West Ham United could have been forgiven for lingering on the disappointment of a European semi-final defeat – but did not do so for a moment in their 4-0 win over Norwich City on Sunday.
And David Moyes was pleased with just how much attacking intent his players demonstrated from the first kick at the Carrow Road.
The manager told West Ham TV that the three points – which bolster the Irons’ bid to directly qualify for Europe through the league for the first time in back-to-back seasons – were down in no small part to a sharp start in Norfolk.
Saïd Benrahma’s 12th minute opener arrived after an early spell of sustained pressure on the Norwich goal, and were followed up by further efforts from Michail Antonio and the Algerian again before half-time, Jarrod Bowen involved in all three.
And with Manuel Lanzini wrapping up the win from the penalty spot after half-time, Moyes was encouraged by the response of his players, who now sit just three points behind sixth-placed Manchester United in the table with a game in hand – and, crucially, five ahead of eighth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers…
The win helps put aside the disappointment.
It was probably as a big a disappointment as any of us in football have had in midweek. Today’s victory helped.
I think that the way we started the game is probably the reason we won the game so easily.
We got in front and we started the game at a really good speed and a spirit.
The players got after Norwich early and the first goal gave us a good platform to go and win.
We’re well aware that we want European football again.
We’re trying to hang in there. We saw today as a really important game with two games to go, which are difficult.
Getting the three points today gives us a little bit of leeway, but for us to try and catch Manchester United – and not be caught by Wolverhampton Wanderers – is really important.
Saïd and Mick did [need their goals].
Let’s be fair, we probably should have scored a lot more and we probably could have played a lot better if I’m being honest.
It wasn’t one of our best performances, but we did well enough to win the game.
Three of our players took a bit of a knock [and came off].
Mick’s got a bit of a knock on his hip. Dawson took one in the calf, and Saïd’s could have been his ankle – I’ve not had the chance to see it yet – so hopefully they’ll all be okay. I don’t think they looked that serious.
It was great to see an away end full of West Ham supporters.
I think the players deserve it. The players have done such a good job and the supporters are showing exactly that, supporting them in a way where they recognise the efforts they’ve put in.
They saw their team win today quite comfortably and obviously get a few goals as well.
We’ve had a good win after a huge disappointment.
Hopefully we can keep it going.