In the next instalment of our 2023/24 Season Review, we revisit the Irons' fortunes in a jam-packed April that featured a gripping European clash…
April brought about one of the most dramatic UEFA Europa League nights seen at London Stadium, with West Ham United ultimately exiting the tournament at the hands of high-flying Bayer Leverkusen.
The Hammers welcomed the subsequently-crowned unbeaten Bundesliga champions to the English capital hopeful of overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit on Thursday 18 April - and had those hopes boosted by a terrific start.
Michail Antonio’s early header had West Ham well and truly believing they could evoke the spirit of Sevilla and produce yet another night to remember under the lights.
But Leverkusen improved after the restart and struck late through Jeremie Frimpong to kill the tie at 1-1 - and 3-1 on aggregate - and extend Die Werkself’s undefeated run to 44 matches.
Such a night produced plenty of positives, though, as a celebration of three successive UEFA competition quarter-finals, including the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, was held in east London, despite the exit on the night!
In the Premier League, impressive draws were also earned against top-four-chasing Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio strikes helped salvage a 2-2 tie and a point against the Reds at London Stadium in the Irons' final fixture of April, which had started with a 1-1 draw on home soil against Spurs, courtesy of Kurt Zouma’s equaliser.
Bowen’s effort against Liverpool also saw the forward equal Paolo Di Canio’s record for the most goals by a West Ham United player in a single Premier League season (16).
While the Hammers fell to defeats to Fulham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, the former did see a Premier League debut for Academy star George Earthy.
There was also a positive result on the road at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the 2-1 win including a stunning James Ward-Prowse goal direct from a corner.
Lucas Paquetá was also on the scoresheet for the Hammers in a superb win at Molineux.
