Boro 1 West Ham 1

West Ham went with Plan B today and reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. The change in formation worked brilliantly in the first half as West Ham dominated the possession, the chances and actually scored.

The goal came in the 20th minute after Bellamy won the ball high up the pitch on the right wing. His cross worked its way through to Boa Morte inside the left of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back to Mullins, who was so unmarked he had enough time to throw a foot at the ball, completely miss it, turn round and fire it into the top of the net at the second attempt.

Before that Sears and Bellamy had looked lively. Sears missed one long range effort just wide left and also just failed to connect with a Faubert cross, which was nicked off his toes by Riggott. Mullins himself had a long range effort in the 43rd minute which missed wide right.

The first twenty minutes of the second half followed the same pattern as the first with West Ham in control. In the 52nd minute West Ham had a superb chance to extend their lead when Bellamy cushioned a Sears' cross down for Collinson running into the box but Collinson shot lamely at the keeper when he should have scored.

After twenty minutes Boro brought on Arca and Mido which changed the game in Boro's favour. Boro then created a lot of pressure on the West Ham area, which finally paid off when Collinson fouled Mido on the edge of the box with ten minutes to go. Mido's free-kick found the back of the net.

The last ten minutes saw both sides nearly snatch the win. Green did well to deny Mido and then with seconds remaining Bowyer had a seven yard shot saved but the ball rebounded to Collinson, who also fired in a low shot only for Turnbull to make a second good save.