A late equaliser from Herita Ilunga saw West Ham force a replay against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
Downing puts Boro ahead before Ilunga forces late replay
A late equaliser from Herita Ilunga saw West Ham force a replay against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. Stewart Downing put Boro ahead in the 22nd minute of this fifth round tie, heading home a fantastic cross from Gary O'Neil at the far post. The Hammers had chances at the other end, with Jack Collison blasting over from close range and David Di Michele volleying just wide from the edge of the box. In the second period, Michele blasted over from close range when unmarked before Ilunga got the equaliser in the 83rd minute, heading home a whipped-in free-kick from Savio to force the replay. The Congo defender has a taste for the cup - both his goals this campaign have come in the competition and it keeps alive Gianfranco Zola's hopes of winning the trophy as a manager. Zola had FA Cup pedigree as a player, winning it twice with Chelsea and beating Boro at Wembley both times, including getting the better of Boro boss Gareth Southgate in the 2000 final. The Hammers also went into Saturday's clash in good form - their defeat against Manchester United last Sunday coming after eight unbeaten matches - but it was the visitors who took the initiative in the early stages. Boro boss Southgate had been forced into a change of formation due to Marlon King being cup-tied, meaning Downing was employed in a central position in midfield.First chance
It was Downing who helped create the first chance after his cross was cleared as far as Adam Johnson, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide. Another mistake, this time from David Di Michele, led to another Boro chance after 11 minutes. Didier Digard cut inside from the left and offloaded to Downing, whose shot from 20 yards went just past Robert Green's upright. The Hammers were hoping for a repeat of the 2006 season when they beat Boro on the way to the final - and before falling behind they applied pressure. Collison wriggled free on the edge of the area and laid the ball off, but Boro keeper Brad Jones was alert to the near-post shot from Mark Noble. Di Michele then failed to connect with a scissor-kick, James Collins forced a save with a long-range drive and a handball shout against David Wheater was turned down. Despite the encouraging attacks, it was Boro who took the lead in the 22nd minute. O'Neil picked the ball up on the right flank and curled in a dangerous ball that evaded both Matthew Upson and Collins to allow Downing to stoop down and head home at the far post. O'Neil's right boot then almost created a second goal but Robert Huth could not direct his header. West Ham attempted to reply and a dipping volley from Di Michele was just off target.Cole injured
They then received another blow when in-form England striker Carlton Cole was forced off with an ankle injury, with Diego Tristan coming on in his place. Boro goalkeeper Jones then kept his side on level terms with a save in the 38th minute. Luis Boa Morte had driven into the penalty area and Noble shot at goal, with Jones swatting away the ball away after being wrongfooted by a deflection. The ball fell to Collison but he blasted over from close range. Soon into the second-period, Zola brought on Freddie Sears and took off Boa Morte, with the former Fulham winger getting jeered by his own supporters. Sears had a shot from 25 yards that flew over the crossbar as West Ham attempted to find a way back into the match with a three-man strikeforce. But it was Boro who created the better chances. First Downing released Afonso Alves on the hour mark but the Brazilian's angled drive went wide of Green's post. Shortly afterwards, Green dived down to parry an effort from Alves before the Hammers keeper made a great save to deny a long-range drive from Downing with his unfavoured right foot. Di Michele then missed a glorious chance at the other end when Ilunga crossed, but the Italian skied the finish from close range. But the leveller came on 83 minutes when Savio, who was on as a substitute, whipped in a free-kick from the left and Ilunga headed in at the far post to earn the replay.| West Ham United | Team Statistics | Middlesbrough | |
| 1 | Goals | 1 | |
| 0 | 1st Half Goals | 1 | |
| 5 | Shots on Target | 6 | |
| 6 | Shots off Target | 6 | |
| 4 | Blocked Shots | 3 | |
| 7 | Corners | 1 | |
| 11 | Fouls | 12 | |
| 4 | Offsides | 1 | |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 1 | |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | |
| N/A | Passing Success | N/A | |
| N/A | Tackles | N/A | |
| N/A | Tackles Success | N/A | |
| 58 | Possession | 42 | |
| N/A | Territorial Advantage | N/A | |