Depleted Hammers hold Palace to a draw

London - Mark Noble's penalty cancelled out a rare goal from Christian Benteke as injury-hit West Ham battled to a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Noble struck in the 43rd minute of the London derby after former West Ham defender James Tomkins tripped Javier Hernandez, securing a point that lifted the hosts into the top half of the standings.

Benteke put Palace ahead in the 24th minute with only his second goal of the season, but that is unlikely to convince manager Roy Hodgson to call off his search for a new striker on the final day of the January transfer window.

West Ham also need some signings, having come into the match without eight players through injury and another, Arthur Masuaku, because of suspension. Manager David Moyes fielded six defenders in his team.

Moyes later said Michail Antonio was left out of the squad for a breach of discipline, after the forward was late for a team meeting.

"It wasn't the first time," Moyes said. "I'm not having it at the club, I've said right from the start what it's going to be like."

Moyes also said West Ham was weighing up an offer from Swansea for forward Andre Ayew.