Report as West Ham cruise into the Europa Conference League quarter-finals with 6-0 aggerate win over AEK Larnaca; Gianluca Scamacca's opener, Jarrod Bowen's double and a first West Ham goal for teenager Divin Mubama gave the Irons a 4-0 home win after visitors had Gustavo Ledes sent off
Friday 17 March 2023 00:17, UK
Teenager Divin Mubama scored his first West Ham goal while Jarrod Bowen netted twice as the Hammers cruised into the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League with a thumping win over 10-man AEK Larnaca.
David Moyes' side, who were two goals up from the first leg, won the return fixture 4-0 at the London Stadium to advance as 6-0 winners on aggregate.
Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring (20) before the home side's task was made even simpler when Gustavo Ledes was sent off just before half-time for a late tackle on Pablo Fornals.
West Ham took full advantage of the sending off as Bowen scored twice in the space of two second-half minutes followed by a memorable goal for 18-year-old Mubama.
The Irons' comprehensive victory over the Cypriot side - their 10th consecutive win in this season's Europa Conference League - puts them in the draw for the last eight, which takes place on Friday at 1pm.
After being recalled to the side, £35.5m striker Scamacca impressed early on as he gave West Ham a 20th-minute lead with a poked effort which squirmed through goalkeeper Kenan Piric.
Scamacca scored again moments later with a cool finish but it was ruled out for offside, with the visitors also denied a goal by the linesman's flag.
The Cypriots were then reduced to 10 men in the 45th minute after Ledes saw red for a studs-up foul on Fornals after a VAR review.
Two minutes into the second half, West Ham doubled their lead when Bowen followed in after Scamacca saw his shot parried to him at the far post.
And just two minutes later Bowen, who missed out on the England squad before the game, scored his second with a deft looping header to become West Ham's top scorer in European competitions with eight goals.
There was then another landmark moment as local boy Mubama, who has been at the club since the age of eight, scored his first senior goal after flicking in from Tomas Soucek's header at a corner.
The victory puts West Ham in a second European quarter-final in consecutive seasons after they reached the Europa League semi-finals last year.
West Ham manager David Moyes in his post-match press conference: "We did a really professional job. It was always a risky game and if they got a goal back we'd maybe get a bit anxious.
"It's really pleasing. It doesn't happen all the time, two quarter-finals in two years in Europe.
"We've had some great trips, played in some brilliant stadiums. It's been great for the club, the staff and the players."
Asked about Scamacca's performance, he said: "He did OK. The goal was a wee bit fortunate but he needs
goals for confidence.
"He's a really good lad and did a lot of good things tonight. Hopefully it will bring him on."
Moyes added on Mubama's first professional goal: "Nothing gives you more pleasure than giving young players an opportunity.
"It's a really difficult road, especially in the Premier League, but tonight the result gave us an opportunity.
"He runs and he does the work and doesn't think twice about his effort. He's done really well."
West Ham are back in action after the March international break, when they host Southampton at the London Stadium at 2pm on Sunday April, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
