Eighteenth-place West Ham United welcomed 16th-place Middlesbrough to the Olympic Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams had half-chances to make the breakthrough in the first 45 minutes, but the score remained goalless at the break.
Middlesbrough made the breakthrough in the 51st minute through Christian Stuani, but Dimitri Payet levelled for West Ham six minutes later as the points were shared in the English capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Olympic Stadium as West Ham United welcome Middlesbrough in what is arguably one of the biggest games of the season to date. The natives are restless at West Ham and another defeat this afternoon could spell big trouble for Slaven Bilic. Stay tuned for what could be a decisive afternoon of Premier League football!
West Ham might be low on confidence at the moment, but they have won their last seven home Premier League games against Middlesbrough, which is their second longest winning streak against a Premier League opponent – they won nine in a row against Blackburn Rovers. Indeed, Middlesbrough have not scored more than once in an away game at West Ham since a 2-1 victory in April 1989 – managing just four goals in 14 subsequent fixtures. The omens favour the home side here.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Olympic Stadium. Who have Bilic and Boro boss Aitor Karanka placed their faith in this afternoon?
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TEAMS!
WHAM: Adrian; Byram, Collins, Reid, Ogbonna; Noble, Obiang, Kouyate; Tore, Antonio, Payet
BORO: Valdes; Barragan, Gibson, Chambers, Friend; Fischer, de Roon, Forshaw; Downing, Rhodes, Stuani
West Ham boss Bilic has made four changes to the team that lost 3-0 at home to Southampton last weekend. In come Sam Byram, James Collins, Pedro Obiang and Gokhan Tore, with Alvaro Arbeloa, Manuel Lanzini, Havard Nordveit and Simone Zaza all dropping out. There also appears to be a change of position for Michail Antonio, who will seemingly line up as the centre-forward for the Hammers.
As for Middlesbrough, head coach Aitor Karanka has made three changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Jordan Rhodes replaces Alvaro Negredo in the final third, while Viktor Fischer and Adam Forshaw replace Adam Clayton and Gaston Ramirez in midfield. Stewart Downing and Christian Stuani will again operate in the two forward positions for Boro.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in London. I shall speak about Middlesbrough a little bit later, but let's start with the home side, who are in desperate need of a performance and indeed a result this afternoon. As it stands, the Hammers are languishing down in 18th position in the Premier League table.
After launching a challenge for the top-four last season, West Ham were expected to make more steps forward this term after an active summer transfer window and a move to a new stadium. It was supposed to be plain sailing on the pitch, but it has been far from rosy in the opening couple of months. Indeed, West Ham have lost five of their opening six top-flight games in a season for the first time in their history, which is quite a staggering statistic. They really, really need a result.
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Since the start of April, West Ham have conceded 19 home goals, which is more than any other Premier League team. Their only league win of the season did come on home soil against Bournemouth on August 21, but even that was a far-from-convincing performance. Watford and Southampton have both won at the Olympic Stadium in the league this term – with the Saints putting three unanswered goals past Bilic's side last weekend in what was a damning result.
West Ham were actually extremely unfortunate to lose 2-1 at Chelsea on the opening weekend of the new season and they put themselves in a decent position to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League when they drew 1-1 with Romanian side Astra in the first leg away from home. Then came the 1-0 win over Bournemouth, which at least put a smile on the faces of most supporters.
The Hammers were then disastrously knocked out of the Europa League, however, as Astra recorded a 1-0 win at the Olympic Stadium to dump the English side out in the playoff round. Then came a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in the league, before losing 4-2 in back-to-back matches at home to Watford and away to West Bromwich Albion. At that point, it could not have been much worse.
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There was a bit of respite in the League Cup as Dimitri Payet struck a late free kick to beat Accrington Stanley, but it was more of the same in the league last weekend as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Southampton. West Ham's next three league games are absolutely massive as they travel to Crystal Palace after the international break before welcoming Sunderland on October 22.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, boast a record of five points from their six Premier League matches this season, which have been earned courtesy of one win and two draws. They actually went unbeaten in their opening three league matches, but have lost their last three to drop into 16th position in the table.
This is Middlesbrough's first Premier League season since the 2008-09 campaign, when they were relegated in 19th position. They really struggled in the Championship between 2009 and 2015, but finished second last term to return to the top flight. It is going to be a tough battle to survive this season, but they have already shown that they have the players to compete at this level.
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Indeed, a positive start to the new campaign saw Karanka's side open with a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City, before recording a 2-1 win at Sunderland one week later to move onto four points. They were then knocked out by Fulham in the second round of the League Cup, but continued their unbeaten league season with a goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion at the end of August.
It has been a very tough September, however, with Boro losing 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace, 3-1 at Everton and 2-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. In fact, the Riverside club have only won one of their last 12 Premier League matches – suffering seven defeats in the process.
Middlesbrough's record in London will also be cause for concern. The North Yorkshire club have lost their last five Premier League away games in London and only triumphed on two of their last 22 trips to the capital – losing 17 times in the process. Most of the pressure is on West Ham this afternoon, but Boro cannot really afford to suffer a fourth straight league defeat here.
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TEAMS!
WHAM: Adrian; Byram, Collins, Reid, Ogbonna; Noble, Obiang, Kouyate; Tore, Antonio, Payet
BORO: Valdes; Barragan, Gibson, Chambers, Friend; Fischer, de Roon, Forshaw; Downing, Rhodes, Stuani
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles! #COYI #WHUMID https://t.co/9CzZ5iB88g — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) October 1, 2016
KICKOFF! West Ham kick things off on home soil...
... it must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. That has often been case in the opening 10, 15 minutes of matches at the London Stadium, but the atmosphere is just not the same as Upton Park. Boro will want to quieten the supporters here.
Antonio is indeed starting at centre-forward for West Ham this afternoon. That is now right-back, right-wing and striker for the Hammers this season. The hosts have taken control of the possession in the early moments, but Middlesbrough look more than prepared to sit in and absorb the pressure.
Early injury problem for West Ham as Byram goes down and it appears that the right-back has a hamstring problem. That would be a big blow for the Hammers at this stage. Antonio to right-back?!
Arbeloa is going to have to replace Byram here. Hamstring for the young full-back.
Does not look good for Byram one bit. He will leave the field on a stretcher and that could be a tear, which would mean at least four weeks on the sidelines. Just what West Ham did not need here.
WEST HAM SUB! Arbeloa replaces Byram for West Ham.
Middlesbrough have seen a lot of the ball in the last couple of minutes as they begin to pass and probe, but neither team has created a chance of note in the opening 10 minutes of this match. Already some signs of restlessness from the home supporters as West Ham continue to concede possession.
BOOKING! Obiang (West Ham) is booked for a poor challenge on Friend.
CLOSE! Not too far away from Fischer, who strikes a low effort just wide of the far post as Middlesbrough have the game's first opportunity inside 12 minutes. Suspect defending there!
Nothing much for the home supporters to get excited about in the opening 15 minutes. Middlesbrough are the team on the front foot at the moment as they continue to pass and probe. Rhodes's movement has been nice and bright in the early exchanges of this contest in London.
Rhodes breaks behind the West Ham defence, but the offside flag is raised, much to the relief of Collins and Reid, who had not tracked the Scotland international. Still goalless at the London Stadium.
Half-chance for the home side as Payet shows good feet in the final third before striking towards goal, but Chambers is on hand to make a smart block. Still waiting for the first shot on target, but at last some signs of life from the Hammers. Payet needs to do so much more at the moment.
Much better from West Ham as Payet just misses the post with a super strike from distance.
Ogbonna delivers a super cross towards Antonio, but his header is deflected wide of the post by Friend. Much, much better from the home side as they begin to put pressure on Middlesbrough here.
CHANCE! West Ham continue to threaten as Payet delivers a brilliant free kick onto the head of Collins, but his effort is wide of the post. Middlesbrough cannot get out at the moment.
So, 25 minutes on the clock and we are still level. However, it has been much better from West Ham in the last five minutes or so, with Middlesbrough being forced to defend the edge of their own box. You just get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be absolutely vital.
CLOSE! Rhodes should do a lot better as the ball falls for the striker inside the West Ham box, but he can only nod wide of the post. It was a really weak effort from the Scot there.
Good defending from Reid at the near post as the West Ham centre-back beats Rhodes to a low Stuani cross. Middlesbrough are getting some joy in the wide positions at the moment.
Downing and Friend link down the left after Middlesbrough counter once again, but the delivery from Friend is disappointing and Obiang is across to win a free kick for the home side. Both teams have had chances to make the breakthrough, but we sit level with 31 minutes on the clock here.
The pace of the match has dropped in the last couple of minutes as Middlesbrough enjoy a decent period of possession. The home supporters are not best pleased with their team at the moment.
The referee has been very busy in the last couple of minutes due to a number of late challenges, but there has only been one yellow card in the opening 35 minutes of this match. Both teams have had half-chances thus far this afternoon, but clear opportunities have been at a premium.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and West Ham are being forced to do a lot of defending at the moment as Middlesbrough continue to deliver crosses from wide positions.
Free kick for Middlesbrough in a dangerous area here...
... Downing strikes straight into the West Ham wall.
West Ham break and Noble drives a low effort wide of Valdes's post.
De Roon is a touch fortunate to escape a booking following a late challenge on Payet, which prevented the Frenchman from driving away from a couple of blue shirts. Still just the one booking in this match and that came for Obiang in the 11th minute of action for a late challenge on Friend.
Tore fires an Antonio cross over the crossbar from inside the Middlesbrough box.
CROSSBAR! Brilliant from Noble as the Hammers captain bends one towards the top corner, but the ball smashes against the crossbar before Middlesbrough clear their lines!
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Half-chance for Middlesbrough this time as Barragan delivers a dangerous cross into the West Ham box, but Rhodes just cannot make contact and the home side manage to scramble it behind!
Good pressure from the visitors in the latter stages of the first period.
HALF-TIME: West Ham 0-0 Middlesbrough
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0 at the London Stadium. Both sides have had chances to make the breakthrough, but neither has been able to find the back of the net. Potentially more trouble for West Ham on the horizon here!
STATISTICS! Middlesbrough have actually shaded the possession with 59%, but they have only managed three shots and are yet to hit the target. West Ham, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their nine attempts. That said, Noble did rattle the crossbar with a brilliant curling effort.
BENCH WATCH! West Ham have already been forced into one change this afternoon - Arbeloa replacing the injured Byram in the seventh minute. The likes of Feghouli, Fletcher, Lanzini and Zaza, however, are all still in reserve. As for Middlesbrough, head coach Karanka has options in the shape of Negredo, Clayton, Ramirez and Traore. Plenty of talent on both benches at the London Stadium.
Level at the break #COYI #WHUMID pic.twitter.com/MzYLrP6uOM — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) October 1, 2016
RESTART! Middlesbrough resume the action at the London Stadium...
... WEST HAM SUB! Zaza has replaced Tore for the home side.
You just get the feeling that if West Ham make the breakthrough this afternoon, their supporters will carry them to all three points. However, an opening goal for Middlesbrough and the atmosphere inside the stadium would be very, very tense. It is such a massive second period of football here.
Antonio curls a weak effort straight into the arms of Valdes.
Possession football for Middlesbrough in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really threatening to harm West Ham's defence. The home side are the team pressing for the opener here.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Middlesbrough (Stuani)
Middlesbrough make the breakthrough in the 51st minute of this match as Stuani's header from a corner finds a route through the crowd! Noble actually tried to clear it off the line, but the referee's watch buzzed and indicated that the ball had moved over the goal-line. Boro lead here!
This is now a serious, serious test for West Ham. They have to respond, and fast.
The good news for West Ham is that they still have more than 35 minutes to turn this game around. The bad news is that Middlesbrough fancy a second goal here as they continue to commit players forward. The atmosphere inside the stadium is very, very tense with 56 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Middlesbrough (Payet)
Lift-off! The home side level the scores in the 57th minute as Payet drives across the Middlesbrough box before finally placing the ball into the bottom corner. It appeared that the Frenchman had taken too many touches, but he found a way to squeeze the ball past Valdes.
MIDDLESBROUGH SUB! Ramirez replaces Fischer for the away side.
The home supporters are in fine voice at the moment as they continue to drive their team forward. Still around 30 minutes of football to play this afternoon and you sense that more goals will arrive.
BOOKING! De Roon (Middlesbrough) is booked for a late challenge on Payet.
Payet's free kick smashes into the wall!
This is so much better from West Ham as they continue to put the pressure on Middlesbrough's defence and it would not be a surprise to see Karanka look to his bench in the next few minutes. Rhodes is struggling to keep hold of the ball at the moment and Negredo is an obvious option.
Antonio fires over the crossbar for West Ham as the pressure continues. The level of noise inside the stadium is brilliant at the moment and Middlesbrough are very much on the back foot here.
MIDDLESBROUGH SUB! Negredo replaces Rhodes for the away side.
Middlesbrough continue to concede needless free kicks in dangerous positions and West Ham are more than happy to stick the ball into the away side's box. Where is Andy Carroll when you need him!
Payet is absolutely full of beans at the moment as he continues to pick up possession in wide positions, but lazy movement from Zaza sees the Italian ruled offside as the latest attack is brought to a close. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and we are level at 1-1 at the London Stadium.
WEST HAM SUB! Lanzini replaces Noble for the home side.
West Ham have now made all three permitted changes this afternoon, but Middlesbrough boss Karanka still has one substitution available. Not too much to report in the last few minutes, but still around 15 minutes for one of these teams to find a winner. It is so delicately poised at the moment.
Stuani looks to bend a cross towards Negredo at the far post, but Adrian is on hand to claim. West Ham break down the other end with Zaza and the Italian fires high into the stands!
Antonio follows Zaza and fires straight into the stands. Poor!
You just get the feeling that there will be at least one more big chance in the final 10 minutes of this match. In truth, a draw is about right at the moment. Middlesbrough have been pretty good here.
BOOKING! Stuani (Middlesbrough) is booked for a late tackle on Kouyate.
As it stands, West Ham would remain in 18th position in the Premier League table and Middlesbrough would remain 16th. At this stage, the visitors appear to have settled for a point.
It is Middlesbrough with possession as we approach the final five minutes here.
Half-chance for Middlesbrough as Adrian punches the ball straight to Ramirez just outside the West Ham box, but the midfielder curls his effort wide of the post. Decent opportunity there!
Lanzini is next to curl wide of the Middlesbrough post from distance.
Pressure from West Ham as they force a couple of late corners here.
We are into the first of four additional minutes at the London Stadium.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes as Middlesbrough continue to defend their lines. Negredo breaks through on goal for the away side after a smart pass from Ramirez, but the flag was raised. We are entering the very final moments of this match!
The pressure from the home side continues, but Middlesbrough will not budge!
BOOKING! Arbeloa (West Ham) is booked for a foul on Ramirez.
Adrian punches a Middlesbrough free kick clear and that could be that.
FULL-TIME: West Ham 1-1 Middlesbrough
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams sharing the points in a 1-1 draw. West Ham fail to win once again, but at least the losing run is over. That is just about it from me this afternoon. Thanks for joining us for the live Premier League action once again!
