West Ham vs Frankfurt LIVE: Europa League result and final score after late Jarrod Bowen overhead hits bar
Follow live reaction as West Ham fell to a first-leg defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of Europa League semi-finals
Follow live reaction as West Ham fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. West Ham’s first European semi-final in 46 years got off to a nightmare start - as Ansgar Knauff arrived late at the back post to head Eintracht Frankfurt ahead after just 48 seconds.
The hosts kept their composure and scored a deserved equaliser through Michail Antonio, after Jarrod Bowen had hit the post, and the striker stretched to steer Kurt Zouma’s knock-down over the line from a set-piece.
But it would be Eintracht Frankfurt who struck the next blow, as Daichi Kamada’s goal saw the visitors retake the lead as he eventually finished off a slick move through the West Ham defence. West Ham were frustrated in the closing stages, with Kamada coming closest as his shot deflected off Craig Dawson and onto the post.
And in stoppage time Bowen rattled the underside of the crossbar with a spectacular overhead kick as Frankfurt held on for the first-leg victory. It leaves West Ham with work to do in Germany next week. Relive the action from West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt, below:
West Ham 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
5 mins: West Ham win a free-kick midway through the Frankfurt half. It’s crossed in by Lanzini and Soucek rises highest but can only plant his header wide.
West Ham 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
3 mins: Cresswell went to sleep at the back post. Not sure he was aware Knauff was behind him.
The London Stadium let out a roar around 30 seconds after the goal went in. But this will be a serious test of the West Ham players’ character.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Eintracht Frankfurt (Knauff. 1)
1 min: WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?!
Absolutely incredible! Eintracht Frankfurt lead after just 49 seconds and it’s 20-year-old Ansgar Knauff who has headed the visitors in front.
It’s a delicious cross in from Borre on the left-hand side and Knauff steals in around the back to plant a header beyond Areola into the top corner.
Incredible. The London Stadium stunned into silence.
Kick-off: West Ham 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
1 min: KICK-OFF! The visitors get us underway as chants of ‘Come On You Irons’ ring out around the London Stadium.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
The players are out on the pitch. They were welcomed onto it with a powerful rendition of ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’. Superb atmosphere, as expected.
We are ready to go!
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Right, five minute warning. Kick-off is right around the corner.
Fire, fireworks, bubbles and music ringing out around the London Stadium. The crowd is packed out and we are ready to go.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Big night for Declan Rice. West Ham’s talisman was sensational in the latter stages of the Euros last summer and he will want to show once again that he can perform on Europe’s biggest stages.
He also received a nice rest on Sunday, playing just 28 minutes in the loss to Chelsea.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
And another reminder that Kurt Zouma HAS been deemed fit enough to start tonight. He will partner Craig Dawson at the heart of the West Ham defence.
A huge relief for David Moyes. Still, not a fan of Zouma post-cat.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
A reminder of the two teams. David Moyes makes six changes from the defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
West Ham XI: Areola; Johnson, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Fornals, Fornals; Antonio
Eintracht Frankfurt XI: Trapp; Tuta, Hinteregger, Toure; Knauff, Sow, Rode, Kostic; Lindstrom, Kamada; Borre
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Speaking about West Ham’s Europa League run in his pre-match press conference, David Moyes said: “We have embraced and enjoyed all aspects of our Europa League journey this season.
“We have fully respected the competition and every team we have played along the way.”
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