Source: Daily_Mail
Everton 2 West Ham 2: Avram Grant sees red at 'joke' Piquionne sending-off
Avram Grant reacted angrilyyesterday after Frederic Piqiuonne was sent off for celebrating a goal. The red card shown to Piquionne by referee Peter Walton, for jumpinginto the arms of fans in the 84th minute, means he will miss West Ham'sCarling Cup semi-final, second leg at Birmingham on Wednesday. The irony is that Walton hatesshowing a card for excessive celebrating but the referee had to issuePiquionne with his second yellow and almost buried his head in hishands before doing his duty. Slide rule: West Ham United's Jonathan Spector, second left, scores against EvertonMarouane Fellaini took full advantage to score Everton's injury-time equaliser to leave the Hammers bottom of the Barclays Premier League. The West Ham manager said: 'For meit's a joke, this red card. Who deserves it more than the supporterswhen a player goes to celebrate with them? 'This law is stupid and we mustchange it - this is an emotional game. I celebrated when I scored in astaff game on Thursday. Lucky I didn't get a red card, too.'The visitors had taken the lead after 27 minutes as the once goal-shy Jonathan Spector found the net for the fourth time in two months but Diniyar Bilyaletdinov came off the Everton bench to level.The result was yet another blow for Grant, whose position has again been the subject of heavy speculation over the past week.Yet for most of the game his team, with the returning Scott Parker driving them forward, the visitors acquitted themselves superbly.The Hammers gave their fans early encouragement as top scorer Piquionne,back in the side after recovering from dental surgery, burst into the area and fired over from a tight angle.Mark Noble went even closer moments later as he was picked out by Parkeron the 18-yard line but his chip just dipped over the bar. Great start: West Ham's Jonathan Spector and Zavon Hines celebrate Spector's goalEverton toughened up after those early scares and began to assert themselves more in midfield.Fellaini exposed the Hammers defence when he played in Jermaine Beckford but the striker's flick back was cleared.Beckford had an opportunity himself as he raced onto a through-ball fromMikel Arteta but Matthew Upson just did enough to break his stride and Robert Green blocked.West Ham responded well and snatched the lead as Luis Boa Morte latched onto a Noble pass and squared for the inrushing Spector to slide home from the penalty spot.It was a goal that lifted the Hammers and, with Parker instrumental, they dictated play for the rest of the first half.Piquionne was inches away from adding a second as he rose to meet a Spector cross with a firm header that struck the far post and rolled across goal to safety.Everton survived another scare before the interval as Boa Morte poked the ball past Tim Howard but was adjudged offside.Everton boss David Moyes decided to change his attack by sending on Saha, fit again after a thigh strain, for Beckford at half-time.The hosts enjoyed prolonged spells of possession as the second half got under way but were unable to prise open West Ham's hard-working defence. Show of passion: West Ham manager Avram Grant, right, and assistant Wally DownesWayne Bridge, after a much-criticised debut last week following his loanmove from Manchester City, seemed assured up against the threat of Seamus Coleman on the Everton right.Saha appealed for a penalty after a challenge from James Tomkins but referee Peter Walton gave nothing.West Ham caught Everton on the counter-attack as Parker charged through midfield but Howard comfortably dealt with his long-range shot.Zavon Hines also went close with an acrobatic attempt to turn in a Spector cross but his volley flashed wide.At the other Saha threatened after being picked out by Leon Osman but the Frenchman got the ball caught under his feet and was unable to shoot.Everton pulled level 13 minutes from time as Bilyaletdinov, sent on for the ineffective Victor Anichebe eight minutes earlier, beat Green with afierce drive.Fellaini rose the highest to meet Phil Neville's cross and his nod down was helped into the Russian's path by Piquionne. Double take: Everton's Leon Osman (centre) battles with West Ham United's Scott Parker and James Tomkins (right)Bilyaletdinov, who has been challenged to fill the boots of the departedSteven Pienaar, made no mistake as he caught the ball with a sweet half-volley into the bottom corner.Coleman could have added a second moments later as he cut inside from the right but shot narrowly over.TEAMSEVERTON (4-2-2-2 ): Howard; Neville (Rodwell 86min), Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Fellaini, Arteta; Coleman,Osman; Beckford (Saha 46), Anichebe (Bilyaletdinov 68). Subs (not used): Mucha, Hibbert, Jagielka, Gueye.Booked: Fellaini.WEST HAM ( 4-2-2-2): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge; Parker, Noble; Spector, Boa Morte; Piquionne, Hines (Sears 81, Reid 90). Subs (not used): Boffin, Gabbidon, McCarthy, Barrera, Nouble. Booked: Parker, Piquionne. Sent off: Piquionne (85min).Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).Green then produced a brilliant save to deny Saha from close range and Coleman put the rebound over the bar.But as the Toffees pressed for a winner, they were caught by a sucker punch.Bridge found room on the left to swing in a cross and Piquionne jumped to place a looping header over Howard and into the top corner.The downside for Piquionne - who had been booked four minutes earlier - was that in his jubilation he jumped the advertising hoardings and was shown a second yellow card.Everton manager David Moyes admitted:'That sending-off gave us impetus and the chance to throw the kitchensink at them, which we did. Celebrating should be allowed, but we knowthe rules.' West Ham attempted to play safe by substituting substitute Freddie Sears, who had been on the field just nine minutes, and sending on defender Winston Reid.It proved to no avail as Fellaini jinked his way into the area in injury time to secure a point for Everton. Everton join West Ham in battle to sign Hoffenheim striker Demba BaHammers chief Brady slams Spurs 'hysteria' over Olympic stadiumAll the latest Everton news, features and opinionAll the latest West Ham United news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Freddie Sears, Matthew Upson, James Tomkins, Robert Green, Phil Neville, David Moyes, Leon Osman, Victor Anichebe, Wayne Bridge, Luis Boa Morte Places: Birmingham