West Ham under David Moyes have so far proved that last seasons UEFA Conference League win was no fluke as they bag their second Europa League win in a row. This weeks victims were German Bundesliga side SC Freiburg who lost 1-2 at home, sending West Ham straight to the top of Group A with six points.
Following an unsuccessful spell as Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement at Manchester United, the 60-year-old made history last night by making West Ham the only English club to go 17 games unbeaten in all European competitions.
On ‘The Road to Prague’, “The Irons” won 16 games in the Conference League, only drawing against Belgian side KAA Gent in the first leg of last years Quarter finals, which they overcame in the second leg winning 4-1.
Although West Ham were battling against relegation for the majority of the season, “The Hammers” finished in 14th place, and their victory in the UEFA Conference League secured them a place in this years Europa League group stage where they kicked off the season with a 3-1 win against Serbian Super League side TSC Backa Topola.
Lucas Paqueta set the scene in Freiburg im Breisgau as he beat the goalkeeper in the 8th minute and opened the scoring. SC Freiburg fans had to wait for the second half before seeing their team score a goal and Rolland Sallai didn’t disappoint, bringing the game level in the 49th minute.
An important goal from Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd in the 66th minute sealed the win and West Ham’s 17th game undefeated in European competitions.
After the game, midfielder Jarod Bowen said, “I think that makes us want to keep going for as long as possible. We take so, so much pride in this.”
West Ham’s next two fixtures in the English Premier League see them battle Newcastle at the London Stadium, who are fresh off a 4-1 thrashing of PSG in the Champions League, and Aston Villa who narrowly beat UEFA Conference League debutants HSK Zrinjski Mostar 1-0.
