• FA Cup

Adrian admits he had never taken a serious penalty before

Adrian hurriedly discarded his gloves before taking the winning penalty - to avoid a yellow card for time wasting © PA Photos

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West Ham goalkeeper Adrian has revealed he had "never taken a penalty before" before scoring the decisive spot-kick in their FA Cup third round replay victory against Everton.

Sam Allardyce's side progressed thanks to a 9-8 penalty shootout win against Everton, following a 2-2 draw at Upton Park on Monday.

Adrian saved one penalty in the shootout and, after opposing stopper Joel Robles hit the crossbar with his effort, the Spaniard discarded his gloves and converted the 20th penalty to send the Hammers through, where they will meet Bristol City in the fourth round.

"In that moment I felt so quiet and relaxed and I didn't have nerves," Adrian told the club's official website of his winning penalty. "I thought 'I'll take off my gloves, this game is over' and I struck the ball.

"I took my gloves off so quickly because I was worried that the referee might blow his whistle and give me a yellow card for time-wasting!

"I never took a penalty before - only in training for a joke, but not serious. Never in life had I struck a penalty in an important game.

"I feel really happy, not just for me but for all my team-mates, for the fans and for the club because it is a good moment for us and we keep going in the FA Cup."

Enner Valencia put West Ham ahead with a cool finish before Everton saw Aiden McGeady sent off for two bookable offences. Roberto Martinez's side equalised through a Kevin Mirallas free-kick to send the game into extra-time, before Romelu Lukaku slotted the visitors ahead.

However, Carlton Cole's late equaliser sent the game to penalties, where Adrian made himself a hero - and celebrated with a knee-slide in front of the West Ham faithful.

Adrian added: "I think this is my best moment for West Ham. I feel really, really happy for keeping us in the FA Cup. My team-mates kept working in the game. It was a crazy game for us, because they scored two goals with 10 men and it was really hard for us. We kept going and going and after that they shot their penalties so well.

"I have celebrated my saves before normally, but never scoring a goal. It was my first goal in my career and it's an amazing day for me, my teammates, the club and the fans.

"Since I came to West Ham United, the fans have had a special relationship with me and I feel so happy. It's the first time I've scored an important goal so I celebrated with them and my team-mates, of course."

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