It's rare that teams elect to go mano a mano with a Stoke City side known for their size and physicality. Avram Grant and West Ham, however have apparently done that, starting Carlton Cole, Frederic Piquionne and Demba Ba up top. The result is a 2-0 halftime lead at Upton Park, the Hammers primed to climb out of the drop.
West Ham Vs. Stoke City: Mano A Mano, Hammers Have The Upper-Hand
The goals came within an eight minute span of the first half, with West Ham's Senegalese striker again showing their January purchase was a wise one. This time, however, the goal was less the work of Demba Ba and more the fault of the defense, with Marc Wilson and Asmit Begovic having a mini-Arsenal moment, alling Ba to take advantage of their miscommunication to score from close range.
Eight minutes later, West Ham took advanatge of a Ryan Shawcross foul. Thomas Hitzelsperger targeted Manuel da Costa at the far post, with the young Portuguese defender rising for West Ham's second goal.
The Hammers are beating Stoke at their own goal. They’ve started titans to fight titans, and in the process are 45 minutes away from climbing above Birmingham, out of the drop.
See More:
