West Ham 0 Astra Giurgiu 1 (agg 1-2): Hammers embarrassingly knocked out of Europa League in qualifying round by smash-and-grab goal from Filipe Teixiera

WEST HAM left the London Stadium pitch humiliated as their European dream came crashing to an end at the hands of Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu, again.

The hosts missed a tonne of chances and defended woefully for Filipe Teixeira's winner but Astra keeper Silviu Lung Jr made some outstanding saves to keep his side in the lead.

It was deja-vu though for Slaven Bilic's side as they went down to the same side that ended their Euro dream last season.

The Hammers' owners will be exceedingly disappointed by the result - with a massive new stadium teeming with corporate hospitality, European football was exactly what the players and their bank balance needed.

But after being booed off at half time and being out-fought by a tenacious and often time-wasting side who conceded FIVE goals on the weekend, the Irons could not have wished for a worse night.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

• West Ham are concentrating on the Prem after stumbling out of the Europa League in their brand new stadium - ideal for hosting European football, ironically.
• Bilic said either Dimitri Payet or Manuel Lanzini would play a part but neither made the squad, which is a worry for Sunday’s visit to Man City.
• With Andy Carroll and Payet injured, the Hammers have almost £250,000-a-week in wages sidelined. They need medical miracles or a marquee signing.
• Michail Antonio can play in defence or attack but he lacks balls of steel after doubling over on 23 minutes from a ball to the crotch.
• Assistant referee Mike Pickel knows his onions – he made a number of spot-on calls, spread across the game, and relished the occasion.
• If Leicester proved possession football isn’t king, West Ham took no notice. They knocked the ball about aimlessly for 45 minutes before conceding through Teixeira.
• Bilic could replace crocked Carroll with 45-year-old Astra manager Marius Sumudica who rose like a salmon to head a second-half West Ham clearance.
• Loan signing Jonathan Calleri is a poor sub for failed Hammers transfer ‘targets’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Carlos Bacca.
• On 70 minutes sub Ashley Fletcher should have had a penalty or a yellow card after going down under a challenge in the Astra box.
• Brilliant Astra keeper Silviu Lung took our breath away with last-gasp saves to deny Fletcher and Antonio.

BIG PICTURE

STAT ATTACK

SOCIAL SAYS

WHAT THEY SAID

“I am angry and frustrated. The disappointment is massive. This was one of the most important games for us this year. I am not just talking about the financial implications," West Ham boss Slaven Bilic on his team's performance.
“We wanted to play in Europe because this club doesn’t get the chance very often. We changed our pre-season schedule because we wanted to get into this competition.
“You can say life will be easier in the league without long journeys home on a Thursday night but we wanted to qualify.”