Zamora makes Hammers merrier

AFP - 21 April 2007 19:41

West Ham´s striker Bobby Zamora(C) celebrates with teammates after scoring during an 07 April 2007 match. West Ham´s hopes of a great escape from the relegation zone were given a massive shot in the arm as Bobby Zamora fired them to a 1-0 win over Everton at Upton Park.

LONDON (AFP) - West Ham's hopes of a great escape from the relegation zone were given a massive shot in the arm as Bobby Zamora fired them to a 1-0 win over Everton at Upton Park.

Zamora unleashed a stunning 25-yard effort with his left boot after only 12 minutes and, although they lived dangerously at times, the Hammers were good value for the three points.

Everton's afternoon started to go wrong in the seventh minute, when England forward Andrew Johnson limped off to be replaced by Scotland winger James McFadden.

And things got worse for the visitors six minutes later, Zamora collecting a pass from Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun before unleashing a drive that left Tim Howard, in the Everton goal, with no chance.

The first of West Ham's let-offs came midway through the opening period when James Beattie looked set to score from close range only to have the ball nicked off his toes by Wales centreback James Collins.

Without the industry of Johnson up front, Everton scarcely resembled a side occupying fifth place in the table and Lucas Neill went close to claiming a second with a fierce drive that missed the target by inches.

Half-chances for Anton Ferdinand and Zamora also went begging before Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green did well to save from Beattie as half-time approached.

Zamora blasted over in the first minute of the second half and Matt Etherington squandered an even better chance ten minutes later, when he hesitated over his shot from a Benayoun pass and saw his effort blocked.

Beattie squandered another fine opportunity from a Leon Osman cross, firing his shot from the corner of the six-yard box high over the bar.

But the home side continued to dominate and, despite a nerve-jangling six minutes of stoppage time, they held on for a win that could have huge significance for the club's future.