West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

Moyes reveals why West Ham ace starting to blossom after Genk draw

David Moyes West Ham 2021 TEAMtalk1

David Moyes was satisfied with West Ham’s Europa League draw against Genk and felt goal scorer Said Benrahma proved a point with his double strike.

Benrahma, 26, bagged twice in the second half after Joseph Paintsil had given the hosts a shock early lead. The Ghana international found the net in just the fourth minute. And Genk could easily have been two or three goals to the good by half time.

They wasted a few excellent chances as the Hammers fought to stay in the game. However it all changed when Moyes made a triple substitution as the hour mark approached.

Michail Antonio, Mark Noble and Arthur Masuaku were replaced by Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals. And just one minute later they were level as Benrahma fired home from Vladimir Coufal’s clever pull-back.

He looked to have won the match nine minutes from time with a superb individual effort. However, Soucek’s own goal ensured the spoils were shared at Luminus Arena.

But Moyes, who took charge of his 1,000th game in Belgium, was not too disappointed with the result.

“I think in reflection a draw was the right result,” he told reports (via football.london). Genk caused us problems in the opening 20 minutes they started better then Areola made good saves but then we were better after that.”

West Ham players Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma, Issa Diop and Nikola Vlasic

Benrahma took the plaudits for his two goals. And the Scot revealed that the African has responded well to the club’s demands this term.

“He played well tonight and a couple of goals will help him, it was a great individual goal,” added Moyes. “He released the ball at the right moment and the individual actions he took more of them came off.

“We are making sure Benrahma is aware of what is expected of him but I am really pleased for him tonight. Overall he was a much better team player tonight.”

Moyes plays down milestone

Moyes has now reached four figures in terms of games managed. He guided the East End outfit to sixth in the top flight in 2020-2021.

And they are once again mixing it with the big boys this season. But, ever the pragmatist, Moyes preferred to play down the achievement when asked his favourite game from 1,000.

Said Benrahma West Ham 2021 TEAMtalk.0001

“People have been asking me about it and actually it become blurred because I have had so many years and games so to identify one thing is hard, but consistency through your career is important,” he continued.

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