Europa League: West Ham Scrape Through On Pens Against Maltese Giants Birkirkara (Photos & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

24th, July 2015

By Alan Duffy

After earning a place in this season’s Europa League qualifiers courtesy of a Fair Play award, West Ham have apparently decided to cast off the shackles of discipline and get a bit naughty, guv’nor. Having already seen Diafro Sakho sent off in the previous round, James Tomkins saw red in the Hammers’ near-disastrous 2nd Round 2ng leg clash with Maltese minnows Birkirkara on Thursday evening.

A goal up from the first-leg at the Boleyn Ground, the Hammers toiled in Mediterranean heat, with Italian striker Fabrizio Miccoli levelling the aggregate early on. Tomkins’ red came on the stroke of half time, after grabbing and then shoving an opponent to the ground.

Ultimately the game would end 1-0 to the hosts, and after a goalless extra-time, it was time for a dramatic shoot-out. After successful conversions from Noble, Zarate, Cresswell and O’Brien, it was left to Diego Poyet to win the game for the Hammers (Nikola Vukanac had missed Birkirkara’s third spot-kick).

Hardly the most convincing of wins but at least new boss Slaven Bilic and his charges dodged a very embarrassing defeat.

Highlights…

Photos: Getty Images

Video: Dailymotion

Posted in Europa League, Photos, Videos, West Ham Utd

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