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Brave 10-man Irons battle to draw

A 10-man West Ham bravely managed to cling on to a 1-1 draw with Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

It was a remarkably controversial game of football, as Aaron Cresswell was sent off just before half-time, after a relatively incident-free first half.

The left-back was adjudged to have fouled Mousa Dembele as he ran through on goal, pulling him back, and was shown a straight red card.

It left the Irons in an unenviable position in the second half but the Irons battled their way to what could be a vital draw.

David Moyes, who was actually booked for protesting the red card, saw his side grit their teeth and put everything into the second half.

The Hammers took the lead in the 52nd minute, as a mistake in the Lyon defence allowed Pablo Fornals to try to thread a ball through to Jarrod Bowen; it was deflected, and he managed to finish, sending the London Stadium wild.

The game was in a real pattern of attack versus defence in the second half and the Hammers were resolute, but Tanguy Ndombele, on loan from Spurs, brought Lyon back into the game.

The France international ran in after Alphonse Areola flapped at a Tete cross and tapped the ball in.

West Ham were later building a dangerous attack in which they could potentially have crafted a chance but an idiot ran onto the pitch, to the absolute chagrin of the Hammers players, especially Mikey Antonio.

The Irons, though, will surely feel delighted to come away with a point from a game marked with real controversy, and marred by some serious Lyon play-acting.

While West Ham ended the game with 10 men, it could well be argued Lyon were playing with 12, given the referee’s performance.

 

About Dave Langton

A journalist with 10 years' experience of working on National newspapers, now chief reporter covering the club that I've loved since I was a boy. Upton Park remains the greatest football stadium ever built.

3 comments on “Brave 10-man Irons battle to draw

  1. Here’s a thought – name and shame the absolute moron who ran onto the pitch end denied us a goal scoring opportunity. Better still, provide his address too.

  2. The ref should be investigated for his actions
    A definite brown envelope performance.
    And those two brain dead idiots should be barred for life for their inane pitch invasions.
    The ref was ignoring fouls on our players
    And ndombele winking !!? ,,,, pure cheating and the ref supports it .
    But again find the name ,, especially of the second invader ,, publish it and let him receive the backlash,, the pathetic miscarriage of a human.,
    Should be drowned at birth

  3. Proud of the lads great spirit ! Not saying it as I’m a hammers fan but the ref was shocking , the red card should be rescinded and the refs performance analysed. I think we can beat them next week ,COYI ⚒

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