West Ham defeat Lusitanos to reach Europa second qualifying round

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:16 am
Elliot Lee scored to carry West Ham United into the second round of Europa League qualifiers.
Avril Husband/Getty Images

West Ham recovered from an early red card for Diafra Sakho to ease past FC Lusitanos and advance in to the second round of Europa League qualifiers.

Having scored twice in the first leg, Sakho had a night to forget in Andorra, although his 14th-minute sending off made little difference. However, he will now miss the second-round qualifying clash with Maltese side Birkirkara.

Elliot Lee's first-ever goal for the Hammers was enough to secure the 1-0 win on the evening a wrap up a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate success.

Slaven Bilic had been criticised by Lusitanos coach Xavi Roura for disrespecting his side by not being involved in the opening leg -- but the new West Ham boss was on the touchline to see his side progress with ease.

With the majority of his first-team squad returning to London following a preseason training camp in Dublin, it was another side balanced with both youth and experience.

James Tomkins again captained the side with Joey O'Brien making his 100th appearance for the club -- as Matt Jarvis and Morgan Amalfitano also started.

The night got off to a bad start however, with last season's top goalscorer dismissed following an incident off the ball that saw the Lusitanos players surround referee Anders Poulsen -- who obliged their calls for Sakho to be sent off.

Despite the early setback, the visitors were in front seven minutes later as Sakho's strike partner Lee opened his Hammers account.

The 20-year old coolly converted Matt Jarvis' flick to grab the only goal of the night -- although he threatened a second moments later but was knocked off the ball as he ran through on goal.

Lusitanos winger Jose Aguilar had been niggling away at West Ham's players for much of the game having made an enemy of himself in the opening leg at Upton Park.

He came close with a 35-yard free-kick in the second half before defender Moises San Nicolas headed home -- only to see his effort chalked out for offside.

There were late chances for both sides as Lee came close to adding a second late on but his curling effort bent the wrong side of Gerardo Rubio's post, before Tomkins was on hand to clear Alfi Conteh-Lacalle's injury-time free kick off the line.