Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Andy Carroll signing the target for West Ham
KEVIN NOLAN'S hat-trick made sure that West Ham finished their first season back in the big time as a top-10 club.
The Upton Park faithful hope that will be enough to persuade Andy Carroll to make his loan from Liverpool permanent.
Brendan Rodgers wants £17million for a player who cost his club double that. And Monaco have been linked with the striker.
But Carroll is pals with Nolan from their Newcastle days, and manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful. “It’s our main priority,” he said. “If we can start with Andy that would be great achievement for us as he can only get better.”
Keeper Alex McCarthy looked like he was going to end Reading’s dismal season with a smile thanks to an England call-up until he gifted West Ham an opener.
His clearance hit Carroll’s back and the rebound fell to Nolan to score. Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the lead, but Reading levelled via Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre. Nolan had the final say, however, with two more goals.
Reading boss Nigel Adkins said: “The goals we conceded were poor ones.”