The Centre Circle

At Goodison Park, West Ham, who desperately need to break their run of six defeats in a row, had to make a late change as Valron Behrami was injured in the warm-up and he was replaced by Junior Stanislas. The Hammers had the first chance of the game as Parker’s effort went wide. The hard working midfielder was then booked after 20 minutes, his 10th of the season meaning a two match ban beginning next week. Then Everton opened the scoring. Baines’ cross was not cleared by Spector and Cahill’s clever header was met by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov who nodded home. More misery and rank bad defending for West Ham. However, 35 mins referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty to West Ham, Carlton Cole, who played in by Scott Parker, was brought down by Distin. The Egyptian international Mido stepped up to take the spot kick, but his weak effort was saved at full stretch by Howard. Nothing seemed to be going right for the team in claret & blue. Then twice in two minutes two almost identical chances for Everton. Cahill passed to Bilyaletdinov who both times hit his shot over the bar from around 25 yards out. As half time approached, the Hammers goal was under severe pressure, but they survived to go into the break only one goal down.

Early into the second half and West Ham improved beyond recognition & Mark Noble was was terribly unlucky as he hit the crossbar with a looping effort. West Ham were now pressing forward, and from a corner a minute later, the ball fell to Manuel Da Costa, who somehow managed to poke home an equaliser. West Ham were now flying and a rapid break from Stanislas who’s slide-rule pass fed Carlton Cole who fired his low shot narrowly wide. Now it was Everton’s turn to shout for a penalty. As Louis Saha appeared to win the ball in the box, he was challenged by the West Ham goalscorer Da Costa, who brought the Everton forward down.  Despite vehement protestations from the Everton players, Howard Webb waved on play to the disgust of the Goodison Park crowd. The game was being played a frantic pace & West Ham were battling for their lives with Scott Parker outstanding as usual. Then calamity for the Hammers with just 10 minutes to go. Spector’s clearance was blocked and the ball found its way out to Leighton Baines who’s cross found Yakubu unmarked in the middle of the box and his header flew emphatically into the net. West Ham were down but not out. Almost immediately, they broke on the right hand side and a fabulous cross from Faubert found Ilan, the Brazilian substitute on for Mido,  who’s bullet diving header screamed into the net. What a finale and salvation for Zola’s men. Both teams were now straining for a late winner, but the whistle finally blew ending a pulsating second half.

West Ham now move one point clear of the bottom three. It’s going to be a tense, tense finish to the end of the season for the men from East London.