West Ham denied Europa League group spot by Astra

Romanian side Astra Giurgiu blocked West Ham’s entry into the Europa League group stage for the second season in succession after clinching a smash-and-grab 1-0 win in London to earn a 2-1 aggregate triumph.

Filipe Teixeira struck the only goal to send the minnows through to the group stage and eliminate the Hammers, just as they did in the third qualifying round last season.

Having held a slight advantage from the first-leg, Slaven Bilic’s side was clearly set-up to contain the visitors but were left stunned when Teixeira put Astra ahead on the stroke of half-time.

The Hammers piled on the pressure on in the second-period but missed a hatful of chances as Romanian goalkeeper Silviu Lung produced a Man of the Match performance.

The best chance fell to substitute Ashley Fletcher whose shot from inside the penalty area was brilliantly saved on 72 minutes.

Winston Reid, wearing the captain’s armband in place of Mark Noble who was rested, missed a sitter minutes earlier when he headed wide from six yards.

It proved to be an incredibly frustrating evening for West Ham as their slow start to the season continues. It doesn't get any easier with a trip to Manchester City on Sunday to negotiate.

Oh dear, West Ham. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The London Stadium was meant to be a turning point in the fortunes of a club starved of success for so long. Slaven Bilic claimed his side wouldn’t deserve to play in the Europa League if they couldn't avoid defeat to Astra. He can’t have any complaints as the Hammers played so poorly, particularly in the first-half. The Croatian got his tactics wrong and a post-mortem will now take place. A major setback, of course, but West Ham must move on quickly.

Silviu Lung (Astra): The Romanian goalkeeper made countless saves in the second-half to deny West Ham an equaliser.

West Ham: Randolph 6, Byram 5, Reid 6, Ogbonna 6, Burke 6; Nordtveit 5, Tore 6, Obiang 6, Kouyate 6, Antonio 6, Calleri 5. Subs: Collins N/A, Valencia 6, Fletcher 6.

Astra Giurgiu: Lung 8, Alves 6, Fabricio 6, Seto 6, Alibec 7, Morais 7, Lovin 7, Niculae 7, Sapunaru 6, Ionita 6, Teixeira 8. Subs: Florea N/A, Oros 7, Stan 6.

8’ - CHANCE! Burke slips through Calleri on goal but the forward's shot is blocked by the goalkeeper. The West Ham player was standing in an off-side position but the flag wasn't raised. What an opportunity for the hosts.

13’ - SAVE! West Ham are so close to taking the lead through Obiang! The midfielder collects possession from 25 yards and has no hesitation in shooting and forces Lung into a great, low stop. He really caught that one.

45’ - GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Astra. The visitors cap off a great team move on the break with an away goal to stun the hosts! Burke is dispossessed in midfield, Niculae bursts forward and finds Teixeira in space and the 35-year-old makes no mistake, sliding the ball beyond Randolph.

52’ - CHANCE! Tore finds Calleri with an inch-perfect header but he can't find a way past Lung who makes a good save to deny the forward!

60’ - SITTER! West Ham win a corner and Reid, unmarked on the penalty spot, is picked out but the defender somehow sends his header off target. The Hammers won't have many easier chances.

72’ - GREAT CHANCE! Ogbonna's shot from the edge of the penalty area finds its way through several players to fall at the feet of Fletcher and with the goal at his mercy he shoots straight at the feet of Lung!

Astra Giurgiu scored with their first shot on target of the match versus West Ham.

West Ham have won only one of their last seven European games, all Europa League qualifiers (D2 L4).