The David Moyes farewell gig almost failed to launch, but eventually West Ham lit up the London Stadium with some back catalogue favourites to dismiss Luton 3-1.
A disinterested crowd were left scratching their heads early on at football’s equivalent of obscure album tracks, like Albert Sambi Lokonga’s opener for Luton.
The hosts needed 50 full minutes to find their rhythm and start banging out the hits. But once James Ward-Prowse had warmed them up with a crisp leveller, the Moyes tribute band were right back in the pocket.
Tomas Soucek volleyed the Hammers in front, then George Earthy turned in a classic of the genre – the local teenager climbing off the bench to score his maiden club goal with his first touch.
Midfielder Earthy turned in Mohammed Kudus’ low cross to put the Hammers 3-1 up, just 30 seconds after replacing Michail Antonio.
A glimpse into the future as the 19-year-old hugged his elated team-mates perhaps, but also a nod to Moyes’ summer departure.
The 61-year-old’s last home game delivered a fitting finale, as his second Hammers stint comes to a close.
The man who delivered West Ham’s first trophy since 1980 will always be feted in east London for last year’s Europa Conference League final.
Moyes will always have Prague, but he can also point to a sixth-place Premier League finish in 2021, backed up by ending seventh in 2022.
A top-half finish this season at least improves upon last term’s frustrating 14th, and Moyes’ summer exit seems well timed for all parties.
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Moyes was not quite revelling as the centre of attention in the build-up to kick-off, but the departing Hammers boss was definitely glad-handing with well-wishing home fans.
The demanding Scot probably wanted to turn that bonhomie on its head and dish out a few stern words when the hosts started in slipshod style.
West Ham had chances to clear some early Luton pressure, but were instead caught ball-watching as the Hatters smashed in and grabbed a fifth-minute lead.
Vladimir Coufal blocked Elijah Adebayo’s attempted cross in the box, but then failed to push out wide anywhere near quickly enough.
Alfie Doughty was under no pressure when he whipped in a left-wing cross – and Lokonga found himself even freer still when arriving late to thump home a smart header.
West Ham were in no rush for atonement, eventually dominating the ball but wasting what openings they created.
Jarrod Bowen shaved the outside of the post from a cute Lucas Paqueta cross, but the latter ceded possession far too often amid West Ham’s meandering first-half showing.
Booed off at the break, the hosts were too tepid and too lax, almost harbouring an air of disinterest.
No amount of gratitude for Moyes’ good times would trump frustrations at a significantly below-par first 45 minutes.
The teams returned after the interval, and not much changed, West Ham still without spark or wit.
But then Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski toed a ball only half clear, and Ward-Prowse angled neatly into the far corner.
Suddenly, energy from both teams, but notably from the hosts. Even Moyes was stalking his technical area with more of an edge.
Antonio should have done better from Coufal’s cross, heading into the ground to take the pressure off Kaminski.
Just moments later, Kaminski had to work far harder to deny Antonio, this time at full stretch to palm away another header from the Hammer.
Bowen saw a strike deflected over the bar from close range, as the Irons turned the screw. Then Souceck deadbolted the lock, with a fulsome volley from the edge of the area.
Luton again failed to clear their lines, and the Czech midfielder needed no second invitation, putting his foot fully through for a fine finish.
Kudus should have added a quick-fire third, but struck the post with Luton outfoxed. Earthy did then deliver that third, as Kudus turned provider.
The Havering native was concussed and hospitalised on his Premier League debut in April. Now the promising midfielder might just have delivered the knockout blow on Luton’s top-flight status.
Luton were floored at full-time, while Moyes made good on his pre-match promise not to deliver any animated message to fans on the pitch at full-time too.
Moyes had joked he was not the type of manager to fist pump a crowd, in some gentle ribbing of Liverpool’s all-action boss Jurgen Klopp.
And after shaking hands with all and sundry on the bench, he was off down the tunnel.
The end-of-season awards were still to take place on the pitch, but Moyes was as keen as ever to avoid the spotlight, even through the pleasantries.
