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Football | Europa League & Europa Conference League 2023 | Quarter-Final Second Leg | Roundup

Robert Wheeler
Football

By Robert Wheeler

  • Manchester United knocked out by Sevilla
  • West Ham through after beating Gent
  • Hammers face AZ Alkmaar next

Europe – Manchester United have been knocked out of the Europa League. However, in the Europa Conference League West Ham defeated Gent and are through to the semi-finals.

 

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Europa League

Man United sunk in Spain

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Manchester United performed dreadfully against Sevilla, who won 3-0 on the night. The result knocked out Eric ten Hag‘s side with an aggregate score of 5-2. Every now and then, the Red Devils suffer an embarrassing loss. Manchester City and Liverpool heavily defeated them in the Premier League this season and this was one of those nights for United.

A mix-up at the back between David de Gea and Harry Maguire gifted Youssef En Nesyri the opener for Sevilla. Lucas Ocampos thought he had doubled their lead but VAR came to United’s rescue and disallowed the goal. The atmosphere was rocking at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and ten Hag’s side was struggling to get back into the game. 

The Spanish side got their second early in the second half when Loic Bade headed in from an Ivan Rakitic corner. The victory was sealed when another error from de Gea allowed En Nesyri to finish into an open net for his second and his team’s third.

There has been much progress under ten Hag this season. They have won the EFL Cup but at times have put in some awful performances. They are still third in the Premier League and on the hunt for Champions League football next season.

 

Europa Conference League

Hammers through to the semi-finals

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After West Ham only managed a 1-1 draw with Gent in Belgium this tie was firmly in the balance. However, a flurry of second-half goals at the London Stadium ensured the Hammers a 5-2 win and a place in the semi-finals.

It was looking nervy for David Moyes’ side when the visitors took an early lead through a tap-in from Hugo Cuypers. The Hammers equalised just before the break when Michail Antonio headed in from a Jarrod Bown free-kick. The game was in the balance with Gent looking dangerous from counterattacks. West Ham needed to be wary of this as the visitors could nick a winner on the break.

The Hammers really stepped up after half time, Lucas Paqueta got the team on a roll after he converted his penalty to put them in front. Declan Rice got their third after an incredible run forward by the England man. Antonio got their fourth when he fired into the top corner.

West Ham is through to the semi-finals of a European competition for the second season in a row. They may have been in a relegation fight in the Premier League this year but their form in the Europa Conference League has been phenomenal. Hammers fans can now look forward to fixtures against the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

West Ham will play AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals with the first leg at home on May 11. The return fixture will be on May 18.