Hammers´ topsy-turvy season ends in City stalemate

Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham United side ended their Premier League campaign, and possibly the manager’s reign, with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Upton Park on Saturday.

Zola?s future has appeared uncertain throughout what has been a chaotic season at the east London club and the focus is now expected to turn to whether or not he will continue.

Luis Boa Morte, on his return from a serious knee injury, opened the scoring in the first half but Shaun Wright-Phillips levelled for the visitors shortly afterwards.

France coach Raymond Domenech was in the stands, with Patrick Vieira protecting the defence for City as he seeks to force his way back into the France squad for the World Cup.

West Ham fans had hoped to see one of their cult heroes in Carlos Tevez but the Argentina forward was on the City bench, while Craig Bellamy, another ex-Hammers striker, was not in Roberto Mancini’s matchday squad.

This fixture looked like being a tense finale to the season until West Ham secured their safety two weeks before the end of the campaign, while City?s challenge for a top-four finish ended on Wednesday with defeat to Tottenham.

The game was significant, however, for marking the return of Boa Morte from his injury.

The Portuguese midfielder made his first start of the season and opened the scoring in the 17th minute, chipping past Marton Fulop after Alessandro Diamanti split the City defence with a backheel.

Boa Morte whipped his shirt off in celebration and ran over to the touchline to thank Zola with a hug.

With England assistant manager Franco Baldini watching from the stands, City were level four minutes later with a goal set up by Adam Johnson.

The England World Cup candidate floated a cross to the far post and Wright-Phillips was unmarked to head home.

Johnson then had a penalty shout turned down after wriggling between Radoslav Kovac and Fabio Daprela before Matthew Upson challenged him.

Emmanuel Adebayor also had a goal disallowed for offside and a chance saved by Robert Green after Johnson had set up another opportunity.

The hosts replied with Diamanti cutting inside Vincent Kompany and hitting Fulop?s post with a drive from the edge of the penalty area.

In the second half, Scott Parker did his England chances no harm when he burst through three challenges and teed up Ilan, but the Brazilian’s finish was saved by Fulop.

Tevez got an ovation when he warmed up on the touchline and saluted fans with an ‘Irons’ gesture, mimicking West Ham?s badge.

But it was Zola who made the first substitutions, taking off Carlton Cole and giving Boa Morte a breather, with Guillermo Franco and Junior Stanislas coming on.

Tevez eventually came on with 17 minutes remaining and was greeted warmly again for his role in keeping West Ham in the top flight in 2007.

Franco had a decent chance before the end, turning Kolo Toure but then seeing his shot saved by Fulop, while Tevez lobbed onto the roof of the net with his one sight of goal.