West Ham beaten by Olympiacos despite late fightback
West Ham were unbeaten in 17 games in European competition before tonight, an English record, but that record was in serious danger by the end of the first half.
Olympiacos captain Kostas Fortounis was looking particularly dangerous, constantly on the ball, looking to make things happen and the winger drove his side into the lead with a thunderous strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box - his 11th goal in European club football.
The hosts then doubled their advantage in added time at the end of the half, as Rodinei’s cross was horribly sliced into his own net by Angelo Ogbonna.
The Hammers were really struggling in Greece, but could have been handed a lifeline 10 minutes into the second period. Danny Ings was found by Emerson Palmieri in the box, but could only blaze his shot over - a sign of low confidence for the Englishman who has now failed to score in his last 20 games - the longest goal drought in his career.
Olympiacos had chances to extend their lead too, as Sotoris Alexandropoulos was particularly lively. The Sporting CP loanee fired a long-range effort just over the bar, before seeing another shot saved by Alphonse Areola.
Lucas Paquetá was among the cavalry sent on by David Moyes in the second half to try and rescue a result, but the Brazilian almost allowed the Greek side to put the game to bed after giving the ball away but Areola came to the rescue, saving from Sotiris Alexandropoulos.
Paquetá then did give the Hammers a glimmer of hope of maintaining their unbeaten record, as he fired home a sumptuous volley from the edge of the area a few minutes before stoppage time.
However, they could not find an equaliser, despite having eight minutes added on at the end, and so, could not extend their unbeaten run.
The win will give Diego Martínez’s Olympiacos newly-found hope that they can qualify out of the group that also contains SC Freiburg, who beat Backa Topola in Group A’s other clash, and move level with West Ham on six points at the top.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kostas Fortounis (Olympiacos)
