Everton Drop Points Against West Ham

voldemort · 03-22-2008, 10:47 PM

Yakubu's powerful finish gave Everton the lead after eight minutes and he had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside seven minutes later.

But West Ham came back strongly, with Dean Ashton missing a glorious chance before heading home Lucas Neill's cross after 68 minutes.

West Ham substitute Freddie Sears then struck a post in injury time.

The Hammers' teenage debutant James Tomkins almost made a dream start to his career in the fourth minute when he met Mark Noble's corner with a firm header only to hit the bar.

Sadly, his lack of experience was quickly exposed when he was turned by the wily Yakubu, who showed pace and power to race clear and fire an emphatic finish past West Ham keeper Robert Green.

Everton suffered a blow in the ninth minute when Tim Cahill, who had been doubtful before the game with a foot injury, suffered a recurrence and limped off to be replaced by Manuel Fernandes.

Yakubu should have had his second after 15 minutes when he turned in a neat finish. The goal was ruled out for offside, but replays showed the striker was onside and the final touch through appeared come from West Ham's Scott Parker.

West Ham have had had their struggles recently, but they responded well and should have been level by the interval.

A communication breakdown between Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka in the 31st minute gave Ashton the perfect opportunity right in front of goal but he somehow shot wide.

Yakubu was a real physical threat and Green needed to plunge at the feet of Victor Anichebe after he was played in by his strike partner.

Ashton was frustrated again two minutes before half-time when his 25-yard free-kick took a heavy deflection off Joleon Lescott, but Everton keeper Tim Howard reacted brilliantly to stretch out a foot to save.

West Ham clearly felt they were in with a real chance of drawing level, and boss Alan Curbishley wasted no time after the break in making a change, sending on teenager Sears for the dismal Luis Boa Morte.

And the Hammers were level after 68 minutes when Ashton rose superbly to head home Lucas Neill's cross - with Everton keeper Howard getting a hand to the ball but failing to keep it out.

A dreadful error by Jagielka almost let in Sears with six minutes to go, but Howard came to the defender's rescue with a vital interception.

The lively Sears was too quick for the defender again in the dying seconds, but his shot rolled agonisingly against the post with Howard beaten.

03-22-2008, 10:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 9,158	Everton Drop Points Against West Ham Yakubu's powerful finish gave Everton the lead after eight minutes and he had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside seven minutes later. But West Ham came back strongly, with Dean Ashton missing a glorious chance before heading home Lucas Neill's cross after 68 minutes. West Ham substitute Freddie Sears then struck a post in injury time. The Hammers' teenage debutant James Tomkins almost made a dream start to his career in the fourth minute when he met Mark Noble's corner with a firm header only to hit the bar. Sadly, his lack of experience was quickly exposed when he was turned by the wily Yakubu, who showed pace and power to race clear and fire an emphatic finish past West Ham keeper Robert Green. Everton suffered a blow in the ninth minute when Tim Cahill, who had been doubtful before the game with a foot injury, suffered a recurrence and limped off to be replaced by Manuel Fernandes. Yakubu should have had his second after 15 minutes when he turned in a neat finish. The goal was ruled out for offside, but replays showed the striker was onside and the final touch through appeared come from West Ham's Scott Parker. West Ham have had had their struggles recently, but they responded well and should have been level by the interval. A communication breakdown between Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka in the 31st minute gave Ashton the perfect opportunity right in front of goal but he somehow shot wide. Yakubu was a real physical threat and Green needed to plunge at the feet of Victor Anichebe after he was played in by his strike partner. Ashton was frustrated again two minutes before half-time when his 25-yard free-kick took a heavy deflection off Joleon Lescott, but Everton keeper Tim Howard reacted brilliantly to stretch out a foot to save. West Ham clearly felt they were in with a real chance of drawing level, and boss Alan Curbishley wasted no time after the break in making a change, sending on teenager Sears for the dismal Luis Boa Morte. And the Hammers were level after 68 minutes when Ashton rose superbly to head home Lucas Neill's cross - with Everton keeper Howard getting a hand to the ball but failing to keep it out. A dreadful error by Jagielka almost let in Sears with six minutes to go, but Howard came to the defender's rescue with a vital interception. The lively Sears was too quick for the defender again in the dying seconds, but his shot rolled agonisingly against the post with Howard beaten.