Premier League
Stoke City 0-1 West Ham United 

Saturday, 2nd May 2009
by Gordon Thrower

I’d call that three points hard-earned.



Want to submit your match reports to KUMB.com? More details here ...

 Click to view all West Ham United vs Stoke City match reports

 Click to view all match reports by Gordon Thrower

Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.



Player Ratings

Robert Green
Baulked and battered at every turn he still managed to claim a hell of a lot and the save at the feet of Fuller was bravery itself.


Lucas Neill
Another fine run out for the skipper who, apart from his all round performance, was constantly geeing up and encouraging the rest of the team. The towel thing was funny too.


Herita Ilunga
Probably the defender in our back four who had the quietest game as Stoke appeared to prefer our right hand side as a focus for their attacks.


James Tomkins



Matthew Upson
Fine performance. He clearly loved every minute of the battle.


Mark Noble
There?EUR(TM)s been much comment about the lad?EUR(TM)s form of late. Whilst this wasn?EUR(TM)t a return to the days when he ran matches, he did a prodigious amount of defensive work that was vital if not eye-catching in this instance.


Radoslav Kovac
Much-improved on last week?EUR(TM)s showing v Chelsea. Got some important blocks in but somebody please tell him to stop passing the ball straight into touch.


Junior Stanislas
Flitted in and out of the game a bit. Some good touches but ought to have made a bit more of his second half chance.


Luis Boa Morte
Ran himself into the ground for the cause. Not sure if he picked up a knock or was just knackered but deserved the applause he got when substituted.


Diego Tristan
Fine goal and, for once, he held the ball up well. Still almost totally lacking in pace though and probably should have had a second.


David Di Michele
Few good touches ?EUR" notably in getting the free-kick from which we scored. Ought to have added a second.



Substitutes

Jack Collison
(Replaced Boa Morte, 82 mins) Only on a few minutes so not much time to influence proceedings.


Walter Lopez
(Replaced Noble, 87 mins) Bolstered the left well on his arrival.


Fred Sears
(Replaced Di Michele, 89 mins) Again not on long enough to have any effect other than running down the clock.


Jan Lastuvka
Did not play.


Jonathan Spector
Did not play.


Josh Payne
Did not play.


Zavon Hines
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Lucas Neill, Herita Ilunga, James Tomkins, Matthew Upson, Mark Noble, Radoslav Kovac, Junior Stanislas, Luis Boa Morte, Diego Tristan, David Di Michele.

Goals: Diego Tristan 33                  .

Booked: Luis Boa Morte 45 Lucas Neill 80        .

Sent off: None.

Stoke City: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Pugh, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Fuller, Beattie.

Subs not used: Simonsen, Cresswell, Kelly, Tonge.

Goals: .

Booked: Shawcross (45+1), Delap (45+1), Lawrence (45+3).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Peter Walton.

Attendance: 27,500.

Man of the Match: James Tomkins.