Relegation rivals West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion played out a 3-3 draw in the Premier League on Saturday during a thrilling afternoon at Upton Park.
Joe Cole gave the hosts an early lead before a brace from from Nicolas Anelka put the away side 2-1 up at half time.
Quick goals from Modibo Maiga and Kevin Nolan then saw West Ham get themselves 3-2 ahead with just over an hour played, but Said Berahino found the net to earn West Brom a share of the spoils.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded in East London.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage as West Ham United welcome West Bromwich Albion to Upton Park in the Premier League. We should have some team news for you shortly...
WEST BROM: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Lugano, Ridgewell; Morrison, Mulumbu, Brunt; Anelka, Berahino
WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Vydra, Dawson, Sessegnon, Sinclair, Yacob, Amalfitano
West Brom have made a total of five changes to their starting lineup following their 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day. Billy Jones, Youssouf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt, Nicolas Anelka and Saido Berahino are all recalled by caretaker boss Keith Downing. Meanwhile, Steven Reid misses out through suspension after getting sent off at White Hart Lane.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen; McCartney, Tomkins, Rat, O'Brien; Diame, Nolan, Noble, Jarvis, J Cole; C Cole
WEST HAM SUBS: Adrian, Collison, Maiga, Taylor, Diarra, Demel, Chambers
West Ham make just the two changes after suffering a 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on Boxing Day. Jussi Jaaskelainen returns in goal, while Razvan Rat is brought into the defence.
There is plenty at stake today in terms of the bottom of the table. West Brom are currently one point above the drop zone, but West Ham find themselves two points from safety as the last round of fixtures from 2013 are played.
CORRECTION: West Brom have actually made six, not five, changes to their starting lineup. Gareth McAuley is also given the nod by Keith Downing for today's match.
The relegation battle took a dramatic twist on Boxing Day as Crystal Palace and Sunderland both earned surprise wins. However, West Ham can temporarily climb out of the bottom three with a victory of their own today.
RECENT FORM:
WEST HAM: WLLDLL
WEST BROM: LLLLDD
Looking at the form of both teams, you have to say that West Brom will fancy their chances after picking up a couple of well-earned draws in their last two games. In contrast, West Ham have been on a poisonous run that has seen them record one win in their previous 11 Premier League matches.
HEAD TO HEAD: West Brom just sneak the head-to-head record between these teams with 33 wins to West Ham's 32. There have also been 14 draws since the sides first met.
West Ham earned a 3-1 victory when they face each other in this fixture last season after playing out a goalless draw at The Hawthorns. However, the safe money today is on a draw following four stalemates in their last six encounters.
For those interested in the conditions for today's match, it's a gloriously sunny day in East London. Just under 25 minutes until kickoff.
REFEREE WATCH: The man in the middle for this game is Mike Dean.
Despite losing to Arsenal 3-1 on Boxing Day, West Ham are likely to take some confidence from their performance against the Gunners. Carlton Cole will be an important cog in the machine for the Hammers today after scoring two goals in his last two games.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of Saido Berahino will provide the West Ham defence with plenty to think about this afternoon. The Baggies' top scorer has six goals to his name in all competitions. With the absence of Shane Long, a lot will hinge on the youngster up front with the more experienced Nicolas Anelka.
PREDICTION TIME: So, how do you see this one going? Both teams are in desperate need of the points, but it could be West Brom who show that extra bit of calmness today as their predicament is not quite as bad as West Ham's. The Hammers are sure to put up a fight in front of their home fans, though a lack of goals this season could yet again be their undoing this afternoon.
The players are in the tunnel, ready to emerge onto the sun-kissed pitch at Upton Park. Not long to go until this one gets underway.
KICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be West Brom to start us off for this crucial encounter at the bottom of the table. Here we go!
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-0 WEST BROM (J COLE)
It's been a nervy start for West Ham but they lead thanks to Joe Cole! The midfielder exchanged passes with Nolan on the edge of the West Brom penalty area before rifling the ball past Ben Foster at his near post. What a start for the Hammers.
West Brom had a decent opportunity to open the scoring themselves before Cole's opening goal as Brunt volleyed inches wide at the back post after Noble had been dispossessed by the tricky Berahino. Action at both ends in the first few minutes.
SUBSTITUTION: Bad news for West Ham here as James Tomkins is forced off with what looks like a bit of a groin strain. That's not what the Hammers need as they are already dealing with a whole host of defensive absentees. Guy Demel is on in Tomkins's place.
Chances at both ends as Olsson's header is saved by Jaaskelainen from a corner before Nolan has hit shot from the edge of the box blocked by the West Brom defence. It's been a great opening to this match as both teams look to get forward whenever they can.
The visitors are just starting to get themselves into the match a little bit more with some good possession in midfield. However, it's West Ham who are looking more dangerous when they surge up the pitch.
Something of a half-chance for the home side as Cole gets his head to Jarvis's corner, but Foster is there to make a simple save. West Brom then go up the other end with Anelka leading the attack, though the move breaks down when Morrison's backheel goes through to Jaaskelainen. It's still very even at Upton Park.
A bit of a nasty challenge from Carlton Cole there as he catches McAuley high on the leg with the pair battling over a 50/50 ball. The West Brom defender looks to be okay though.
CHANCE! Carlton Cole is there again to meet another Jarvis corner, but he heads over for a second time. That wasn't a particularly easy opening for the striker as he head to really crane his neck to get a connection on the ball. Still, it's all very encouraging for West Ham.
Jarvis has been a real threat for West Ham down the left wing this afternoon. He does well this time before drilling a low cross into a congested penalty area, though the West Brom defence do enough to clear the danger. The hosts are starting to turn the screw.
A slight moment of panic there among the home fans as Anelka pops up on the edge of the box to take aim at goal, but Nolan is out quickly to block the Frenchman's effort. West Ham then go up the other end, with Carlton Cole heading the ball down to Demel. However, the substitute fires wide from a tight angle. There has been plenty of action so far.
That's poor from Morrison. The West Brom midfielder received the ball out on the left side, but he accidently puts it out for a throw after trying one too many twists and turns. For the decent possession that the visitors have had, they've looked a bit toothless in the final third so far.
CLOSE! West Ham come within inches of doubling their lead as Noble flashes a free kick narrowly wide from about 25 yards. It didn't look like Foster was going to get to that if it was on target.
CHANCE! Nearly an equaliser for West Brom as Brunt springs the offside trap, but his attempted pass to Berahino is a poor one that the West Ham defence clears. Some more composure from Brunt there and the Baggies could have been right back in this one.
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-1 WEST BROM (ANELKA)
That's more like it from Brunt as his perfectly-weighted pass is converted by Nicolas Anelka to get West Brom level in this match. The midfielder dinked the ball through to his teammate, who made no mistake from close range to poke it past Jaaskelainen on his first start in two months.
YELLOW CARD: Carlton Cole goes into the book for West Ham after catching Olsson high on the leg when the pair were going for a high ball. Not a very clever challenge, that.
Two minutes added time...
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-2 WEST BROM (ANELKA)
Would you believe it? West Brom now lead as Nicolas Anelka gets his second of the match! A corner was swung in from the left, and there was the veteran to bundle the ball in after West Ham had failed to clear the danger. There is some controversy though - it looked as if it should have been a goal kick instead of a corner in the first place.
HALF TIME: WEST HAM 1-2 WEST BROM
The half-time whistle goes and it's West Brom who lead West Ham 2-1 thanks to two quick goals from Nicolas Anelka. Joe Cole fired the hosts into an early lead, but it was Anelka who netted twice in the last six minutes of the half to put the visitors ahead.
All in all, that was a very good opening 45 minutes for the neutral. There was plenty of action at both ends pretty much from start to finish as the two sides showed plenty of attacking intent.
If you're looking for a concise report of the first-half action at Upton Park then look no further. You can find Sports Mole's right here.
So, what now for West Ham? Sam Allardyce is going to have to pick his players up in the changing rooms as they are sure to be a bit deflated following that end to the half. However, the Hammers are by no means out of this game.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out for the second half and it will be West Ham to get us underway. The hosts have also made a change with Modibo Maiga replacing Carlton Cole.
CHANCE! Early opportunity for Anelka to get his hat-trick after getting on the end of Jones's low cross, but he can only poke the ball towards Jaaskelainen. Meanwhile, Youssouf Mulumbu goes into the book for the Baggies following a crunching tackle on Jarvis.
West Ham are starting to dictate things in this second half as they enjoy some decent possession. Noble has a crack at goal from 20 yards, though he can only volley wide.
CHANCE! Berahino comes close to adding a third goal for West Brom with an effort that flashes narrowly wide. The youngster cut onto his left foot after darting into the box before dragging his shot just past the post.
It's now West Ham's turn to threaten as Joe Cole curls a free kick harmlessly wide of Foster's left post. You just get the feeling that there's going to be another goal in this match, with both teams continuing to bomb forward at every available opportunity.
YELLOW CARD: West Ham captain Kevin Nolan goes into the book after catching Brunt on the ankle. He pleads with Mike Dean that he got the ball, but it doesn't help his cause.
There is a real sense of nervousness and unease at Upton Park as the clock ticks down. West Ham just aren't doing enough in the final third to really trouble West Brom at the moment. Meanwhile, the Baggies are posing a decent threat on the counter-attack with the pace of Anelka and Berahino.
SAVE! That's a fine stop from Foster to keep West Brom ahead. Maiga unleashed a ferocious effort from the edge of the box that looked destined for the top corner, but the Baggies goalkeeper just got his fingers to it to claw the ball away.
GOAL! WEST HAM 2-2 WEST BROM (MAIGA)
No mistake from Modibo Maiga this time as he beats Foster to get West Ham level! The substitute curled a lower shot from a similar position to his last effort that squeezed past the goalkeeper and into the net. Foster may feel that he should have done better there, though.
GOAL! WEST HAM 3-2 WEST BROM (NOLAN)
Incredible scene at Upton Park as West Ham turn this match around! A cross from the left was nodded down by Maiga, and there was Kevin Nolan to poke the ball into the net from close range. What a comeback from the Hammers. Can they hold onto their lead?
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom make a change as Diego Lugano is replaced by Morgan Amalfitano. Caretaker boss Keith Downing clearly feels that he needs to boost his team from an attacking perspective.
GOAL! WEST HAM 3-3 WEST BROM (BERAHINO)
This is just amazing! Now West Brom are level thanks to Saido Berahino! The youngster was picked out by Brunt inside the penalty area before hitting a shot across Jaaskelainen and into the far corner of the net. What next?!
West Brom win a free kick in a great position that Brunt sizes up, but he can only smash his effort into the West Ham wall. Who knows how this game is going to end? It's fast and furious at the moment as we enter the final 20 minutes.
You get the feeling that the winner of this match will be the team that shows no fear in the final stages. It can often be a case of who dares wins in a relegation scrap, though both sides are going for it as the clock ticks down.
CHANCE! Nearly a fourth goal for West Brom from Brunt, but the midfielder's shot on the angle is saved by Jaaskelainen. It's getting very nervy inside Upton Park.
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom make another change as Claudio Yacob enters the action in place of James Morrison.
YELLOW CARD: Mohamed Diame goes into the book after bringing Brunt down right on the edge of the area. This could spell danger for the Hammers...
OFF THE POST! So close for West Brom! Berahino takes the resulting free kick, but his curled effort comes back off the upright. That was beautifully struck by the 20-year-old.
SUBSTITUTION: West Ham's final change of the match sees Joe Cole come off for Jack Collison.
SUBSTITUTION: A last change for West Brom now as Stephane Sessegnon replaces Saido Berahino. If anyone looks like snatching a winning goal at the moment, it's the visitors. They just seem to be that little bit fresher.
CHANCE! What an opportunity for West Ham to grab a winner as Nolan heads over from Maiga's cross. This really could go either way heading into the final stages, with the game evenly poised.
Four added minutes at Upton Park as Jonas Olsson goes into the book for complaining to Mike Dean.
It's all West Brom in injury time. Can the Baggies find a winning goal? They're putting plenty of pressure on the home side.
FULL TIME: WEST HAM 3-3 WEST BROM
Phew. What a match that was as West Ham and West Brom share the spoils in a riveting 3-3 draw. Looking at the table, West Brom are likely to be the happier team with that result.
Anyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can follow live text coverage from this afternoon's four other games in the Premier League right here on Sports Mole, so take a look around and get involved. Thanks for you company and enjoy the rest of your day!
