After a gritty win at home to Swansea last time out, West Ham were looking to continue where they left off at Sunderland yesterday. However, the Hammers left the Stadium of Light disappointed after a 90th minute equaliser from substitute Fabio Borini ensured the Black Cats nicked a point in a 2-2 draw.
It was Andre Ayew who opened the scoring in a somewhat fortuitous manner, the Ghanaian poked in after a mishit Andy Carroll volley fell his way in the opening stages of the contest.
Sunderland leveled with their first goal in over 11 hours of football, which came directly from a Wahbi Khazri corner that was whipped in with devilish in-swing.
West Ham started the second half as quickly as they did the first, and retook the lead through a towering header by James Collins in the 47th minute, before eventually succumbing to Fabio Borini’s effort as the game drew to a close.
As reported by ESPNFC.com here is the reaction from the West Ham camp as they took a point away from home, starting with manager Slaven Bilic.
“Of course we are disappointed when we are leading twice and then conceded a late goal, although there were ten minutes of added time, which is a long, long time.
“But I have to say it’s a fair result. We should have used both goals as an advantage for the momentum. We got that momentum after we scored the first one and also after we scored the second one, to frustrate them or to finish them off.
“But towards the end of the game, they were throwing strikers on the pitch. You are expecting a big job to do. They had the ball, but they were playing very risky, leaving a lot of space behind. I expected us to punish them, which we didn’t do.
“To concede both goals in this way, they were both strange goals, you are not happy with that.”
Goal scorer James Collins was clearly disappointed with the point, which is understandable having been so close to taking all three, the Welshman stated:
“We’re disappointed. To concede a late goal is always disappointing. I thought we were reasonably comfortable after we scored the second goal, and it feels more like a loss after that late goal. But a point’s a point.
“To score two away from goals, it should be enough. We didn’t defend either goal as well as we should have done. We’re just disappointed that we haven’t come away with three points.
“We need to have a good week’s training and put it behind us and take the point. Away from home anywhere we can say is a good point.”
The point takes West Ham to 37 in the Premier League, which should be close to the eventual tally that keeps a team safe.
Although to allay any concerns as the season draws to a close the Hammers will want to be taking at least 2 or 3 more, just to make sure.