Joe Cole praises West Ham as Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse inspire Europa UEFA League win - 'I see goals everywhere'

Joe Cole was delighted with West Ham’s UEFA Europa League win on Thursday night, highlighting The Hammers’ ability to create chances and score out of nothing.

The UEFA Europa Conference League champions got their Europa League campaign off to a fine start at the London Stadium with a 3-1 win against TSC Backa Topola.

David Moyes' side fell behind to the Serbian club just minutes into the second half, when Petar Stanic robbed Angelo Ogbonna of possession before coolly slotting past Lukasz Fabianksi.

West Ham moved up through the gears in the final 25 minutes and drew level through a Nemanja Petrovic own goal.

Summer arrival Mohammed Kudus headed home from a James Ward-Prowse corner to put The Hammers ahead, before Tomas Soucek repeated the trick to seal the win.

Former midfielder Cole was particularly impressed by Kudus, who scored his first goal for West Ham since completing a £38 million move from Ajax last month.

“He looked like he was happy and settled, he’s just another weapon for David Moyes,” Cole told TNT Sports. “I look at his team and I see goals everywhere. It was a great night for West Ham.”

Ward-Prowse grabbed two assists on the night, meaning that he has either scored or assisted in each of his five West Ham appearances since joining from Southampton last month.

“He’s exceptional, a really unique footballer, a top footballer,” Cole said of the 28-year-old.

“I’ve been a fan, but I’m surprised how well he’s done. When you’ve been at a club for as long as him, been the figurehead of a club and then you go somewhere like West Ham, a change of environment – credit to him for how he’s settled in.

“His set-pieces - I don’t think there’s anyone in world football with that kind of quality. On the days when West Ham aren’t playing well, you know you just need one strike and then you’re away. He’ll deliver it and there’s going to be opportunities to score goals.”

On the performance as a whole, Cole admitted that West Ham no longer need to be at their best to get results on the European stage.

“[It was a] routine win for West Ham in Europe," Cole said. "Professional, weren’t really at it at times but the quality came through, which is always the sign of a good side.

“When you’re a good side and you know that even when you’re not really at it in every aspect of your team, you know you’re going to find something from somewhere, and they did that tonight.”

Elsewhere in Group A, Freiburg scored a late winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Greek giants Olympiakos.

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