An own goal by Backa Topola's Nemanja Petrovic helped West Ham United recover from a goal down to clinch a 3-1 home win over the Serbian side in a Europa League Group A match on Thursday.
Despite dominating ball possession and 15 attempts in the first half, West Ham were unable to break the deadlock before halftime against competition debutants who are playing European football for just the second time.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when midfielder Petar Stanic gave Backa a shock lead after the break as he capitalised on an error by West Ham defence and made it 1-0 after a solo run.
But Backa defender Petrovic failed to protect their advantage when he scored an own goal in the 66th minute before West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus scored for the London side with a header and substitute Tomas Soucek sealed the win.
Our undefeated European streak continues! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/5DalQrcg3w
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 21, 2023
A STAR OF NOTE 🇬🇭
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 21, 2023
Mohammed Kudus puts West Ham in the lead at the London Stadium 👏
📱 Stream the #UEL match live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/YMntl8WiXu
Ajax Amsterdam squandered a 2-0 lead at home against Olympique de Marseille to draw 3-3 as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice for the visitors.
We start the @EuropaLeague with a draw. #UEL #ajaom pic.twitter.com/mOyG9hy1rJ
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) September 21, 2023
In the other Group B game, Brighton & Hove Albion converted two penalties against Greek champions AEK Athens but lost 3-2 at home.
Rangers beat Real Betis 1-0 with a second-half goal by Senegal forward Abdallah Sima, while Sporting came from a goal down at Austria's Sturm Graz to claim a late 2-1 victory.
Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere and Ederson scored in the second half to secure a 2-0 win for the Serie A side against Polish champions Rakow Czestochowa.
Liverpool overcame an early scare and came from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win at Austria's LASK Linz in their Group E game earlier on Thursday.
Lask 1-3 Liverpool ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 21, 2023
Liverpool walks away with the spoils in their opening #UEL match 👏 pic.twitter.com/5yapQPHeUu
