West Ham’s Europa League dream suffered a serious blow as they went down 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt in their semi-final first leg at the London Stadium.
In a raucous atmosphere, the Hammers got off to a wretched start when Ansgar Knauff headed the visitors in front after just 48 seconds.
David Moyes’ side hit back through Michail Antonio before half-time and looked well placed to take control of the tie.
But Frankfurt carved open the Hammers to score a second through Daichi Kamada, leaving them needing to come from behind in Germany next week to reach the final in Seville.
Dan Kilpatrick was at the London Stadium to rate the West Ham players...
Alphonse Areola 6
Saved well from Sow ahead of the second Frankfurt goal and powerless to stop Knauff’s early header. Otherwise untested.
Ben Johnson 5
Particularly guilty of being passive for the opening goal as Frankfurt easily advanced down his flank. Got forward well but none of his crosses came to anything.
Craig Dawson 6
Looked uncomfortable one-v-one when Frankfurt counter-attacked but did get a crucial touch to turn Kamada’s shot on to the post in the second half.
Kurt Zouma 7
The decision to rush him back arguably paid off as his towering header made the equaliser for Antonio but he was part of a defence which was static for both goals, and was not at his imposing best.
Aaron Cresswell 7
Made an important sliding challenge to deny Knauff on the break. Put in some dangerous crosses in the second half when he ventured forward. Set pieces were mixed.
Declan Rice 7
Surprisingly lost his cool in the second half and was distracted when Frankfurt broke dangerously and struck the post through Kamada. Did plenty well but might have offered more protection to his defenders.
Tomas Soucek 6
Failed to track Djibril Sow’s run for the second Frankfurt goal in slightly flat performance. Created a good chance for Bowen in the first half but squandered a couple of chances of his own.
Pablo Fornals 5
Got napping for the Frankfurt goal as Knauff stole ahead of him at the back post. Industrious but missing a spark and couldn’t unlock the visitors.
Manuel Lanzini 6
His free-kick led to the West Ham goal but unable to make an impression in the final third from open play. Busy and neat on the ball.
Jarrod Bowen 8
Lifted the crowd almost every time he was in possession with a series of darting dribbles and clever touches. Desperately unlucky not to score, striking the woodwork with a sensational bicycle kick in stoppage-time as well as in the first half.
Michail Antonio 7
Back among the goals at the perfect time with a crucial equaliser. Unpolished but threatening, and set up a second-half chance for Soucek.
Substitues
Said Benrahma (Lanzini 66’) 7
Immediately made an impact, winning a dangerous free-kick before skimming a long-range effort off the woodwork. Blazed another effort wide with Antonio in a good position.
