The 29-year-old signed fresh terms on a long-term contract until the summer of 2021, after a stellar first season in the Premier League following his £10.7m switch to the club from Marseille. Three successive league victories in December eased the pressure on Bilic, but his side remain just seven points above the relegation zone.
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That team did not just include the eleven players on the pitch, but included Slaven Bilic and the more than 50,000 fans in the stadium.
Having digested the news that their star man seemingly wants out, plenty of West Ham fans made their feelings known as they gathered for their match with Crystal Palace.
After a slow start, Carroll mustered the game’s first effort of note, flashing a volley narrowly over from Mark Noble’s right-wing cross.
Instead, various expressions of disappointment and tough talking will be aired by the manager and the board, while fevered talks with interested parties an agents swing into action, as West Ham attempt to cash in on their reluctant asset.
Andy Carroll (West Ham) Was his usual handful for the Palace defenders and twice went close to opening the scoring before that spectacular victor.
The Toffees are also one of the clubs monitoring the Nottingham Forest forward Ben Brereton, also 17 and being scouted by Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
When Manuel Lanzini jumped into the crowd at the London Stadium after his 86 minute goal, it wasn’t the first celebration of the match for West Ham. Edges out Antonio, who set up every goal on the day.
Midway through the half, Pedro Obiang brilliantly picked out the overlapping Byram whose angled volley flew across goal and beyond the far post as the hosts continued to threaten.
Michail Antonio crucially kept Jason Puncheon from turning in another fine Townsend delivery, and further wayward blasts from Carroll and Cabaye followed soon after the break.
An improved bid £6m bid was rumoured but they ended their pursuit, it is hard to see the logic behind such a low bid contrasting that to the proposed £12.5m bid for Brentford’s Scott Hogan.
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Eleven minutes later, Carroll timed his leap perfectly to meet Antonio’s cross and send it beyond Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
