David Moyes praises Lucas Paqueta’s character after ‘brilliant’ performance for West Ham against Chelsea… amid an FA investigation into him for potential betting breaches that halted his move to Man City

David Moyes hailed Lucas Paqueta’s character after he put the Football Association betting probe hanging over him to one side to help 10-man West Ham overcome Chelsea.

Paqueta is the subject of an FA investigation into alleged betting breaches relating to in-game incidents, as revealed by Mail Sport on Friday, which has left his proposed move to Manchester City on the brink of collapse.

And he responded with a tireless performance in West Ham’s midfield, ending the game struggling with cramp, and scored their clinching goal from the penalty spot in injury time.

Moyes said: ‘I thought 65,000 people stood to their feet and applauded him because he played as well as anybody.

‘They were all cheering him because of his ability, he’s a really, really good player. He showed character never hid away from the ball and his performance was very good especially in the second half. I thought he did brilliantly well today. I’m only interest in how he performed today.

The Brazilian put the Football Association betting probe hanging over him to one side

Paqueta is the subject of an FA investigation into alleged betting breaches relating to in-game incidents

‘There was never any doubt about picking him. He’s a solid and tough character so no problems.

‘It was just a terrific performance from him. Scored a penalty in the last minute or two. He played really, really well and he’s a very good player.’

Paqueta did not hide despite the controversy surrounding him and the nature of it. He was booked in the first half for dissent after complaining about a decision he did not get.

He was then involved in an additional flashpoint in the second half when he exaggerated his fall following a challenge from Conor Gallagher and then tumbled to the ground following a slight push from the Chelsea midfielder, a reaction with further riled other Blues players.

Paqueta struck from the spot – a penalty awarded when Moises Caicedo marked his debut following his £115m British record move from Brighton by bringing down Emerson – after James Ward-Prowse enjoyed what he described as a ‘dream’ West Ham bow by setting up goals for Nayef Aguerd, who was later sent off, and Michail Antonio.

Carney Chukwuemeka had levelled the game in the first half before he was forced off ahead of the break handing Chelsea another injury concern after losing the likes of Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku and Reece James since pre-season. He left the stadium on crutches.

Enzo Fernandez also saw his penalty saved by Alphonse Areola just before half-time, blowing the chance to put Chelsea 2-1 up.

Chelsea were the dominant side, labelled ‘really, really good side’ by Moyes, but suffered their first defeat of the Mauricio Pochettino era at the London Stadium.

West Ham’s opener came from a seventh-minute Ward-Prowse corner and Pochettino said: ‘We started the game knowing West Ham are so, so dangerous in set-pieces, corners. We conceded a few corners and then we conceded the goal. That is a little bit disappointing.

‘The result doesn’t reflect the performance but we have to accept this type of situation happens.’