West Ham 1-0 Sunderland

Three points, pinch me, is it a dream? Two goals in two games and Ilan is the new hero of Upton Park.

It was another must win game for the Hammers, yes I know every game is a must win, but this one really was a must must win. Hammers fans must have felt a little optimistic as Sunderland are pretty much safe, especially after a 3-1 win at home to Spurs, and they have an appalling away record, no wins in 15 games.

Hammers were without the suspended Scott Parker, but that gave the talented Valon Behrami a chance to shine again. With big name European teams looking at signing him in the summer; it would be no surprise if he didn’t feature for the Hammers next season.

It was Behrami that had the first scoring chance of the game that had the Sunderland goalie at full stretch. Radoslav Kovac had an opportunity and close to half time Junior Stanislas got a great ball to Carlton Cole who laid it off to the Brazilian, Ilan, only to stumble at the last moment. Apart from those efforts, the game was a dull affair with the home fans wondering if a goalless draw would be a good result.

In the second half things started much as they ended in the first with the Hammers pressing forward. It took only six minutes of the second half for the Hammers to get the all important goal.

Manuel Da Costa took a free kick from inside the Hammers half which found Carlton Cole on the edge of the box who nodded it again to Ilan, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

After the goal Sunderland pressed forward but super goalscorer Darren Bent had an off day and barely threatened the Hammers goal. Sunderland brought on Kenwyne Jones to find an equalizer but the Hammers stuck to the plan and time was running out for the Black Cats.

Substitute Guillermo Franco thought he scored an injury time goal but the ref believed that the Mexican had used his hands. Then a nervous few seconds as Sunderland caught us on the break, but the superb Behrami blocked the shot, hanging on the final whistle and three points.

For any of you out there who think Ilan can’t be the Hammers saviour take a look at this goal he scored for St. Etienne.

Category: Team News