MATCH REPORT // CARROLL CAPS RETURN WITH VITAL EQUALISER AGAINST STOKE

A last minute Andy Carroll goal at London Stadium secures a point for West Ham United after falling behind to Stoke City as the Hammers had three goals disallowed in a dramatic second half. 

David Moyes named an unchanged side after last week’s draw against Chelsea, whilst Stoke City manager, Paul Lambert, started on-loan Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma ahead of former Hammer Glen Johnson. 

West Ham started the game brightly with Arthur Masuaku testing Jack Butland, and former Stoke City winger Marko Arnautovic beat Ryan Shawcross for pace before testing Butland at his near post. 

Joe Hart made a routine save as Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi hit the ball straight into Hart’s hands, before Moritz Bauer looked certain to score but fired the ball straight into Hart’s midriff. 

The Hammers looked to have opened the scoring after Mark Noble picked out Pablo Zabaleta at the back post, the Argentinian then found Arnautovic who fired the ball into the face of Butland. 

At the half-time interval both sides went in without a goal, West Ham looked the most dangerous although Stoke recorded the second-highest number of shots they’ve had in the first-half of any game this season without threatening Hart’s goal too much. 

West Ham looked to have took the lead, it seemed Arnautovic, yet again, was back to haunt his old club but his header was deemed offside. 

The Hammers once more took the lead through Edimilson Fernades, but the goal was disallowed as Arnautovic was deemed to have interfered with play from an offside position. 

The Hammers looked to be the team more likely to score, but it was Peter Crouch who gave the Potters the lead after Hart fumbled an effort by Xherdan Shaqiri. 

Moyes decided to deploy Andy Carroll, and pile the bodies forward to look for a last gasp winner, and it was the substitute who sweetly met Cresswell’s cross and volleyed it past the helpless Butland. 

Minutes later West Ham looked to have sealed the game after another Moyes substitute, Chicharito hit the back of the net only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul in the build up. 

The Hammers return to London Stadium on April 29, as they welcome Premier League champions Manchester CIty.