Everton FC 2, West Ham United 2: full time report

04 April 2010 18:21
West Ham twice came from behind at Everton to claim a crucial point in their Barclays Premier League relegation scrap.[LNB]Manuel da Costa and Ilan both struck in the second half as the Hammers produced a battling display to end a damaging run of six successive defeats.[LNB]Diniyar Bilyaletdinov opened the scoring and Ayegbeni Yakubu looked to have won it for the Toffees six minutes from time but the Hammers, who also missed a penalty, produced their best performance in weeks.[LNB]After a disjointed first-half display, gaining a draw was an unexpected bonus that lifted them one point clear of the bottom three.[LNB]That was no more than the visitors deserved for a battling showing after the break, Scott Parker typifying their effort with an outstanding display in defence and attack.[LNB]The only blight on his performance was a booking which means he must now serve a two-match suspension.[LNB]Fate had appeared to be conspiring against under-pressure Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola before kick-off.[LNB]Having already lost Kieron Dyer, the Italian was forced to make a late change when Valon Behrami was injured in the warm-up.[LNB]After initially been named among the substitutes, Junior Stanislas was unexpectedly promoted to the side while Josh Payne was handed a place on the bench.[LNB]Everton made just one change, and it proved a key one, with goalscorer Bilyaletdinov starting ahead of Jack Rodwell.[LNB]The match started slowly but West Ham finally got a sight of goal when Parker fired well over from a corner.[LNB]Everton's first opportunity came from a free-kick but Leighton Baines shot straight into the wall from 20 yards.[LNB]The hosts got another chance from slightly greater distance after Parker earned that costly booking for a late challenge on Tim Cahill.[LNB]This time top scorer Louis Saha took aim but sliced his effort well wide.[LNB]Everton stepped up the pressure to claim the lead after 24 minutes.[LNB]Jonathan Spector attempted to head away a Baines cross but found only Cahill, who nodded back for Bilyaletdinov to glance in from close range.[LNB]Cahill then threatened a second after a driving run but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.

Source: Liverpool_Echo