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West Ham logo
Premier League
May 16, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Everton logo

1-2

Downing (62')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Osman (68'), Lukaku (93')

Live Commentary: West Ham United 1-2 Everton - as it happened

Sports Mole provides live text updates of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at Upton Park.
2

Romelu Lukaku sealed the winning goal at the death to give Everton a 2-1 win over West Ham United at Upton Park this afternoon.

Stewart Downing opened the scoring in the second half, but Leon Osman responded minutes later with an equaliser before Lukaku nabbed the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

Both sides are equal on 47 points and just one goal separates them heading into the final weekend of the season.

Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text coverage below.


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Hello everyone! After this weekend's games, just one more round of Premier League fixtures remain before we close the curtain on another season. Here, I'll be focusing on the encounter between West Ham United and Everton in East London. It is the Hammers' final home game of the campaign, so can they wave goodbye to their supporters with all three points in the bag or will the Toffees cause an upset?

You may be thinking that neither of these sides have anything to play for, and you would be partly correct given that West Ham and Everton are in and around the top 10 with no chance of Champions League qualification. Both sides have avoided a relegation fight too, so they're not scrapping for survival. However, one of these clubs is expected to qualify for the Europa League via Fair Play.

Last week, UEFA confirmed that England have been handed an additional spot in the second-tiered European competition depending on who tops the Fair Play table. Liverpool currently hold that position, but they are on course to qualify for the tournament via the Premier League. West Ham and Everton are second and third in the Fair Play standings, which means that the one with the best disciplinary record by May 24 will be thrown into the early qualifying rounds of the Europa League. So, I suppose they do have something to play for!

Now, before I continue to ramble on, let's take a look at the teams that have been selected to play this afternoon. Starting with the hosts...

WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Cresswell, Collins, Reid; Song; Noble, Kouyate; Downing; Cole, Valencia

WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Burke, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Nene, Lee


Manager Sam Allardyce has made three changes to the side that suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Kevin Nolan has been removed from midfield and replaced with Alex Song, who came off the bench in last weekend's game. Morgan Amalfitano has also made way as Carlton Cole starts up front alongside Enner Valencia.

The final change is that defender Winston Reid replaces Reece Burke and will slot alongside Carl Jenkinson, Aaron Cresswell and James Collins in a back four in front of goalkeeper Adrian.

Nene was a potential candidate for a starting spot, but he keeps his place on the bench, while Mark Noble, who will captain the side, will join Cheikhou Kouyate in a midfield pairing, just behind Stewart Downing. The former Liverpool man will be given the task of providing service for Cole and Valencia. Now, let's switch our attention to the opposing team's starting XI...

EVERTON XI: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Lennon, Osman, Barkley; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, McGeady, Kone, Mirallas, Naismith, Besic, Garbutt


The headline news from Roberto Martinez's matchday team is that 19-year-old Brendan Galloway will make his Everton and Premier League debut today as he starts at left-back, replacing Leighton Baines, who will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing ankle surgery. Despite his youth, Galloway has been trusted by Martinez to hold his own in a back four of Seamus Coleman, Phil Jagielka and John Stones.

Brendan Galloway lines up for England U19s on November 19, 2014© Getty Images


Galloway's inclusion is the one and only change made to the team that fell to a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland last weekend. Tim Howard, as per usual, starts in between the sticks, while James McCarthy and Gareth Barry will hold the midfield, allowing Aaron Lennon, Leon Osman and Ross Barkley to push forward. Romelu Lukaku starts up top as the lone striker.

This afternoon could be Lennon's final game for Everton as he is ineligible to feature against parent club Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season due to his loan agreement. Martinez has suggested publicly that he wants the zippy winger on a permanent deal at Goodison Park, but it remains unclear whether the Englishman will be an Everton player next season.

Now, let's delve into West Ham's campaign, shall we? They surprised everyone by competing in the Champions League positions during the early stages of the season. Manager Sam Allardyce instilled a new, attacking style of play, which benefitted summer signings Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho.

Everything looked rosy at Upton Park, but it wasn't long before the club started to fall out of the European spots and Allardyce's future came into question yet again. The Hammers are gearing up for a move to the Olympic Stadium in time for the 2016-17 season, and widespread reports have suggested that the owners are keen to make alterations to the coaching staff. It seems as though at this stage of the season every year, Allardyce's future is a talking point as the owners only discuss contracts when the campaign comes to an end.

The 60-year-old stayed on last season, but if you read the gossip pages, it has become increasingly likely that there will be a new man sitting in the stadium home dugout next season. Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa has been heavily linked with the job, as has Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic and Napoli boss Rafael Benitez, who is believed to be open to discussing a return to the Premier League.

Ex-Manchester United boss David Moyes is also believed to be a potential candidate, but reports have claimed that the Scotsman is keen to hold on to his coaching role at La Liga side Real Sociedad. Despite all the speculation surrounding his position, Allardyce believes that he deserves a new deal.

Earlier this week he told reporters: "I've done what I was asked to do here as manager, which was to deliver a team that, this time round, has not only been the most successful but the most entertaining, the most thrilling.

"It's the youngest squad we have put together since I have been here. So, if you want somebody else to do more than I have done, then I think you will have to be calling for Houdini!"

West Ham United's English Manager Sam Allardyce waits for the start of the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at Boleyn Ground in Upton Park, East London on February 28, 2015© Getty Images


The managerial situation at West Ham remains in limbo and the team's efforts on the pitch have seen them win just twice in their last 14 league games. Goals have become an issue for the side as they have struggled to score more than once in the last three months. The last time that the Hammers found the net on more than one occasion was a 2-2 draw with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur back in February.

West Ham head into this afternoon's match having lost 1-0 to Aston Villa, but they can take comfort from the fact that they have only been scuppered on home soil five times in their last 18 matches this season.

Now for the visitors. Roberto Martinez's side have had a frustrating campaign. Many were surprised at how the Merseyside outfit failed to build on their impressive display last season, and there were even concerns that the Toffees would be dragged into the relegation dogfight. The team managed to avoid that disastrous scenario and they had an upturn in form in the last few months having gone unbeaten in six consecutive games, one of which was a 3-0 win over Manchester United at Goodison Park.

It would be an interesting outcome if Everton were to qualify for the Europa League through the Fair Play system given how their campaign in the tournament this year affected their league form. The Merseyside outfit were flying high in Europe until they were knocked out by Dynamo Kiev in the last-16 stage, but their positive form came at a price. It was clear that Martinez's squad failed to cope with the demands of playing Thursdays and Sundays week by week as their league form stuttered whenever they ventured into Europe. If they do seal qualification, then structures would have to be put in place to make sure that they don't repeat the same struggles.

With regards to Everton's team, John Stones, Ross Barkley and James McCarthy have been among the names being linked with summer moves away from Goodison Park. Martinez has always rebuffed suggestions that the club will sell, and he repeated that last weekend when he told the club's official website:

"We're not looking to sell any of our big assets. We're really excited with the young players, we don't have to sell the assets and we are in a very strong position to cope with whatever happens in the window.

"They're coveted players of course, and we should all be very proud of their development."

Roberto Martinez, manager of Everton looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Everton at KC Stadium on January 1, 2015 © Getty Images


They look like happy families at the moment! I'm sure that will change when play begins...


PREDICTION: Right, I think we're ready for prediction time! The last time that these two sides met at Upton Park, Everton suffered a FA Cup third-round exit after losing 9-8 on penalties. However, with regards to the league, the Toffees have a decent record against the Hammers given that they have won their last five meetings. Both sides will be trying to recover from defeats, but considering that neither have been particularly consistent this season, I'm backing a 1-1 draw.

You don't have to take my word for it, though! Our Sports Mole panellists Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre have given their thoughts on the game too...


Right, we have less than five minutes left to go until kickoff - the bubbles are blowing, the sun is shining, and the West Ham players are going to be emerging onto the field with their children as mascots. Let's hope for a good game!

KICKOFF! The home team get the game underway, attacking from right to left...

Everton have had all the ball in these early stages. Coleman tries to ramp up the pace by storming into the final third and knocking a quick cross into the box, which is cleared comfortably by Collins.

Downing gives young Galloway his first test by trying some fancy footwork in a bid to get past him. The ex-Liverpool player manages to get his cross in, but it's booted away by McCarthy.

CHANCE! Barkley commits a charging run from the middle of the park and knocked the ball along to Osman, who gets a toe-poke on the ball. His effort is on target, but Adrian manages to push it away for a corner.

CHANCE! Seconds later, Lukaku scuffs his shot in the middle of the box, but it falls to Stones, who unleashes an attempt at goal, but his effort flies over the crossbar. It's all the Toffees at the moment.

Lennon and Coleman show some decent one-two touches on the edge of the penalty area, but the winger's pass bounces off a defender and goes behind the line for a goal kick.

The visitors have caused the most attacking pressure so far, but when they've had their chances, the attempts have been rather sluggish. From West Ham's point of view, they don't look like the home side very much at this moment. You would have expected them to be on the frontfoot and taking the game to Everton, but it hasn't materialised that way.

Four go on the attack for Everton as Osman gets the ball just behind. He hits the ball forward towards Lukaku, but Jenkinson reads it well and manages to get there first to head away.

At the other end, the Hammers get their first glimpse of goal as Cresswell receives the ball, but the ball gets away from him on his first touch and his shot towards the nearest is fumbled out for a corner, which is hit deep into the box and there are claims for hand ball from McCarthy, but replays show that the Everton midfielder connected cleanly.

NO PENALTY! The West Ham players aren't happy as the referee waves away a penalty claim after Cresswell's cross hits the arm of Coleman. Replays show that the ball did strike the Everton man's hand - poor decision from the match official.

WEST HAM SUB: The hosts are forced to make an early change as James Collins appears to feel his hamstring. The defender limps off the field and is replaced by Reece Burke.

The Hammers are enjoying more time on the ball as the half goes on. In the middle of the park, Barry clips Valencia, who is awarded a free kick. Ironic cheers from the home support ring around the stadium as they feel that their team have been hard-done by the referee.

Valencia goes for goal after finding space on the edge of Everton's penalty area. He swoops with his right foot and the shot is dipping, but it's not one of his best attempts as it falls straight into the hands of Howard.

Cresswell hits a high and hanging ball into the box and it finds the head of Cole, who knocks it down towards Valencia, but it bobbles away from the forward, who can't get their on time to latch onto the ball and get a shot away.

Lukaku gets himself into a decent area in the box and as the ball comes in, it bounces awkwardly and the striker can't get a shot on goal. Seconds later, Lennon has the ball at the byline and he cuts it back into the box, but it goes directly to Burke, who manages to clear.

Adrian reads the ball well as the pass is slipped in towards Lennon, who uses his pace to get in position, but the West Ham goalkeeper slides down to gather just in time.

Some shaky defending by Everton as the ball bounces around the penalty area. None of the blue shirts can bring it down and as Valencia tries to latch onto it, the visiting defence eventually clear.

BOOKING! Winston Reid is the first player to be given a yellow card and rightfully so as he stops Lukaku in his tracks by blocking him with his body. No complains from the West Ham player.

CHANCE! Noble comes close to opening the scoring for the home side as he receives the ball from Valencia, who has his back to goal. It's a low shot from today's captain, but he just drags it wide.

Just a minute after Noble came close to scoring, he's at fault for the hosts by giving the ball away. Lennon makes the most of the mistake by driving at the West Ham defence and knocks the ball across to Lukaku, who swings with his left foot for a shot, but his attempt sails over the crossbar.

Lennon is in possession again as he tries to feed the ball through to Barkley, but the latter is slow off the mark and the ball trickles into the feet of the West Ham defence. It's getting quite tight for Everton on the attack, so they may need to rethink their approach.

BOOKING! Coleman's name is put into the book after pulling Valencia back as the West Ham forward tried to turn with the ball. It remains all square in the Fair Play standings then...

Downing makes a surging run from the middle of the park, with no-one near him. He unleashes a thumping shot at goal, but despite the power behind it, the ball goes straight at Howard.

Both sides have been getting themselves into the final third, but neither are yet to cause real danger to either goalkeeper. Stones has been causing trouble by bringing the ball out the back, and he earns his side a free kick after Valencia commits to an unfair tackle. Barkley launches the ball in the box, but it's eventually cleared by the hosts.

Both sides have been getting themselves into the final third, but neither are yet to cause real danger to either goalkeeper. Stones has been causing trouble by bringing the ball out the back, and he earns his side a free kick after Valencia commits to an unfair tackle. Barkley launches the ball in the box, but it's eventually cleared by the hosts.

Cresswell swoops the ball into the box from a free kick and as it's knocked down, Valencia swivels in an attempt to get a shot away, but his attempt gets smothered.

Downing sends in the corner and Howard is immediately under pressure as the ball is high. The goalkeeper comes off his line in an attempt to gather it, and he eventually does as the referee blows up for a foul.

BOOKING! Cheers from the home crowd as Barry gets a yellow card for bringing Reid to the ground as the West Ham player attempted to turn. I'm not sure whether the cheers are because Everton have more yellow cards, which hamper their Europa League chances, or just because one of their opponents is in the book...

HALF-TIME: West Ham 0-0 Everton

So, we remain goalless at Upton Park, but Everton are 2-1 up in the yellow card stakes... West Ham are edging closer to qualifying for the Europa League, but I'm sure a goal will be most welcome for the home side! There have been chances at either end, but that clinical touch is missing from both sides. In all, it's been a rather lacklustre half.

Everton have probably had the better chances and they have shown some impressive passing movement at times during the game, but in truth, as well as the scoreline, there isn't much to separate the two sides. West Ham surprisingly were on the backfoot at the start of proceedings, but they found their feet as the match went on.

For the second half, both sides need to show better composure in the final third because as of now, all attempts have either missed the target or gone straight into the hands of the respective goalkeepers. The lacklustre feel of the game could be down to the fact that neither side have anything really to play for, but given that this is the Hammers' final home game of the campaign, I'm sure the team will try to force through a winner.

RESTART! Everton get us underway for the second half. Fingers crossed for goals!

West Ham go on the attack in these early exchanges as Downing swivels on the edge of the box before unleashing a 25-yard shot at goal, but it's not one of his best attempts and the ball rolls out behind the line for a goal kick.

At the other end, Lukaku and Barkley link up and the latter goes for power with a shot from the edge of the penalty box, but he misses the target and the ball soars into the crowd.

The visitors have a great chance to get on the scoresheet as Reid is penalised for bringing Lukaku down from behind. The free kick will be taken just outside of the penalty area...

CHANCE! The opportunity to take the lead goes begging for Everton, despite a fantastic curling shot from Lukaku. Adrian is getting nowhere near the Belgian's effort as it flies just an inch wide of the post.

The visitors have ramped up their attack as Coleman manages to get away from Song down the right flank and unleashes a low cross into the West Ham box, but Reid gets to it before Lukaku and clears the danger.

It's end to end at the moment as Valencia sends a cross-field pass towards Downing, who acts inside and drills a low shot towards goal, but young Galloway is able to block the attempt.

Downing is involved again down the right-hand side as his cross gets fired into the box, but Jagielka is on hand to thump the ball away. Both sides are creating opportunities, but there's been no end product as yet.

As it stands, it's been a very impressive Everton debut for Galloway, who has looked steady and calm alongside Jagielka and has so far dealt with trouble that has comes his way. Especially at the moment as West Ham have been on the frontfoot in these last few minutes.

Valencia is gifted a great chance as Lukaku loses the ball in the middle of the park. The West Ham forward surges towards the box, but his final touch lets him down and the ball falls into the hands of Howard.

GOAL! West Ham 1-0 Everton (Stewart Downing)

The Hammers are half an hour away from rounding off their final home game of the season with a victory. Downing, who has been effective throughout the second half, plays a one-two with Song on the edge of the box before side-footing a shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.

I said at half time that Everton would need to perhaps adopt their approach for the second half, but they don't appear to have done so as the Hammers are preventing them from passing the ball freely on the pitch.

GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Everton (Leon Osman)

Well, that lead didn't last long! Everton have responded with a goal from Leon Osman. Lukaku gets the ball on the right win and delivers a cross towards Osman, who flicks the ball up as it was slightly behind him and then volleys into the net.

CHANCE! Barkley attempts to double Everton's lead with a powerful strike after receiving the ball off Coleman, but the England international sends it over the crossbar.

EVERTON, WEST HAM SUBS: That's the end of Barkley's afternoon as the midfielder is replaced by Kevin Mirallas. Meanwhile, the home side also make a change as Nene comes on for Carlton Cole.

After getting themselves back into the game, the momentum is with Everton as they try to make things happen down the right wing through Coleman, who is being awarded plenty of space.

BOOKING! A third Everton player is issued with a yellow card as McCarthy is punished for diving into Nene during a quick counter-attack from West Ham.

Coleman and Lennon link up well as they try to set up an attack on the edge of the area. The aim is to find Mirallas on in the six-yard box, but Kouyate reads the danger and cuts out the pass.

EVERTON SUB: The visitors make another alteration to the team as Aiden McGeady comes onto the field to replace Aaron Lennon, who may have played his last game for the Toffees.

CHANCE! So close for Song! The midfielder finds himself just outside of the six-yard box and he connects well with a cross from Jenkinson, but the Barcelona loanee's header just drops over the bar.

Burke commits a crucial header to cut out Lukaku's lofted ball towards Mirallas. There would have been definite danger for the home side if Mirallas had connected with the ball.

West Ham are awarded a free kick in a decent area due to Barry's late tackle on Song, but they play it short and Nene goes for a long-range effort, which completely misses the target.

At the other end, Coleman wins a corner for the Toffees and the ball in manages to reach the middle of the box, but Jagielka's header gets nowhere near goal. Everton are hunting for a winner here!

CHANCE! Lukaku keeps getting closer! The Belgian gets on the end of a well-delivered cross from McGeady, but the striker's header just goes wide.

West Ham commit bodies forward for a corner kick in the dying minutes of normal time, but Osman is able to get there first to head the ball away.

SAVE! Adrian denies Lukaku! The Belgian has been knocking at the door and he comes close again from a swift counter-attack. The striker unleashes a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the West Ham shot-stopper dives down to stop the ball from nestling into the back of the net.

CHANCE! How has Lukaku not got a goal yet?! The striker latches onto a ball from McGeady following a poor West Ham clearance, but his tap-in just misses the target.

BOOKING! Galloway may have been impressive on his debut, but he's also gone into the referee's book. The 19-year-old brings down Kouyate during a West Ham counter.

GOAL! West Ham 1-2 Everton (Romelu Lukaku)

It was coming! Lukaku has pretty much sealed all three points after threatening all through the second half. McGeady plays his part by sending a cross into the area towards the striker, who simply knocks the ball with his head into the back of the net.

FULL-TIME: West Ham 1-2 Everton

Phew, what a hectic end to a match that started off so lacklustre! Romelu Lukaku scored a last-minute winner to give Everton all three points. The visitors came from behind following Stewart Downing's second-half opener and Leon Osman levelled up with an equaliser shortly afterwards. It's a shame from West Ham's point of view that they end their final home game of the season in defeat, especially since they dominated for large spells of the game. The teams are now both on 47 points and just one goal separates the two heading into their final matches next weekend.

Right, that's all from me, but we hope you enjoyed Sports Mole's coverage. Be sure to stick around for all the reaction, analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye!

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A general view of Upton Park, home of West Ham United on October 15, 2011
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