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West Ham United have lost points for the first time in the Europa League campaign this season, a goal against home side Tomas Soucek in a 2-2 draw at Genk denied them a fourth consecutive Group H victory Thursday.
It looked like Said Benrahma’s brace in the second half secured the Hammers a last 16 place with two games to go, but Soucek’s header attempt passed Alphonse Areola in the 87th minute.
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The London club still seem almost certain to continue their European campaign into the new year as they lead the table with 10 points from four games.
Genk has four points with Rapid Vienna and Dinamo Zagreb, who play later, both to three. A victory for Rapid or Dinamo would send West Ham to the knockout stage.
This season’s Europa League has been reshuffled with the eight group winners automatically qualifying for the final 16 while the eight finalists go to the playoffs with the teams finishing third in their Champions League groups.
West Ham had a remarkable campaign under David Moyes, but his 1,000th game as manager didn’t start well as Genk took the lead in the fourth minute when Joseph Paintsil came home at the far post.
The visitors, fourth in the Premier League, did not keep pace in the first half but were much better in the second and Benrahma equalized with a clinical finish with a pass cut in the box by Vladimir Coufal.
The Algerian Benrahma then made a superb solo effort in the 82nd minute, crossing the defense of Genk before pushing a strike into the net.
Genk was granted a reprieve, however, when Soucek’s diving clearance slipped out of his head and the ball flew into his own goal.
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