The spoils were shared, at the London Stadium, last night, courtesy of a late strike from Andy Carroll.
Ahead of the game we suggested a Hammers win would, more-or-less, ensure West Ham’s Premier League status would be assured for next season.
As it turns out, a draw benefited the Hammers far more than it did relegation-threatened Stoke City and, here at Vital West Ham, we’re confident that David Moyes is leading the club to safety, albeit slowly.
In all honesty it wasn’t the best of games with the majority of the action coming late-on.
Aside from a header by Marko Arnautovic that was disallowed for the narrowest of offside decisions, chances on goal were scarce.
But, when the deadlock was broken, it looked as if the three points would be heading Stoke’s way when a shot was fumbled by Joe Hart and Peter Crouch was on hand to steer the ball home.
Sensing the Hammers were set for a shock defeat, the London Stadium crowd rallied and were rewarded when Andy Carroll, on as a substitute after making a long-awaited return from injury, volleyed home a cross from Aaron Cresswell.
Indeed, the momentum was in West Ham’s favour as the game headed into stoppage time and the crowd, for a moment, thought the Hammers had taken all three points wen Javier Hernandez netted, unfortunately, the Mexican’s joy was short-lived when the goal was disallowed for a handball, by Andy Carroll, in the build-up.
Not the result we were hoping for but a point is a point when you’re desperate to creep away from the relegation trap-door.