Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham 1 Everton 2: Returning hero Louis Saha puts Toffees back on track
Everton secured a much-needed first win in five Barclays Premier Leaguegames with a battling 2-1 victory at West Ham, who slipped back intothe relegation zone.[LNB]Louis Saha, who missed the midweek Europa League defeat to Benficawith a calf problem, netted from 20 yards against the run of play on 26minutes.[LNB]Dan Gosling added a second just after the hour, but the Hammers made a fight of it following an own goal by Tony Hibbert.[LNB] Much-needed: Everton's Dan Gosling (right) scores the winner against West Ham[LNB][LNB]West Ham's England Under-21 forward Zavon Hines was handed a startfor the injured Carlton Cole, having netted a dramatic last-minutewinner here against Aston Villa in midweek.[LNB]The youngster again looked lively, bursting into the left side ofthe penalty area, before going down under a shoulder charge fromHibbert, as referee Alan Wiley waved away the half-hearted appeals fora spot-kick.[LNB]Everton deployed five in midfield and were content to let West Ham have plenty of the ball, waiting patiently for their chance.[LNB]However, Gianfranco Zola's men continued to look dangerous, asJulien Faubert flashed a low cross through the six-yard box following asweeping passing move.[LNB]Hines again caused a threat down the left side, and Scott Parkeralmost capitalised when he got past Joseph Yobo, but then shot straightat Tim Howard.[LNB] Celebrations: Gosling (second right) and his team-mates react to his strike[LNB][LNB]The Everton defender redeemed himself when coming across to cut out Parker's through ball, which would have sent Hines clear.[LNB]Then, out of nothing, Everton took the lead on 26 minutes.[LNB]Tim Cahill battled to hold the ball up on the edge of the West Ham box, before laying it back to Saha.[LNB]The French striker, 20 yards out, needed no second invitation - anddrilled his first-time shot low into the bottom right corner.[LNB]The goal was against the run of play, and left Upton Park instunned silence - apart from the band of travelling Everton supporterson the far side.[LNB] Despair: Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard (rear centre) can't believe his luck after conceding agoal as West Ham's Junior Stanislas (left) turns to celebrate[LNB]West Ham, who battled back from 2-0 down to draw with Arsenal here last month, immediately looked to get on the offensive again.[LNB]Everton, though, had much more composure now, with Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini coming into the game.[LNB]Saha headed a corner wide as Everton came close to doubling their lead before the interval.[LNB]The home side had more impetus at the start of the second half, Junior Stanislas having replaced Jack Collison.[LNB] Scramble: West Ham and Everton players compete for an aerial ball[LNB]A sweeping long ball forward from Manuel Da Costa almost fell for Luis Jimenez in the Everton box, but he was crowded out.[LNB]The Chilean was then replaced by Alessandro Diamanti, who helped turn the game against Arsenal.[LNB]Everton also made a change on 57 minutes when Ayegbeni Yakubu came on for Saha, who appeared to be troubled by his calf.[LNB]Stanislas, from 20 yards, flashed a low drive just wide.[LNB]However, Everton snatched a second on the break after 64 minutes.[LNB] Ouch: Tony Hibbert (right) and Scott Parker fight for the ball at Upton Park[LNB]Cahill and Yakubu battled for possession at the edge of the penaltyarea, before the substitute pushed the ball out to Gosling on theoverlap down the right.[LNB]His first shot was blocked by Robert Green, but the ball fellstraight back to the Everton winger, who this time drilled it into thenet.[LNB]West Ham, though, hit back moments later.[LNB]Diamanti sent a deep pass over the Everton defence, on to which Stanislas ran.[LNB]The West Ham forward clipped his shot past the advancing Howard,but the ball did not appear to have enough pace to roll over the lineand Hibbert looked set to hack clear - only for the defender to bootthe ball into his own net as Upton Park erupted.[LNB]The West Ham faithful sensed an equaliser, with Diamanti curling a20-yard effort just over before Hines stabbed wide after getting aheadof Yobo.[LNB]Howard saved Diamanti's free-kick and Everton survived a couple ofscrambles in the six-yard box as the Hammers were denied a secondsuccessive dramatic finale.[LNB] DAN KING: Olympic team will hammer out deal for West Ham UnitedEverton defender Phil Jagielka return hit by new knee problemWEST HAM UNITED FC
