Advantage Frankfurt as sloppy West Ham concede in first minute
West Ham were unable to rise to the occasion in their first European semi-final for 46 years, as they slipped to a 2-1 first-leg defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt.
David Moyes’ side were left to rue defensive errors which allowed Frankfurt to take the lead inside the opening minute at the London Stadium through Ansgar Knauff ’s header.
The Hammers drew level inside the first half, with Michail Antonio bundling the ball over the line for his first goal since March 2. However it was not enough for the London club on the night as Frankfurt restored their lead in the second half, with Daichi Kamada slotting the ball past Alphonse Areola.
It is the Germans now holding the initiative ahead of next week’s second leg.
Frankfurt had looked an enticing prospect for the Hammers, currently ninth in the Bundesliga but they started the game full of confidence having knocked European giants Barcelona out in the quarter-finals.
Inside the first minute, Frankfurt stunned West
Ham to take the lead. The ball was played in from the left to Almamy Toure on the edge of the box and his lofted pass found Knauff who headed home.
The hosts had an ideal chance to level the tie in the 13th minute when Jarrod Bowen drove through the Frankfurt defence but his final shot was tipped onto the woodwork by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
However, West Ham only had to wait until the 22nd minute to find the equaliser. Manuel Lanzini stepped up to take a free-kick and lofted it into the area, with Kurt Zouma flicking the ball back across goal for Antonio to bundle the ball over the line.
Moyes’ men found themselves behind again just nine minutes into the second half. Kamada had the final touch after Craig Dawson stepped out of position to allow a ball from Jesper Lindstrom’s ball to get through the West Ham back line. Alphonse Areola was equal to Djibril Sow’s attempt, but Kamada was able to tap home from the rebound.
Kamada hit the woodwork on 79 minutes and then, in added time, West Ham almost levelled in sensational style but Bowen’s stunning acrobatic overhead kick crashed off the bar.