Daily WHUFC News - 6th March 2016

Everton 2-3 West Ham United
WHUFC.com

Everton 2-3 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League, Goodison Park, Saturday 5 March 2016

Dimitri Payet scored a dramatic late winner as West Ham United came from two goals down to secure an outstanding 3-2 Barclays Premier League victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Payet followed up winning the Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards in style by scoring the winning goal with just seconds left on the clock. The Hammers looked to be out of the game after Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon had fired the home side into a two-goal lead early in the second half – despite losing Kevin Mirallas to a red card with the score at 1-0 before half-time. The game looked up when substitute Alex Song was penalised for a foul on fellow replacement Muhamed Besic with 21 minutes to go, but Adrian again proved to be Everton's spot-kick nemesis by saving Lukaku's penalty. Adrian's save turned out to be crucial as Slaven Bilic's side refused to lie down and late goals from Michail Antonio, substitute Diafra Sakho and Payet helped secure a third victory in the space of eight days. The victory moved the Hammers back up to fifth and kept alive their hopes of securing a European place at the end of the season. Much earlier in a pulsating match, Everton could have broken the deadlock after just five minutes when the ball fell to James McCarthy on the edge of the box and he fired a half-volley which was superbly tipped over the bar by Adrian. The Hammers also had chances early in the game and came close on eleven when Payet raced unchallenged towards the Everton penalty area and struck a low shot which flew inches past the post. But it was the home side who opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Bryan Oviedo played the ball into Lukaku who raced past Reece Oxford and fired a left foot shot past Adrian into the corner of the net. The Belgian forward certainly enjoys playing against the Hammers and has now scored in all eight of his appearances against the east London Club – but that joy would turn to disappointment later in the game.

West Ham refused to let the goal affect them and came close to grabbing an equaliser when Cheikhou Kouyate directed a header straight at Robles in the Everton goal on before Michail Antonio drilled a left-foot shot wide of the goal. Adrian came to West Ham's rescue on 25 minutes when Ross Barkley lost his man, only for the Spaniard to claw his shot away from the top corner. West Ham then had strong claims for a penalty turned down on 29 minutes after Funes Mori appeared to bring down Angelo Ogbonna but referee Anthony Tayloir ignored the strong appeals. However, Taylor did act five minutes later when Everton were reduced to ten men after Mirallas was shown his second yellow card for a late challenge on Cresswell.

The Hammers almost made the extra man count straight away when Cresswell put in a teasing cross which picked out Emenike, but the No29 saw his close-range shot superbly kept out by Robles. Instead, it was ten-man Everton who doubled their lead on 56 minutes as Lennon cut in from the left hand side and played a neat interchange with Lukaku before stroking the ball past Adrian. Bilic responded straight away by making a double change, bringing on Sakho and Song to replace Emenike and Pedro Obiang. West Ham were still controlling possession and territory with no reward and could have been dead and buried when Taylor awarded a penalty, only for Adrian to guess and dive right to deny Lukaku.

The Hammers made Roberto Martinez's side pay in dramatic style.

The comeback started on 78 minutes when Mark Noble's cross picked out Antonio, who made no mistake with a powerful header from close-range past Joel. Just as they had done at Norwich in their last away league fixture, West Ham scored twice in three minutes to equalise when Payet's cross picked out Sakho, who angled his header expertly into the back of the net. Payet then scored his tenth goal of the season and stole the headlines once again when Sakho flicked the ball into the French star and he made no mistake, sending the 2,500-strong Claret and Blue Army into a state of near-hysteria and his side up into the top-five.

Everton: Robles, Stones (Besic 46), Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman, Oviedo, McCarthy, Barkley, Lennon (Niasse 75), Mirallas, Lukaku
Subs not used: Howard, Baines, Barry, Osman, Deulofeu
Goals: Lukaku 13, Lennon 56
Bookings: Mirallas, Robles
Sent-off: Mirallas

West Ham United: Adrian, Kouyate, Oxford (Carroll 46), Ogbonna, Antonio, Obiang (Song 59), Noble, Cresswell, Lanzini, Payet, Emenike (Sakho 59)
Subs not used: Randolph, Henry, Hendrie, Dobson
Goals: Antonio 79, Sakho 82, Payet 90
Bookings: Antonio, Ogbonna

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 39,000

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Bilic - It feels great!
WHUFC.com

"Slaven Bilic hailed West Ham United's team spirit yet again as the Hammers came from behind again to snatch a dramatic 3-2 Barclays Premier League win at ten-man Everton. The Toffees looked odds-on to record a fourth-straight home Barclays Premier League win over the Hammers when goal in either half from nemesis Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon put them 2-0 up. When Alex Song was controversially penalised for tripping Muhamed Besic inside the West Ham penalty area with 21 minutes to go, the game looked up, only for Adrian to again show his penalty-saving prowess by saving from Lukaku. That stop proved a massive turning point at Goodison Park as goals from Michail Antonio, substitute Diafra Sakho and finally Dimitri Payet – in the 90th minute – secured a third victory in the space of eight days in unforgettable style. "It feels great!" said Bilic, who represented both clubs during his own playing career. "We don't have a great record here – in fact we don't have a record at all here, so to win here in such a way is amazing. "This is happening not all, but a lot of the time and this is why English football is so attractive and so good, basically. "The fact is that if they had scored the penalty we could have lost the game, I don't know, three or four-nil but you can't deny from the first minute that we were the better side and dominated and were a bit unlucky to go two down because they used their chances. "Everton used the ball well and without it they didn't really feel the loss of a man because they had Lukaku and he's unbelievable. He's a monster, he's Lukaku and that's why he cost that kind of money. "We asked the boys, even at two-nil down, not to force the situation and at the end of the day they won the game. Nobody could say over the 90 minutes we didn't deserve it, and that's why it makes it so big and so great and why I'm so proud of our team. "It's the third time on the spin the guys off the bench have made such a big impact and that's why it's a great day for West Ham United."

With a record-setting 49 points from 29 matches and his team sitting a point outside the UEFA Champions League places, Bilic could be forgiven for getting carried away. Instead, he is keeping calm and composed, but at the same time knows his team can achieve good things this season.
With an Emirates FA Cup sixth-round tie to look forward to at Manchester United next weekend, the final weeks of the Farewell Boleyn season are shaping up to be something special. "It feels like a special win psychologically," the managed revealed. "We were a bit tired but we played good. In defensive transition we were not sharp enough maybe because we had such a big game on Wednesday night against Spurs, but I'm pleased with the win and the way we played. "I was again proud of the way we were playing and it's a great day for us, yeah! "We go home now and I told the guys every game between now and the end of the season is a cup final for us, every one of them. We are thinking about the next game, which an isolated and special one, an FA Cup quarter-final. "We have lots of cup finals and a lot to look forward to."

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Skipper hails 'phenomenal' spirit
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble hailed the 'phenomenal' spirit as West Ham United roared back from two goals down to score a thrilling 3-2 Barclays Premier League win at Everton. The captain led from the front as the Hammers overcame a seemingly insurmountable deficit at Goodison Park – a ground where West Ham have not won for more than a decade. Adrian's penalty save at two goals down with 21 minutes to go was the turning point, with late goals from Michail Antonio, Diafra Sakho and Dimitri Payet making it 12 points from losing positions for Slaven Bilic's side this season. "I did have a sinking feeling at two-nil down but I believe in our players and I believe in our squad," said the skipper, who provided the cross for Antonio's third goal in three matches. "Everton are a good team and even with ten men you can't take them lightly but it shows again the firepower we've got to come on." "We said at half-time, just keep putting crosses in for the boys and Big Andy and Sakho came on and were unbelievable." "Michail has gone and got another one and it shows the team spirit we've got in there. The team spirit at this Club is phenomenal at the minute."

Noble then watched as Payet set up Sakho to equalise with his first goal since October before taking centre-stage again by prodding the Senegal striker's cross past Joel in the Everton goal with just seconds of normal time remaining. Victory made it nine points out of nine for the week following home wins over Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, and lifted West Ham back into the top five, just a point behind fourth-place Manchester City. "We've had a tough game last Saturday against Sunderland with Big Sam coming back and our biggest derby in the week against Spurs," the skipper continued. "We managed to dig those out and then came up to Everton, where I've had some tough days as a West Ham player down the years!"

In closing, Noble paid tribute to Adrian, who repeated his spot-kick heroics against the Toffees by making a vital stop from Lukaku that set the platform for West Ham's amazing revival. Thirteen months on from scoring the winning penalty in an FA Cup shootout victory over Everton, the Spaniard guessed correctly to deny the Belgium forward and keep his side in the game. "We made it hard for ourselves," the No16 smiled. "Romelu is a top player and was good for them and Aaron does what he does best and got a goal but Adrian's save at two-nil was massive for us and that's why we love him so much!"

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SAT, 05 MAR 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
Everton 2-3 West Ham United
By Patrick Jennings
BBC Sport

Dimitri Payet's 90th-minute winner completed a stunning late West Ham comeback against 10-man Everton to maintain their top-four challenge. Romelu Lukaku fired Everton into the lead before Kevin Mirallas picked up a second yellow before half-time. Aaron Lennon prodded home to double the lead and with 20 minutes left Lukaku saw a poor penalty saved by Adrian. Michail Antonio and Diafro Sakho each scored a header, before Payet pounced for West Ham's third in 12 minutes. The victory, only West Ham's second in their past 10 away matches, sees Slaven Bilic's side leapfrog Manchester United, who play on Sunday, into fifth in the table. Everton have now lost three of their past four league games at Goodison and stay 11th.

Toffees pay the penalty

Recent home defeats by Swansea and West Brom meant the pressure was on Everton to record a home victory, and Roberto Martinez's side started very well. James McCarthy had a fierce shot tipped over before Lukaku turned Reece Oxford on the edge of the box to fire home off the post, with Ross Barkley's brilliant volley parried out soon after. Even after having Mirallas sent off - after one yellow card for simulation and another for a late challenge on Aaron Cresswell - Everton continued to impress, and their second goal was excellent, Lennon finishing after a slick exchange with Lukaku.

But the crucial moment was yet to come.

Lukaku's weakly struck penalty, after Alex Song was penalised for a foul on Muhamed Besic, meant the home side failed to seal what would have been a sensational win - and was the trigger for West Ham's dramatic comeback.

Brave Bilic and silky Payet

Scoring three goals in the last 12 minutes to snatch victory from looming defeat is no mean feat - even against 10 men. With his side 1-0 down at half-time West Ham manager Bilic committed to setting up his side to attack - despite the obvious danger the Toffees posed on the break through Lukaku. Striker Andy Carroll was introduced for 17-year-old defender Oxford, and two further changes soon followed but the major driving force of the Hammers' turnaround was Payet. This season the Frenchman has arguably been West Ham's best player and today his influence was vital, crossing for Sakho's leveller before turning home from Sakho's cool flick inside the box for a late winner.

Man of the match - Dimitri Payet (West Ham)
An assist for the equalising goal and a composed late winner - what more could West Ham ask of Payet?

Payet
Frenchman Payet played a total of five key passes - more than any other player on the pitch

What did the managers make of it?

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "The key moment was the penalty. That would have been game over and it is a feeling of missed opportunity.
"Everyone got a bit shocked at that moment. The effort, with a man down, it went to the last 10 minutes we found it difficult to do what we had been doing - the way we had to match 11 men cost us in the final 10 minutes. "It is a shame we could not win because up until the 78th minute we were well worth winning it."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "It feels great. We don't have a great record here - we don't have a record here at all to be fair. "This is why English football is so attractive and so good basically. If they scored a penalty we could have lost three or four nil. "However, nobody could say that over 90 minutes we didn't deserve it. We did, and that is what makes me proud of the team. It is a great day for West Ham."

The stats you need to know

Romelu Lukaku has scored in all eight of his Everton appearances against West Ham United in all competitions.
Lukaku has now scored 18 league goals this season, beating his previous highest tally of 17, set in 2012-13 while on loan from Chelsea at West Brom.
Mark Noble made his 250th Premier League appearance for West Ham United in this match; the first Hammer to reach this landmark in the competition.
Since his debut, Adrian has saved twice as many penalties as any other goalkeeper in the Premier League with four.
West Ham recovered from two goals down to win a Premier League game for the first time since their 5-4 win over Bradford City in February 2000.
What's next for both sides?

Both Everton's and West Ham's next match comes in the FA Cup sixth round - the Toffees play at home to Chelsea next Saturday, while West Ham play at Manchester United next Sunday.

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Everton 2-3 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th March 2016
By: Staff Writer

Dimitri Payet exacted revenge on James McCarthy and Everton in the perfect manner - by scoring a last-minute winner at Goodison Park this afternoon. West Ham's French midfielder was sidelined for two months earlier in the season following McCarthy's hatchet job on him in the corresponding fixture, which ended 1-1. But Payet - who had been mostly quiet in the preceding 89 minutes - had the last laugh by scoring the final goal of this afternoon's Premier League encounter to secure all three points for West Ham, who had rescued a two-goal deficit prior to the Frenchman's winner.

Andy Carroll ✔ ‎@AndyTCarroll
What a win!!! #BounceBackAbility 👍👍
5:56 PM - 5 Mar 2016 · Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

Romelu Lukaku has scored seven times against West Ham so it was no surprise to see him celebrating in front of the Gwladys Street Stand with just 13 minutes on the clock. Receiving the ball in the left channel, the Belgian international turned rookie Reece Oxford before firing across Adrian to open the scoring. There was a major blow - one that was to prove instrumental - for the hosts when Kevin Mirallas, who was linked with a January move to West Ham received his marching orders nine minutes ahead of the half-time interval from referee Anthony Taylor for a second bookable offence. However that didn't stop Everton from doubling their lead on 56 minutes when Aaron Lennon jinked inside a static West Ham defence to fire home the Toffees' second of the day.

Pedro Mba Obiang ✔ ‎@Obiang14
Keep dreaming!! ⚒ #COYI
6:04 PM - 5 Mar 2016

Everton should have put the game to bed with 20 minutes left on the clock when they were awarded a penalty, almost certainly erroneously, by Taylor for an Alex Song trip that appeared to occur outside the box. But Adrian dived to his left to deny Lukaku, a save that proved to be hugely important come the final whistle. To say West Ham left their comeback late would be a major understatement, but Michail Antonio finally found the net for Slaven Bilic's side with a guided header 12 minutes from the end of normal time.

MARK NOBLE ✔ ‎@Noble16Mark
It's an honour to lead these players, another massive win, Never give up!!! #MN16
6:10 PM - 5 Mar 2016

And less than three minutes West Ham, who should have been 3-0 down minutes earlier found themselves level at two apiece when substitute Diafra Sakho scored with an almost identical header.

With the game entering added-on time it appeared as if both teams would have to settle for a point each. But West Ham had other ideas and another attack on the right culminated with a low delivery that Payet, who had been relatively quiet throughout slipped under the advancing Joel Robles and into am empty net to steal all three points for the Irons.

Diafra Sakho ✔ ‎@iamdiafrasakho
What a win, thank you fans ❤️
6:05 PM - 5 Mar 2016

The win takes West Ham back above Manchester United, who play tomorrow, into fifth spot in the Premier League tonight.

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Everton 2-3 West Ham: Dimitri Payet stuns Everton in thriller
By Jefferson Lake
Last Updated: 05/03/16 6:24pm
SSN

Dimitri Payet's 90th-minute goal saw West Ham come back to beat 10-man Everton 3-2 in a thrilling game at Goodison Park. Everton had burst into a two-goal lead when Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon scored either side of what was to prove a costly red card to Kevin Mirallas. It looked as though the home side would cope with that setback and they should have ended the match as a contest with a penalty 20 minutes from time, but Lukaku saw his effort saved by Adrian. Instead, West Ham took that as their cue for recovery and headed goals from Michail Antonio and substitute Diafra Sakho saw parity restored before Payet converted from close range for all three points. The win is West Ham's third in a row and means they go above Manchester United and into fifth in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Leicester City. Everton, meanwhile, remain 11th but have now only won one of their past four home matches and their extension of that sequence will be of deep concern to manager Roberto Martinez. The loss of Mirallas was a major factor; having already received a disputable booking for diving he made the poor decision to challenge Aaron Cresswell on the slide and was inevitably dismissed. But his loss did not seem to hurt Everton, who were already in front after Lukaku had turned Reece Oxford on the edge of the box and planted a left-footed shot past Adrian and extended that advantage when the Belgian played a one-two with Lennon, who tucked his shot coolly under the goalkeeper. Lukaku was given the opportunity to make it 3-0 when substitute Muhamed Besic wriggled into space on the edge of the box and went down under a challenge from Alex Song, which referee Anthony Taylor deemed to be inside the line. Adrian saved it and 10 minutes later Antonio had the ball in the net, powerfully heading in Mark Noble's left-wing cross.

It revitalised West Ham and was a major blow for an Everton side who had competed well for 44 minutes with a man fewer than their opponents.
Their fatigue was exposed two minutes later when Sakho provided a similarly firm header for the equaliser, this time putting away a Payet cross from the opposite wing. Payet had been quiet throughout Everton's periods of dominance but laid on that vital ball and then showed his predatory instincts to mop up the winner. West Ham have made a name for themselves as purveyors of passing football this season but their winning goal was pure route one - a direct ball headed on by Andy Carroll and flicked into the path of Payet by Sakho. You get the impression, however, that they won't mind.

Player ratings

Everton: Robles (6), Stones (6), Jagielka (6), Funes Mori (6), McCarthy (7), Barkley (6), Coleman (6), Oviedo (5), Lennon (7), Mirallas (4), Lukaku (7)

Subs used: Besic (6), Niasse (5), Barry (5)

West Ham: Adrian (7), Kouyate (6), Oxford (5), Ogbonna (6), Antonio (6), Noble (6), Obiang (5), Cresswell (7), Lanzini (6), Payet (7), Emenike (6)

Subs used: Carroll (6), Song (6), Sakho (6)

Man of the match: Dimitri Payet

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Slaven Bilic: Being less sexy was key to West Ham win
By Jefferson Lake
Last Updated: 05/03/16 7:18pm
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said his side's dramatic comeback win at Everton was a result of being "less sexy". Trailing 2-0 to 10-man Everton - who had Kevin Mirallas sent off in the first half - after goals from Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon, the Hammers responded with three goals in the final 12 minutes. Michail Antonio and substitute Diafra Sakho struck within four minutes of each other before Payet popped up in the six-yard area to send the travelling support - and Bilic - into rapture. "I said at half-time: 'We are one down but we are going to do it. We have to be less sexy and more lethal in front of the box'," he said. "I didn't know what to do. I went down [the tunnel] to calm down and came back straight away. "It was a great comeback, a great game. To do it like this is unbelievable. "Of course they are going to cause you problems with Lukaku, Lennon, [Ross] Barkley but when we had the ball I always had the feeling we could do it." Everton scored their second goal when they had 10 men and Lukaku also missed a penalty during that period as West Ham failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority.
We knew it was not going to be one-sided match when you have a player like Lukaku," said Bilic. "When they had the ball, he makes that one-player loss less visible. He creates mayhem. "To come back like this nobody can deny we didn't deserve it. We showed our quality, we showed our stubbornness and we got a great win."

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Everton 2-3 West Ham: Dimitri Payet secures stunning comeback win to leave Toffees stunned - 5 things we learned
17:18, 5 MAR 2016 UPDATED 17:56, 5 MAR 2016
BY DAVID MADDOCK
The French star landed a knockout blow in injury-time as the Hammers came from two down to keep their Champions League hopes alive
The Mirror

Dimitri Payet scored an injury-time winner to hand West Ham three points at 10-man Everton - as Roberto Martinez's side once again gave the game away in front of their own fans. Romelu Lukaku gave the Toffees the lead,before Kevin Mirallas was stupidly sent off for two yellow cards inside the opening 34 minutes. Everton had dominated up to that point, but looked set to still claim victory, after Aaron Lennon added a second on the break. But after Lukaku missed a penalty, the Toffees came unstuck and their familiar defensive failings were once more exploited. Michail Antonio pulled one back before substitute Diafra Sakho levelled the scores three minutes later. In injury time, the irrepressible Payet added his name to the scoresheet, to keep Slaven Bilic's men within touching distance of the top four.

Here's five things we learned at Goodison Park:

1. Mirallas his own worst enemy
Kevin Mirallas has a record of, shall we say, less than clear blue sky thinking. Let's call it muddy thought. This is the second time he's been dismissed this season, and really, what was he thinking? He may or may not (and the consensus is with the mays) have dived for the first booking, but after that, to commit such a rash challenge was stupid, and on the half way line with no danger even more so. He complains about not playing, but he is own worst enemy.

2. Everton lucky to have Lukaku
Everton have Romelu Lukaku and they're lucky that they do - even despite his shocking penalty miss! The centre forward is a phenomenon. His first goal was a thing of beauty, an exquisite turn and fine finish, but it was his role in Aaron Lennon's goal that showed what an impressive all round player he is. His strength in holding off two Hammers defenders was immense, and there really is no matching him when he's in the mood.
He's now got 18 Premier League goals this season, his best ever, but you suspect there will be a lot more before the end of the campaign.

3. Plenty of learning left for Oxford
If Lukaku is unplayable in this form, then it was a tough introduction to the real life at the top for young West Ham defender Reece Oxford.
He enjoyed a dream debut against Arsenal, but on only his second league start he got a taste of how difficult it can be, with Lukaku bossing him, before he was replaced at half time. It is a tough lesson, but he is plenty good enough to understand it and come back stronger.

4. John Stones struggles have him down the order
If Oxford is a young defender with troubles, then he has a counterpart on the Everton team, because things are not exactly going swimmingly for John Stones right now either. Dropped for a few weeks to 'get his head right', his return was marred by Mirallas' brainless actions, and it was the young England defender who paid the price when he was substituted at half-time. Right now, Stones must be thinking he'd be better off elsewhere, with boss Roberto Martinez suggesting, with that substitution that Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori is his preferred centre-back pairing, and that no doubt will spark fresh suggestions of a summer departure, with City and United vying for his services.

5. Lennon's remarkable run
One man with less to worry about right now is Aaron Lennon, who scored again to continue a quite remarkable run in front of goal. He's scored six in his last 10 games, and his rejuvenation at Goodison will surely put him in the conversation, at least, for an England place. It was a thing of beauty, the pace and skill he showed in combining so well with Lukaku and finishing with calm showed his has matured massively.

Player ratings
Everton

Robles 7 - Fine save just before half time proved crucial.
Stones 6 - Desperately unlucky to go off, didn't put foot wrong.
Jagielka 7 - Outstanding display of leadership under extreme fire.
Funes Mori 5 - Got outjumped for goals, aerial ability still weakness.
Coleman 7 - Worked hard down flank and defended well again.
McCarthy 8 - MOTM. Outstanding in middle in stemming flow.
Barkley 6 - Quiet game but still showed touches of class.
Oveido 6 - Work-rate was impressive, but could created more.
Lennon 7 - Showed great pace and great finishing skills.
Lukaku 6 - Brilliant for goals but penalty miss proved so costly.
Mirallas 4 - Sent off. Two stupid bookings did his team no favours.

Subs:

Besic 7 (Stones 46)
Niasse 6 (Lennon 76)
Barry (Lukaku 89)

West Ham

Adrian 6 - Penalty save proved a real turning point in game.
Kouyate 5 - Looked uncomfortable out of position.
Oxford 5 - Mistake cost goal, in what proved tough baptism.
Ogbonna 6 - Booked. None of Hammers defence played well.
Antonio 8 - Booked. One real bright spark as kept going.
Noble 7 - Kept his team together even as they struggled.
Obiang 6 - Solid game in middle without taking control.
Cresswell 6 - Another who maybe suffered out of position.
Payet 6 - Kept very quiet but did produce fine cross for goal.
Lanzini 6 - Subdued for much of contest until frantic close.
Emenike 6 - Still looks some way off pace and taken off.

Subs:

Carroll 5 (Oxford 46)
Song 5 (Obiang 61)
Sakho 5 (Emenike 61)

Ref: Anthony Taylor 6 Attn 35,678.

PeterR - are you having a laugh ? McCarthy gets 8 and Payet 6 and Kouyate 5!!! F**K OFF!

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DG tells how Slav's created a spirit to die for
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Exclusive

David Gold has tonight revealed how Slaven Bilic has created a dressing room spirit to die for. The co chairman has appointed many senior managers in both his football and non football businesses but has never come across anyone quite like Slaven and says as a result the dressing room is a wonderful place to be, He told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "He has such a range of qualities. He's a huge man who immediately commands respect both as a former player and as a man. "He has created – I can think of no other way of putting it – a kissing and cuddling culture. It's an infectious thing and nobody is excluded. Nobody sit alone or outside of it. "These lads all get on tremendously well and the atmosphere and attitude towards each other is quite brilliant as a result. You don't go around behaving like that if someone hasn't created the atmosphere. "Slaven will be one of the boys, high fiving and having fun but he is clearly the boss and knows exactly where the line is that doesn't get crossed. He has created something extraordinary and you saw it all out there against Everton today. This amazing season gets better and better."

Asked directly whether this was the best West Ham team he'd seen Gold said: "I would have to say yes because it's the NOW team and given what's happening it fills your mind. "It has to be the best or very close to it – look at the teams and quality we have beaten and every week something even more extraordinary happens. You think you've reached the highest hight when beating Spurs but then comes a fightback like the one we saw today – it's absolutely stunning from match to match. And he smiled: "What next? A visit to Old Trafford in the FA Cup and another great victory I reckon."

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Now miracle man Slav smashes Everton hoodoo
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Sullivan's Sunday Sport newspaper once ran a story under the headline 'World War 2 bomber found on the moon.' Well let me tell you today's staggering victory over Everton at Goodison was even more unlikely than that – a stunning comeback of epic propositions which gave us our first victory at the place since 2005, Miracle working Slaven Bilic has now taken us to another new high – smashing an Everton hoodoo which has haunted us for far too long. Everything you wanted from a game of football was here but the final result was so far out of sight that absolutely no one saw it coming even though Kevin Miralles had been red carded for a second bookable offence in the first half.

For a long time it had looked as though Everton – despite the handicap – were benefitting from a midweek cruise against Villa after we had seen our squad depleted with injuries and thethe squad drained to their very limits after the Spurs epic. Yet despite goals from the inevitable Lukaku early on – his eighth in eight against us – and Aaron Lennon early in the second we returned with pace, power and passion in the last 12 minutes to score through Antonio, sub Sakho from Payet's assist with London's Player of the year sliding home the third. Unbelivable is an overworked word but there is no other. It was an astounding victory from nowhere- possibly the greatest in a season of epic results. In between times Adrian had saved a spot kick from Lukaku – the moment which seemed to spark life into us for the first time after a lack lustre display. We are coming to the point where we will be running out of words to describe this astonishing squad of players who simply never know when they are beaten. Guts, resilience, skill, and everything else you want from your team is there and now I am going to say it – this is the best Irons side I've ever seen.

They are all utterly extraordinary and the manager just goes from new highs to new highs.

And yes it really is UNBELIEVABLE!

COYI

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Hammers hit Toffees with double signing KO
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Everton boss Roberto Martinez turned down any chance of signing Dimi Payet because he allegedly wanted to see Ross Barkley develop! Well, that's how the Toffees script reads despite him he had Payet at the top of his wanted list and checking him out personally. Truth is Hammers de facto director of football David Sullivan had got in first just as he did with Angelo Ogbonna. Many on merseyside have questioned the Martinez's 'decision' but the truth is Sullivan won the race for both players hands down. Martinez makes as good a fist of things as he can however, by way of explanation saying: "I always felt that Ross would be our number 10 and he needed that space – definitely. "Ross has matured this season, no doubt. He has progressed and he needed that time to show what he can become."

Payet of course has needed no time at all to show what he is, has been voted top London Player of the Year when clubs from the capital hold three of the top six places in the PL and is a runner for Player of the Year. Mind you we have to bear in mind that Matinez has also defended James McCarthy's challenge on Dimi whoch saw our top man sidelined for two months. He said: " "I don't think they reflect a bad challenge. We all know James hasn't got a nasty bone in his body."

Nuff said!

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