Football Andy Carroll at the double as West Ham go third Published on 07/12/2014 at 15:22 Premier League, Upton Park - West Ham 3 (Carroll 41, 66, Sakho 87) Swansea 1 (Bony 19) Andy Carroll headed a brace as West Ham moved up to third in the Premier League table with a 3-1 win over 10-man Swansea at Upton Park. The England forward gave a reminder of his undeniable ability with his first goals since March to clinch an impressive comeback victory for Sam Allardyces men. The former Liverpool striker powered in a superb header from Carl Jenkinsons hanging right-wing cross four minutes before half time to net on home turf for the first time in 18 months. And he did it again after the hour when he rose to thump home Stewart Downings corner. It cancelled out Wilfried Bonys well-executed opener as the Ivorian swept Jefferson Monteros cutback into the net with Swanseas first attempt of the match to snare his 19th Premier League goal of 2014. Bony could have restored Swanseas lead when he crashed against the bar just prior to Carrolls second, but in truth, the visitors were second best for long spells and saw their hopes dashed when they were reduced to 10 men in controversial circumstances 22 minutes from time. Lukasz Fabianksi came racing out of his area and caught substitute Diafra Sakho as he beat the keeper to the ball. The striker carried on and hit the post from a tight angle, leading to referee Chris Foy pulling back play and showing the stopper a straight red card. It was a harsh decision and all the more frustrating for Garry Monk and co as Sakho appeared to handle the ball in the build up. From that moment on Swansea were up against it and West Ham sealed victory three minutes from time when Sakho latched onto Carrolls flick on to fire an explosive finish into the net. KEY MOMENTS PRE-MATCH: Big Sam makes two changes to his line up with Alex Song and Enner Valencia returning. Swansea make just the one with Angel Rangel coming in for the suspended Neil Taylor. 9 - PENALTY SHOUT! Jenkinsons cross deflects off a Swansea defenders arm. The supporters call for handball. The ref says no chance, but the ball breaks for Downing who goes down under a challenge from Britton. Again the referee waves away any appeals. Definitely worth asking the question there. 16 - WEST HAM CHANCE! A lovely build up sees Nolan arrive and scuff a half volley wide of the near post after a low ball into the middle from Jenkinson. 18 - WEST HAM CHANCE! A well-worked free kick sees Nolan go close again before Tomkins sees his goalbound attempt blocked by Williams. West Ham turning the screw. 19 - GOAL! WEST HAM 0-1 SWANSEA. Swansea counter and strike the first blow against the run of play. Sigurdsson slides a pass into the path of the overlapping Montero who cuts it back for Bony to fire home. 24 - WEST HAM CHANCE! West Ham almost hit back as Carrolls knock down drops for Valencia whose effort is just about deflected wide from six yards out. 32 - SWANSEA CHANCE! More careless play in their own half from the Hammers sees the ball worked to Bony who lets rip from the edge of the box, but his effort flies just wide. 41 - GOAL! WEST HAM 1-1 SWANSEA. Stunning header! Carroll powers home a superb equaliser, looping his header back across goal from a deep cross from the right by Jenkinson. 60 - OFF THE BAR! Montero leads the Swansea counter and tees up Bony who sizzles a rasping 25-yard shot against the crossbar. So close! 66 - GOAL! WEST HAM 2-1 SWANSEA. Its Carroll at the double! The striker gets on the end of Downings corner and thumps a header into the corner. 68 - RED CARD! Its a nightmare for Swansea as Fabianski is sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity as Sakho raced through. The striker stayed on his feet and hit the post from a tight angle, leading the referee to call play back and give the keeper his marching orders. 77 - OFF THE POST! Sakho breaks free of Williams and surges into the area, but drags his shot against the far post. Carroll was racing into the middle hoping for a cutback for the treble. 87 - GOAL! WEST HAM 3-1 SWANSEA Its all over. Sakho rampages through to crash a stunning shot beyond Tremmel after Carroll had nodded into his path. KEY STATS Kevin Nolan made his 500th start in club football. Wilfried Bony has scored 19 Premier League goals in 2014, more than any other player. 16 of Swansea’s 20 league goals this season have been either scored or assisted by one of Wilfried Bony or Gylfi Sigurdsson Andy Carroll scored his first goals in the Premier League since 31st of March (vs. Sunderland). Eight of Carrolls last 12 Premier League goals have come via his head. Bonce. Only Atlético Madrid (15) have scored more headed goals in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season than West Ham (12) (Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada) MATCHCAST: FULL MATCH STATS AND COMMENTARY TALKING POINT Can West Ham gatecrash the Champions League party? All of the early season media chatter has surrounded Southamptons chances of finishing in the top four - but now its time to start giving West Ham some of that spotlight. The Hammers are a solid unit, but most importantly they have a wealth of attacking talent. With Sakho and Valencia they have a lively front two, while the return to goalscoring form of Carroll could well be significant to their hopes if he can stay fit. MAN OF THE MATCH. Andy Carroll (West Ham). Two goals and an assist. When hes on song hes almost unplayable and Swansea simply couldnt handle him. PLAYER RATINGS WEST HAM: Adrian 6, Jenkinson 7, Tomkins 7, Reid 7, Cresswell 7, Song 7, Kouyate 7, Nolan 7, Downing 7, Valencia 6, Carroll 9. Subs: Sakho 8, OBrien 6, Collins n/a. SWANSEA: Fabianski 7; Rangel 6, Bartley 6, Williams 6, Richards 6, Britton 6, Ki 6, Routledge 6, Sigurdsson 6, Montero 7, Bony 7. Subs: Tremmel 6, Gomis 6, Dyer n/a.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 18:06:56 +0000
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