Relive every moment of every first team game since the beginning of the 2005/06 season. Our archive of matchday threads originally posted in the General Discussion Forum.
Speaking of Williams... does anyone know how he has played so far? I can't listen to the radio online as it is blocked by the evil company that I work for...
MATTY Etherington's goal has given West Ham United a 1-0 half-time lead against Crystal Palace in this well contested London derby at Selhurst Park.
Pards handed another start to Roy Carroll in goal, but made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 in Munich.
James Collins and Elliott Ward are recalled in the centre of defence with Danny Gabbidon moving to right-back in place of Tomas Repka. Anton Ferdinand was the other player to drop out.
Christian Dailly replaced former Palace star Hayden Mullins in midfield while Gavin Williams started in place of Shaun Newton on the right.
Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood were again paired up front, while in the Crystal Palace ranks there was a start for former Hammer Jobi McAuff who arrived at Selhurst Park via Cardiff this summer.
Hammers did not waste time getting into their stride, a lovely touch from Sheringham releasing Paul Konchesky down the left, but his cross was blocked out for a corner by Mark Hudson.
In a clash that was more competitive than its friendly tag suggested, Palace winger Tom Soares received the game's first booking after only six minutes with a clumsy challenge on Elliott Ward, who then had to be alert to block a thunderous drive from Ben Watson.
It took all of 14 minutes for either side to register a worthwhile attempt on goal, Watson pumping the ball forward for England's Andy Johnson to chase but his first time volley was easily saved by Carroll. Moments later the lively McAnuff caught Collins in possession and fed Watson on the edge of the box, but he drilled his shot low and wide of Carroll's right-hand post.
With 20 minutes gone Harewood used his strength well to win a free-kick from Fitz Hall and promptly fired a fearsome shot that Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly flew to his left to beat away.
An awful challenge from Gary Borrowdale on Williams earned the home full-back a yellow card with 27 minutes gone, and left West Ham's right midfielder limping through the rest of the first-half.
With 15 minutes remaining in the half Iain Dowie sent on defender Darren Ward - a recent signing from Millwall and brother of Hammers centre-back Elliott - for the two to do battle for the first time since West Ham drew 1-1 with the Lions at Upton Park last season.
Moments later Johnson was picked out with a deep cross and the much-coveted striker executed a wonderful volley which Carroll did well to save at the near post.
But Hammers were posing enough danger of their own and on 36 minutes a flowing claret and blue move was converted by Matty Etherington to make it 1-0. A great ball from Williams was the catalyst for the goal, releasing Harewood down the right, and he cut it back across goal to leave Etherington with a tap-in to beat Kiraly and send Alan Pardew's men in for half-time with a well-earned advantage.