Tony Pulis was wowed by “fabulous” West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta in the first half of the match between Bournemouth and the Hammers on Sunday (23 April).
Paqueta found the back of the net in the 12th minute of the match with a brilliant header from Vladimir Coufal’s floated cross.
The Brazilian’s goal came just seven minutes after Michail Antonio had put the visitors 1-0 up against Gary O’Neil’s side. Declan Rice made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute.
“The initial goal has taken the wind out of Bournemouth’s sails,” Pulis said on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“They have given the ball away cheaply and within two touches the ball is in the back of the net. To be fair to the lad [Paqueta] it is a fabulous header.”
West Ham went into the meeting with the Cherries in fine form, with Moyes’s men going into the match on a four-match unbeaten run after they were humiliated 5-1 at home to Newcastle at the beginning of the month.
Since then, however, they have overcome Gent in the Europa Conference League, have drawn with league leaders Arsenal and have beaten Fulham.
The confidence came right from the first whistle against Bournemouth, with two goals in quick succession from Antonio and Paqueta giving the Hammers a dream start on the south coast.
Paqueta has often come under fire for his lacklustre displays this season, with the Brazilian failing to live up to the hype following his summer move from Lyon.
But in recent times he is beginning to showcase his true talent, with the midfielder putting in several top displays for the Hammers in the Premier League and in the Europa Conference League.
Paqueta will undoubtedly be a key figure for Moyes as the club continue their push away from the Premier League relegation zone.