnploeg #gnkwhu pic.twitter.com/Hjhcnu2lAD
— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) November 4, 2021
Confirmed West Ham XI
16:34 , Jonathan Gorrie
📋 Our team tonight looks like this...
COME ON YOU IRONS! ⚒#GNKWHU #UEL pic.twitter.com/WTGEScHwFy— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 4, 2021
David Moyes looking ahead with 1000 games just the start
16:20 , Jonathan Gorrie
“We’ll have days when it’s not our day, weeks when we are not as good as we should be,” says Moyes.
“But at the moment I’m not looking at it that way. I’m looking at it as saying we have to keep this going.
“We’re on the fast train as quick as we can go to the top and I don’t want to get off it.”
You can read the full interview with Jack Rosser here.
Your Evening Standard prediction
16:15 , Jonathan Gorrie
Belief is coursing through West Ham at the moment and they should have too much for Genk, who were dangerous in attack but hopeless at defending crosses when the two sides met last month.
Genk 0-2 West Ham
West Ham predicted XI
16:05 , Jonathan Gorrie
West Ham predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Noble; Bowen, Lanzini, Vlasic; Yarmolenko
Early team news
15:50 , Jonathan Gorrie
Moyes has rotated his team in the Europa League and will have one eye on Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at the London Stadium.
Alphonse Areola, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop, Mark Noble, Andriy Yarmolenko and Nikola Vlasic are set to be handed starts, while Manuel Lanzini, Arthur Masuaku, Alex Kral and Ryan Fredericks will also hope for minutes.
Vladimir Coufal could be involved after returning from injury and featuring as a substitute in the previous two matches.
Where to watch tonight’s action
15:38 , Jonathan Gorrie
TV channel: Tonight’s match will be televised on BT Sport 3, with coverage starting at 5.15pm.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the website or through the BT Sport app.
LIVE coverage: Keep up with all the action in this Standard Sport LIVE blog.
Welcome!
15:25 , Jonathan Gorrie
Welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of West Ham’s trip to Genk!
Kick-off is scheduled for 17:45pm GMT at the Cegeka Arena with Jack Rosser in attendance.