{"id":25838,"date":"2022-04-14T17:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T21:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25838"},"modified":"2022-04-15T10:42:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-15T14:42:09","slug":"west-ham-demolish-lyon-to-reach-europa-league-semi-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25838","title":{"rendered":"West Ham Demolish Lyon To Reach Europa League Semi-Final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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David Moyes\u2019 side were big underdogs heading to the city overlooked by the French Alps following last week\u2019s 1-1 draw at the London Stadium (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

West Ham roared to an historic Europa League triumph in Lyon to reach a first European semi-final in 46 years after a stunning 3-0 second-leg victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Moyes\u2019 side were big underdogs heading to the city overlooked by the French Alps following last week\u2019s 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was hosts Lyon who were left with a mountain to climb after two goals in seven minutes at the end of the first half from Craig Dawson and Declan Rice put West Ham in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Jarrod Bowen made it 3-0, and 4-1 on aggregate, Lyon heads dropped as the price of flights to Frankfurt rocketed \u2013 Eintracht Frankfurt having shocked Barcelona in their last-eight clash to reach the last four and book a meeting with the Hammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That showdown will coincidentally be a repeat of West Ham\u2019s last appearance in the last four of a major European semi-final, in 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, this memorable victory took place 40 years ago to the day since Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and company stunned the Germans 3-1 in the second leg at Upton Park to reach the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Ham have already enjoyed a remarkable season having remained in the fight for the top six while topping their Europa League group and then sending six-time winners Sevilla packing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This looked another huge task for Moyes\u2019 side, however, against another team  with serious European pedigree who only 18 months ago knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As if the job in hand was not difficult enough, Moyes was forced to name a makeshift defense shorn of Kurt Zouma through injury and Aaron Cresswell due to suspension following his red card in the first leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new-look back four was almost breached after only five minutes when Cameroon forward Karl Toko Ekambi smacked a shot against the foot of Alphonse Areola\u2019s near post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet West Ham were able to gradually take Lyon\u2019s sting out of the game, and with their first attack Pablo Fornals tested stand-in goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck, in for injured first-choice Anthony Lopes, from the edge of the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midway through the first half some patient West Ham build-up play saw Michail Antonio chip in a cross which Bowen, at full stretch, could only jab into the side-netting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was center-half Dawson, the \u00a32million signing from Watford who has become something of a cult figure during West Ham\u2019s European adventure, who enhanced his reputation further seven minutes before half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Bowen\u2019s shot had deflected off Jason Denayer for a corner, Fornals whipped in a near post cross and Dawson ploughed in front of Moussa Dembele to crash his header home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hammers went 2-0 ahead, and 3-1 up on aggregate, moments before half-time when a poor clearing header from Emerson fell to Rice 20 yards out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The England midfielder\u2019s shot was low and skidding, and Pollersbeck was beaten by the bounce and a slight deflection off the toe of defender Castello Lukeba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bowen, West Ham\u2019s goalscorer in the first leg, fired them into dreamland three minutes into the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antonio held the ball up before laying off to Fornals, who swept a first-time pass into the path of Bowen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The England hopeful still had plenty to do, but he threaded a superb finish between the dive of Pollersbeck and the inside of the far post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rice

ohne-rezeptkaufen.com<\/a><\/p> , seemingly forever linked with a move to Chelsea or Manchester United, was given a breather two minutes from the end and soaked up the celebrations from the delirious, disbelieving away end, high up at the vast Groupama Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 23-year-old could yet fulfil his ambition to play in the Champions League with West Ham next season, were they to go on and win this competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a glory night like this, Moyes will fancy his chances of taking his side all the way.<\/p>\n

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