It's down to the diehards at the London Stadium. Matt and Lisa have returned from Paris, I've made it from a mini-break in Edinburgh and Big Sam is present despite staying up all night at a party after some clay-pigeon shooting, as young folk do. Fraser is unwell, Nigel is AWOL on a mysterious visit to Felixstowe and Michael is probably mingling with the great and good.
Moyes has sensibly given our exhausted squad two days off, though the side also seemed to take the afternoon off at Fulham. The side looks refreshed tonight and Paqueta, who has been carrying an injury according to the Evening Standard, and Kudus in particular look in the mood.
Kudus breaks down tHe left and pulls the ball back for Paqueta to whack a thunderous shot against the bar. The Hammers take the lead when Alvarez, who was badly missed at Fulham, plays a fine ball over the Freiburg defence for Kudus to control and calmly slip past Atubolu.
Bowen has a goal disallowed, correctly, for offside, but it's soon two. Alvarez plays a delightful one-two with Bowen and gets forward to fire home It's Edson's first goal for the Hammers and proof he is more than just a defensive enforcer.
We've played so well we don't even need Nigel's lucky banana at half-time. The second half sees Paqueta set up Emerson for a shot that is blocked by the keeper, Coufal plays in a great cross that Bowen nudges over when he should score, and Kudus fire just wide of the post. West Ham are massive, apparently
The game peters out as Moyes starts to rest players. We wonder if he's been at the Christmas sherry when he brings on two strikers in Ings and Mubama. Fabianski has to make good saves from Rohl and Doan late on, but generally the Irons do a professional job in seeing the game out. Credit to the Freiburg fans too for some epic bouncing and swaying and creating a lot of noise.
Matt, Lisa and myself head off on the Overground where we meet Big Joe. Then we head from Highbury and Islington to the House of Hammerton on Holloway Road to enjoy a late-night sampling of Tint Nitro Stout and assorted fruity beers.
An important result as it means West Ham avoid two extra play-off games against Champions League drop-outs and go straight into the next round by winning the group. Topping our groups three seasons running is a big achievement for Moyes and a much-needed tonic after the Fulham debacle. Irons!
PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Coufal 7 (Kehrer n/a), Mavropanos 6, Aguerd 6, Emerson 7; Soucek 6, Alvarez 8 (Fornals 6), Paqueta 7 (Mubama 5), Ward-Prowse 7; Kudus 8 (Cornet n/a), Bowen 7 (Ings 5).
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