West Ham could not have timed it better after waiting 43 years to save the bubbles from deteriorating and dying. After 1,097 games as a manager, nothing could stop David Moyes from celebrating his greatest moment as Jarrod Bowen’s strike slithered past Pietro Terracciano at the Eden Arena with 90 minutes remaining in the game. Fortune had stopped hiding. Moyes sprinted along the sideline before pausing in front of the Fiorentina supporters who were celebrating behind the goal. He took in the admiration as he stood there with his arms out.
Here was the Scot’s prize for overcoming adversity and having faith that one day he would be leading a team to victory and standing on a platform. West Ham, who had been without a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1980, now had a new legend: Moyes had brought silverware to east London, following in the footsteps of two of the club’s greatest players, Ron Greenwood and John Lyall.
The 60-year-old’s campaign has not been simple. West Ham has struggled in the league, and Moyes has often been one loss from being fired. The one saving grace has been Europe. In the end, it was the tenacity instilled by Moyes that helped his team cross the finish line.
While West Ham has welcomed the Europa Conference League, they struggled for long spells as Fiorentina sought to win after Sad Benrahma’s penalty was cancelled out by a beautiful strike from Giacomo Bonaventura.
History repeats itself
West Ham insisted on competing in their first big European championship game in 47 years. Declan Rice never ceased taking the initiative in midfield as he led the team in what would undoubtedly be his final game for the club. Rice was outstanding and will be remembered as a hero, while his teammates may anticipate competing in the Europa League the following year. The 24-year-old’s imitation of Bobby Moore, who wore the armband when West Ham won the Cup Winners’ Cup final 58 years ago after defeating 1860 Munich, was appropriate.
West Ham gained momentum. With more time expected, space appeared out of nowhere. Lucas Paqueta had been waiting all night for an opportunity to elevate his head and execute a decisive pass, and Tomas Soucek was able to flip the ball to him.
West Ham had been begging for their £50 million Brazilian’s spark of inspiration since they were so lacking in originality. The Fiorentina defence was breached by Paquetá’s exquisitely weighted ball, and Bowen suddenly sprang to life. The winger sprinted in from the right, evaded the offside trap, broke free, and slotted a controlled finish into the goal.
When Bowen, who was such a wise acquisition by Moyes three years ago, made it 2-1, they were all on the bench. West Ham put their supporters through hell, and some of them ruined the game by repeatedly tossing plastic cups onto the field in the first half. Cristiano Biraghi, the left-back for Fiorentina, was injured by one of the missiles, resulting in blood flowing from his head.
David Moyes’ side executed the tactics brilliantly to finally clinch their long-awaited trophy
West Ham at least maintained their composure while playing. Fiorentina, whose lone European triumph came in the 1961 Cup Winners’ Cup, played the smoother football in the first half, and West Ham were too fast to go into defensive mode.
West Ham’s concern would grow as Sofyan Amrabat, Bonaventura, and Rolando Mandragora kept possession away from them in midfield. It’s unfortunate that Uefa had underestimated its own competition by considering a ground with a capacity of 19,370 as a worthy venue for a final.
Moyes had to reconsider, as he was still unclear of his employment status for the upcoming campaign. When Christian Kouamé headed Nicolás González’s cross against a post and Luka Jovic converted the rebound from an offside position, West Ham was fortunate to avoid going down.
It was certainly not a classic. Fiorentina’s first effort on goal came in the 57th minute, but West Ham’s centre-backs, Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd, looked strong at the time. Vladimir Coufal was conscientious and was chosen over Thilo Kehrer as the right-back.
Could they survive? When Zouma hobbled off to Kehrer, there was concern. In the 67th minute, Fiorentina struck back and tied the score. González beat Emerson Palmieri in the air after Amrabat spotted him. Rice and Aguerd were unable to cross in time, and Alphonse Areola was shot by Bonaventura. Mandragora bent a shot a few millimetres wide as Fiorentina once again pressed. In response, Pablo Fornals was substituted for Benrahma by West Ham. They kept going further, with Soucek moving in close. More time was available. Bowen had different plans.
