Our West Ham United player ratings vs Freiburg are in and the star boy shines as David Moyes finds the answer.
West Ham made more club history by qualifying for the last 16 of European football for a third consecutive season.
The Hammers only needed a draw at home against German side Freiburg to top Europa League Group A.
And cynics before the game suggested David Moyes might look to sit deep and play on the break.
With such focus on his approach and tactics and the team’s style of play – or lack of it – this season, that would have been risky.
Bar Alphonse Areola and captain Kurt Zouma, the Scot went with his strongest possible team.
And a more front-footed, adventurous approach reaped its rewards as West Ham secured a comfortable 2-0 win.
Our West Ham player ratings vs Freiburg are in and the star boy shines as Moyes finds the answer.
In a good all-round team performance there was no doubting who stole the show at the London Stadium – Mohammed Kudus.
Sensational from the first minute to the last, the Ghana international combined with his old Ajax teammate Edson Alvarez, springing the Freiburg offside trap to open the scoring.
Alvarez then turned from provider to scorer as he played a beautiful one-two with Jarrod Bowen before advancing into the box and thumping home.
West Ham had a point to prove tonight after the 5-0 drubbing at Fulham.
And they did it in style with Moyes finding the answer to his West Ham boredom problem.
The Hammers pressed high up the pitch and passed the ball much more quickly and sharply.
It made the world of difference to the entertainment value and instead of sitting off at 1-0, West Ham maintained the tempo in a refreshing change.
The result earns West Ham a three-month break from European football with a two-legged last 16 clash now waiting in March.
West Ham player ratings vs Freiburg:
Fabianski, 7.5/10: Does all the basics so well as always. Did not have much to do but pulled off three big saves.
Emerson, 7.5/10: Seriously in the running for the Hammer of the Year award, another superb, swashbuckling performance. So important to this team.
Mavropanos, 7/10: Some shaky moments and errant passes. But always showed for the ball and tried to carry it out of defence at every opportunity.
Aguerd, 7/10: Couple of moments where he must show more strength and not really tested. But a better performance than usual overall.
Coufal, 7.5/10: Very solid, got up and down and gave Kudus plenty of support. Not overly tested but so reliable.
Alvarez, 8.5/10: A superb assist then started the move which led to him scoring an excellent goal. Was a shout for man of the match but withdrawn early.
Soucek, 7/10: Disciplined, solid, worked hard, clearly told to stick to his role and did his job well.
Ward-Prowse, 7/10: Like Soucek, keep the ball moving and ticking over.
Paqueta, 7/10: Nothing too spectacular but looked in the mood again after an awful display at Fulham.
Kudus, 9/10: Absolutely brilliant, caused chaos, got the goal and worked his socks off for the team too.
Bowen, 7.5/10: Got an assist and looked a threat. Should have scored but a positive overall display.
SUBS:
Fornals, 6/10: Did not do much with his time on the pitch.
Mubama, Ings and Cornet: Huffed and puffed but kept giving the ball away and looked well off it – unsurprisingly given their lack of minutes. Not on long enough for a rating.
Moyes, 8/10: So much better from the manager this. Press, move the ball quickly and attack and you will have the West Ham fans behind you.
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