West Ham thanks Bowen, Ndombele shines and Boateng weighs down OL… Find the Tops and Flops of the draw between West Ham and Lyon (1-1).
TOPS
Ndombele the omnipresent
Tanguy Ndombele signed an excellent performance this Thursday evening for his return to English soil. On loan from Tottenham, the Lyon midfielder literally walked on the Hammers midfielder. Recovery, transmissions, accelerations to break the lines, technique above average, the French international shone at the London Stadium. The icing on the cake, it was he who allowed Lyon to equalize with a shot from close range after excellent work from Head (66th, 1-1). A complete match for the Lyonnais who is above the lot when he is at this level.
Lukeba always present
Castello Lukeba had a good game at the London Stadium on Thursday night. Faced with clients like Bowen and Antonio, the young 22-year-old Gone did not disassemble and held on against his opponents. He did not hesitate to go to the duel and to save several hot situations. He saves his camp by tackling in extremis in the area in front of Antonio who had armed his strike against Lopes (17th). Despite his young age Lukeba did not let himself be impressed and held the barracks behind.
Bowen saves draw for West Ham
Jarrod Bowen is definitely in great shape with West Ham this season. The England striker posed problems for the Lyon defense thanks to his speed and solidity. While his team was reduced to 10 throughout the second period, he opened the scoring after a big error from Boateng, who involuntarily handed the ball to him (52nd). Author of his 14th goal this season, he allows West Ham to obtain the draw before the return match on April 14. He could also have been a decisive passer by sending an excellent cross to Antonio on a block, but the Jamaican striker was hampered by an excellent exit from Lopes.
Read alsoEuropa League: held in check at West Ham, Lyon will play its European future at home
FLOPS
Boateng overpowers Lyon
After his failed start against Angers last weekend, Jerôme Boateng was once again a starter alongside Lukeba against the Hammers. In great difficulty in this match, on a two against two Boateng is initially too far from Bowen who can serve Antonio in depth and it takes an excellent comeback from Lukeba to save OL. In the second half, the German international was completely out of control in the area, an error which therefore resulted in the first goal of the match. In the 63rd minute, he retreated again against the English striker, leaving him plenty of time to adjust a cross for Antonio who could have doubled the mark without a good exit from Lopes. He was immediately replaced by Toko Ekambi.
An Olympique Lyonnais in slow motion
The Lyonnais may have regrets after this draw obtained at the London Stadium. If Peter Bosz’s men had the merit of equalizing, they were sorely lacking in sharpness and mobility to further shake up the English team, which was nevertheless reduced to 10 for a whole half. Les Gones hit a lot on goal but barely scored. On the offensive phases, too many Lyon players were out of action and few solutions were offered to the ball carrier. We will have to be much more inspired and determined on April 14 at Groupa Stadium to qualify.
