David Moyes’ side were unable to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League quarter-finals, despite Michail Antonio’s early goal.
Mohammed Kudus and his West Ham team’s Europa League journey came to an end after a draw with Bayer Leverkusen, despite giving the new German champions a run for their money.
Michail Antonio’s early goal had the Hammers, who were 2-0 down from the first leg, dreaming of handing Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen their first defeat of the season and possibly reaching a third EurMoyesopean semi-final in three years. However, they couldn’t find a second goal and were left devastated when Jeremie Frimpong’s deflected goal a minute from time made it 1-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, ending West Ham’s hopes.
David Moyes’ side were given little chance of overturning the deficit against one of Europe’s top teams, especially as they seemed a bit weary after celebrating their first Bundesliga title on Sunday. West Ham knew they needed a quick start, and both the team and the crowd were a stark contrast from the subdued 2-0 home defeat by Fulham four days earlier.
The first shot on target came from Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, whose 20-yard effort was impressively saved by Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianksi on his 39th birthday. But if West Ham were going to make this a contest, they needed to score first, and they did just that in the 14th minute when Jarrod Bowen delivered a cross into the box.
Antonio rose above Leverkusen’s centre-half Odilon Kossounou and keeper Matej Kovar to guide his header into the net, sparking belief among the home crowd that something special was on the cards. Just four minutes later, Mohammed Kudus managed to shake off Kossounou and hit a deflected shot which Kovar did well to save.
This prompted a reaction from Alonso, who substituted Kossounou less than 30 minutes into the game, with the Ivory Coast defender heading straight down the tunnel. Tensions escalated between the benches shortly after, resulting in West Ham’s first-team coach Billy McKinlay and Sebastian Parrilla from Leverkusen’s bench being sent off.
