West Ham United boss hails historic efforts in Europe

Not only did their UEFA Europa League triumph put them at the top of Group A with two victories out of two but it also saw the Hammers extend their unbeaten run to 17 matches and overtake Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur to become England’s longest undefeated team in European competition.

“It’s certainly been a great achievement to match the likes of Don Revie and Bill Nicholson who were two great managers,” said David Moyes after his side’s 2-1 win on Germain soil, where Lucas Paquetá gave the visitors an early lead before Roland Sallai’s second-half equaliser was wiped out by Nayef Aguerd’s decider.

“We needed to get ourselves ahead and I really enjoyed our first goal because it was a really old-fashioned move, coming from Jarrod Bowen’s great cross and a terrific header by Lucas.

“There were moments of the game where we played very well and, although we had to work harder defensively in the second half, we always looked a threat on the break with the pace of Mohammed Kudus, Bowen and Paquetá.”

With the Hammers fans banned by UEFA from attending the clash with Christian Streich’s Bundesliga outfit, record-signing Paquetá’s eighth-minute opener sent the sold-out 34,100 home crowd into stunned silence.

“Lucas drives me mad sometimes!” admitted Moyes.

“But he’s a player with incredible talent, who’s terrific at taking the ball under pressure. We have to adapt, fit him into the team and accept that he’s a maverick, who is not always going to play in a conventional way.”

Celebrating a recall to the England squad for this month’s internationals, Bowen also came in for rich praise from his manager.

“Jarrod played like a footballer with confidence tonight,” observed the Scot.

“And with Michail Antonio being injured it was a good opportunity to push him further forward into a centre forward’s role and he did really well for us.

“Everyone’s thrilled that he’s back in Gareth Southgate’s squad and it’s good for the club, too. Last year, we had Declan Rice in the England team and – having been pushing to get that recognition – we’ve now got Jarrod representing us and he will always bring value to any team. James Ward-Prowse cannot be too far away again, either?”

Having made a perfect start to this season’s Europa League campaign, the Hammers travel to Athens on October 26 for an encounter with Olympiacos, with the Claret and Blue army set to travel in their numbers to the Greek capital and Moyes clearly cannot wait to see their return on matchday three.

“We’ve played in so many magnificent stadiums where the atmosphere’s been absolutely unbelievable,” said Moyes, as his side now to turn their thoughts to Premier League action against UEFA Champions League contenders Newcastle United at London Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

“It was unfortunate that we couldn’t have our own supporters with us here in Germany tonight but I’m sure they’re going to enjoy our next trip to Athens.”