West Ham vs Backa Topola live: Score and updates as debutant Kudus puts hosts ahead

Hello and welcome to coverage of West Ham’s clash with Serbian side Backa Topola at the London Stadium.

The last time West Ham played in Europe they won the Europa Conference League, beating Fiorentina 2-1 on a memorable June night in Prague.

Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute winner sparked joyous scenes on the pitch with manager David Moyes celebrating alongside his father, David senior, who attended all their European fixtures over the past two years.

And Moyes admits he is still basking in the glow of last season’s triumph, having too often been a “miserable b—-r” after matches.

“I’ve got to say there’s an inner glow about me because I know getting that victory means so much,” Moyes said.

“I’m pleased to carry that with me now. I hope we can do it again, I really do, because of the magic feeling when it happened, the aftermath, what it meant to so many people in east London and to West Ham supporters in particular.

“To be fortunate enough to win a European trophy is not something you get to do every day. Last year was magical.

“To be able to have my family there… they’ve probably been to hundreds and hundreds of games where I’ve been a miserable b—-r, not wanting to go for a drink or for dinner.

“They are the lows and then you get the highs of a win and to be able to have the family there and to be part of it was magnificent.”

Declan Rice, the captain who lifted the trophy, has since moved on to Arsenal but Moyes feels that if anything they are stronger having invested the £105million received for the England midfielder in Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus.

“I think we’ve tried to build a stronger whole group,” he added. “The competition is good in the squad. We want to keep that strong and the players are in a confident frame of mind, which comes from victories and playing well.”