West Ham 2-1 Blackburn Highlights
Substitute Freddie Sears’ late goal on his first-team debut handed West Ham their first win in three games at the expense of Blackburn at Upton Park.
Rovers took the lead when Roque Santa Cruz converted Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross with a diving header. England striker Dean Ashton equalised just before half-time when he slotted in from 12 yards out. And with just 10 minutes remaining, 18-year-old Sears nodded in after Brad Friedel parried his initial shot. It was a dream start to his career for Sears, but it was far from a dream start for the Hammers who had gone into their home match having lost the previous three by a 4-0 scoreline. Their fortunes took another turn for the worse early in the match when Santa Cruz added a lovely finish to Pedersen’s ball following a lightning counterattack.
