West Ham United: Ally McCoist amazed by what Lucas Paqueta did v Freiburg
Ally McCoist hailed the “terrific” Lucas Paqueta after being told the Brazilian had given West Ham the lead against Freiburg.
Paqueta fired United ahead inside nine minutes of Thursday’s (14 March) Europa League last-16 second leg at London Stadium.
That set the Irons on their way to a 5-0 hammering on the night and 5-1 triumph on aggregate as they booked their place in the last eight of a European competition for a third year running.
McCoist was commentating on Rangers’ tie with Benfica for TNT Sports [14 March, 6pm] when informed of Paqueta’s early breakthrough.
“He’s some player for West Ham,” McCoist said. “They’re a different side when he’s in it. Terrific.”
How many goals does Lucas Paqueta have for West Ham?
The Irons are indeed a different side with and without Paqueta in the line-up, as we recently saw when he spent a fairly lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The 26-year-old is a link between midfield and attack, while he can so often prove the difference maker on big occasions.
The visit of Freiburg was one such occasion, with the early goal giving United confidence to go on and easily complete the turnaround on aggregate.
Paqueta now has six goals and five assists in 28 Premier League and Europa League games this campaign, while also netting for his country.
The links with Manchester City will not go away, but hopefully United can persuade the Brazil international to stay on beyond this season.
If not, the club have one huge task on their hands finding a replacement in the summer transfer window.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been labelled an “utter disgrace” by a former Liverpool player.
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