Irons 1 Everton 1
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The inevitable Romelu Lukaku denied the Irons a win as he continued his remarkable scoring streak against us to rescue a point for The Toffees.
He made it seven goals in his last seven appearances shortly before half-time to cancel out Manuel Lanzini’s classy opener on 30 minutes .
After breaking the Liverpool hoodoo earlier in the season after 50 we looked on course to break another Merseyside hoodoo when Lanzini fired us into the lead.
We had been the better and more threatening side, with Victor Moses hitting the side netting from Dimitri Payet’s cross and then heading another delivery from the Frenchman over the crossbar.
Hammers left-back Aaron Cresswell also went close to opening the scoring when he let fly from the edge of the area, his curler with the outside of his left boot flying just wide.
Everton were sluggish by comparison, with Aroune Kone’s wide 20-yard drive flying wide their only real chance.
Lanzini’s strike was one of the best seen at Upton Park this campaign when after Moses. low drive ricocheted to the edge of the area he picked up the rebound and planted a curled effort over the Everton defence and into the top corner.
However, Lukaku got his goal when Gerard Deulofeu threaded the ball between defenders James Tomkins and Winston Reid and the big hitman rounded Adrian to score.
Payet was worryingly lost to injury after half-time but we still pushed for a winner with Lanzini forcing a fingertip save from Tim Howard at his near post with a low, angled drive from the corner of the box before Reid headed Mark Noble’s corner narrowly over the top.
And Lukaku came closest to winning it when he prodded Brendan Galloway’s low cross inches wide with four minutes remaining.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
After a desperate scrap to be last on MOTD we finally have a goal from the 3pm Games. A gorgeous finish from Lanzini for West Ham. – Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) comments on the first Premier League goal scored after the lunch-time kick-off.
Ratings:
Irons
Adrian: 6
Carl Jenkinson: 6
James Tomkins: 7
Winston Reid: 7
Aaron Cresswell: 6
Cheikhou Kouyate: 6
Mark Noble: 7
Victor Moses: 7
Dimitri Payet: 6
Manuel Lanzini: 8
Andy Carroll: 6
Subs
Enner Valencia: 5
Mauro Zarate: 6
Nikica Jelavic: 5
STAR MAN: Manuel Lanzini. Scored a fantastic goal, was at the heart of most forward motion and took over the main play making role when Payet was taken off injured.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Lanzini could have blasted the ball straight back at goal when it fell to him on the edge of the box. But the Argentinian simply took a touch before curling it into the top corner for a classy finish.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT: Two similarly set up sides largely cancelled each other out. Romelu Lukaku won the battle of the target men with opposition forward Andy Carroll, who was starved of service again.
MOAN OF THE MATCH: An injury to Dimitri Payet, when a James McCarthy tackle robbed us of our main creative force although he hadn’t quite looked his normal self.
UP NEXT?
Tottenham v West Ham, November 22 (Premier League)
Everton and Martinez are one of the same ,
Dirty professional cheats , they do it time and time again when facing good opposition,
McCarthy kiched us off the park as did Barry last year , they target you’re best players and try to intimidate them and if they are lucky enough they injure you !!!
Dirty dirty scousers with a manager who is probably the biggest sneak and *********** in
The game today.
Next time we play them we need to kick lukaku off the park and that same with McCarthy
And Barry ,
How McCarthy stayed on the park today after the foul on payet is a joke, poor ref as well especially second half , they are not weak , just no bloody good !!!!
We definitely need sakho as imo carol can’t cut it at the moment !!!
Evertons ‘Dogs Of War’ are back in full flow.Dirty ******* !!!
Decent result, shame Martinez’s football philosophy though, based on intimidation and borderline brutal play. They clearly had and agenda, demolish creative players, mission accomplished, with injury as a little extra gift. It happens over and over again with Everton, and half of their players are brutes. Wonder what would have happened if Naismith had played.
I liked the fact that we didn’t fall for the bait of provocation, that would have made Everton’s day.
Ref wasn’t great, but I’ve seen much worse too. He cut the first half 5-6 seconds short, as Carroll was heading to the goal practically unchallenged, the in the second half he allowed too much intimidation and time wasting in critical moments from Everton.
Still need to a take longer look at him before we sign in case he can’t play in the snow or a heat wave,
With Payet and Valencia getting knocks we are going to need him even more,
Won’t be happy until he has a 4 or 5 year contract,in 2 years time he will be the Brazilian
Star player and worth £35 million plus,