Frank McAvennie thinks West Ham have got what it takes to beat Lyon
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham are in France this evening with a spot in the Europa League semi-finals on the agenda when they take on Lyon and Frank McAvennie is confident.
The tie is finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg at the London Stadium meaning the Hammers have to win on French soil if they want to reach the last four of this year’s competition.
Jarrod Bowen picked up the Irons goal before Tanguy Ndombele equalised for Lyon, both of which occurred after Aaron Cresswell was sent off for a supposedly cynical last-man foul.
Ex-Irons striker McAvennie didn’t agree with the decision last week but still believes that his former side have got what it takes to overhaul the Ligue 1 side.
“I think they’re (West Ham) very capable of doing it but it’s going to be a hard task,” McAvennie said to West Ham Zone. “They’re (Lyon) are a good team.
“(Moussa) Dembele is learning all the time but I thought he was wrong last week with the little wink after it (Cresswell’s red card).
“I do believe that West Ham can get a result there,” he continued. “We held our own with 10 men and we didn’t really play that well.
“If they can hit the heights they have been doing this season then they’ve got a damn good chance.”
Progression to the semi-finals could set up a potential clash with Spanish giants Barcelona who have to get past Eintracht Frankfurt tonight.
Moyes won’t be thinking about that though with a very tough test already ahead of them this evening.
In other West Ham news, this Irons attacker has avoided a ban after being accused of alleged driving offences.
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