In a gripping Europa League clash, Lucas Paqueta emerged as the hero for West Ham, netting the sole goal to edge closer to the knockout stages. Seventeen minutes from the final whistle, Paqueta’s exquisite strike, a culmination of a James Ward-Prowse lob into the box, broke the monotony of what had been a lackluster match at London Stadium. Initially flagged offside, Paqueta’s hopeful prayers were answered as VAR confirmed his onside position, validating the goal.
The victory was a sweet revenge for West Ham, overturning their previous defeat to Olympiakos in Athens and reviving their impressive European streak under David Moyes. Moyes acknowledged the challenge posed by the experienced Olympiakos team and stressed on continuous improvement, despite praising Paqueta’s goal.
West Ham now sits atop Group A, leading German counterpart Freiburg, with their fate in their own hands. The team needs just two points from the remaining matches to secure their place in post-Christmas Europa League action.
The match wasn’t without its nerve-wracking moments, especially when Mady Camara’s header hit the post, threatening to equalize for Olympiakos. The Greek team’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, witnessed a disappointing performance, hoping for better outcomes in upcoming Premier League matches.
West Ham’s performance, although not dominant, showed glimpses of potential control, particularly in the first half. Notable attempts by Said Benrahma were thwarted by Olympiakos goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis. Meanwhile, Olympiakos showed less menace, with Daniel Podence, on loan from Wolves, unable to make a significant impact.
The game changed pace with Jarrod Bowen’s dynamic runs, injecting energy into the match. His efforts, combined with Ward-Prowse’s play, ultimately set the stage for Paqueta’s goal.
As West Ham turns their attention to improving their league position, James Ward-Prowse stands out as the match’s top player, earning an impressive 7.80 average rating.
The match stats painted a picture of West Ham’s control, with a 56% possession and more shots on goal. However, it was their resilience and strategic play that ultimately clinched the crucial victory, keeping their European ambitions firmly alive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about West Ham Europa League Victory
Who scored the winning goal for West Ham against Olympiakos?
Lucas Paqueta scored the decisive goal for West Ham in their 1-0 victory against Olympiakos in the Europa League.
What was significant about Lucas Paqueta’s goal against Olympiakos?
Lucas Paqueta’s goal was initially ruled out for offside, but was later confirmed by VAR to be legitimate, marking his third goal in this season’s Europa League.
How does the victory against Olympiakos affect West Ham’s position in the Europa League?
The win over Olympiakos puts West Ham on the brink of the Europa League knockout stages, leading Group A and needing only two points from their final two games.
What did West Ham’s coach David Moyes say about the match against Olympiakos?
David Moyes acknowledged the strength of Olympiakos as a seasoned European team and expressed the need for improvement, despite being pleased with the victory and Paqueta’s performance.
Which player hit the woodwork for Olympiakos, nearly equalizing the score?
Mady Camara hit the woodwork for Olympiakos with a header, narrowly missing the chance to equalize the game.
More about West Ham Europa League Victory
- West Ham United Official Website
- UEFA Europa League News
- Match Statistics and Analysis
- Player Profiles and Ratings
4 comments
Anyone else think the VAR check took too long? felt like ages before they confirmed paquetas goal. The tension was real!
So close yet so far for Olympiakos. Camara’s miss was a heartbreaker, could’ve changed the whole game!
Wow, West ham’s really turning it around in Europe, Paqueta’s on fire this season! Did anyone else think that goal was offside at first??
Typical West Ham grinding out a win, not the prettiest but hey a wins a win right? Moyes needs to shake things up a bit more in the attack.