Stoke City too good for West Ham United

Stoke City have secured a 3-1 home win against West Ham United in their Premier League match this afternoon.

West Ham were quick to attack Stoke after the kickoff, and soon took an early lead. Mark Noble lofted the ball into the area, where Andy Carroll nodded in after beating Asmir Begovic to the ball.

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Stoke pushed for an immediate response, and Stephen Ireland saw his effort tipped away by Adrian.

The hosts began to give the ball away with increasing regularity, and they needed Begovic to be alert to get to the ball before Kevin Nolan.

However, Mark Hughes's side soon got their equaliser. A corner kick found Peter Crouch, who saw his initial effort pushed onto the crossbar by Adrian.

However, Crouch was able to nudge the ball and Peter Odemwingie scrambled it in off his shoulder.

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Carroll then grazed the crossbar just before the break, and Adrian did well to keep out a late Ireland shot.

The Hammers made a strong start to the second half, with Nolan directing a header wide. Carroll then forced Begovic into a save with a powerful shot.

West Ham had the ball in the net with an hour played when Nolan made the most of a Begovic mistake to slot in, but the linesman ruled it out.

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Marko Arnautovic soon gave the home side the lead, sliding the ball into the net. With the visitors pushing men forward, Stoke then broke with Ireland. The midfielder found Odemwingie, who fired in for 3-1.

Arnautovic also forced Adrian into a decent stop as the hosts pushed on in search of more goals.