Pablo Fornals scored twice as West Ham completed the Europa Conference League group stage with a perfect record by beating FCSB in Romania. With top spot in Group B and a place in the last 16 already assured, manager David Moyes opted to give some of West Ham’s promising youngsters a chance to shine and they made the most of the opportunity by contributing a dominant display. But it was the experienced Fornals who made the difference as his brace helped secure a sixth win from six group games. Fornals scored their first goal before the break with a ferocious drive before 18-year-old debutant Divin Mubama’s header was tipped over by Joyskim Dawa. Fornals completed the impressive win by sweeping home his side’s third midway through the second half. “We came here to do our best because this is our chance,” Fornals told BT Sport. “I’m very happy for all the players because it’s important for us too, not only individually but also for the rest of the players in the team because they know we’re strong.”
West Ham’s youngsters are taking their chance
With nothing at stake in this game, Moyes fielded a very young squad with Mubama joined in the starting line-up by midfielder Oscar Scarles, who made his debut aged just 16 years and 326 days. In addition, there were midfielders Conor Coventry, 22, and Flynn Downes, 23, and 22-year-old full-back Ben Johnson, along with the club’s more experienced players. Downs has consistently impressed in this contest, but everyone brought energy and hunger to a game that could easily have been played as a preseason friendly given the lack of something to play for. Despite his age, Scarles played with real maturity down the left and delivered plenty of dangerous crosses, and the highlight really should have been a goal for 18-year-old Mubama. Although he initially celebrated West Ham’s second as his own after powering a cross towards goal, it was later given to FCSB’s Dawa as he tried in vain to clear the line. But that will be the only disappointment on a night that should be seen as a huge success for the club’s youth development. “Hopefully we’ll put future pressure on the first-team boys. All the boys played really well,” Moyes said. “They have a great spirit in the Under-23s. There is a great spirit at West Ham and everyone is delighted for these young players. “Everybody wants a chance, you just hope they take it and I thought they did tonight.” Player of the match FornalsPablo Fornals
FCSB
West Ham United
Lining up
FCSB
4-3-3 formation 32 Târnovanu 28Pantea5Dawa29Bouhenna33Radunovic 26Oaida20Dulca18Edjouma 98Cordea96Compagno10Popescu
32 Târnovanu 28 Pants 5 Dawa 29 Buenna 33 Radunovic 26 Oaida Change for Olaruat in the 45′ 20 Dulka replaced Radaslavesquat in the 45th minute 18 Etzuma 98 Substitution of Cordea for Stoicaat at 45′ 96CompagnoSubstitution for Rusuat at 59′ minutes 10 Popescu changed for Comanat at 60′
Substitutes
2Crete 7 Command 9 Stoic 13 Doumites 22 Bobok 27 Olaru 80 Radaslavescu 90 Russian 99 Vlad
West Ham
3-4-3 formation 13 Areola 2 Johnson27Aguerd21Ogbonna 5Coufal32Coventry10Lanzini68Scarles 12Downes72Mubama8Fornals
13 Areola 2 Johnson Change for Keseyat in 77′ 27 AguerdBook in 32 minutes 21 Ogbonna 5 Koufal Change for Asbiat in 66′ 32 Coventry 10 What time 68 ScarlesReservation at 73 minutes 12 Downes Change for Appiah-Forsonat in 66′ minutes 72 MumbamaReservation at 71 minutesSubstitution for Simon-Swyerat in the 77th minute 8 Fornals Change for Pottsat at 66′ minutes
Substitutes
35 Randolph 47Hegyi 50 Ashby 58 Simon-Swyer 59Appiah-Forson 62 Pots 65 Forbes 70 Casey 71 Clayton 75 Orford
