Curbs praises young Hammers

Alan Curbishley praised his young West Ham side after they battled back to win a point in the 1-1 draw with Everton. Freddie Sears impressed up front - and nearly won the game - while James Tomkins also played at centre back.

Curbishley said: "The way the game went after the break, we feel a little disappointed that we didn't win it.

"Certainly we grew into the game. James Tomkins made an error early on and allowed Yakubu to 'roll' him for their goal. But he hit the bar and got better and better on his debut.

"And so did we. And when we brought on Freddie Sears in the second-half, it gave us all a lift again just like last week when he scored the winner on his debut.

"He gives us something different, and he could easily have scored again with that late effort against the post.

"Everton were desperate for the three points and we were hitting them on the break. We just couldn't finish it off."