Lucas Paqueta scored the winning goal for West Ham, but only after VAR intervened to secure a very important 1-0 win over Olympiakos in the Europa League.
David Moyes’ side need just one point from their last two games against Backa Topola and Freiburg to finish at least second in Group A, and four to secure the top spot, but they will play in Europe in some form in the new year. .
West Ham struggled to bring Olympiakos down until James Ward-Prowse made a precise pass over the opposition defence in the 73rd minute, which he cleared through Pacqueta, who ruled offside until VAR intervened.
The visitors scored a point behind when Mady Camara sent a point-blank header onto the post from a corner.
There was a tense atmosphere at the London stadium with Group A on the line. Saïd Benrahma tried to cheer up the crowd with a curling shot into the most sensitive right corner that had to be saved by Alexandros Paschalakis.
West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd caused trouble from three corners, sending two headers wide and straight at the goalkeeper.
Benrahma was again denied by Paschalakis, while Lukasz Fabianski, at the other end of the pitch, kept his cool and only saw Daniel Podence’s volley deflected.
The hosts were more patient with the ball in the second half, but created fewer chances. West Ham didn’t see Ward-Prowse block a goal until the 63rd minute before Paqueta broke the deadlock.
Ward-Prowse’s best pass came through a sweet first volley from Paqueta, whose celebrations were interrupted by the offside flag but then reactivated by VAR.
West Ham, however, were freed up by Olympiakos when Jackson Porozo took a corner and Camara, unmarked, ducked to direct the ball against the left post.
West Ham manager David Moyes told TNT Sports: “I’m pleased that we got this result because it was the most important thing. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked, but Olympiakos are a decent team, a well-experienced team. “European team. A team that is used to going back and participating in those competitions, even more than us.
“We created maximum productive chances, they didn’t have many chances to score. It was a bit tricky at the end, but other than that we controlled the chances as much as possible.
“It was a great ball from James (Ward-Prowse) and also the finish. We’d have a couple of opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of. We haven’t had many yet, in those games you don’t have too many.
“Luckily Lucas (Paqueta) scored. I’m also pleased with him because there are a lot of things he does that go unnoticed. Tonight he did a lot of things that weren’t as smart as I was. “I would have liked to, but the purpose made up for it. “
Hayden Mullins, Sky Sports: “It was a challenging night for West Ham. Olympiakos executed their game plan very well, they made it difficult for West Ham, there were no real chances for them. They couldn’t gain speed.
“But around the 70th minute they scored a goal. It’s a smart game. The way James Ward-Prowse executes the pass is a step back, then drops it over the defense on a line in the penalty area. He’s a very intelligent player.
“How come Ward-Prowse isn’t being recognised more through Gareth Southgate?It’s hard for him. Every stopped match is a winner. It does its job, it’s very resilient. A fantastic player. “
West Ham’s last game before the foreign break will take place on Sunday when they take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, on Sky Sports; The start will be at 2:00 p. m. Their next Europa League match will be on Thursday, November 30 at Backa Topola.
Olympiakos will face Asteras Tripolis in the Greek Super League on Sunday; The start will be at 6:30 p. m. Their next Europa League match will be on Thursday, November 30 against Freiburg.