West Ham's Euro hopes disappeared with defeat at Goodison Park; a game in which James Tomkins saw a straight red and the Hammers finished rather in disarray.

It all looked so good when Radoslav Kovac opened his account with his new club, scoring spectacularly from 25 yards in the 24th minute after Everton had made a strong start, but the game changed after 38 minutes when Tomkins was adjudged to have tripped Tim Cahill, Everton were awarded a penalty and the Hammer's defender was sent off.

Oddly enough, I'd spent some time in the week discussing the Willie Young challenge on the young Paul Allen in the 1980 Cup Final and how the cynicism of that foul had led to the calls for the end of the Professional Foul and, eventually, the introduction of the straight red, so I can't really complain too much about Tomkins' dismissal although it seemed a genuine attempt to make a tackle and looked a little harsh in real play.

Nevertheless, once Saha slotted home the spot kick and West Ham were reduced to 10 men the game always looked as if it would go the way of the home side and it only took three minutes of the second half before Everton went ahead; Yobo umarked as he struck the ball from a corner, though there was a slight deflection off of Matthew Upson.

Saha had two good chances to add to his goal shortly after although it was West Ham who rallied with Howard doing well against Boa Morte and the returning Carlton Cole looking a little sluggish when in a decent position. However, once Saha diverted Pienaar's low cross past Green to put Everton 3-1 up, the game was over and Saha had several opportunities that could have bought him a hat-trick and sent West Ham home with a bigger defeat than they actually had.

Fulham's win at Newcastle meant that West Ham's hopes of qualifying for the new Europa League were ended and, disappointing though this result may be, it would really be the home game that West Ham lost against the same opponents earlier in the season that should cause greater consternation. On that afternoon the Hammers contrived to lose a game they dominated for 85 minutes and that loss, one of eight at home all season, was more the reason that the season has ended in disappointment as far as Europe is concerned.

It remains to be seen how players like Robert Green and Matthew Upson view another season without European football but, personally, I think the failure to qualify is something of a blessing in disguise.