West Ham news: Mark Noble explains extra significance of goal vs Crystal Palace
The Hammers captain got off the mark for the season at Selhurst Park to help earn a valuable point as Manuel Pellegrini's side moved into the top half of the table
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West Ham United captain Mark Noble was relieved to end his goal drought and escape with a point from Crystal Palace.
Noble netted from the penalty spot to give his side a first-half lead after Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita brought down Michail Antonio.
But Wilfried Zaha equalised for the hosts with 14 minutes left and West Ham were clinging on for a 1-1 draw by the end.
Noble’s 21st successful Premier League spot-kick was his first goal of the season, and his first penalty since scoring at home against Palace a year ago.
He told the club’s official website: “It’s been on my mind a little bit, to be honest, because I think I’ve scored in virtually every other Premier League season I’ve played in, so I didn’t have many games left to go.
“It’s a little bit of a relief for me, to be honest.
“We were probably the better team in the first half and had two or three really good chances, and they were definitely the better team in the second half.
“They missed a lot of good chances and we missed a couple of one-on-ones early in the first half so, all in all, I think it was a fair result.
“We got a great point against Liverpool and another good point here, which is a tough place to come.
“If we can win our next home game against Fulham it will be a really good set of points for us.”
Deadline-day signing Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to pep up the Palace attack, although he missed a good chance when he fired wide from 12 yards.Deddd
It was the Belgium international’s second substitute appearance and boss Roy Hodgson admits he is pushing for a place in the starting line-up.
“He needs to keep doing what he’s doing,” said Hodgson. “He’s looking to get shots away. In his brief period on the field, he had five or six shots.
“We want him confident enough to take on those shots. The introduction of Michy and Max (Meyer) were good additions.”
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