West Ham United Vs. Blackburn Rovers Final Score: Hammers Held To 1-1 Draw

A draw wasn't really good enough for West Ham United today against Blackburn Rovers, but it's what Avram Grant and company ended up getting. Absent Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Mark Noble, nobody expected much out the hosts, but they were, somehow, even worse than expected for much of the first half, toothless in the attack and with all the defensive acumen of a half-crippled Michael Owen. Jason Roberts finished off an incisive move in the twelfth minute to give Blackburn a deserved advantage, and they held on through the break.

In the second half, West Ham pressed their attack a little better and were rewarded when Thomas Hitzlsperger smashed in an excellent first-time shot from outside the area to level the scoring. The next few minutes were frenetic, and included what will have to be one of the biggest misses of the season when substitute Robbie Keane failed to make contact from two yards out. Chris Samba also made a crucial block on Carlton Cole at point blank range, ultimately denything West Ham the three points they so desperately needed out of the match.