West Ham's Point Against Everton Was Full Of Relief!

After some heavy knocks to the West Ham confidence, gaining one point in the draw against Everton must really felt like a big weight lifted off Zola's shoulders. The jubilant leap after Ilan's superb diving header says it all actually. The fact that West Ham were much better organized and had urgency in their play meant that this draw was well-deserved. There was a time after Da Costa had scored the equalizer, I felt that three points could be possible. Never mind that Everton had not lost for six successive games at Goodison, I felt at that moment West Ham had the momentum. Until the sucker punch by Yakubu that is and yet the West Ham players refuse to let that late goal affect them and promptly was rewarded 60 seconds later.

It felt great to have come from behind and forced the draw. It was extremely wonderful to finally see West Ham play consistently throughout the match. Throughout this testing season, West Ham have played very well in the first half only to falter and fade badly in the second half. Against Everton, the intensity and concentration stayed high all through the match. If the Hammers can keep this up in their next five matches, we should have more than an even chance to stay up.

Even more refreshing was the performance of Junior Stanislas. Now we know that this young Hammer have a really cool mentality, what we saw on Sunday was a player who could trouble Premiership defences with his pace and passing ability. That pass he produced to set Cole free on goal typifies just what a special player he could be provided he is played in the right position. He is a right sided midfielder and as soon Zola and Clarke realises that, watch for him to play a crucial role in West Ham's relegation battle. He has also shown that he can score goals at Premier League level, with three goals and two assists in 22 matches.

Ilan should be rewarded with a first team start as the second striker alongside Carlton Cole. His ability to chip in with the much needed goals surely must be weighing on Zola's mind come this Saturday against Sunderland. He could yet be the ace in the pack for West Ham.

Carlton Cole looked jaded since his return from injury. He should have put away that chance which Stanislas created for him. A fitter Cole would have done that. Still he is the best striker that West Ham have got. With Mido and McCarthy proving to be useless acquisitions so far, Cole is the only one capable of scoring regularly enough to get us out of trouble.

The clouds are clearing, well at least the defeats have ended and our relegation rivals are losing. We should build on this result and Sunderland, with only ONE away win all season, is a match that we need to win. The downside is that West Ham have to do the business without the inspirational Mr. Fantastic, Scotty Parker.

Come On You Irons!