Wednesday 7 January 2015 07:05, UK
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was left wondering what might have been after Romelu Lukaku’s injury-time equaliser saw the sides forced to settle for an FA Cup replay.
The Hammers looked to have booked their place in the fourth round after James Collins’ 56th-minute header gave the visitors a well-deserved lead on Merseyside.
But Lukaku left it late to level the tie, scoring his fourth goal in as many matches against the Hammers to set up a rematch at Upton Park next Tuesday.
And Allardyce could only bemoan Lukaku's knack of scoring against them, as well his side’s failure to put the game beyond the Toffees.
"That man scores against us. Every time he plays against us he does," he said.
"The disappointing thing was we didn't make it two when we had the chance.
"Enner Valencia's chance, particularly, we should have scored. That would have made it 2-0 and it would have made it too much for Everton to come back.
“A little bit of a rash moment has cost us the victory. Winston (Reid) dives in in the corner and then Joey O’Brien dives in and the ball pops out to (Bryan) Oviedo and Lukaku scores."
West Ham were without Cheikhou Kouyate and Alex Song, who both received call-ups to the Africa Cup of Nations, before the later announced his retirement from international football.
Injured striker Andy Carroll also missed the trip to Goodison, but Allardyce was quick to allay fears over the severity of his injury.
"He kicked the floor in training and bruised his foot but he will be fit and well for Saturday," he added.
