Moyes sent packing as rescue mission falls short
THERE has been a collection of memorable and special moments during David Moyes’ European run with West Ham. When Michail Antonio put his side 1-0 ahead in the 13th minute, it appeared another may be on the cards.
But Bayer Leverkusen did what they have done all season. They are the masters of late goals and as West Ham tired, the German champions pounced with Jeremie Frimpong equalising at the death. There is a reason Xabi Alonso’s side are now 44 games unbeaten this season. Moyes had joked that he hoped Leverkusen’s players would still be drunk from their celebrations after sealing the Bundesliga title at the weekend. Alonso’s players certainly looked hungover to begin with and were unusually lethargic. But whatever he said at half-time did the trick. There will be what-ifs that linger. What if Lucas Paqueta had been available last night? The midfielder picked up an unnecessary yellow card in the first leg. What if Jarrod Bowen’s volley had gone in just before half-time? What if West Ham had seen out a 1-0 defeat in the first leg instead of conceding a second in added time? Moyes could not have asked for more from his players, who gave everything against a team who appear to be invincible. It will be a difficult task for West Ham to qualify for Europe again through the Premier League this season and there was an acknowledgement in the stands that they may have to wait more than a few months for their next taste of Europe. Moyes could not have asked for a better atmosphere at kick-off from his supporters — who had been given a huge boost by the news that Bowen was fit to start after missing the first leg.
It did not take their top scorer long to produce some magic. Bowen picked up the ball in the Leverkusen half and played a one-two with Vladimir Coufal before producing an inch-perfect cross for Antonio, who got in between Odilon Kossounou and goalkeeper Matej Kovar to head in. Bowen came close to levelling the tie when he connected with Mohammed Kudus’ cross at the back post, but his volley was saved by the feet of Kovar. There was then an altercation on both the touchline and the pitch as Moyes’ assistant coach Billy McKinlay and Leverkusen counterpart Sebastian Parrilla were sent off, before Antonio and Jonathan Tah squared up to each other minutes later. Alonso made two changes at half-time, with Victor Boniface and Jeremie Frimpong coming on for Patrik Schick and Nathan Tella. The changes did the trick, with Leverkusen much better in possession and in defence. The one real chance fell to Bowen, who was caught in two minds over whether to shoot or cross. In the end he did neither. Leverkusen have made late goals a habit and in the 88th minute, Frimpong added another to their collection. The midfielder found space in the box and his deflected shot bounced past Lukasz Fabianski.