Rapid Vienna vs West Ham - LIVE!

West Ham United return to Europa League action on Thursday evening with a wintery trip to the Austrian capital.

While David Moyes’ side were turned in perhaps their worst performance in months against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, continental competition has proven fertile ground for them so far.

Unbeaten and already through to the next round, West Ham can win the group with a victory at The Allianz Stadion and, while Michail Antonio will not be in contention, do have largely a clean bill of health outside of Angelo Ogbonna’s absence.

Moyes has admitted that the fact his side will playing in front of no away fans is a challenge but, frankly, West Ham need a performance here either way. After such a poor outing at Wolves, dusting themselves down and getting their confidence back ahead of the frantic Premier League fixture schedule is of the utmost importance.

Follow all the action LIVE with Jack Rosser reporting from Austria.

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Rapid Vienna 0-2 West Ham: Yarmolenko and Noble secure last 16 place

Moyes offers favourites West Ham warning over Europa League step up

How West Ham line up against Rapid Vienna tonight

Key Points

• GOAL! Noble scores from the spot

• GOAL! Yarmolenko puts Hammers ahead

• TV channel: BT Sport 1

• West Ham team news: Rice on bench, no Antonio

Noble on whether Hammers can go all the way...

20:04 , Matt Verri

“We don’t play again in this competition until March and with so many games coming that was important.“You can always dream but there are some top, top teams in this competition. There is still a lot of work to do and the further you go the better teams you get.”

Mark Noble’s reaction

20:02 , Matt Verri

“Job done. We probably could have scored two or three more. Our finishing wasn’t as good as it should have been. A bit sloppy at times.

“For me, coming to play in Europe in my last season is fantastic. Coming first in the group is fantastic for us.”

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

19:39 , Matt Verri

As comfortable as you like for West Ham here in Vienna. It was a routine win but it’s quite the moment for the club to be top of their group and into the last 16, another sign of the job Moyes is doing.

FULL TIME

19:37 , Matt Verri

Job. Done.

West Ham beat Rapid Vienna 2-0, and they have won the group. They’re straight through to the last 16 of the Europa League in March, so a few months off European duty for David Moyes’ side.

Yarmolenko and Noble with the goals on a comfortable night.

19:36 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Fornals played in, and tries to cross it for Perkins to have a tap in... cut out on the line. West Ham players keen to get the youngster a debut goal!

19:33 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Kara with the acrobatic effort for Rapid Vienna, but that’s over the bar.

Three minutes added on. West Ham’s place in the last 16 almost confirmed.

19:32 , Matt Verri

89 mins: West Ham knocking it around very comfortably now. Rapid Vienna try and break, but Noble is there to intercept and put an end to any danger.

19:29 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Fountas again lets fly, and again it’s way over the bar. He’s had five of Rapid Vienna’s 11 shots, but none have been on target.

19:27 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Noble getting the ball and slowing things down. The Hammers captain keen to just see this match out now.

19:26 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Ballo rifles a left-footed effort at goal... always rising over the bar. Moyes will not want his side to concede now, and risk a slightly nervy finish...

19:22 , Matt Verri

79 mins: AND PERKINS NEARLY SCORES!

Coufal whips the ball in, and Perkins is completely free in the box. Dreadful marking. Youngster slightly stretching, but gets a powerful header on target... parried over the bar.

Big moment for Perkins...

19:21 , Matt Verri

19:20 , Matt Verri

77 mins: Two more subs for West Ham. Fredericks on, for Masuaku.

And Perkins will make his Hammers debut. Vlasic off.

19:19 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Rapid Vienna piling men forward now, it’s the most dangerous they’ve looked all match.

Petrovic has a shot from 25 yards out... straight at Areola, who clutches it with ease.

19:16 , Matt Verri

73 mins: For all West Ham’s dominance, Rapid Vienna should really have halved the deficit.

Arase wins the ball back and cuts it back nicely to Fountas, and he curls an effort wide. Had to get that on target, at the very least.

19:14 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Yarmolenko played in, and just about gets there before the ball runs out play. Can’t quite get it in to Vlasic who is free in the box though.

Not that it matters, offside flag then goes up.

19:12 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Kral bursts into the Rapid Vienna half, and plays it out wide to Yarmolenko, but the attack breaks down.

The hosts break and Grull goes down on the edge of the box... no free-kick given.

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

19:10 , Matt Verri

After a couple of edgy moments in the first half West Ham are in complete control now and Moyes feels comfortable enough to make some changes. We’ve not seen much of Kral so this is a nice chance to impress.

19:08 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Three changes for West Ham.

Kral, Benrahma, and Fornals are all on. Lanzini, Bowen, and Soucek the three to make way.

Quite the turn around...

19:06 , Matt Verri

19:06 , Matt Verri

62 mins: West Ham break again. Yarmolenko beats the first defender, but not the second and he loses the ball.

Soucek keeps the attack going though, and sprays a nice ball out wide to Vlasic. His cross is cleared.

19:04 , Matt Verri

60 mins: SHOULD BE THREE!

Yarmolenko plays in Soucek perfectly, but his effort is saved. He heads the rebound back into the box... Bowen’s shot is blocked on the line! West Ham cutting through the Rapid Vienna defence.

18:59 , Matt Verri

56 mins: Bowen so close to scoring... and again! All while a Rapid Vienna is down in the box, which West Ham decide to ignore.

First effort is well saved, after Lanzini played him in. Rebound eventually comes back to Bowen, who shows brilliant footwork to beat a couple of defenders, but Gartler is there again.

18:58 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Fountas involved again. He’s had enough of passing to his teammates and seeing attacks break down though - has a shot from the edge of the box, but it’s curled wide.

18:57 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Loose pass gives Rapid Vienna the chance to break, but Fountas is forced wide by Diop and it comes to nothing.

Hosts only look dangerous when West Ham are sloppy on the ball.

18:54 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Fountas tries to put some pressure on the West Ham centre-backs, but it’s a lonely effort and they just play around him.

Hammers looking very comfortable on the ball.

18:51 , Matt Verri

48 mins: Arase has space to find a cross for Rapid Vienna. Drills it in low, but the Hammers defence are up to the task and launch it away.

Players back out on the pitch

18:48 , Matt Verri

Ready to get back underway again. Hammers players you’d think can enjoy the next 45 minutes.

Rapid Vienna kick us off.

How West Ham took the lead

18:38 , Matt Verri

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

18:34 , Matt Verri

That should be that for West Ham. Noble gets his first goal in the Europa League and that should see them finish top of the group.

18:34 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time. The Hammers are 2-0 up at the break.

Rapid Vienna were growing into the game, two goals in the final five minutes of the half and West Ham have one foot in the last 16.

David Moyes will be delighted with how that half ended.

GOAL! Rapid Vienna 0-2 West Ham | Mark Noble 45+2

18:32 , Matt Verri

Mark Noble makes no mistake!

Goalkeeper guesses the right way, but Noble lifts it into the top corner. Brilliant penalty, and West Ham are in complete control now.

PENALTY WEST HAM!

18:31 , Matt Verri

Wow. Penalty for the visitors right on the verge of half-time.

Ball played into Yarmolenko, who tries to turn his man but is brought down. Referee doesn’t hesitate at all.

18:30 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Kitagawa with a loose pass, and West Ham can break. Vlasic cuts inside, tries to clip it out wide to Coufal, but there’s too much on it and it runs out of play.

One minuted added on.

18:28 , Matt Verri

43 mins: As is stands, the Hammers are going straight through to the last 16.

That’s a big blow for Rapid Vienna before half-time, who were holding their own.

GOAL! Rapid Vienna 0-1 West Ham | Andriy Yarmolenko 40'

18:25 , Matt Verri

That’s better from West Ham, and they have the lead!

Vlasic does really well on the left wing to work the space and put the ball in, and Yarmolenko gets up at the far post to loop the header over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

18:23 , Matt Verri

Yarmolenko is not having a very good evening so far. He’s been told off by Noble for playing too slowly, not bothered tracking his man on two occasions and can’t seem to keep hold of the ball. The only way is up.

18:20 , Matt Verri

35 mins: The home side are on top now. Worked out wide, but the cut back is intercepted well by Lanzini.

Soucek tries to bring it clear, but he’s swarmed by Rapid Vienna shirts and loses the ball.

18:18 , Matt Verri

32 mins: Rapid Vienna enjoying a good spell of possession, but not able to turn it into anything dangerous.

West Ham started much the better side, but the hosts are growing into it.

18:15 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Coufal with another great run forward, but the ball to me is cut out by Moormann. He was completely free on the right wing.

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

18:13 , Matt Verri

Moyes is still shouting at his players and shaking his head on the sideline. West Ham have got into some good areas but it’s still far too slow. Lanzini and Bowen seeing very little of the ball.

18:12 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Nice run from Arase, driving into the box and neither Dawson or Noble want to make a challenge. He cuts inside and gets the shot away, but it’s an easy enough save for Areola.

18:11 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Vlasic switches the play out to Coufal, who is getting forward for the Hammers at every opportunity. He brings it down, but fires the cross straight into the arms of Gartler.

18:09 , Matt Verri

24 mins: West Ham win a dangerous free kick on the right wing.

Bowen whips it in with real pace, it gets a flick on... but it’s header over the bar by the Rapid Vienna defence. Corner for West Ham.

Their third of the match, and their third poor one of the match.

18:07 , Matt Verri

22 mins: And a good response from West Ham. Yarmolenko makes a good run and chips a ball to the back post, but Vlasic can’t get on the end of it.

Noble keeps it alive, and it comes to Yarmolenko in the box but he can’t keep his shot down.

18:06 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Rapid Vienna very nearly take the lead.

Moormann gets to the byline, pulls it back, and Fountas is completely free in the box. He curls a left-footed strike over the bar, should have done better.

18:04 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Coufal and Yarmolenko both go in to close down Moormann, who gets the free-kick. His scream very much echoing around the empty stadium.

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

18:02 , Matt Verri

West Ham are in control here and should be ahead through Bowen’s early chance in truth. Moyes wants to see them moving the ball much quicker and is calling on Soucek to take more control of the game.

18:01 , Matt Verri

15 mins: Confident start from Diop in defence, striding out to break up a Rapid Vienna attack.

Kitagawa has the host’s first shot of the match, but it’s well blocked.

17:58 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Yarmolenko has some space down the right wing, but he’s shoved off balance and the ball runs behind for a goal-kick.

17:56 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Yarmolenko plays it in to Coufal, who has to hurry to stop the ball running out of play.

They work it well back into the box, before Vlasic turns and fires an effort over the bar.

17:55 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Plenty of early possession and territory for West Ham. Moving the ball really quickly, and then Rapid Vienna struggling to get any sort of time on it when they win the ball the back.

17:51 , Matt Verri

6 mins: SO CLOSE.

Brilliant from West Ham. Soucek turns well in midfield and sends the ball out wide to Masuaku.

He plays a great first time ball into the box, and Bowen on the stretch pokes it just wide. Hammers very nearly take the lead.

17:50 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Diop slides in as the hosts try to get in behind the Hammers defence... corner for Rapid Vienna.

Soucek wins the header to clear. Sure that won’t be the first time we see that happen tonight.

17:48 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Rapid Vienna haven’t had a touch yet.

Masuaku gets forward and puts the ball into the box, and it’s put behind for another corner. Another poor ball in though from the set piece.

17:46 , Matt Verri

1 min: Bright start from the Hammers, straight on the attack and they win a corner. Noble to take.

Yarmolenko makes the run to the near post, but the defender heads it away.

17:45 , Matt Verri

We are underway, as the visitors kick us off!

17:43 , Matt Verri

Players are out onto the pitch in Vienna, greeted by the Europa League soundtrack attempting to mask the silence from the empty stands.

10 minutes to go

17:35 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups done, kick-off just over 10 minutes away. The Hammers looking to ensure their European adventure continues deep into 2022.

How it stands...

17:26 , Matt Verri

West Ham are unbeaten and already through to the next round, leading second-place Dinamo Zagreb by four points.

Victory tonight would see David Moyes’ side progress straight through to the last 16 as group winners.

Jack Rosser at the Allianz Stadion

17:17 , Matt Verri

Hammers ready for action

17:09 , Matt Verri

No fans at the ground

17:00 , Matt Verri

This evening’s match will be played behind closed doors, after Austria went into a national lockdown on Monday following a rise in COVID cases in the country.

Teams have had plenty of practice playing with no fans over the last 18 months.

Daniel Kretinsky exclusive...

16:49 , Matt Verri

“The way English football fans stood up against the proposed European Super League was inspirational. It showed the best league in the world is based on an understanding of the true value of football.”

Read more from the club’s new shareholder below...

Kretinsky exclusive: West Ham investor on January plans and strategy

How the hosts line-up...

16:39 , Matt Verri

16:31 , Matt Verri

So it’s pretty much as expected for the Hammers. Soucek doesn’t get a rest, with Moyes still naming a strong side despite Rice, Cresswell, and Antonio not starting.

WEST HAM LINE-UP

16:21 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Masuaku; Noble, Soucek; Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Vlasic; Bowen

Subs: Randolph, Cresswell, Zouma, Johnson, Fredericks, Alese, Chesters, Kral, Rice, Benrahma, Fornals, Perkins

Last meeting...

16:19 , Matt Verri

Europa League favourites?

16:06 , Matt Verri

West Ham are fancied for a deep run in Europe this season, but the manager has warned his side not to get carried away.

Moyes offers favourites West Ham warning over Europa League step up

Match prediction

15:50 , Matt Verri

West Ham weren’t at their best in either the 2-2 draw away at Genk or the loss to Wolves but they have largely been impressive in a European context thus far.

For that reason, it would seem foolish to write them off.

West Ham to win 2-1.

West Ham team news

15:40 , Matt Verri

Michail Antonio will be rested for West Ham’s Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna tonight.

The forward, who has just one goal in his last eight appearances for the club, is being carefully managed by his manager as the only senior striker in the squad.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Jarrod Bowen are set to share forward duties against the Austrian side, with a win ensuring West Ham’s place atop Group H.

West Ham predicted XI: Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Masuaku; Noble, Kral; Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Vlasic; Bowen

How to watch

15:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1.

Live stream: Subscribers will also be able to watch the game through the website or BT Sport app.

LIVE coverage: Get minute-by-minute updates through Standard Sport’s LIVE blog. Jack Rosser will be at the ground.

Welcome

14:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of West Ham’s trip to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League this evening.

Kick-off at The Allianz Stadion is at 17.45pm GMT with Jack Rosser in attendance.