It’s half-time in the Europa League semi-finals and the two ties remain delicately poised.
Yes, the chances of an all-British final in Sevilla remains a possibility.
But does this SBOTOP observer think that will happen? Well, no actually. He never did even before kick-off.
Yet if the knockout stages of this competition have taught us anything this season, it is that Europa League highlights are aplenty and there are few certainties.
Starting in East London and there was drama from the first minute when Eintracht Frankfurt stunned the hosts, a section of whose fans were reportedly not too happy.
Forty-nine seconds in fact when the Bundesliga outfit, who saw off previous favourites Barcelona in the quarter-finals, broke down the left and Rafael Borre cut inside before curling a pinpoint cross which Ansgar Knauf headed home.
An incisive start for the visitors or sloppy from West Ham?
Either way, this wasn’t what boss David Moyes and his players had intended after the Scot said pre-match this was exactly the stage the club should be on as they aim to reach their first European final for 46 years.
Composure was required and, within 20 minutes, the Hammers were level.
Manuel Lanzini whipped in a free-kick, Kurt Zouma headed the ball back across goal and there was Michail Antonio, just ahead of Declan Rice, turning in from close range despite the last-ditch attempts of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Suddenly, the east end of London was bouncing again, just as it had been in the last 16 when they defeated six-time winners of the competition Sevilla.
It was Antonio’s 11th of the season, his best goalscoring campaign for the Hammers and his best in English football since 2014-15 with Nottingham Forest (15).
He also loves proving predator.
All 59 of Antonio’s goals for West Ham have been scored from inside the box with 29 of those at home (22 at London Stadium and seven at Upton Park).
West Ham edged the remainder of the half but it was a largely even contest and, nine minutes after the restart, Frankfurt showed their mettle once more as Alphonse Areola kept out Djibril Sow’s effort but could do nothing as Daichi Kamada prodded the rebound into an empty net.
Kamada’s 11th goal in 21 appearances for Frankfurt in Europe would prove to be the winner.
It was just the second time West Ham have conceded two goals in a Europa League game this season (the other was a 2-2 draw at Genk in November) but the timing could barely have been worse.
Nor could their bad luck in the closing stages as Said Benrahma cut inside and rifled a shot which clipped the post before Jarrod Bowen’s delicious bicycle kick came back off the underside of the bar – the second time he had hit the woodwork.
The Europa League betting odds may now favour Frankfurt but this tie is far from over.
Likewise, there was German success in Leipzig and, unlike in east London, this time the drama came late on.
Make no mistake though, Rangers did not have the lack of good fortune that West Ham encountered.
One effort on target and 30 per cent possession told its own story, although the Glasgow giants were certainly resolute as the big-spending Bundesliga outfit dominated possession.
They even looked like they may hold out for a draw when, with 20 minutes remaining, Christopher Nkunku raced clear and rounded the sprawling Allan McGregor only for the off-balance striker to slam his shot high and wide of an empty net.
However, five minutes from time, former Manchester City full-back Angelino demonstrated wonderful technique to thump a superb volley beyond McGregor and leave Leipzig with a clear advantage.
Rangers will certainly need a raucous Ibrox and a spirited showing next Thursday if they are to pull this one back.
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