Eight West Ham United loanees were in action over the weekend across Europe, with two making vital contributions to close-run wins.
Emmanuel Longelo kicked off the weekend in style, netting a superbly taken finish as Birmingham City beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0.
The resurgent Blues claimed an unexpected scalp over high-flying QPR, with the home side taking an early lead through Arsenal loanee Austin Trusty.
Longelo’s finish came just before the half-hour mark when a sweeping move saw the ball end up with the full-back on the flank. The Academy graduate cut inside and drilled a fantastic finish into the bottom right corner for his first goal in senior football.
The victory over promotion-chasing QPR put Birmingham City into the top-half of the EFL Championship table.
Hammers loan watch! 👀⚒️
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 28, 2022
Manny Longelo just scored this beauty for Birmingham 👇pic.twitter.com/cdeWWAphwI
Nikola Vlašić also had a crucial role to play in a win for his loan side, with the Croatian providing the assist for Torino’s winning goal against AC Milan.
Title-chasing Milan were in fine form prior to facing Torino, but the home side took the lead on 35 minutes when Koffi Djidji headed home.
Vlasic’s moment came just two minutes later as his calm lay-off allowed Aleksei Miranchuk to fire home from just outside the penalty area.
Milan tried to battle back, netting midway through the second half thanks to Junior Messias’ curling finish, but Torino and Vlašić were able to hold on for a big win.
Arthur Masuaku continued his fine run of form for Beşiktaş J.K, as the Turkish side claimed a 5-2 Super Lig win over Ümraniyespor.
Former Everton striker Cenk Tosun put the home side in front on five minutes from the penalty spot, before former Burnley attacker Wout Weghorst added a second.
Ümraniyespor sought to fight back through Yonathan Del Valle’s strike late in the first half and Durel Avounou’s finish on 57 minutes, but Tayyib Talha Sanuc scored a third for Beşiktas before Tosun and Weghorst each added a second to their respective personal tallies.
Masuaku was substituted at the start of the second half, making way for fellow defender Umut Meras. The DR Congo international has made 12 league appearances on loan so far this season.
In EFL League One, Mipo Odubeko was in the starting XI for Port Vale as they ran out 1-0 winners over Lincoln City.
Blackburn Rovers loanee Daniel Butterworth scored the only goal of the game, reacting to Odubeko’s first-time strike – which was saved – to poke home.
Victory moves Odubeko and Port Vale up to 12th in the League One Table.
Young goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge completes the starters among the West Ham loanees at the weekend, with the shot-stopper keeping a clean-sheet for Harrow Borough in a 2-0 win at home to Hayes & Yeading United.
Knightbridge was called into action early on to deny Liddle’s low effort, before Harrow took the lead thanks to George Moore’s finish.
Montel Brown added Harrow’s second with a precise volley on 65 minutes, ensuring the side’s progression through the first two rounds of the FA Trophy for only the third time in 22 years.
Finally, three young Irons made substitute showings for their respective loan clubs in 1-1 draws.
Armstrong Okoflex came off the bench for Swansea City in a hard-fought EFL Championship clash away to Bristol City, Thierry Nevers was introduced as a substitute in Newport County’s late draw at Northampton Town, and Dan Chesters was utilised from the bench as Colchester United were held at home by Stevenage Town.
