West Ham vs Everton Goals

West Ham didn't look to be at the races today, especially in the second half, perhaps suffering from their two week break. Anyway, focusing on the positive, that is eight matches in all competitions unbeaten and Harewood and Ashton both scored excellent goals. (Video is very poor quality, but you don't have to watch.)

Result: West Ham 2 Everton 2

Att: 34866

West Ham had the better of an open first half. Harewood opened the scoring after 11 minutes, finishing off a nice passing move by firing home low from the edge of the area.

Nine minutes later Leon Osman equallised from a pass by Mikel Arteta. West Ham responded almost immediately, Dean Ashton racing past the labouring David Weir on the left and slotting home from an acute angle. In the end West Ham were unlucky not to go in at half-time with 3 or 4 goals.

In the second half it was nearly all Everton. James Beattie got the equalliser in the 70th minute, lobbing right-footed from the centre of the penalty area. After that Everton pressurised the West Ham area but the Hammers held on for the draw. James Beattie should have won the game for Everton but missed a sitter in the dying seconds.

Hammers in for Duscher

According to ITV Football

"West Ham are reportedly prepared to offer up to £8million for Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Aldo Duscher. The Argentine hard man has been a reported target for Manchester United in recent months as they try to replace Roy Keane.

However the Hammers have emerged as major contenders for his signature. Marca claims that the 26-year-old has been informed of the Londoners' bid by his representatives, although he personally would prefer a move to Old Trafford. But his final destination could be swung by the fact the Upton Park outfit have made signing him their top priority, while United have other options. Alan Pardew is a big Duscher fan and has only recently signed his Deportivo team-mate Lionel Scaloni on loan for the rest of the season.

Duscher of course is famous in this country for the challenge that almost put David Beckham out of the 2002 World Cup finals. "

West Ham vs Everton

West Ham players received no new injuries away on international duty, so the only problem Pardew has is who to play up front. Roy Carroll has undegone surgery on his back and will be absent for at least six weeks.

Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville return after one-match bans.

West Ham have won the last five league games and Everton have only lost one game in eight games.

Teddy Signs New Contract

Sheringham has signed a new contract with the Hammers that will keep him at the club at least until the end of next season. Teddy will be 40 in April and has made 14 Premiership appearances for the Hammers this season, scoring four top-flight goals.

West Ham and Dwight Yorke?

The Guardian reports that West Ham are among a handful of English clubs after Dwight Yorke following his two goals for Trindad and Tabago against Iceland yesterday. Yorke, currently playing for Sydney FC in Australia, would presumably welcome a return to the Premiership, although West Ham, with an abundant strike force seem unlikely bidders.

Tribal Football report that West Brom are keen to sign him. I suspect this is another Guardian misprint.

Teddy for England

Pardew informed Sky Sports today that any of the four English West Ham forwards are as good as Bent or Defoe and that Sheringham could still do a job for England, "... you could take Teddy for a number of reasons. He's only going to be a positive force around the squad. If you needed him to come on, settle things down or create something, he could achieve that."

Pardew also hinted that West Ham and Teddy were close to agreeing a new contract.

Elsewhere, international Hammers all had poor results. Christian Dailly (Scotland), Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) and Israeli pair Yossi Benayoun and Yaniv Katan tasted defeat for their national teams. This should make them look foward even more to returning to a winning team.

Only the 'Welsh' trio of Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Carl Fletcher achieved any success with their national squad. Wales achieved a reasonable 0-0 draw against Paraguay.

Mark Delaney is the Latest Future Right Back

Mark Delaney who is currently in a contract dispute with Aston Villa, refusing to sign a new contract, is the latest right back to be linked with the Hammers. Pardew is apparently monitoring the situation with the view of making a move for the the 29-year-old Welsh international in the summer.

Anton and Reo Captain England

Both West Ham players ended up captaining the England Under 21 squad last night as they beat Norway 3-1. Ferdinand was one of only two players to play the full 90 minutes last night and took over the captain's armband from Reo who was substituted at half time.

Shaka Hislop played the first half for Trinidad and Tobago in their friendly against Iceland at Loftus Road.

Pardew watches Porto as West Ham consider Benni McCarthy

Apparently Pardew was in Portugal on Saturday watching Benni McCarthy playing for Porto. West Ham have been after the South African international Benni since the summer, however having spent a club record fee of £7.25 million on striker Dean Ashton it seems unlikely that another forward is at the top of the wanted list. The scouting trip obviously has nothing to do with the freezing weather in England at the moment.

Anton and Reo to Face Norway

Anton Ferdinand and Nigel Reo-Coker are set to face Norway tonight for the England under 21 squad. The game is live on Sky Sports.

The West Ham site has an interview with Argentian right back Scaloni. In the three games that Scaloni has played the Hammers have not conceded a goal. In the interview Scaloni praises the technical skills of the West Ham defence.

West Ham Physiotherapist Niall Clark Speaks

Today the West Ham site has an interesting interview with Niall Clark, the West Ham physiotherapist who joined the Hammers from Reading this season. In the interview Clark makes it clear that Pardew is the main reason he came to West Ham, "I made a big decision to come here after five years at Reading because, when I joined, West Ham were favourites for relegation from the Premier League. People thought I was taking a chance, but I wasn't, because it all comes down to trust, and I trust the manager more than anyone I have worked for."

West Ham's excellent fitness record this year has played an important part in the team's success. With a relatively small squad it is important that there are not too many injuries at any one time. Clark's training regime seems to have been successful in achieving this aim and he highlights how teams such as Newcastle have struggled this season because of injuries to key players throughout the season.

West Ham to Bid for Danny Mills?

The News of the World are reporting today that West Ham will bid for Danny Mills during the next transfer window. I suspect this story is as accuarate as any story in the News of the World.