Britannia Stadium
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 22,690)
Collison goal breaks 2013 away duck
Jack Collison struck in first half stoppage time to fire the Hammers to a priceless three points at Stoke City on Saturday.
Collison, on as an early substitute for the injured Matt Taylor, finished following a slick pass from his fellow sub Ricardo Vaz Te.
The Hammers held Stoke at arm's length for the vast majority of the Britannia Stadium contest and only Charlie Adam's final minute volley, which thudded against the bar, caused them any alarm.
It was the Hammers' first away win of 2013 and provided the perfect tonic following the heartbreak of last minute defeat earlier in the week.
Having already lost skipper Kevin Nolan to injury in the week, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was forced into a major reshuffle of his midfield with just 11 minutes played at the Britannia Stadium.
Taylor, Nolan's replacement in the starting XI, was forced off with a head injury after receiving a boot to the head when Peter Crouch went for an overhead kick, while Joe Cole limped out of the action after the same phase of play.
With 25 minutes on the clock the Hammers were a mere whisker away from taking the lead when Gary O'Neil's left wing corner was only cleared back to him, and his second cross was flicked onto the top of the crossbar by James Collins with Asmir Begovic struggling.
Collison then had a half chance as the away side again picked up the second ball from a set piece, but his right-footed shot from 25 yards was directed straight at Begovic.
EIght minutes before the break the best piece of football in the half produced the best chance thus far but Andy Carroll couldn't get the right contact on his header from a Guy Demel cross and the ball dribbled wide.
Stoke were barely able to create anything in the first 45 minutes and Michael Kightly's harmless drive from the edge of the box on 43 was the best they could muster.
By contrast, the Hammers gave themselves the perfect lift in first half stoppage time when Vaz Te picked up the pieces after Carroll was dragged down on the edge of the box by Ryan Shawcross and fed Collison, who finished unerringly into the bottom left hand corner.
Vaz Te was involved again at the start of the second period, collecting a flick-on from Carroll before threading a ball to Matt Jarvis, whose shot was blocked by the legs of Begovic.
Stoke broke from the resulting corner and Jussi Jaaskelainen was called into action for the first time, diving to his left to cling onto a Crouch shot.
Stoke looked to their subs Brek Shea, Kenwyne Jones and Adam as they tried to wrestle some attacking impetus, but 12 minutes from time it was the Hammers who had the chance to wrap it up when Vaz Te exchanged passes with Collison and tip-toed around goalkeeper Begovic only for a challenge to come in from a defender to save the day for the hosts.
Stoke struggled to attack with any penetration, yet they were still only inches away from levelling up in the final minute when Adam's super 25-yard shot cannonned off the crossbar and away to safety, much to the Hammers' relief.
West Ham survived that moment of panic, giving their travelling band of over 2,000 fans a very happy journey home.
Stoke City: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Wilson, Wilkinson; Walters (Jones 74), Nzonzi, Whelan (Adam 77), Kightly (Shea 66); Jerome, Crouch
Subs: Sorensen (GK), Cameron, Palacios, Whitehead
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; O'Neil; J.Cole (Vaz Te 11), Taylor (Collison 11), Diame, Jarvis (Pogatetz 83); Carroll
Subs: Spiegel (GK), C.Cole, Maiga, Chamakh
Goal: Collison 45+3
Booked: Collins, Carroll
Referee: Jonathan Moss
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Defending throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Brek Shea(Stoke).
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Cross by Brek Shea(Stoke), resulting in ball out of play.
Goal kick taken short by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Foul by Cameron Jerome(Stoke) on Joey O'Brien(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Andy Carroll(West Ham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, passed.
Foul by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham) on Cameron Jerome(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, passed.
Foul by Steven Nzonzi(Stoke) on Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham). Steven Nzonzi(Stoke) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham) from left channel, passed.
Shot by Charlie Adam(Stoke) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), hit bar.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Shot by Marc Wilson(Stoke) left-footed from left channel (30 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Foul by Emanuel Pogatetz(West Ham) on Peter Crouch(Stoke). Free kick crossed left-footed by Charlie Adam(Stoke) from right channel, clearance by Andy Carroll(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Cross by Marc Wilson(Stoke), comfortable save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Cross by Brek Shea(Stoke), resulting in open play.
Cross by Steven Nzonzi(Stoke), blocked by Winston Reid(West Ham).
Foul by Andy Carroll(West Ham) on Steven Nzonzi(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Charlie Adam(Stoke), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
West Ham substitution: Matthew Jarvis replaced by Emanuel Pogatetz (tactical).
Foul by Winston Reid(West Ham) on Peter Crouch(Stoke). Free kick crossed left-footed by Charlie Adam(Stoke) from right channel, clearance by Gary O'Neil(West Ham).
Goal kick taken short by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Stoke substitution: Glenn Whelan replaced by Charlie Adam (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Defending throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Stoke substitution: Jonathan Walters replaced by Kenwyne Jones (tactical).
Cross by Glenn Whelan(Stoke), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Foul by Jonathan Walters(Stoke) on Winston Reid(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Glenn Whelan(Stoke) on Mohamed Diame(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Andy Carroll(West Ham) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Cross by Cameron Jerome(Stoke), clearance by James Collins(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Foul by Brek Shea(Stoke) on Guy Demel(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Joey O'Brien(West Ham), resulting in ball out of play. Jack Collison(West Ham) caught offside. Stoke substitution: Michael Kightly replaced by Brek Shea (tactical). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Shot by Cameron Jerome(Stoke) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Defending throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Cross by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke), save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Foul by Guy Demel(West Ham) on Jonathan Walters(Stoke). Free kick crossed right-footed by Glenn Whelan(Stoke) from left wing, clearance by Mohamed Diame(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Cross by Marc Wilson(Stoke), foul by Michael Kightly(Stoke) on Joey O'Brien(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Peter Crouch(Stoke) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Gary O'Neil(West Ham) to centre, clearance by Peter Crouch(Stoke).
Shot by Matthew Jarvis(West Ham) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (with feet) by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Foul by Mohamed Diame(West Ham) on Glenn Whelan(Stoke). James Collins(West Ham) booked for dissent. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Marc Wilson(Stoke) from own half, passed.
Cross by Matthew Jarvis(West Ham), clearance by Marc Wilson(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Shot by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Shot by Andy Carroll(West Ham) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), clearance by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Cross by Ryan Shotton(Stoke), comfortable save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Cross by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke), shot by Cameron Jerome(Stoke) left-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan(Stoke) to centre, save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Foul by Guy Demel(West Ham) on Jonathan Walters(Stoke). Free kick crossed right-footed by Marc Wilson(Stoke) from right channel, blocked by Andy Carroll(West Ham).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Goal by Jack Collison(West Ham) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Stoke 0-1 West Ham. Assist (pass) by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham) from right channel.
Cross by Jonathan Walters(Stoke), clearance by Winston Reid(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Foul by Cameron Jerome(Stoke) on Guy Demel(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Shot by Michael Kightly(Stoke) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Cross by Matthew Jarvis(West Ham), blocked by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Foul by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham) on Asmir Begovic(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Matthew Jarvis(West Ham), resulting in open play.
Header by Jonathan Walters(Stoke) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Foul by Andy Carroll(West Ham) on Ryan Shawcross(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Header by Peter Crouch(Stoke) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Cross by Guy Demel(West Ham), header by Andy Carroll(West Ham) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Cameron Jerome(Stoke) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Foul by Peter Crouch(Stoke) on Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Guy Demel(West Ham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Cross by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham), clearance by Marc Wilson(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Shot by Andy Carroll(West Ham) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke).
Shot by Jack Collison(West Ham) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Foul by Jonathan Walters(Stoke) on Andy Carroll(West Ham). Free kick crossed right-footed by Gary O'Neil(West Ham) from left channel, clearance by Peter Crouch(Stoke).
Foul by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke) on Winston Reid(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Cross by Andy Carroll(West Ham), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Peter Crouch(Stoke) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Joey O'Brien(West Ham) on Jonathan Walters(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Shotton(Stoke) from right channel, passed.
Header by James Collins(West Ham) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Gary O'Neil(West Ham) to centre, clearance by Peter Crouch(Stoke).
Shot by Ricardo Vaz Te(West Ham) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan(Stoke) to centre, clearance by James Collins(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Shot by Peter Crouch(Stoke) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Foul by Andy Carroll(West Ham) on Ryan Shawcross(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Asmir Begovic(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Andy Carroll(West Ham) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke).
Cross by Matthew Jarvis(West Ham), clearance by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Cross by Cameron Jerome(Stoke), clearance by Winston Reid(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Cross by Michael Kightly(Stoke), clearance by Gary O'Neil(West Ham).
Attacking throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).
Goal kick taken long by Asmir Begovic(Stoke).
West Ham substitution: Joe Cole replaced by Ricardo Vaz Te (tactical).
West Ham substitution: Matthew Taylor replaced by Jack Collison (injury).
Foul by Peter Crouch(Stoke) on Matthew Taylor(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan(Stoke) to centre, clearance by Andy Carroll(West Ham).
Cross by Ryan Shotton(Stoke), clearance by Guy Demel(West Ham).
Foul by Joey O'Brien(West Ham) on Jonathan Walters(Stoke). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Peter Crouch(Stoke) on Winston Reid(West Ham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Collins(West Ham) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Joey O'Brien(West Ham).
Cross by Matthew Jarvis(West Ham), clearance by Ryan Shawcross(Stoke).
Defending throw-in by Andy Wilkinson(Stoke).
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(West Ham).
Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Glenn Whelan(Stoke). Shot by Jonathan Walters(Stoke) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Shotton(Stoke).