PAQUETA BRILLIANCE EDGES WEST HAM TO WIN OVER OLYMPIACOS
Lucas Paqueta volleyed a superb winner as West Ham maintained their spot at the summit of UEFA Europa League Group A with a 1-0 victory over Olympiacos at the London Stadium.
David Moyes’s side were looking for a strong response following their defeat against the same opponents in Greece two weeks earlier, but The Irons had to endure long spells of frustration before finally breaching a stubborn visiting rearguard.
Defender Nayef Aguerd had the best of their first-half opportunities with a trio of headers off corners that all failed to find the net.
The hosts labored following the interval with James Ward-Prowse’s miss-hit strike the best they could muster until Paqueta swept home on the volley with 17 minutes remaining. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the VAR check showed the Brazilian’s late run was timed to perfection.
The result means The Hammers maintain top spot in the pool in nine points, ahead of Freiburg due to a better head-to-head record. Olympiacos are third on four points with Backa Topola on one.
Next up, West Ham host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday. Olympiacos visit Asteras Tripolis in the Greek Superleague.
Tags: West Ham United Olympiacos
