It’s the biggest night in West Ham’s recent history as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the London Stadium for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
The Hammers have enjoyed a superb run in the competition, beating Sevilla and Lyon so far in the knockout stages, and have reached the last four of a major European competition for the first time since they beat the same opponents en route to Cup Winners’ Cup glory in 1976.
David Moyes rested key men Declan Rice, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen against Chelsea at the weekend but has sprung a huge surprise with his team selection as Kurt Zouma returns from injury way ahead of schedule.
Frankfurt themselves caused a huge upset by knocking out Barcelona in the quarter-final and the Bundesliga outfit now stand between Moyes’ men and a final meeting with either Rangers or RB Leipzig.
You can follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below…
Live updates
18 mins: Good pressure, this. Bowen bends one towards the back post and this time it’s Fornals sneaking up behind Knauff but the Frankfurt man blocks his cut-back behind for a corner.
Off the post!
14 mins: So nearly level – and really they should be!
Antonio drops it off and looks like he’s on for the return but Soucek instead slides a terrific ball through for Bowen to run in on goal. You’d have your house on him but the ball comes back off the post – ‘keeper might’ve got the slightest of touches.
13 mins: They looked understandably shell-shocked after that opener but West Ham have just started to get a foothold in the last few minutes, Rice and Bowen getting on the ball.
9 mins: They’ve settled really well here, the visitors, and Knauff is looking a real threat coming off the right. He makes another darting run inside and is inches away from getting on the end of another.
6 mins: Your early reminder that the away goals rules is no longer in existence and it’s just as well for the hosts, who must quickly regroup.
The away end is bouncing.
Jack Rosser is at the London Stadium
That was such a sloppy start from West Ham. They’re built on being hard to beat but just invited Frankfurt forward there. Kamada was given far too much time to move forwards with the ball before laying it off to Borre to cross.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Frankfurt | Ansgar Knauff 1′
The London Stadium is stunned!
Eintracht Frankfurt have the lead inside a minute as Knauff times his run to steal in round the back and head home Borré’s delivery. It was Fornals who switched off and didn’t spot his run until it was too late.
KICK-OFF!
We are underway at the London Stadium…
Right then, the teams are in the tunnel. One of the biggest nights in the history of this proud club is about to get underway.
As you’d expect, the London Stadium is absolutely fizzing. Not long now…
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