West Ham United Vs Olympique Lyon 1-1: The Hammers Keep The Same Achievement As In 1976

West Ham United keep hope for the semifinals of the Europa League. (Photo: Twitter @WestHam)

JAKARTA – West Ham United successfully held against Olympique Lyon 1-1 in the first leg of the 2021/2022 Europa League quarter-finals on Friday, April 8 in the morning of Indonesian Western Time (WIB). The Hammers squad is able to survive in conditions of ten players.

The two teams met at the London Stadium, England. The hosts took the lead through Jarrod Bowen's goal seven minutes after the break. The visitors equalized through Tanguy Ndombele's goal in the 66th minute.

One goal against Lyon makes Jarrod Bowen listed as the most productive player "The Hammers" this season. He became the first West Ham player to score 10 home goals in a season in all competitions since Marlon Harewood in the 2005/2006 season.

The hosts must play with ten men from extra time in the first half. Aaron Cresswell was immediately given a red card by the referee for violating Moussa Dembele.

"The game plan changed and we created some chances and worked really hard. The togetherness brought us forward. That comes from the manager. With his experience, he works hard for us and gives us the belief that we can do it," said West Ham defender Craig Dawson, quoted by the BBC.

According to Opta's records, Cresswell's red card made him the first West Ham United player to get a red card in European competition. This does not include the qualifying round.

This 1-1 draw gave West Ham United hope of reaching the first European semifinal since 1976. Unlike West Ham's last chance of reaching the European quarter-finals when they were beaten 4-1 in the first leg at home to Dynamo Tbilisi in 1981.

This will be West Ham's fifth quarter-final match in European competition. They have qualified for the semifinals three times, most recently in 1976.