Bowen return raises hopes of a miracle

Winger set to play in comeback mission

- Malik Ouzia

NO FOOTBALL supporter would admit that their team ever does things the easy way. A trip through the wringer is a ritual of sadistic fulfilment, plain sailing the luxury preserve of some other elite and burgle a fitness influencer's cliched mantra - the journey all the more worthwhile for the bumps along the way.

It is why, even as Bayer Leverkusen arrive at London Stadium tonight, 2-0 up and on the back of 43 matches without flaw, Sunday's Bundesliga title win still comes with a narrative of triumph against adversity-of the 'Neverkusen' ghosts put to rest, of a team addicted to comebacks and late goals, of the Bayern Munich behemoth dethroned.

David Moyes, though, insisted yesterday that West Ham's infatuation with the undulating road is something more, something inherent in this club that means even with a simpler draw and a fairer wind, tonight's Europa League quarterfinal second leg would inevitably still be in the balance, at best.