BREAKING NEWS: As the Hammers defeat the Hatters in a stunning comeback, Moyes must go.
As the Hammers defeat the Hatters in a stunning comeback, Moyes must go.
West Ham 3, Luton 1. Scarves by David Moyes aren’t typically available at Hackney Wick. After being banished to the world of hearts and hibs, my daughter Lola and I are back together. Lola is wearing her Haller jersey (whatever happened to Seb?). Big Sam and Matt join us in the seats; both are decked up in their Prague replica kits. In typical West Ham fashion, Matt tweaked both of his hamstrings when playing at QPR for a team of hacks against Ed Balls, Sadiq Khan, and David Miliband. Michael is touring Waitrose Britain, Nigel is off at an undisclosed location, and Fraser is undergoing treatment and won’t be able to say goodbye to Moyes.
The Hammers are off to another slow start as they appear tired following their thrashing at Chelsea. After Doughty runs unopposed from midfield and powers past Ogbonna, he is given too much room on the left and crosses for Lokonga to score. Fortunately, Luton chooses to sit on their lead; nonetheless, they are only denied a second chance by a superb tackle from Zouma. The Irons give off a lot of heat but do create some opportunities. From behind, Kudus attacks Luton’s misdirected passes, but he fires fide. Jarrod Bowen volleys Paqueta’s enticing cross against the outside of the post, and Antonio is unable to react in time as Ward-Prowse fires across the box.
Everything Moyes says aside at halftime actually works, for once. The Hammers play with more intensity as they remember they are a football team. Nine minutes into the half, Ward-Prowse equalizes with a well-aimed effort into the corner for his eighth goal of the year after Kaminski is only able to clear a Bowen cross with his legs.
With his ingenious dribbles, Kudus is creating a lot of trouble. Antonio is about to curl a beautiful cross into the top corner, where Kaminski must make a fingertip save. Emerson’s shot goes wide and into the corner. The corner that results is cleared, but Coufal outmuscles Chong and feeds James Ward-Prowse, who coils into a beckoning cross. It’s heading toward the box’s edge, where Soucek meets it with a powerful volley to make the score 2-1. It’s natural that a Moyes mainstay should have scored as Tomas rides away, dreaming of potato salad throughout the summer. For Soucek, that makes ten this season.
THIS IS EARTHLY PLANET
Great anthems like “West Ham are Massive!” and “We know what we are…” get the audience going, along with an unexpected “We’ve got Super David Moyes!” After Bowen sets him up, Kudus can only hit the outside of the post. Antonio is replaced by 19-year-old George Earthy.
After a brilliant run to the near post, Mo Kudus turns two Luton defenders inside out in the 76th minute, gets to the byline, and pulls back for Earthy to score with his first touch. “Observe his countenance! “Observe his countenance!” exclaims Lola. I say, ‘He’s going to get more Haribos tonight. Ironically, Moyes has been under fire all season for not bringing on substitutes or giving young players an opportunity. Kurt Zouma energises the audience while George celebrates with Mo Kudus perched on the hoadings.
Young Casey can even get some time at the back when he takes Ogbonna’s place. Banners proclaiming that “Moyes Champions of Europe” are unveiled as the game is played out amid a cry of “Oles!” It’s encouraging to see Moyesy receiving recognition and the support of his peers. Even if the team needs some rebuilding and the European dream is gone, most supporters agree that he’s left the club in a far better place as we secure another top 10 finish. However, he has faced criticism from some very vocal fans on the internet.
Despite almost inevitable relegation, the Luton supporters celebrate their club and Rob Edwards at the final whistle, receiving enthusiastic ovation from the home crowd. Ultimately, following the announcement of the season’s goal (Mo Kudus versus Freiburg), the players arrive with their spouses and children to take the lap of honor. While Lucas Paqueta instructs his children on how to roll over and declare a foul, we get to witness the twins of Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen on fire. Probably the offspring of Tomas Soucek, head junior fridges. As we come to the conclusion of the Moyesball era, Moyes appears touched and salutes the audience while wearing his shirtsleeves.
Matt is off to the Eagle, while Lola and I sip wine and share a pint of Ja! IPA at The Library in Drayton Park. The Arsenal supporters are wishing the Hammers luck versus City, which is something we will definitely need. Another season is past, and even though we had some heartbreaking losses, we finished ninth or tenth with a Europa League quarterfinal, wins against Arsenal and Spurs, and overall not too awful. After Man City away, it’s over to Mr. Lopetegui now. Irons!
PLAYER RATINGS:
Soucek 7, Ward-Prowse 7, Paqueta 6 (Ings n/a), Areola 6, Coufal 7, Zouma 6, Ogbonna 6 (Casey n/a), Emerson 6 (Cresswell n/a), Kudus 8, Antonio 6 (Earthy 7), Bowen 7.
