UEFA Europa League: Resilient West Ham United Draw With Olympique Despite Controversial Red Card

• West Ham United will head to France for the second leg against Lyon with still everything to play for
• West Ham United were reduced to 10 men before the stroke of halftime when Aaron Cresswell was sent off
• Aaron Cresswell was sent off for a foul on Moussa Dembele. despite replays showing that contact was very minimal

A 10-man West Ham United put on a brave and spirited fight against Lyon, holding the visitors to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash.

West Ham were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of halftime when Aaron Cresswell was sent off for a foul on Moussa Dembele.

Dembele was through on goal and Cresswell, who happened to be the last defender, tried to impede his run. Dembele went down on the slightest contact, winning the foul outside the box. Despite a Video Assistant Referee check and frustrated pleas from David Moyes, the red card stood.

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Replays also showed Dembele winking at teammates after the foul was given. The first half was largely uneventful before the red card, as West Ham had only two shots on target and Lyon had none.

The second half saw Lyon start much the brighter as they looked to capitalise on the numerical advantage. Despite their early efforts, it was West Ham who took the early lead through Jared Bowen. The Englishman pounced on a mistake by Jerome Boateng and managed to find the back of the net thanks to a deflection of Boateng.

West Ham would hold that lead for 14 minutes but the relentless Lyon attack would finally get their reward. Tanguy Ndombele tapped in from close range to bring the French side level.

Lyon would continue their constant attacks but never breached the West Ham United defence again. West Ham United’s best chance came before the 90th minute when they had the Lyon defenders under pressure and were looking for a killer blow. It was then that a fan ran onto the pitch, bringing a halt to play. Players and supporters were not happy as they saw their chance to take the lead squandered by an errant fan.

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West Ham host Lyon as European run recalls memories of halcyon days

Earlier Sports Brief reported that West Ham United host Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday with the Hammers' run in continental competition bringing back memories of the club's halcyon days.

They have not seen a European quarter-final in the east end of London since 1981, when second-division West Ham lost to eventual winners Dinamo Tbilisi in the last eight of the Cup Winners Cup.

Their best years came before that, with Bobby Moore captaining the team to victory in the 1965 Cup Winners Cup and a side featuring Frank Lampard senior reaching the final of the same tournament in 1976.