Soccer-West Ham bulldoze past Lyon to reach Europa League last four

LYON, France, April 14 - West Ham United powered into their first major European semi-final since 1976 with an emphatic 3-0 win at Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory in the Europa League quarter-final. Bowen added the third goal soon after the interval and there was no way back for Lyon.

LYON, France, April 14 - West Ham United powered into their first major European semi-final since 1976 with an emphatic 3-0 win at Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory in the Europa League quarter-final. The London side, who won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1965, overpowered their French opponents and goals by Craig Dawson, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen set up a repeat of their 1976 semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, who knocked out Barcelona.

After a 1-1 draw at home, West Ham soaked up early pressure at the Groupama Stadium before hitting Lyon in ruthless fashion to lead 2-0 at halftime. Bowen added the third goal soon after the interval and there was no way back for Lyon. (Writing by Julien Pretot in Paris, editing by Ed Osmond)