Moyes hails 'maverick' Paqueta as win extends historic unbeaten run

David Moyes saluted Lucas Paqueta after the 2-1 Europa League win at Freiburg secured West Ham a historic 17-game unbeaten run in Europe.

The Brazilian forward put the Hammers ahead after only nine minutes with a towering header from a cross by Jarrod Bowen and Nayef Aguerd sealed the win with another header in the second half.

Victory leaves the Hammers top of Group A after a great start to their Europa League campaign and makes them the first English club to go 17 matches undefeated in European football.

Moyes said: "It was a bit of an old-fashioned goal, down the side with a good cross, and then a great header like an old-fashioned centre forward. I really enjoyed watching it.

"Jarrod played well but Lucas was terrific. He drives me mad sometimes but everybody who watched him would have said this player has got incredible talent. 

"There is a word that goes around, a maverick. He is that for us. 

"It is really important we get him in and adapt to him and accept some of the things he may not do, things which I would say are conventional. 

"But we are really enjoying him at the moment and he is terrific at taking the ball under pressure — but also there are moments when I say, 'What are you doing?'" 

The match may have taken place on the edge of the Black Forest, but it was never going to be a piece of cake for the Hammers against a side eighth in the Bundesliga.

Freiburg equalised after half-time through Roland Sallai, but Aguerd's header from a James Ward-Prowse corner got them home.

On the record, Moyes added: "It's a brilliant achievement, I've said to the boys we need to keep it going. Winning the game tonight was most important."