West Ham claim first point of season with draw at Stoke

West Ham United claimed their first point of the season on Saturday when they drew 1—1 at Stoke City in the English Premier League.

Scott Parker put West Ham ahead from close range midway through the first half but Kenwyne Jones headed Stoke’s goal after the break.

Ricardo Fuller almost pinched the winner for Stoke when his header bounced down and onto the crossbar, while Matthew Etherington forced Robert Green into a good late save.

Parker put the ball into the net for the opening goal when a scramble in the Stoke area saw the ball fall kindly to him.

Frederic Piquionne almost doubled their lead soon after when he cut inside and slammed a right—foot shot which left Thomas Sorensen for dead but bounced back off the bar.

Stoke came into the match as the second half began and they equalized on 48 minutes when Jermaine Pennant’s cross found Jones and he headed the ball past Robert Green.

Fuller thought he had won it when his header beat Green but cannoned off the bar while at the other end, Parker volleyed not far wide of the post.

The result lifted Stoke out of the bottom three, for a few hours at least, but West Ham remain bottom of the table with one point from five games.

Later on Saturday, Arsenal could go top of the table if they win at Sunderland. Leaders Chelsea play at Blackpool on Sunday, while Manchester United and Liverpool also clash at Old Trafford the same day.