Leverkusen treble hopes remain as West Ham crash out of Europe

After a 2-0 first-leg defeat, West Ham had to start fast and the hosts delivered when Michail Antonio headed home Jarrod Bowen’s sumptuous cross in the 13th minute.

A raucous home crowd spurred the Hammers on as the recently crowned Bundesliga champions looked vulnerable at London Stadium. In an often heated clash, the Irons gave it their all, with Jarrod Bowen going closest to an equaliser, but David Moyes‘ tiring side just couldn’t summon the energy to grab a second.

To rub salt into their woundd, Jeremie Frimpong’s effort deflected off Aaron Cresswell in the 89th minute to make it 1-1 as a fiercely competitive West Ham bowed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage.

After this result, Bayern  Leverkusen, who are also vying to win the DFB-Pokal cup, will face Roma in the semi-finals of the competition in early May. In the Bundesliga, Alonso’s team travel to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, whereas West Ham face Crystal Palace on the same day.