Hofmann and Boniface strike late as Leverkusen finally break West Ham’s resistance

Bayer Leverkusen took control of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against West Ham United with two late goals at BayArena.

Substitutes Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface struck inside the final seven minutes to break The Hammers’ stubborn resistance.

Although they were on the back foot early on, West Ham created a brilliant opportunity in the 10th minute as Michail Antonio countered before squaring for Mohammed Kudus, whose tame first-time shot was straight at Matej Kovar.

At the other end, the visitors had Lukasz Fabianski to thank with the Hammers goalkeeper making smart saves to deny Alex Grimaldo, Patrik Schick and Edmond Tapsoba.

Leverkusen continued to threaten after the break with Fabianski making a superb reflex save to tip Schick’s header over in the 70th minute.

However, the Pole was unsighted and powerless seven minutes from time, when Hofmann’s volley flashed through the crowded six-yard box to break the deadlock.

Hofmann then turned provider in stoppage time with his inviting cross glanced home by Boniface to put Xabi Alonso’s side on top heading into next week’s second leg at the London Stadium.

Not for the first time this season – especially in this competition – Leverkusen left it late to snatch the spoils.

Although on the balance of play, it was thoroughly deserved. Enjoying 73% of the possession, they registered 33 shots on goal to their opponents’ one.

Every outfield player that started managed at least one attempt, while their 76 touches inside the opposition box is the most recorded in a single Europa League game since the start of the 2016-17 season at least.

Once again, Alonso came up trumps with two of his substitutes on target to maintain his side’s unbeaten run this season, stretching it to 42 matches across all competitions.

The Bundesliga title could well be in the bag by the time they travel to London for next week’s second leg.

Although he was on the losing side, West Ham’s deficit would likely be greater had it not been for Fabianski’s interventions.

Just one week shy of his 39th birthday, the veteran stopper made a series of smart saves to keep Leverkusen at bay, while he was unsighted for the first goal and could do very little about the second.

The best of his saves came in the 70th minute when he brilliantly tipped Schick’s header over at the near post.

Leverkusen: Kovar 6, Stanisic 7, Tah 8, Tapsoba 7, Grimaldo 8, Xhaka 8, Palacios 7, Frimpong 7, Wirtz 7, Adli 7, Schick 7. Subs: Hincapie 7, Tella 6, Hofmann 8, Boniface 8.

West Ham: Fabianski 9*, Coufal 6, Mavropanos 7, Zouma 7, Cresswell 6, Ward-Prowse 7, Soucek 8, Emerson 7, Kudus 7, Antonio 8, Lucas Paqueta 7. Subs: Johnson N/A, Aguerd 6.

10′ – CHANCE: West Ham counter with Antonio showing great pace and power to gallop away from Tah. He then squares the ball for Kudus, whose first-time shot is a tame one and straight at Kovar. That was a great opportunity for the Hammers.

20′ – GOOD EFFORT: Leverkusen threaten again and Grimaldo lets fly from distance, but Fabianski springs across to his left and gets a strong hand on the fierce attempt.

30′ – GOOD SAVE: Xhaka threads a neat ball into the area to find Schick, who turns before unleashing a low drive that Fabianski does well to get down and palm away to safety.

34′ – TAPSOBA LETS FLY: The centre-half is the latest Leverkusen player to try his luck. Although once again, Fabianski gets down and holds onto the vicious long-range drive.

70′ – CRACKING SAVE: Taking on Coufal, Grimaldo clips in a cross that is met by Schick at the near post. His header is creeping under the crossbar, but Fabianksi produces a wonderful reflex save to tip it over.

83′ – GOAL!!! BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-0 WEST HAM UNITED (HOFMANN): The hosts have the breakthrough, at last! Zouma blocks Boniface’s initial effort from a Leverkusen corner, but Hofmann’s subsequent volley goes through the crowded six-yard area and past the unsighted Fabianski.

89′ – OFF THE LINE: The hosts push for the second goal to give them breathing space in the tie. Soucek does brilliantly to block Tah not once, but twice to keep them at bay for now.

90+1′ – GOAL!!! BAYER LEVERKUSEN 2-0 WEST HAM UNITED (BONIFACE): The hosts get that second goal and it’s another substitute who scores! Hofmann turns provider this time with a delicious cross that is met by fellow replacement Boniface, whose glancing header leaves Fabianski with no chance.