West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta leaves Neil Lennon stunned on BBC v AZ Alkmaar
Neil Lennon was very impressed with the impact of West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta in the first half of the game against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening.
The former Celtic manager, covering the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, complimented the Brazilan’s technique as he came very close to scoring an opener for the Hammers in the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg.
His effort hit the post in one of the most dangerous moments of the first half for David Moyes’ side.
Lennon commented on the effort from the former Lyon man, as the Irons seek to build on their one-goal advantage from the first leg, as relayed on the BBC Sport live text commentary of the game.
“I thought Lucas Paqueta was going to hit it with his right foot because it opened up for him and then he checked back on to his left,” he said.
“He hit a beautiful curling shot, Mat Ryan is beaten but it just hits the outside of the post.”
So close.
That was almost the moment to give the Hammers a two-goal lead in the overall tie.
Paqueta showed his danger and ability in the final third, but his effort was just inches away from the target. West Ham needed to build on their first-half performance to go on and assert their strength in the encounter, which they did.
The longer the game goes on at 0-0, the more the hosts will need to come forward and that will play into the hands of Moyes’ men, and they took advantage, winning 1-0.
Michail Antonio was holding the ball up well, as would be expected of him, so there were more opportunities for Paqueta and the likes of Jarrod Bowen to benefit.
The Brazilian was at the heart of everything going forward with his attacking playmaking a key part of each attack, not only in this leg but the first too.
Now West Ham will be playing in the final in Prague.