West Ham are in the semi-final of a European competition for the first time in 46 years after a 3-0 second-leg win secured a 4-1 aggregate victory over Lyon.
David Moyes’ side were big underdogs heading to the city overlooked by the French Alps following last week’s 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
Hammers make their mark on an extraordinary week of European football
But it was hosts Lyon who were left with a mountain to climb after two goals in seven minutes at the end of the first half from Craig Dawson and Declan Rice put West Ham in control.
When Jarrod Bowen made it 3-0, and 4-1 on aggregate, Lyon heads dropped as the price of flights to Frankfurt rocketed – Eintracht Frankfurt having shocked Barcelona in their last-eight clash to reach the last four and book a meeting with the Hammers.
That showdown will coincidentally be a repeat of West Ham’s last appearance in the last four of a major European semi-final, in 1976.
In fact, this memorable victory took place 40 years ago to the day since Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and company stunned the Germans 3-1 in the second leg at Upton Park to reach the final.
West Ham have already enjoyed a remarkable season having remained in the fight for the top six while topping their Europa League group and then sending six-time winners Sevilla packing.
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— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 14, 2022
This looked another huge task for Moyes’ side, however, against another team with serious European pedigree who only 18 months ago knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League.
As if the job in hand was not difficult enough, Moyes was forced to name a makeshift defence shorn of Kurt Zouma through injury and Aaron Cresswell due to suspension following his red card in the first leg.
The new-look back four was almost breached after only five minutes when Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi smacked a shot against the foot of Alphonse Areola’s near post.
Yet West Ham were able…
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