Xabi Alonso breaks record set by Premier League-winning manager that nobody thought could be beaten

Xabi Alonso broke a long-standing record on Thursday night as his Bayer Leverkusen side booked their place in the last four of the Europa League.

Leverkusen drew 1-1 with West Ham at the London Stadium to secure a spot in the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Michail Antonio put the home side ahead in east London but David Moyes' side were unable to find a second goal.

They were made to pay when Jeremie Frimpong's deflected effort levelled the scores on the night for Leverkusen and sealed their victory in the two-legged tie, following a 2-0 win in Germany last week.

Alonso's side will now face Roma in the final four, having already wrapped up the Bundesliga title.

They ended Bayern Munich's dominance of the German top flight last weekend, clinching the title with five games to spare following a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen.

Remarkably, Alonso's side are yet to lose in any competition this season and could win an unprecedented unbeaten treble – with the club also through to the final of the German Cup, where they will face FC Kaiserslautern.

After avoiding defeat to West Ham, Alonso and Leverkusen broke a long-standing record in European football.

Their 44-game undefeated streak is the longest for any team competing in Europe's top-five leagues.

They beat the previous record held by Juventus, who enjoyed a 43-match unbeaten run under Antonio Conte between May 2011 and May 2012.

Leverkusen last tasted defeat 328 days ago in May last year, when they were beaten 3-0 by VfL Bochum on the final day of the Bundesliga season.

Leverkusen are through to the final four of the Europa League (Image: Getty)

This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.

Speaking after the draw with West Ham, Alonso praised his players for making it through a difficult tie against Premier League opposition.

"We were ready and knew they were going to push really hard," Alonso told TNT Sports.

"We were not comfortable in our structure, we were not able to find a flow. We had some soft loose balls and the momentum was with West Ham.

"To be honest, they were the best team at half-time, we were not at our best. Happily, we changed things at half-time. I am just happy to go through. In the Europa League you always have tough moments.

"West Ham have good players and energy. Credit to them, they played really hard, totally different to what they did in Leverkusen."

Football fans can watch every Champions League and Europa League match live on TNT Sports by signing up to discovery+.