David Moyes says he is “really excited” to not know the true potential of his West Ham team after they opened their Europa League campaign with a Group H win at Dinamo Zagreb.

It ensured that Moyes’ side continued their unbeaten start to the campaign, and barring qualifying games, delivered a first victory in Europe since 1999.

“Zagreb have a really good history in European football so I knew it was going to be a tough game and the players were made aware of that,” Moyes said.

“I’m really excited about the prospect of slightly not knowing how good they could be. We brought in some new players tonight and didn’t look any the worse for it.

“Bigger challenges will come and my target is still to be in Europe after Christmas, when other teams come in. It’s only one game, but the players are in a good place.”

Antonio had set the Hammers on their way with his fifth goal of the season, intercepting Kevin Theophile-Catherine’s underhit backpass to round home goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and slide the ball into an empty net.

After the break Rice sealed an exemplary away performance with a superb second on his 150th appearance for the club.

The England midfielder brilliantly won back possession and drove into the Dinamo area before dispatching a powerful left-foot shot through Livakovic’s legs.

“I think what he’s [Rice] tried to do is take himself to the next level,” added Moyes. “He’s a terrific player and he’s getting better.

“He’s still only 22, he’s a young boy with a big future. It’s one step at a time, but he’s doing really well for us. The ability to surge away from people, his power and speed, is a great trait.”

Rice’s goal underlined West Ham’s superiority and vindicated Moyes’ decision to introduce several players into his starting XI for the first time this season.

Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic both impressed on their full debuts for the club, while Ryan Fredericks, Manuel Lanzini and Issa Diop also acquitted themselves well.

The Hammers are joined at the top of Group H by Genk, who scored a stoppage-time winner at Rapid Vienna.

A perfect night for West Ham and Moyes

As far as European away trips go few are likely to prove as straightforward as this for West Ham.

On paper they appeared to have been handed a difficult opening assignment against last term’s quarter-finalists and conquerors of Tottenham.

However, the only disappointment was that the scoreline was not more emphatic.

Roared on by about 2,000 visiting fans at Stadion Maksimir, Moyes’ team pushed forward from the outset and the likes of Fredericks, Vlasic and Lanzini all failed to capitalise when presented with good opportunities to score.

Aside from the aggressive nature of West Ham’s pressing, Moyes will have also been delighted by the way his side nullified Dinamo’s threat.

Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski barely had a shot to save, with the only moment of alarm coming when a heavily deflected Luka Ivanusec effort clipped the outside of the right post before going wide.

Sourced From BBC