Taking a look back at a classic West Ham United moment on this day in history, presented by Heineken...
West Ham United enjoyed a large slice of luck as they overcame Roy Keane’s Sunderland 3-1 in the Premier League on this day in 2007.
Having avoided relegation in dramatic style the previous season, the Irons had started the 2007/08 season with three wins in five games, but went into this fixture on the back of three straight defeats.
It was helpful then, when Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon gave them an inadvertent helping hand to return to winning ways.
The Hammers opened the scoring when left-back George McCartney worked enough space to dig out a cross and Carlton Cole stole between centre-backs, leapt high and headed past Craig Gordon from six yards. However, the visitors then had the better of the first half without managing to level.
Into the second half and Sunderland’s pressure paid off seven minutes in when Kenwyne Jones got above Matthew Upson and powered his own header into the bottom left-hand corner. Jones then flicked a header into the path of Grant Leadbitter, who saw his rasping shot tipped onto the post by a diving Robert Green.
Having avoided going behind, West Ham took the lead in fortuitous circumstances 12 minutes from the end. First, Luis Boa Morte’s low cross deflected off the legs of Nyron Nosworthy into the path of substitute Nolberto Solano, then the Peruvian’s shot hit the post and bounced in off goalkeeper Gordon.
Then, in the final minute, Boa Morte combined with McCartney and crossed for Craig Bellamy to fire high past Gordon at the near post.
The Hammers went on to lost just two of their next ten Premier League matches and finished the season in tenth place with 49 points.
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