Parker drive adds Ba-ba-voom to Irons

AT half-time at The Hawthorns on Saturday, it appeared the Roy Hodgson effect was already being felt. At full-time, however, it was clear the Scott Parker effect had been even stronger, and could yet keep West Ham in the Premier League.

And after a forgettable first half in which the Londoners found themselves three goals behind, Parker’s rousing words got the Hammers in gear, as they salvaged a priceless point in this crucial relegation showdown.

Carlton Cole — who received a fat lip for his troubles when heading in his goal — revealed Parker delivered an “inspirational” speech and that “if you were in there you would have had a tear in your eye”.