FCSB 0-3 West Ham United: Pablo Fornals scores twice in Hammers win
By Gary Rose BBC Sport
Date published: 3 November 2022

THU 03 Nov 2022 Europa Conference League - Group B
FCSB 0
West Ham United 3 Fornals (40', 65'), Dawa (56' og) Assists Johnson (40')
FTHT 0-1

Pablo Fornals scored twice as West Ham finished 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 to a dominant display.

But it was the experienced Fornals who made the telling difference, his double helping to secure a sixth win from six group games. Fornals scored his first before the break with a fierce drive before a header by 18-year-old debutant Divin Mubama was turned over his line by Joyskim Dawa. Fornals rounded off 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 am really happy for all the players because it is important for us as well, not just individually but also for the rest of the players in the team because they know we are strong."

West Ham youngsters grasp their opportunity
With nothing at stake in this game, Moyes fielded a very youthful side with Mubama joined in the first XI by midfielder Oliver Scarles, who was making his debut at the age of 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, joined by a sprinkling of the club's more experienced players.

Downes has consistently impressed in this competition, but they all brought energy and hunger into a game that could easily have played out like a pre-season friendly, given the lack of anything to play for. Despite his age, Scarles played with real maturity on the left and provided a number of dangerous crosses, and the crowning moment really should have been a goal for 18-year-old Mubama. Although he initially celebrated what was West Ham's second as his own after heading a cross powerfully towards goal, it was later given to FCSB's Dawa as he tried in vain to clear off the line.

But that will be the only disappointment on a night that should be a seen as a huge success for the club's youth development. "Hopefully we are getting future pressure on the boys in the first team. 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 pleased for these young players. "Everybody wants an opportunity, you just hope they can grab it and I thought they did tonight."

Player of the match Pablo Fornals
Ratings 8 Fornals 8.51; 12 Downes 8.33; 68 Scarles 8.27; 27 Aguerd 8.12; 72 Mubama 7.94; 21 Ogbonna 7.92; 13 Areola 7.86; 32 Coventry 7.79; 50 Ashby 7.64; 10 Lanzini 7.60; 5 Coufal 7.59; 59 Appiah-Forson 7.57; 62 Potts 7.54; 58 Simon-Swyer 7.53; 70 Casey 7.52; 2 Johnson 7.51

Daily Mail: MATCH FACTS AND WEST HAM RATINGS
FCSB: (4-3-3) Tarnovanu; Pantea, Dawa, Bouhenna, Radunovic; Edjouma, Dulca (Radaslavescu 46), Oaida (Olaru 46); Cordea (Stoica 46), Compagno (Rusu 59), Octavian Popescu (Coman 59)
Subs not used: Vlad (GK); Cretu, Dumiter, Boboc
Goals: None
Bookings: None
Coach: Mihai Pintilii
WEST HAM: (3-4-3) Areola 7; Johnson 7.5 (Casey 77), Aguerd 7, Ogbonna 7; Coufal 7 (Ashby 67, 6.5), Coventry 7, Lanzini 7, Scarles 8.5; Downes 8 (Forson 68, 6.5), Mubama 8 (Swyer 77), Fornals 8 (Potts 67, 6.5)
Subs not used: Randolph (GK), Hegyi (GK); Clayton, Forbes, Orford
Goals: Fornals (40, 65), Dawa (OG 56)
Bookings: Aguerd (32), Mubama (71), Scarles (73)
Coach: David Moyes 7
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
Man of the Match: Oliver Scarles (West Ham)
Venue: Arena Nationala (Bucharest)
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