Assessing the lay of the land at full-time, however, the points look especially handy, too. Drifting towards a drab goalless draw here, and with Freiburg easing to victory against Serbian minnows Backa Topola, West Ham were in danger of ceding control of Europa League group A, a cruise towards another post-Christmas knockout run suddenly with the potential to become a little more sketchy heading into the final two games. Instead, they head to Serbia themselves knowing victory will secure qualification, though the home meeting with Freiburg next month could yet end up a playoff for top spot and a direct route into the last-16.
