West Ham overcame a resolute Lincoln City to advance in the Carabao Cup, with London rivals Arsenal awaiting in the 4th round.

It was, as expected, a tough encounter at the LNER Stadium, with the League One outfit putting in a strong shift in the hope of causing an upset against a Hammers side who have started the season in a positive fashion.

Although David Moyes rang the changes for the encounter, with the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Kurt Zouma all not travelling for the game, the squad assembled was a strong one – with Mohammed Kudus in particular impressing on the night.

The home side were left to rue a couple of missed chances in the first half, with Lukasz Fabianski putting in another solid performance – but ultimately West Ham looked relatively comfortable for long periods.

It wasn’t until 20 minutes from time though that the deadlock was broke, with Tomas Soucek heading home the winner to send our Hammers into the last-16 of the competition.

ExWHUEmployee, who was at the match, felt the game should have been more comfortable had West Ham been more clinical in the final third.

“It was a game where we were in control for most of the game but just didn’t take our chances again,” stated Ex after the game. “Thankfully we got the goal, and once that went in it looked like their was no way Lincoln were getting back in it.”

Following the match, the 4th Round draw was made, and West Ham were pitted against Arsenal at the London Stadium – meaning a possible earlier than expected return to east London for former captain Declan Rice, setting up a hotly anticipated affair.

“We knew that with the teams left in the hat we would draw one of the big teams, because we always do!” added Ex. “Predictably the highest remaining league finishers from last year, Arsenal, were who we got.

“I feel more comfortable with us being at home, and hopefully they they won’t prioritise this competition, but inevitably it’s a tough draw.”