WEST HAM UNITED v EVERTON
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Final score - West Ham United 1-2 Everton
95 mins - Into added time at the end of added time and West Ham cannot get the ball forward quickly enough. The final whistle is blown and that's it. A home defeat to finish 2012, but one that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Everton had just equalised before Cole's sending-off, but would they have gone on to win had West Ham kept eleven men on the field? We shall never know.
94 mins - Into the final minute and Shane Duffy replaces Anichebe. Everton have a free-kick for offside.
92 mins - So if you send one player off wrongly, sending one off from the other team wrongly makes it OK? Noble and Gibson challenge for a ball on halfway and Gibson swings his boot but misses the ball and catches Noble. The red card comes out again. The HOME fans clap Gibson off the pitch before questioning the referee's decision.
91 mins - Into added time and Nolan has a great chance to equalise. Taylor's header drops to him behind the Everton defence. He is inside the penalty area and slightly left of the goal. He should maybe shoot left-footed but instead stabs the ball wide with his right foot.
90 mins - Everton win a corner. James Collins is voted West Ham's man of the match, but that'll be no consolation to him. The corner comes in and is half-cleared to Osman, whose low shot is pushed aside by Jaaskelainen. Tomkins then makes a superb block to deny Jelavic and the ball flies wide.
88 mins - A final West Ham change and it's Jarvis who is replaced. Jack Collison gets a big cheer as he makes his comeback. Everton replace Pienaar with Bryan Oviedo, a Costa Rica international.
87 mins - To be fair to West Ham, they are giving this a go. Spence and Noble work some space for Jarvis wide on the right. He crosses to the far post, where Howard catches in the crowd.
85 mins - Everton make a change, with Neville being replaced by Scotland international Steven Naismith.
84 mins - Today's attendance is a sellout 35,005.
82 mins - It nearly works immediately. Spence throws to Maiga, whose header to Nolan is good. The skipper takes a touch and sees his half-volley deflected just wide of the far post. The corner, and Taylor's follow-up cross are both cleared.
82 mins - A change of shape, with three centre-backs, Spence right wing-back and Taylor left wing-back. Jarvis has joined Maiga up front, with Noble and Nolan in the middle.
81 mins - I'm afraid this is already starting to look like a bit of a lost cause. Jordan Spence is going to be on shortly. And now he is on, with Joey O'Brien the man to be replaced.
76 mins - For the second home game in a row, West Ham have lost a lead. It's very uncharacteristic of this team, but Cole's sending-off has not helped one bit. Saying that, Everton's second goal should have been prevented.
73 mins - GOAL! Reid's loose header puts West Ham on the back foot. Pienaar starts the move with a slotted pass for Osman. He gets to the byline and cuts the ball back. Nolan is unable to clear it and Pienaar is there to finish from close-range.
71 mins - West Ham are going to have to work their socks off to get anything here. Collins shows the way with a typically gutsy block to keep Anichebe's shot from threatening the goal.
70 mins - Replays are being shown of Cole's red card. I have never seen a player sent-off for something so innocuous. He clearly has his eyes on the ball the whole time and gets a toe to it before catching Baines.
68 mins - Cole becomes West Ham's first player to see red this season. Even the Everton players could not believe that decision. Heitinga had his arm around Cole as he walked away from the situation.
67 mins - Erm, Cole has been sent-off. He challenged for a bouncing ball inside the Everton half with his boot and caught an Everton player, but was that really enough to warrant a red card? Replays show he caught Baines in the arm and side, not the head. He even touched the ball first. That is ridiculous.
64 mins - GOAL! That's what happens when you don't keep possession. The free-kick is taken short and Baines finds Pienaar. He takes a touch and curls the right-foot cross in from the left. Anichebe ghosts between Tomkins and Collins to glance the header into the corner. Jaaskelainen could do nothing about that one.
64 mins - Maiga loses possession and Pienaar runs away into the West Ham half. Maiga gives chase and then fouls the South African.
63 mins - Brilliant quick feet from Osman before he feeds Baines. The left-back sweeps in a cross but O'Brien is there to volley clear. Everton trying to put some concerted pressure on the home side.
60 mins - Cole streaks away on to Noble's diagonal ball and runs at Heitinga. He crosses just behind Maiga, who takes a touch and sees his shot deflected just wide off the lunging Distin. The ball deviates at least three yards to go wide, but the officials give a goal kick.
58 mins - A change from Big Sam. O'Neil is replaced by Modibo Maiga. Maiga goes wide right of Cole, with Jarvis wide left. Taylor has joined Noble and Nolan in midfield.
57 mins - How many times has Jelavic been caught offside? This time he is off as he tries to latch on to Gibson's through ball.
54 mins - Pienaar is a lively player. He nicks the ball off Noble and is then fouled by Nolan about 25 yards out. It's left of the goal, but is still a shooting chance. Gibson curls his effort over the wall and it just goes wide of the left-hand post. That might well have beaten the goalkeeper.
52 mins - Pienaar cuts inside and shoots. The ball takes a deflection and Jaaskelainen cannot prevent the corner. Cole clears with a header at the near post before O'Neil and then Collins stand firm from follow-up efforts. Good defending.
49 mins - That is a let-off and a big one at that. Collins' clearance hits a team-mate and an Everton player before dropping to Jelavic eight yards out. He is right in the middle of the goal, but fires straight at Jaaskelainen, who holds on securely.
47 mins - Cole does well to beat two men, but he cannot get the shot away. Instead, he tries to lift a pass through for Nolan, but Distin heads clear.
46 mins - West Ham get the game re-started. Everton try a through ball again but Neville's pass finds Jelavic offside again! The high line is always a bit risky, but it's working well enough so far.
Here come the two teams. No changes at the break from either manager. Can the Hammers hold on to or even increase their lead? Or will Everton spoil the Christmas party? We'll know by 5pm!
Half-time score - West Ham United 1-0 Everton
Just a quick note to say a massive thanks to our multimedia editor Lloyd Bishop, who has just filmed his last-ever half-time piece! Lloyd is leaving the club after five years and has been responsible for the vast majority of the films you watch on whufc.com and West Ham TV.
We have just been royally entertained by Queen's Market fishmonger One Pound Fish Man Muhammad Nazir, who has belted out his internet hit and Christmas single 'One Pound Fish' for the crowd! Hammerhead accompanied the great singer, with the results shown on the big screens. The Everton fans were not sure what to make of the whole thing, but One Pound Fish Man got a good cheer when he finished!
46 mins - We're into the one added minute. Cole lifts the ball forward for Nolan, who lays it off to Jarvis. The No7 runs at his man and crosses low, but it is stabbed away. Seconds after the throw-in is taken, the half-time whistle is blown. Evetton will feel a bit aggrieved to be behind, especially considering Osman had a goal disallowed. Saying that, they've not found the target with enough of their shots. West Ham's goal was a cracker. Cole at his best.
43 mins - Cole does superbly initially against Heitinga and then cuts inside, but Distin steps in on the edge of the box. Moments later, Nolan's through ball for Taylor is just cut out. Close!
40 mins - A spell of Everton pressure ends with O'Neil fouling Pienaar in a central area 30-odd yards out. Baines? No, it's Osman who fires it in right-footed and Jaaskelainen can only tip over.
37 mins - West Ham are playing better now. O'Neil finds Jarvis after a loose touch from Neville. He rolls the ball into Nolan, who holds off his marker and backheels into the path of Jarvis, but Neville recovers to concede the corner. Noble lifts the ball over and Howard punches clear before Anichebe is fouled as he brings the ball clear.
36 mins - Cole does well again to hold up play and hold off Heitinga before finding Jarvis, who wins a corner when his cross is blocked by Jagielka. Collins heads down Noble's corner, but Cole handles as he tries to control the bouncing ball.
35 mins - This time Jelavic has a go from distance, but the shot from 25 yards is dragged well wide of the target.
34 mins - Another offside flag as Anichebe has gone too soon. Everton obviously think they can get in behind the Hammers, but so far the line is working well.
33 mins - Collins has been a mountain so far. He has won header after header. He wins another one and gets a kick in the head from Anichebe. Collins is back on his feet first. He is one tough cookie.
31 mins - Jelavic is caught offside as he runs on to Gibson's through ball. The flag goes up, but the Croatian's low shot flies wide of the right-hand post anyway.
30 mins - Tomkins curls in a decent cross but it's in front of Nolan and Cole. Jarvis retrieves on the near side and lays the ball back for O'Brien, but his cross is too close to the goalkeeper, who catches.
28 mins - Anichebe fouls Reid on halfway. Collins drives the free-kick into the box at head height and Cole flicks on the header, but it's straight at Howard.
27 mins - Osman has been a real threat this afternoon. This time he pops up in the middle, drops his shoulder to work a yard of space on the edge of the D before dragging a low shot wide.
24 mins - Thumping challenge from Jarvis on Jagielka concedes a corner. Baines curls it over to the far post and Collins heads clear. Moments later, West Ham attack and Cole appears to be held by Jagielka on halfway, but Mr Taylor gives nothing.
22 mins - It's a decent game now. The ball rolls out from another clearance into the path of Pienaar. He tries to curl a 30-yarder into the top right-hand corner, but Jaaskelainen has time to adjust his feet and pat the ball down before collecting. Decent effort from the South African.
20 mins - Noble makes a superb block from Osman's shot and the ball flies out to Cole on halfway. He holds it up and finds Jarvis. The winger runs at Jagielka and is finally brought down level with the left edge of the penalty area. Noble floats the free-kick in and Howard claims high above his head. Everton counter, but Anichebe's cross is poor and flies behind for a goal kick.
17 mins - Isn't that why we all love football?! In the space of three minutes, West Ham thought they had gone behind, were relieved to see they hadn't, then enjoyed the euphoria of going in front. Obviously, if you are an Everton fan, you probably haven't loved any of it.
14 mins - GOAL! Cole scores a cracker. Noble patiently waits for the opening before finding Taylor. He takes a touch and feeds Cole, whose first touch takes the ball inside Heitinga. Cole looks up and drives a low shot to Howard's right and into the net. Great goal, cue massive celebrations.
12 mins - Controversy! Baines curls the ball in and Osman wins the header, which flies into the net. Everton celebrate, but the assistant referee is flagging. He mouths 'foul' and replays show Anichebe was holding Jaaskelainen with his left arm. The visitors don't like the decision - particularly Osman, as you might expect.
12 mins - Jelavic threads a low cross into the box and O'Brien concedes a corner running back towards his own goal.
10 mins - Cole wins the flick-on and then finds Nolan after a pass inside from Jarvis. Nolan is on the left edge of the box but his high cross is too close to Howard, who makes the catch.
9 mins - Tomkins is perhaps lucky not to be booked for a sliding tackle on Pienaar wide on the Everton left. Baines curls in the free-kick left-footed and Anichebe gets his head to it. He should hit the target from six yards but instead the ball bounces down and up over the crossbar.
7 mins - The Hammers have a bit of possession and work a crossing chance down their right wing. Nolan heads back into the penalty area but Jagielka is able to hack upfield before O'Brien can collect the ball.
5 mins - Reid brings the ball forward to halfway before clipping it left for Jarvis. He leaps and heads back infield for Cole, but the striker's flick drops to nobody in particular and the visitors clear their lines again.
4 mins - Anichebe holds off Reid and ties to lay the ball off for Jelavic on the edge of the penalty area, but the ball runs free and Tomkins is able to clear on the slide up to halfway. Everton have started the better. West Ham haven't had any sort of possession as yet.
2 mins - Not much has happened in the early going. Everton have had a couple of attacks but both have led to goal kicks for the Hammers. Cole wins a flick-on from the second and Nolan nearly latches on to it, but Heitinga stands firm to make the interception.
3pm - Everton kick-off...
2.55pm - The national anthem of east London 'Bubbles' starts to play and here come the two teams...
2.54pm - It won't be long now until the teams enter the pitch for the final kick-off of 2012 here at the Boleyn Ground. Can West Ham end a memorable year here with a home win?
2.50pm - Watching overseas live on TV? There is still time to download your digital Official Programme for today's game for just £1.99 here!
2.30pm - It's a murky old afternoon here in east London. The rain appears to have stopped, but it's grey and cloudy overhead. Both teams are out warming up on the pitch, which appears to have recovered well from the deluge of rain we've had over the past few days. Slight surprises in the Everton line-up, as it was reported that Phil Neville would miss the game with a knee injury, while striker Victor Anichebe has been struggling with a hamstring problem.
2.05pm - The team news is in. West Ham make one change, with the ill Guy Demel replaced by James Tomkins. Jack Collison returns to the matchday squad after missing the whole season so far with a knee problem, while Alou Diarra is back in contention after a thigh injury.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Taylor, Jarvis, Cole
Subs: Spiegel, Spence, Diarra, Collison, Maiga, Moncur, Lletget
Everton: Howard, Neville, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Heitinga, Osman, Gibson, Pienaar, Anichebe, Jelavic
Subs: Mucha, Duffy, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Velios, Barkley
Good afternoon and welcome to a wet and chilly Boleyn Ground for today's Barclays Premier League visit of Everton.
West Ham United complete their 2012 home fixture list with a difficult-looking match against the high-flying Toffees. However, with just three defeats from their 22 home league and Play-Off matches in this calendar year, Sam Allardyce's side should be full of confidence.
West Ham, who named just six substitutes for their goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, could welcome midfielders Jack Collison and Alou Diarra back from knee and thigh injuries respectively. Yossi Benayoun is also hoping to be involved after returning to training following a hip injury. However, the game has come too soon for Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Andy Carroll (knee), George McCartney (ankle) and Mohamed Diame (hamstring).
Everton themselves arrive in east London on the back of a five-match unbeaten run and having suffered just two defeats in 17 Barclays Premier League games, but four of those five matches have ended in draws. The Toffees' cause is also not aided by the absence of Marouane Fellaini, as the Belgium midfielder begins a three-match ban this afternoon. David Moyes will also be without captain Phil Neville (knee), striker Victor Anichebe (hamstring), winger Kevin Mirallas (hamstring) and full-back Tony Hibbert (calf).
Today's visitors have traditionally got the better of West Ham in recent seasons, picking up more points from games with West Ham (55) than against any other Premier League opponents. Everton are also unbeaten in nine matches with the Hammers in all competitions dating back to West Ham's 1-0 Premier League victory here on 21 April 2007, when Bobby Zamora scored the only goal. The most-recent three matches between the two clubs have ended in draws.
The team news will be confirmed at 2pm and published here and on the club's official twitter feed @whufc_official