Osaze yearning for a worldcup shirt

With a brace scored against west ham united today,its obvious that Peter Odemwingie is yearning for a world cup slot in Coach Stephen Keshi’s team. He is letting his actions speak louder than words.

Odemwingie's 79th minute strike put the game beyond West Ham after they had a penalty appeal turned down just minutes before they conceded the second to a Marko Arnautovic effort in the 69th minute.

The first half started fast as Andy Carroll took advantage of some slack goalkeeping from Asmir Begovic in just the 5th minute. The England striker rose highest at the far post from a Mark Noble floated free-kick to nod into an empty net as the Serbian ‘keeper misjudged the flight of the ball. Barely a minute had gone by when Peter Crouch flicked the ball on to Peter Odemwingie on the right wing. He in turn crossed low to Stephen Ireland just eight yards out but his side-footed effort was weak and gave Adrian the chance to paw the ball round the post with a good reflex save.

Stoke eventually equalised in the 32nd minute through some good work from Crouch. He won a header at the far post from a corner only for the ball to bounce up on to the cross bar leaving Adrian stranded. Crouch reacted faster than James Tomkins to acrobatically throw himself at the bouncing ball and poke the ball home off the shoulder of Odemwingie on the goal-line. The Dubious Goals Panel will have some work to do this week with that one.

Just moments before half-time and Marko Arnautovic played a delightful through ball to Ireland who went one-on-one against Adrian but his close range effort was smashed straight at the Spaniard to keep the scores level at half-time.

It took 15 minutes for West Ham to create something in the second half as Kevin Nolan played in Carroll on his right foot but his low shot was well saved by Begovic with his feet. Just minutes later in the 61st minute and the Hammers could have gone 2-1 up but Nolan had ventured beyond the goalkeeper as the ball was pumped back in to be given offside. Arnautovic then gave The Potters the lead as he nutmegged Winston Reid on the edge of the box before a lucky deflection saw the ball back at his feet. He took one touch before lacing a shot past Adrian low into the bottom corner. West Ham could have had a penalty minutes later when Muniesa jumped with Carroll only to handle the ball in the box but referee Craig Pawson gave nothing.

It took until the 79th minute before Stoke could put the game beyond West Ham with their fantastic counter attack goal finished by Odemwingie. This win sees Stoke rise to 10th in the table three points ahead of West Ham who fall to 12th on 31 points.