LATERKUSEN SINK MOYES

Published date12 April 2024
Publication titleDaily Star (England)
IN THE city famous for its giant aspirin factory, Victor Boniface gave David Moyes his biggest headache in Europe with West Ham

And it will take more than a couple of plink-plink-fizz to make this one go away in London next Thursday.

For 83 minutes, it looked as if the Hammers would become only the sixth team to stop Bayer Leverkusen winning all season.

But then substitute Jonas Hofmann smuggled his shot from 18 yards through a crowded box and beyond unsighted keeper Lukasz Fabianksi, who had been in inspired form a week before his 39th birthday. And in stoppage time another sub, Victor Boniface, headed Hofmann's cross into the bottom corner, extending Leverkusen's remarkable run to 42 games unbeaten this season.

West Ham boss Moyes has enjoyed some glorious nights in Europe in the last three seasons, lifting his first trophy in 1,100 games as a manager last June.

But he won't just need to deliver the team talk of his life in the return leg - he will have to produce the proverbial rabbit from a top hat. And he will have to do it without his suspended playmaker Lucas Paqueta, who picked up his 13th booking for club and country this season.

Leverkusen have only won a single trophy in their 120-year history, but under Xabi Alonso they may be about to win three in one season.

With former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka in midfield, Jeremie Frimpong - who won a treble as a 19-year-old with Celtic four years ago - providing width and former Manchester United keeper Matej Kovar on parade, they have an air of familiarity.

And there is a good reason why they have gone 42 games unbeaten this season - they are pretty good.

Bayer could clinch the Bundesliga title this weekend, they are in the German cup final and don't write them off as...

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