West Ham United 0-1 vs. Stoke City - First Half report
Stoke City took the first half lead, as they went into their locker rooms after an action packed first half against West Ham United.
Three games had started simultaneously and there was plenty of action going on at, Villa Park as well as St.James’ Park along with Upton Park. But it was Stoke City who got the night’s first goal at Upton Park.
Kenwyne Jones who was pretty much the marquee signing for Potters in the summer, once again lived up to his reputation and got the opening goal early on. He rose high to head home Jermaine Pennant's corner; it really was pretty
simple. West Ham were left almost in a state of shock.
The Hammers just could not comprehend what had just happened, and looked to be out of it for the first 15 minutes or so.
West Ham were still under pressure at Upton Park, and Potters continued to lay siege on Hammer’s goal. Following another slick move that initiated from the midfield, Tuncay Sanli glanced a header wide from Jon Walters' cross from
the left-hand side.
There was finally a bit of hope for West Ham as James Tomkins rose to meet Pablo Barrera's corner, but his header went over the Stoke bar. Moments later Benni McCarthy went down in the Stoke box and the Hammers fans hailed for
a penalty - there was, however, no one near him and he had simply lost his footing attempting a shot.
It certainly was better from West Ham, and Carlton Cole did well to take Tal Ben Haim's ball on his chest and turned his man on the edge of the box, but his finish on the half volley flew over the crossbar.
The hosts certainly ended the half as the better side at Upton Park. Carlton Cole and Luis Boa Morte combined well and Cole put in a lovely cut back across the face of goal – it was an easy chance for him but Benni McCarthy missed
his kick completely and West Ham's best chance of the half went begging.
Seconds later there was another chance for the Hammers; Robert Huth went within inches of bundling Luis Boa Morte's cross into his own net, following a threatening ball from Carlton Cole. West Ham really did not want the half to
end, but the referee blew his whistle and Stoke went in with a goal’s lead. The home side though will be looking to carry on from where they left in the first half and get back on level terms.
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