Hull and Hammers draw in six-goal thriller
Da Costa earns Hammers draw in six-goal thriller
Saturday, 21, Nov 2009 05:58
By Darren Estwick.
A thrilling game at the KC Stadium saw six goals, a penalty and a sending off as Hull drew 3-3 with West Ham United.
In a frantic start, the away side found themselves 2-0 up virtually from kickoff. First a corner from Stanislas found the head of Franco who rose above those around him to head into the top corner.
Five minutes later and Jack Collison meets a floated ball from Franco and heads over the onrushing Hull keeper Matt Duke to give the Hammers a two-nil lead.
Hull were shell-shocked but managed to force their way back as a result of a huge slice of luck created by the industrious Jimmy Bullard.
A free kick outside the area by Bullard was powered into the box before taking a deflection of Scott Parker and Carlton Cole before looping over Robert Green for an own goal by the forward.
Just before half time another free kick for Hull, delivered by Steven Hunt was met by a ferocious volley from Kamil Zayatte to equalise for the Tigers.
West Ham continued to capitulate by giving a penalty away just a minute after the equalising goal.
It was a dubious decision but this did not concern Bullard who stepped up to slam the ball home for a remarkable comeback and his first home goal of his Hull career.
However early in the second half Hull defender Bernard Mendy was sent off for a clear professional foul, when he was the last man.
The sending off provided West Ham with a much-needed second wind and they levelled the game just after the hour mark.
A corner swung into the Hull box created a goal mouth scramble, eventually smashed home by Manuel Da Costa.
Hull were the team now hanging on as West Ham bombarded the home goal with wave after wave of attack. Missed chances by Stanislas and Collison meant that an entertaining game ended all square.
Chelsea also managed to score early goals in their game against Wolves at Stamford Bridge, eventually running out 4-0 winners in an easy game for the Premier League leaders.
First Florent Malouda picked up the ball before running towards the Wolves penalty area and unleashing a powerful shot which beat Wayne Hennessey.
And then a corner by Kalou found the free Michael Essien who headed home from close range.
The game was as good as over from this point as Chelsea released their foot from the throat of Mick McCarthy's men and
by half time it was 3-0.
Wolves, now camped inside their own half, allowed Michael Essien to strike from a long way out. The ball took a bobble in front of keeper Hennessey and rolled passed him into the net, leaving the Wolves to rue a major howler.
The scoring was rounded off early in the second half when a ball fed into the Wolves box by Nicolas Anelka eventually found Kalou who in turn set the ball nicely for Joe Cole whose shot squeezed past the keeper.
Burnley almost managed to add the scalp of Aston Villa to a list containing Everton and Manchester United of those defeated at Turf Moor but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after a late goal by Emile Heskey.
Burnley had the better of the game against a lacklustre Villa team and took the lead when Steven Caldwell got his head to a Graham Alexander free kick to beat Brad Friedel.
Villa rarely threatened until the closing 15 minutes. With a minute left of the game a fumble by the Burnley keeper allowed a scramble in the Burnley box and Heskey stabbed home from close range.