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Everton logo
FA Cup | Third Round
Jan 6, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
West Ham logo

1-1

Lukaku (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Collins (56')

Live Commentary: Everton 1-1 West Ham United - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of the FA Cup third-round tie between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park.
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Romelu Lukaku scored in stoppage time as Everton salvaged a 1-1 draw in their FA Cup third-round tie with West Ham United this evening.

Following a goalless first half, James Collins made the breakthrough for the Hammers, with a powerful header from Morgan Amalfitano's corner.

The Toffees pushed for an equaliser and levelled the scores in the final minutes, when Romelu Lukaku slammed home Bryan Oviedo's cross.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


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Good evening everyone! Following a busy weekend of action in the FA Cup, there are still two games left to play in the third round this evening. Here, our focus will be on the events at Goodison Park, where Everton take on West Ham United.

The Toffees are in a poor run of form and have lost their last four games. It has seen them drop down to 13th in the Premier League table and they are only four points clear of the relegation zone. They will be hoping that a good run in the cup can help turn their fortunes around.

West Ham also come into the match having suffered a dip in form in recent weeks. They have lost two of their last three games and have fallen out of the top four. It has been a long time since the Hammers have lifted any silverware, but they have shown plenty of promise in the early months of this campaign.



With just over 50 minutes to go until kick off let's take a look at how each team will be lining up at Goodison, starting with the hosts.

EVERTON XI: Robles, Coleman,Jagielka, Distin, Oviedo, Besic, Barry, Naismith, Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku

WEST HAM XI: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan, Jarvis, Downing, Noble, Jenkinson, Collins, Amalfitano, Valencia

EVERTON SUBS: Griffiths, Eto'o, McGeady, Kone, Stones, Browning, Garbutt

WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Demel, Poyet, Cole

So, those are our starting lineups for this evening. Let's begin by looking at the hosts, who are without Leighton Baines, who has a minor injury. Romelu Lukaku is chosen to lead the attack, with Steven Naismith, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas providing him with support.

Meanwhile, the visitors are led by Enner Valencia, with Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho both missing. Matt Jarvis and Morgan Amalfitano will act as the furthest forward of the midfielders, while James Collins has returned to the defence.

It's been a frustrating season so far for Everton, who have rarely shown their best form in the league. Many would have predicted them to be challenging for the European spots, but at the moment they are being dragged into an unlikely relegation battle.

Maybe talk of Everton going down is a tad premature, but they are just four points above the relegation zone after suffering their worst run of the season. They have lost their last four games and have won just one of their last eight in the league.



Everton's form in the cups this season has also been mixed. They were knocked out in the third round of the League Cup by Swansea City in September, but it has been much better for them in Europe. They cruised through the group stages of the Europa League and will now face Young Boys in the knockout stages next month.

They haven't enjoyed too many FA Cup runs in recent seasons, with their last appearance in the final coming against Chelsea six years ago. On that occasion they took the lead in 25 seconds, with Louis Saha scoring the fastest cup final goal of all time. However, they were eventually undone as goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard saw the Blues lift the trophy.

Perhaps now is a good time for Everton to be facing West Ham. Sam Allardyce's side have seen their grip on a top four spot slip away over the festive period and they are without a win in three games. Two of those were against Chelsea and Arsenal, so fans should not be too worried at the moment.



The Hammers had actually been victorious in seven of their previous 11 games before their current winless run. For them to be seventh in the table at this point in the season and safety away from danger is a huge positive, considering the troubles that they went through this time last year.

Despite their good start to the season in the league, West Ham were dumped out of the League Cup in the second round by Sheffield United. It has also been a while since they put together a decent run in the FA Cup, as they last reached the final nine years ago, where they were beaten on penalties by Liverpool, following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Both of these clubs have of course lifted the famous trophy in their history. Everton have been winners on five occasions, while West Ham have tasted success three times. Neither of those victories have come recent seasons, as it has been 20 years since Everton beat Manchester United in the 1995 final. You have to go all the way back to 1980 for West Ham's last win, where Trevor Brooking's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Arsenal.

The two clubs have already met once this season at Goodison Park. Back in November, it was Everton who triumphed, as Leon Osman's second-half goal gave them a 2-1 win. The Toffees actually have a great recent record against tonight's opponents and they are unbeaten in their last 14 games with the Londoners.

Leon Osman of Everton celebrates scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on November 22, 2014© Getty Images


Just a reminder that the winners of this tie will face the victors of Doncaster Rovers and Bristol City's third-round replay. It's certainly not the worst of draws for Everton or West Ham, but they won't be relishing a trip to either League One club.

PREDICTION: Even though both teams have struggled to find their best form over recent weeks, I still think that we could be in for an exciting game this evening. There have been plenty of goals in recent meetings and I'm going to tip this one finishing in a 2-2 draw.

Here come the two teams out of the tunnel and we are now just three minutes away from kick off. Let's hope that the best tie of the third round has been saved for last!

KICKOFF! We are underway at Goodison Park!

It's been a decent start to the match and both teams are playing at a high tempo. We are still yet to see our first effort on goal, but Lukaku has caused a moment of panic by getting to the byline and flashing a decent ball across the box for the hosts.

Everton are looking pretty dangerous down the left hand side in these early stages. This time it's Naismith who gets into a good crossing position, but his ball into the middle is poor and the visitors easily clear the threat.

The visitors have come into the game and they are enjoying a good spell of pressure deep inside their opponents half. They manage to win a string of corners, but Everton hold firm and clear their deliveries.

West Ham continue to attack and they manage to work an effort on goal when a corner is played short to Jarvis, who whips the ball into the middle. Reid towers above everyone to meet the cross, but he can only steer his header wide of the target.

SHOT! Adrian has got away with one here. The goalkeeper was at fault initially as he spilled Lukaku's strike from the edge of the box, but as Mirallas went in to follow up, he stood up tall and made a good block to stop the Belgian from scoring.

SHOT! It's West Ham's turn to get a shot away, as they break quickly with Downing being found around 25 yards out from goal. The winger has plenty of space so decides to try his luck, but his powerful effort is touched over the bar by Robles.

This match is still very open at the moment and there is plenty of space for each team to exploit when they break. Everton are probably just shading the tie at this stage, with the fans around the ground starting to make themselves heard.

CHANCE! This is a huge opportunity for Everton to take the lead. THe visitors give the ball away poorly to Barry who charges towards the box. He then slips in Mirallas who fires in a strike, but Reid is there to get a block in and help deflect the ball kindly into the keeper's arms.

CHANCE! Everton are knocking on the door and Lukaku has his first big opening of the match. The Belgian shows his strength by charging through the midfield and into the box, but he ends up dragging his low effort wide across goal and wide of the far post.

Once again the Toffees attack and Naimsmith gets in behind the defence down the left. The Scot then drills in a fantastic low ball across the box, but unfortunately for him, none of his teammates were there to apply a finishing touch.

Just as Everton are looking dangerous at one end of the pitch, the Hammers hit them on the break. They work Valencia into a good position and the striker then whips a teasing ball into the box that Amalfitano gets a touch on, but it takes a slight deflection off a defender and goes behind for a corner.

It's just become slightly scrappy at the moment and neither side have been able to keep possession for a sustained spell. A goal is not looking too likely before the break and the two keepers have not really had much to do so far.

Everton have put in some decent crosses in this first half and Mirallas is the latest to whip in a dangerous ball. His curling effort from out wide on the left finds its way through to the back post, where it was just inches away from being met by Coleman.

Both teams seem to have settled for the draw as the half-time break edges ever closer. I'm sure that both managers would prefer a win today, rather than the extra game that a replay would bring to their already busy schedules.

CHANCE! As far as chances go in this first half, this is a very presentable opportunity for West Ham to open the scoring. It's Amalfitano with the effort as he is found inside the box, but after getting the ball onto his right foot, he blazes high over the bar.

SHOT! Lukaku has caused Robles plenty of trouble with the power of his shots in this half and the Belgian tests the keeper from range once more. His low effort ends up stinging the palms of the Spaniard and when he spills the ball, his defence are quickly back to turn the ball behind.

We are going to have one minute of stoppage time.

HALF-TIME: Everton 0-0 West Ham United

Well, I know I promised goals before the match, but at the halfway stage it is still goalless. There have been a few dangerous moments for each team, but no real standout chances to take the lead in the tie.

At the break, it's West Ham who have seen more of the ball, with 54% of the possession. They have also had one more shot on goal than their opponents, with nine efforts compared to eight from Everton. It matters little though, as we still await the first goal of the evening.

Aside from a couple of long-range strikes from Lukaku and some dangerous balls flashed across the box, there really has not been too much to get excited about. If the game does finish level, then there will be a replay at Upton Park next week.

Looking at the benches this evening, there is plenty of firepower for Everton to bring on after the break. Samuel Eto'o and Arouna Kone are more than capable of getting a goal, while Aiden McGeady could turn provider. As for West Ham, they are without Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, but Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te may add some attacking threat.

Everton take the kick off and get the second half started!

West Ham have started the half on the front foot and they are seeing all of the ball at the moment. They are getting into the final third with ease, but their final delivery has been poor, with a number of crosses easily cleared by the Everton backline.

CHANCE! Out of absolutely nothing, the hosts create the best opening of this second half. The Hammers fail to clear and the ball drops kindly to Mirallas just outside the box. The Belgian then attempts to lift an effort over the keeper, but his shot ends up dropping just over the bar.

SHOT! What a great piece of play this is from Jenkinson. The full back picks the ball up wide on the right, before charging forward and driving into the box. He then fires in a low drive towards the front post, but Robles gets down to turn the ball behind.

SHOT! It's still all West Ham at the moment and you feel that they are edging closer to the opening goal. They threaten again as Downing picks the ball up just outside the box, before firing in a strike that deflects wide for a corner.

GOAL! Everton 0-1 West Ham United (James Collins)

It's been coming and West Ham have taken the lead in the tie. From the resulting corner that Downing won, Amalfitano whips in a great set piece that Collins arrives to meet at the front post and power a header past Robles.

CHANCE! West Ham nearly score a second in as many minutes. This time Valencia meets a cross from Noble at the back post, but his close-range header is well tipped over the bar by Robles.

CHANCE! This game has certainly sprung into life now and Everton come close when Lukaku fires in a powerful low ball across the box that Collins manages to clear under immense pressure. Moments later Lukaku heads an effort into the far corner, but it is ruled out for a foul.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham have made the first change of the match, with Cole coming on to replace Valencia.

Falling behind has really livened Everton up and they are starting to see plenty of the ball. They are now pegging West Ham back on the edge of their own box, but it is very tight and they are still struggling to get in behind.

SUBSTITUTION: It's Everton's turn to make a change, as Eto'o comes on for Mirallas.

YELLOW CARD! Eto'o's first piece of action on the pitch is to pick up a booking for a barge from behind on Noble.

SHOT! Everton have allowed West Ham far too much space to shoot and Downing takes advantage when they back off again to fire in a low shot from the edge of the box. It heads inches wide of the post and appears to have taken a deflection of Jagielka, but the referee gives a goal kick.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham make another change, with Jarvis heading off to be replaced by Poyet.

SUBSTITUTION: The hosts also change things around, as Stones comes on for Distin.

CHANCE! The visitors have had a few decent chances to double their lead and they have another glimpse of goal when Reid meets Downing's free kick, but guides his header wide of the post.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham make their final switch of the match, with O'Brien replacing Amalfitano.

Things have gone a bit quiet for Everton in the past few minutes and the visitors are looking very comfortable. Their defenders are not coming under too much pressure and quite a few passes from the hosts have gone astray, leading to howls of disappointment from the crowd.

YELLOW CARD! Lukaku is the second Everton player to be shown a card for a foul on Reid.

CHANCE! Everton haven't threatened in a while, but they almost find the net when Barkley teases a wonderful cross towards the back post. It is just beyond the reach of Lukaku who can't quite stretch enough as the ball goes behind.

SHOT! Barkley is starting to have more of an impact as the game enters the final stages and he does well to work some space, before driving into the box and firing in a powerful strike that Adrian tips behind for a corner.

The hosts are running out of time, but they are doing all of the pressing as they attempt to salvage a replay. They have delivered a couple more dangerous balls into the six-yard box, but once again there is nobody there to apply a finishing touch.

YELLOW CARD! With two minutes of the match left Cole is the first West Ham played to pick up a booking for a foul on Barry.

CHANCE! This could be the final chance that Everton get this evening. Oviedo does well to work some space and whip a fantastic cross into the box. It is met by Coleman, but he doesn't make great contact with the ball and heads it well wide.

GOAL! Everton 1-1 West Ham United (Romelu Lukaku)

Everton have left it late, but they have levelled the scores in stoppage time. Oviedo provides another great cross from the left and this time his low ball finds Lukaku in the middle, who takes a touch, before slamming a powerful strike past the keeper.

FULL-TIME: Everton 1-1 West Ham United

Well, what a finish to the match. Lukaku had not been at his best all evening, but he showed his class to finish right at the death. It means that the two sides will have to do it all over again at Upton Park next week for a place in the fourth round.

That's all we've got time for here this evening. Make sure you stay with us for the latest news and reaction to tonight's games. Until next time, goodbye!

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Romelu Lukaku of Everton takes on Paul McShane of Hull City during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Everton at KC Stadium on May 11, 2014
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