The debate over David Moyes’s future has its latest talking point. Those fans who want Moyes to go at the end of the season have something to ponder after seeing West Ham’s charge into the last eight of European competition for the third successive season end with Mohammed Kudus decorating an emphatic triumph with two special solo goals.
Entertaining enough? West Ham were outstanding as they swatted Freiburg aside, maintaining their interest in the Europa League by winning 5-1 on aggregate after a stirring comeback, and Moyes deserves much of the credit. Nobody could accuse the Scot of caution after he sent Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá out to torment Freiburg’s defenders.
A more attacking line-up would repair the damage caused by a choked 1-0 defeat in the first leg. Michail Antonio, in for James Ward-Prowse, offered a focal point up front. Bowen, back on the right, sniped at Freiburg. Tomas Soucek and Edson Álvarez allowed Paquetá, who has spent much of the season on the left, to dictate play in the middle.
“I’m hugely pleased with the goals and performance,” Moyes said. “We were really unhappy from the first game. We had to put it right. For West Ham to have three years in a row in the quarter-finals, I’m not sure it’s been done before in the club’s history. It’s a brilliant achievement. The club has moved on so much.”
West Ham made an aggressive start, Bowen’s snapshot testing Noah Atubolu, and Freiburg’s advantage disappeared after nine minutes. Aaron Cresswell delivered a corner, Soucek flicked it on and Paquetá scored after peeling off Vincenzo Grifo.
Such poor marking was not encouraging for Freiburg, even if they threatened an instant equaliser through Roland Sallai. West Ham, by far the more robust side, remained dominant. Antonio set up a chance for Kudus, who poked wide, and the second goal arrived in the 32nd minute. Christian Günter fell to the turf after trying to foul Bowen, who scored his 18th goal of the season with a shot that flashed in from 25 yards.
Behind for the first time in the tie, Freiburg stirred. The mood changed, Lukasz Fabianski denying Grifo and Maximilian Eggestein before half-time.
Those openings were reminders of why Moyes tends to favour a more solid approach. Freiburg found space too easily at times. West Ham would use their knowhow to judge when to sit and when to press.
Their fourth goal was a case in point, the ball breaking to Kudus after a spell of Freiburg possession. The winger set off from inside his own half, surged through the middle and calmly beat Atubolu after sashaying past the last defender.
So strong and skilful, Kudus is unstoppable in this mood. He moves at his own pace, his silky dribbling setting him apart, and there is range to his talent. His second goal was a venomous left-foot shot from 20 yards to make it 5-0.
West Ham had tightened their grip after 52 minutes, Bowen’s deflected cross falling to Cresswell. The veteran left-back, sent off twice during West Ham’s Europa League run two years ago, threaded a shot into the far corner.
The job done, Moyes removed Paquetá, who picked up a knock in the first half. West Ham’s Brazilian midfielder looked furious when he sat on the bench.
Yet Paquetá is just back from a long-term calf injury and it made sense for Moyes to protect him. West Ham, whose win boosts England’s hopes of beating Germany to an extra Champions League spot, will need Paquetá’s creativity if their season is to end on a high.
