HAMMERS EURO WOE
WEST HAM face a crunch curtainraiser at the Olympic Stadium after an embarrassing Europa League defeat last night.
Slaven Bilic’s men slipped up against the Slovenian minnows in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.
Bilic, serving a touchline ban for an offence committed in the competition last year, had to look on in frustration from the stands.
He will be relieved that his side still have another chance to turn around the tie.
The Hammers will be confident of seeing the job through in the second leg at their new home next Thursday.
But they will have to do it the hard way. The Hammers made a terrible start when Michail Antonio gave away possession and new signing Havard Nordtveit was penalised for handling a goalbound shot.
It was a harsh decision but Matic Crnic gave Hammers keeper Adrian no chance from the penalty spot with just 11 minutes gone. Within six minutes the visitors were level following a spot kick of their own. Domzale keeper Axel Maraval cleaned out Winston Reid and Mark Noble did the rest.
West Ham looked comfortable but Marko Alvir somehow headed wide.
The visitors didn’t heed the warning though as Antonio was caught out of position and Crnic curled home a fine shot in the 48th minute.
Jure Balkovec was then denied by Adrian and the Spaniard pulled off an excellent 88th-minute double save, first denying two-goal Crnic and keeping out the follow-up from sub Jan Repas.
Skipper Noble said: “These games are tough. Now we have to play well next Thursday.”