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West Ham United 2-2 Athletico Bilbao 

Saturday, 3rd August 2019
by Staff Writer

West Ham's pre-season programme ended in defeat after United lost a penalty shootout against visitors Bilbao in today's annual Betway Cup fixture.

The Hammers fought back from two behind to take the match into a spot kick competition. However misses from Javier Hernandez and Grady Diangana meant that Yuri Berchiche's strike was enough to win the Cup for today's visitors.

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West Ham, featuring new signings Sebastien Haller and Pablo Fornals - both of whom were making their first appearance at the London Olympic Stadium - got off to the worst possible start by conceding inside the opening 80 seconds.

A low cross to the near post should've been dealt with by the new ??40million signing, but Haller shanked his clearance instead and the ball spun into West Ham's net, with substitute goalkeeper Roberto rendered helpless.

West Ham found themselves further adrift when Inaki Williams doubled the La Liga club's advantage with the game still less than quarter-of-an-hour old. Roberto, standing in for the injured Lukasz Fabianski might feel he could've done better with the shot.

However Bilbao's two-goal lead was to last for just seven minutes as West Ham's comeback began. Haller, seeking to atone for his earlier error crossed low from a wide right position and found fellow new signing Fornals, whose overhead kick was met by Manuel Lanzini's goal-bound strike.

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And in what was a breathtaking opening the Hammers levelled the scores just two minutes later through Jack Wilshere. Good work on the left from Haller saw him deliver a low cross to the edge of the penalty box, which was met by the midfielder who fired low into the right-hand corner.

Although there were to be no further goals in regulation time, substitute Grady Diangana will feel that he should've perhaps completed what would've been a remarkable turnaround.

However the young winger failed to find the target despite being completely unmarked for fellow sub Andriy Yarmolenko's near-post cross, which Diangana could only send over the bar with the Bilbao goal at his mercy.

That meant this year's Betway Cup would be decided on penalties, and misses from Hernandez and Diangana meant that Bilbao - who only missed once (through Ibai Gomez) - allowed Berchiche to score the winning spot kick.

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Player Ratings

Roberto Jimenez Gago
Little he could've done about Haller's shank but might've been quicker down for the second goal. Didn't get close to any of Bilbao's five spot kicks (including the one that hit the post).


Ryan Fredericks
Very effective on the right flank in the opening half. However it's his defensive ability that is of more concern - and will be fully tested next week at Manchester City.


Aaron Cresswell
Today's captain put in some decent crosses but lost possession unnecessaily once or twice.


Issa Diop
Looked fairly solid throughout and distributed the ball well.


Fabian Balbuena
Good to see him back alongside Diop. Despite conceding twice, the Hammers look more solid as a result.


Declan Rice
Not involved to any great degree, but put in some timely challenges today.


Jack Wilshere
A good run out for Wilshere although he doesn't look completely comfortable in the 'Mark Noble' role. The goal will do him the world of good.


Felipe Anderson
A few nice little runs but not a great deal of end product today from the Brazilian winger.


Manuel Lanzini
The Argentinian looked lively and 'the man most like to' - which indeed he did, by scoring West Ham's first goal of the day.


Pablo Fornals
Always looking to make something happen. Scored United's second. He looks like a great addition to the squad.


Sebastien Haller
Scored on his home debut after just 80 seconds, a shame it was at the wrong end. Atoned for his error by playing a part in both West Ham goals. A promising start.



Substitutes

Michail Antonio
(Replaced Fornals) Worked hard playing on the left side of midfield for scant reward.


Robert Snodgrass
(Replaced Wilshere) A few forays down the left wing and a couple of decent corners, but little time to impress.


Andriy Yarmolenko
(Replaced Anderson) Another decent run-out for a player still feeling his way back to full fitness following last season's horrendous injury.


Angelo Ogbonna
(Replaced Balbuena) Not involved to any great degree as Bilbao's attacks were limited following the Italian's introduction.


Arthur Masuaku
(Replaced Cresswell) A couple of attacks down the left wing were his only notable involvements.


Javier Hernandez
(Replaced Haller) Saw a decent chance to win the game in regulation time well saved then proceeded to miss his penalty in the shootout.


Grady Diangana
(Replaced 77) Missed the best chance of the second half when he snatched at a header and like Hernandez, fluffed his penalty in the shootout. * Other subs used: Carlos Sanchez (Rice 77); Pablo Zabaleta (Fredericks 82).



Match Facts

West Ham United: Roberto Jimenez Gago, Ryan Fredericks, Aaron Cresswell, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena, Declan Rice, Jack Wilshere, Felipe Anderson, Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals, Sebastien Haller.

Goals: Manuel Lanzini 21 Jack Wilshere 23                .

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

Athletico Bilbao: Herrerín, Capa, Núñez, Yeray, Yuri, Dani García, Unai López, Muniain, Raúl García, Córdoba, Williams.

Subs not used: .

Goals: Haller (og 2), Williams (14) .

Booked: .

Sent off: None.

Referee: Michael Oliver.

Attendance: 38,873.

Man of the Match: Sebastien Haller.