Laying on European football has long been David Moyes’s way of silencing his critics and, while inconsistent domestic form continues to frustrate West Ham’s attempts to push on in the Premier League, they can start planning for another continental adventure after securing first place in their Europa League group with a dominant win over Freiburg.
This was a professional, measured effort from the winners of the Europa Conference League. West Ham needed a point to guarantee progress into the last 16 and avoid a playoff against one of the sides who have dropped down from the Champions League. Moyes had to be impressed with the way his side got the job done during the first half, seeing off a limited challenge from Freiburg with polished goals from Mohammed Kudus and Edson Álvarez.
There was an authority to Moyes’s side. They have become experienced at this level, although it would be welcome if they could replicate their efforts in Europe in the Premier League. The mood had been low after last weekend’s 5-0 hammering by Fulham. Moyes, often accused of being too cautious, had felt the pressure rising before this game. No wonder he was delighted with the quality of the goals by Kudus and Álvarez, while he was also pleased to see no signs of the sickness bug that has swept through the camp in recent weeks. Freiburg were brushed aside in convincing fashion.
“It’s hugely important for us to get breathing space in February and not have midweek games, which we would have had if we’d finished second,” Moyes said. “Qualifying and being in Europe after Christmas is a big achievement, but winning the group three years in a row is big for us. Out of the three years I thought this was the toughest group we had.”
West Ham, who will be at home for the second leg of their last-16 tie, were determined not to relinquish the advantage gained by their 2-1 win in Germany in October. They soon threatened through Kudus targeting Jordy Makengo on the right flank. The opening goal almost arrived when the Ghanaian dribbled past Makengo in the fifth minute and crossed for Lucas Paquetá, whose effort crashed off the bar.
Freiburg did not learn their lesson. With 14 minutes gone Kudus caused more problems for Makengo, this time escaping the left-back by darting inside as West Ham built patiently in midfield. It was a typical move from Kudus but it was too smart for Freiburg. They were too open, too reactive and too slow to pressure the player in possession. Álvarez had time to lift his head and float a pass towards Kudus, who brought the ball down before opening the scoring with a confident finish.
West Ham settled into an easy rhythm after the 23-year-old’s seventh goal since his £38m move from Ajax. Jarrod Bowen had a goal disallowed for offside. Tomas Soucek volleyed over. Emerson Palmieri sent in a dangerous cross.
Eighth in the Bundesliga, Freiburg tried to lift their level. But while Ritsu Doan tested Lukasz Fabianski with a shot from 20 yards, the German side looked soft. They stood off West Ham and let them play. Premier League sides are not as generous.
West Ham capitalised on the extra space. Those supporters who have been calling for Moyes’s side to play with more adventure will have enjoyed the second goal. Álvarez drove forward from his defensive midfield position and linked with Bowen, whose clever pass sent the Mexican through to grab his first West Ham goal by sending an emphatic shot past Noah Atubolu.
It was a relief for Moyes to have the former Ajax midfielder back in the starting line-up. It was surely not a coincidence that West Ham’s structure unravelled when illness forced them to drop Álvarez against Fulham. They need Álvarez protecting their back four – Soucek and James Ward-Prowse do not offer the same level of security – and Moyes could have done without him limping off with a dead leg in the second half.
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Still, West Ham could conserve their energy before hosting Wolves on Sunday. Emerson was denied a third by Atubolu and Bowen somehow failed to convert a cross from Vladimir Coufal. At the other end Fabianski saved a low effort from the Freiburg substitute Merlin Röhl.
Freiburg mounted some late pressure but their challenge ended when Fabianski denied Doan. West Ham would not be denied their 10th consecutive home win in Europe.
