3 Tevez(2), Noble
1 Speed
Barclays Premiership 5th May 2007 Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Upton Park Attendance: 34,404 Referee: Riley
West Ham United moved out of the bottom three with a comprehensive 3-1
victory against Sammy Lee's Bolton Wanderers. Carlos Tevez scored twice and
Mark Noble fired in a third to put the Hammers 3-0 up inside half an hour.
The Hammers mounted an early attack but Tevez was fouled by Abdoulaye Meite
and awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. In trademark style,
Club's Player of the Season produced an un-saveable finish to put the Alan
Curbishley's men 1-0 up. Bolton earned a dangerous free-kick a minute later
as Noble up-ended Andranik Teimourian but Nicolas Anelka smacked it straight
at the wall and it was cleared up-field. In the 20th minute Tevez scored his
second to put the Hammers 2-0 ahead. A sublime pass from Noble split the
defence and gifted Luis Boa Morte possession on the left wing. He darted up
the pitch and squared to Tevez, who calmly slotted the ball past Jussi
Jaaskelainen.
There was a booking for Thompson four minutes later as he clattered into
George McCartney and Tevez took the resulting free-kick from the left. He
lifted it towards Zamora but Lubomir Michalik cleared. Hammers were 3-0 up
with just under half-an-hour played. Ivan Campo lost possession to Zamora,
who fed Tevez on the left. He played a perfect ball out to Noble on the edge
of the box and the 19-year-old fired an outstanding first-time shot into the
back of the net. Moments later there was a chance for Tevez to score his
hat-trick as he made space and blasted the ball at Jaaskelainen's goal,
deflecting off Campo to force the Bolton keeper into a point-blank save.
With a minute to go before half-time Campo took a long throw for Bolton,
which Collins hooked away, but the ball only travelled as far as Teimourian
who was poised to shoot until Benayoun dived in to block the shot. Boa Morte
had a chance to make it four just before the break as he ran onto Tevez'
pass but he scuffed his shot and the ball travelled wide.
Five minutes after the restart, Bolton were awarded a free-kick 25 yards in
front of goal. Gary Speed struck the ball low into the wall and did the same
with the follow-up, but it sailed past the post. In the 54th minute Zamora
was booked after clashing with Michalik, who escaped a caution, despite
appearing to lash out at the Hammers striker. Moments later Lucas Neill
played an excellent ball through to Boa Morte but as he stretched out his
boot to poke into the net, Jaaskelainen came and collected. James Sinclair
came on to replace Thompson in the 57th minute and threatened to score with
his first touch of the ball. But his low strike was tipped past the post by
Rob Green as he dived to make the save. Hammers earned a corner in the 63rd
minute as Boa Morte held up play and threaded the ball through to McCartney
but Meite cleared. The break in play allowed Marlon Harewood on to replace
Zamora. Speed scored for Bolton three minutes later as Noble was caught in
possession by Anelka, who played the ball across to the Bolton midfielder to
roll it back across goal and into the corner of the net. In the 71st minute
Kevin Davies conceded a free-kick, which Tevez lifted over the wall to
Harewood, who attempted an overhead flick with his back to goal but the ball
flew just over the target. Moments later Benayoun chipped the ball up to
Tevez, who ran into the box but he struck it wide and it fizzed into the
Bobby Moore stand. Tevez fired another shot on target moments later as he
ran on to a pass from Benayoun but Jaaskelianen saved. In the 83rd minute
Harewood had a shot saved by Jaaskelainen and Hammers were awarded a corner.
But Bolton quickly regained possession and Anelka fired a dangerous shot on
target, only Benayoun was there to block the shot and force the ball wide.
There was some inexplicable officiating in the 88th minute as Tevez and
Benayoun combined to set up Harewood and Meite produced a crucial
interception to prevent the Hammers substitute from scoring. But the vital
touch escaped the officials' attention and Bolton were awarded a goal-kick.
Noble was booked for a foul on Anelka in injury time but Bolton were unable
to craft a goal from the resulting free-kick. When the full-time whistle
blew the Hammers were applauded off the pitch by the crowds of claret and
blue supporters.
They returned for a lap of honour, led by kit-man Eddie Gilham, who enjoyed
his last home game for the Club after 27 years at Upton Park.
West Ham United: Green; Neill, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney; Benayoun,
Noble, Reo-Coker (c) (Mullins, 85), Boa Morte (Spector, 79); Tevez, Zamora
(Harewood, 63).
Subs not used: Cole, Davenport.
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Campo, Meite, Michalik, Gardner
(Giannakopoulos, 75) Thompson (Sinclair, 57), Speed, Teimourian (Vaz Te);
Nolan (c), Anelka, Davies.
Subs not used: Walker, Tal.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez named Hammer of the Year - WHUFC
05/05/2007 14:43
Carlos Tevez has been named the Hammer of the Year for the 2006-07 campaign.
The Argentine striker received his award prior to kick-off at today's final
home match of the season against Bolton Wanderers, after collecting a
massive 84.5 per cent of the votes. Striker Bobby Zamora was named
runner-up, with 5.5% of the votes.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs: It's in our hands now - WHUFC
05/05/2007 18:55
The in-form Hammers are out of the bottom three for the first time since
Alan Curbishley arrived at Upton Park in mid-December. And with a straight
hat-trick of wins and only next Sunday's tricky trip to Old Trafford now
remaining, the timing could not be better. "You won't get a tougher game and
we've still got to do our bit at Manchester United," cautioned the delighted
Hammers' boss after two-goal Carlos Tevez and Mark Noble fired his side onto
his minimum target of 38 points with a stunning 3-1 victory over
fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers. "But at least we're going up there filled
with confidence, having got another result today."
After seeing his Argentinian ace fire that deadly double, Curbs also
revealed that the runaway winner of the Hammer-of-the-Year award was lucky
to have even started a defining, do-or-die match. "Carlos picked up an ankle
injury in training and I was very worried about his fitness today," he
added. "But he wants to play football and, although it's not all just about
Tevez, he's an important player for us, who can both make and score goals.
"I'm very pleased that we got the result and three points today and that's
all that matters to me at the moment. We were fantastic in that opening
half-hour and scored three great goals. "Now, we're out of the bottom three
for the first time since I took over and survival is also in our own hands
for the first time, too. "We're now going into next Sunday's final match
with a chance, the question is: Can we grab it?"
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bonzo backing Hammers in final home game - WHUFC
05/05/2007 12:35
Billy Bonds has been involved in some important games with West Ham United
down the years, but admits that today's clash against Bolton Wanderers is up
there with the biggest of them. The Hammers legend will be at Upton Park
this afternoon cheering on Alan Curbishley's team in their final home match
of the season and is hoping for another victory that will further boost the
Club's chances of Premiership survival. "It's certainly a huge game for the
Club," says Bonzo. "I think everyone realises how important it is, but if
the lads play as well as they did up at Wigan last week, then I'm sure they
can get the result they need. "The main thing for me is that we are least in
with a shout. Two months ago, when we lost at Charlton, I think everyone
thought that might be it, and if you'd said to the fans then that we could
still be in with a fighting chance when Bolton came here, then I'm sure they
would have taken it. It will be a tough game, because Bolton are never an
easy side to play against, and they are still pushing for a European place.
They are organised, and play to their strengths, but we have got enough
quality in our side to give them a game. "Outside of the top four, there
isn't a great difference throughout the rest of the league and, as we showed
against Everton, we are capable of beating those sides."
While there have been many changes at Upton Park since Bonzo ended his
27-year association with the Club back in 1994, some things have remained
the same and one, in particular, never fails to impress the 60-year-old
whenever he returns to the Boleyn Ground…
"The support of the fans is, as always, fantastic," he says. "I've been at
the last few home matches and the one thing that has stood out is the crowd.
Even when we were losing 4-1 against Chelsea, they didn't stop cheering or
getting behind the team, and that's how they've always been. "Even my wife,
who has been watching football ever since I started playing, couldn't
believe the atmosphere and how amazing the supporters were. They make such a
difference and, I've got to be honest, if players can't respond to that,
then they won't respond to anything."
And having been invited to recent home matches as a guest of Chairman Eggert
Magnusson, Billy admits he is enjoying the experience. It is nice to be
back," he says. "Eggert took the trouble to phone me up and invite us to the
Middlesbrough game as his guests, and I really enjoyed it. I wasn't
expecting to be presented to the crowd, but that was nice, and Eggert and
his wife Nanna are lovely people who have really looked after us. "I've been
back to the other games since then, and it has been a pleasure to spend time
with the chairman. You can tell he has really got the Club at heart, and I
know the support of the fans has had a big impact on him. I think he
realises what a special Club he has got, and I'm sure he'll bring success in
the future."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-1 Bolton - BBC
By Andrew McKenzie
Carlos Tevez shrugged off the ongoing controversy over his move to West Ham
by firing them to a vital victory that takes them out of the bottom three.
The Argentine curled home a sweet free-kick within nine minutes and then
sidefooted home a second shortly after. He crossed for Mark Noble to volley
in a third as the Hammers dominated. Bolton pulled a goal back when Gary
Speed tucked home from a Nicolas Anelka pass but Sammy Lee's first game in
charge ended in defeat. It was a third successive win for West Ham, who move
out of the drop zone for the first time since December and put a dent in
Bolton's European aspirations. The contribution of Tevez has been key to the
turnaround under manager Alan Curbishley. The Argentine international spent
some time in an oxygen chamber in the build-up to the game. It was an
attempt to recover from an ankle injury but perhaps also to keep him away
from the fall-out surrounding his mystery move last summer. Tevez was handed
the player of the season award before the game - and nine minutes after the
start he had the ball in the back of the net. His strength and trickery
earned him a free-kick just outside the box and he struck a sweet, curling
strike into the top corner past the desperate reach of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The crowd responded with chants of "One Carlos Tevez" but he was far from
finished. He slotted in a second when he and Luis Boa Morte were left to run
clear on goal and the midfielder unselfishly squared for Tevez to slide it
past Jaaskelainen. Just before the half hour Tevez found himself free on the
left and he picked out Noble with a perfect cross, the teenager adding the
finishing touch with a well-struck volley. Boa Morte was wild and wide with
a left-foot shot as West Ham looked to close the goal difference gap between
themselves and Wigan still further. Anelka managed Bolton's first shot on
goal around the hour mark when he forced Robert Green into a superb diving
save to turn his shot around the post. The French forward created Bolton's
goal when he found Speed and the newly appointed first-team coach scored
with an angled drive across Green and into the bottom corner.
Tevez was denied a hat-trick by Jaaskelainen and he also kept out Marlon
Harewood's shot as the final 23 minutes were played without too much danger
of West Ham surrendering the points against a Bolton side lacking their
usual fight. The Trotters have apparently invited Sam Allardyce back to the
Reebok as a guest for their final game of the season. On this evidence they
might try and convince him to make a permanent return. Meanwhile, West Ham
face a trip to champions-elect Manchester United in their final game safe in
the knowledge their fate is finally in their own hands. Their future could
still be decided in the law courts this summer, but on the pitch they are
doing all that is asked of them.
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley: "Our fate is in our hands for the first time.
"I was just happy to get the result today but anything can still happen.
"Carlos Tevez had an ankle problem and was doubtful but he's an inspiration
to us at the moment."
Bolton manager Sammy Lee: "It was very disappointing we didn't stick to our
game plan in the first half but the boys deserved credit for the way they
applied themselves afterwards. "We had to push four men up and take some
chances at the back but we finally looked more like the old Bolton. "The
big plus to come out for us is that other sides around us in the table lost.
The Uefa Cup means a great deal to us. We all enjoyed it two years ago and
want to be back in it."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney, Benayoun, Reo-Coker
(Mullins 86), Noble, Boa Morte (Spector 79), Zamora (Harewood 64), Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Cole, Davenport.
Booked: Zamora, Noble.
Goals: Tevez 10, 21, Noble 29.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Campo, Meite, Michalik, Gardner (Giannakopoulos 76),
Thompson (Sinclair 58), Speed, Teymourian (Vaz Te 65), Nolan, Anelka,
Davies.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Tal.
Booked: Thompson, Gardner, Nolan, Davies, Speed.
Goals: Speed 67.
Att: 34,404
Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Who is the weakest link? - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 6th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
The five managers set to be involved in the Premiership's final day
relegation battle next weekend have their say ...
Lawrie Sanchez - Fulham
15th place - 39 points
"It was important today that we won. West Ham have hit a run of form so it
was important in our last home game that we picked up three points.
"Hopefully now - although mathematics come into it - that will be enough by
the time we go to Middlesbrough next week to keep us safe. But if we have to
go to Middlesbrough and get something this result today will get us that
anyway. "When I came into the job I said we needed five points from five
games; we've got four, now we have to go and get the final one - and that
should see us through. "I said to the players yesterday that West Ham would
beat Bolton. That was a given, a change of manager and all that went with
it. West Ham were on a roll so they were always going to be above us if we
didn't get the three points from today."I said 'whilst this is in your
hands, take your chance - because next week it won't be if you don't get
something from this game'. They did, and full credit to the players."
Neil Warnock - Sheffield United
16th place - 38 points
"At the start of the season we would have taken this with one game to go. It
could come down to goals scored; everyone's got a chance. "Charlton have got
got a chance if they beat Tottenham and then go to Liverpool next week;
who's to say what team they'll play? So I think it's right down to the wire.
"I've said all along it will probably go down to the last game - and nothing
changes. We're fighting our corner and thank goodness next week we'll have
32 and a half thousand behind us."
Alan Curbishley - West Ham United
17th place - 38 points
"We go into the game next week knowing that if we pick something up it may
be enough. It takes us into next week with a great chance. "We knew that
going to Old Trafford on the last day of the season they could be Champions,
or could need to beat us to be Champions etc - but who knows? "We're playing
well, we look forward to it and we're going into it knowing it's in our
hands. And that's all I can ask. "We've picked up some results and the
confidence has come back. The players are doing what they do naturally,
there's no thinking about it any more. "It's been a settled side and we've
steered clear of injuries - which is always going to give you a chance."
Paul Jewell - Wigan Athletic
18th place - 35 points
"It's now out of our hands. We've got to go to Sheffield United in a
positive frame of mind and get three points - even though that might not be
enough.
"For the first time this season we're playing catch-up football - so maybe
the pressure might be off us a little bit. "The legal action has got nothing
to do with me - that's the Chairman and the Chief Executive's business and
it's their perogative to do that. "I don't really want to talk about it
because it sounds like sour grapes - but if rules have been broken people
need to be punished. "Now if the League deem £5.5m fair punishment then
that's up to them. West Ham beat us here fair and square last week - I've
got no qualms about that. So I'd rather let other people talk about that.
"For West Ham to keep on playing Tevez he must be legally registered, even
though we keep hearing these rumours. But the reason we're third bottom is
not because of Tevez or West Ham - it's because we haven't been good enough
in enough games this season. "We've been kicked in the teeth and given a
good hiding, but we're still breathing. So what we've got to do now is get
up off the floor and start fighting back - and that's what we're going to do
next Sunday."
Alan Pardew - Charlton Athletic
19th place - 33 points
"Two wins would be enough for us, so if we beat Spurs we will have a great
chance. "In the last two or three games we have worked the same or less
than the opposition - and that is unacceptable. We have to work harder than
the opposition if we are going to win. "I just hope that we can get a little
break which makes it go our way. It's hard to call. We will know on Tuesday
where we stand."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Almost there - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 5th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United can still avoid relegation even if they lose to Manchester
United at Old Trafford next week. Wigan's defeat at home to Middlesbrough
this afternoon means that anything less than three points at Bramall Lane
next weekend will see the Latics relegated - whilst Charlton have to beat
both Tottenham (h) and Liverpool (a) to reach 39 points and overtake West
Ham. United took their tally for the season to 38 points with today's 3-1
win over Bolton, although Fulham's 1-0 win over Liverpool today virtually
assured the Cottagers' safety. The other United - Manchester - virtually
wrapped up the League title today by beating Manchester City 1-0 at
Eastlands this lunchtime. Alan Curbishley will be hoping that Alex Furguson
has his mind on the FA Cup Final when he selects his team for what will
hopefully be a meaningless game for the home side.
Today's results
Fulham 1 Liverpool 0
West Ham United 3 Bolton Wanderers 1
Wigan Athletic 0 Middlesbrough 1
Current standings
15 Fulham P37 Pts39 GD -20
16 Sheffield Utd 36 38 -19
17 WEST HAM UTD 37 38 -25
--------------------------------------------
18 Wigan Ath 37 35 -23
19 Charlton Ath 36 33 -24
20 Watford 37 27 -30
Remaining fixtures
Saturday, 5th May
Aston Villa v Sheffield United (playing now, currently 1-0)
Monday, 7th May
Charlton Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday, 13th May
Liverpool v Charlton Athletic
Manchester United v WEST HAM UNITED
Middlesbrough v Fulham
Sheffield United v Wigan Athletic
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The relegation equation - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 5th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Tired of trying to work out the different permutations already? Hopefully
this will help ...
Following today's results - and confirmation of Sheffield United's 3-0
defeat at Aston Villa - Wigan and Charlton are the only two clubs left
relying on the results of others to avoid relegation. West Ham, Sheffield
United and Fulham all have their destiny in their own hands - although any
final day slip-up could prove the difference between survivial and
relegation. Sheffield United's defeat at Villa Park this evening means that
the Blades would slip below Wigan on goal difference should the Latics win
next weekend's clash - good news for any West Ham fans worrying about the
possibility of a Northern pact. The Hammers will however need to avoid
anything other than a narrow defeat as goal difference could still prove
vital come the final minutes of next week's games.
Fulham
Fulham will go down ...
1. If (a) they lose to Middlesbrough and (b) West Ham beat Manchester United
and (c) Sheffield United beat Wigan and (d) Charlton win their last two
games (goal difference).
Fulham will definitely stay up ...
If they avoid defeat against Middlesbrough.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United will go down ...
1. If (a) they lose to Wigan and (b) West Ham avoid defeat at Manchester
United.
2. If (a) Charlton win their last two games and (b) they lose to Wigan.
3. If (a) they draw against Wigan and (b) West Ham win at Manchester United
and (c) Charlton win their last two games.
Sheffield United will definitely stay up ...
If they beat Wigan.
West Ham United
West Ham will go down ...
1. If (a) they lose at Manchester United and (b) Charlton win their two
remaning games and (c) Wigan beat Sheffield United.
2. If (a) they draw at Manchester United and (b) Sheffield United avoid
defeat against Wigan and Charlton win their two remaning games.
West Ham will definitely stay up ...
If they beat Manchester United.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan will go down ...
1. If they fail to beat Sheffield United.
2. If (a) they beat Sheffield United and (b) West Ham draw at Manchester
United.
Charlton Athletic
Charlton will go down ...
1. If they fail to win both of their two remaining games.
2. If West Ham beat Manchester United and Sheffield United beat Wigan (and a
draw will almost certainly suffice).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 3 Bolton 1 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 5th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United are finally out of the bottom three after beating Bolton
convincingly at The Boleyn Ground this afternoon.
A brace from Carlos Tevez - in sensational form once again - and another
from Mark Noble saw the Hammers to a 3-1 victory and most importantly, above
Wigan (beaten 1-0 at home today by Middlesbrough) and out of the drop zone
with just one game left to play.
The win means the Hammers have now won six of their last eight games -
meaning that a draw at Old Trafford next week should be enough to retain
Premiership status.
That Alan Curbishley's side have got themselves into this position is
something of a minor miracle in itself, given the team's position in
mid-March.
Stranded at the bottom of the table with just 20 points the Hammers were
cast-iron certainties for relegation until a miraculous run of form gave
them a glimmer of hope - hope that was finally realised today as they left
the drop-zone with just one game left to play; perfect timing, some might
say.
But today's game was all about the first 45 minutes and how the Hammers
simply destroyed a Bolton side bereft of their talisman Allardyce but
bouyant after a 2-2 draw at Chelsea last week.
As has been the case for most games since the beginning of April today's
encounter was another 'must-win' if relegation was to be avoided. Apparently
unnerved, the Hammers set about this one with the same fervour and effort
that had seen them win five of their previous seven fixtures.
United made much the better start, and the deserved breakthrough came on 10
minutes when Carlos Tevez - who else - replicated his free-kick against
Tottenham when he converted from 20 yards into the roof of Jussi
Jaskeleinan's net having initially won the free-kick in dangerous territory.
The diminutive Argentinian then doubled his tally for the day on 21 minutes
when Luis Boa Morte - who was picked out wide on the flank by a lovely pass
from Mark Noble - crossed superbly for the oncoming Tevez to finish low into
the left-hand corner.
However the icing on the cake came in the 29th minute with the best goal of
them all. Bobby Zamora stole the ball from the foot of a dithering Ivan
Campo 30 yards from the Bolton goal before finding Tevez wide on the left.
Tevez, looking for the pass at all times, saw Noble arriving at the far post
and picked out his young team-mate with a delightful lob which Noble - 21
next week - volleyed forcefully into the back of the Bolton net.
United could have increased their lead even further ahead of the break as
both Tevez and Zamora went close. Such was West Ham's domination it wouldn't
have been undeserved.
The second half was - predictably perhaps - a different story as the Hammers
sought to preserve their lead, rather than extend it.
Chances were few and far between but the only one that counted came on 66
minutes when Gary Speed took advantage of a lack of concentration by Noble.
The 20-year-old lost the ball in an advanced position and Speed received the
resulting ball before firing low into Rob Green's bottom left-hand corner.
For a few moments memories of Spurs and Fulham will no doubt have entered
the minds of the more nervous supporter, but thankfully those perceived
injustices weren't to be repeated today as United held on with some ease to
record yet another win.
Elsewhere there was mixed news; Wigan's aforementioned defeat leaves them
needing a win at Sheffield United on the final day of the season to stand a
chance of avoiding the drop, whilst Fulham took a giant step towards safety
by beating Liverpool's reserve side at Craven Cottage today.
Given this week's issues with regards to West Ham United's infringement of
Premier League regulations, Rafa Benitez's decision to rest almost his
entire first XI should have Fulham's relegation rivals up in arms.
Hopefully West Ham United's win today will mean they will be unaffected -
although in what has been the most bizarre season in living memory it would
perhaps be foolish to think that all the twists and turns have already been
been played out.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez's registration cleared - Sky
By James Pearson - Created on 5 May 2007
Relegation-threatened West Ham have received a boost after the Premier
League stated it is 'satisfied' with Carlos Tevez's registration. The
Hammers' deal to bring Tevez to England has caused a numbers of problems
with the club recently paying a £5.5million fine for breaking third-party
regulations. Fellow strugglers Wigan and Sheffield United are unhappy that
West Ham are able to continue to utilise Tevez's services and are preparing
legal action. However, the Premier League does not believe West Ham are
breaching any rules as his registration is now all above board. "West Ham
has reached an acceptable position to the Premier League board in relation
to the third party agreement," said a Premier League spokesman.
"Consequently the board is satisfied with the player's registration. The
board will respond to the letter in full in due course."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez: I'm caught in the middle - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 5 May 2007
Carlos Tevez admits he is 'caught in the middle' with regards to his
controversial transfer to West Ham United. The Hammers' relegation rivals
are considering legal action after the East London club were not docked
points after being found guilty regarding the eligibility of Tevez, and
fellow Argentine, Javier Mascherano. The club escaped with a £5.5million
fine, with Tevez having proved to be an instrumental figure in the team's
recent rise out of the relegation zone. But the club's Player of the Year
feels the matter is out of his hands and he is trying to focus on West Ham's
battle to stay in the top flight. "I'm obviously caught in the middle of it,
I don't concentrate on that," Tevez told Sky Sports. "I don't think
personally I have caused any problems to the teams around me, that's a
question for the lawyers of West Ham and they've been dealing with that
situation. "Personally, I don't feel a thorn in the side to the other
clubs."
Tevez's long-term future at Upton Park is also up in the air, with the
attacker unsure whether owner Eggert Magnusson wants to keep him in East
London.
He added: "I'm just concentrating on playing at the moment. "There's a whole
load of things when you think about signing a new contract and staying at a
club or where I am or if the new owner would like me. "There are a whole
range of things, and we have to sit down and talk about things."
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley admits talks about Tevez's future will wait
until after next weekend's final game of the season at Manchester United.
Curbishley said: "We don't know (if he will stay). I think there's so much
that's going to happen before we know where we are etc next week. "We will
enjoy this week as much as we can and look forward to next week and see what
happens."
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Great escape continues - Soccernet
West Ham United 3-1 Bolton: Terrific Tevez
Carlos Tevez dragged West Ham out of the Premiership relegation zone with
two goals and an assist in a 3-1 home win against Bolton. Carlos Tevez
scores his free-kickNow only the `Gang of Four' and their threat to sue the
Premier League for not docking them points for illegally signing Tevez and
Javier Mascherano earlier in the season looks the major threat to West Ham's
top-flight status after six wins in the last eight matches. Boss Alan
Curbishley, who saw them win only one of their first 11 after he arrived to
replace Alan Pardew, must have thought, like the home fans, they were going
to rack up a snooker score against hapless Bolton with an electric display
in the first half.
But after Tevez curled in a sublime free-kick for an early opener, added a
simple second and laid on a third for Mark Noble, the Hammers went to sleep
in the second period and did not awaken until the last few minutes when
substitute Marlon Harewood twice failed by inches to add to their lead. By
then, Gary Speed had pulled one back for Bolton on 67 minutes after keeper
Rob Green superbly saved from Nicolas Anelka. It was some consolation for
new manager Sammy Lee in what had looked a baptism of fire just a few days
after Sam Allardyce's shock walk-out. But unless they radically improve
against Aston Villa next Sunday, their dream of qualifying for the UEFA Cup
again will be over. Curbishley's team were clearly in the mood when referee
Mike Riley had to call West Ham's players from a pre-match huddle for the
kick-off, such was their determination to escape the drop in their last home
appearance of the season.
Bolton, trying to prove there is still life after Allardyce following his
resignation with just two games to go, played with top-scorer Anelka alone
up front but with dangerous Kevin Davies at the front of a midfield diamond.
Out of nowhere it was Tevez who delighted the home crowd by giving the
Hammers an 11th minute lead with a superb free-kick. He was brought down six
yards outside the area by Abdoulaye Meite and stepped up to curl a beautiful
effort over the wall and wide of keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Tevez ran
joyfully to the sidelines to celebrate his fifth goal of the season but was
soon back in action, lining up the Hammers wall to face an Anelka free-kick.
He must have got it just right as the Frenchman's attempt from 25 yards
failed to breach the obstruction. And it got even better for West Ham and
Tevez when he slotted home a second goal after 22 minutes. Midfielder Noble
was the instigator when dispossessing Anelka inside his own half and sending
Luis Boa Morte scampering down the left to lay on a simple sidefooted effort
for the South American.
Tevez might have had a hat-trick soon afterwards when his powerful shot was
beaten out by Jaaskelainen, but instead he laid on the third for Noble in
the 29th minute - with assistance from Bolton. Ivan Campo's control was a
shambles as he tried to trap a hacked clearance by Anton Ferdinand in his
own half and although Speed should have tidied up, the home side grabbed
possession again and Tevez looked up from the left to see Noble totally
unmarked at the far side to volley sweetly home.
Skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun and Noble dominated the midfield as
Bolton gormlessly declined to refine their one-up, long ball approach.
Anelka looked an isolated figure at the front as both Davies and Nolan were
too embroiled in helping stem the West Ham avalanche to support him. New
Bolton boss Lee must have given an Allardyce-style grilling to his side at
half time because they made a fair fist of trying to turn things around in
the second period.
Goalkeeper Green made a fine save turning Anelka's long-range blast round a
post, but as Bolton stepped up their barrage and the game became broken up
by a series of spiteful tackles, it was no surprise to see the visitors cut
West Ham's lead with 23 minutes to go. Bobby Zamora, a willing workhorse for
the first hour, was taken off soon after reacting to a challenge and being
shown a yellow card. But within three minutes of Harewood's arrival as
substitute, veteran Speed struck for Bolton. Noble lost the ball to Davies,
who found Anelka, and the Frenchman's touch was ideally into Speed's stride
for a scoring shot. For a while Bolton's big boot threatened a way back, but
the Hammers saw off the threat and Harewood was twice close to adding to the
score late on.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is ready for a breathtaking finish to the
season after his side climbed out of the bottom three for the first time
since December with a 3-1 home win over Bolton. And he is banking on
Argentinian Carlos Tevez inspiring the Hammers to an epic win at Manchester
United next Sunday to save their Premiership skins - if it is needed. Tevez
scored twice and made the other for Mark Noble as West Ham secured their
sixth win in eight games and a delighted Curbishley said: 'It is in our
hands for the first time. 'I was just happy we got the result today but
anything can still happen. Tevez was doubtful to play, he had an ankle
problem. 'But he was great, so was the football in the first half and so
were the goals. 'I'm not into the ifs and buts at the moment but let's hope
there is nothing too much on it next Sunday at Old Trafford. My record there
is as bad as anyone's. 'But Tevez is an inspiration to us at the moment. And
I'm sure he's not bothered too much by all the off-the-field stuff. 'It
helps when he can't speak the language and can't read the newspapers. He
says he is just a footballer and wants to get on with that. And that suits
us.'
West Ham now look favourites to survive despite winning only one game in the
first 11 - ironically against United - when Curbishley took over from Alan
Pardew in December. Pardew's Charlton face Spurs on Monday and finish at
Liverpool, whose weakened team's defeat at Craven Cottage left Fulham
practically safe on 39 points. West Ham's biggest worry is a pending
possible legal threat by four clubs - Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and
Wigan - against the Premier League for not docking the East London club
points for illegally signing Tevez and Javier Mascherano last August. But
Tevez, who opened the scoring against Bolton with a superb 11th-minute
free-kick before adding his sixth goal of the season 11 minutes later, said
he would consider staying at West Ham next season. He said through an
interpreter: 'I will be happy to have negotiations with the club but right
now my focus is on doing well against Manchester United next week. 'They
could be champions by then and are a strong team at home especially.'
Curbishley added: 'The crowd have been shouting for Tevez ever since I came
here. I didn't pick him in the first few games but he's got into the team
and shown his real quality. 'In recent weeks we've asked him to play further
forward in the last third of the field and put pressure on people. It has
made all the difference. 'We've also been able to field a settled side in
the last few weeks and that has helped a lot as well.'
New Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw his UEFA Cup hopes dented despite a
second-half reply by Gary Speed and defeats for rivals Portsmouth and
Reading, but praised his players. 'It was very disappointing we didn't stick
to our game plan in the first half but the boys deserved credit for the way
they applied themselves afterwards,' Lee said after his first game since
succeeding Sam Allardyce. 'We had to push four men up and take some chances
at the back but we finally looked more like the old Bolton. 'The big plus to
come out for us is that other sides around us in the table lost. The UEFA
Cup means a great deal to us. We all enjoyed it two years ago and want to be
back in it. 'This certainly wasn't the start I was looking for. We lacked
the basics but once we got them right and threw a bit of caution to the wind
we looked a different side. 'The events of the last week have been difficult
for the lads but they applied themselves much better in the second half.
'There is no doubt about this being a big change for me. I've learned a lot
about myself in the last week, especially in the first half today, but I
enjoyed even that challenge of trying to get it right. 'And I'm thrilled to
have this position and I'm going to do the best job I can.'
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dispute casts a cloud over Tevez parade
By Patrick Barclay at Upton Park, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:43pm BST 05/05/2007
West Ham United (3) 3 Bolton Wanderers (0) 1
Amid all the excitement, the thought kept recurring: was this just another
pretty bubble? It was wonderful to watch, a pageant of attacking football
which, in less than half an hour, sent West Ham's hopes of avoiding
relegation soaring. Three contrasting goals, each more beautiful than its
predecessor, took the breath away. Yet, until the doubt over the contract
under which Carlos Tevez is operating is cleared, the club's right to
Premiership survival will be questioned.
Tevez was the inspiration behind a display that raised another question, one
familiar towards the end of every season when those near the foot of the
table rouse themselves: how did they get into trouble in the first place?
One reason was complacency after a bright return to the top division under
Alan Pardew. Another, it seemed odd to reflect here, was the disruption
caused by the arrivals last August of Tevez and his Argentine compatriot
Javier Mascherano, now at Liverpool. These deals, which eventually led to a
£5.5 million Premier League fine, still haunt West Ham, with rival clubs led
by Wigan - and many who have no such self-interest - arguing they should be
relegated.
Beyond dispute here was the judgment of West Ham's fans, whose
near-unanimous vote for Tevez as player of the year could scarcely have been
more swiftly or emphatically vindicated. After 10 minutes in which West Ham
were so nervous that Bolton might have scored, he curled a free-kick past
Jussi Jaaskelainen. Then he rounded off a move instigated by the highly
impressive young Mark Noble, who proceeded to score the third from Tevez's
cross with a volleyed scissor-kick so violent and yet sumptuous that a
child, were he to encounter it in a daydream, would probably rule it out on
the grounds of unfeasibility.
To all intents and purposes, the contest was over. Sammy Lee had been
defeated in his inaugural match as Bolton manager and his ambition to take
Sam Allardyce's side back into the UEFA Cup had suffered. And long before
Gary Speed had obtained empty consolation the home support were turning
their thoughts to Old Trafford. For it is on Manchester United's ground that
West Ham, who have a history of confounding Sir Alex Ferguson's title
aspirations, must endeavour to secure a point or three. What a culmination
of this wayward and often chaotic season.
Around this time last year, remember, West Ham were outperforming Liverpool
in an FA Cup final which, although they lost on penalties, seemed to confirm
Pardew had them on the right lines. Then came months of under-achievement.
What had happened to them? Basically, they had lost the injured Dean Ashton.
He must be some player, we thought.
In fact Ashton is a very good centre-forward, but that was never the point.
Other things that were to change included the manager - Alan Curbishley for
Pardew - and the club's ownership. They now have an Icelandic chairman who,
until recently, has been looking as if he has made the biggest mistake of
his life. Even now Eggert Magnusson can only pray he is over the worst of
the mess bequeathed by the previous regime, who signed Tevez and Mascherano
and, according to a Premier League inquiry, failed to tell the truth about
it when challenged.
Not surprisingly, others fighting relegation were outraged by the League's
failure to dock points - and there is a threat to sue. To me the strangest
thing was that, after all the investigations, West Ham got the nod to keep
fielding Tevez, who was a key contributor to the victory last weekend at
Wigan that encouraged their belief in salvation and who lifted them again
here. Meanwhile Mascherano is blithely treading the fields of Anfield Road.
Good luck to them. But it does make you wonder afresh how assiduously our
vaunted Premiership is policed.
Such issues were submerged under waves of emotion here. Tevez, battling for
the ball, was fouled by Abdoulaye Meite and got up to flight his free-kick;
it was a goal from the moment it left his right boot. The second originated
in the tenacity of Noble, who dispossessed Nicolas Anelka and slid a superb
early ball for Luis Boa Morte, whose equally prompt pass inside let Tevez
sidefoot home. And finally Tevez picked out Noble, who, however long he
plays, will never shoot more satisfyingly.
Much hard work kept the points safe and afterwards Curbishley, having
reacted impassively to someone's recollection that United had been beaten
here in his first match in charge, said: "It's in our hands. We couldn't
have a tougher match than at Old Trafford but the players are full of
confidence.'' He almost casually added that Tevez, after injuring an ankle
in training, had been "very doubtful'' for the match. At least that doubt
had been swept away.
Match summary
Man of the match: Carlos Tevez. Not just for his goals and his skills; the
Argentine's workrate was feverish. He never gave the Bolton rearguard a
moment of peace.
Moment of the match: Mark Noble's goal was one of the most thrilling of the
season. When the ball reached him from Carlos Tevez's cross, he scorned any
temptation to take a touch before shooting --- and he had to adjust his feet
in mid-air. Apart from all that, it was a tap-in.
Rating: 8/10
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez double twists knife on rivals
By Ryan Johnson, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:43pm BST 05/05/2007
Carlos Tevez rubbed salt in the wounds of West Ham's rivals in the fight
against relegation from the Premiership by scoring two goals in his side's
3-1 win over Bolton.
It lifted the Hammers out of the bottom three but will have done nothing to
lift the sense of injustice felt by Wigan - one of at least four clubs
taking legal advice about the decision to fine the London side £5.5 million
over Tevez's transfer, while not imposing a points penalty that would have
almost certainly seen them relegated.
"Tevez is an inspiration to us at the moment and I'm sure he's not bothered
too much by all the off-the-field stuff," said West Ham manager Alan
Curbishley. "It helps when he can't speak the language and can't read the
newspapers. He says he is just a footballer and wants to get on with that.
And that suits us."
It was reported last night that some clubs not directly involved in the
relegation battle could join Wigan, Fulham, Charlton and Sheffield United,
should they take legal action, as "a matter of principle". However, it has
emerged that a challenge in ordinary courts of law may infringe FIFA rules.
Doubts over Tevez's future linger, but the player himself said yesterday
that he would consider staying at Upton Park beyond his debut season in the
Premiership, which will culminate next Sunday with a trip to Old Trafford.
Speaking through an interpreter, Tevez said: "I will be happy to have
negotiations with the club but right now my focus is on doing well against
Manchester United next week."
While Tevez was delighting in his double, Wigan were losing at home to
Middlesbrough and have dropped into the bottom three with only one match
-away to fellow strugglers Sheffield United - remaining. Danger looms for
United too, after they were beaten 3-0 at Aston Villa.
Another of the clubs infuriated by West Ham's punishment, Fulham, beat
Liverpool to give stand-in manager Lawrie Sanchez his first win and assure
the team of Premiership survival.
Manchester United moved to within a point of becoming champions with a
hard-fought 1-0 win in the Manchester derby. A first-half Cristiano Ronaldo
penalty decided things but the game was not without its share of
controversy.
There was some sense of justice for Ronaldo after he was brought down in the
box by Michael Ball, who had earlier appeared to stamp on the Portugal
international's chest after a crunching tackle. He made easy work of the
penalty but United had to fight as City fought for an equaliser. It seemed
they were going to get it when they were awarded a penalty but Darius
Vassell shot straight at Edwin van der Sar.
Chelsea go to Arsenal today knowing that anything less than a win will make
United champions but Sir Alex Ferguson will not be watching the match on
television. He will be hoping for a repeat of 1993 when he learned of his
title win on the golf course.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League hit back
By Simon Hart, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:43pm BST 05/05/2007
The Premier League have rejected claims by Charlton, Wigan, Fulham and
Sheffield United that West Ham are still in breach of rules by continuing to
field Carlos Tevez. The four clubs, who insist West Ham should have been
deducted points instead of being fined £5.5 million for entering into
unauthorised third-party agreements for the services of Tevez and fellow
Argentine Javier Mascherano, have protested that the club remain subject to
third-party influence.
They point to the fact that the player's economic rights are still owned by
Media Sports Investment (MSI) and that West Ham have had to negotiate with
the company before being allowed to play him. The row could turn into a
damaging court battle if West Ham manage to avoid relegation next Sunday,
especially since Tevez has played such a crucial role in the club's
spectacular run of six victories in eight matches.
After meeting in London on Friday to discuss a possible legal challenge to
the decision of the independent disciplinary commission, the so-called 'gang
of four' sent a joint letter to the Premier League board calling for a new
commission to be set up to investigate West Ham.
The letter said: "We are extremely concerned that WHUFC remain subject to
that [third party] influence and as such there is a continuing serious
breach by WHUFC of FAPL [FA Premier League] rule B13." It added: "It is
incumbent on the FAPL to convene a commission and proceed against WHUFC in
relation to this very serious matter."
The Premier League board have yet to give a formal response but a league
spokesman indicated that the claims would be rejected: "West Ham have
satisfied the Premier League board in relation to the third-party
agreement."
The issue centres on whether it was sufficient for West Ham to terminate
their private third-party agreement with MSI unilaterally in a letter sent
to the company's president, Kia Joorabchian, nine days ago. The letter was
enough to satisfy the league's board, who immediately cleared Tevez to play
at Wigan.
However, Joorabchian has reportedly refused to agree to the contract being
annulled - a situation seized upon by the four clubs as proof that MSI
retain a third-party hold on the club. The Premier League remain confident
they have acted properly in clearing Tevez to play because, in the opinion
of the disciplinary commission chairman, Simon Bourne-Arton QC, West Ham's
private agreements with MSI for both Tevez and Mascherano were not legally
enforceable in the first place due to "an obvious restraint of trade", even
if the club clearly believed that they were valid, enforceable contracts.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers hail saviour Tevez - This Is London
06.05.07
Carlos Tevez strolled around the Upton Park pitch last night, his face lit
by the broadest, brightest, toothiest smile in football. The West Ham fans
bawled his name over and over again, and the smile grew wider. The little
man is at the centre of one of the strangest controversies of the entire
season, yet last night he seemed at peace with the world.
His football had been a marvel of sustained exuberance,and in this crucial
game he scored two goals, created a third and offered his team a genuine
chance of Premiership survival.
It is the presence of Tevez in the West Ham side, along with the
circumstances of his signing,which has caused Sheffield
United,Wigan,Charlton and Fulham to threaten legal action.Those relegation
rivals believe, with some justice, that the Hammers have been treated far
too kindly by the Premier League and that their fate should by now have been
sealed.
As we watched Tevez join that lap of honour, as we heard the crowd acclaim
the feisty little Argentine, we realised just how important he has been to
his team's urgently belated efforts to stay up.
Next week, he will play in the final, crucial match at Manchester United.
After that, his future will be decided. Speaking through an interpreter, he
said:"We have to sit down and sort out a whole range of things. It's too
early to say what will happen and whether I will stay. First we must go to
Old Trafford. I'm looking forward to it."
But while West Ham have been fined £5.5 million as a result of his presence,
the fact is that he owes them nothing. Far more than any other player,he has
been the difference between blank despair and a shaft of hope. Alan
Curbishley insists the upheavals have not affected the player. "It helps
when you can't speak the language and read the papers," observed the
manager."He feels it's nothing to do with him. He just plays football."
Curbishley also revealed that Tevez had been extremely doubtful for the
game, following an ankle injury in training. "Wouldn't the conspiracy
theorists have loved that!" he said. Certainly,poor Sammy Lee would not have
complained at his absence.
Lee — booted and suited and diligently dapper — saw his hopes of a smooth
transformation post- Allardyce taken to pieces inside half an hour. Tevez
was everywhere: posing on the front of the programme, grinning as his
chairman awarded him the trophy for Hammer of the Year, and, most
prominently, in the early assault which destroyed Bolton.
His presence owed everything to that bizarre judgment which declared that
West Ham executives had cheated and lied over the circumstances surrounding
the signings of Tevez and his countryman Javier Mascherano, but that no
points would be deducted as it was a sensitive time of the season.
In the event, he was involved in everything West Ham attempted,right from
the 10th minute when he was brought down on the fringe of the box.
The defensive line seemed adequate and the keeper properly positioned, but
Tevez took the free-kick himself, worked the ball up and down and watched it
tear high into the net.
Eleven minutes later he scored his second, the product of a concerted team
effort. Nigel Reo-Coker won a strong tackle and Mark Noble released a long,
measured ball to Luis Boa Morte, who ran on down the left,kept his head and
slipped a pass inside. Tevez just devoured the chance.
Within eight minutes, all the wheels had fallen off and Bolton's chassis was
scraping the ground. Ivan Campo lost possession on the edge of his box. The
ball was played wide to Tevez, whose resourceful cross was met by Noble's
flourish of a volley for the third.
No longer were the home fans chanting "We are staying up", suddenly,
irrationally, they were dreaming of Europe. It was all vaguely surreal.
There are people in the West Ham side who didn't start running until early
March, yet here they were, sprinting on overlaps, charging down shots and
generally playing with the energy and pride which is the least we expect of
a Premiership team.
Further goals seemed inevitable, indeed, a Tevez hat-trick looked the safest
bet of the day. Yet Bolton acquired a more convincing shape when David
Thompson came off, James Sinclair arrived to play at right back and Campo
moved into midfield.
But all this delivered was a single goal in the 67th minute when Noble was
caught in possession. Nicolas Anelka broke and Gary Speed accepted the
scoring invitation. It was much too little and far too late for Bolton. As
for West Ham, next Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford, all will be revealed.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report - TeamTalk
West Ham3
Tevez 10, Tevez 21, Noble 29
Bolton1 Speed 67
(HT 3 - 0)
Kickoff: 15:00
Att: 34404
Carlos Tevez defied the row surrounding his transfer by scoring two goals in
a 3-1 win over Bolton to move West Ham out of the bottom three.
West Ham 21 Green
2 Neill
19 Collins
5 Ferdinand
6 McCartney
15 Benayoun
20 Reo-Coker ***
24 Noble
13 Boa Morte **
25 Zamora *
32 Tevez
On The Bench 18 Spector ** (78)
27 Davenport
17 Mullins *** (85)
10 Harewood * (63)
12 Cole C
Bolton 22 Jaaskelainen
5 Meite
28 Michalik
8 Campo
11 Gardner ***
15 Thompson *
6 Speed
16 Teymourian **
4 Nolan
39 Anelka
14 Davies
On The Bench 12 Walker
7 Giannakopoulos *** (75)
23 Tal
20 Vaz Te ** (64)
37 Sinclair * (57)
Now only the 'Gang of Four' and their threat to sue the Premier League for
not docking them points for illegally signing Tevez and Javier Mascherano
earlier in the season looks the major threat to West Ham's top-flight status
after six wins in the last eight matches. Alan Curbishley, who saw them win
only one of their first 11 after he arrived to replace Alan Pardew, must
have thought his side were going to rack up a snooker score against hapless
Bolton with an electric display in the first half. But after Tevez curled in
a sublime free-kick for an early opener then added a simple second before
laying on a third for Mark Noble, the Hammers went to sleep in the second
period and did not awaken until the last few minutes when substitute Marlon
Harewood twice failed by inches to add to their lead. By then, Gary Speed
had pulled one back for Bolton on 67 minutes after keeper Rob Green superbly
saved from Nicolas Anelka. And it was some consolation for new manager Sammy
Lee in what had looked a baptism of fire just a few days after Sam
Allardyce's shock walk-out. But unless they radically improve against Aston
Villa next Sunday, their dream of re-qualifying for the UEFA Cup will be
over. Curbishley's team were clearly in the mood when referee Mike Riley had
to call West Ham's players from a pre-match huddle for the kick-off, such
was their determination to escape the drop in their last home appearance of
the season. Bolton, trying to prove there is still life after Allardyce
following his resignation with just two games to go, played with top-scorer
Anelka alone up front but with dangerous Kevin Davies at the front of a
midfield diamond. But out of nowhere it was hero Tevez who delighted the
home crowd by giving the Hammers an 11th minute lead with a superb
free-kick. He was brought down six yards outside the area by Abdoulaye Meite
and stepped up to curl a beautiful effort over the wall and wide of helpless
keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Tevez ran joyfully to the sidelines to celebrate his fifth goal of the
season but was soon back in action, lining up the Hammers wall to face an
Anelka free-kick. He must have got it just right as the Frenchman's attempt
from 25 yards failed to breach the obstruction. And it got even better for
West Ham and Tevez when he slotted home a second goal after 22 minutes.
Noble was the instigator when dispossessing Anelka inside his own half and
sending Luis Boa Morte scampering down the left to lay on a simple
sidefooted effort for the South American.
Tevez might have had a hat-trick soon afterwards when his powerful shot was
beaten out by Jaaskelainen but instead he laid on the third for Noble in the
29th minute - with assistance from Bolton. Ivan Campo's control was a
shambles as he tried to trap a hacked clearance by Anton Ferdinand in his
own half and although Speed should have tidied up, the home side grabbed
possession again and Tevez looked up from the left to see Noble totally
unmarked at the far side to volley sweetly home.
Skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun and Noble dominated the midfield as
Bolton declined to refine their one-up, long ball approach. Anelka looked an
isolated figure at the front as both Davies and Nolan were too embroiled in
helping stem the West Ham avalanche to support him. Lee must have given an
Allardyce-style grilling to his side at half time because they made a fair
fist of trying to turn things around in the second period. Goalkeeper Green
made a fine save turning Anelka's long-range blast round a post but as
Bolton stepped up their barrage and the game became broken up by a series of
spiteful tackles, it was no surprise to see the visitors cut West Ham's lead
with 23 minutes to go. Bobby Zamora, a willing workhorse for the first hour,
was taken off soon after reacting to a challenge and being shown a yellow
card. And within three minutes of Harewood's arrival as substitute, veteran
Speed struck for Bolton. Noble lost the ball to Davies who found Anelka and
the Frenchman's touch was ideally into Speed's stride for a scoring shot.
For a while Bolton's big boot threatened a way back but Hammers saw off the
threat and Harewood was twice close to adding to the score late on.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League 'satisfied' by Tevez - TeamTalk
The Premier League have confirmed they are "satisfied" with West Ham striker
Carlos Tevez's registration. Fellow strugglers Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield
United and Wigan have taken legal advice and on Friday sent a joint letter
to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore regarding the handling
of the Tevez and Javier Mascherano signings. The Hammers were fined
£5.5million last week by an independent commission for breaching rules
regarding third-party ownership but there were concerns that with the club
still negotiating with owners Media Sports Investment, he may be ineligible
for the run-in. But a Premier League spokesman insisted West Ham are not in
breach of any rules. He said: "West Ham has reached an acceptable position
to the Premier League board in relation to the third party agreement,
consequently the board is satisfied with the player's registration. "The
board will respond to the letter in full in due course." The teams are
taking legal advice on the matter and believe Alan Curbishley's side should
have been punished with a points deduction instead of a purely financial
penalty.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3 Bolton 1 - The Sun
May 05, 2007
CARLOS TEVEZ hit a superb double to lift West Ham out of the relegation
zone. The Argentina striker struck twice in the first half before Mark
Noble's cracking volley made it 3-0. Gary Speed grabbed a second-half
consolation for Bolton but the Hammers held on. They jump three points clear
of Wigan, who lost at Middlesbrough. Now only the Gang of Four - and their
threat to sue the Premier League for not docking the Hammers points for
illegally signing Tevez and Javier Mascherano - looks a major threat to West
Ham's top-flight status after six wins in eight matches. Boss Alan
Curbishley, whose side finish their season at Manchester United, said: "It
is in our hands for the first time. "I was just happy we got the result
today but anything can still happen. "Let's hope there is nothing too much
on it next Sunday at Old Trafford. My record there is as bad as anyone's."
Curbishley admitted Tevez has made the difference in the Hammers' stunning
revival. He said: "Tevez was doubtful to play, he had an ankle problem. But
he was great, so was the football in the first half and so were the goals.
"Tevez is an inspiration to us at the moment. And I'm sure he's not bothered
too much by all the off-the-field stuff. "It helps when he can't speak the
language and can't read the newspapers. He says he is just a footballer and
wants to get on with that. And that suits us. "The crowd have been shouting
for Tevez ever since I came here. I didn't pick him in the first few games
but he's got into the team and shown his real quality. "In recent weeks
we've asked him to play further forward in the last third of the field and
put pressure on people. It has made all the difference. "We've also been
able to field a settled side in the last few weeks and that has helped a lot
as well."
Tevez himself insisted through an interpreter that his mind is purely on
keeping West Ham up - rather than whether he will stay next season. He said:
"I will be happy to have negotiations with the club but right now my focus
is on doing well against Manchester United next week. "They could be
champions by then and are a strong team at home especially."
New Bolton manager Sammy Lee said: "This certainly wasn't the start I was
looking for. "We lacked the basics but once we got them right and threw a
bit of caution to the wind we looked a different side. "The events of the
last week have been difficult for the lads but they applied themselves much
better in the second half. "There is no doubt about this being a big change
for me. I've learned a lot about myself in the last week, especially in the
first half today, but I enjoyed even that challenge of trying to get it
right. "And I'm thrilled to have this position and I'm going to do the best
job I can."
Curbishley, who saw them win only one of their first 11 games after he
replaced Alan Pardew, must have thought they were going to rack up a snooker
score with an electric first-half display. Tevez who delighted the home
crowd by giving the Hammers an 11th minute lead with a superb free-kick. He
was brought down six yards outside the area by Abdoulaye Meite and stepped
up to curl a beautiful effort over the wall and wide of helpless keeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen.
And it got even better for West Ham when he slotted home a second goal after
22 minutes. Noble dispossessed Anelka inside his own half and sent Luis Boa
Morte scampering down the left to lay on a simple sidefooted effort for the
South American. Tevez might have had a hat-trick soon afterwards when his
powerful shot was beaten out by Jaaskelainen. But he soon laid on the third
for Noble in the 29th minute with assistance from Bolton. Ivan Campo's
control was a shambles as he tried to trap a hacked clearance by Anton
Ferdinand in his own half and Tevez looked up from the left to see Noble
totally unmarked at the far side to volley sweetly home. Skipper Nigel
Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun and Noble dominated the midfield as Bolton
declined to refine their long-ball approach. Anelka looked an isolated
figure at the front as both Kevin Davies and Kevin Nolan were too embroiled
in helping stem the West Ham avalanche to support him. Lee must have given a
Sam Allardyce-style grilling to his side at half-time because they made a
fist of trying to turn things around in the second period. Hammers keeper
Rob Green made a fine save, turning Anelka's long-range blast round a post,
but it was no surprise to see the visitors cut the deficit with 23 minutes
to go. Noble lost the ball to Davies, who found Anelka, and the Frenchman's
touch was ideally placed in Speed's stride for a scoring shot.
For a while Bolton's big boot threatened a way back but Hammers saw off the
threat and Harewood was twice close to adding to the score late on. Lee
added: "It was very disappointing we didn't stick to our game plan in the
first half but the boys deserved credit for the way they applied themselves
afterwards. "We had to push four men up and take some chances at the back
but we finally looked more like the old Bolton. "The big plus to come out
for us is that other sides around us in the table lost. The UEFA Cup means a
great deal to us. We all enjoyed it two years ago and want to be back in
it."
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Tevez points way to survival - the Times
West Ham 3 Bolton 1
Duncan Castles at Upton Park
A grim result for the Gang of Four, a good one for their lawyers. Three more
points for West Ham United – controversially acquired with the devastatingly
effective Carlos Tevez utterly to the fore – lifted the rule-breakers out of
the drop zone; expensive legal counsel will now try and put them back there.
This was the outcome Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan feared
when they gathered together a few miles west of here on Friday.
Why, they asked, had the Premier League punished West Ham with a fine, not
points, for entering into an illegal contract with the Argentina forward and
his erstwhile teammate Javier Mascherano? Sort it out or we sue was their
threat to the authorities.
The problem is that West Ham have been sorting their most pressing problems
out on the field, converting themselves from a team seemingly destined for
relegation through their obvious shortcomings to the one with the strongest
fight to survive. Ignorant of the illegality of a contract that allowed the
investment companies that own his sporting rights to decide when (and to
where) he should leave the club, Tevez has been the maelstrom.
Fast of foot and mind, bullish in his drive on goal, yesterday he was
unstoppable, scoring twice inside 21 minutes and creating West Ham's third
before the half-hour mark. If ever there was a performance to infuriate
angry men, this was it.
Five victories from their preceding seven fixtures had kept West Ham from
suffering relegation before the Premier League had announced the verdict on
their August transfer dealings. Momentum, suggested Alan Curbishley, was
with his team – and along with it the desire to kick lumps out off each
other in training. One friendly boot to the ankle had put Tevez in an oxygen
tent for much of the week; his return coincided with a session so tasty his
manager called it quits before more damage was done.
Appropriate preparation for a visit with Bolton, some might argue.
In his first match in full command, Sammy Lee made one alteration – Kevin
Nolan returning from injury to the right wing. The shape was the same as
under Sam Allardyce, Bolton's captain pushing up alongside Nicolas Anelka
when his team attacked, dropping deep beside David Thompson when defending.
In the opening minutes, Nolan was mostly forward as Bolton twice threatened
a goal through Thompson's chip onto the roof of the net and a long ball from
the midfielder that James Collins almost misdirected into Anelka's path.
West Ham's first proper attack had Nolan and his team on the back foot.
Left free to run at Bolton's back four as he deemed appropriate, Tevez was
shifting from one defender to another in unsettling manner. Collecting
possession with the entire backline in front of him, he set out on the kind
of swerving, unpredictable dribbles that larger, less agile defenders hate –
Abdoulaye Meite confirming his dislike by cutting him down. Tevez simply
stepped up and swerved the football over Bolton's wall and Jussi
Jaaskelainen's right hand. Then he was off to the touchline for a leap into
Steve Allen's arms that sent the West Ham physio, who'd got him fit to play,
tumbling down to the turf.
An already raucous Upton Park grew noisier still, but this was only the
beginning. Anelka drove a free kick from similar range into West Ham's
defenders and George McCartney did well to intercept a cross from the
Frenchman before it reached Kevin Davies, then the home side returned to
their fluid attack.
On 21 minutes, Mark Noble stole possession 40 yards from goal and
immediately released Luis Boa Morte down the left wing. Unchallenged, he
squared to the unmarked Tevez, who bypassed Jaaskelainen for the second.
More South American quality – and more lax Bolton defending – saw Tevez turn
provider for the third. Bobby Zamora caught Ivan Campo dallying on the edge
of his own penalty box and shuttled the ball to Tevez. He accelerated into
space on the left, looked up for options, and flighted a cross to Noble on
the opposite side of the area. The midifielder's furious volley travelled
close to Jaaskelainen, yet was so pacy he could not place a finger on it.
He palmed away a powerful Tevez Cutting edge: Carlos Tevez races away after
scoring West Ham's first and, inset, he collects the player of the year
award from Eggert Magnusson drive three minutes later, but his teammates
were gasping for air. A close-range Davies shot had the home support
breathing deeply, but there was precious little oxygen for Bolton's quest
for a Uefa Cup place. An understandably more cautious Hammers worked their
way through the second half, Tevez almost playing in Yossi Benayoun and
Marlon Harewood for a fourth, then stretching Jaaskelainen himself.
Though Noble surrendered possession to allow Gary Speed a goal on the
counter and a barrage of long balls strained nerves, there was no defence
against Tevez. It may be down to the lawyers to find one.
Match stats
Star man: Carlos Tevez (West Ham)
Yellow cards: West Ham: Zamora, Noble Bolton: Gardner, Thompson, Speed,
Davies, Nolan
Referee: M Riley Attendance: 34,404
Player ratings:West Ham: Green 6, Neill 6, Collins 7, Ferdinand 6, McCartney
7, Benayoun 6, Noble 7, Reo-Coker 6 (Mullins 86min), Boa Morte 7 (Spector
80min), Zamora 7 (Harewood 64min), Tevez 9 Bolton: Jaaskelainen 6, Campo 4,
Meite 6, Michalik 6, Gardner 5 (Stelios 76min), Thompson 6 (Sinclair 58min,
6), Speed 6, Andranik 6 (Vaz Te 65min), Nolan 5, Davies 6, Anelka 6
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West Ham Utd 3 Bolton Wanderers 1: Tevez bid to beat drop fans flames of
furious rivals - The Independent
Argentinian hero shines in controversy's spotlight as post-Allardyce Bolton
look spineless
By Jason Burt at Upton Park
Published: 06 May 2007
Whatever the rights and wrongs, the justices and misdemeanours, of Carlos
Tevez's presence in a West Ham shirt the striker seared an afternoon of rich
memories into the mind of every one of the club's supporters yesterday. It
was Tevez who inspired his team to a vibrant victory over Bolton that might
mean they will save their Premiership lives after all.
It was fated that it would be Tevez's day after the season, after the week,
West Ham have endured. It will also fuel the anger of those around them at
the foot of the table who are already threatening legal action over the
vexed issue of his ownership and the demand for points to be deducted.
But two goals from the Argentine in an dramatic first-half garnered the
points, along with a third he created, and meant that West Ham have now won
three League games in a row and six of their last eight. They will face
Manchester United, who they beat in Curbishley's first game in charge, but a
fixture they had feared, brimming with belief, emboldened by their
relentless talisman.
Tevez was presented with the award for West Ham's player of the year prior
to kick-off, the trophy handed over by chairman Eggert Magnusson who could
have been forgiven, despite the back-slapping, of harbouring mixed feelings.
Tevez was the overwhelming winner with 84.5 per cent of the fans' vote
although that ratio would have been even higher had the poll been taken last
night.
It was a harrowing defeat to Bolton last December that ended Alan Pardew's
tenure at West Ham. This encounter ended in a harrowing defeat for Sammy Lee
at the start of his tenure at Bolton. Having succeeded Sam Allardyce the
former assistant manager watched as his traditionally obdurate team were
torn apart in an amazing opening half hour. The only consolation for them
is, that with results elsewhere, there was less damage done to their
prospects of qualifying for the Uefa Cup than could have been inflicted.
"It certainly wasn't the start I would have wished for," Lee admitted. "We
didn't apply our gameplan." That plan certainly wouldn't have included
tripping Tevez on the edge of the penalty area as Abdoulaye Meite did as
early as the 10th minute. It allowed Tevez the opportunity of a pot at goal
and he took it with aplomb, curling a wonderful free-kick beyond the grasp
of Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was also a copy of his first goal for West Ham,
against Tottenham Hotspur on 4 March, and sparked equally wild celebrations.
Those celebrations soon became even wilder when Nigel Reo-Coker, reprising
the driving presence of last season, rather than the hollow imposter of
this, scampered back to steal the ball from Nicolas Anelka as he dallied on
the half-way line.
It broke to Mark Noble who sweetly picked out Luis Boa Morte with a
perceptive pass that dissected the Bolton defence. Boa Morte ran on and
squared for Tevez who, darting into the area, side-footed beyond
Jaaskelainen for his sixth goal of theseason.
West Ham continued to storm forward and, before 30 minutes had elapsed,
Bobby Zamora swept the ball away from Ivan Campo, quickly found Tevez, and
his deep cross from the left-wing picked out Mark Noble. The 19-year-old
midfielder instantly smashed a vicious volley which crashed past
Jaaskelainen and into the net while, soon after Tevez was only denied a
hat-trick by the goalkeeper's alert reactions.
The celebrations were now transformed into blinking disbelief and Bolton,
too, were dazed even if the half-time interval acted as a brake for West Ham
and an opportunity for the visitors to rally. They did and partly did so
because they could feed on home nerves. Suddenly Zamora was straying
offside, crosses were bouncing through the West Ham area and the grip
Reo-Coker and Noble had on midfield was being loosened.
The latter then erred badly as Anelka took the ball from him and crossed low
for Gary Speed to calmly sidefoot the ball back across goal to beat Robert
Green's dive.
Despite the lack of composure West Ham did not truly appear as if they would
surrender the advantage. Indeed they almost increased it only for
Jaaskelainen to block a shot from substitute Marlon Harewood and Tevez to
slice another half-chance wide.
It was about the only time that he had failed to excel and the irony for the
Irons - and those who may suffer because of it - will not have been lost.
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'We'll bankrupt you'
Jamie Jackson
Sunday May 6, 2007
The Observer
West Ham's joy at moving out of the bottom three of the Premiership for the
first time since December was tempered last night when it emerged that a
third of the Premiership's clubs are ready to go to court and possibly
bankrupt the east London club should they avoid relegation. Carlos Tevez,
the man at the centre of the row that threatens the Premier League's
stability, scored twice as West Ham beat Bolton 3-1 at a noisy Upton Park.
Furious executives from four clubs - Sheffield United, Wigan, Fulham and
Charlton - told Observer Sport last night that at least two others, not
directly involved in the relegation fight, could join them in pursuing a
legal action over what they consider to be 'a matter of principle'.
The clubs are fuming about a Premier League commission's decision to fine
West Ham £5.5million - but not dock them points - for fielding ineligible
players Tevez and Javier Mascherano, who are owned by businesses, not clubs,
and for misleading all the other teams in the Premiership. When the clubs
met to discuss the issue last Friday, one course of action they considered
was a legal challenge against the Premier League. But they appear to have no
avenue open to them for such a move. 'They cannot appeal the decision
because they weren't a party to it,' said Gerard Elias, a leading sports
lawyer.
But the commission also found that West Ham had lied to League officials
about the players' contracts, breaking rule B13, which states that 'each
club shall behave towards each other club and League in utmost good faith'.
It is this violation that allows any of the relegation-threatened clubs who
believe their interests may have been damaged to sue West Ham privately.
They can argue that by lying to and misleading the League, West Ham, in
effect, lied to each and every rival club.
'A club might have a claim if they could establish that as a result of West
Ham playing players they should not have done, the club was subsequently
relegated, and if it could show as a result of that, that they have lost
financially because they are in the Championship,' Elias confirmed.
If any club were to win an action directly against West Ham, it could spell
financial doom for the London club, who already have hefty debts.
The independent commission found West Ham guilty of agreeing contracts that
allowed third parties - the businesses that own the economic rights to Tevez
and Mascherano - potentially to influence club and team matters, in
violation of Premier League rule U18. While the fine is the most severe
punishment in the League's history, there is widespread disbelief in the
game that West Ham did not have points deducted.
The clubs are waiting for legal advice, which should arrive by late tomorrow
or early Tuesday, before launching their action. If West Ham stay up, the
clubs will back a legal claim for loss of Premiership status on behalf of
any club who drop into the bottom three. They could claim up to £60m
according to figures released last week by the country's leading football
financial analysts, Deloitte. Even if West Ham go down, the clubs say, a
legal case will go ahead regardless.
Last week, the Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, visited
the clubs in an attempt to alleviate the situation, but met an angry
response. One of the reasons given by the commission for not deducting
points - despite finding West Ham guilty of dishonesty and deceit - was that
the timing, so late in the season, would have meant 'West Ham would have
certainly been relegated'.
Scudamore was repeatedly told by the executives that this was 'nonsensical'.
'If West Ham had been deducted 10 points in January that would have been
catastrophic, too,' said a senior executive of one of the 'gang of four'.
'They would have known they were obviously going down. '
Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, said: 'There has been a large element of
dishonesty here. The Premier League is in a bit of turmoil on rules,
regulations and honesty.' A Fulham director, Stuart Benson, added: 'All the
clubs should have their points reinstated [from games involving Tevez].
Every point lost is worth millions.'
Sheffield United, to back their case that West Ham gained an unfair
advantage over them, will point to their 1-0 defeat by West Ham on 25
November in which Tevez started. Middlesbrough, who lost 2-0 on 31 March,
with Tevez scoring the second goal, are another club who could feel they
have directly suffered. West Ham have won 23 points from matches in which
Tevez played, more than half of their total of 38, and the value of the
player to their cause cannot be overestimated. He won 84.5 per cent of fans'
votes for player of the year, 17 times more than the runner-up, Bobby
Zamora. The Argentine underlined his value with his performance against
Bolton yesterday.
'Make no bones about it,' said Sheffield United's chairman Kevin McCabe, 'we
started looking into this as soon as the announcement came. It seemed to us
that the tribunal did not take into any account the effect of playing those
illegal players on the other clubs in the relegation battle. It seems only
to have considered a breach of the rules and not the implications. It is
also very odd that there was a very clear admission that West Ham had told
lies.
'Now that one-third of the Premier League is together, it may have an effect
on the League in terms of asking for a review of the decision-making process
from the tribunal. That could lead to a different ruling. It seemed obtuse.
'West Ham have admitted that they fielded players illegally. Tevez is a
brilliant player and that gives them an advantage. Hopefully Sheffield
United will not be relegated, but we will support any club in whatever they
might pursue.'
The offending part of Tevez's contract has been changed since the offences
came to light, according to a West Ham official. Mascherano, who barely
played for the club, has since moved to Liverpool on a legally acceptable
contract and has helped the club to the Champions League final.
Another executive from the four confirmed that those above the relegation
zone were considering their position. 'Clubs like Aston Villa and
Middlesbrough are realising: "Hang on here, this could be us next season."'
Third-party ownership of players is common in South America. The agent Pini
Zahavi, speaking to The Observer last November, explained how it works: 'The
footballer, even if he belongs to a company or private business people,
still belongs to the club, because by Fifa regulations the federative
rights, the registration, belong to the club. A single person or company can
own only the economic rights. If a company buys rights to a player when they
sell, half or whatever share of the payment will be transferred to the owner
of the economic rights.
'It's easier to buy a player who you are unsure about for £10million if you
are sharing the risk with a partner. If the player becomes top-drawer and is
sold for £30million, then you may feel stupid only to own half. But if the
player turns out to be merely average or a failure, if he cannot even be
sold, you will say: "Fantastic. The disaster was not only mine." '
The commission, in its deliberations on Tevez and Mascherano, stated that
such contracts were not only contrary to Premier League regulations, but
unenforceable in law because they were 'invalid as being in restraint of
trade'.
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