West Ham v Everton Match Report

West Ham v Everton Match Report

West Hams dominant performance somehow ended with the Hammers gaining no points from the match. Injury stricken Everton put out a strong and experiencedside which included the likes of goalscorer Saha and talisman Fellaini. West Ham, also struck by injuries to Carlton Cole and Herita Ilunga were forced to play Zavon Hines and Guille Franco up front. Sahas opening goal against the run of the Andrew Benintendi Jersey play and a Dan Gosling finish from close range were just enough to beat a strong West Ham side who scored through Junior Stanislas with just under 30 mins to play. Zavon Hines had multiple chances to set up a sensational finale but Carlton Coles presence up front was truly mi sed as the youngster shot wide on both occasions.The opening part of the match has been an area where Zolas side have struggled this season but the confidence from the Wednesday night win against Aston Villa carried straight through to this game against Everton. Scott Parker showed again why he is still a po sibilty for an England spot, although an unlikely po sibility, as he controlled the midfield with amazing maturity and vision. Julien Faubert looked threatening down the right and Zavon Hines was making some lovely runs to provide Collison on the left some help, which he and Parker utilised. Zavon Hines was sent clear after some great interplay between Parker and Collison but Hiness Roger Clemens Jersey lack of experience showed as he was stopped on the edge of the box twice after being sent clear. However West Ham continued to attack and Parker was looking increasingly threatening and his weaving run through the defense ended with a chance that he could only hit straight at the goalkeeper with no angle to work with. This seemed to wake up the boys from Merseyside and despite a few needle s fouls from Fellaini they started to play with a bit more confidence but even so the Hammers carried on dominating. After Zavon Hiness runs caused problems early onthe defence covered the left channel more and more.Parker was superior to this andwas able to send Julien Faubert through only for his cro s to be tapped just wide by Guille Franco. Sahas 26th minute strike was completely against the run of play after Fellaini should have got a yellow card for yet another stupid challenge but the referee gave him yet another chance and Sahas driven effort left Green standing. The goal just re-ignited the Hammerss fire and they began to attack with more vigour but chances were limited. Fellaini then broke the rules 3 Xander Bogaerts Jersey times in quick succe sion. First he handled, then in anger fouled Scott Parker quite badly and then fouled Franco very badly on the edge of the box. Both of the bad challenges were out of anger and there is no debating the fact that he should have been booked and Tim Howard comfortbaly saved from Jiminezs effort on goal. The half ended with West Ham behind but the performance merited at least 2 goals from the Hammers. Scott Parker was instrumental in midfield.The second half started badly with most of the football being played in the midfield of the park and the fans became increasingly frustrated. It seemed that the Hammers had given up, apart from half-time substitute Junior Stanislas who was providing some decent runs and doing well in place of the injured Collison. Despite Rick Porcello Jersey West Ham fielding two prolific youngsters themselves it was Dan Gosling of Everton who scored the second goal. Despite the lack of chances at both ends, the goal still seemed against the run of play after his first shot was well parried by Green but Englands No1 could do nothing when Gosling smashed in the follow up. This set the game alight and Diamanti started to use his left foot with confidence. Some great balls were sent through and it wasnt too long untill one ended up in a goal. Diamantis pin-point ball over the top sent Junior Stanislas clear and a great first touch and then the masterful finish gave West Ham some hope. (It was Stanislass goal not an own goal in my view). Ex Hammer Lucas Neill was being rightfully booed by the fans at every touch of the ball and the heightened atmosphere fuelled the teams desire and when Scott Parker sent Zavon Hines through, the finale was to be set up but the yougnster mi sed from close range, shooting to the wrong side of Howard, the youngster had more time than he seemed to think Rusney Castillo Jersey but he had the chance to redeem himself minutes later. Diamanti, who was having a blinder, again was the provider and Evertons defence was all at sea as Zavon Hines created space for himself, only to shoot wide. For the remainder of the match there were wild shots from Diamanti untill Franco had a great opportunity, only to slip and fall much to the fans annoyance. It ended 2-1 to Everton and Zola will hope that Carlton Cole never gets injured again but then again on a different day Hines would have bagged those opportunities. Luck just isnt on our side!RatingsRobert Green: 7Jonathon Spector: 6Matthew Upson: 7Manuel Da Costa: 8Julien Faubert: 7Jack Collison: 6Scott Parker: 8Luis Jiminez: 6Valon Behrami: 7Zavon Hines: 6.5Guillermo Franco: 6Subs:Junior Stanislas: 9Allesandro Diamanti: 9

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