Defoe gives Roeder time

Blackburn Rovers 2 West Ham United

His middle name is Victor but his football team simply cannot live up to it. For Glenn Roeder, it was another afternoon without a win in the Premiership yesterday – an 11th on the trot. At least it was not another losing one for the West Ham manager and his side, though. Having clawed their way back on to level terms after a fourth minute calamity by David James, they fell 2-1 behind to an Andy Cole goal 12 minutes from time - only for Jermaine Defoe to salvage a late point in the 86th minute.

Still, it was another Groundhog Day for Roeder. His hopes of guiding West Ham to safety continue to lurch from the improbable towards a mission impossible, though he was the man who took on the job of minder to Paul Gascoigne in Rome. The fact is the West Ham manager is finding Premiership life impossible without his Roman captain.

The Hammers' three victories this season have all been achieved with a dash of Di Canio brilliance – late winners at Chelsea and Fulham, and a sublime defence-sundering ball for Trevor Sinclair's clincher at Sunderland.

West Ham ought to have had three points yesterday, but the two clear chances they forged as they took control early in the second half fell to Ian Pearce. A central defensive pillar in Blackburn's title-winning team of 1995, the emergency striker failed to hit the target. "We had enough chances to win,'' Roeder said afterwards. "But it was a really important point. The lad showed a lot of character. It was brave performance – especially after losing a goal in the manner we did so early. For the players who were here last year, a terrible result must have flashed through their minds.''

Indeed it must have, though when the Hammers were hammered 7-1 at Blackburn last season, they managed to keep their goal intact for 17 minutes. Yesterday they were playing catch-up from the fourth minute when James stooped to gather a speculative shot by Damien Duff and failed to grasp possession. It was certainly a Hammer horror although it could have been worse by the interval had James not tipped a Cole header onto his crossbar and produced a brilliant save to keep out a thundering Cole drive.

As it was, West Ham were level at half-time. The equaliser came in the 23rd minute, Steve Lomas unleashing a low shot from the right edge of the Blackburn penalty area that struck Mark Taylor on the feet and spun up over Brad Friedel's head and into the back of the home net.

It could hardly have been encouraging for the visitors when Blackburn emerged for the second half with a three-man defence and with Dwight Yorke summoned from bench duty to join Cole and Egil Ostenstad up front.

To the audible delight of the visiting fans, though, it was West Ham who proceeded to assume control of the second half. With Michael Carrick dictating in central midfield, they broke with speed and caught Blackburn's back three napping on several occasions. Unfortunately for them, however, Pearce swept his two golden opportunities wide of the target.

It was not until the 75th minute that Blackburn stirred back into attacking life, Cole curling wide a right-foot shot from the edge of the area. Three minutes later, Tugay found Cole unmarked 10 yards from goal and the former Manchester United man dragged the ball wide of James before dispatching the shot that delivered his 150th goal in the Premiership.

A 2-1 scoreline would have been harsh on the Hammers and, to their credit, they equalised for a second time with three minutes remaining. Sinclair hoisted across from the left, Pearce headed down at the far post and Defoe – a late substitute for Lomas – pounced from close range. Whether it was he or Andy Todd who got the decisive touch was not clear, though the young striker was claiming it.

With Frédéric Kanouté rested yesterday, Roeder's Hammers should be bolstered with more striking power when they face Charlton Athletic on New Year's Day. They will have reinforcements early in the New Year too. "We hope to have three new players,'' Roeder said.

Blackburn Rovers 2 West Ham United 2
Duff 4, Cole 78; Taylor og 24, Defoe 86

Half-time: 1-1 Attendance: 24,998