West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace
Premier League, London Stadium, Sunday 3 December 2023, 2pm GMT
West Ham United moved five games unbeaten with a hard-fought draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
A bit of magic from Mohammed Kudus brought the game’s opening goal when he turned home Vladimír Coufal’s cross on 13 minutes.
Tomáš Souček then saw a second West Ham goal ruled out for offside, before the visitors pulled level on 52 minutes through Odsonne Édouard.
Jarrod Bowen almost capped his return with a winner late on but derby spoils were ultimately shared at London Stadium.
As expected, Palace were well-drilled throughout in a cagey Premier League affair, although West Ham found the opener inside the opening 15 minutes.
After Édouard sent an early sight of goal wide of the post, the very next attack was started and finished by an inspired piece of play from the returning Kudus.
Having skipped past his man on the halfway line, the Ghana winger combined with Lucas Paquetá, before James Ward-Prowse sent Coufal sprinting down the right-hand side. A stunning switch of play left Palace rocking.
The Czech’s cross then found Kudus, who did the rest from inside the area. His first time finish nestled in the bottom corner, as a fifth Club goal, and Coufal’s fifth Premier League assist of the season, gave West Ham the perfect start.
Chances then came and went on either side of the break as David Moyes’ outfit threatened a second goal.
Before the interval, Nayef Aguerd was the creator-in-chief. A delicious 30-yard pass from the No27 found Jarrod Bowen with just Sam Johnstone to beat. The England forward could not poke to ball past the on-rushing keeper. He’ll have to wait for his 50th goal in Claret and Blue.
Likewise, Souček almost poked the Hammers into a two-goal lead. Shortly after the restart, his swing at Kudus' cross was chalked off for offside. Palace then went up the other end and equalised with 52 minutes played.
Catching the Hammers playing out from the back, the visitors won the ball high up the field. Édouard’s scuffed shot nestled in the bottom corner. And the Irons had to go again.
Lucas Paquetá led the charge. Drifting infield, his whipped cross almost found Emerson, but the full-back could only knock the ball over the bar from close range.
Mavropanos then almost stole the win when he headed Kudus’ cross wide, before Bowen could have grabbed a winner in stoppage time.
His header sailed into the arms of Johnstone at close range, although, in truth, neither side did enough to warrant all three points.
West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Emerson, Álvarez (Fornals 89), Souček (c), Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Paquetá, Bowen
Subs not used: Fabiański (GK), Kehrer, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Benrahma, Cornet, Ings, Mubama
Goal: Kudus 13
Booked: Ward-Prowse, Coufal
Crystal Palace: Johnstone, Ward (c), Guéhi, Andersen, Richards, Olise, Lerma, Hughes (Riedewald 82), Mitchell, Ayew, Édouard (Mateta 87)
Subs not used: Matthews (GK), Whitworth (GK), Tomkins, Clyne, Ahamada, Matheus França, Ebiowei
Goal: Édouard 52
Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 62,459
