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 vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Just imagine if its West Ham and Rangers in the final. Imagine the scenes.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
West Ham would be the first English team to win the Europa League since...Manchester United last year.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side faced Villarreal in the final and lost after an incredible penalty shoot-out ended 11-10.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
What would be a good scoreline for West Ham tonight? A one-goal lead? Two?
Given how much they impressed on the road in Lyon, maybe even a draw would be satisfactory for some West Ham fans.
Other football news
What else has been happening in the football world today then? Well, this is probably the biggest story of the lot.
Two extra years of Jurgen Klopp and his fist-pumping.
Jurgen Klopp signs Liverpool contract extension to 2026
The German has committed to four more years at the club
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Not long to go now. The players have been out onto the pitch to have a look at their surroundings for tonight’s crunch game.
A reminder that the winner of this tie will play either RB Leipzig or Rangers in the final in Seville on May 18.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt have met on two occasions prior to tonight.
Both of those meetings were also in a European semi-final when they faced off in the 1976 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup.
West Ham won the first leg 3-1, before losing 2-1 in the return leg but going through to the final on aggregate.
The Hammers went on to lose the final 4-2 as Anderlecht lifted the trophy.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
The crowd could play a massive part in tonight’s result.
There will undoubtedly be difficult moments for West Ham during the match and they will need the supporters to pull them through.
West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
The London Stadium is starting to fill up. The fans know these nights don’t come around very often for their club.
One way or another it will be the final Europa League game at the London Stadium this season.
Zouma returns for West Ham
Kurt Zouma is back for West Ham tonight. It’s a valuable return for Moyes as Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop were also on the sidelines - leaving Craig Dawson as his only recognised centre-back.
When asked earlier this week if any of them would be back for tonight, Moyes said: “It’s always better to make sure they’re right. We’d only put players out if they’d trained and we thought they were fit and ready.
“I won’t rush anybody back. We could do with some central defenders getting fit, but unfortunately that’s the way it’s been and we have to live with it. We’re needing all hands on deck.”
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