London: A fortuitous Steven Pienaar goal gave Everton a hard-fought 2-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park in the Premier League on Saturday. A clearance in the six-yard box rebounded off Pienaar and into the goal in the 73rd minute, shortly after West Ham's Carlton Cole was sent off for a high-footed challenge on defender Leighton Baines.
Cole had given the home side an early lead when he scored from close range in the 14th. Victor Anichebe equalized for Everton with a headed goal in the 63rd. Everton had midfielder Darron Gibson sent off in the final minute but the visitors hung on for all three points. West Ham stays 11th in the standings with 23 points while Everton moves up one place to fourth with 30 points.
In the other match between west Brom and Norwich on Saturday, Romelu Lukaku scored in the 82nd minute to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 for West Bromwich Albion against Norwich in the Premier League, ending the visitors' 10-game unbeaten run. Robert Snodgrass had given Norwich an early lead after goalkeeper Ben Foster failed to keep out his dipping free kick. But Zoltan Gera ended West Brom's near six-hour goal drought just before the break and on-loan Chelsea player Lukaku then headed the winner with eight minutes remaining.
The win ended West Brom's recent slump, having collected only two points from four games after climbing to third spot. They are now sixth, behind Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham on goal difference.
Comments
0 comment