FRANKLY IT’S TOUGH
Hammers have work to do after convincing German win
DAVID MOYES and his West Ham stars will continue to believe.
Particularly with the woodwork saving Frankfurt on three occasions in this compelling contest.
The German side might have grabbed the first-leg lead, but the Hammers will grab their chance to make this a special, historic campaign next Thursday.
They have have done it the hard way all season. Should they reach the final of this season, they will end the season having played 57 games – their most for 31 years.
With their thin squad, they have been written off time and again for a European place, only to defy the odds and remain on track.
So don’t write them off for next week.
That said, they have work to do to get through this tie.
The party atmosphere in the London Stadium was blown apart after just 49 seconds when the side that beat Barcelona in the last round went ahead.
Frankfurt broke down the left, Rafael Borre crossed and Ansgar Knauff headed diagonally past Alphonse Areola.
It took 14 minutes before the home side really found their feet, courtesy of a fine move.
Tomas Soucek released Jarrod Bowen down the middle and his low shot beat keeper Kevin Trapp – but smacked against the post.
The Irons made up for that false start seven minutes later via one of the set-pieces from which they have been so dangerous this season.
Manuel Lanzini crossed, Kurt Zouma – back to fitness after fears he would be out for the season – headed across goal and Antonio turned it in.
Both sides looked as dangerous as each other from then on, but it was Frankfurt who took the advantage back to Germany for next week.
Daichi Kamada rounded off a superb move, with Frankfurt passing their way through the home side before the Japanese midfielder tapped the ball home.
However, the game was far from over.
Declan Rice and Craig Dawson produced outstanding blocks to prevent the visitors from going further ahead.
Substitute Said Benrahma curled a cracking effort against the post from a sensational diagonal ball from Rice.
Bowen could even have grabbed an injury-time equaliser when his spectacular overhead kick from Rice’s cross smashed against the crossbar – but bounced tantalisingly on the wrong side of the line to break Hammers fans hearts.
This tie is far from over.
West Ham have defied the odds far too many times this season for it to be so.
Bear in mind, too, that Frankfurt have won just four of their 16 games at home in the Bundesliga this season.
In the Europa League, they have also won just one of their last four in front of their own fans.
West Ham’s chance to reach the final is still alive.