Depending on the squad we send out in this one really? Do we really need to risk good players for the mickey mouse cup? I'd rather lose this and win on saturday if I had the choice.

Anyway I'll go for a 1 - 1 here.

I think both teams won't be too fussed on the outcome of this game. Will probably be a contest of fringe players and few trying to get back to full fitness

I think the same as you, Bluey.

Do you think Super Tim will start? If so, he'll score

He's a great player m8. If he plays? i don't know but he'll score if he does as you say.

Everton just scored to make it 1 - 1 in this practice game for Saturday. Well deserved goal from Osman too.


Watch here live...

sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/22947

Is pienaar playing???

He sure is.

w ham starting to tackle hard now....

and? how is he playing?

1-2 Everton

And a deserved 1 - 2 as well


Good win that. Can we do them again on saturday?

whaaaa Yakubu...didnt know he was playing for Everton.
Yakubu rullez

It's strange that two teams as West Ham and Everton wouldn't be hell-bent on winning this match.. it may not be the Champions League, Premier League or FA Cup but silverware is silverware and the club's outside the top four are getting increasingly stronger so should be more than capable of winning it.

Hell, i'd hope Liverpool win's the Carling Cup. A trophies a trophy really. Of course you don't want to compromise you're league form for it, but i'm sure most can manage.

Anyway, i'm sort of glad Everton have gone through. I've never had the chance of experiencing a Merseyside derby in a cup so the prospect is one to savour! Of course we have a small matter of Chelsea still in our way, before that can happen..

Scored a hatrick in his last game too. He's on fire at the minute.

Yeah last final in the league cup I was there and saw the "cheat" (yes you've had your fair share of them) Alan hansen stop the ball going in the net with his hand AND got away with it forcing a draw on the day and then you lot won the replay. As you say though... I'm glad that wasnt a draw as more effort would of been needed and we have enough games as it is. I was happy with a win or even a loss although I did predict a dreadfull draw.

it is the ajax yakubu right?

Looks nothing like him. well, besides his colour.

so its not him?

haha maybe it is one of his cousins then

Such racism!

I've been expecting you.

Steely 1-2 Bluenose

You've had it now.

27 years ago a Frank Lampard winner was enough to send John Lyall's West Ham through to the FA Cup Final at the expense of Everton in a semi-final replay thriller.

But the Blues finally got their revenge tonight when a Yakubu strike - similarly right at the death - was enough to send Alan Curbishley's side tumbling out of the Carling Cup.

Although the Hammers had hardly impressed on the night, it was a cruel way to go out of the competition - especially as Yakubu's goal was Everton's first effort on goal since Leon Osman had cancelled out Carlton Cole's 12th minute opener some 50 minutes earlier.

In truth, the Hammers struggled throughout to impress themselves on Everton's five-man midfield, which harried and troubled the home side whenever in possession.

David Moyes had clearly done his homework, and bar Cole's goal - a superbly taken effort, with the striker rounding keeper Tim Howard after a pinpoint delivery from Lucas Neill - the Irons rarely threatened to repeat that early success.

Everton had controlled much of the first half - which ended with Leon Osman grabbing a deserved equaliser five minutes ahead of the break with a precision strike from 12 yards - yet were happy to sit back and soak up whatever the Hammers threw at them after the break.

Whilst the Hammers struggled to make inroads on Everton's goal - a Carlton Cole header and a wild shot from Dean Ashton being the only notable second-half efforts - they always looked the most likely to go on and score the deciding goal if for no other reason than that they maintained greater territorial advantage.

So it was a surprise - although perhaps, given West Ham's Cup (mis)fortunes over the years, not unexpected - when Yakubu took advantage of an horrendous mix-up between Danny Gabbidon and Rob Green to steal the winner two minutes from time.

A hopeful punt from the back was probably more a desperate attempt to bring extra-time closer rather than a defence-splitting effort - which is how it transpired - yet somehow Yakubu stole inbetween the hapless Hammers pair to tap home into an empty net.

Gabbidon was perhaps at fault for trying to head the ball back to Green - although the England hopeful hardly covered himself in glory by flapping at thin air trying to rectify the situation.

Yakubu meanwhile waited patiently before finding the ball at his feet; there will be no greater gifts in his entire career.

So yet again another Wembley dream disappears; some small consolation, perhaps, that the Hammers only have to wait three days before having the opportunity to redress the balance when the two sides meet at the Boleyn Ground again - this time in the Premier League.

i couldnt be bothered to make my own report up, so i stole one.

it was a crap game that didnt deserve a winner. i dont think either manager will be overly thrilled with the game at all. a stroke of luck for Everton sees them through.

Next.