{"id":25458,"date":"2022-03-10T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25458"},"modified":"2022-03-12T11:02:32","modified_gmt":"2022-03-12T16:02:32","slug":"sevilla-secure-narrow-advantage-over-west-ham-in-europa-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25458","title":{"rendered":"Sevilla Secure Narrow Advantage Over West Ham In Europa League"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sevilla celebrate their goal against West Ham (AP\/Press Association Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

West Ham\u2019s first European knock-out tie in over 40 years ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat by serial Europa League winners Sevilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A second-half goal by Moroccan forward Munir, who was only in the starting line-up after Ivan Rakitic was injured in the warm-up, settled the first leg in the Spanish side\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Hammers boss David Moyes will have seen enough to feel his side are capable of overturning a one-goal deficit at the London Stadium in a week\u2019s time and prolonging their European adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It says a lot about how far West have have come in a short space of time that it was four years ago to the day since they were beaten 3-0 at home by Burnley in a game marred by pitch invasions and protests against the owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the Hammers are rubbing shoulders with the continent\u2019s elite and stepping out for the club\u2019s biggest night on the European stage since 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was probably the toughest draw they could have landed in the round of 16, given Sevilla are the most successful team in the tournament\u2019s history as six-time winners \u2013 regularly knocking out English clubs along the way \u2013 as well as being Real Madrid\u2019s closest challengers for the LaLiga title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julen Lopetegui\u2019s side have lost just twice in the league all season and have the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 18 goals in 27 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they have a host of injury absentees and suffered another blow when the dangerous former Barcelona midfielder Rakitic was ruled out on his 34th birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hammers were without injured top-scorer Jarrod Bowen, but Declan Rice returned from illness to captain the team at a raucous Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Munir should have opened the scoring inside the first five minutes, but he headed Marcos Acuna\u2019s cross wide from in front of goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Ham created a glorious chance with 10 minutes gone, Manuel Lanzini\u2019s free-kick headed across goal by Rice straight to Nikola Vlasic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Croatian had a free header six yards out but planted it too close to Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who stuck out a hand to make a stunning reaction save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sevilla were moving the ball around slickly and Munir got in again after being played through by Oliver Torres but rolled his shot wide, before Alphonse Areola saved a header from Youssef En-Nesyri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Hammers were still giving as good as they got, with Vlasic forcing a low save from Bounou with a near-post drive before half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the break Michail Antonio laid the ball back to the edge of the area from where Tomas Soucek hit a rising drive which Bonou palmed clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Sevilla remained the clearer threat and Munir volleyed over before En-Nesyri headed another decent opportunity straight at Areola.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The home fans took the noise levels up from loud to deafening and it had its effect when their side took the lead on the hour mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Kurt Zouma was booked for a foul in a dangerous position, Acuna swung over a free-kick which found Munir, who steered a wonderful side-footed volley home at the far post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Ham needed to keep their composure, and they were relieved to see a Jesus Corona volley deflected wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the visitors still had a puncher\u2019s chance and substitute Said Benrahma almost set up an equalizer for Pablo Fornals, who was only denied by a last-ditch block from former Manchester City full-back Jesus Navas to preserve Sevilla\u2019s narrow lead in a tie which West Ham will feel they are still very much in.<\/p>\n

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