West Ham United extended their club record run of successive European victories to seven with a comfortable 1-0 win over Silkeborg IF. In the process, the Hammers claim top spot in UEFA Europa Conference League Group B with a game to spare.An unlikely draw between Anderlecht and FCSB handed Silkeborg the chance to claim a first-ever European knockout place with a win over West Ham. However, after some patient probing, the Hammers had the lead. Saïd Benrahma slipped in Michail Antonio, who was upended by Nicolai Larsen in the box, allowing Manuel Lanzini to dispatch his second spot-kick of the season. With UECL progression already assured, the hosts remained in control of the contest, taking their 1-0 lead into the break.West Ham Lanzini Penalty crowd goal reactio v Silkeborg https://t.co/zcmbdHr5lh via @YouTube @WestHam #coyi #westham #whufc #lanzini pic.twitter.com/4UdddEhKkP— Jas – West Ham Irons Channel (@JasWestHam) October 27, 2022 Early in the second period, Pablo Fornals sent a close-range effort wide as West Ham looked to add to their lead. Benrahma continued to threaten the Silkeborg goal as he had done all evening, but to no avail. A low-key affair trundled towards its seemingly inevitable conclusion, as David Moyes made a host of changes to freshen things up. Late on, Tonni Adamsen caused a brief moment of panic for the hosts with a run-in behind, but the contest remained devoid of many talking points as the game petered out.West Ham continue their 100% UECL record this season, having now won six consecutive competitive games at home in a single campaign for the first time since January 1998. Meanwhile, Silkeborg remain second in Group B, one point ahead of Anderlecht, and needing to avoid defeat to the Belgian side in a straight shoot-out for UECL progression.Elsewhere, Hapoel Be’er Sheva spoiled Quique Setién’s bow as Villarreal manager as they came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw. A spirited performance kept the Camels in contention to qualify for the knockout stages, needing results to go their way on matchday six to secure progression.Villarreal have been settling into their temporary new home well recently, winning six of their last seven games as hosts. The Yellow Submarine entered the post-Emery era in dominant fashion, controlling the first half but were left frustrated in their efforts to make the breakthrough. Samuel Chukwueze ought to have scored within the opening 15 minutes, first firing into the near post before his rebound was denied by the bar.On the other side, Arnaut Danjuma was next to step up to try and break the deadlock but Omri Glazer was standing in his way. The Dutchman spurned a huge chance after stealing in behind, firing at the near post before the Hapoel goalkeeper tipped over.Villarreal’s wastefulness would be punished almost immediately after the restart. Within 52 seconds of kick-off, Helder Lopes’ low cross was blocked by the outstretched arm of Aissa Mandi, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Toner Hemed stepped up and confidently dispatched from the spot, giving the visitors a surprise lead.The Israelis’ lead would last less than 10 minutes though, as a failure to clear an attack cost them dearly. Alberto Moreno picked up the loose ball on the edge of the area and found Chukwueze, who unleashed a first-time shot that proved too good for Glazer in the Hapoel goal. It didn’t take Villarreal long to then take the lead for the first time on the night through the ever-dangerous Danjuma, who showed tremendous trickery to beat a man before firing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.With Villarreal now ahead, all roads lead to a home victory, but the visitors refused to lie down and equalised sensationally. Sagiv Yehezkel’s mazy dribble punctured the heart of the Yellow Submarine’s defence before slotting past Pepe Reina to stun the home faithful. The Spaniards dropped points for the first time in the group stage this term, but are already guaranteed to progress to the last 16.CONFERENCE LEAGUEGroup stage – Round 5ThursdayNice – Partizan 2-1 (1-0)/Pepe 29, Lemina 77 – Gomes 74/Slovacko – Koln 0-0 INTERRUPTEDAustria Vienna – Lech Poznan 1-1 (0-0)/Keles 70 – Ishak 48/Anderlecht – FCSB 2-2 (1-0)/Verschaeren 38, Vertonghen 75 – Compagno 60, Dawa 82/Vaduz – AZ Alkmaar 1-2 (0-0)/Hasler 77 – Kerkez 50, van Brederode 75/Fiorentina – Basaksehir 2-1 (1-1)/Jovic 26, 62 – Aleksic 14/Villareal – Hapoel B.S. 2-2 (0-0)/Chukwueze 57, Danjuma 70 – Hemed 48 pen, Yehezkel 79/Shamrock – Gent 1-1 (1-0)/Gaffney 3 – Hong Hyun-seok 74/Ballkani – Slavia Praha 0-1 (0-0)/Lingr 75/Hearts – Rigas 2-1 (2-1)/Shankland 3, Halliday 12 – Friesebichler 39/Sivasspor – Cluj 3-0 (1-0)/Yatabare 22, 73, Gradel 64/Basel – Zalgiris 2-2 (2-1)/Diouf 1, Zeqiri 17 – Oyewusi 42, 62/West Ham – Silkeborg 1-0 (1-0)/Lanzini 24 pen/Slovan B. – Pyunik 2-1 (0-0)/Kashia 84, Ramirez 85 – Cociuc 64 pen/Molde – Djurgarden 2-3 (2-1)/Brynhildsen 5, Kaasa 21 – Edvardsen 44, Asoro 67, Radetinac 76/Dnipro-1 – Apollon Lim 1-0 (1-0)/Pikhalyonok 39/***odds are subject to change***🔝 Three teams remain unbeaten in the group stages:🏴 West Ham🇪🇸 Villarreal🇸🇪 Djurgården#UECL pic.twitter.com/cWyjnuzexH— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) October 27, 2022 ©FlashScore
