Well that was a surprise!
Any ideas I had personally on the line up including Mark Noble were firmly put in their place by the lads as they raced into a three goal lead with a performance which was more reminiscent of the old West Ham than the new with their attacking and dig it out faces on display.
Having taken such a lead a repeat of the Arsenal game then looked on the cards but we were just about good enough to hold onto the points and re-take fourth place.
That we did so was down to the manager signing Jesse Lingard who was again magnificent and if nothing else – and there’s lots – we should be eternally grateful for the decision to bring the 28 year old to the club.
Stripped seemingly of options given Dec’s injury, he went down the road most thought he would by bringing in the captain.
It meant that Tomas Soucek had to do more defensive work in midfield but in Fornals we had a player who looks central to all that is happening at the club.
He trusted Arthur sufficiently to give him a start after three months out and the left sided midfielder didn’t let him down – nor did Bowen who came on to give a typically energetic performance.
Given all the circumstances the manager can be very pleased with his evening’s work.
MOYES VERDICT 7+
A good rating he got the formation right going to 3-5-2. Noble did not let us down tonight but we need another solution in there against Leicester. Picking Masa was a big call but he got that right too. I would say to play Noble for the full 90 mins was for me a poor call, I also thought Masa was doing very well so a little surprised he made that change when we were looking really comfortable. But overall a good display by the manager.