Lincoln City 0 West Ham United 1 Soucek (70')
EFL Cup - Third Round FTHT 0-0
By Marissa ThomasBBC Sport
Last published: 27 September 2023

Lincoln City 0-1 West Ham: Hammers beat League One opposition

Premier League West Ham edged out League One Lincoln City to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The Hammers broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, when Tomas Soucek made a late run into the box to get on the end of Said Benrahma's corner.

Lincoln were made to rue the numerous chances they squandered in the first half - and Alex Mitchell had a close-range effort ruled out for offside after West Ham failed to deal with a long throw.

Reeco Hackett-Fairchild had Lincoln's best chance from Alistair Smith's cross, but he was denied by Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham made 10 changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Liverpool at the weekend - with Soucek the only player to retain his place - and they took time to find their rhythm.

Summer signing Mohammed Kudus was a bright spark for the away side - almost catching Lukas Jensen out at the near post and swinging in a deep free-kick which the goalkeeper did well to tip over.

Lincoln's Hakeeb Adelakun had a dangerous cross headed behind and Ethan Hamilton's strike from distance went high and wide before Soucek found a way through.

Ben Johnson's 25-yard effort smacked against a post as West Ham looked to double their lead, but they were given a late scare six minutes from time.

Edson Alvarez gave the ball straight to Ted Bishop and he found Dylan Duffy but Fabianski was quick across his line to ensure his side progressed to the last 16.