West Ham United's valiant Carling Cup run has come to an end
12.12.2007
West Ham United 1-2 Everton
West Ham United's Carling Cup dreams were shattered at the Boleyn Ground by
Yakubu Aiyegbeni's late winner that secured Everton's place in the
semi-finals.
The Nigerian striker took full advantage of a defensive mix-up to score his
tenth goal of the season and leave the majority of the 28,877 crowd
distraught, on a night when Carlton Cole had given them so much hope with a
12th-minute opener, only for the Merseysiders to hit back through Leon Osman
and then Yakubu.
With just one defeat in their last eight league and cup games, West Ham
United - who had previously seen off Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and
Coventry City in the earlier rounds - came into this tie brimming with
confidence following their wonderful win at Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
Everton, on an even better run, were also in upbeat mood.
Alan Curbishley had been forced to make two changes as the fit-again Freddie
Ljungberg replaced the cup-tied Nolberto Solano on the right and Ewood Park
match-winner Dean Ashton came in for the injured Matthew Etherington (groin)
to partner Cole up front in a 4-4-2 lineup.
Sitting equally comfortably in seventh-spot in the Premier League - and
having already qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup - in-form
Everton had arrived at the Boleyn Ground boasting an impressive, unbeaten
ten-game stretch that included victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Luton
Town in the previous rounds.
David Moyes made just one switch as Phil Jagielka came in for Leighton
Baines (hamstring) following Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham and hat-trick
hero Yakubu almost carried on from where he left off at Goodison Park, when
he sent a jack-knife header inches wide of Robert Green's right-hand post
after the Merseysiders forced two early corners.
But it was West Ham United who drew first blood when Lucas Neill's lofted
through-ball was killed in an instant by the ghosting Cole, who had timed
his run to perfection. After side-stepping the exposed Tim Howard on the
18-yard line, the in-form striker, who had hit a last-gasp winner at
Coventry in the last round, calmly stroked the ball into the unguarded net
to claim his fourth goal of the season.
In reply, Tim Cahill stung Green's palms with an 18-yarder that sizzled
through the freezing night but having struck once it was West Ham United who
looked most likely to find the net again. Despite Ashton's appetite and
Cole's confidence causing the visiting defence all sorts of problems,
Curbishley's side just could not find that lethal last pass and when they
did get sight of goal, Luis Boa Morte sent a rising 18-yarder over the top.
Everton entered the final stages of the first half still very much in the
tie and, seven minutes before the break, the tenacious Tim Cahill failed to
connect inside the six-yard box after Green could only parry Steven
Pienaar's awkward low cross. The Toffees eventually drew level on 40
minutes, when Pienaar collected the ball at the back of the penalty area
before patiently picking out Osman. He bagged his fifth goal of the campaign
with a curling shot that flew through a pack of bodies, beyond the unsighted
Green.
Curbishley's troops emerged for the restart in a positive mood and, as they
quickly rediscovered their tempo, the lively Cole had an appeal for a
penalty waved away by referee Mark Halsey, before hooking Ljungberg's
near-post corner into the side-netting.
Midway through the second period, Neill was booked for a touchline challenge
on Mikel Arteta and, seconds later, substitute Kyel Reid replaced Boa Morte
out on the left. After George McCartney made two quick-fire saving tackles
on Arteta and then Yakubu, John Pantsil stepped from the bench to replace
the tiring Cole, leaving Ljungberg to partner Ashton in attack.
In a carbon copy of the first half, West Ham United were still struggling to
find the killer pass against a defiant defence and, with erstwhile Everton
equally breaking upfield unsuccessfully, extra time looked inevitable. But
,with just two minutes remaining, disaster struck when that man Yakubu took
full advantage of a mix-up between the hitherto immaculate Danny Gabbidon
and Green to prod Everton into the last four.
West Ham United: Green, Neill (c), Upson, Gabbidon, McCartney, Ljungberg,
Mullins, Parker, Boa Morte (Reid 67), Ashton, Cole (Pantsil 77)
Subs not used: Wright, Spector, Noble
Everton: Howard, Neville (c), Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Pienaar,
Carsley, Arteta, Cahill, Yakubu
Subs not used: Wessels, Hibbert, Gravesen, Johnson, Anichebe
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Curbs reflects on cup exit - WHUFC
Despite the pain of defeat, Alan Curbishley commended his side's commitment
12.12.2007
Alan Curbishley paid tribute to the efforts of his players after the
disappointment of going out of the Carling Cup quarter-finals to a late
Everton goal.
A rare defensive lapse ultimately let in Yakubu Aiyegbeni for the
88th-minute winner but the manager was proud of the commitment shown against
strong opposition on a freezing night at the Boleyn Ground. "We are bitterly
disappointed but the players have given everything they have got," he said.
In reflecting on the decisive strike which came about after a long clearance
was knocked into the area, Curbishley said: "Once it turned us around both
Danny and Greeny got caught in between - and as Greeny was going to go for
it, Danny headed it and that was it. They have been so strong all season -
we will have to take that and get on with it. It was a mistake and we know
that."
The contest had promised much with Freddie Ljungberg and Dean Ashton looking
assured on their return as part of a positive 4-4-2 formation. It paid off
when Carlton Cole scored the opener on 12 minutes. However, Everton,
unbeaten in their ten previous matches, were always a threat and put
together a fine move to equalise through Leon Osman just before half-time.
"We started ever so well and got the goal. Unfortunately I think Everton
took over after that. The big difference in the first half was they were a
bit sharper and a bit more physical," Curbishley added, before expressing
his disappointment that a free-kick was not awarded to Dean Ashton in the
build-up to the winning goal.
The manager, who had to substitute both Luis Boa Morte and Carlton Cole and
was without Matthew Etherington after his groin injury suffered on Sunday,
did not want to dwell on excuses and gave credit to Everton for their
display. "They got on top in the first half and I think that the second half
was much more even without anyone carving anything out. It was either going
to be something special or a mistake either end that was going to finish the
game. It looked as if it was drifting into extra time and they got the
result."
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Faubert winging his way back - WHUFC
Summer signing Julien Faubert has spoken about his recovery from injury
12.12.2007
Julien Faubert has spoken of his satisfaction at finally linking up with his
team-mates at Chadwell Heath after his long-term lay-off.
The France winger has been missing since suffering an achilles injury on the
pre-season tour of Austria soon after signing from Bordeaux. However, he has
come through his specialist rehabilitation in the south of France to resume
running at the training ground.
Speaking to the matchday programme for the Everton cup tie, Faubert said:
"It's great to be back with my team-mates. It was important to recover in
the right environment and it was a shame to pick up the injury so soon into
my West Ham career. I am now focusing on getting back to full fitness."
The 24-year-old's progress has naturally delighted manager Alan Curbishley,
who said: "It's great to see him out there running. Hopefully if he
continues the way he has done in the last week he will be a couple of weeks
away from joining in with us which is a big boost."
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West Ham 1-2 Everton - BBC
By Phil McNulty
Yakubu's 88th-minute winner sank West Ham and sent Everton into the Carling
Cup semi-finals. The Nigerian took advantage of a horrendous mix-up between
West Ham keeper Robert Green and defender Danny Gabbidon to slide in a
simple finish. Carlton Cole gave West Ham an early lead when he raced on to
Lucas Neill's long ball to beat Tim Howard and score. But Leon Osman curled
in an equaliser and Yakubu settled it to spark wild celebrations from
Everton. West Ham and Everton both selected strong sides, an indication that
the stakes are now higher at the business end of the competition. There was
a scare when the floodlights went out briefly 15 minutes before kick-off but
once the action got under way Everton were quickly into their stride. But
West Ham turned the tables and went ahead after only 12 minutes when Neill's
long pass caught out the Everton defence, allowing Cole to beat Everton
keeper Tim Howard to the ball and slide in the finish. Everton remained
composed and almost equalised when keeper Green was lucky to turn Steven
Pienaar's cross away from Tim Cahill. But the pressure told and Everton were
level five minutes before the interval when Pienaar played in Osman neatly
and he curled a deflected shot past Green for a deserved equaliser. The
second half began in ragged fashion, with Pienaar infuriating the Upton Park
crowd with his theatrics, throwing himself to the ground unnecessarily on
several occasions. In a tense cup tie, both defences were strong and on top
as it failed to match the quality of the opening 45 minutes.
Yakubu's control let him down as Everton created a chance with 15 minutes to
go, then Freddie Ljungberg's hesitation cost West Ham an opening after Mikel
Arteta's casual back-heel left his side open to a counter-attack. It looked
like only a mistake would divide the sides - and so it proved as Everton
snatched the winner with two minutes left. Phil Jagielka's long ball looked
harmless until keeper Green and Gabbidon got in a tangle and the ball rolled
through for Yakubu to complete an easy finish.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: "We started ever so well, got the goal,
and unfortunately Everton took over after that. They have a very established
side.
"The referee had a torrid game but the big difference was they were a bit
sharper and more physical. "It was drifting into extra time and then they
got their goal. Danny and Greeny got caught in between. Greeny was going to
get it, Danny headed it. It was a mistake."
Everton manager David Moyes: "The way we came back after they scored was
terrific. The first-half might have been as good as we have played in my
time here. "It is an important result and we are delighted with it, but we
have not won anything yet. "We are going to really enjoy this result and the
players and fans deserve it, but you don't get anything for winning a
quarter-final."
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Gabbidon, Upson, Ljungberg, Parker,
Mullins, Boa Morte (Reid 67), Cole (Pantsil 76), Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Noble, Spector.
Booked: Neill.
Goals: Cole 12.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Osman, Arteta, Cahill,
Carsley, Pienaar, Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Wessels, Hibbert, Johnson, Gravesen, Anichebe.
Goals: Osman 40, Yakubu 88.
Att: 28,777
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
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West Ham Utd 1 Everton 2 - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 12th December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
27 years ago a Frank Lampard winner was enough to send John Lyall's West Ham
through to the FA Cup Final at the expense of Everton in a semi-final replay
thriller. But the Blues finally got their revenge tonight when a Yakubu
strike - similarly right at the death - was enough to send Alan Curbishley's
side tumbling out of the Carling Cup. Although the Hammers had hardly
impressed on the night, it was a cruel way to go out of the competition -
especially as Yakubu's goal was Everton's first effort on goal since Leon
Osman had cancelled out Carlton Cole's 12th minute opener some 50 minutes
earlier. In truth, the Hammers struggled throughout to impress themselves on
Everton's five-man midfield, which harried and troubled the home side
whenever in possession. David Moyes had clearly done his homework, and bar
Cole's goal - a superbly taken effort, with the striker rounding keeper Tim
Howard after a pinpoint delivery from Lucas Neill - the Irons rarely
threatened to repeat that early success. Everton had controlled much of the
first half - which ended with Leon Osman grabbing a deserved equaliser five
minutes ahead of the break with a precision strike from 12 yards - yet were
happy to sit back and soak up whatever the Hammers threw at them after the
break. Whilst the Hammers struggled to make inroads on Everton's goal - a
Carlton Cole header and a wild shot from Dean Ashton being the only notable
second-half efforts - they always looked the most likely to go on and score
the deciding goal if for no other reason than that they maintained greater
territorial advantage. So it was a surprise - although perhaps, given West
Ham's Cup (mis)fortunes over the years, not unexpected - when Yakubu took
advantage of an horrendous mix-up between Danny Gabbidon and Rob Green to
steal the winner two minutes from time. A hopeful punt from the back was
probably more a desperate attempt to bring extra-time closer rather than a
defence-splitting effort - which is how it transpired - yet somehow Yakubu
stole inbetween the hapless Hammers pair to tap home into an empty net.
Gabbidon was perhaps at fault for trying to head the ball back to Green -
although the England hopeful hardly covered himself in glory by flapping at
thin air trying to rectify the situation. Yakubu meanwhile waited patiently
before finding the ball at his feet; there will be no greater gifts in his
entire career. So yet again another Wembley dream disappears; some small
consolation, perhaps, that the Hammers only have to wait three days before
having the opportunity to redress the balance when the two sides meet at the
Boleyn Ground again - this time in the Premier League.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Upson, Gabbidon, McCartney, Ljungberg,
Mullins, Parker, Boa Morte (Reid 67), Ashton, Cole (Paintsil 76).
Subs not used: Wright, Spector, Noble.
Goals: Cole (12).
Booked: Neill (66).
Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Arteta, Osman, Carsley,
Cahill, Pienaar, Yakubu.
Subs not used: Wessels, Hibbert, Gravesen, Anichebe, Johnson.
Goals: Osman (40), Yakubu (88).
Referee: Mark Halsey.
Attendance: 28,777.
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Hammers gift Everton win - SNN
Yakubu scores late winner to send Everton through
Last updated: 12th December 2007
Everton pounced on a late mix-up in the West Ham United defence to move into
the Carling Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win at Upton Park. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
was in the right position to score the winner two minutes from time after
Danny Gabbidon and Robert Green had got in a muddle. Earlier, West Ham had
taken the lead when Carlton Cole took advantage of a lack of communication
in the Everton defence to score on 12 minutes. But the visitors were level
before half-time when Leon Osman showed good awareness to curl home a shot
from the edge of the box. Everton applied some early pressure in East
London, with Yakubu heading wide of the upright from Mikel Arteta's cross.
But slack defending from Everton allowed Cole the opportunity to put the
Hammers ahead on 12 minutes. The visiting back-line stopped to watch Lucas
Neill's ball over the top, prompting Tim Howard to rush out into no-man's
land to enable Cole to capitalise on the mistake. There was a scarcity of
chances in the first period, with Luis Boa Morte blazing over from the edge
of the area, although Everton looked far more threatening in possession.
Everton levelled five minutes before half-time when Steven Pienaar picked
out Osman at the edge of the box and the midfielder curled his shot around a
few bodies and beyond the unsighted Green. Before the interval, the visitors
had another half-chance as Arteta's deep corner was nodded wide at the back
post by Tim Cahill. The second half was mind-numbing stuff, with neither
goalkeeper severely tested by the respective attacks as Everton's bright and
busy football petered out. West Ham screamed for a penalty on the hour mark
when Cole went to ground as he sought to collect Scott Parker's pass into
the box, but Joleon Lescott was merely more determined to win the ball.
There was little to separate the two teams until the 88th minute when
calamitous defending gifted Yakubu the winning goal. Gabbidon dithered in
clearing a long ball, allowing it to bounce into the box before heading
through the hands of Green and into the path of the lurking Yakubu who
tapped the ball home into the empty net to send Everton into the
semi-finals.
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West Ham 1-2 Everton: Last gasp Yak winner - Soccernet
Ayegbeni Yakubu pounced on a defensive howler two minutes from time to book
Everton a place in their first Carling Cup semi-final since 1988 with a 2-1
win over West Ham. With the match seemingly heading for extra-time after a
desperate second half Danny Gabbidon headed the ball past his own goalkeeper
allowing the Nigerian to poke home the winner. It was Everton's only shot of
the half but was enough to seal the Toffeemen victory over a West Ham side
who started brightly but quickly ran out of ideas. The Hammers had taken an
11th-minute lead through Carlton Cole but Everton always looked more
dangerous in possession during the first half and levelled through Leon
Osman. Everton's win extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all
competitions and they return to Upton Park to tackle West Ham in the league
at the weekend. Dean Ashton and Freddie Ljungberg returned to the Hammers'
starting line-up for the first time since October with Matthew Etherington
out injured and Nolberto Solano cup-tied. Everton made just one change from
their 3-0 win over Fulham with Phil Jagielka replacing injured full-back
Leighton Baines. After a brief scare when the lights went out 15 minutes
before kick-off, Everton engineered the first chance in a cagey opening.
Lee Carsley's drive was deflected wide and West Ham looked vulnerable as
Mikel Arteta delivered two testing corners, the second of which Yakubu
headed wide. Steven Pienaar jinked his way into the West Ham box, beating
three defenders who were too concerned about conceding a free-kick to make
the tackle, before he was eventually squeezed off the ball. Ashton just
failed to control Hayden Mullins' angled ball towards the edge of the
penalty area and the ball just skipped away from Ljungberg stealing in at
the far post. But another angled ball from deep, this time from Lucas Neill,
undid the Everton defence as West Ham took the lead after 11 minutes. Cole
escaped his man and beat the on-rushing Tim Howard with one touch before
clipping the ball in for his fourth goal of the season. Green comfortably
held a long-range drive from Tim Cahill before Ashton almost slipped Cole in
again but the through-ball was just too heavy. Scott Parker, Ashton and
Ljungberg combined well to tee up an effort for Luis Boa Morte on the edge
of the Everton area but the Portugal international blazed his strike over
the crossbar. But West Ham could not maintain the momentum as Everton
assumed control. A scuffed clearance from Matthew Upson invited pressure and
caused confusion in the West Ham area. Arteta missed his kick and Cahill
went down hard under a fair challenge from Upson. Green tipped Pienaar's low
cross away from Cahill but eventually the pressure told. With Everton camped
in and around the West Ham box, Pienaar slid a neat pass to the unmarked
Osman who curled his shot past the stranded Green. It was no less than
Everton deserved for a concerted period of pressure. The second half was
desperate with both sides managing just one shot apiece.
Pienaar's theatrics found no favour with referee Mark Halsey after the
midfielder let the ball run across him and went down too easily looking for
a penalty.
Mullins linked with Ljungberg and charged into the Everton penalty area but
nudged the ball just too far ahead and could not get a strike on goal. West
Ham increasingly resorted to long and ineffectual balls towards Cole and
Ashton which Yobo and Jagielka dealt with comfortably and their solitary
effort of the half was an instinctive volley from Cole which sailed wide.
With extra-time looming, West Ham gifted Everton victory. Gabiddon allowed
Jagielka's long ball to bounce and just as Green was coming out to claim the
central defender headed it through the keeper's arms allowing Yakubu to
pounce.
Manager David Moyes heaped praise on Ayegbeni Yakubu after the Nigeria
international struck two minutes from time to sink West Ham and seal Everton
a place in the semi-final of the Carling Cup. Yakubu pounced on a defensive
mix-up between Robert Green and Danny Gabiddon to score his sixth goal in
four games and 10th for Everton since completing his £11.25million summer
move from Middlesbrough. The 25-year-old is due to attend a Nigerian
training camp ahead of the African Nations Cup starting on January 4 and
Everton will miss his presence up front. 'People who know about Yakubu will
tell you that's what he does,' said Moyes. 'His workrate and movement is
fantastic. All round he's done a great job for us.' Everton had to come from
behind after Carlton Cole's 11th-minute opener but drew level through Leon
Osman shortly before the interval and Yakubu's strike sealed Everton their
first league cup semi-final since 1988.
The Toffees face West Ham again in the league on Saturday and Moyes added:
'I'm not one to get excited. We're not getting carried away. We're obviously
pleased. But we've never been here before, challenging on four fronts. 'The
league is our priority but it's a good result for us, to come to Upton Park
in a cup tie is a hard thing to do, and this was our third draw away from
home. 'I'm looking forward to coming back on Saturday. Hopefully we'll do
the same again, and play the same way again.' The late defensive howler cost
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley the chance to celebrate his one-year
anniversary with a semi-final.
Curbishley was frustrated by referee Mark Halsey but conceded Everton
deserved their victory. 'We started ever-so well, got the goal, and
unfortunately Everton took over after that. They have a very established
side,' said Curbishley. 'The referee had a torrid game but the big
difference was they were a bit sharper and more physical. 'It was drifting
into extra-time and then they got their goal. Danny and Greeny got caught in
between. Greeny was going to get it, Danny headed it. It was a mistake.'
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Vinny's Everton (Cup) Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Thu Dec 13 2007
League Cup Quarter Final
West Ham United 1 Everton 2
A mistake from Danny Gabbidon resulted in Yakubu scoring a late winner to
send West Ham crashing out of the League Cup. It was a very disappointing
end to a frustrating game where we never got going as an attacking force.
We can talk about tactics, substitutions and style of play but when all is
said and done, we are out because of a horrendous mistake in the final
moments of a game starved of much goal mouth action. I don't actually
remember either keeper having to make saves of any note.
The starting line up was slightly changed to the one which started up at
Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers last Sunday. In midfield, Nolberto
Solano was cup tied and replaced by Freddie Ljungberg on the right wing.
Matthew Etherington was injured and replaced by Dean Ashton which saw Luis
Boa Morte revert to the left wing.
It was a bitterly cold night at Upton Park where there were only 28,777 in
the ground which was a bit of a poor showing considering the importance this
game meant to our season.
Everton started well in possession and knocked the ball about well in our
half but it was us who would draw first blood in the twelfth minute, out of
nothing.
The ball fell to Lucas Neill on the right and the captain played a wonderful
long pass into the area where Carlton Cole had run free of his marker, and
the striker controlled the ball and coolly finished past Howard to give us a
1-0 lead.
It was a fantastic start to the game and this would give us a great platform
to build on.
The Everton fans were shell shocked and went very quiet, and until their
equaliser we would not hear a peek out of them. Oddly though and ultimately
foolishly our fans (this is the 12th minute now) decided to sing "We're
Going to Wembley"!
As I have mentioned before, I can never understand when we score a goal, why
is it the opposition go straight up the other end and have a golden
opportunity. We seem to completely switch off when they kick off and this
again happened tonight when Cahill had a shot at goal.
As an attacking unit we never really got going and although we were in the
lead, it was Everton who were forcing all the play and having mountains of
possession. We were defending very well with Gabbidon coming to our rescue
on a number of occasions.
A good move involving Ashton and Ljungberg resulted in Boa Morte hitting a
shot which went well over.
Everton were putting pressure on our defence as the game had gone from them
having lots of the ball to having lots of the ball and lots of space as
well. The ball was finding it's way into our area more and more and
eventually the pressure became to much and Everton scored their equaliser
through Leon Osman.
Pienaar had the ball on the edge of the area and he pulled it back for the
unmarked Osman to fire straight down the middle and past Green for 1-1.
Now of course I wasn't happy that we had conceded a goal but I was thinking
to myself that if they were going to equalise, I would rather they did so
now instead of coming out in the second half and grabbing a goal which would
have had them on a high and then they would have surely been the only side
in the game.
I was likening this game to the Spurs one where despite being a goal up, we
never looked like testing them again, and there equaliser set them up as the
games front runner.
If we could get in at half time and take stock we could go at them again and
look to push ourselves over that finish line.
The second half was a poor game to watch but we had obviously done something
right as Everton were not nearly as dangerous in possession as they had been
at certain times in the first half.
Still, we could not find it in ourselves to attack with purpose which meant
anything we had stopped Everton from doing was in the end futile, with the
chances of us creating chances looking more remote as the game continued.
We forced a few corners but all were taken disgracefully by Ljungberg who
continued to hit them near post. Only once did it actually find a West Ham
player and that was Cole who tried to hook the ball goalwards.
Everton had a good shout for a penalty turned down by referee Mark Hasley
when Pienaar appeared to be dragged to the floor by a very clumsy Lucas
Neill. From where I was I thought it was a penalty and could not work out
what Neill was trying to do.
George McCartney made a superb saving tackle in the area preventing Arteta
from pulling the trigger as Everton reminded us that they could make
something happen at any moment.
Neill continued to exuberate erratic behaviour but getting involved in minor
spats with the Everton players. The ref obviously had his card marked and he
was shown the yellow card for a tough challenge where he played 100% of the
ball. It was a strange decision from a strange referee. I don't just mean
strange in his decision making but strange in his entire manor – the way
Hasley runs about and conducts himself is very odd.
Curbishley made some changes which did seem rather perplexing to most of the
crowd when he took off Boa Morte and replaced him with youngster Kyel Reid.
Ten minutes later another change was made when John Pantsil replaced Carlton
Cole. This saw Ljungberg move to a central strikers position.
I can see what Curbishley was trying to do as it was obvious that the game
had become to narrow and we needed to find some width, but the choice of
players who came off were a little strange.
But it didn't matter what changes were made because Curbishley could not
legislate for what would happen in the 88th minute.
Phil Jagielka played a long clearance towards our goal with Upson and
Gabbidon both running towards it to shield it from Yakubu. Gabbidon let the
ball bounce and this saw Green come out towards him to claim the ball but
Gabbidon's header back went past Green and Yakubu knocked it into the back
of the net to send the travelling Everton support mad.
This game was only going to be decided one of two ways. There was going to
be a moment of genius or a terrible mistake. Unfortunately for Danny
Gabbidon and West Ham, it was the latter.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Not much to do tonight. Claimed the ball well in the air and his kicking was
usually spot on. Having not seen the goal again I cannot comment to whether
he was at fault. Gabbidon seemed to be wanting him to come for the ball and
when it was too late the defender headed it past him.
Lucas Neill
Why doesn't he just concentrate on his defending? Its not that he was awful
tonight, it was just he kept getting himself involved with every little
thing and complained to the referee all the time. His priority must be his
defending.
Danny Gabbidon
Its pretty crap for Danny tonight because that one mistake will all he will
be remembered for when talking about this game. I don't even know if I can
say it, but 'despite' that howler, he was our best player.
Matthew Upson
Had a few dodgy moments when he skied a few clearances but his general
defending was decent and his aerial ability remains his greatest asset.
George McCartney
Made a few wonderful tackles especially one in the second half which
prevented Arteta from scoring. Found it hard to clear the ball at times with
the nearest right sided Everton player often charging down his clearances.
Freddie Ljungberg
Come on now, lets be honest – he's a bit shit ain't he.
Scott Parker
Continues to impress me since coming back in the Chelsea game. Looks
comfortable on the ball and always wants to make that nice pass to set
something up. Looks really fired up at the moment and I believe he will be a
big player for us this season.
Hayden Mullins
Looked a little rattled at times tonight as the ball hung in the air when
around his zone. Mullins like the ball on the floor so he can get stuck in
but Everton seemed to be able to play around him and this took him out of
the game at times.
Luis Boa Morte
Still playing like a man possessed and still putting in maximum effort, but
Everton did a job on him good and proper tonight and stopped him from
getting the ball. Never got the chance to run at their defence and was taken
off midway through the second half.
Carlton Cole
Another solid performance from Cole and most importantly, another goal. This
should do some more for his confidence, and hopefully there will be a few
more over the next few games.
Dean Ashton
He is coming back from injury, granted, but tonight he was very poor. There
were times where I really thought he didn't want the ball to come anywhere
near him, and you could be forgiven for thinking he looked lazy and
disinterested. His weight is also a concern which am trying to overlook, but
is hard to do so.
Subs Used
Kyel Reid (on for Boa Morte 67 mins)
Looks every inch the Championship player he is.
John Pantsil (on for Cole 77 mins)
Not a big fan of his but he gave us more width in his short time on the
pitch than Ljungberg did all night.
Overall
This performance was not one which we will be too pleased with and will want
to make amends on Saturday when we play Everton again in the Premiership.
There are positives to be taken from tonight's game, such as the closeness
between the two sides despite Everton apparently being streets ahead of us.
What Everton have is creative players and that is something we are severely
lacking and it has been brought up many times by myself and others.
Just because Ashton is in the side does not mean we have to stop playing
short passing football which impressed me at Blackburn and Chelsea. The long
ball should only be a last resort and we need to get back to what we are
capable of.
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Yakubu makes most of West Ham mix-up - Telegraph
By Christopher Davies
Last Updated: 1:00am GMT 13/12/2007
West Ham United (1) 1 Everton (1) 2
A schoolboy mix-up between Danny Gabbidon and Robert Green in the 89th
minute allowed Yakubu to score the winner and send Everton into the Carling
Cup semi-finals. As the game drifted towards extra-time, a moment of
inspiration or an individual error was going to prove decisive. It was the
latter, although there seemed little danger as Phil Jagielka's hopeful punt
arrived in the West Ham penalty area. Green came out, but Gabbidon should
have taken control of the situation and hoofed the ball clear. Instead he
simply headed it over Green and Yakubu nipped in to score his 10th goal of
the season, earning a booking for removing his jersey to celebrate. "It was
a mistake but we've just got to get on with it," said a disappointed West
Ham manager Alan Curbishley. It was a shattering blow for West Ham whose
fans did not hide their displeasure at the comical nature of the winner. The
teams, who meet again in the Premier League on Saturday, are in the chasing
pack behind the league's more established heavyweights, so the Carling Cup
represented their best chances of a trophy and a guaranteed Uefa Cup place.
Everton's manager, David Moyes, was not getting carried away despite their
deserved victory. "We won a game against a good West Ham team so obviously
I'm pleased. To win a cup tie here is hard but I'm not going mad at this,
we've not won anything," he said.
Moyes was more upbeat about match-winner Yakubu, who brought his total to 81
goals in English football since joining Portsmouth in 2003. "He's playing
very well for us just now," said Moyes. "He is bringing people into the
game, his work rate is phenomenal and all round he's doing a great job."
There was a strong whiff of sour grapes about Curbishley's view that referee
Mark Halsey had "a torrid evening". He said: "Players were going up with
their arms. They got their bodies across us." Which is a bit rich
remembering how West Ham adopted rollerball tactics at Chelsea recently,
while most neutrals thought Halsey had an excellent match, playing sensible
advantage and allowing the game to flow. The tie had also started with a
goal that owed much to defensive uncertainty. With 12 minutes gone Lucas
Neill found Carlton Cole with a long pass from the half-way line and as Phil
Neville and Yobo made a futile attempt to play the unmarked striker offside
he had the luxury of a poor first touch before beating Tim Howard with his
second. Moyes was clearly unhappy with the way his team were allowing West
Ham to control a cracking first half. His body language got through to his
players, who raised their game as half-time approached.
The visitors claimed a penalty when Neill appeared to impede Steven Pienaar
and then a Pienaar effort was saved by Green, the rebound going between Tim
Cahill's legs as he seemed certain to score. In the 40th minute Everton's
pressure paid off with a well-worked equaliser. Instead of shooting, Lee
Carsley slipped the ball to Pienaar, who found Leon Osman 15 yards from
goal. Osman's left-foot shot may have taken the slightest of deflections as
it sped past Green. In the second-half West Ham too often resorted to long
and ineffectual passes from deep towards Cole and Dean Ashton which Yobo and
Jagielka dealt with comfortably. Yakubu split the West Ham defence in the
75th minute and it needed a last-ditch tackle by George McCartney to prevent
Mikel Arteta from going clear. With extra-time approaching the Nigeria
international once again showed his value by being in the right place at the
right time to capitalise on Gabbidon's gaffe.
Match details
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; Neill, McCartney, Gabbidon, Upson; Ljungberg,
Parker, Mullins, Boa Morte (Reid 67); Cole (Pantsil 76), Ashton.
Subs: Wright (g), Noble, Spector.
Booked: Neill.
Everton (4-5-1): Howard; Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott; Arteta, Osman,
Carsley, Pienaar; Cahill; Yakubu.
Subs: Wessels (g), Hibbert, Johnson, Gravesen, Anichebe.
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).
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Robert Green slips up to continue run of errors from England pretenders -
The Times
West Ham 1 Everton 2
Tom Dart
Managers like to say that you cannot legislate for defending such as that of
West Ham United last night. If you could, such negligence would be a serious
criminal offence. The Londoners are already doing a long stretch: 27 years
without a trophy. But Everton's chances of winning a competition for the
first time since the FA Cup in 1995 are growing and they are fighting on
four fronts.
Is their squad strong enough to withstand the demands? "Who knows," David
Moyes, the manager, said. "Never been here. Couldn't tell you."
Still in the Uefa Cup, his side progressed to the semi-finals of the Carling
Cup thanks to an ugly blunder from West Ham's previously reliable back four.
Serenaded to chants of "England's No 1" in the first half by the home fans,
Robert Green can count himself fortunate that Fabio Capello did not choose
to stick around in London last night and watch this game. It would not have
boosted the goalkeeper's international ambitions.
Not that Green was solely culpable for the mistake with two minutes left
that decided the destiny of an even tie careering towards extra time. The
goalkeeper and his centre backs, Matthew Upson and Danny Gabbidon, failed to
deal decisively with a hopeful punt forward by Phil Jagielka and Yakubu
Ayegbeni nipped in and caused chaos.
Gabbidon tried to head the bouncing ball to Green at point-blank range but
it slipped through the goalkeeper's hands and the Everton striker tapped in
his tenth goal of the season to bring a sober conclusion to Alan
Curbishley's successful first 12 months as West Ham manager. Curbishley,
though, was more interested in lambasting the referee than his defence. He
claimed that Mark Halsey missed a foul on Dean Ashton in the build-up to
Everton's winner. "I'm disappointed with the referee, he had a torrid game,"
Curbishley said, but he was being harsh.
He also implied that Everton were over-physical. "Players were going up with
their arms, putting us off balance," he said. "I'm not saying it's a foul
every time, but the officials didn't seem to see it."
The manager rightly pointed out that West Ham's injury problems were costly
late on, when there was no recognised forward to introduce into the fray
once Ashton and Carlton Cole tired. "The injuries showed tonight, it was a
bit frustrating," he said. "We're into double figures again on the injury
list."
If it ended badly for West Ham, it began brilliantly. After 12 minutes the
Everton defence was sliced open by a move so blindingly obvious that it was
profoundly cunning. Lucas Neill curled over a long ball from just past the
halfway line and Cole found himself clear with no defenders in range. Tim
Howard rushed out of his goal but too late and the striker sidestepped him
to score. The Everton defence looked baffled as to how Cole had evaded
detection.
Now unbeaten in 11 matches, Everton jerked out of their stupor and
threatened as the period wore on. They levelled five minutes before the
break when Steven Pienaar coolly squared for Leon Osman, whose shot beat
Green with the aid of a slight deflection.
Upton Park seems built for floodlit cup games. Though not at capacity, the
place was in full cry. The ho-hum drudgery of victories chiselled out in
earlier rounds at lower-league venues forgotten, the last eight is the point
where this maligned competition stands up, preens itself and proudly
declares: I'm worth it. You can see Wembley's glowing arch from much of
London and certainly from the vantage point of the quarter-finals, though
Moyes said: "I'm not going mad. We've not won anything, but we're obviously
pleased."
A man who has lost to Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup knows that knockout
competition can be capricious and cruel. When this round is complete next
week, either Chelsea or Liverpool and perhaps Arsenal, who face Blackburn
Rovers, will join Everton in the last four. Manchester City and Tottenham
Hotspur also remain in the equation.
While Everton digest progression to the semi-finals of the League Cup for
the first time in two decades, West Ham can console themselves with the
possibility of instant revenge — the sides meet again at Upton Park on
Saturday.
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green – L Neill, D Gabbidon, M Upson, G McCartney
– F Ljungberg, S Parker, H Mullins, L Boa Morte (sub: K Reid, 67min) – D
Ashton, C Cole (sub: J Paintsil, 76). Substitutes not used: R Wright, M
Noble, J Spector. Booked: Neill.
Everton (4-1-3-1-1): T Howard – P Neville, J Yobo, P Jagielka, J Lescott – L
Carsley – M Arteta, L Osman, S Pienaar – T Cahill – Yakubu Ayegbeni.
Substitutes not used: S Wessels, A Hibbert, A Johnson, T Gravesen, V
Anichebe.
Referee: M Halsey.
Other quarter-final fixtures Tuesday: Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal (8.0);
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (7.45). Wednesday: Chelsea v Liverpool
(7.45).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes happy with tough schedule facing Everton - The Times
Tom Dart
Convention dictates that the more matches a club play, the more that their
manager must whinge about fatigue, injuries and the evils of the fixture
list. Still fighting on four fronts, the Carling Cup quarter-final at Upton
Park tonight is Everton's 24th fixture of the season, but David Moyes is
happy to be so busy.
"The European football is helping," the Everton manager said. "I actually
think the extra games are helping. We benefit from playing more often and I
think the players are playing better and getting a better understanding."
As well as their progress in the Carling Cup, Everton are through to the
knockout stages of the Uefa Cup. "Maybe we haven't been equipped to handle
Premier League games and cup competitions in recent years," Moyes said. "I
think we're more equipped now to handle it and we're showing it.
"We've done well in cup-ties this season. You need to get the right draws
and the top teams playing each other to enjoy a very good run. It tends to
be the boys in the top four who dominate the trophies. So you need the draws
to be right for you. Over the years we've not done so well.
We've had some bad defeats, but we've also drawn some good teams."
This is the stage when clubs stop dismissing the Carling Cup as a trivial
distraction and start to accept its appeal. "We can see an opportunity to be
in a cup final, in front of 80,000 people at Wembley," Lucas Neill, the West
Ham United and Australia defender, said. "You play the game to get into a
position to experience that kind of thing."
Alan Curbishley, Neill's club manager, is equally enthusiastic about the
potential reward. "We feel the Carling Cup is a competition we should
attack," he said. "A Premier League side will win the Carling Cup and we
thought 'why not us?' " One reason could be West Ham's injury problems,
which are slowly easing. However, Craig Bellamy, the club's £7.5 million
record signing, remains out with a persistent abdominal problem that was not
cured by surgery in October. A decision will be taken soon as to whether the
Wales forward needs another operation.
Fredrik Ljungberg will replace the cup-tied Nolberto Solano for West Ham and
Dean Ashton, who scored the only goal of the game in the victory over
Blackburn Rovers last Sunday, could also start.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton's good life - Moyes delighted to be challenging for honours on four
fronts - Daily Mail
Last updated at 08:13am on 13th December 2007
Manager David Moyes watched Everton book a place in the Carling Cup
semi-finals with a 2-1 win over West Ham - and then demanded a repeat
performance when the two sides meet in the league on Saturday. Everton had
to come from behind after Carlton Cole's 11th-minute opener but drew level
through Leon Osman shortly before the interval. And the win was secured two
minutes from time when Yakubu pounced on a defensive howler from Danny
Gabiddon to score his sixth goal in four matches, and 10th for Everton since
completing an £11.25million summer move from Middlesbrough. Victory extended
Everton's unbeaten streak to 11 games and Moyes wants to make that 12 when
his side return to Upton Park for Saturday's Premier League clash. "We've
never been in this position before, challenging for honours on four fronts,"
said Moyes. "This was a good result for us, to come to Upton Park in a cup
tie is a hard thing to do, and this was our third draw away from home. "But
the league is our priority and I'm looking forward to coming back on
Saturday. Hopefully we'll do the same again, and play the same way again.
"If Arsenal had played the way we played in the first half people would all
be talking about it. We were very good."
Moyes hailed Yakubu's impact and indicated just how much Everton will miss
the Nigerian when he heads off to the African Nations Cup in the new year.
Yakubu continually tested West Ham and he was Everton's brightest asset in a
turgid second half. "He brings people into the game, his link-up play and
his movement is fantastic. All round he's done a great job for us," said
Moyes. The late defensive howler cost West Ham manager Alan Curbishley the
chance to celebrate his one-year anniversary with a place in the
semi-finals. Curbishley was frustrated by referee Mark Halsey - claiming he
had a "torrid" evening - but conceded Everton had deserved their victory.
"We started ever so well, got the goal, and unfortunately Everton took over
after that. They have a very established side," said Curbishley. "The big
difference was they were a bit sharper and more physical. It was drifting
into extra-time and then they got their goal. "Danny and Greeny got caught
in between. Greeny was going to get it, Danny headed it. It was a mistake
and we are very disappointed. "But the injury situation told. We are back to
double figures on the injury front and we are trying to get people like Dean
Ashton match fit while playing in the first team."
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West Ham United 1 Everton 2: Yakubu's sweet strike helps Toffees to crack
Hammers - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 13 December 2007
The last game of the Eggert Magnusson regime at West Ham ended last night
with a moment that would have provoked that familiar, Edvard Munch's The
Scream-like pose, for the Icelander. A terrible mix-up between Robert Green
and Danny Gabbidon in the dying minutes handed victory to Everton, which
allowed them to progress into the last four of the League Cup for the first
time in almost 20 years.
Magnusson had dreamt of bringing glory and trophies to the Hammers and if
they eventually do come it will be without him. He has now gone and may have
been relieved to miss the moment when Gabbidon, back-pedalling to reach a
long punt, headed through Green's hands. That allowed Ayegbeni Yakubu to
poke the ball gleefully into the unguarded net for his 11th goal of the
season and confirm that Everton's unbeaten run of matches had also extended
to 11.
"Feed the Yak and he will score," sang the visiting fans. For West Ham there
simply wasn't enough "Yaketty-yak" from their two players.
The West Ham manager, Alan Curbishley, felt the blame lay elsewhere,
claiming that the referee, Mark Halsey, had a "torrid game", failing to pick
up on fouls, including one in the build-up to the winning goal. "I was very
disappointed with his performance," Curbishley complained but that verdict
really belonged to Freddie Ljungberg, who had the kind of forgettable match
that will make West Ham wince at his eye-watering wages.
The Swede is edging himself back to fitness, as is Dean Ashton, but both
were risked here because of what was at stake. West Ham held the early
ascendancy, confirmed when Carlton Cole scored, taking advantage of leaden
defending by Joseph Yobo to reach Lucas Neill's long ball forward and easily
round a startled Tim Howard. They should have pushed on but did not, another
indictment of Curbishley's conservatism.
Instead, Everton carved out opportunities with Neill, twice, escaping
penalty appeals from Steven Pienaar while Green was fortunate when he pushed
out a cross from the South African, straight through Tim Cahill's legs. But
Pienaar would not be denied. He cleverly created space from Lee Carsley's
pass and squared for Leon Osman to sweep in the equaliser.
Twice Yakubu almost broke through before he finally did as extra time
loomed. "We are not getting carried away," said Moyes, mindful that Chelsea,
Liverpool and Arsenal are still in the frame. "They were the better side,"
admitted Curbishley, even if they needed that late gift to secure victory.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney;
Ljungberg, Mullins, Parker, Boa Morte (Reid, 67); Cole (Pantsil, 76),
Ashton. Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Noble, Spector.
Everton (4-1-4-1): Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott; Carsley;
Arteta, Cahill, Osman, Pienaar; Yakubu. Substitutes not used: Wessels (gk),
Hibbert, Johnson, Gravesen, Anichebe.
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Faubert happy with knee recovery ( WTF!! Knee Injury ?? Since
when is an Achilles a knee injury!! - Peter R )
tribalfooball.com - December 12, 2007
West Ham United winger Julien Faubert is happy with his progress from an
early season knee injury. Speaking to the matchday programme for the Everton
cup tie, Faubert said: "It's great to be back with my team-mates. It was
important to recover in the right environment and it was a shame to pick up
the injury so soon into my West Ham career. I am now focusing on getting
back to full fitness."
The 24-year-old's progress has naturally delighted manager Alan Curbishley,
who said: "It's great to see him out there running. Hopefully if he
continues the way he has done in the last week he will be a couple of weeks
away from joining in with us which is a big boost."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: Best my Everton have played
tribalfootball.com - December 12, 2007
Everton boss Dave Moyes believes last night's first-half against West Ham
was the best performance by his team in his time with the Blues. Everton won
their Carling Cup quarterfinal 2-1 last night and Moyes told evertonTV: "The
first half was probably the best in my management career. If that had been
Arsenal we would all have been talking about them. "We didn't get the ball
down and play as much in the second half," he conceded, "And in the end I
was delighted not to see extra time!" Even though the Toffees are in the
semi final of a cup for the first time under Moyes, the boss is keen that
his side make the most of their opportunity. "Quarters are great," he said.
"We are into a semi which is even better but we don't want to be the
bridesmaids. We want to get to a final if we can. "We played well tonight
and we got a good result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley: Everton too physical for West Ham
tribalfootball.com - December 12, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley admitted they were out-muscled by Everton in
last night's Carling Cup quarterfinal defeat. Everton had to come from
behind after Carlton Cole's 11th-minute opener but drew level through Leon
Osman shortly before the interval and Yakubu's strike sealed Everton their
first league cup semi-final since 1988. Curbishley was frustrated by referee
Mark Halsey but conceded Everton deserved their victory. "We started ever-so
well, got the goal, and unfortunately Everton took over after that. They
have a very established side," said Curbishley. "The referee had a torrid
game but the big difference was they were a bit sharper and more physical.
"It was drifting into extra-time and then they got their goal. Danny and
Greeny got caught in between. Greeny was going to get it, Danny headed it.
It was a mistake."
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Curbishley: West Ham plans will take time
tribalfooball.com - December 12, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits his plans for the club aren't
going to happen overnight. He said: "In the summer I sat down with Eggert
(Magnusson, the chief executive) and said we need to be on the back pages
for the right reasons, for footballing reasons. "We know if we can do it on
the pitch, we can push on as a club. Everyone is aware of our plans for the
stadium and we have the facility to do that. "In the summer we brought in
players like Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy, players with
Champions League experience or hungry to get back into international
football. "With the players we have got here now, we are attractive. "All I
want is to try to build something. It may sound unambitious but you can't do
it quickly. After four topsy-turvy years we are trying to lay some
foundations this year."
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