Lucas Paqueta lorded it up in front of the away end as West Ham completed their Europa League revenge mission on Olympiacos.
The 26-year-old Brazilian who plays like a boy on the playground volleyed the hosts to victory, two weeks after losing to the Greeks in Athens.
West Ham did not care for how their opponents celebrated that 2-1 win. Naturally, then, VAR’s confirmation that his goal was good saw Paqueta lead the charge towards the visiting fans.
They soaked in their vengeance as they stayed top of Group A with two games to go.
‘These are great nights in Europe and long may they continue,’ manager David Moyes said after this win. ‘Paqueta’s goal made a big difference.
West Ham beat Olympiacos 1-0 on Thursday evening to top their Europa League group
It was Lucas Paqueta who found the back of the net in the 73rd minute to secure the win
It was James Ward-Prowse’s ball into the box that caught the attention of most people
‘It’s normally Paqueta playing other people in for chances so it was good that James Ward-Prowse made that lovely ball over the top. We lacked that little bit of something special in the final third. Thankfully that moment got us the goal and the win.’
Moyes made six changes from the weakened team that lost that reverse fixture, bringing in Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, among others.
Said Benrahma started, too, though his standards have slipped of late. Two silly mistakes inside five minutes made you wonder if we were in for another one of those frustrating nights from the 28-year-old Algerian.
In the 13th minute, however, he picked up Paqueta’s pass and curled one towards the goal’s postage stamp, forcing Olympiacos goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis into a super diving save. From the following corner, Nayef Aguerd’s header could not beat Paschalakis.
There was deja vu in the 32nd minute when this same sequence was repeated. Again, Paqueta passed to Benrahma. Again, he forced Paschalakis into a save, this time low to the left. Again, West Ham won a corner. Again, Aguerd’s header was not good enough to go in.
There was a lull inside the London Stadium when Daniel Podence, the winger on loan to Olympiacos from Wolves, fired a warning shot. It was sliced so wide that it was as troubling to the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre as the West Ham goal, but it was a reminder that the visitors could strike at any time.
Paqueta ended the first half being, well, Paqueta as he performed a few keepie uppies until chopped down by his marker. Sometimes he can frustrate the hell out of Moyes but my word, does he know how to keep us hooked on his every move.
With Freiburg beating Backa Topola elsewhere, West Ham were no longer top of the Europa League’s Group A in the live table. Bowen tried his best to liven up this affair, nutmegging his man before crossing for Ward-Prowse as his attempt was collected by Paschalakis.
However, David Moyes wasn’t be pleased with their performance in the first half of the game
He was seen calling for more intensity and aggression from the Hammers in the first half
In the 73rd minute, West Ham were celebrating as Paqueta volleyed home Ward-Prowse’s ball over the top. Beautiful assist, beautiful finish, but the assistant’s flag was raised.
VAR checked it and to the naked eye, it looked like Francisco Ortega was playing him on. Moyes had seen the replay himself and was sure of it. Then came confirmation: 1-0 to West Ham.
The entire team sprinted towards the away supporters. Revenge for their opponents’ overzealous celebrations two weeks ago? Absolutely, and West Ham loved it.
Olympiacos came within inches of a late equaliser, but Mady Camara could only hit the post when it looked easier to score. West Ham left the London Stadium feeling relieved by that miss, and satisfied with this result.
Said Benrahma started on Thursday evening even though his standards have slipped of late
After scoring the entire team sprinted towards the away supporters. Revenge for their opponents’ overzealous celebrations two weeks ago? Absolutely, and West Ham loved it
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