West Ham United rescued a point in the final minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 at home to Norwich City this afternoon.
Robbie Brady gave Norwich an early lead, but Diafra Sakho ensured the sides went in level with a close-range finish.
Substitute Nathan Redmond then looked to have given Norwich all three points with an 82nd-minute strike, but Cheikhou Kouyate stabbed home an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.
See how it all unfolded in our blow-by-blow account below.
Hello! Thanks for coming along to Sports Mole for today's game at Upton Parlk. Both sides will be pretty pleased with how they have started the season, and three points for either side today will propel them even further up the league. With that in mind, let's take a look at the lineups...
WEST HAM UNITED: Adrian; Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Lanzini, Payet, Moses; Sakho
Subs: Randolph, Collins, Obiang, Antonio, Carroll, Zarate, Jelavic
Subs: Randolph, Collins, Obiang, Antonio, Carroll, Zarate, Jelavic
NORWICH CITY: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Tettey, Howson, Dorrans, Olsson; Hoolahan; Jerome
Subs: Rudd, Wisdom, R.Bennett, O'Neil, Redmond, Grabban, Mbokani
Subs: Rudd, Wisdom, R.Bennett, O'Neil, Redmond, Grabban, Mbokani
Let's start with the hosts then. They lost in extra time to Leicester in the League Cup in midweek, so Slaven Bilic has made four changes from that side. Winston Reid returns to the back four at the expense of James Collins. Cheikhou Kouyate and Dimitri Payet are back in midfield, while Diafra Sakho replaces Andy Carroll up front.
Alex Neil, meanwhile, has made wholesale changes from the side that won 3-0 against West Brom in midweek. Eight players drop out and the only survivors are Sebastian Bassong, Martin Olsson and Graham Dorrans.
So, Andy Carroll is back on the bench after making his first start of the season in midweek. Biafra Sakho has been preferred upfront, and who can blame Bilic? The forward has got goals at Anfield and the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks. Dimitri Payer is back in the side swell and the Frenchman has started this Hammers career magnificently. He grabbed an assist in the win over Man City and a brace the week before that at home to Newcastle.
Very few smiles for the West Ham players in this video. Cheer up lads!
THE STARTING XI: Here's the team to face @NorwichCityFC. What do you make of it Hammers fans? #WHUFC #COYI #WHUNOR pic.twitter.com/GARZgsWbxS
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) September 26, 2015
Alex Neil has welcomed a number of first-team players to his side after shuffling the pack for the League Cup win over West Brom. Wes Hoolahan is back in the side after missing out against Liverpool last weekend, which was an odd choice considering the Irishman's form. The goalscoring hero from that day and proud new father Russell Martin is also back to captain the Canaries. Martin Olsson and Robbie Brady are tasked with managing the left flank today, perhaps to double up on West Ham's dangerous wide players.
UPDATE: Let's just take a little detour to White Hart Lane, where Tottenham Hotspur are 4-1 up against Manchester City with just a few minutes remaining. Remarkable! You can follow the final few minutes here.
Anyway, back to Upton Park and I for one am looking forward to this one. Here are the Sports Mole gang having a little natter about the match in this week's podcast, which can subscribe to with just the click of a button!
As I said a little earlier, both sides have started the season well. West Ham currently occupy a Champions League position and could even move ahead of Man City with a win today!
They've had three stellar performances in particular this season which stand out. They won 2-0 at Arsenal on the opening day and proved it was no fluke by thrashing Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield a few weeks later. And then, to top things off, they ended Man City's 100% start with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium last week! Nonetheless, they'll have been disappointed to lose their opening two home league games, but they seem to have rectified that two weeks ago with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle.
Dimitri Payet has been the standout performer for the Hammers since the international break. He ran the show at home to Newcastle, grabbing both goals, and impressed again with an assist at the Etihad Stadium.
West Ham's disciplinary record this season has been shocking though. They've made sure they're not going to win the Fair Play league this term (which they did last season) after racking up six red cards already! Three came in consecutive Premier League fixtures, while the other three were all in the Europa League, which they have already been knocked out of.
Perhaps that is part of the reason why they have had to use so many players already...
STAT; The Hammers have used 24 players in the #BPL this season - more than any other club! #WHUFC #WHUNOR pic.twitter.com/Pqy1GUUW8h
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) September 26, 2015
Norwich have quietly gone about their business in an impressive manner so far, too. An opening day loss at home to Crystal Palace suggested a tough season may be on the cards, but they have responded well to lose just once since. Goalscoring certainly hasn't been a problem, although their goals have come from rather unlikely sources. Centre-back and captain Russell Martin has already got three goals to his name in just six matches!
UPDATE: It's all over at White Hart Lane, where Tottenham Hotspur have thrashed Man City 4-1! That means that Manchester United can go top if they beat Sunderland at Old Trafford this afternoon. Which seems pretty likely, if I'm being honest!
These two sides have already met in the current campaign, albeit in pre-season. West Ham emerged as 1-0 victors that day, with a late own goal separating the sides.
I was waxing lyrical about Payet earlier and it seems as though I'm not the only one. The Hammers goalkeeper, Adrian, has said that the Frenchman has got 'magic in his boots'. I could do with a bit of that at five-a-side next week. I wonder if they sell it at Sports Direct?
Slaven Bilic has warned his side that they must not get complacent though after a good run of form. He only has to point to home defeats to Leicester and Bournemouth to justify his cautiousness.
This West Ham fan is certainly confident...
My prediction
West Ham 3
Norwich City 0
Sakho, Moses and Payet with the goals!
COYI
— WestHamHome (@Irons_Home) September 26, 2015
PREDICTION: I can't see past a West Ham win either, although I think it'll be closer than that. I'm going for a 2-1 win for the hosts.
It's almost time! Kick off is a few moments away!
KICKOFF: Norwich get us underway, playing in their changed strip of green shorts ands yellow shorts.
It looks as though Olsson is playing a left-back, with Brady playing a little further ahead of him. Norwich are inching their way forward down that left flank with a series of throw-ins.
Jerome sneaks a header in at the near post from a cross. Positive start by he visitors!
West Ham go straight down the other end though, and Bassong has to block Sakho's goalbound strike!
A West Ham corner goes all the way to the far post, but it's cleared by Norwich.
A second West Ham corner is punched away by Ruddy, but West Ham still have the ball.
SAVE! Payet swings in a free kick from the right-hand touchline, but Kouyate can't get enough power in the header to beat Ruddy, who clings gratefully to the ball.
Tettey chops down Payet after the Frenchman skipped past him with ease. He really is a delight to watch!
GOAL! West Ham United 0-1 Norwich City (Robbie Brady)
Brady nets his first goal for Norwich City after picking up loose pass from Noble before rounding Tomkins and slotting the ball calmly beyond the reach of Adrian. It was a terrible mistake but eh West ham captain!
West Ham immediately go down the other end and win a corner, but they can't make anything of it.
That's a real sucker punch for West Ham. Those are the sort of silly errors they must cut out if they are to capitalise on great wins at the Emirates, Anfield and the Eithad.
CLOSE! Whittaker breaks forward from full-back and sees his deflected shot drop just wide! Brady stands over the corner...
... but it escapes the attentions of everyone and rolls out for a throw-in on the far side.
SHOT! The crowd are riled as Norwich get another chance! Olsson cuts a cross back to Howson, who takes two West Ham defenders out of the game with a chested control, but he then blazes his shot over the bar.
Tomkins wastes a good opportunity for West Ham as he crashes a wild shot over the bar. Norwich were under the cosh there, but Tomkins has just relieved any pressure that was building.
Jerome squeezes inbetween the West Ham centre-backs to get hold of Hoolahan's through ball, but he's soon crowded out and loses the ball.
OUCH! Payet is clobbered by Whittaker, who goes to block the run of the Frenchman with his arms raised. I don't think it was anything malicious, just a little clumsy. But it certainly would have hurt!
CHANCE! Jerome is in again, but the forward is forced wide onto his left foot and slices the shot, which ends up rippling the side netting at the near post. West Ham are all over the place defensively!
Martin shepherds the ball back to his goalkeeper, but Sakho goes with him all the way and almost nicks the ball. Ruddy gathers at the second attempt though. That was a bit close for comfort!
Howson tries to find Whittaker on the right flank, but slightly overhits his pass and the ball runs out for a throw-in deep in West Ham territory.
Kouyate does the same at the other end as he almost puts Cresswell though in behind the Norwich back four, but the pass has just too much on it.
Lanzini finds himself in a pocket of space 35 yards out and takes a couple of touches before striking towards goal, but the effort fades harmlessly into the stand behind Ruddy. Better from West Ham, but a poor shot.
Moses drills in a low cross, but Bassong easily intercepts before striding out of defence and winning a free kick for his side. Clever play from the centre-back.
GOAL! (Diafra Sakho) West Ham United 1-1 Norwich City
A wonderfully worked move by the hosts. Sakho clips the ball into the right channel for Payet to chase before bombing into the box. The Frenchman makes no mistake is picking out his forward who slides in to clip the ball home from six yards out. It's the first real pice of class from West Ham and it's resulted in a goal! Game on!
That's lifted the crowd and West Ham have a free kick 25 yards from goal in a central position. Just the five players standing over the ball!
CLOSE! Lanzini was the man who struck the ball in the end and he came mightily close to putting his side ahead. He aimed for the top left-hand corner of the goal and the Italian was inches away from finding his target. Great effort!
The goal has completely changed the complexion of the game. Norwich were cruising until that goal, but they simply can't get their foot on the ball now!
CLOSE! Lanzini again! The winger steps inside from the left wing and hits a low shot towards goal. It's a poor strike in truth, but it takes a deflection off Martin and rolls just wide of the near post with Ruddy nowhere near it.
CHANCE! Chances aplenty for the hosts. This time, Ruddy comes to punch a long ball clear, but gets nowhere near it. The flick-on finds Sakho on the edge of the box, but the forward can't hook the shot into an empty net. He was under a lot of pressure and it was a tough chance.
SAVE! Ruddy does better this time, holding onto Reid's near-post flick-on from a corner.
Whittaker goes hurtling into another challenge, but Lanzini jumps over the sliding full-back. He's a lucky boy to have not entered the book!
ONE MINUTE OF ADDED TIME
HALF TIME: West Ham United 1-1 Norwich City
Both sides became completely unrecognisable after West Ham's leveller. Norwich had been well on top up until that point, but since Sakho struck back it's been all West Ham.
Let's give you some half time scores then. Arsenal are winning 2-1 at Leicester, while Liverpool are 1-0 up on Aston Villa. At Old Trafford, it's still 0-0 between Man Utd and Sunderland. For all the results and scores today, head here.
Here are the Norwich players celebrating the opener...
© Getty Images
It's been a relatively even first half on the whole. Norwich started the brighter, but West Ham were certainly in the ascendancy as the half-time whistle blew. It's all pretty much even-Stevens, as this fancy infographic suggests:
HT: Here's how the first half played out in stats. What was your view of the game? #WHUNOR #WHUFC #COYI pic.twitter.com/XpNxligUuo
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) September 26, 2015
I expect Norwich to go a little more direct in the second period. West Ham pressed superbly in the final 10 minutes of the second half and Norwich's midfielders simply couldn't cope.
KICK OFF: West Ham get us back underway at Upton Park. Can either side find a winner?
Norwich have kept the ball in the West Ham half since the restart and Howson sends a tame volley towards goal from 25 yards which Adrian picks up with minimal fuss.
Bassong comes in to challenge a charging Moses just as the winger was about to pull the trigger from 20 yards. That was a crucial tackle!
SAVE! A brilliant, sprawling save by Adian to paw away Howson's outswinging shot from 20 yards!
Dorran's deep corner is too high for everyone and rolls out for a goal kick. That was a great save from Adrian to keep out Howson!
OUCH! A nasty clash of heads between Kouyate and Bassong. The West Ham midfielder flicked the ball on and just a fraction of a second later Basssong clattered into the back of the West Ham midfielder. They'll both have felt that!
After a lengthy stoppage in play, Sakho heads over from the deep free kick.
Kouyate robs Hoolahan of the ball on the halfway line, but Sakho's pass to Payet slows the attack down and the forward is flagged for offside as they winger tires to find him. That will disappoint Bilic.
Well, it's not every day that you see this. Howson trots off the pitch... carrying a pigeon in his hands! What a kind-hearted gentleman!
SAVE! Ruddy makes a fine save to deny Sakho, who had a free header from eight yards, but he couldn't direct it either side of the goalkeeper. The rebound feel to Kouyate, who rather comically sliced the shot out for a throw-in.
SUBSTITUTION: That cross from Moses is his final contribution, as the winger makes way for Obiang.
Payet tries to wriggle freeing the Norwich box, but is disposed by Brady. The winger then charges forward over the halfway line, but his pass to Jerome is tot strong and it runs through to Adrian.
SAVE! Payet cleverly jinks the ball over the outstretched leg of Brady and works an opening, but Ruddy gets down quickly to push the strike around his near post. Wonderful play for Payet.
SAVE! Adrian again comes to the rescue for West Ham, as he makes a wonderful reflex save to deny Jerome's fierce strike!
In fact, it smashed him flush in the face! Well, it doesn't matter how they stay out! It came from Howson chasing what seemed like a lost cause, but he picked out his striker with a cutback from the byline.
SUBSTITUTION: It seems a little harsh to substitute Jerome after that, but he's been replaced by Mbokani.
West Ham put the ball out of play as Reid lands awkwardly on his shoulder after winning a header with Mbokani.
Norwich are happy to knock the ball around the back at the moment as they try to take the sting out of the game.
SUBSTITUTION: Dorrans makes way for Redmond. I was surprised he didn't start to be honest. Can he provide a telling contribution?
Sakho pulls the trigger from 25 yards, but he's leaning back as he strikes on the turn and it balloons high into the crowd.
Brady wins a corner with a deflected shot from 25 yards.
SUBSTITUTION: Carroll comes on for Lanzini.
Brady swings in a free kick from the right touchline and Martin should do better with a free header. He was beyond the near post, but he mistimed his header and didn't even connect with the cross!
West Ham are struggling to cope with Norwich at the moment. Redmond's cross is just about cut out.
Cresswell nutmegs Whittaker near the corner flag, but the Norwich full-back uses his strength well to muscle out his opposite number.
This game is on a knife-edge, but we're all concerned for the pigeon. Poor little chap!
74: If anyone is sitting in the East Stand and has a condition check on the stricken pigeon, it would be appreciated [1-1] #WHUFC #WHUNOR
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) September 26, 2015
Martin again meets Redmond's cross with a header from the near post, but this time it loops up over the bar.
Just over 10 minutes left. Can either side find themselves a winner?
Carroll certainly looks short of match fitness, which is entirely understandable. The ball has bounced off him every time West Ham have played it long.
It's all become a little bit scrappy...
Norwich with a free kick 30 yards from goal now as Obiang clips Hoolahan. Can they make something of this?
CLOSE! Brady it is with the strike, and it comes mightily close to finding the bottom corner! It was probably creeping just wide, but Adrian wasn't to know that and the West Ham stopper tips it wide.
GOAL! West Ham United 1-2 Norwich City (Nathan Redmond)
Redmond looks as though he's won this for the visitors! His corner was initially cleared, but Hoolahan gave it back out wide to the winger, who skipped inside Noble and bent a gorgeous effort into the far corner through a mass of bodies!
SUBSTITUTION: Noble has had a poor afternoon and he's been replaced by Karate. Norwich also make their final change, bringing on O'Neill for Hoolahan.
Carroll tries to take a long free kick down on his chest, but Norwich quickly smother the striker and clear.
Olsson tries an optimistic shot from distance and Adrian scoops up the low drive.
Norwich are retreating further and further into their own half, which could be dangerous with Carroll on the pitch.
Zarate sends a poor free kick into the box from 40 yards. It only came in a chest height and it's been cleared by a Norwich head.
OFF THE LINE! So, so close! A flick-on finds Sakho, but Ruddy is quickly off his line to save at the forward's feet. The ball bobbles goalwards, but Martin gets back to clear off the line! West Ham still have time for another chance, but Carroll takes a poor touch eight yards out and Ruddy is there again!
FOUR MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
West Ham have another free kick on the right wing. Everyone is forward!
GOAL! (Cheikhou Kouyate) West Ham United 2-2 Norwich City
They've done it! Ooooh, drama at Upton Park! Payet's free kick comes to Ruddy, but he can only punch into the chest of Carroll and Kouyate stabs home the winner from a few yards out!
FULL TIME: West Ham United 2-2 Norwich City
Catch your breath folks, it's all over! West Ham just - just - had time for an equaliser, and that's a real kick in the teeth for the visitors. They led until the final minute!
Alex Neil will be furious with his side. It was a stupid challenge from Bassong which resulted in the free kick and Ruddy made a mess of his punch. They can only have themselves to blame!
That's all from me today folks, but thanks for staying with me right to the death. See, it was worth it wasn't it?! Unless you're a Norwich fan, of course... Stick around on Sports Mole though, where there will be plenty of reaction from today's game, and live coverage of Newcastle United vs. Chelsea, which you can follow here. See you next time!
Written by
Kristian Johnson
Kristian Johnson
