By Robert Wheeler
- Arsenal and Manchester United win 1-0 in the Europa League
- West Ham beat Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League
- Heart of Midlothian suffers a 5-1 defeat to Anderlecht
Europe – There were good results for Arsenal and Manchester United in the Europa League and in the Europa Conference League, West Ham was victorious.
Europa League
Gunners shoot down Bodo/Glimt
Bukayo Saka who scored a brace during Arsenal’s win over Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend starred again as he netted the winner against Bodo/Glimt. Saka’s goal came in the 24th minute in the 1-0 win as the ball he clipped in deflected back off him and into the net. Top players create their own luck.
The result leaves Mikel Arteta‘s side top of Group A with nine points. The Premier League leaders play PSV Eindhoven next on the 20 October. This fixture was originally postponed in the wake of the Queen’s passing.
United leave it late
Manchester United defeated Omonia Nicosia 1-0 thanks to an injury-time winner from Scott McTominay. United dominated the match with 78% possession and 34 shots to their opposition’s 3.
However, it was not until the 93rd minute when the substitute McTominay finally found the back of the net for Eric ten Hag‘s side. Jadon Sancho produced a fine piece of skill before he found the Scotsman who had space to turn and finish to spark jubilant scenes in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
The Red Devils are second in Group E only behind Real Sociedad. They face Sheriff Tiraspol on 27 October where they can secure qualification to the knockout stages.
Europa Conference League
Bowen beats the Belgians
Goals from Said Benrahma and Jarod Bowen helped West Ham defeat Anderlecht to maintain their winning streak at the top of Group B with four wins from four games. David Moyes‘ side has now qualified for the knockout stages and they now just need a point in their final two games to progress directly into the last 16.
Benrahma whipped his free-kick into the bottom corner in the 14th minute to give the Hammers the lead. Emerson Palmieri played in Bowen on the half-hour mark where he had time to take a couple of touches before lashing it into the net.
Anderlecht got a consolation late on when the referee awarded a penalty as he deemed Ben Johnson‘s challenge on Sebastiano Esposito to be a foul. Esposito slotted in the spot-kick in the 89th minute but it was too little too late.
West Ham is back in action at the London Stadium on the 27 October when they face Danish side Silkeborg where they could make it five wins from five games in the competition.
Hearts floored by Fiorentina
Heart of Midlothian suffered a 5-1 defeat to Fiorentina which leaves their hopes of qualifying from Group A to the knockout stages in the balance.
Stephen Humphrys came agonisingly close to giving the Scottish side the lead in the very first minute but his shot cannoned back off the post. But just five minutes later Luca Jovic headed in from a Cristiano Biraghi cross to get the Italians underway.
Biraghi then fired in from a free-kick in the 22nd minute to extend his side’s lead. Two more Fiorentina goals followed before half-time both assisted by Cristian Kouame with Nicolas Gonzalez and Antonin Barak finding the back of the net.
Humphrys got one back for Hearts early in the second half when he slotted away after a through ball from Andy Halliday. But the team from Florence responded by making it five. Gonzalez added his second of the night from the penalty spot.
Next up for the Jam Tarts is a trip to Latvia to face FK RFS where Robbie Neilson‘s side is in desperate need of a result if they are to have any hope of continuing in the competition.
Arsenal play on the 20 October and all the other British sides will be back in Europa League and Europa Conference action on the 27th.
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |