West Ham’s European marketing campaign started with a 3-1 win in opposition to Romanian aspect FCSB in a match solely performed attributable to issues over fan security.
The opening Europa Conference League Group B encounter went forward on the London Stadium regardless of the information of the Queen’s loss of life, following route from the Football Association and UEFA.
There have been talks between the governing our bodies and West Ham about calling the sport off.
But it was determined that with hundreds of supporters, together with 3,000 from Romania, already within the stadium when the announcement from Buckingham Palace got here, that the match ought to go forward.
So, within the coronary heart of the Olympic Park named after Queen Elizabeth, there was a minute’s reflection earlier than kick-off and a spontaneous refrain of God Save The Queen from the gang, whereas gamers from each golf equipment wore black armbands.
Then targets from Jarrod Bowen, Emerson Palmieri and Michail Antonio ensured West Ham, twice knocked out of the Europa League by Romanian aspect Astra Giurgiu in 2015 and 2016, got here from behind to beat a workforce mendacity thirteenth within the nation’s Liga 1.
FCSB, previously a part of one-time European Cup winners Steaua Bucharest, took a shock lead within the thirty fourth minute when Darius Olaru acquired free down West Ham’s right-hand aspect and whipped in a low cross which Andrei Cordea tapped in on the far submit.
The Hammers ought to have equalised earlier than half-time when Flynn Downes performed in Gianluca Scamacca however the big-money Italian signing skewed his shot effectively broad.
Boss David Moyes made a triple substitution on the break with Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and report signing Lucas Paqueta changing Said Benrahma, Manuel Lanzini and Scamacca.
They equalised within the sixty fifth minute when Cornet challenged FCSB keeper Stefan Tarnovanu for a excessive ball and French referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot.
Cornet needed to go off after receiving prolonged remedy earlier than Bowen stepped as much as rifle the penalty excessive into the web.
Nine minutes later former Chelsea defender Emerson pounced following a goalmouth scramble, and with a minute remaining Antonio burst by way of the FCSB defence to wrap up the victory.
The Hammers are attributable to journey to Danish aspect Silkeborg for his or her second group-stage match on Thursday.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk