A look at Europe | West Ham invites itself to the party

Throughout the season, Press will offer a weekly roundup of the greatest moments on the European soccer scene

jean-françois teotonio
Press

THE STORY

There’s a new visitor to the top of the Premier League, and he doesn’t mean to laugh: West Ham clinched a 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday, taking away third place.

The feat is all the more awesome given that Liverpool were unbeaten in 20 league games and had never lost at this club in the eastern suburbs of London.

After goals which needed the approval of the officials in the first half, the strike of Pablo Fornals in the 67^e minute was no doubt. He gave West Ham a 2-1 lead with a straight shot in front of the penalty area. Kurt Zouma was busy giving an insurance goal with a header shot after a corner kick in the 74^e. Divock Origi gave Liverpool some hope with a skillful 84 strike^e, but the locals were going to hold on.

This rise in power can be credited to Scottish coach David Moyes. His career had suffered a severe blow after taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013. He was sacked 10 months later. He then went through Real Sociedad, Sunderland, and then West Ham the first time in 2017. Moyes was hired again in 2019.

He led the team to a historic season in 2020-2021 with 65 points in the standings, a club record. And here he is already at 23 points this season, tied with Manchester City.

Could West Ham make a “Leicester”, in reference to the Foxes’ surprise title in 2016? David Moyes’ redemption is a step in the right direction.

THE PERFORMANCE

Let’s pluralize this section and talk about from performance of the week. They came to us from the same league, the Spanish Liga, but from two different matches.

Atlético de Madrid were leading 3-1 against Valencia at the start of the added seven minutes. The challenge was not too great for Hugo Duro: he hit the target with a shot on reception in the box in the 92^e to bring Valencia back to one goal. At the 96^e, the crowd was standing. Valencia got a free kick near the left corner flag. Gonçalo Guedes crossed the ball… and found Hugo Duro’s header, while everyone was losing it. The Spaniard scored 3-3.

At the other end of the country, Celta de Vigo hosted FC Barcelona. The Catalans thought they had folded the game at the 34^e when Memphis Depay scored the third unanswered goal of his own. The post-Ronald Koeman era, coach fired last week after another defeat, seemed to be starting off well for Barça.

But Iago Aspas should not be allowed to take his ease. The Spanish striker scored on the fly on a return to the 52^e to make 3-1. Nolito went from head to 74^e, 3-2. This result would hold up to the depths of added time. Iago Aspas, again, offered himself a golazo spectacular at the 96^e minute to equalize the score.

Barça have the luxury of being able to quickly forget this defeat-flavored draw: the legendary Xavi, emblematic figure of the club, is back as head coach. This news is helping to heal the wounds of this difficult start to the season.

THE GOAL

The best way to respond to a goal brilliantly scored by the opponent is to put on an even nicer one as quickly as possible.

When Raphinha opened the scoring for Leeds at the 26^e minute on a nice free kick, the response of Leicester was not long in coming. Five touches of the ball and it was done: Harvey Barnes tied the game on 28^e with a superb curled shot from his right foot.

This is where the match between these two opponents from the second half of the standings was played out. This match without further story ended 1-1.

CANADIANS

Let’s take a quick look at our Canadians running in Europe, as the November international break is upon us.

Cyle Larin scored for Istanbul Besiktas last weekend, playing 85 minutes. His club lost 2-1 to Trabzonspor, the leader of the Turkish Süper Lig. His compatriot Atiba Hutchinson also took part in this match.

Alphonso Davies played the 90 minutes of Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Freiburg in the Bundesliga. He made an efficient climb up the wing to initiate a pass rally that led to Robert Lewandowski’s winning goal.

Forward Jonathan David, a French Ligue 1 comeneur in goals with 8, played 64 minutes for Lille in a 1-1 draw against Angers.

All these beautiful people have been called up by Canada for the two games in this window. He will face Costa Rica on Friday in Edmonton before hosting Mexico at the same venue next Tuesday.