Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sebastien Haller's breathtaking overhead kick secured a point for West Ham in a 1-1 Premier League draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
The striker, a £45million arrival in east London last year, has failed to produce recently, but any observers labelling him a flop will have to reconsider after the Ivorian netted an athletic bicycle kick to cancel out Christian Benteke's opener.
Benteke went from hero to zero after the break, receiving a red card for catching Tomas Soucek with his trailing arm as the pair contested a header, but 10-man Palace were able to hang on for a draw.
It was probably no more than they deserved after a dominant first-half display at the London Stadium.
READ MORE: Premier League table and fixtures – all games by date and kick-off time
Eberechi Eze caught the eye for Palace in the opening stages, the £16m youngster signed from QPR playing a neat one-two with Wilfried Zaha only for his low cross to fizz straight across goal.
Moments later, Joel Ward crossed from the right but Benteke could not get enough on his header from four yards out and the ball bounced wide.
Nevertheless, West Ham had been warned, although they almost made the breakthrough when Vladimir Coufal's cross found Pablo Fornals 10 yards out but his header flew the wrong side of the far post.
Instead Palace went ahead in the 35th minute when Ward whipped in another cross from the right.
This time Benteke, now in what for him is a rich vein of goalscoring form, got in front of Issa Diop to head home his third in three matches for the visitors.
It was a distinctly flat first half from an in-form West Ham side, although Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita did have to be on his toes to beat away Jarrod Bowen's low drive.
Benteke passed up a glorious opportunity for a second before the break for Palace when Andros Townsend danced into the area and laid the ball across goal.
But the Belgium striker opted for a backheel finish and the ball went straight into the arms of Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
West Ham equalised 10 minutes after the interval in style through Haller, who has been toiling on his own in the Hammers attack of late as replacement for the injured livewire Michail Antonio.
But he made his mark when Coufal crossed from the right, the Ivory Coast forward executing a superb bicycle kick which flew past Guaita and into the net.
Benteke had been booked in the first half for catching Angelo Ogbonna with a flailing arm and, much to his disbelief, he was shown a second yellow 20 minutes from time for the same indiscretion against Soucek.
West Ham looked for a winner but Declan Rice fired inches wide as both these upwardly mobile sides were forced to settle for a point.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments