Spanish newspapers react as West Ham beat Sevilla
Spanish newspapers appear to have been left stunned after West Ham knocked Sevilla out of the Europa League round of 16.
The Hammers won 2-0 in the second leg, and 2-1 in aggregate to progress through to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 1981.
Spanish newspaper AS wrote, “Goodbye through the back door” in their headline, while Mundo Deportivo wrote, “Sevilla’s ream fizzles out in extra time.”
Mundo Deportivo states that it was always going to be tough for the La Liga giants, listing the number of key players they have missed for this game.
The Spanish daily was impressed with the performance of Youssef En-Nesyri, and hailed a save from Alphonse Areola as “incredible”.
Incredible
The Spanish newspapers, obviously, will try to throw a positive light on Sevilla despite the defeat.
They felt that the Hammers were physically more agile than Sevilla on Thursday, but bemoaned the fact that the La Liga giants were without several key players.
Whatever it is, the moot point is – the Hammers are in the quarter-finals and they deserve to be there. To beat an in-form Spanish team over two legs is no mean feat, and David Moyes and his team deserve all the accolades.
Areola made one fantastic save, and the Hammers’ defence made sure they stay solid at the back and keep a clean sheet.
Tomas Soucek scored the opening goal to level the tie and put the Hammers back in the competition, as they trailed 1-0 from the first leg.
In the extra time, Andriy Yarmolenko, who came on for Said Benrahma, netted the winner, after Bono parried away a low-drive effort from Pablo Fornals.
In other West Ham news, Steve McManaman was stunned by Alphonse Areola for West Ham v Sevilla.
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