FULL-TIME and this game ends in a 1-1 draw. The second half was dominated by West Ham, who scored an early equaliser through Joey O’Brien then proceeded to lay siege to Stoke’s goal at times. However, the Hammers were unable to create many clear chances so could not find a winning goal. Stoke will be happy with a point at one of the Premier League’s form sides and take a small step further away from the relegation zone.
90' +2
Adam goes over in West Ham's half and earns a free kick. The away side bring a number of bodies forward but Jaaskelainen is able to gather the ball well.
90'
There'll be four minutes of time added on at the end of the second half.
87'
McCartney comes steaming forward and sends in a low cross, but there is Begovic to block the ball and gather it cleanly.
86'
C. Cole enters the game and replaces A. Carroll.
M. Taylor enters the game and replaces M. Maïga.
85'
Things have calmed down slightly out there with the substitutions for West Ham, which have probably cost them some momentum.
82'
Guy Demel gets on the end of a Carroll header but sends the ball just wide of the post. The Hammers continue to push forward for a winner.
80'
Great cross there from Maiga that floats into the box, but Carroll is not able to get on the end of it.
78'
Walters is through after a ball from N'Zonzi, however the assistant referee's flag shoots up to call the Irishman offside.
77'
G. Demel enters the game and replaces J. O'Brien.
Noble's deliveries haven't quite been up to scratch tonight and that's another slightly poor free kick that Diame can only scoop wide of the goal.
Minute
Description
75'
We're into the last 15 minutes and, although the Hammers are on top, this game could easily go either way.
74'
M. Kightly enters the game and replaces M. Etherington.
72'
West Ham are starting to dominate possession and play something of a patient passing game as they look to pick Stoke apart. They can't quite find an opening yet, though.
70'
Walters cuts in from the right but sends a shot high and wide of Jaaskelainen's goal.
69'
A nice bit of sustained pressure leads to a Hammers corner, which is cleared comfortably at the near post by Stoke. Disappointing.
66'
Things have got slightly calmer now, although the tackles are starting to fly in from both sides.
63'
So close! Some great interchange sets up O'Neil, who sends his shot just wide of the far post from a slightly acute angle.
62'
W. Palacios enters the game and replaces G. Whelan.
60'
Stoke win a corner against the run of play thanks to good work from Etherington and Adam but the Hammers manage to clear the ball away comfortably.
58'
Stoke are all over the place right now. O'Neil is there again at the back post and his driven cross is deflected just wide by a Potters defender.
56'
Heavens above, that could have been two. A Hammers corner causes havoc in Stoke's box, with the ball pinballing around all over the place before the Potters finally manage to clear.
55'
Up the other end go Stoke and Adam sends in a good low cross that is deflected behind by O'Brien for a corner.
54'
West Ham have a corner but it's headed clear easily by Stoke. It looks a completely different game now, with the home side very much on the front foot.
51'
West Ham are buzzing now. They've looked revitalised in the second half and that equaliser has done them a great deal of good.
48'
J. O'Brien has scored a goal for West Ham United! Assist by G. O'Neil.
GOAL!!! West Ham are level! Gary O'Neill sends in a powerful low cross from the right and there is Joey O'Brien to direct the ball into the net and equalise for the home side. What a start for the Hammers!
47'
Oh Kevin! McCartney swings in a cross and there is Nolan who really should score but isn't able to find a firm finish. Instead, there is Begovic to save well.
46'
Just like that, the second half is underway, with Stoke kicking things off.
45' +2
HALF-TIME and it has been a very even half of football, which Stoke lead 1-0. There have been very few chances created so far, with Jonathan Walters’ superb finish from a corner routine being the difference. These sides have been very closely matched while being unable to create many opportunities, although Steven N’Zonzi made the crossbar shake with a stinging shot. The second half promises to be absorbing.
45'
There'll be two minutes of stoppage time in the first half.
44'
Strange from Diame, whose driven shot goes well wide with none of his team-mates able to get a touch.
41'
Stoke are starting to see a bit more of the ball at the end of the first half, as Kevin Nolan is down and receiving treatment for a knock.
38'
N'Zonzi has another shot rattle the underside of the crossbar! That could so easily have been 2-0 Stoke!
37'
M. Noble gets yellow.
Ouch. Mark Noble lunges in on Jonathan Walters and gets a yellow card for his troubles.
36'
Steven N'Zonzi has a go from way out but the ball sails wide of Jaaskelainen's goal to the delight of the home fans.
34'
The pace has picked up in the past few moments, with both sides rampaging forward but not being able to fashion a real chance. Stoke had a counterattack and feel they should have had a free kick but referee Chris Foy disagrees.
32'
R. Shotton enters the game and replaces A. Wilkinson.
Unfortunately, Andy Wilkinson is being forced off with what looks like a back problem. He's replaced by Ryan Shotton.
30'
Half an hour gone and it's been pretty even out there. Both sides have matched each other, with that superb Stoke set-piece making the difference at the moment.
27'
A corner causes havoc in Stoke's box but it matters not, as the ball had curled out of play when it was delivered.
26'
Another good run from Diame but a shame about the cross, which is well over everyone's head and easily cleared by Stoke.
25'
Great try there from Diame, who drives forward through sheer force of will, and it takes a sliding stop from Begovic to stop him getting a shot away.
24'
Stoke have a corner and Adam nearly gets a slight touch on the ball, but Jaaskelainen is there to claw the danger away.
22'
Mohamed Diame's great through-ball finds Maiga but his cross is poor before Carroll manages to put a header straight into Begovic's gloves.
20'
Something of an understanding is forming between Etherington and Wilkinson but they couldn't quite connect that time as the ball runs out of play.
17'
Wilkinson and Carroll come together, with neither giving an inch. It's the Stoke man who wins the free kick and Carroll is furious.
15'
Great defending from the front there from Nolan, who uses a scissor kick of sorts to deflect an Andy Wilkinson clearance back towards Begovic in goal.
13'
J. Walters has scored a goal for Stoke City! Assist by G. Whelan.
GOAL!! That is straight off the training ground! The corner comes in low and Jonathan Walters hits it first time into the back of the net! Stoke have the lead early in the game.
11'
Superb, flowing football there from Stoke. Yes, really. The ball is played towards Jonathan Walters, but McCartney plays it safely away for a throw. That was a beautiful bit of passing there, again involving Adam.
10'
Great cross there from George McCartney, but there is Asmir Begovic from Stoke's goal to take the ball out of the air confidently. With Andy Carroll lurking, he needed to be confident there.
9'
Crouch has a header at the far post, but it's straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen, who clutches the ball in his arms.
8'
Kevin Nolan is up there alone! But, he's offside. He was clean through as well.
7'
West Ham have had most of the possession, but Peter Crouch has already won a couple of decent headers for Stoke.
5'
Nice try there from Adam as he looks to play in Matthew Etherington, but the midfielder can't get it under control as he storms forward.
3'
Decent chance there for Stoke, as a Peter Crouch knock-down is spooned over by Charlie Adam from just inside the box. He couldn't quite get over the top of that one.
2'
Modibo Maiga already looks lively as he sends a cross in from the left towards Andy Carroll but Glenn Whelan is there to avert the danger.
1'
The wait is over, as West Ham kick off the first half.
West Ham have been performing above all expectations since they gained promotion from the Championship at the end of last season and find themselves in seventh place, just a point behind London neighbours Arsenal and a mere five points off the Champions League places. Times are good at Upton Park, with plaudits going the way of manager Sam Allardyce for his team’s strong start.
Stoke, meanwhile, have done pretty well so far this season and are in 14th, only three points clear of the relegation zone. They have struggled to find the net, scoring just nine league goals so far this season, but can take comfort from the fact they have not been beaten or scored against by a team managed by Sam Allardyce in the last four attempts.
How are the teams looking? That’s a great question. Here’s West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, McCartney, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, Diame, Nolan, O'Neil, Maiga, Carroll.
Our man Chris Davie is at the game tonight, and here’s his take on the teams: “Welcome to Upton Park where West Ham will host Stoke City this evening. Sam Allardyce makes two changes from the side that secured a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United last Sunday. Joey O'Brien comes in for the injured Matt Jarvis, while Yossi Benayoun is also sidelined which allows Modibo Maiga to be handed his first Premier League start. For Stoke, Tony Pulis makes two changes following his side's 1-0 victory over QPR last Saturday. Andy Wilkinson comes in for Marc Wilson at left-back, while Matthew Etherington is preferred to Michael Kightly on the left flank.”
Here come the two teams, to the strains of that familiar anthem "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles." It brings tears to the eyes.
Good evening, and welcome to Goal.com’s LIVE! text commentary of this Premier League clash between West Ham and Stoke. My name is Chris Teale, and I offer you my undying gratitude for joining me this evening.
Meanwhile, Stoke line up like this: Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington; Adam; Crouch.
So that is that. Thank you very much for joining us this evening for our LIVE! text commentary on this game. Stick around for all the post-match reaction and please come back tomorrow for our coverage of the Champions League. Until then, though, I've been Chris Teale and I really appreciate you joining me. Bye for now.
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