West Ham 2-1 Anderlecht LIVE! Hammers through - Conference League result, match stream and latest updates today

Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen fired West Ham into the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League in a 2-1 win over Anderlecht.

The Hammers, last season’s Europa League semi-finalists, ensured a second successive run to the latter stages of continental competition with a fourth win from four Group B matches.

They now need just a point from their last two games, against Danish side Silkeborg and Romania’s FCSB, to ensure they finish top of the group and move straight into the round of 16, avoiding a play-off in February.

However, some of the gloss was taken off their achievement by crowd trouble which required riot police to intervene.

The hosts took the lead in the 13th minute when Anderlecht enforcer Amadou Diawara fouled Benrahma on the edge of the box.

Aaron Cresswell had moments earlier curled a free-kick over but this time he stepped over the ball, allowing Benrahma to whip his shot right-footed over the wall and inside the near post.

After half an hour the Hammers had their second, Emerson Palmieri galloping down the left before pulling the ball back for Bowen to finish from 15 yards.

The goal made Bowen West Ham’s joint leading scorer in Europe with six, alongside Johnny Byrne and David Cross.

He should have moved out on his own with seven moments later when Cresswell cut the ball back, but the England hopeful missed his kick in front of goal.

Anderlecht, whose boisterous fans lit five flares in the way end, one of which landed near the pitch, threatened to spoil the party when Yari Verschaeren drilled narrowly wide and Sebastiano Esposito forced a fingertip save from Alphonse Areola.

But it was largely plain sailing for the hosts and Pablo Fornals, on at the break for Lucas Paqueta, should have hit a third only to see his shot blocked by Diawara on the six-yard line.

Bowen was given a rest after an hour by David Moyes with Gianluca Scamacca sent on, and the Italian almost converted a cross from Fornals while Benrahma put a header narrowly wide from Vladimir Coufal’s centre.

It should have been an ultimately comfortable night for West Ham, although the scenes in the stands were depressingly unpleasant.

A pitch invader briefly halted play before missiles were hurled between sets of rival fans including another flare which landed in the home end.

While attentions were focused on the nonsense in the crowd Anderlecht scored a consolation from the penalty spot through Esposito after a foul by Ben Johnson.

West Ham vs Anderlecht latest news

• Full match report

• Bowen eyeing more West Ham records

Thank you and good night

22:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thank you for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of West Ham’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht.

You can read our full match report and reaction from Jarrod Bowen below!

Bowen wants more West Ham records

22:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jarrod Bowen wants to make more history with West Ham after equalling a club record with a goal against Anderlecht.

The forward has now scored six times in European competition for the club, joining names carved deep into West Ham folklore.

Only Johnny Byrne and David Cross have scored as many as the 25-year-old and Bowen’s strike proved crucial in ensuring David Moyes’ side qualified for the Europa Conference League knockout stages.

You can read his full comments here!

Full match report

22:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

West Ham secured safe passing into the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League with what proved to be a nervy X win over Anderlecht.

Such was the level of investment in the squad over the course of the summer, David Moyes was again afforded the luxury of shuffling his pack before Sunday’s trip to Southampton while putting Thursday’s visitors to the sword.

Operating without a striker in the absence of Michail Antonio and Moyes’ decision to rest the in-form Gianluca Scamacca, West Ham’s varied frontline proved too much for Anderlecht’s really rather static defence.

Read our full match report here!

FT: West Ham 2-1 Anderlecht

21:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Phew.

West Ham survive a late scare to book safe passage into Europa Conference League knockout stages!

Into six minutes of added time

21:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

94:00 - This is far, far nervier than it should have been.

GOAL! West Ham 2-1 Anderlecht | Sebastiano Esposito ‘87

21:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

87:00 - Calm penalty sets up a grandstand finish.

PENALTY TO ANDERLECHT

21:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

87:00 - Johnson fouls Esposito! A lifeline out of nowhere!

CHANCE FOR WEST HAM

21:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

84:00 - Benrahma runs rings around the Anderlecht defence and pulls it back for Soucek, who blazes wide.

Pitch invader

21:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

80:00 - Tries to rob Areola of the ball and the Frenchman absolutely turns him with ease.

CHANCE FOR WEST HAM!

21:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

77:00 - Scamacca tries an acrobatic attempt at the far post following a brilliant ball from Fornals, though can’t quite keep it down.

Soucek coming on for Dawson

21:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

73:00 - Look like it could be Soucek and Rice alongside Ben Johnson in a three-man central defence.

Dawson worry

21:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

70:00 - Thankfully, neither Dawson or Downes have suffered a head injury but the defender is moving very gingerly. Having already lost Ogbonna, this is a worry for Moyes.

Downes and Dawson getting treatment

21:28 , Jonathan Gorrie

68:00 - The two clashed heads, which is certainly a rare worry for West Ham tonight.

Enter Jan Vertonghen

21:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

66:00 - The former Spurs star is greeted with a knowing ‘welcome’ by the home support.

Double change for West Ham

21:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

This is where you get an indication of just how strong the West Ham squad is.

Cresswell and Bowen are replaced by Rice and Scamacca.

Would take an implosion form here

21:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

54:00 - Anderlecht are pretty much offering nothing as things stand.

Were this a boxing match, the towel would have been thrown in.

CHANCE FOR WEST HAM

21:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

49:00 - Coufal whips a cross into Emerson, who tries an inventive cushioned volley into the roof of the net but it floats just over the bar.

Back underway!

21:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here we go for the second-half.

Moyes makes changes

21:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

Fornals replaces Paqueta as Moyes shuffles his pack ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton.

Joe Cole to BT Sport

20:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

“It’s a fantastic performance.”

Bowen’s strike

20:55 , Jonathan Gorrie

Benrahma’s free-kick

20:55 , Jonathan Gorrie

HT: West Ham 2-0 Anderlect

20:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

A comfortable first 45 for the home side, who are on the brink of rubber-stamping their qualification into the next round.

West Ham comfortable but can’t afford any lapses

20:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

42:00 - Anderlecht aren’t doing much going forward but some sloppy clearances are at least giving them half chances. West Ham need to ensure they’re not doing anything silly on the stroke of half-time.

Time to change the ball

20:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

41:00 - The ball considered too flat to play with, so Cresswell naturally volleys back across into the dugouts.

CHANCE FOR ANDERLECHT

20:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

39:00 - Areola forced into action as Esposito cuts inside and looks to curl one into the far corner following an Anderlecht break.

CHANCE FOR ANDERLECHT!

20:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

34:00 - Lax defending from West Ham allows Verschaeren a shot at point-blank range, though he shoots wide.

A warning sign.

CHANCE FOR WEST HAM

20:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

32:00 - Bowen hits only the air after Cresswell’s dragback.

SO close to 3-0!

GOAL! West Ham 2-0 Anderlecht | Jarrod Bowen ‘29

20:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

29:00 - A thumping effort after a velvet touched controlled Emerson’s fizzing cross.

Brilliant goal.

Cresswell getting into good areas

20:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

28:00 - A few times now, the 32-year-old has raced up the left-flank and put in some dangerous balls across the Anderlecht backline, though Bowen has misstimed his run.

A strong performance thus far.

Few long balls from Areola

20:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

24:00 - Not quite sure where they’re supposed to go, given the split-striker formation...

Change confirmed

20:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Injury worry for West Ham

20:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

20:00 - Ogbonna is down getting treatment, an unwelcome sight for West Ham supporters.

Appears Craig Dawson is getting stripped to come on.

Entertaining game

20:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

17:00 - Fabio Silva gives Areola something to think about with a rasping shot from outside the box, though it’s well saved.

Seconds later, lovely interplay from Downes and Paqueta sees the Brazilian miss a one-vs-one, although he’s flagged for offside.

GOAL! West Ham 1-0 Anderlecht | Said Benrahma ‘13

20:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

13:00 - What a free-kick!

A dipping effort edges through the slightest of graps from around 20 yards and into the bottom corner!

Similar pattern to last week

20:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

11:00 - A decent quality to the passing but neither side too bothered about high-pressing as things stand.

Cresswell can’t covert

20:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

09:00 - From a decent position, just to the left and slightly outside the box, Cresswell shoots just over.

Couldn’t quite get the angle right.

Bowen wins a dangerous free-kick

20:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

08:00 - Arnstad booked for hauling Bowen down after his one-two with Coufal had the England forward breaking in-behind.

Paqueta making ground

20:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

05:00 - The Brazilian has just run 40 odd yards, flanked by options either side of him but opts to shoot. Fair to say he doesn’t lack much in the way of confidence.

Anderlecht happy to stretch

20:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

03:00 - Last few seconds have seen the away side start to get on the ball, with Wolves loanee happy to do the running in behind Ogbonna.

West Ham seeing plenty of the ball

20:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

02:00 - Paqueta in particular is attracting a lot of attention, though Benrahma is seeing plenty of the ball.

KICK-OFF

20:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

We’re underway at the London Stadium!

David Moyes on West Ham’s busier schedule

19:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

“Somebody said to me the other day we might have played as many [recent] European games as any club,” said Moyes to BT Sport.

“Obviously we’d like to be in the Champions League but the point is, for West Ham who didn’t have European football for such a long time, sometimes, you mustn’t forget what we’ve got and you have to embrace and enjoy it.

“I’m not moaning about it, but [playing] Thursday, Sunday is not easy. “For us at West Ham I think it’s a great thing, you should never take it for granted because it might not always be there.”

David Moyes’ programme notes

19:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

“It is only when you’re not involved in Europe that you realise how special it is,” he wrote. “We all have to relish these games.”

The warm-ups begin

19:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

West Ham players arriving

19:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

Downes opens up on ‘tough’ West Ham start: ‘It’s a big adjustment’

18:58 , Jonathan Gorrie

Flynn Downes opened up on his “tough” start to life at West Ham after a breakthrough performance helped put his side firmly on course for the Europa Conference League knockout rounds in Belgium last week.

Gianluca Scamacca’s late strike secured a 1-0 win over Anderlecht which sent the Hammers five points clear at the top of Group B with three matches to play.

The introduction of Scamacca, along with Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta, 20 minutes from time ultimately proved decisive but until the arrival of the trio, Downes’s display had been the major positive for David Moyes.

It was just his second start since moving to the London Stadium from Swansea in the summer, with the lifelong Hammers fan having had to be patient for opportunities.

“I loved it,” said Downes. “It was a special night for me and good to top it with a win. It’s been tough. For any player not playing it’s tough and you’ve just got to keep your head down, keep training hard, trying to improve and get in the team. Then, when you get opportunities you’ve got to take them. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Vertonghen describes West Ham as a ‘sleeping giant’ ahead of reunion

18:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jan Vertonghen describes West Ham as a “sleeping giant” ahead of a renewed battle with his old rivals on Thursday evening.

The former Tottenham defender will meet David Moyes’ side again when the Hammers travel to Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League, having played against them nine times across an eight-year spell with Spurs.

Anderlecht sit only one point behind West Ham in Group B and offer perhaps the sternest test in Moyes’ attempts to win the group.

Still, they have endured a difficult season since manager Vincent Kompany left for Burnley and are currently tenth in the Jupiler Pro League.

Read the full story here!

Confirmed Anderlecht lineup

18:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed West Ham lineup

18:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

West Ham’s Scamacca gamble can pay off thanks to top-class Paqueta

18:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

“If you were were any centre-forward, you’d want to play with Lucas Paqueta.” That was David Moyes’s verdict yesterday on West Ham’s record signing and already, early on his Premier League career, Gianluca Scamacca must be thanking his lucky stars he has the privilege.

The pair, the most high-profile of Moyes’s eight new summer additions, have hit it off instantly and helped launch the club’s season with three wins in nine days after a stuttering start.

Having linked off the bench for the winner against Anderlecht on Thursday, they combined again throughout yesterday’s 3-1 victory over Fulham at the London Stadium, including for Scamacca’s strike which put the Hammers ahead for the first time midway through the second half.

Read the full story here!

Aguerd closes in on West Ham debut as Moyes hints at early return from ankle injury

17:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

West Ham have been given a boost as manager David Moyes revealed defender Nayef Aguerd is hoping to step up his recovery next week.

Summer signing Aguerd, who moved to the Hammers for around £30million from Rennes, is still yet to make his debut for West Ham after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season against Rangers.

The centre-back has been gradually working on his fitness and Moyes gave a positive update on his recovery when speaking on Wednesday afternoon.

“Aguerd is beginning to make his way. He’s doing a bit on the grass,” said Moyes.

“I hope next week he can join bits of the football. He’s a pretty good specimen so he’s one I might try to push on quite quickly, but we need to get him some under-23 games and stuff like that.”

Moyes talks up vital Ogbonna as West Ham look to qualify early

17:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

The clouds are clearing at West Ham, and nothing sums up the change in fortunes more than David Moyes’s options at centre-back.

It was a problem area for the Scot at the start of the season, with Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Nayef Aguerd all out injured, and it was left to full-back Ben Johnson to fill in alongside Kurt Zouma.

Dawson and Ogbonna are both back fit now, and the return of the latter is a major boost for West Ham as they look to fight on two fronts. The Hammers were doing exactly that last season, flying high in both Europe and the Premier League, before they were rocked by a serious knee injury to Ogbonna in November.

You can read the full story here!

Prediction: West Ham to win 2-0

17:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confidence is returning to the West Ham camp and they look well capable of extending their perfect group-stage record.

It is likely to be another tight affair, with Anderlecht’s three matches so far seeing total of two goals. The Hammers have enough to get the job done and continue their serene progress, with Moyes finally having the strength in depth at his disposal that he has often called for.

West Ham to win, 2-0.

Anderlecht team news: No fresh injury concerns

17:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

On-loan Wolves forward Fabio Silva should start again for Anderlecht, who have no new injury concerns to worry about.

West Ham team news: Downes and Antonio pushing for starts

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Moyes is likely to name a similar side to the one that came out on top in Belgium a week ago.

Flynn Downes impressed and should get another chance to start, while Michail Antonio is expected to lead the line with Scamacca currently the preferred option in the Premier League.

Maxwel Cornet is once likely to miss out as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.

Where to watch West Ham vs Anderlecht

17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 7.45pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will also be able to watch the match online via the BT Sport website or app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Welcome

15:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of West Ham’s Europa Conference League group stage game against Anderlecht.

Kick-off inside the London Stadium is at 8pm BST.