WEST HAM were denied a vital victory in their quest for Premier League survival as Portsmouth salvaged a point at Fratton Park.
Matthew Upson had given the Hammers the lead seven minutes after the break when the ball looped in off the defender’s chest, after it had hit him from a Younes Kaboul clearance. But striker Danny Webber climbed off the bench to rescue a draw, with a clinical finish 14 minutes from time.
The biggest plus point from manager Gianfranco Zola’s perspective will have been the sight of Carlton Cole coming through 17 minutes of action unscathed, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Frank Nouble, the man that has started to fill the striker’s boots in his absence, could have given the visitors the lead when he was put through, but Asmir Begovic denied him from close range. The keeper then tipped Alessandro Diamanti’s rebound wide.
Robert Green was then called into action as he denied Aaron Mokoena, before Begovic was again the antagonist, stretching to turn away Jack Collison’s effort.
Upson’s fortuitous goal after the interval appeared to have earned all three points for the Hammers, but it was not to be, as Webber pounced after being put through on goal by John Utaka.
Zola admitted it felt like his side had missed out on a chance of victory. “I think it feels like two points dropped,” he said. “We had control of the game and I didn’t see them coming back, we also had two chances to score again.
“I’m delighted with the performance of the players. It was another brilliant performance attitude-wise and I think with this attitude we will play better and better.”
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