1. Scamacca hits his fourth goal in Europe
If you needed any more convincing, Scamacca is up and running in Claret & Blue.
Brought into the action with 20 minutes to be played alongside Declan Rice and Lucas Paquetá, Scamacca struck the decisive goal at Lotto Park.
Found by Lucas Paquetá, the Hammers No7 converted his fourth European strike of the season from inside the area with eleven minutes to play – the first goal Anderlecht had conceded in Group B – to continue the Irons' perfect start in continental competition.
Two in two matches this week; will more come against Fulham on Sunday?
2. Alphonse Areola’s save to ensure the points
A few clips have caught the action of the Claret & Blue Army from the Anderlecht win, but for all the attacking quality it was Alphonse Areola’s save that made the difference.
Our fifth European victory this term was indebted not just to Scamacca, but also to Areola, who had little action in the second half to that point, but showed his concentration levels had not dipped by diving to his right to stop a powerful Fabio Silva header from point-blank range. It was a ridiculous stop to ensure the points, and that the Hammers took a huge step towards the Europa Conference League knockouts.
David Moyes’ outfit are now clear at the top of Group B, with a five-point advantage over second-placed Anderlecht halfway through the group stage.
3. Ben Johnson’s return with a clean sheet
Ben Johnson made his return to action as West Ham United took on Anderlecht at Lotto Park.
The Hammers No2 had been out since he sustained an injury in West Ham’s 1-0 win at Villa Park in August.
Johnson recently made his return to full training and was pleased to be part of a Hammers defence that kept a first clean sheet of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.
He said: “It was really good to get a full game under my belt. It’s been four weeks out, so to come back in a winning team again is a great feeling.”
4. Lucas Paquetá makes the difference
It wasn’t bad, was it?
As bits of skill go it was right up there. When Declan Rice swung the ball out to the right-hand side, Lucas Paquetá plucked the ball out of the sky with ease. A delicious, flicked touch - and the tricks to follow. The reaction of the bench said it all.
Lucas Paquetá also registered his first assist in Claret & Blue, picking out Scamacca, who netted the winner at Anderlecht.
Cresswell's reaction to this touch from Paquetá... 😂#UEL pic.twitter.com/fimPQKU55U
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 6, 2022
5. Angelo Ogbonna stands in as skipper
Angelo Ogbonna captained the Hammers for the third time across his Claret & Blue career.
The Italy defender was called into action and responded well to deter Fabio Silva. Ogbonna reacted as the striker, on loan from Wolves, burst into the area shortly before half time, managing to poke the ball away to safety.
Alongside Ben Johnson and Craig Dawson, Ogbonna was part of a back-three that kept a second consecutive clean sheet at Lotto Park.
