Premier League
Stoke City 2-2 West Ham United
Saturday, 1st November 2014
by Staff Writer
However the Hammers rescued a point and extended their unbeaten run to four games as Valencia stooped to convert Downing's cross on the hour mark, before the former Liverpool and Aston Villa midfielder slammed home an equaliser 17 minutes from time.
On the backfoot and having lost key defender Winston Reid to injury after just 24 minutes it was no surprise when West Ham fell behind after being caught out by a deep cross that fell to City's on-loan striker, Victor Moses.
The Chelsea-owned forward's shot was initially blocked by James Collins - just one of many the committed Welsh international threw himself into on the day - but the ball fell kindly to Moses, who poked the ball over the line at the second attempt despite Carl Jenkinson's best efforts to prevent it from crossing the line.
In stark contrast to recent weeks, West Ham failed to muster a single shot on target (from four shots) in the opening 45 minutes.
Stewart Downing should have at least hit the target after a lovely one-two with Alex Song in United's best move of the half. However the former England winger could only blast over the bar much to the chagrin of Song, who was far better placed to score.
But for the intervention of Adrian's left leg - which diverted Diouf's point-blank shot wide of the post in first half injury time - West Ham would have found themselves heading into the break facing a two-goal disadvantage. As it was, the Potters has to wait just 11 minutes following the restart to register a second goal.
Aaron Cresswell, whose left side was targeted by today's hosts misjudged an interception allowing Walters to break free. Having cut back inside he delivered a carefully-weighted cross to the near post where Diouf made amends for his earlier miss, heading Stoke into a two-goal lead.
Crucially, the Hammers allowed Stoke to lead by two for just four minutes. Stewart Downing, who has been enjoying a renaissance this season at the head of a diamond formation skipped away down the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the far post.
Stealing into the penalty area to meet Downing's delivery was Valencia, who stooped to place a guided header into the far corner beyond Asmir Begovic. It was another brilliantly-executed effort from the Ecuador international, who simply doesn't score average goals.
With the bit between their teeth West Ham pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Yet less than two minutes before it arrived, Stoke should have restored their two-goal lead' fortunately Diouf could only nod tamely wide of goal, despite being completely unmarked on the perimeter of West Ham's six-yard box.
That proved to be a costly miss for the Stoke striker as within two minutes, West Ham had completed what at one stage appeared to be an unlikely comeback. Once again it was that man Downing who popped up in City's penalty box to smash home United's second that emanated from a corner.
With tables turned, West Ham now looked the more likely to go on and snatch a late winner at the end of what had been an enthralling second half. However true to form for a topsy-turvy encounter such as this it was Stoke who went closest to finding a late winner.
Bojan, a former team mate (and fellow reject) of Alex Song's at Barcelona was perhaps the home side's best player on the day. He stung Adrian's fingers with a fierce drive from the edge of the area as City began to find their feet once again.
West Ham had Adrian - who had faced criticism from some quarters in recent weeks - to thank for the second successive week when he produced a fingertip save to deny Walters as the minutes ticked away. It was to prove Stoke's last real chance and although they were perhaps the better side overall, they had to settle for a point.
As for West Ham, it was another positive ending to a game that had looked to be slipping away at one point. Although they may have played better in recent weeks, today Big Sam's boys showed a steely resolve that will be required if they are to build upon the successful start.
The final word today goes to match official Chris Foy (not Hoy, we're not Spurs fans). Mark Hughes was infuriated that the referee missed what he felt was a dangerous challenge by Alex Song whilst Allardyce, his team and everyone of a claret and blue persuasion was incensed by Foy's willingness to turn a blind eye to Stoke's cynical tactics. Safe to say it wasn't his finest hour.
Next up for West Ham are Aston Villa, who visit the Boleyn Ground next week.
Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...
Click to view all West Ham United vs Stoke City match reports
Click to view all match reports by Staff Writer
Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
Goals: None.
Booked: tbc .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Stoke City: .
Subs not used: .
Goals: .
Booked: .
Sent off: None.
Referee: tbc.
Attendance: 0.
Man of the Match: Adrian San Miguel del Castillo.
Stoke City 2-2 West Ham United
Saturday, 1st November 2014
by Staff Writer
West Ham extended their unbeaten run to four games after coming back from a two goal deficit to rescue a point at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.
Things looked bleak at one stage for Sam Allardyce's high-flying team, who fell behind midway through the first half before Stoke doubled their advantage ten minutes after the restart.However the Hammers rescued a point and extended their unbeaten run to four games as Valencia stooped to convert Downing's cross on the hour mark, before the former Liverpool and Aston Villa midfielder slammed home an equaliser 17 minutes from time.
On the backfoot and having lost key defender Winston Reid to injury after just 24 minutes it was no surprise when West Ham fell behind after being caught out by a deep cross that fell to City's on-loan striker, Victor Moses.
The Chelsea-owned forward's shot was initially blocked by James Collins - just one of many the committed Welsh international threw himself into on the day - but the ball fell kindly to Moses, who poked the ball over the line at the second attempt despite Carl Jenkinson's best efforts to prevent it from crossing the line.
In stark contrast to recent weeks, West Ham failed to muster a single shot on target (from four shots) in the opening 45 minutes.
Stewart Downing should have at least hit the target after a lovely one-two with Alex Song in United's best move of the half. However the former England winger could only blast over the bar much to the chagrin of Song, who was far better placed to score.
But for the intervention of Adrian's left leg - which diverted Diouf's point-blank shot wide of the post in first half injury time - West Ham would have found themselves heading into the break facing a two-goal disadvantage. As it was, the Potters has to wait just 11 minutes following the restart to register a second goal.
Aaron Cresswell, whose left side was targeted by today's hosts misjudged an interception allowing Walters to break free. Having cut back inside he delivered a carefully-weighted cross to the near post where Diouf made amends for his earlier miss, heading Stoke into a two-goal lead.
Crucially, the Hammers allowed Stoke to lead by two for just four minutes. Stewart Downing, who has been enjoying a renaissance this season at the head of a diamond formation skipped away down the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the far post.
Stealing into the penalty area to meet Downing's delivery was Valencia, who stooped to place a guided header into the far corner beyond Asmir Begovic. It was another brilliantly-executed effort from the Ecuador international, who simply doesn't score average goals.
With the bit between their teeth West Ham pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Yet less than two minutes before it arrived, Stoke should have restored their two-goal lead' fortunately Diouf could only nod tamely wide of goal, despite being completely unmarked on the perimeter of West Ham's six-yard box.
That proved to be a costly miss for the Stoke striker as within two minutes, West Ham had completed what at one stage appeared to be an unlikely comeback. Once again it was that man Downing who popped up in City's penalty box to smash home United's second that emanated from a corner.
With tables turned, West Ham now looked the more likely to go on and snatch a late winner at the end of what had been an enthralling second half. However true to form for a topsy-turvy encounter such as this it was Stoke who went closest to finding a late winner.
Bojan, a former team mate (and fellow reject) of Alex Song's at Barcelona was perhaps the home side's best player on the day. He stung Adrian's fingers with a fierce drive from the edge of the area as City began to find their feet once again.
West Ham had Adrian - who had faced criticism from some quarters in recent weeks - to thank for the second successive week when he produced a fingertip save to deny Walters as the minutes ticked away. It was to prove Stoke's last real chance and although they were perhaps the better side overall, they had to settle for a point.
Very good point we have achieved today!Impressive comeback of the team after losing 2-0!Excellent effort????WHU away fans were top class???? #COYI
?EUR" Adri??n San Miguel (@AdriSanMiguel) November 1, 2014
As for West Ham, it was another positive ending to a game that had looked to be slipping away at one point. Although they may have played better in recent weeks, today Big Sam's boys showed a steely resolve that will be required if they are to build upon the successful start.
The final word today goes to match official Chris Foy (not Hoy, we're not Spurs fans). Mark Hughes was infuriated that the referee missed what he felt was a dangerous challenge by Alex Song whilst Allardyce, his team and everyone of a claret and blue persuasion was incensed by Foy's willingness to turn a blind eye to Stoke's cynical tactics. Safe to say it wasn't his finest hour.
Next up for West Ham are Aston Villa, who visit the Boleyn Ground next week.
View highlights from today's game
Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...
Click to view all West Ham United vs Stoke City match reports
Click to view all match reports by Staff Writer
Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
Player Ratings
Adrian San Miguel del Castillotbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
Substitutes
tbctbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
Match Facts
West Ham United: Adrian San Miguel del Castillo, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc.Goals: None.
Booked: tbc .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Stoke City: .
Subs not used: .
Goals: .
Booked: .
Sent off: None.
Referee: tbc.
Attendance: 0.
Man of the Match: Adrian San Miguel del Castillo.