West Ham United put up a real fight against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday but could to overturn their first-leg deficit and were knocked out of the Europa League – but manager Xabi Alonso was impressed.
West Ham came into the match having gone so close to keep the German champions at bay last week, only to concede two late goals in Germany. Last night, West Ham made a perfect start – going 1-0 up.
Jarrod Bowen picked the ball up midway through the Leverkusen half at the London Stadium – curling a ball onto Michail Antonio’s head, who held off both a defender and the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
But West Ham could not find that elusive second goal to level the tie, and ultimately with David Moyes side pushing for another – Leverkusen had chances on the counter. Jeremie Frimpong made it 1-1 late on.
Xabi Alonso praises two ‘amazing’ West Ham United players
So, Alonso‘s men go into the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win. West Ham crash out, but having made a European quarter-final for the third time in three years. They could still qualify for Europe next term.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Alonso was impressed by West Ham and paid compliments to Moyes’ side – picking out two players which he called “amazing”, in Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
“To be honest, they were the best team at half-time. West Ham have good players and energy. We know the physicality of West Ham. They also have amazing players like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.”
What do West Ham need to do qualify for Europe, again?
At the moment, it looks as if fifth place will remain a Europa League spot – and not another Champions League place. Sixth could also mean Europa League, depending on who wins the FA Cup this season.
If Man City win it, who are favourites to do so with Manchester United, Chelsea and Coventry still in the competition, then sixth goes to Europa League. If not, sixth will mean Conference League qualification.
That is because Liverpool won the Carabao Cup. The chances are, fifth and sixth will be a place in the Europa League and seventh – the Conference League. West Ham are eighth, but two off sixth place.
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