sport news West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (1-3 on agg): Newly-crowned German champions ... trends now

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There have been a collection of memorable and special moments during David Moyes’ European run with West Ham.

When Michail Antonio put his side 1-0 ahead in the 13th minute, it appeared that another may be on the cards. But Bayer Leverkusen did what they have done all season. They are the masters of late goals and as West Ham tired, the German champions pounced – with Jeremie Frimpong equalising at the death.

There is a reason Xabi Alonso’s side are now 44 games unbeaten this season. It is a phenomenal achievement and they will be the favourites to go on to win this competition.

Moyes had joked that he hoped Leverkusen’s players would still be drunk from their celebrations after sealing the Bundesliga title at the weekend. Alonso’s players certainly looked hungover in the first half and were unusually lethargic. But whatever the Spaniard said at half-time did the trick.

There will be what ifs that linger in the following days for Moyes. What if Lucas Paqueta had been available for last night’s game? The forward picked up an unnecessary yellow card in the first leg. He would undoubtedly have made an impact. What if Jarrod Bowen’s volley had gone in just before half-time? What if West Ham had seen out a 1-0 defeat in the first leg instead of conceding a second goal in added time? Moyes could not have asked for more from his players, who gave everything against a Leverkusen team who appear to be invincible.

West Ham had held out for 83 minutes at the BayArena before late goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface had given Leverkusen a 2-0 lead going into the second leg.