Tevez makes debut as Hammers earn a point

ARGENTINA striker Carlos Tevez came off the bench for his West Ham debut as his new club fought back to earn a point against Aston Villa at Upton Park.

Liam Ridgewell’s fourth-minute strike had earned Villa the lead and the Hammers were fortunate not to be further behind at half time after two Juan Pablo Angel headers hit the crossbar.

West Ham had lacked their usual fizz and were indecisive at the back but they burst into life after the interval and were level within six minutes. Bobby Zamora deflected Paul Konchesky’s header past Thomas Sorensen for his fifth goal of the season.

The Argentinian national flag was raised above Newham Town Hall to greet the arrival of Tevez and international team-mate Javier Mascherano, who joined West Ham in a stunning deal on transfer deadline day.

These are exciting, if uncertain times at Upton Park with a potential takeover in the pipeline — which is understood to have prompted the departure of financial director Nick Igoe from the board — coupled with the mysterious manner in which Tevez and Mascherano arrived at the club.

In an address to the fans before kick-off, Alan Pardew vowed he would “protect the integrity and the traditions” of West Ham but urged supporters to embrace what is “perhaps the start of a new era”.

Pardew could have dropped Hayden Mullins and Zamora to make way for the newcomers but he said: “These boys (Tevez and Mascherano) wouldn’t be here without the likes of Bobby Zamora and Hayden Mullins.”

WEST HAM: Carroll, Mears, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky, Bowyer (Etherington 72), Mullins, Reo-Coker, Benayoun, Harewood (Tevez 61), Zamora (Cole 83).

ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Mellberg, Laursen, Ridgewell, Petrov, Davis, McCann, Barry, Agbonlahor, Angel (Baros 81), Moore.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).