David Moyes‘ defensive masterplan nearly paid dividends this evening after despite a disciplined defensive performance still gave Leverkusen a 2-0 win and leaving West Ham a potential mountain to climb next week.
Even though Bayer Leverkusen seemingly had the ball most of the time, the Irons had arguably the best chance of the match in the first half after Antonio galloped down the left past Tah and left the Leverkusen captain and one time transfer target trailing. He then picked out Kudus with a superb square pass behind Tapsoba. The Ghanaian had time to pick his spot, but his first-time shot from the edge of the box was straight at Kovar.
More bad news was the fact that Paqueta getting booked after fouling Adli which means he’s had three yellow cards in the UEFA Europa League and is now out of next week’s second leg at the London stadium. Then Emerson tried to win a tackle, stood on the ankle of the Leverkusen player and he too is shown a yellow card. We had two players a booking away from a ban, and now both have now been carded which means that both miss the second leg.
Not the greatest of games to be honest, but you had to admire the Irons discipline and resolve. A tweak by Moyes on the hour saw Antonio given a bit of a break from working two or three centre-backs, by moving to the wide left and Paqueta playing down the middle, albeit he was not exactly playing as a striker.
Sadly the dam was breached on the 83rd minute when Leverkusen got their ninth corner on the match. Grimlado took it, the ball fell to Boniface who saw his shot blocked by Zouma but the ball looped to Hofman who volleyed in from 15 yards.
Five minutes later a short corner from Hofman allowed Boniface to head into the bottom corner.
Costly goals !
Next week at the London stadium will be a wall of noise as we try and rescue the tie
The boys did well tonight. A shame about the late goals but not overly surprising given how dominant they had been. Going to be tough next week with people out, but let’s just enjoy it. There are worse teams to go out to. Leverkusen are everything I hope we become.
Moyes subs cost us again!
Moyes dithering on transfers was always going to catch up
.just look at the bench tonight…****ing embarrassing
Had no depth for 2/3 years now the bloke thinks the same 11 can play every game . Soon as we can’t and we lose any of our top 3 bow paq and kud ..we’re like a league one side …
Moyes will probably set up to defend the 2-0 deficit !!
Can’t fault the effort.
The tactics once again let us down. Everyone behind the ball, then hope kudas can dribble past everyone and score.
This was no special plan that was worked on all week just for this game, this is the tactic we use every game.
The only thing worse than how we play football, is how terrible a squad moyes has built in the 4 years he been here.
6 u23 players on the bench, two of which are gk and one that is running down his contact flanked by another 2 players (johnson and ogbonna) due to leave in the summer, another defender that reportedly wants out (aguerd) and 2 players in Ings and Cornet that have less chance of playing than my Nan.
This right here. 100% accurate
Hey Wally! Is your Nan available to play next week in the return leg? We have vacancies in midfield and left wing back now. And if Jarrod is still unable to play then your Nan could even play on the right wing or up front. Age is no barrier for Moyes. Well, old age is no barrier, just young people are not welcome. Get In Nan!
Let’s be honest. We could have lost 3 or 4-0. The team is simply not as good as some people think and the Manager has no tactical awareness. The return game is going to be a challenge.
And, by the way, why do players that did not stay at West Ham seem to improve the minute they move clubs (Haller, Scamacca, etc.)? Something is going on.
****ed right of wheather they were on top or not ..the Injury time goal has killed us ..no paqueta nxt week and maybe no bowen. Sorry I hop not but we are ****ed …fuming could handle 1…0 but 2 naa we are out I’m afraid imo