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      Europa League quarter-final draw in full as Liverpool avoid horror clash but West Ham land nightmare fixture

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      LIVERPOOL and West Ham have learned their fate for the Europa League quarter-finals.The English duo both cruised past their last 16 opponents to secure their spot in the last eight of the tournament.West Ham have discovered their opponents for the quarter-finalCredit: GettyLiverpool also know who they will face for a place in the semi-finalsCredit: GettyDavid Moyes’ Hammers will continue their quest for a second consecutive European success against Bayer Leverkusen.But it will be a tough task against the Germans who are on a 37-game unbeaten run with Xabi Alonso at the helm.While Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for a send off to remember if his side can continue their journey by getting past Atalanta.Elsewhere AC Milan will face fellow Italians AS Roma while Benfica will take on Marseille in the final clash.Both West Ham and Liverpool will take confidence from the ease at which they progressed from the last 16.West Ham hammered Freiburg 5-0 on Thursday night to earn a 5-1 aggregate win over the German club.And The Reds blew away Sparta Prague with a sensational 11-2 aggregate win that showed why they are favourites to lift the trophy in Dublin come May.The first legs of the quarter-final ties will take place on April 11 before the return fixtures are completed the following week on April 18.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALFollowing those intense ties the semi-finals will take place on May 2 and May 9 with an all-English final on the cards.If West Ham are to win their clash they will take on the victor of AC Milan vs Roma.Firefighters forced to intervene as Europa League Conference match delayed after fans throw fireworks on to pitchAnd should Liverpool reach the next round they will face the winner of Benfica vs Marseille.The draw for the Champions League was also made today with both Manchester City and Arsenal handed tough ties.The Gunners will return to face old foe Bayern Munich in a clash that will see a return to north London for Harry Kane.While Man City have been dished the challenge of taking on 14-time winners Real Madrid. More

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      Watch ‘funniest football moment ever’ as player tries to high five ref for cancelling yellow card only to be given RED

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      THE Europa League is never short of entertainment and Thursday’s clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Qarabag was no different.Qarabag defender Elvin Cafarquliyev hilariously tried to high-five the referee following a VAR decision thinking he had been spared a yellow card – only to be shown a red just seconds later.Elvin Cafarquliyev was sent off following a VAR review that turned his yellow card into a red for pulling on the shirt of Jeremie FrimpongReferee Anthony Taylor signalled that the yellow card was ruled outCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontntCafarguliyev went to high-five Taylor thinking he had gotten away with itCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontntInstead Taylor pulled out a red card and sent the defender offCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontntCafarguliyev left the pitch fumingCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontntCafarquliyev was booked by referee Anthony Taylor in the 61st minute after he was judged to have grabbed the shirt of Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong who was through on goal.Frimpong fell to the ground as a result and after a lengthy VAR check Taylor retrospectively decided that his Cafarquliyev’s yellow card should instead have been red.After making the bold decision the official indicated that the yellow card would no longer stand with a hand gesture, leading Cafarquliyev to believe he had got off scot free.The Azerbaijan international wanted to celebrate that by high-fiving Taylor and raised his hand to do so – only for the stern referee to reach into his pocket and brandish a red card instead.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCafarquliyev had jumped the gun in thinking he was getting away with the shirt tug, but instead was sent for an early shower.Fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing and took to social media to share their reactions.One wrote: “Right up towards the top of the list for funniest football moments ever. Outstanding.”While another added: “Taylor left him hanging and said here you go, you’re off!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERA third joked: “I’m on the actual floor.”And a fourth wrote: “VAR can’t even downgrade yellows so not sure what he was hoping his best case scenario was there.”Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowThe one man deficit didn’t seem to hamper Qarabag initially as they doubled their lead over Leverkusen to 2-0 just three minutes after the sending off.But ultimately Xabi Alonso’s side made the most of their advantage by pulling a goal back in the 72nd minute and adding two more through Patrik Schick in injury time to win the game 3-2.Leverkusen didn’t just book their place in the Europa League quarter-finals with their win, but also kept their 37 game unbeaten run alive.The Germans sit top of the Bundesliga table after an exceptional campaign with Alonso at the helm.And with 10 points separating them from second placed Bayern Munich it looks like they are on course for a first ever Bundelsiga title.Patrik Schick left it late to turn things around for Bayer LeverkusenCredit: GettyXabi Alonso’s side continue to impressCredit: Getty More

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      Brighton 1 Roma 0 (agg 1-4): Welbeck goal not enough as De Zerbi’s men crash out of Europe after first leg mauling

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      BRIGHTON may have been defeated in the Europa League – but they won the battle of the banners. Danny Welbeck’s 37th minute rocket wasn’t enough to save the club’s debut campaign in Europe after they were left with a 4-0 mountain to climb following a hellish first-leg in Rome.Danny Welbeck’s first-half goal proved not to be enoughCredit: GettyThey attempted to rally an unlikely comebackCredit: PABut they got the last laugh after unfurling a banner which read “Totti loves pineapple on pizza” after Roma fans’ x-rated sign aimed at the late Queen last week.The Seagulls, who were in the third-tier as recently as 2011, can be proud of their glittering run which has seen wins in Ajax and Athens as well as beating Marseille at home to top their group. After a quiet start, the first-half got heated at the Amex.  Brighton were very lucky when a jaw-dropping overhead kick from Sardar Azmoun was ruled out for a high foot on Jan-Paul van Hecke on the half-hour mark.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Roma bench went berserk when the goal was not given and Daniele De Rossi was booked for giving an earful to the fourth official. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi followed suit and was shown a yellow as tempers flared on the benches following argy bargy on the pitch in the build up to a Pascal Gross free-kick.  The Seagulls needed a lift and it arrived in spectacular fashion when Pervis Estupinan supplied a peach of a pass to Welbeck who curled a beauty into the top corner that goalkeeper Mile Svilar could not reach. Brighton lived to rue their missed chances in the gameCredit: PACredit: The SunCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALThere was a brief VAR check to see if Leonardo Spinazzola should be sent off for a foul on Tariq Lamptey but the decision was no. Most read in Europa LeagueIn the aftermath Estupinan was pushed to the floor by Azmoun and they were both booked for their roles in the resulting melee.EXCL: My uncle played in the World Cup final, now I’m making my own way starring for Premier League clubCredit: The SunAfter the break Simon Adingra would have doubled the lead with a bullet header had it not been for a superb save by Svilar. Van Hecke then also came close with back to back headers as the clock was ticking – but it just wasn’t meant to be. More

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      Liverpool 6 Sparta Prague 1 (agg 11-2): Wonderkid Bobby Clark shines as Salah breaks record in Europa League tie

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      MO SALAH became the first ever Liverpool player to strike 20 times or more in SEVEN successive seasons.Yet if he was able to play against teams as bad as Sparta each week, the Egyptian would be finishing every campaign with 80 goals.Bobby Clark starred as Liverpool thrashed Sparta Prague in the Europa LeagueCredit: AFPMohamed Salah became the first Reds player to score 20 goals or more in seven successive seasonsCredit: ReutersLiverpool were rampant but the Czech champions utterly hopeless as Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasers strolled to a ludicrously easy win.Salah was joined in this latest Reds goalfest by Darwin Nunez, Bobby Clark, Cody Gakpo (two) and Dominik Szoboszlai and had they really wanted to, Liverpool would have reached double figures.It is difficult to remember a team as poor as Sparta in the knockout stages of any European tournament and Liverpool know that today’s quarter-final draw will produce far tougher opponents.Klopp, who is now preparing for Manchester United on Sunday in the FA Cup, had the luxury of taking off Nunez, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo at half-time.READ MORE LIVERPOOL NEWSBut the Liverpool manager still ended up getting a yellow card as he complained over sub Jarell Quansah getting a slightly harsh booking.Incredibly, Liverpool scored three goals in the space of three goals and 12 minutes and were 4-0 up after 14 minutesUnmarked Nunez stroked Szobozlai’s pass into the corner in the seventh minute for his 17th of the season.Just 68 seconds later, on his full European debut, Bobby Clark grabbed a second following a suicidal pass across the face of the goal by Sparta skipper Ladislav Krejci.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALSalah took his place in the Liverpool history books with a low shot from inside the area after the bustling Clark nicked the ball off Jaroslav Zeleny.Gakpo ensured that the front three all got their names on the scoresheet when he made it 4-0 with a first-time finish after being picked out by Salah.Roy Keane goes against the grain with his verdict on Liverpool’s last-second penalty appeal vs Man City-Despite their team playing abysmally, the Czech fans made plenty of noise and at least they had something to shout about when Serb forward Veljko Birmancevic squeezed a shot past Caoimhin Kelleher.The second half was less than three minutes old when Szoboszlai’s shot, which seemed to be going wide, was deflected into the net by Krejci.Gakpo delivered a clever flick to divert Harvey Elliott’s shot past beleaguered keeper Peter Vindahkl who will have nightmares over these two games against Liverpool.Klopp gave a debut to Polish 20-year-old attacking midfielder Mateusz Musialowski and the only surprise was that skipper Virgil van Dijk was risked as a 66th minute sub.Clark scored his first senior goal in the Anfield routCredit: Reuters More

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      Europa League last-16 LIVE SCORES: Liverpool seal record-breaking win, West Ham run riot against Freiburg, Brighton OUT

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      EUROPA LEAGUE action returned tonight with bags of goals flying in left, right and centre.West Ham completed a comeback in style as they thrashed Freiburg 5-1 on aggregate to book their spot in the next round.Liverpool sealed a record-breaking win against Sparta Prague by beating the Czech Republic league leaders 11-2 overall.While Brighton have gone crashing out at the hands of Italian giants Roma.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEuropa League quarter-finalists decided
      After tonight’s results we can now look forward to the draw for the next round tomorrow.
      The teams in the hat for the draw are:

      Liverpool
      West Ham
      Atalanta
      Bayer Leverkusen
      Benfica
      AC Milan
      Marseille
      Roma

      It should be an interesting draw, we could potentially even see an all-English tie now.
      Copy linkCopiedFT: Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Qarabag (agg: 5-4)
      What a finish to this game at the BayArena.
      Going into added time, Leverkusen were a goal down with German heads completely down.
      Two goals from Patrik Schick have turned the game on its head and see Leverkusen progress to the quarter-finals.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Brighton 1-0 Roma (agg: 1-4)
      It proved a bridge too far for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
      Coming back from four goals down was a mammoth task which Brighton just could not match.
      They had chances in the game but could not work the goal enough.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Atalanta 2-1 Sporting Lisbon (agg: 3-2)
      It is a big win for the Italians against the Portuguese league leaders.
      Goals from two ex Premier League players take them through.
      After going ahead in the game, Lisbon will be devastated to go out.

      Copy linkCopiedBayer Leverkusen 3-2 Qarabag
      90+8. Insane scenes at the BayArena.
      Palacios crosses the ball in and Schick meets it to head home in the eighth minute of added time.
      Heartbreak for Qarabag.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
      Copy linkCopiedBayer Leverkusen 2-2 Qarabag
      90+2. Would be believe it, they have done it again.
      Grimaldo crosses from the wing, Schick side foots it into the back of the net.
      It looks as though this one is heading to extra-time, with Qarabag down to ten men.
      Credit: AP
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
      Copy linkCopiedFT: Liverpool 6-1 Sparta Prague (agg: 11-2)
      It is all over at Anfield.
      There was only ever one team in this tie over both legs.
      Cody Gakpo could not get the match ball with his first Liverpool hat-trick, which is the only disappointment this evening.

      Copy linkCopiedBayer Leverkusen 1-2 Qarabag
      88. The Germans are throwing everything at the visitors now.
      Wirtz has a chance to score but a brilliant sliding challenge blocks his effort.
      Qarabag are defending for their lives now to pull off an upset.
      Copy linkCopiedAtalanta 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
      87. The game is finely poised heading into the final stages.
      Sporting have dominated the ball in this second half but the direct style of the Italians has put them into a position of strength.
      They just need to hang on now to book their place in the next round.
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 6-1 Sparta Prague
      82. Elliott strides through the middle, seemingly looking for Gakpo.
      As he gets into the box, he has no other chance than to shoot.
      The keeper makes a fine save to tip it around the post.
      Copy linkCopiedBrighton 1-0 Roma
      73. Despite having 63% possession in the game, The Seagulls just cannot find the target often enough.
      They have had 11 shots but only 2 of those have been on target.
      With those stats, there is no chance of coming back from a 4-0 defeat in Rome.
      Credit: PA
      Copy linkCopiedBayer Leverkusen 1-2 Qarabag
      72. Just like in the first leg, the Bundesliga leaders are having to come back from two goals down.
      Grimaldo crosses to find Frimpong who volleys home in spectacular style.
      This will be some finish at the BayArena.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
      Copy linkCopiedBayer Leverkusen 0-2 Qarabag
      67. It is a carbon copy of the first goal for the visitors.
      Andrade crosses and picks out Zoubir who heads home.
      We could have an upset on our hands in Germany.
      Credit: AP
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Abdellah Zoubir (Qarabag)
      Copy linkCopiedBrighton 1-0 Roma
      62. Roma are starting to come into this game more.
      Spinazzola picks the ball up wide in the box and gets a shot away.
      It comes thundering back off the woodwork.
      Warning for Brighton there but the hosts need goals desperately now.
      Copy linkCopiedAtalanta 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
      59. Gian Piero Gasperini’s words at half time seem to have worked.
      Atalanta have completely turned this game around now.
      Marten de Roon squares the ball to Gianluca Scamacca who slots home, much to the delight of the Italian fans.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)
      Copy linkCopiedBayer Leverkusen 0-1 Qarabag
      62. Despite their dominance, it is the visitors who take the lead.
      Leandro Andrade crosses with pinpoint accuracy to find Zoubir in the box who heads home.
      It has silenced the German fans, that is for sure.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Abdellah Zoubir (Qarabag)
      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 6-1 Sparta Prague
      55. As a corner is whipped in, the keeper gets a weak punch on it.
      McConnell shifts it to Elliott on the edge of the box who shoots.
      His effort is going wide but Gakpo reacts to divert it into the bottom corner.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
      Copy linkCopiedAtalanta 1-1 Sporting Lisbon
      52. The former Everton winger gets on the scoresheet.
      It was an easy finish for Lookman with all the work being done in the build-up.
      It puts us all level on the night and on aggregate also.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Man Utd fans say ‘we’ll never forgive Ten Hag for choosing Antony’ as Kudus dribbles from own half to score worldie

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      MOHAMMED KUDUS’ stunning solo goal for West Ham has left Manchester United fans fuming.Supporters have claimed they “will never forgive” Erik ten Hag for not signing the former Ajax midfielder.Mohammed Kudus scored a stunning solo goal as West Ham thrashed Freiburg 5-0Credit: RexThe midfielder’s display left Manchester United fans fuming they did not sign himCredit: GettyKudus with then-Ajax coach Erik ten Hag in 2021Ten Hag instead brought Antony to Old Trafford after his appointment in 2022.Kudus showed United what could have been in the Europa League on Thursday.The Ghanaian scored twice as the Hammers thrashed Freiburg 5-0 to overturn their first leg deficit and reach the quarter-finals.His first goal was a sunning solo effort which saw him dribble from his own half before scoring.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAfter skipping past the challenges of three Freiburg players, Kudus calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.He later added West Ham’s fifth to wrap up a dominant display at the London Stadium.Reacting to the goal on social media, one fan wrote: “I will never ever forgive Ten Hag for coaching both Kudus and Antony and choosing Antony to be the €100m signing.”Another added: “Ten Hag saw this everyday then proceeded to go with Mount and Antony over him.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALA third supporter also commented: “Ten Hag coached Kudus and Antony, so decided to get Antony instead.”Meanwhile, a rival fan joked: “It will never not be funny that Ten Hag went back to his old club to spend £80m or whatever on Antony rather than Kudus.”David Moyes issues defiant eight-word response to angry West Ham fans who demand under-fire boss is SACKEDKudus joined West Ham for £35million last summer and has now scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for the club.He previously played 42 times under Ten Hag at Ajax after he signed him in 2020.As for Antony, the Brazilian has consistently come in for criticism for his performances since arriving in an £85.5million deal two years ago.Although he has scored nine goals for United, the 24-year-old is yet to pick up a goal or assist in the Premier League this season.The Red Devils are even considering selling the winger this summer, according to reports. More

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      Rangers 0 Benfica 1 (2-3 on Agg) – Gers OUT of Europa League as Rafa Silva’s second half goal ends run at last 16 stage

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      PHILIPPE CLEMENT said before kick-off a Rangers victory could become an exhibit in the Ibrox museum.Unfortunately, his team’s Europa League campaign is now a thing of the past.Rangers’ Connor Goldson looks dejected after the matchafa Silva of Benfica celebrates after scoring the opening goalThe Belgian’s side gave everything for a priceless result to take them into the last eight of the competition.But it’s Benfica who got the win to take into their history books.Rafa Silva’s crucial goal that separated these two sides over legs was initially disallowed for off-side but a VAR check confirmed the strike would stand.It was an agonising end of this Euro run that had Rangers supporters dreaming of reaching the final in Dublin in May.But the 50,000 inside Ibrox for this early kick-off saluted the efforts of their heroes after the final whistle.There’s no shame whatsoever in losing to the Portuguese giants.But in the cold light of day, Clement and his players will believe they passed up a glorious opportunity to reach the quarter finals.Had Cyriel Dessers taken a big chance at the start of the second half here it could easily have turned out different.In the end it wasn’t to be, but there were still some big, imposing performances out there for Rangers.Skipper James Tavernier was immense in both directions down the right flank.Big John Souttar was the same. If not better.The Scotland centre-back was aggressive and decisive when he had to go and win the ball on the deck or in the air. When he was in possession he was calm and cool, fizzing balls forward into the feet of the midfielders ahead of him.There were still moments of anxiety in the first-half that would have worried Clement.John Lundstram was a key man bringing the ball out from the back with Souttar and Connor Goldson splitting.But the best Benfica chance of the opening 45 minutes came when the Scouse defender took his eye off the ball in the middle of the park and lost it.Thankfully for Lundstram, Tavernier made a timely last ditch block to make sure all the Portuguese side got out of it was a corner.All in all, there wasn’t a great deal between the sides by the time the half-time whistle went.Rangers could have been ahead given how much of the ball they enjoyed. Yet they didn’t trouble goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin nearly enough.The Ukrainian did make one impressive save to keep out a shot from Dessers, but the Ibrox striker had wandered into an off-side position when Tom Lawrence picked him out. Even had Trubin not made the stop, it wouldn’t have counted.1Cyriel Dessers dejectionThere were other moments that had the home support up off their seats. Lawrence fired an early shot on target that the Benfica No1 almost spilled into his net.Scott Wright – in the line-up with Dujon Sterling injured – was also lively whenever he got into the final third.It was just the final ball that let Rangers down. For all their good play, they didn’t carve out a big chance to take the lead before the interval and that would have been something that frustrated Clement and his backroom staff.Benfica would certainly have been the happier of the two teams that there was still nothing between the sides when they came back out.They made a change for the restart, striker Casper Tengstedt replacing Marcos Leonardo which was a sign that their coach, Roger Schmidt, wanted more from his attack.Just two minutes into the second-half, though, it was Rangers who had to expect better from their frontman.Wright did brilliantly to burst forward and pick out Dessers inside the box.Rangers manager Philippe Clement gestures from the sidelineBut after chopping inside, the Belgian fired his shot with his right foot – when he should have used his left – and he didn’t get nearly enough power on it with the opportunity wasted.It was still a good restart, though, and a sign that Rangers could be the team that got the next goal in the tie.They still had to be careful at the back.Goldson picked up a booking for hauling back Rafa Silva as he got away from him and, in truth, it was probably a good yellow card to get. If anything, he should have fouled him sooner. Or harder.Because in 66 minutes it was the little forward who made it 1-0 to Benfica.The galling thing for Rangers was that it came from a corner they had at the other end.But, like they did all night, they didn’t leave enough cover back on the halfway line and they were wide open to be hit on the break. Could Dessers have done better inside the Benfica box to stop the attack unfolding in the first place? It certainly looked that way.But you had to credit Angel Di Maria for setting up Silva with a perfectly timed pass which saw the Portuguese burst from his own half and into the Rangers box to beat Butland.At first it looked like the goal would be ruled out for off-side after the linesman raised his flag. But an agonising VAR check confirmed that Silva was in his own half when Di Maria passed to him and that the strike would stand.Rangers ran out of legs in the closing minutes despite changed and Benfica held on to take their place in the today’s draw for the next round.Team newsKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      West Ham 5 Freiburg 0 (agg 5-1): Hammers secure huge comeback win despite Paqueta tantrum after being subbed

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      WEST HAM turned on the style to fire their way into the Europa League quarter-finals.David Moyes took the handbrake off and was rewarded with five goals, including two stunners from Mohammed Kudus.Kudus shone as West Ham won easilyCredit: GettyLucas Paqueta threw a strop after being substituted offCredit: TNT SportsPaqueta opened the scoring for West Ham as they thrashed FreiburgCredit: RexThe 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 start for West Ham 🤩Lucas Paquetá taps home to bring the Hammers level with Freiburg on aggregate within nine minutes 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/7uWVCuZK26— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024

      After disappointing displays in the first leg and against Burnley on Sunday, this was a reminder of West Ham’s newfound European pedigree.Lucas Paqueta’s early goal got this second leg off to the perfect start before Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Cresswell both scored fine goals either side of the break to lift the mood in East London.Kudus then took the roof off with a stunning solo goal, covering three quarters of the pitch on a superb solo run to get his first before drilling in a fabulous fifth to seal an 11th straight home win in Europe.Moyes will continue to split opinion in the stands and debate over whether he should stay or go will rumble on until the summer.But it cannot be denied that when he needs a big performance, the Scot usually gets it. Freiburg, despite being lesser opposition, can be listed alongside Sevilla and Lyon as another memorable night.By the end, the boos from Burnley on Sunday had been replaced by ‘oles’ and optimism of another European push.Despite fears over a struggle to sell tickets due to the early start, the London Stadium was near capacity and full of voice as the Hammers looked to turn this tie around.Backed by the din the hosts made a flying start. Moyes had criticised Paqueta for his performance in Germany last week, but the Brazilian delivered after just nine minutes here.Most read in FootballBowen silenced the critics as he scored on the day he got a call-up to Southgate’s latest England squadCredit: GettyAnd even Aaron Cresswell got in on the actCredit: RexCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALWith set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse dropped to the bench, Aaron Cresswell stepped in and delivered a peach of a corner to the front post.Tomas Soucek’s diving header diverted the ball to the far post where it was met by Paqueta to begin the comeback. Premier League’s Euro adventurers facing crunch week in fight to land England fifth spot in revamped Champions LeagueA lovely finish from Aaron Cresswell 🎯His first-ever European goal gives West Ham a two-goal advantage over Freiburg on aggregate 💪#UEL pic.twitter.com/poqFjtIKXU— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024

      The SunThe opener may have come from a set piece, but the Hammers were already showing more energy than across 90 minutes in the Black Forest, or the first half against Burnley.With the added attacking players, West Ham were still not completely secure at the back.But the addition of Michail Antonio had transformed them going forward and saw Bowen back in his more natural wide role.If there had been doubts about why Gareth Southgate had elected to call-up the winger for England earlier in the day, they were banished just after the half-hour mark when Bowen put the Hammers ahead in this tie for the first time.Collecting Soucek’s header, which had been well left by Antonio, Bowen turned, shrugged off the much bigger Christian Gunter and drilled a superb low effort into the bottom right.After reaching the semi-finals last time they were in this competition and winning the Europa Conference League last season, Moyes had called on his players to show their European clout here.Just minutes into the second half, they stamped their authority on this tie to banish any half-time jitters.Kudus stole the show with two goals on a brilliant night for the HammersCredit: AFPKudus dug a cross out from the left which was half-cleared to Vladimir Coufal. The Czech found Bowen who lifted his head to pick out Cresswell.The left-back, who was sent off in quarter-final and semi-final ties during West Ham’s last Europa League run, composed himself with a touch and lashed a superb finish into the far corner.The best was yet to come, though, with Kudus – another Moyes was unhappy with last week – pulled out a goal of the season contender, picking up the ball deep in his own half, driving 80 yards past three Freiburg defenders and finishing cooling in the bottom corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESMoyes had started making the changes and was about to bring Kudus off for youngster George Earthy, but the Ghanaian star was not quite done.Soucek and Bowen broke together with the latter teeing up Kudus on the edge of the box. The ex-Ajax man shaped to bend the ball into the far corner before ratting in at the near post. More