Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has praised Bojan Krkic’s professionalism after the Spaniard came off the bench to rescue a point against West Ham on Saturday.
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It paid immediate dividends just two minutes later, as Antonio appeared to guide a fantastic near-post header beyond Grant from a pinpoint Payet cross to give the Hammers a much needed lead against the run of play, although it was later given as a Whelan own goal.
Oddly, for the man who has been one of the few redeemable characters so far this season Adrian was off today.
The Switzerland global was forced off after just 26 minutes in Monday’s comprehensive 3-1 win over Swansea City due to a hamstring problem.
West Ham move up to 16th with this point, but face Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in their next four matches. They’ll now need the Ivorian to push on especially with Arnautovic suspended for this match.
West Ham refused to say how many fans have been banned and admit that trying to identify them on CCTV has been more time-consuming as fans were not in their usual seats during the Cup tie.
The Hammers go into the global break without a win in two matches and the onslaught of games on their return offers no respite, as they face Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and two trips to Old Trafford.
It was the Italian defender who was the first to test one of the two keepers in the 27th minute.
With Hughes turning to his substitutes for a solution, Bojan popped up in the box to volley the visitors level. Currently, they have Sakho (injured), Carroll (Injured), Fletcher, Ayew, Zaza, Calleri.
STOKE CITY: Grant 6, Bardsley 7, Shawcross 6, Martins Indi 6, Pieters 6, Whelan 5 (Bojan 71, 6), Adam 7, Walters 6, Allen 6, Sohbi 6 (Diouf 84, 6), Bony 6 (Crouch 71, 6).
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: “It’s a frustrating result but it’s a fair result”.
It was a drab opening 45 minutes from both sides, with half-chances from Jon Walters, Angelo Ogbonna and Wilfried Bony, but nothing for the fans inside the London Stadium to get excited about.
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“The small margins didn’t go our way on Saturday, but we’re four games unbeaten at home and we’re looking forward”. We were sharp but then we conceded from our point of view a very cheap goal. “A very cheap goal has cost us a win”. “It won’t be easy, West Ham at home have sorted their act out a little bit, they struggled initially but have had a couple of good results there themselves”.
