West Ham came from behind to beat Serbian league leaders TSC Backa Topola 3-1 in their Europa League group-stage opener.
The Hammers won the European Conference League last season and were expecting a comfortable night at the London Stadium, but a howler from Angelo Ogbonna allowed Petar Stanic to put the visitors ahead straight after the break.
West Ham failed to show an immediate response, but new signing Mohammed Kudus — on his first start for the club — came to the rescue, putting the hosts in front after an own goal Nemanja Petrovic. A goal from substitute Tomas Soucek made it 3-1 with eight minutes left to play.
Dom Smith was at the London Stadium assessing the West Ham performances…
Lukasz Fabianski — 6
Made two decent saves, and was otherwise a spectator — until TSC pounced after the break.
Thilo Kehrer — 7
Had one excellent low shot saved by goalkeeper Nikola Simic and impressed.
Konstantinos Mavropanos — 7
A strong first start from the Greek. Could have scored with a glancing header.
Angelo Ogbonna — 4
Much too easily pressed into the corner of his own half when Sasa Jovanovic closed in on him in the first half, and then forgot the balls existed as Stanic robbed him and ran on to score.
Aaron Cresswell — 5
Passed much too safely in the first half and was axed at the break.
Pablo Fornals — 6
Carried the ball well for West Ham. As expected, looked a much better player than those marking him closely.
James Ward-Prowse — 7
His stellar corner delivery garnered assists for Kudus and for Soucek.
Lucas Paqueta — 7
Made a lively start and was involved in much of West Ham’s build-up throughout the match. Smart decision-making and cute touches.
Mohammed Kudus — 8
Was West Ham’s most vibrant player and turned the game on its head. Played a role in Petrovic’s own goal, before his strike gave the Hammers the lead.
Danny Ings — 6
Stung the gloves of Simic in first half. Was isolated at moments, though that wasn’t his fault.
Said Benrahma — 6
Had one wayward shot in first half, but his key involvement was crafting Kudus’s crucial equaliser with excellent play down the left.
Subs:
Emerson (Cresswell, 46’) — 6
Couple of nice touches. Did his job well.
Michail Antonio (Fornals, 61’) — 6
Had a couple of chances to score, but this was Kudus’s night.
Tomas Soucek (Ings, 77’) — N/A
Wasn’t on long enough to get a rating, but scored a really well-taken third for West Ham from a corner.
Maxwel Cornet (Paqueta, 86’) — N/A
Subs not used: Areola, Anang, Johnson, Zouma, Coufal, Aguerd, Coventry, Mubama
