A THRILLING encounter between West Ham United and Leicester has
ended 2-2 at Upton Park, a brace from Teddy Sheringham cancelling
out goals from former Hammer David Connolly and Keith Gillespie.
But Alan Pardew will be left wondering how three points eluded his
side, as Marlon Harewood missed a second-half penalty during a
relentless period of West Ham pressure.
With his options depleted by injuries, Pardew was forced to make
two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Crewe.
Luke Chadwick returned to the starting line-up for the first time
since injuring a hamstring at Sheffield United, replacing Matty
Etherington, while Nigel Reo-Coker earned a recall in place of the
injured Gavin Williams. On the bench, Sergei Rebrov and Rufus
Brevett returned.
For the visitors David Connolly was included in attack, the
diminutive striker making his return to Upton Park after a summer
switch to the Walkers Stadium, and being paired with the
experienced Dion Dublin.
Backed by a noisy and enthusiastic crowd inside Upton Park, Hammers
began the game brightly, Reo-Coker keen to impress on his return to
the side with some good industry from midfield.
But it was Leicester that had the first effort on goal. Fittingly
it was former-Hammer Connolly looking lively, cutting inside Powell
and unleashing a stinging drive that Bywater was well-positioned to
save.
Hammers were soon into their stride, though, and producing the kind
of flowing one-touch moves that Upton Park is famous for. Teddy
Sheringham's deft touch released Carl Fletcher down the right
and his cross was met by the sliding Marlon Harewood, but Walker
did well to save low to his right.
Joey Gudjonsson blazed well over for Leicester, but it was West Ham
doing more of the pressing and Harewood's powerful running was
unsettling the Leicester defence.
But with 24 minutes gone it was the running of Stephen Hughes that
caught the Hammers defence cold. Gudjonsson's ball over the top
set Hughes away, and although Bywater thought about coming out, the
goalkeeper retreated and as Hughes tried to go round him, he
brought the Leicester player down. Referee Andy Marriner had no
hesitation in pointing to the spot, but let Bywater off with a
caution.
David Connolly stepped up to plant the penalty home and make it
1-0.
Right from the re-start Hammers looked to hit back, and Alan
Pardew's men were level just four minutes later courtesy of a
move superb in its simplicity.
Breaking down the right Harewood's cross was inch perfect,
picking out Sheringham at the far post, who dispatched a clinical
header past Ian Walker.
Harewood might have scored himself just three minutes later,
bursting through before lashing a shot across the Leicester goal,
before Noble's free-kick dropped in the Leicester penalty
causing an almighty scramble that was eventually sorted out by
Darren Kenton's clearance.
Suddenly, Hammers looked in control, their dominance epitomised by
the determination of Chris Powell in both defence and attack.
A succession of corners and Teddy Sheringham's wayward volley
were the closest they came to taking the lead during the first 45
minutes.
Hammers more than deserved to go in level at half-time, but with a
minute of the half remaining a spectacular Keith Gillespie volley
restored Leicester's advantage. Elliott Ward's header out
dropped towards the Northern Ireland international, who unleashed a
brilliant dipping effort that a diving Bywater couldn't reach.
With no time to respond, Leicester went in 2-1 up at the break.
HT: 1-2
Pards introduced Sergei Rebrov for the second-half, withdrawing
Luke Chadwick.
The Ukraine player was involved almost straight away, nodding Shaun
Newton's cross down towards Teddy Sheringham, who failed to
make contact from two yards out.
Sadly, Rebrov appeared to injure himself in the move and having
been on the pitch for just five minutes was soon limping off to be
replaced by Bobby Zamora.
The substitute merry-go-round seemed to temporarily disrupt Hammers
rhythm, another Noble free-kick causing Walker to miss his punch,
but with the goal exposed Sheringham hit his volley on the turn
well over.
But two minutes later the former England striker was on target as
West Ham made it 2-2. Sheringham began the move, winning the ball
back off Alan Maybury and exchanging passes with Nigel Reo-Coker,
before twisting through the Leicester defence and hitting a low
drive that deflected past a wrong-footed Walker.
The Upton Park crowd responded, turning up the noise levels as
their team pushed forward for a third.
Mark Noble came close to finding it, receiving a sublime lay off
from Sheringham on the edge of the area and powering inside before
a curling in shot that beat Walker but fizzed just wide of the
post.
Carl Fletcher went just as close, running on to Reo-Coker's
lay-back and hitting a thumping drive that whistled just wide of
Walker's top right hand corner.
With 76 minutes gone Harewood tested the hands of Walker with a
stinging effort from all of 30 yards, as Hammers piled forward in
search of a winner.
They thought they had found one on 78 minutes when Marriner pointed
to the spot for the second time in the game. Zamora worked a good
opening on the right and crossed for Noble, who had time to bring
the ball down and fire in a shot that beat Walker, but was stopped
on the line by Nikos Dabizas.
Marriner pointed to the spot and compounded Leicester's misery
by showing the Greek defender a red card. Marlon Harewood stepped
up to take the spot-kick, but off an awkwardly short run-up hit a
tame effort that Walker saved going down to his left.
Undeterred, still Hammers pushed forward and their pressure in the
last five minutes was relentless.
They saw a great chance go begging with three minutes left when
Sheringham flicked on and Fletcher hit his shot first time past the
advancing Walker. It was trickling wide of the post as Harewood
converged on the ball, but the striker couldn't find a telling
touch.
Ferdinand and Harewood both missed headers in the dying moments,
before the latter dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.
Four minutes of added time breathed new life into the Hammers
attack, but despite being roared on by a magnificent Upton Park
crowd, Alan Pardew's men couldn't find a winner and were
forced to settle for a point as it ended 2-2.