10'th place again?

So this was it. After a tremedous shot by Kovac I thought this could be the day to beat Everton at last. But they are a machine and have good strikers in Jo, Felliani, Saha, Cahill, Yobo, Pineaar... So a lot to choose from. Moyes put his money on Saha... a good choice - for the home team. We started with Di Michele and Tristan and once again they looked really out of order. I think it would be wrong to see any of them here next season. (If one of them would stay I'd go with Tristan, can explain why later.) 

In the second half we could see what a different Carlton Cole does, as he got his first 45 after the layoff. He won every (long) ball, but one, he had to deal with, he gave to home defenders hard work,  he fed LBM with a tremendous pass and he gave the midfield the opportunity to put some pressure on their counterparts at Everton. But it was too late as Tomkins was sent off - a very,very  harsh decision even if you're not a Hammer - when he (maybe) tripped Cahill. Penalty and Green went for once the wrong way. We came out with 1-1, but had hardly taken our seats (in front of the telly) as the second half begun with Everton scoring. And it looked "the old West Ham way". Noone attacked or was close to Yobo when a corner fell to him in the box and his shot went not just under Upson's legs (a bit deflected) but Noble's as well. Unlucky or poor defending? Both! It looked like an old game of Crocket. Why Spector also was given a go after the first 45' you can question. His lack of fundamental defending was exposed early. He sold himself very, very easy when Pienaar just ran away from Spector - maybe he was thinking what to buy for breakfast tomorrow - and served Saha for their third goal. 

It's not easy to play against Everton's midfield, but I want more from Noble and Collison. Even if the latter recently has come back from injury. 

And once again we lost 3-1 but their were a few sparkles. To see Cole back was one of them. Kovac seems to grow from game to game and may be an alternative in the end, and Stanislas came on and looked sharp again. Despite a very very tame - for the 1056 time in a row - shot when totally free with Howard, I would also give LBM the thumb up. His contribution was not bad. Ilunga solid as always. Fought good as well. The man of the match though was Green. Once again. Nani better ask for his name on a new contract now! But in the end; the referee and two lapsuses spoilt the evening for us.

(no marks today as I was unable to watch the beginning of the game)