FA Cup
West Ham United 1-0 Wolves 

Saturday, 9th January 2016
by Staff Writer

Nikica Jelavic's first competitive goal in a claret and blue shirt proved to be a match winner as West Ham squeezed past Championship side Wolves at the Boleyn in this afternoon's FA Cup third round tie.

There were just a few moments of normal time remaining when the former Everton and Rangers striker popped up to score the only goal of a closely-fought game with Kenny Jackett's Wanderers, and send the Hammers into the fourth round.

West Ham can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to have won this tie at the first attempt, despite enjoying the game's better chances.

Once again Bilic's man couldn't quite match their performances against more illustrious opponents, although the manager - who made minimal changes to his starting XI - was delighted to be in the hat for the next stage.

Pedro Obiang and then Carl Jenkinson went close for the Irons early on with an effort that fizzed narrowly over the crossbar. At the other end James Collins was on hand - once again - to deny the visitors when he hooked Dave Edwards' effort off the line.




Notable chances were rare after that and second half substitute Dimitri Payet's free kick that landed on the roof of the net was the closest we'd come to an opening goal.

But as the match appeared to be petering out into a draw Jelavic struck the winner, just five minutes from the end of normal time. Virtually anonymous until that point, the experienced striker hooked an Andy Carroll delivery back across goal into the far corner to end Wolves' brave battle..

Still substitute Le Fondre could have earned a replay for the visitors, but the #29 fluffed his lines when presented with a golden opportunity deep into added on time.




West Ham's next outing comes against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday evening. The FA Cup fourth round draw will be made on BBC1 at 7.15pm this coming Monday.

West Ham Utd: Randolph, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Obiang, Song, Noble (Payet 66), Zarate (Carroll 71), Jelavic (Oxford 87), Antonio.

Subs not used: Adrian, Ogbonna, Tomkins, Cullen.

Wolves: Ikeme, Iorfa, Batth, Ebanks-Landell, Doherty, McDonald, Zyro (Henry 81), Edwards, Coady, Van La Parra (Graham 81), Sigurdarson (Le Fondre 56).

Subs not used: Martinez, Golbourne, Saville, Byrne.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 34,547.

Sponsor's Man of the match: James Collins.

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Player Ratings

Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
No doubt they?EUR(TM)ll moan about having had a lot of possession. If so just ask them how many saves our ?EUR~keeper made. Dealt with everything in comfortable style.


James Tomkins
They thought they had done their homework in targeting him. However he stuck to his task well.


Aaron Cresswell
A welcome return ?EUR" unlucky not to score when his piledriver was blocked by Clyne.


James Collins
A stormer. One slip apart he won headers, blocked shots and, for all I know, does a neat sideline in children?EUR(TM)s parties. Probably producing Benteke from an apparently empty pocket.


Angelo Ogbonna
The quieter of the two centre halves but a good and effective match nevertheless.


Cheikhou Kouyate
Put in some hard miles and often it was his long leg intercepting a possible dangerous pass.


Alex Song
Seemed to be playing in the wrong position ?EUR" he and Kouyate seemed to either be in the same place or the wrong place in the first half. His withdrawal restored a bit of balance to a midfield that was as unbalanced as a Donald Trump supporter.


Manuel Lanzini
Was looking good until his untimely premature exit.


Michail Antonio
Ginge got the sponsor?EUR(TM)s MOTM but this lad did it for me. Dangerous in attack, the goal was the icing on that particular cake. However, he tracked back and was often to be found getting a block in here, cutting out a dangerous cross there. He looked knackered at the end ?EUR" he earned it. MOTM.


Andy Carroll
Ok his goal was a header. However, he held the ball up well and showed some nice touches on the deck as well. Beginning to get back to his best.


Enner Valencia
Compared with others he had a quiet one ?EUR" got through a lot of running but didn?EUR(TM)t quite pose the attacking threat we know he can.



Substitutes

Andy Carroll
(Replaced Lanzini) Came in for Lanzini and went about his business getting a foot in, tidying up and laying the ball off . Quiet but effective.


Dimitri Payet
(Replaced Valencia) Had the crowd on its feet with some of those wondrous pirouettes that makes opponents look so daft. So glad he?EUR(TM)s back.


Carl Jenkinson
(Replaced Antonio) Came on to give Tomkins some late protection as Antonio tired. Did that job.


Darren Randolph
Did not play.


Alex Song
Did not play.


Mauro Zarate
Did not play.


Nikica Jelavic
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo, James Tomkins, Aaron Cresswell, James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna, Cheikhou Kouyate, Alex Song, Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio, Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia.

Goals: Michail Antonio 9 Andy Carroll 54                .

Booked: n/a           .

Sent off: None.

Wolves: .

Subs not used: .

Goals: .

Booked: n/a.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 34,977.

Man of the Match: Michail Antonio.