WEST HAM’S European dreams have been shattered as they were comfortably beaten by German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
Aaron Cresswell’s 19th minute sending off made the Hammer’s task incredibly difficult.
And Rafael Borre was on the end of a beautiful team goal which ultimately knocked the wind out of West Ham’s sails.
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- RESULT: Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (3-1 on agg)
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 1 HD and BT Sport Ultimate
- Frankfurt XI: Trapp; Tuta, Hunteregger, N’Dicka, Knauff, Sow, Rode, Kostic; Hauge, Borre, Kamada
- West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio
That’s all from Frankfurt
The bubble has burst. The dream has died.
West Ham United’s memorable Europa League cup run has come to a disappointing end at the penultimate hurdle after they were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final.
The Hammers arrived in Germany needing to win, but that difficult task was made almost impossible by Aaron Cresswell’s early red card.
The Londoners scrapped right to the end, but didn’t have enough to overcome their Bundesliga opponents, and have instead been left to rue what might have been.
That, as it turns out, is a place in the final against Glasgow Rangers that will take place in the Spanish city of Seville on May 18.
And while West Ham won’t be there, we will be to ensure that you don’t miss a kick of the action.
Until then, thanks for joining us, and goodnight.
Extra! Read all about it!
It’s almost time to bid auf wiedersehen to Frankfurt, but before we go let’s recap on this ultimately disappointing evening when West Ham have been knocked out of the Europa League.
Here’s Jordan Davies’ match report of Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-1 aggregate win in the semi-final.
With a mountain already to climb after a first leg 2-1 loss at the London Stadium, a grip on a first major European final for 46 years was lost after Aaron Cresswell’s 19th-minute red card.
Moyes rues the small things
West Ham manager David Moyes had nothing but praise for his players following their Europa League semi-final exit in Frankfurt.
The Hammers boss felt his side did not get the rub of some refereeing decisions on the night, and it was the minor details that ultimately cost them.
I’m really disappointed. Things didn’t go for us on the night, small things didn’t happen, but I am really proud of the players. How they played with ten men was fantastic. They stayed in it when other teams would have folded. These boys are great.
I thought we tried and created chances. I actually thought we had better chances than Frankfurt, but we congratulate them. They go through, we don’t, and we give them our best wishes.
I don’t feel any [pride] at the moment. I just feel disappointment as I felt this was our chance. We have played better teams probably than Frankfurt. Let’s be honest, we probably lost the game in the first 30 seconds at the London Stadium when we conceded. We were chasing the game since then.
We have enjoyed being in the competition, but I’m not sure we have enjoyed the officiating. We have a pretty good team so I think we can try again. We will try to be a bit wiser and can hopefully do it more often.
David Moyes
Frankfurt ready to repeat history
Eintracht Frankfurt’s last European honour was the 1980 UEFA Cup, and the German side now have the opportunity to claim the competition that that tournament became.
Now the Europa League, the Eagles are back in the final and will be hoping to repeat the success that saw them beat Borussia Monchengladbach on away goals 42 years ago.
Credit: @Squawka Twitter Gutted Rice: we gave everything
West Ham captain Declan Rice was a disappointed figure as he faced up to the cameras at the final whistle, but insisted he and his teammates did all they could in testing conditions.
We’re gutted in there. We’ve come so far as a group, and have given everything this year. We’re not the biggest of squads, and to keep playing week in, week out over 50 games a season after last year is hard.
I’m proud as well. To go down to ten men, and put in that shift. Many teams would have lost three and four, but the way we still tried to defend and get forward with a man less emphasised everything that West Ham is about. We’ll fight to the end. I’m gutted but proud of everyone.
Declan Rice
One may night in Seville
Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany will play Glasgow Rangers of Scotland in the final of the Europa League.
The Scottish Premiership side overcame a 1-0 first leg deficit to beat RB Leipzig 3-1 at Ibrox, and progress 3-2 on aggregate.
The final will now take place in Seville on the evening of Wednesday, May 18.
Match stats from Deutsche Bank Park
The ten men of West Ham huffed and puffed in Frankfurt, but their six attempts on target barely stung the gloves of Kevin Trapp in the home side’s goal.
Full time – Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
The final whistle goes and the fans stream on to the pitch to celebrate that Eintracht Frankfurt are in the Europa League final!
The Germans were the better side over both legs of this semi-final, but were undoubtedly helped by the early red card shown to West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell.
An uphill task for the Hammers became that much harder at that point, and their dream of European glory now lies in tatters in Germany.
David Moyes will have to pick his players up, and doo all he can to ensure that days like these become more frequent in years to come.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
90+3. Inside five minutes of stoppage time, and Bowen curls in one final effort straight at the the home goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, the Frankfurt fans are congregating around the advertising hoardings. Are we going to see a celebratory pitch invasion at full time?
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
90. So close!
West Ham’s best chance of the night comes from a set-piece as Soucek gets up highest to meet Bowen’s corner.
The Czech powers his header goalwards, but it drops the wrong side of Trapp’s right-hand post. He really should have scored!
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
88. A chance for Antonio to set up a grandstand finish!
The forward gets on the end of Rice’s ball over the top, does well to bring it down, and then fires straight at Trapp.
What a moment that could have been!
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1) – West Ham substitution
86. Time is running out for the Hammers, who throw on Andriy Yarmolenko in place of Vladimir Coufal.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
84. Soucek tries to help Tuta on his way by dragging the defender off the pitch after he had gone down with cramp.
The Brazilian isn’t having it, and uses his remaining strength to remain just inside the touchline.
What’s the German for game management?
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
81. It’s all kicking off again! Benrahma dribbles into the area – and ultimately out of play – but the home players aren’t happy because they were expecting West Ham to return the ball.
Frankfurt had put the ball out so one of their injured players could receive treatment.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
80. That red card will mean a suspension for David Moyes the next time West Ham make it into Europe – whenever that may be.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1) – David Moyes red card
78. West Ham’s frustrating night goes from bad to worse as their manager is shown a red card by referee Jesus Gil Manzano.
A melee ensues on the touchline as a Frankfurt substitute fails to return the ball, and leads to the Hammers bossing booting it in the direction of the home dugout.
As well as the red card for Moyes, there are yellows shown to another member of the Hammers’ coaching team and to one of the home side’s reserves.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
76. The Hammers are having a go without throwing the kitchen sink at Frankfurt.
A couple of corners come and go on the left, and all they have to show for them is the sight of Craig Dawson trying to bundle his way through a packed penalty area.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1) – West Ham substitution
74. Finally, a second change for the Hammers.
Said Benrehma is on for Pablo Fornals.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
72. Kostic drifts in off the left, and catches everyone out by going for goal with an audacious effort from 30 yards.
As Areola scampers back in the direction of his right-hand post, the ball whistles a yard wide.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
70. Another corker of an Antonio cross has the home side worried, but it’s expertly dealt with by Trapp, who dives off his line to push off the toes of Bowen.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
69. As we approach the final stages, Frankfurt appear to have actually dropped a little deep, and are presenting West Ham with plenty of possession.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
67. The travelling West Ham fans appear to be growing increasingly frustrated.
Whether that’s to do with the situation that they’re in, or their manager’s seeming inactivity to change it, who knows?
Actually, we all know. It’s both.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1) – Rode yellow card
65. The Frankfurt captain goes into the referee’s book with a cynical late slide on Bowen.
The midfielder accepts the yellow, but will be careful not to do anything that will threaten his place in the final.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
63. The home fans continue to raise the roof inside Deutsche Bank Park.
They know they’re just 27 minutes away from a European final.
Frankfurt 1-0 West Ham (agg 3-1)
62. Antonio now goes chasing a long ball down the right flank.
The forward has done some running tonight, and must be exhausted.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
