West Ham lost 1-0 to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu, condemning the Hammers to a 2-1 aggregate defeat in their Europa League qualifier.
Having drawn the first leg 1-1 out in Romania, the Hammers would have been confident of securing qualification for the Europa League proper in the second leg at the Olympic Stadium.
The tie was a near-mirror image of last year, when Astra held West Ham to a draw in the first leg before winning the second to knock out the East London side.
Astra took the lead on the stroke of half-time when former PSG and WBA midfielder Filipe Teixeira got on the end of a three-on-two counter attack, executing an exquisite left-footed finish from the left side of the box.
The Hammers simply failed to turn up wearing their shooting boots on the night. They were booed off at half-time and at full-time by a crowd that was 57,000 strong, as manager Slaven Bilic and his staff seemed almost paralysed on their benches by the shock defeat.
The defeat was not for want of trying. The Hammers had 65% possession with 17 shots on goal compared to Astra’s four, but Bilic’s men lacked cutting edge and precision in front of goal – a problem exacerbated by a lengthy injury list among his strike force including the influential Dimitri Payet.
Manchester United and Southampton are now the only two English representatives in Friday’s Europa League draw.
Here is a selection of images from a disappointing night in London:
West Ham’s new signing Edimilson Fernandes is introduced to the fans before the start of the match
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
Match stewards attempt to make West Ham fans sit down
Michail Antonio has a shot at goal
Winston Reid is dispossessed by Florin Lovin
Teixeira scores Astra’s first goal as Reid tries desperately to intervene
Sam Byram, Cheikhou Kouyate and Reid look dejected after falling behind
A tale of two managers
Astra’s Silviu Lung makes a save from a header by Angelo Ogbonna
Teixeira challenges Ashley Fletcher in the penalty area
Antonio misses a chance to score
Hammers ‘keeper Darren Randolph gets himself in a tangle
Reid and Enner Valencia search in vain for an equaliser
Randolph and Ogbonna combine desperately to stop Denis Alibec
Antonio sums up West Ham’s feelings
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