Europa Conference League: West Ham pick up first-leg win

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West Ham United 3 - 1 Viborg FF

Gianluca Scamacca scored his first West Ham goal as they beat Danish side Viborg in their Europa Conference League play-off first leg at London Stadium.

The Italian forward, a £30.5m signing from Sassuolo, was handed his first start and took just 24 minutes to make an impact when he headed in following neat play on the left from fellow new arrival Maxwel Cornet.

UEFA Europa Conference League 2022/23 - Play-off Round, 1st leg - West Ham United 3:1 Viborg FF - London Stadium, London - August 18, 2022

West Ham players celebrate - Picture from Football Pictures | Flickr

It set the hosts on their way to a first victory this season, having lost their opening two Premier League games without scoring a goal.

Jarrod Bowen zipped a second into the bottom corner from distance with 26 minutes to go. However, the visitors hit back immediately through Jakob Bonde's header.

That almost made life uncomfortable for the Hammers until Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio combined for the latter to tap into an empty net and secure a healthy advantage going into the second leg.

That second leg will take place in Viborg next Thursday, with the winners joining the group stage of the competition when it begins on 8 September.

Highlights

You can watch the highlights of the match in the video below. Footage from West Ham United FC - YouTube

Lachie Peterson commented on that YouTube video: "Everything we needed to see, we saw in this game. Scamacca and cornet linkup, Antonio showing the impact he will have off the bench when he can go 100% for 20 mins and Jarrod Bowen proving he didn’t go anywhere. COYI!"

Another added: "Nice to see Benrahma showing up again. Hopefully, he can start delivering what we know he's capable Not the most exhilarating match but an efficient performance."

West Ham's next match is a Premier League match against Brighton.

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