Everton v West Ham Utd: half time report

West Ham find themselves a goal down at the break in this evening's Premier League clash with Everton.

The home side scored the only goal of the first half when Yakubu capitalised on a mistake by debutant James Tomkins to fire home the opener after just eight minutes.

However the Hammers - who have otherwise given a good account of themselves so far - could have already been ahead has Tomkins' header from a Mark Noble free kick been an inch lower; as it was the ball cannoned off the cross bar to safety.

Everton should have been two goals ahead on the quarter-hour mark when Yakubu's 'goal' was disallowed for offside. However TV replays confirmed that he was onside at the time that the ball was played into his path - and that it came off the leg of a Hammers defender.

However as the half went on Curbishley's side found themselves coming into the game, and Dean Ashton should have levelled the scores on 32 minutes when he fired wide from eight yards after a mix-up in the Everton defence.

At the other end Rob Green has to be at his best four minutes ahead of the break when a superb reflex save denied Anichebe a second Everton goal, whilst Ashton almost pulled the Hammers level three minutes later when his free kick took a wicked delection from Lescott forcing a great save from Tim Howard.

We'll have more for you at the final whistle.