Europa LeagueWest Ham United 1-0 Olympiacos
Thursday, 9th November 2023
by James Haley
West Ham started the game positively when Said Benrahma had a long-range effort. Although he had good intent in making the shot, passing to Jarrod Bowen or Lucas Paqueta was probably the better option.
Olympiacos created their first chance of the game when Kostas Fortounis's corner found Sotiris Alexandropoulos at the front post, but Paqueta did well to block.Said Benrahma had a second chance to score when Paqueta found him in space in the box but the Algerian couldn't quite get the ball out of his feet and the shot was comfortably saved by Alexandros Paschalakis.
A controversial moment came on the 19th minute when the referee handed Edson Alvarez a yellow card for a brilliant challenge on the halfway line. This was one of many poor decisions from the referee on the night.
Benrahma had his third shot of the game when Paqueta found him once again in the box but the shot was parried by Paschalakis. Meanwhile the Hammers were finding joy from corners, especially Nayef Aguerd, who had three attempts from corners with the most dangerous one coming when he nodded just wide of the post.
The second half started quietly with the first chance coming when the visitors' Mady Camara's effort from long range hit the corner flag.
The Irons' first chance of the second half arrived when Bowen created some space on the left and pulled the ball back for James Ward-Prowse, whose half-volley attempt was straight at the 'keeper.
This was the start of a period of domination for the Hammers; Benrahma had another shot from a Vladimir Coufal cross which was deflected.
Then came the opening goal when Ward-Prowse exquisitely clipped the ball into the box for Paqueta, who calmly volleyed the ball past the goalkeeper. The goal was initially ruled out, but after a lengthy wait, the goal was given by VAR and Paqueta could celebrate again.
West Ham were unfortunate not to double their lead when Ward-Prowse's perfect free-kick found Konstantinos Mavropanos, but the Greek defender's finish was poor.
Olympiacos had a massive chance to equalise in the final minute of normal time when a Jackson Porozo flick-on found Camara at the back post, but he could only hit the post with his header.
That brief scare aside, the Hammers never really looked like conceding and Olympiacos didn't have a shot on target in the entire game. Paqueta's goal was the highlight of a poor match, which ended 1-0 to West Ham.
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Click to view all West Ham United vs Olympiacos match reports Click to view all match reports by James Haley Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Lukasz FabianskiEasy game for Fabs, as he didn't have much to do.
Vladimir Coufal
Did well to deal with the threat of Daniel Podence and also provided an attacking threat.
Emerson Palmieri
Wasn't at his usual best in the game but still linked up well with Paqueta.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Some poor moments in the game like when he lost the ball in his own half which led to a counter-attack.
Nayef Aguerd
Didn't put a foot wrong in the game.
James Ward-Prowse
Brilliant assist for the goal and back to his best with his set-piece deliveries.
Edson Alvarez
Played well defensively but his passing was inconsistent.
Said Benrahma
His decision-making was poor as he was involved in many attacks but didn't make the most out of them.
Mohammed Kudus
His worst game in a West Ham shirt as his end product wasn't great and he got marked out the game by Olympiacos.
Lucas Paqueta
Great finish for the winner but in the game he didn't really provide any impact.
Jarrod Bowen
Didn't look like the same player that played up-front against Arsenal but did look better when he moved out to the wing.
Substitutes
Tomas Soucek(Replaced Alvarez 80) Came on to see out the game and did just that.
Maxwel Cornet
(Replaced Benrahma 84) Didn't provide any impact for the limited time he came on.
Divin Mubama
(Replaced Kudus 89) Came on too late to judge.
Alphonse Areola
Did not play.
Ben Johnson
Did not play.
Aaron Cresswell
Did not play.
Pablo Fornals
Did not play.
Michail Antonio
Did not play. Other unused subs: Joseph Anang, Angelo Ogbonna, Thilo Kehrer
Danny Ings
Did not play. Other unused subs: Joseph Anang, Angelo Ogbonna, Thilo Kehrer
Match Facts
West Ham United: Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Emerson Palmieri, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Nayef Aguerd, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Said Benrahma, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen.Goals: Lucas Paqueta 73 .
Booked: Edson ALvarez 19 Mohammed Kudus 28 Jarrod Bowen 90 .
Sent off: None.
Olympiacos: Paschalakis, Rodinei, Porozo, Retsos, Ortega, Hezze (Pep Biel 89), Alexandropoulos (Scarpa 76), Camara, Podence, Jovetić (El Kaabi 56), Fortounis.
Subs not used: Tzolakis, Papadoudis, Iborra, El-Arabi, Quini, Masouras, Joāo Carvalho, Ntoi, Solbakken.
Goals: .
Booked: Podence (37), Porozo (83), Fortunis (90+2), Camara (90+4).
Sent off: None.
Referee: Matej Jug.
Attendance: 55,811.
Man of the Match: James Ward-Prowse.