West Ham maintain perfect start with battling win over Freiburg

The Hammers had scored in all of their nine matches this term, and wasted little time extending that record in their tenth outing, racing into an eighth-minute lead. Jarrod Bowen’s cross from the right was weighted perfectly to be met by Lucas Paquetá, who produced an incredible jump to tower over Matthias Ginter and steer beautifully into the far corner.

Freiburg hadn’t turned up in the early going, and were fortunate not to be two down moments later when Mohammed Kudus’ low shot was fortuitously deflected onto the post by a nervous-looking Noah Atubolu between the sticks.

The Hammers would have the ball in the net again before the 15-minute mark, only for Paquetá’s strike to be ruled out for offside.

While Christian Streich’s men improved as the half went on, they managed just one shot and 0.02 xG in a dismal display. Improvement was required, and the home faithful wouldn’t have to wait long as Freiburg were level within four minutes of the restart.

Ritsu Dōan, only introduced at the break, sliced the Hammers’ defence open to play in Roland Sallai. Both he and Lukas Kübler were denied by a fine double save by Łukasz Fabiański, before Sallai rammed home the second rebound.

The West Ham goal was suddenly living a charmed life, as Sallai was denied a second before Kilian Sildillia hit the post, and Lucas Höler inexplicably blazed over on the follow-up from close range. A riposte was on the way from the talismanic Bowen, whose driving run from the right was followed by a low drive that was well saved by Atubolu.

That was the sign that the tide had turned again, and West Ham re-established their lead soon afterwards through Nayef Aguerd, heading home from a corner after Atubolu failed to claim the delivery.

Freiburg were now hanging on, with Bowen and Paquetá flashing efforts narrowly wide as Moyes’ side looked to put the game beyond them. A third goal wouldn’t arrive for the visitors, but Freiburg’s efforts were also fruitless as West Ham surged clear at the Group A summit, condemning Freiburg to a first defeat in eight UEL group stage matches.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Paquetá (West Ham United)