West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen - LIVE!
West Ham bowed out of the Europa League but only after giving new German champions Bayer Leverkusen an almighty fright. Michail Antonio's early goal had the Hammers, 2-0 down from the first leg, dreaming of inflicting a first defeat of the season on Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen and of maybe reaching a third European semi-final in three years.
But they were unable to find a second and were then left crestfallen when a deflected goal from Jeremie Frimpong a minute from time made it 1-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to end the Hammers' hopes.
At the very least West Ham knew they needed a fast start, and both the team and the crowd were instantly unrecognisable from the meek 2-0 home defeat by Fulham four days earlier. The first goal was always going to have to come from West Ham if they were going to make anything resembling a contest out of it, and it arrived in the 14th minute when Jarrod Bowen swung a cross into the box. The hosts tired after the break though and, with two minutes left, Frimpong struck, his shot taking a huge deflection off Aaron Cresswell to end West Ham's European adventure.
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West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
74 mins: Alonso and Moyes in deep conversation on the touchline. Looks friendly enough, just about.
Kudus leads the West Ham counter, but it’s a loose pass and here come Leverkusen.
Adli inside onto his right foot, shot blocked. Take two... same result.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
71 mins: Frustration levels are growing.
Bowen penalised and he then earns himself a booking for the angry response that follows. Hincapie made the most out of it.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
69 mins: Leverkusen continue to grow in confidence. They’re on top right now.
Pressure eases as Adli, just on for Grimaldo, clips Ward-Prowse.
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
For the first time tonight, West Ham look - understandably - to be flagging.
A Leverkusen goal ends it, you have to think.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
66 mins: It’s now Antonio 0-4 Referee.
Frimpong then very nearly sneaks in a cross at the near post, Fabianski scampers across and just about keeps it out.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
64 mins: Better spell for Leverkusen, looking like a side that can actually keep hold of the ball.
Frimpong has been bright since coming on - it’s taking three West Ham players every time to keep him quiet.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
60 mins: Bowen pounces on a loose ball in the box, plays it across the face of goal... three West Ham players flying in can’t catch up with it.
An hour gone, West Ham still bang in this.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
59 mins: Antonio might want a scrap with this referee.
He challenges with Tapsoba once more, looks to be held back but his appeals are ignore. Moyes cannot believe it.
West Ham 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-2)
56 mins: Antonio too strong and too quick for Tapsoba out wide, holding the ball up superbly.
He then again opts for the flop to the ground. Again the referee has no interest.