JoyforMoyes, but misery for Hatters who are doomed
David Moyes said farewell to the London Stadium, while Luton were left almost certainly waving goodbye to the top flight after defeat at West Ham.
Albert Sambi Lokonga looked set to spoil Moyes’ party and give Luton a chance of taking the survival fight to the final day when he fired the visitors into an early lead.
But second-half goals from James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and teenager George Earthy gave Moyes a winning send-off in his final home match in charge.
In contrast, Luton boss Rob Edwards and some of his players were in tears, resigned to an immediate return to the Championship, as they applauded the travelling support after the final whistle.
Julen Lopetegui is set to usher in a new era in east London, but yesterday gave West Ham fans, even those fed up with Moyes and his perceived defensive tactics, the chance to thank the Scot for his second spell in charge, the successive top-seven finishes, the three seasons in Europe and, of course, that night in Prague last summer.
But just five minutes had elapsed when Alfie Doughty lifted a cross into the area and Lokonga dived in to head home from six yards.
Eight minutes into the second half, Jarrod Bowen scurried down the right and his cross-shot was half-cleared by the boot of Thomas Kaminski, but the ball fell to Ward-Prowse, who lashed it home from 14 yards out.
Bowen almost put the hosts ahead when he intercepted Gabriel Osho’s headed back pass, but could only flick the ball into Kaminski’s arms.
Kaminski then kept out two goalbound headers from Michail Antonio, with Bowen firing the rebound from the second inches wide.
A West Ham goal was coming and Soucek pounced in the 65th minute after Lokonga had headed away WardProwse’s cross.
Then came a sweet moment for Earthy, on as a substitute, grabbing the third late on.