Leighton Baines is pretty good. The Everton leftback and England international befuddled West Ham keeper (and owner of one of the great names in sports) Jussi Jaaskelainen two times from set pieces. His left foot, and surrounding boot, can match the quality of the Bales and RVPs of the world without question.
Down 1-0 in the 62′ Baines curled it in the far post perfectly past Jussi’s outstretched arms. After a West Ham penalty to make it 2-1, Baines pinged another in for the spot kick brace. On both occasions, the free kicks were set up by Ross Barkley drawing fouls (and a red card) which help lead to Roman Lukaku’s game-winning, memory-erasing header in the 85′.
West Ham 2 Everton 3.
Elsewhere in the Premiership:
Chelsea 2 Fulham 0 – Jon Obi Mikel scored his first league goal for Chelsea in his 7+ years (185 matches) with the club and The Special One delivered a slight rebuttal for the critics of the club’s performance of late.
Liverpool 0 Southhampton 1 – The Reds took their first L in front of the Anfield faithful and lacked without Coutinho’s creativity. Suarez served the final of his 10-match shoulder-gnawing ban and the controversial forward will add some firepower to Liverpool’s attack.
Newcastle 2 Hull City 3 – Hull takes the three points despite two first half goals by Loic Remy (who did blow a tap in that could have saved a late draw). Sone Aluko secured the win for The Toon with a golazo of his own.
Norwich 0 Aston Villa 1 – Big news here is not the result, but the injury to Villa’s Christian Benteke. Unsure of the seriousness to his hip flexor issue, but he is the star the squad cannot live without.
West Brom 3 Sunderland 0 – One-sided meh. Big Jozy didn’t start for Sunderland, but subbed on in the second half to no avail.
On Tap Tomorrow:
Manchester Derby – United @ City
Tottenham @ Cardiff City
Stoke City @ Arsenal
Swansea City @ Crystal Palace
