Antonio strike gives West Ham hope but Frimpong seals deal

West Ham United almost ended Bayer Leverkusen’s hopes of going an entire season unbeaten as they became the latest victim of England’s European exodus.

David Moyes’s side, so timid in a first leg in which they conceded two late goals, were rewarded for a superb first-half performance with a goal from Michail Antonio.

But the newly-crowned German champions recovered enough poise and control in the second half to squeeze into the semi-finals and levelled late on through substitute Jeremie Frimpong.

It had been an impressive display from the Hammers but, like so many of their Premier League counterparts this week, not enough.

No Lucas Paqueta through suspension was bad news but the return of Jarrod Bowen from the hip injury that forced him to miss the first leg was a huge psychological boost.

One was needed of course as Leverkusen, unbeaten in any competition this term, had thrashed Werder Bremen 5-0 last Sunday to clinch their longawaited first Bundesliga title and begin celebrations that Moyes joked he hoped would extend long into the build-up to this game.

Astonishingly it looked as though that had indeed occurred – West Ham pressed hungrily from the off and their opponents wobbled.

Antonio’s goal, in the 13th minute, was entirely deserved as Odilon Kossounou gifted the Hammers possession

and was then out-jumped by the striker (below). Goalkeeper Matej Kovar had come to punch but was made to look less than invincible.

Kovar partially redeemed himself by denying Bowen at the back post, but Alonso had seen enough and subbed Kossounou off after just 29 minutes; the Africa Cup of Nations winner just a few months ago could have no complaints.

Tempers flared on the touchline and on the pitch straight after, with referee Jose Maria Sanchez showing red cards to Hammers coach Billy McKinlay and a German counterpart and booking Antonio and Leverkusen skipper Jonathan Tah. West Ham resumed where they left off, however, and Leverkusen were glad of the half-time whistle, with Alonso making more changes at the break, sending on Frimpong and first leg scorer Victor Boniface. Florian Wirtz fired a good chance over as Leverkusen began to look like champions but they were relieved when Bowen, having beaten Piero Hincapie, could not locate a colleague for a tap-in. Frimpong then extinguished all home hopes with a late shot (quelle surprise) that went in off left-back Aaron Cresswell.