Replacement Enner Valencia could have restored West Ham’s lead after 69 minutes, but misjudged his header from Mark Noble’s cross, directing the effort over the crossbar. Despite the absence of the injured Dimitri Payet, who suffered a minor foot injury in the win over United last Tuesday, they dominated for long spells and should have killed off Stoke after Michail Antonio’s early opener.
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Since then, the talented teen has been used conservatively as the Irons look to nurture his prodigious talent.
“We should have been more than one up”.
If West Ham United’s failure to secure their place in Europe needs to be put into perspective, then it is worth remembering that it was five years to the day since Avram Grant was sacked in the tunnel at the DW Stadium after relegation to the Championship was confirmed by a 3-2 defeat against Wigan Athletic.
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“I will be a Manchester United fan”, Bilic said.
And the hosts grabbed the victor in the 88 minute when Adam’s corner was headed home by fellow substitute Diouf.
He said: “I’m gutted really”.
Stoke’s response was alarming, as they frequently gave away possession, and West Ham should have added a second six minutes into the second half, but Diafra Sakho was denied from six yards out by Given’s outstanding reflex save. We had a massive chance at the start of the second half through Sakho when Given made a great save. “There were also three or four opportunities after they equalised, so it was very frustrating”.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes says yet another top 10 finish is a huge achievement for the Potters following a “difficult” year. “And then, like so many times in football, you concede a goal and so it was just one of those games that makes you really frustrated”.
While that would disappoint the coaching staff, players and club’s supporters, former Upton Park ace Trevor Sinclair feels it could be a blessing in disguise as they look to improve next season. I think that we were, according to neutral fans – apart from Leicester, they are a one-off – we are among two or three teams that have been praised the whole season. But the other half of me can’t be unhappy because of the way we played.
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European football would undoubtedly be an intriguing prospect at West Ham’s Olympic Stadium next season, yet a failure to qualify could indeed help their league prospects.
