Genk 2-2 West Ham: Player ratings as late own goal denies Hammers a comeback win

West Ham were denied a fourth consecutive Europa League win by a late own goal from Tomas Soucek, having earlier come from behind against a stubborn Genk side in Belgium.

Said Benrahma looked as though he would be the hero of the night, scoring both West Ham goals in the second half, before the late Genk equaliser ensured the points would be shared.

The Hammers hadn’t even conceded in their opening three games of the competition. But they were caught napping in the early stages of the game when Genk forward Joseph Paintsil raced across Issa Diop and fired past Alphonse Areola, who did get a decent hand on the shot.

David Moyes’ side, which had been subject to some rotation, wasn’t at its best in the first half. There were flashes of what they are capable of here and there, yet something was lacking.

Michail Antonio saw the best of the first half chances, with his effort towards the end of the opening 45 minutes only partially saved and then desperately cleared off the line as it slowly trickled in the direction of the net.

Whatever was said in the dressing room during the interval, it was better after the break.

Eventually Moyes made a triple substitution, putting Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Soucek into the game just before the hour mark. Within seconds, Benrahma had put them back on level terms, sweeping home a low cross from Vladimir Coufal on the right.

From then on it was all West Ham and they were well worth their second goal to go into the lead. Benrahma, who was his team’s most obvious threat all night, danced his way through Genk defenders on the left side of the penalty area and fired in low at the near post.

In the final moments of the game however, Genk pulled a fortunate goal back, courtesy of Soucek - who headed into his own net.

It looked as though the Hammers would get the win, only for Soucek to inadvertently divert the ball into his own net in the closing stages as he tried to cut out with his head. There was a late rally to try and get back ahead but 2-2 was how it finished.

West Ham player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Alphonse Areola (GK) - 6/10 - Will know he should have done better with Genk's opener. But he did make good saves thereafter.

Vladimir Coufal (RB) - 7/10 - The Hammers looked better when he got forward in support of the attack

Issa Diop (CB) - 5/10 - Caught napping when Paintsil ran across him to score the opening goal.

Craig Dawson (CB) - 6/10 - Good in the air in both boxes.

Aaron Cresswell (LB) - 6/10 - Had a few good forays forward, particularly in the early stages of the second half.

2. Midfielders

Declan Rice (CM) - 6/10 - Managed himself and the game well considering he took a booking in the first half.

Mark Noble (CM) - 6/10 - Hardly gave the ball away, although the team had more about them in an attacking sense after he went off.

Said Benrahma (RM) - 8/10 - Looked the most likely West Ham player to unlock the Genk defence. It was fitting that he got the equaliser, while his second was a sublime solo effort.

Manuel Lanzini (AM) - 6/10 - Posed occasional threats but will perhaps be disappointed he didn't make more of this chance.

Arthur Masuaku (LM) - 5/10 - Not enough of an impact and was hooked in under an hour.

3. Forward

Michail Antonio (ST) - 6/10 - Threatening with the ball at his feet driving forward. Went very close in the closing stages of the first half, but probably lacked clinical quality overall.

4. Substitutes

Tomas Soucek (CM) - 6/10 - Made West Ham better when he came on but was left ruing a freak own goal as he tried to cut out a cross.

Jarrod Bowen (ST) - 6/10 - Effectively took up a 'false nine' role.

Pablo Fornals (LM) - 5/10 - Arguably made less of an impact than Lanzini.

Alex Kral (CM) - N/A - Late arrival off the bench.

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