West Ham fell to their first defeat in European football for 18 games as they were beaten 2-1 away at Olympiacos on Thursday.
It was a much-changed XI for West Ham with David Moyes opting to rest several regulars from the first team fold which ultimately proved a costly decision.
Moyes made seven changes to his side with one eye on Sunday’s clash with Everton and the following Wednesday’s game in the League Cup against Arsenal. The tinkering however backfired as a soft goal from Kostas Fortounis, and a deflection from the stand-in Hammers captain, Angelo Ogbonna, brought their undefeated run to a halt despite Lucas Paqueta’s late volley.
Some changes were enforced, but there will be a feeling of opportunity missed. That being said, the run had to come to an end at some point and with a difficult away trip out of the way, focus will fully turn to the next game.
Moyes’ side did have chances in the second half, with Danny Ings coming close from an Emerson cross but matters improved when Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio all entered the pitch midway through the second half.
Who stood out for West Ham?
It was a difficult evening for some of the players, with the back four in particular having a tough evening which was peaked by Ogbonna’s own goal.
Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse weren’t quite at the raices either although Soucek became a pressing machine towards the end of the game as the Hammers Grew desperate for an equaliser.
The real game changer though was Paqueta who brought poise and composure into the midfield which allowed West Ham to gain some foothold. The volley he hit on the edge of the box was crisp and gave the Hammers some hope at the end, even though they fell just short.
