Luton down, HAMMER BLOW SHATTERS THE HA , Moyes out ATTERS AS BOSS BIDS FAREWELL
A GOODBYE from David Moyes and farewell to Luton Town.
In his final home game as West Ham manager, Moyes watched his men overcome an awful start to run out comfortable winners – and consign the Hatters to an immediate Championship return.
And the highlight for a manager considered to be conservative when blooding youngsters came when academy graduate George Earthy tapped in their third a minute after making his second league show.
The midfielder, 19, sustained a head injury in his debut against Fulham last month but the roar that greeted his goal was both a moment to cherish and a nod to the future on an day defined by bidding adieu.
Earthy delivered the killer blow for Luton, who were unable to capitalise after being gifted an early lead as slender hopes of survival evaporated.
At full time their gutted players stood motionless in front of an away support that never stopped singing.
But Rob Edwards will rue failure to capitalise on West Ham’s start.
Luton led inside six minutes as Albert Sambi Lokonga was afforded the freedom of the box to head home
Alfie Doughty’s cross from the left. Moyes looked furious but that gave West Ham a wake-up call.
Still, they only threatened sporadically throughout a turgid opening half.
Jarrod Bowen, again their best performer, looked the only one likely to level and twice went close.
Luton, however, never appeared likely to find a second as long spells passed with nothing of note on show. Not for the first time, they would pay the price for a lack of ruthlessness.
There were loud jeers from disgruntled West Ham fans at the interval and that seemed to bring the desired response upon the restart.
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Mohammed Kudus spurned a sitter to wrap up the points when grazing the post from 11 yards.
But the Ghana star went on a mazy dribble soon after, pulling the ball back for Earthy to make his dream a reality.
West Ham then began to pass the ball for fun in the east London sun, a world apart from their early efforts – though it was at least appreciated by supporters.
From boos at the break to olés at the end – that’s as neat a summary as any of the extremes throughout Moyes’ four years in charge.