The home fans responding to Jeremie Frimpong’s late equaliser extending Leverkusen’s unbeaten run to 44 matches with rueful applause spoke volumes. West Ham gave everything in their pursuit of a comeback and had the chances to turn the tie around after taking an early lead through Michail Antonio.
It was not enough to prolong West Ham’s third consecutive European campaign. David Moyes, whose contract expires at the end of the season, could only look back with pride.