West Ham United and Stoke City have played out a 1-1 draw in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Upton Park.
Aaron Cresswell opened the scoring for the hosts in the seventh minute with a well-taken free kick that left Asmir Begovic stranded as it soared into the top corner.
The Potters soon got themselves back in the game and laid siege to the Hammers' goalmouth, with Marko Arnautovic twice getting the ball in the back of the net, but both efforts were disallowed for offside.
Just as it seemed like West Ham would hang onto the win, one last throw of the dice saw Ryan Shawcross's cutback rifled in by Arnautovic, and with no offside flag coming up this time, the visitors were able to celebrate coming away with a point.
Here's how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Good afternoon and welcome Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash between West Ham United and Stoke City!
To borrow a racing terminology, the Premier League race is now nearing its final straight. Just seven games to go for most of the teams in the division and it's do or die now.
West Ham welcome Stoke to Upton Park this afternoon with both sides looking to end recent slumps in form. The hosts have lost three of their last four, while the Potters have lost three on the bounce, and they will both want to finish the season on a high.
Team news are now filtering through...
WEST HAM STARTING XI: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Song, Noble, Kouyate, Downing, Valencia, Sakho
STOKE STARTING XI: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Wilson, Whelan, N'Zonzi, Moses, Adam, Arnautovic, Walters
WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Nolan, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Nene, Cole
STOKE SUBS: Butland, Bardsley, Pieters, Ireland, Sidwell, Crouch, Diouf
So then, Sam Allardyce makes one change to the starting XI which lost at 2-1 at Leicester City last weekend, replacing Kevin Nolan with Enner Valencia, while Mark Noble captains the side.
Meanwhile there are two changes for the Potters, as Stephen Ireland and Mame Biram Diouf are dropped to the substitutes' bench in place of Victor Moses and Marko Arnautovic. Charlie Adam, scorer of what is being described by some as one of the best Premier League goals of all time in last week's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, also starts.
It wasn't so long ago that West Ham looked like sustaining a challenge for a top-six position in the Premier League table while also considered as contenders for the FA Cup, but in the space of around three months, Upton Park has transformed into a place of frustration.
Two wins in 11 in the league and a 4-0 thrashing in the FA Cup by West Bromwich Albion have left Allardyce in danger of being removed from his position at the club, and even a positive end to the campaign might not be enough to save the former Bolton Wanderers boss.
Their current position of ninth is respectable, but with the club's owners reportedly looking elsewhere to try to progress to the next level, Allardyce can enhance his chances of a job elsewhere with a strong finish over the next seven games should that be the case.
As for Stoke, the directors have been so happy with Mark Hughes's progress at the Britannia Stadium that they've given him a new deal at the club until 2019, but three successive defeats have threatened to derail what has been another impressive campaign for the Potters.
By now everybody who's remotely aware of the goings-on in British football will have either heard of or seen Adam's 65-yard belter against Chelsea last week, but aside from that, Stoke rarely threatened their opponents' back line, which continued their recent run of struggling to score on a consistent basis in the Premier League.
The Potters have been relatively solid at the back, with just six goals being conceded in as many games, but they need to find another gear if they are to register their highest-ever finish of eighth place in the top flight.
The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw earlier in the season, with Moses and Diouf putting the Potters 2-0 up before Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing rescued a point for the Hammers.
In terms of the head-to-head statistics, it's bad news for West Ham - they are winless in three against the Potters, losing two and drawing the other, and Hughes has lost only one of his last 10 Premier League encounters with Allardyce.
West Ham have also kept only one clean sheet in their last six top-flight home matches against Stoke.
Now, back to Allardyce's position at the club. He told the media today: "I don't know I am going to be here next season, but when you're contracted to a club, you do the job. One of those roles is to plan for next season."
And one thing that may have to be taken into consideration is if the Hammers get into Europe. How, you ask, seeing how poorly they're finishing the season?
The answer: Via the UEFA Fair Play League. The Premier League held one of the three qualifying places amongst all UEFA domestic football at the last check, and West Ham are in pole position to claim England's place. The final list is due out next month, once the season has concluded, but it could prove a nice end-of-season prize for the Upton Park outfit.
As for Stoke, regardless of how the remainder of their season pans out - and with Hughes committing to a new four-year deal and the club aiming to secure their highest ever Premier League finish, the future appears rosy - goalkeeper Asmir Begovic's future remains an unwelcome distraction. The club want to sign the Bosnian to a new contract, but he will reportedly not make a decision until the summer.
Back-up keeper Jack Butland signed a new four-year deal last month, so could he be drafted into the Potters' starting XI for good as soon as next season?
SPORTS MOLE SOFA TIME! Just 15 minutes to go until kickoff, so use it wisely. Make yourself a cup of tea, nip to the loo, play a quick game of FIFA, or best of all, find out what our very own pundits at Sports Mole have had to say about today's game.
Time to quickly mention Peter Crouch. The Stoke and England striker is one of football's nice guys, down to earth and a good laugh - just the kind of chap you would love to have a drink with at your local pub. But he's also on the verge of breaking some records as well, don't you know?
Crouch is just one headed goal away from setting a new Premier League record, currently sharing the record of 46 with Alan Shearer, and is just five goals away from a Premier League century. And - get this - he has the same amount of Premier League goals as Ruud van Nistelrooy.
(Alright, he has played 238 games more than the Netherlands legend, but hey, it's still a fine achievement!)
PREDICTION: Just five minutes until kickoff here at Upton Park, so time to give my prediction. I reckon that both sides will be evenly matched, so I'm going for 1-1.
The teams are now on the pitch. Kickoff just moments away!
KICKOFF: Stoke get proceedings underway, shooting towards the Bobby Moore Stand end.
The hosts quickest off the starting blocks as Valencia latches onto Noble's lofted pass and wins a corner.
The corner isn't dealt with particularly well by the visitors. as Kouyate fires his effort wide.
Valencia gets a key tackle on Cameron and West Ham go on to break through Sakho. Jenkinson collects but his cross drifts wide.
West Ham's patience pays off as Valencia collects from Sakho 25 yards out before being tripped by Whelan. Free kick to the hosts...
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-0 STOKE (AARON CRESSWELL)
What a stunner! Cresswell lines up and strikes an inch-perfect curler into the top right-hand corner, and Begovic was completely stranded! First blood to the Hammers!
A break in play as Valencia is caught by Adam's late tackle. He briefly hobbles off for treatment but is alright to continue.
Cameron sends a long throw in towards the West Ham box but it's cleared. Sakho breaks but his subsequent cross from the right flank is dealt with by Begovic.
Moses now bolts down the left side and plays a lovely ball into the box, but no Stoke player had made a run and the attack breaks down.
The Potters are enjoying a rare spell of possession, but Cresswell manages to win it back and eventually secures another free kick, ultimately dealt with by Wilson.
CHANCE! Kouyate slaloms past a challenge and fires from 25 yards, but his curling shot is saved by a strong hand from Begovic. At the other end, Reid makes a great last-ditch block to thwart Walters's long-range effort.
Stoke are starting to come into this game as Adam seeks to assert control in midfield, but the Hammers have the all-important goal. Fairly even as it stands.
BOOKING: Whelan's cross is cleared by Reid as Stoke struggle to muster up a decent chance on goal. Collins then comes out and takes the Irish midfielder out with a late tackle, earning himself a booking in the process.
N'Zonzi's attempted through ball goes too far for Armautovic to reach, while at the other end, Song plays in Valencia in the Stoke box, but the latter is unable to get the ball over to strike partner Sakho.
N'Nonzi wins the ball on the left wing and whips a low cross towards Walters, but the delivery is cleared by Cresswell. Stoke showing glimpses of decent play but Adrian hasn't really been tested in the West Ham goal.
Arnautovic collects a fine pass from Cameron, holds off Song and goes on to wins a corner off Cresswell, but from the set piece, Collins heads it clear.
CHANCE! Stoke continuing to plug away as Walters tries an ambitious shot from the corner of the box which Adrian saves, and moments later, Moses forces a corner after his effort hits Reid and goes out.
Stoke win a free kick as Cameron is felled by Valencia. Adam lines up from 30 yards and opts to go for goal, but the ball soars wide, to the chagrin of his teammates who would have preferred more selfless play.
Cresswell sends a long throw in towards Sakho but Adam wins it back and slots the ball over to Moses, who charges down the left wing. The Nigerian fends off Jenkinson and whips a cross into the box, but the chance is wasted as no teammates are there.
Sakho picks up possession 35 yards out and decides to let rip, but Wollscheid manages to block the danger with his body.
CHANCES! Stoke really turning the screw now as a flurry of chances test the Hammers back line. Adam fires over from 30 yards, Walters beats Collins before lashing into the side netting, and Moses forces a corner following a shot at the far post.
Throughout the course of the first half, Stoke have had 67 percent possession, but no shots on target. They look the most likely to grab the next goal, but the break is not far off, which is to the Hammers' advantage.
CHANCE! Stoke continue to up the tempo as Collins gives the ball away Moses, who cuts in from the left wing and fires wide of Adrian's left post. He then appears to suffer an injury and stays down.
SUBSTITUTION: Moses cannot continue. He's being helped off as he appears not to be able to put any weight on his left leg. Mame Biram Diouf will replace the Nigerian.
Hughes shifts things around as Arnautovic moves to the left, Diouf goes up front and Walters shifts over to the right.
Three added minutes here at Upton Park.
Cameron linking up with Walters down the right wing before Adam wins a free kick in a similar position to his last set piece. It comes to nothing though.
West Ham counter through Kouyate as Valencia finds the Senegalese midfielder, but the subsequent effort sails wide of Begovic's far post.
HALF TIME: WEST HAM 1-0 STOKE
So the referee calls an end to first-half proceedings here at Upton Park and, at the break, it's 1-0 to the Hammers. Aaron Cresswell's fantastic free kick the difference between themselves and Stoke.
Stoke were disappointing early on and had Begovic to thank to keep the score down on a number of occasions, before waking up and enjoying a hatful of chances as the hosts struggled to get clear.
There is cause for concern for Stoke with regards to Victor Moses's injury. He appeared to fall awkwardly following a chance on goal and had to be helped off the pitch to be substituted.
The half-time stats point to a massive difference in possession - West Ham had 32 percent, while Stoke had 68 percent. But when it came to concrete efforts on goal, the hosts had two, while the Potters had none.
So, plenty for both teams to chew on at half time. Allardyce will have to regroup his troops to stop them being cut apart as often as they were in the first half, while Hughes will need to get his charges to remain focused, not let the scoreline get them down, and crucially, to be more incisive in front of the Hammers goal.
Cracking goal by Cresswell, mind. A moment of magic. Will it prove the difference between both sides come the final whistle?
© Getty Images
Not long to go until the second half, and my prediction of 1-1 is still on. But you never know what happens in football, so stay tuned and find out what happens!
KICKOFF: And we're back underway here at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham have changed to 4-3-3, but it might change again soon as Valencia is limping and Amalfitano is preparing to come on.
SUBSTITUTION: Wilson is now down for Stoke as well. He hobbles off as Pieters comes on in his place. Valencia, meanwhile, decides to continue.
In terms of action, Stoke have come out all guns blazing as N'Zonzi and Cameron whip dangerous crosses into the box either side of the substitution, but as with the first half, no end product.
Stoke keeping possession well in their own half, but Noble steals the ball and plays in Sakho, who is thwarted by Cameron in the opposition defence.
Cresswell charges down the left wing and helps West Ham win a throw in. Downing's delivery is cut out by a diving header from Shawcross to concede a corner, which is cleared with little trouble.
Coming up to the hour mark and it's quite tense as both sides continue to be stifled and route-one style long balls are proving the main source of ammunition.
CHANCE! Song's misplaced pass is picked up by Walters 30 yards out. The Stoke man lines up and lets rip with an ambitious effort that soars just over the bar.
SUBSTITUTION: Yet another non-contact injury in this game as Sakho goes down, points at his left thigh and comes off in place of Carlton Cole. Moments earlier, Pieters brought Kouyate down with a crunching tackle, but no card was shown.
Downing curls the resulting free kick over from the right-hand side and Begovic gathers in front of the oncoming Reid.
Reid clatters into Adam in the middle of the park and gifts Stoke a free kick, but the Scot's effort is poor once again.
Diouf cuts in from the left flank and sees an effort blocked, then Adam collects and has a shot of his own, blocked once again and cleared by Adrian. Stoke getting on top here but still in a losing position.
SUBSTITUTIONS: One for each side as Stephen Ireland replaces Glenn Whelan and Kevin Nolan comes on for Alex Song.
There was a risk that Reid would have to be subbed off after clashing with Whelan moments earlier, but he was alright in the end.
DISALLOWED GOAL! The Stoke fans celebrate as Adam threads a ball for Arnautovic to slide home, but the offside flag is flashed up to keep the visitors a goal behind.
CHANCE! Kouyate powers through a challenge on the edge of the box before firing a low effort goalwards, but Begovic palms it away at the near post.
BOOKING: Adrian clears after catching Adam's cross as far as Valencia, who beats Pieters and the Dutchman wrestles him down. Yellow card shown.
CHANCE! Cresswell free kick into the box falls to Cole, who plays a one-two with Downing before firing but Begovic claims well.
SUBSTITUTION: Enner Valencia is subbed off, as Morgan Amalfitano comes on in his place.
OFF THE POST! Ireland sends a cross into the box from the right flank, where Diouf is on hand to get his head onto the ball - and strikes the inside of the post!
It's end-to-end here at Upton Park. First Cresswell wins a corner which led to Amalfitano heading into Begovic's arms, then Stoke counter with Ireland, who let rip from 25 yards but cleared the bar.
BOOKING: Moments earlier, Nolan went into the book after tangling with Diouf.
BOOKING: Cole is now booked for a rash tackle on Pieters.
Noble breaks forward and passes to Downing, who plays a clever ball to Amalfitano, but the move eventually breaks down as Cole couldn't direct his header on target.
There's no let-up to the action here, as Reid clears a Walters delivery before Shawcross is penalised for offside.
Five minutes of added time as Adam rifles a shot wide under pressure on the edge of the box. A goal kick is given, although he protests this.
Stoke are throwing the proverbial kitchen sink here. They do not want to leave Upton Park empty-handed!
Stoke are gifted a corner as Adam delivers, but Adrian claws clear before the referee gives the hosts a free kick for infringement.
DISALLOWED GOAL! And it's the second time that Stoke have seen a goal chalked off! Armautovic again bundled the ball into the net but the flag rose to deny the Potters.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-1 STOKE (MARKO ARNAUTOVIC)
Third time lucky for Arnautovic as he slots home into the bottom corner to level for Stoke right at the death! Could you call it a phantom hat-trick, or a phantom brace? Either way, the visitors are celebrating as if they've won a trophy!
FULL TIME: WEST HAM 1-1 STOKE
The referee blows his whistle and it's finished all square here. West Ham will be gutted that they couldn't hang on for the win - and we're talking seconds here. But Stoke have been huffing and puffing and finally they've breached the hosts' clean sheet, on the third time of trying!
Aaron Cresswell's stunning seventh-minute free kick gave the Hammers the lead, but Stoke have been banging at the door, with Marko Arnautovic breaching the goalline twice but disallowed on both occasions. And in the 95th minute, he did it again, and this time it counted!
It's as it were in the table as West Ham remain ninth and Stoke remain 10th. Now, don't go anywhere as Sports Mole is on hand to bring you all the latest results, reaction, analysis and player ratings from this and a host of other games! Thanks for tuning in and bye bye!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
