No complaints as Hammers grab precious point
Stoke City 0 Irons 0
And but for some sensational goalkeeping from City keeper Jack Butland we would have walked away from the Bet 365 Stadium with three points.
After saving a brilliant overhead kick from Andre Ayew, the returning Potters keeper made two more sensational stops as the Hammers put their foot on the pedal.
The Hammers still hurting from numerous injuries fielded a team one could barely have considered a few weeks ago but were more than comfortable against Mark Hughes’ outfit.
They were driven on by Cheik Kouyate and Manu Lanzini and look solid at the back where Jose Fonte – improving game by game – Winston Reid and James Collins again performed admirably.
Arthur Masuaku again had a great game but was withdrawn on 45 minutes presumably to protect the knock he apparently took during the game against Everton.
With Calleri leading the attack and Ayew attempting to become the goal scoring edge the Hammers are starting to look a hard side to beat although the cutting edge so badly needed still isn’t emerging.
The point takes us to 39 points and although not mathmatically safe we can no assume the team will be performing as a Premier League side next season.
This was another performance based on a strong defence and with a couple of outstanding saves from Adrian thrown in it’s easy to see why there is more confidence in the back line.
COYI