Eintracht Frankfurt Edge Out West Ham United, Take Slight Lead Into Second Leg of Europa League Semifinal

• West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt played out an entertaining game in London earlier today
• Eintracht Frankfurt will take a slight lead into the second league of their semi-final against West Ham United
• West Ham United had a number or chances to equalise but could not get that crucial second goal against Eintracht Frankfurt

West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt produced a brilliant display of attacking European football, worthy of a semi-final.

The two sides met in the first leg of their semi-final clash in the Europa League, with Frankfurt travelling to London for the tie.

The visitors didn’t wait long to get the action underway, opening the scoring in the first minute. Ansgar Knauff broke the deadlock on 52 seconds, heading home from a beautifully flighted cross.

West Ham were stunned but didn’t let the goal ruin their game plan. The home side pushed forward and came close to equalising in the 14th minute when

West Ham United lays waste to Olympique Lyonnais, David Moye's team beat French side to progress to semifinals

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Jared Bowen’s low shot hit the post and bounced clear. However, West Ham did level the score just seven minutes later through Michail Antonio. Kurt Zouma’s head across the box was put in by Antonio, who had Declan Rice right behind him in case he missed.

Both sides pushed forward for a second goal, producing great end to end football.

The first half ended with the score level, but Frankfurt broke the deadlock within ten minutes of the restart. After Alphonse Areola saved Djibril Sow's effort, Daichi Kamada tapped into an open net. Sadly his save landed at the feet of Kamada, who had the most straightforward finish.

The rest of the second half was an all-out assault by West Ham as they pushed for an equaliser. Kamada had the best chance to make it three for Frankfurt but hit the post.

West Ham came agonisingly close to earning a draw in the dying minutes, thanks to Jared Bowen. The Hammers player produced a stunning overhead volley that hit the underside of the crossbar and shot away from the goal.

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The game would end soon, with David Moye’s side trailing 2-1 heading into the second leg in Germany.

West Ham United lays waste to Olympique Lyonnais, David Moye's team beat French side to progress to semifinals

West Ham United marched on to the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League thanks to an emphatic victory over Olympique Lyonnais. The English side ran out 4-1 winners on aggregate after beating the home side 3-0 on the night.

Surprisingly it was Lyon that were the better team for the first twenty minutes of the game. The home side dominated possession and should have taken the lead in the fifth minute through Karl Toko Ekambi.

The Cameroonian smashed his shot against the post, and the rebound was then blasted wide. Moussa Dembele and Toko Ekambi would continue to threaten the West Ham defence, but nothing came of it.