Lyon warmed up for the Europa League clash at West Ham by edging a five-goal thriller thanks to loophole new boy Tete.
West Ham welcome the Ligue 1 side to the London Stadium on Thursday night for the first leg of a huge quarter-final clash.
The Hammers then go to Lyon a week later for the return leg.
David Moyes’s side geared up for the clash with a 2-1 win over 10-man Everton on Sunday afternoon.
And across the Channel, Lyon edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 at home against Angers.
Lyon twice threw away the lead in a topsy turvy game.
Alleged West Ham target Moussa Dembele struck a brace.
Lyon warm up for West Ham by edging five-goal thriller and loophole new boy Tete wins it
But the headlines went to Lyon new boy Tete who made an instant impact on his debut by netting the winner with 10 minutes left.
And it was a quite brilliant goal too which showcased just why Tete is so highly rated.
West Ham’s French opponents took advantage of a FIFA loophole window last week to sign the talented Brazilian from Ukraine club Shakhtar Donetsk.
Premier League clubs could have used the window – which was first reported by Hammers News – to sign players. But they agreed it would impact the integrity of the competition and put the block on it on these shores.
It had been assumed, though, that players signed in the window – which closes on Thursday – would not be allowed to feature in what remains of UEFA’s European competitions given the deadline to submit final squad lists passed on February 2nd.
Especially as UEFA refused to bow to Ajax’s appeals after they accidentally left off Sebastien Haller off their Europa League knockout stage squad list last year having signed him from West Ham in the January (The Sun).
But as reported by Hammers News last week, it appears UEFA have amended their rules. And as Tete was signed before the special April 1st cut-off, he will be permitted to face West Ham.
Lyon had 15 shots to Angers’ seven and 63 per cent possession.
So it is clear, as they proved by being the team to emerge from the Europa League group stages with the most points, Lyon are a threat going forward.
A big positive for West Ham, though, is that it is also clear they can be got at too.
Conceding two goals against Angers, who are just five points off the bottom three in Ligue 1, will give the Hammers – who are just three points off the Premier League top four – great belief.
It promises to be a tantalising tie in prospect.
You can check out what West Ham will be up against by taking a look at the highlights from the game here.