Alan Curbishley was full of praise for his hard-working team - especially
Dean Ashton
10.12.2007
Alan Curbishley has praised his team for the "gritty" performance which
brought a deserved three points up at Ewood Park.
When asked if he must enjoy playing Blackburn Rovers in their own backyard
after two back to back wins there following last season's victory as well,
the West Ham United manager, who was estatic after the win, nodded but then
simply wanted to talk about his players' hard-work and endeavour.
Beaming after watching Dean Ashton's second-half strike seal the win,
Curbishley said: "It's always a tough place to come, make no mistake about
that. If you look at Blackburn's achievements over the last couple of
seasons, you will see why they are one of the top sides in the Premier
League. So to come here and pick up a result is not easy, but I thought we
put in a very gritty performance and we are delighted with the result.
"We contained Blackburn quite well in the first half and I always thought
the first goal scored would be the decider because the game was so tight.
Statistics show that Blackburn are one of the fittest sides in the Premier
League, they work as hard as anybody and you have to match that, if you
don't you will come unstuck. We did match that and more and it has set us up
nicely for what is the start of a very big week for us."
Curbishley was full of praise for all his team who worked tirelessly all
over the pitch to snub out any threat from Rovers, including goalscorer
Ashton.
The striker - who is now the club's joint top scorer with Lee Bowyer - met
George McCartney's cross to slam the ball in with seven minutes of coming on
half-time. "If the ball is going to bounce to anyone in the box, you would
like it to be him.
"He looked very sharp out there, the more the game panned out, it suited
him. I had a chat with Dean the day before the game because he has been out
for five weeks or so, only played one reserve match and a practice game,"
Curbishley said explaining why Ashton began on the bench. "We have got a lot
of games coming up and do I think he can play a full 90 minutes and is fit
enough to start, yes I do."
He added: "He is one of many players, including Scott Parker who played in
this match, who have had to come back from injury and then try and get fit
playing straight away in the first team, so there is a lot to consider when
picking how we play everyone. Deano has put a lot of work in and it showed,
he took his goal well."
Much was also said about the strong rearguard display, with West Ham United
boasting the best defensive record outside of the top four. As well as
another top-drawer display from Robert Green in goal, captain Lucas Neill
and George McCartney were full of running, while there was another
outstanding performance apiece from Danny Gabbidon and Matthew Upson.
"They would probably be the first to say that everyone has also been doing a
lot of hard work in front of them to help achieve this. But for the most
part, the back five has been the constant for us this season. And it is
because people have come in and done the job that we have dug out these
results.
"We have been and will continue to work hard, our trick now is to get some
more results at home, most of our points have been picked up away on the
road. We might have to look at playing teams down more at Upton Park to
achieve more, so let's hope this starts on Wednesday [in the Carling Cup]."
Curbishley said he also felt that it was important to start the game with
the same lineup that played last weekend at Chelsea.
"We went to Chelsea, done well and perhaps should have got more from that
game. I decided to start with the same team, to give us a bit of a base and
introduced one or two people as the match went on and it worked well. Once
we scored, it was a case of are we going to get a second or are Blackburn,
who were putting a bit of pressure on - sending a lot of balls in the box -
going to equalise?
"In the end, neither happened, but we are more than happy with the result.
We have a big week coming up, this was the start of it and we wanted to
begin in the right way and we have."
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Comfortable cup progress for ladies - WHUFC
Natalie Grafton was the star of the show as Tony Marshall's side won 5-0
10.12.2007
West Ham United Ladies 5-0 Queens Park Rangers Ladies
A hat-trick from Natalie Grafton on Sunday helped West Ham United cruise
through their FA Cup third-round tie.
Tony Marshall's side will now play at home against the winners of the Luton
Town v Colchester United tie, which was postponed until next weekend because
of the weather. After a tricky opening against QPR at Harlow Town, the home
side were rampant in the second half with goals from Sam Pittuck and
substitute Lindsey Morgan adding to Grafton's treble.
The manager was obviously delighted with the win and was quick to pay
tribute to the Harlow Town ground staff. "We came to Barrows Farm on
Saturday to watch the Harlow first team and in torrential rain we were
amazed that the ground-staff managed to get that game played.," he said. "We
never for one minute expected our game to go ahead, but Harlow's staff
worked tirelessly and we thank them all for their efforts.
"It was also pleasing day for me, it was my first FA Cup game as a manager
and I remain unbeaten in this competition, regardless of who we meet be it
Luton or be it Colchester. Obviously I want to hold on to that record for as
long as possible. We don't know too much about Luton Town Ladies to be
honest, but we do know a lot about our local rivals Colchester United and if
the U's do progress it will be a very tough cup tie"
Next week, the Hammers return to League action when Barnet arrive at Harlow
Town on Sunday 16 December, kick-off is at 2pm.
West Ham United: Smith, Roache, Barling, Fowler (Stetford), Coombs, Rogers
(Morgan), Pittuck, Grafton, Hoy (Scott), Duxbury, Ling.
Subs not used: Munro
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Cup contest takes centre stage - WHUFC
The quarter-final is firmly in the spotlight with new information from the
ticket office
10.12.2007
West Ham United have already turned full attention to Wednesday night's
Carling Cup quarter-final visit of Everton.
Having secured a 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, Alan
Curbishley's men welcome the team from Merseyside full of confidence -
although as Everton were 3-0 winners against Fulham the day before they will
also be in upbeat mood. Lucas Neill, writing in his Captain's Blog column,
summed up what the contest meant to the Hammers.
"I am hoping for an intimidating atmosphere and a genuine opportunity to win
a game that will get us into a cup semi-final," he wrote in his message to
fans. "Both teams will fancy their chances but at home I am hoping that with
your support we will have the edge. Thank you in advance for the proverbial
12th-man support we are going to need against Everton on Wednesday."
Curbishley will not be able to call upon the cup-tied Nolberto Solano and
Henri Camara, although Carlton Cole's one-match ban after picking up his
fifth yellow card of the season against Blackburn is carried over for the
trip to Middlesbrough on 22 December. Dean Ashton's goalscoring return will
do his chances of a start no harm, while Lee Bowyer and the rested Freddie
Ljungberg will hope to return to the 16.
The Carling Cup quarter-final, which will not be televised live, has to be
settled on the night - with extra time and then penalties to be played if
required. For the winners, the semi-finals will be staged over two legs on 9
and 23 January. The final is scheduled for Sunday 24 February at Wembley.
LATEST TICKET NEWS
Tickets for Wednesday's match are now only available online or over the
telephone to either club members or supporters with clubcards. Anyone
without an access card will need to purchase from either the stadium ticket
office.
Supporters will also be able to pay on cash turnstiles on the evening. Areas
available will be Dr Martens Stand upper tier, Bobby Moore Stand upper and
East Stand upper tier - Cash turnstiles will open from 6.30pm onwards with
supporters adivsed to arrive at the stadium early.
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Curbs - No Ashton rift - SSN
Curbishley plays it carefully with striker's fitness
Last updated: 10th December 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has rejected reports of a bust-up with striker
Dean Ashton. Curbishley revealed he had held clear-the-air talks with Ashton
over his failure to get a spot in the starting XI. Ashton, who came off the
bench on Sunday's game at Blackburn to score the winner, is believed to be
frustrated at not starting after returning to full fitness. However,
Curbishley insists there is no problem between himself and Ashton and is
only trying to be careful with the forward's fitness. "I had a little chat
with Dean about the situation," Curbishley told The Mirror. "I have to do
what's best for the team, not the individual. He's been out for five weeks
and in that time has had one practice and one reserve match. "There's no
rift between us, despite what people might say. We have to see whether or
not Dean can last 90 minutes."
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Tickets are still available for the Carling Cup Quarter Final - WHO
North Bank - Mon Dec 10 2007
There are still seats available for the Carling Cup quarter finals on
Wednesday night, you can purchase these at the ticket office prior to
Wednesday or you can pay on the turnstiles on the night.
There are still, surprisingly, nearly 6,000 seats available which for a game
of this magnitude and one that's not being televised is somewhat of a
surprise, the areas of the ground where seats are obtainable are in the
Bobby Moore Upper, DM Upper and East Upper.
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Neill beats boos to silence wild Rovers - smh.com.au
December 11, 2007
LONDON: Blackburn fans booed West Ham's Australian captain Lucas Neill from
start to finish as he led his side to a 1-0 win at his former club's home
ground on Sunday. Neill was jeered every time he touched the ball by the
Rovers boo-boys, who have still not forgiven him for ending his six-year
stint at the club to sign a fat contract with the Hammers in January. Even
before the game began, Neill raised the ire of his former fans by branding
them "childish" for the heated reception they gave him when he last visited
Ewood Park with West Ham in March. But the jeers did little to deter Neill
as he helped his side to its fourth away win of the season. After a
lacklustre first half, Hammers substitute Dean Ashton tapped home his first
goal since late September to put the visitors in the lead seven minutes into
the second half. Both sides missed several chances to score as the match
wore on, with Neill's Socceroos teammate Brett Emerton going close with a
right-foot volley in the 90th minute for Blackburn. Hammers manager Alan
Curbishley was buoyed by the win, which lifted the club to 10th on the
Premiership table. "To go to Blackburn and get the result we did is
fantastic," he said. "Over the last three years, they have been very
consistent. It is a big win for us. Great credit has to go to [our] players
as everyone knows the injury list we have."
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Alan Curbishley's West Ham Utd - What a Difference a Year Makes! -
FootballFancast
Posted by Amro Hassan on December 10, 2007 - 13:00
As Alan Curbishley celebrates his 1st year in charge at the club, FanCast
columnist Amro Hassan takes a look the progress West Ham have made under his
stewardship and its clear they have certainly turned a corner.
They say 12 months is a long time in football and this has never been so apt
in describing West Ham Utd who had gone from relegation certainties to the
brink of challenging for UEFA Cup football. Alan Curbishley deserves a great
amount of credit in turning round the fortunes of his boyhood club as the
bubbles begin to fly high in the East End of London.
Time certainly flies and on Curbs arrival one year ago, he found his beloved
West Ham struggling in the far end of the Premiership table. Many voices
were concerned about the failure of big transfers Javier Mascherano and
Carlos Tevez to gel into the team, and the club's new Icelandic owner Eggert
Magnusson decided to sack Alan Pardew and hire Alan Curbishley to save the
club from what seemed an inevitable relegation, but many were not as
optimistic as Magnusson at the time.
While Mascherano left West Ham to Liverpool in January, Tevez stayed and
pulled a run of superb performances near the end of the season to help
Curbishley keep the Hammers in the top flight for one more year. During the
summer, Curbs was keen to build a stronger squad and have a higher ambition
for West Ham this season.
Although Tevez was sold to Manchester United and skipper Nigel Reo-Coker and
Harewood to Aston Villa the former Charlton boss has made good use of
Magnusson's budget in the last two transfer windows bringing in the likes
of, Julien Faubert, Kieron Dyer, Freddie Ljungberg, Nolberto Solano, Lucas
Neill, Matt Upson, Luis Boa Morte, Scotty Parker as well as the club's
record signing Craig Bellamy.
Curbishley had rotten luck at the start of the season with injuries,
especially for the new signings like Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer.
Freddie Ljungberg, Spector, Bowyer, Ashton and Bellamy have also fallen foul
of this wretched injury list which has depleted West Ham, which is why its
all the more remarkable that Curbs has managed to string results together
that see the hammers sitting in striking distance of the European places -
with players returning every other week there really is no end to what this
side can achieve, so you could say it is a good time to be a West Ham
Supporter.
After their superb away win in Blackburn on Sunday, West Ham lie currently
10th in the league with 22 points and are definitely looking better and more
comfortable than last season.
With takeover, illegal transfers and relegation problems almost over for the
club West Ham is definitely tipped for further progress. Alan Curbishley
deserves a great amount of credit for the transformation at his boyhood club
and you do feel it about time that the Football world start to take notice
of the revolution taking place at Upton Park.
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Keeper Capers - Setanta
by Duncan Alexander, 10 December 2007
There was a healthy total of 33 goals this weekend in The Premier League, so
plenty of opportunity for heroes and villains amongst the nation's
goalkeepers.
Opta kept on eye on every single keeper in the division and here are this
week's best and worst performers. The best performing goalie was a player
who many people think should be in the England team, West Ham's Robert
Green. The former Norwich glovesman was in fine form as his team secured a
valuable away win at Blackburn, making six saves in his sixth clean sheet of
the season. It was the Hammers' fifth win in six Premier League meetings
with Rovers, and Green should be feeling very pleased with himself.
Player Name Minutes Played Saves Catches Goals Conceded
Robert Green 90 6 1 0
The worst keeper of the weekend was the man currently in possession of the
national number one jersey, Aston Villa loanee Scott Carson. His team
dominated against Portsmouth but the South Coast side executed a perfect
smash-and-grab raid to escape with the points. Indeed, despite scoring three
times, Pompey only managed three shots on target all match, with an own goal
coming from a red-faced Craig Gardner. It meant that Carson made just one
save (from Papa Bouba Diop) late on, while failing to make a catch during
the entire game. He will rarely have a less busy match, or a more
disappointing one.
Player Name Minutes Played Saves Catches Goals Conceded
Scott Carson 90 1 0 3
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West Ham and Celtic chase Russian winger - Sportigo
Mon, Dec 10, 07 13:50
Mark Apostolou
Zenit St Petersburg winger Andrei Arshavin is clearly highly regarded in the
UK as he is reportedly a target for a great many British clubs including
Blackburn, Liverpool, Celtic and West Ham (various). The hugely talented
Russian made mincemeat of the England defence earlier this year and clearly
his efforts have not gone unnoticed. So much so that 26-year-old Arshavin
seems destined to come to the Premier League.
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West Ham forward eager to start as Curbs denies rift rumour - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:09pm on 10th December 2007
Match-winner Dean Ashton today insisted he is ready to start for West Ham
after suffering a nightmare 18 months with injury. The former Norwich
striker came off the bench to score the only goal at Blackburn yesterday
after returning to fitness following five weeks out with a knee complaint.
Ashton missed most of last season with a broken ankle sustained while
training with England and he said: "To be on the bench is very frustrating.
I've missed enough football over the last year and a half and now I want to
be playing." Boss Alan Curbishley insists there is no rift with Ashton,
although he admits the pair have discussed the situation. He said: "We've a
big week coming up with Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final against
Everton and a league match against them as well. "I felt it was right to
start against Blackburn with the team we did but it could be a bit different
on Wednesday. "We have three games in six days and, as Scott Parker is
finding out, it's difficult to get fit in the first team. "I had a good chat
with Dean. He was out for five weeks, played one practice match and a
reserve game but he looked very sharp when he came on. He's fit to start now
and I'm sure he will last 90 minutes. There's no rift here."
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Ashton To Toon Rumours Set To Surface? - newcastlemad.co.uk
By Nu Mad Monday 10th December 2007
I cannot remember a goal this season celebrated with so much lack of
enthusiasm as the one Dean Ashton scored at Ewood Park yesterday. And it
has had the media suggesting a major bust-up between West Ham boss Alan
Curbishley and the striker. Curbishley revealed he had held clear-the-air
talks with Ashton over his failure to get a spot in the starting XI. Ashton,
who came off the bench on Sunday's game at Blackburn to score the winner, is
believed to be frustrated at not starting after returning to full fitness.
However, Curbishley insists there is no problem between himself and Ashton
and is only trying to be careful with the forward's fitness. Ashton was a
target of Graeme Souness AND Glenn Roeder when they were in the Newcastle
hot-seat, and 18 months ago the England international gave Newcastle a "come
and get me" plea. He said at the time "I find it a great honour a club as
big as Newcastle is interested in me". Allardyce will have to deal with a
proposed offer for Michael Owen in January from Manchester City, and the
rumour at St James' Park is that Big Sam would be willing to listen to
offers for the injury-prone striker. But Ashton's injury record is on par
with Owen's.
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Curbs hails "gritty" Hammers - ViewLondon.co.uk
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley praised his team's "gritty
performance" in their 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Dean
Ashton scored the only goal of the game in the second half as the Hammers
recorded an impressive victory to take them up to tenth in the table. It was
West ham's fourth win on their travels this season, and arguably their best
after three-point hauls against relegation-threatened Derby County, Reading
and Birmingham City. And Curbishley says it shows his players believe in
their ability to grind out results in some of the Premier League's most
testing arenas. "It's always a tough place to come, make no mistake about
that," Curbishley said afterwards. "If you look at Blackburn's achievements
over the last couple of seasons, you will see why they are one of the top
sides in the Premier League. "So to come here and pick up a result is not
easy, but I thought we put in a very gritty performance and we are delighted
with the result."
The Hammers boss said he believed the first goal "would be the decider" and
was delighted to see Ashton - who has been ruled out of action for much of
the last 18 months with various injuries - get the goal. "He looked very
sharp out there - the more the game panned out, it suited him," Curbishley
continued.
"Statistics show that Blackburn are one of the fittest sides in the Premier
League, they work as hard as anybody and you have to match that, if you
don't you will come unstuck. "We did match that and more and it has set us
up nicely for what is the start of a very big week for us." West Ham face
Everton in back-to-back matches over the next six days. The two teams are
set to play out a Carling Cup quarter-final on Wednesday followed by a
crucial league match on Saturday - both at Upton Park.
10 December 2007 09:05 GMT
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West Ham boss Curbs: No Ashton rift
tribalfooball.com - December 10, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has rubbished claims of a rift with Dean
Ashton. Ashton has grown impatient for a starting-place this term and the
Hammers boss admitted: "I had a little chat with Dean about the situation.
"I have to do what's best for the team, not the individual. He's been out
for five weeks and in that time has had one practice and one reserve match.
"There's no rift between us, despite what people might say. We have to see
whether or not Dean can last 90 minutes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton strike pleases Curbs - 4thGame
Monday 10 Dec 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley predicted Dean Ashton would have a
telling influence on the clash with Blackburn Rovers after coming off the
bench to score the winner. The 24-year-old England international struck a
decisive 52nd minute goal at Ewood Park on Sunday. DEAN ASHTON Ashton was
making only his second appearance following knee ligament damage suffered
back in October. "We're getting players coming back and having to get fit in
the first team, which is very difficult and a problem we've had," said
Curbishley. "We've seen a lot of people return who are trying to gain full
fitness, such as Dean, and with Scott Parker another. "He (Ashton) was out
for a few weeks and played one practice match and one reserve game. "But in
all fairness he looked very sharp today and the game probably suited him
with the way it panned out. "In this game, if the ball was going to bounce
to anyone, then it is was always likely to be him." However, Curbishley
refused to confirm whether Ashton's goalscoring return would earn him a
starting spot in Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final meeting with Everton.
"We'll see what we do on Wednesday, but he's fit enough to start and we'll
have to see whether he lasts the 90 minutes," he continued.
"I'm sure he will because he's put a lot of work in."
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Hammers miss out on wonder kid - all3points.com
10th December 2007
By Staff Writer
Arsenal have beaten off the advances of West Ham United in a race to sign
Gillingham wonder kid Luke Freeman according to reports over the weekend.
The Gunners look set to seal a deal for the 15 year old school boy in
January with negotiations said to be at an advanced stage between the two
clubs.
Manchester United and Reading were also interested in acquiring the services
of the talented youngster.
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Hammers face winger battle - all3points.com
10th December 2007
By Staff Writer
West Ham's could now face a fight to sign Derby winger Giles Barnes
according to reports over the weekend. Some earlier reports had suggested
that Barnes move to West Ham was as good as a done deal but Aston Villa have
now entered the race for the promising youngster. New Derby boss Paul Jewell
would like to keep the 19 year old at the club but has been told that he
needs to sell before he can buy. Barnes is likely to fetch a transfer fee of
around £5 million and with reports of the youngster having become unsettled
by the speculation linking him with a move away from the club, Jewell could
be tempted to cash in.
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Hammers join Henry race - all3points.com
10th December 2007
By Staff Writer
Spurs and West Ham are locked in a race for Reading's promising youngster
James Henry according to reports over the weekend. 18 year old Henry hasn't
even broken into the first team at Reading and is currently on loan with
Bournemouth but that has not put off either of the Premiership clubs as both
are weighing up a move for the youngster in January. Henry has scored 3
goals in his first five games during his loan spell with the South Coast
club and is thought to be reluctant to return to the Royals.
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Blackburn 0-1 West Ham - The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Hammers Ashton & Green perfect for England
By David Mcdonnell 10/12/2007
The identity of the new England boss may be undecided but Dean Ashton and
Robert Green provided compelling proof of why they are destined to play
under him when appointed. Both have been jinxed on international duty in the
past. Ashton's hopes of making his debut against Greece were dashed when he
broke his ankle during training with England at Old Trafford and was ruled
out for the whole of last season. And Green ruptured his groin when he took
a goalkick playing for the B team, an injury which forced him to miss the
2006 World Cup after he had been selected in Sven Goran Eriksson's final
22-man squad.
But at Ewood Park yesterday, both men produced commanding displays at their
respective ends of the pitch, Ashton putting West Ham ahead with a clinical
finish, while Green pulled off a series of fine saves to secure the win.
With the England goalkeeping position up for grabs and a vacancy up front
alongside Wayne Rooney, Green and Ashton will certainly be in the frame for
the next international against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 if both
can stay fit.
Victory for West Ham consolidated 10th position in the table, while
Blackburn's problems deepened. After a superb start to the season which saw
them reel off seven straight wins, Mark Hughes side now have just five
points from their last six games. Although both sides showed plenty of
endeavour during the first half, there was little in the way of quality and
genuine goalscoring opportunities. Indeed, the most entertaining aspect of
the first-half was the pantomime-villain booing of former Blackburn defender
Lucas Neill by the home fans which was accompanied by persistent chants of
'greedy b******' whenever he was on the ball.
After such a sterile first half, both managers made changes after the break
and it was Hammers boss Alan Curbishley's introduction of Ashton which
proved decisive, the striker scoring the winner on 53 minutes. Nolberto
Solano hooked the ball down the left flank for George McCartney, whose
cut-back should have been kept out by Andre Ooijer. But Ooijer lost his
footing and slipped, allowing the ball to run to Ashton, who got in front of
Stephen Warnock and managed to apply the finishing touch from close-range
with his left foot. It was only the fourth goal of the season for Ashton,
whose injury troubles have continued this season with a hamstring problem
which ruled him out for five weeks. Ashton was due to be named in Steve
McClaren's squad to face Austria in the friendly before England's doomed
final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia last month, but missed out again
with the hamstring injury. But he displayed his best attributes when he came
on yesterday, his pace and physical strength giving West Ham a different
dimension up front and causing Blackburn to fret every time he was on or
near the ball.
It was Ashton's industry that almost saw West Ham double their lead with 16
minutes to go. He muscled Warnock off the ball, then fed Solano, whose cross
fell perfectly for Luis Boa Morte who was lurking at the far post. Boa Morte
could not have struck his volley sweeter, but Brad Friedel produced a superb
block at pointblank range to keep alive Blackburn's hopes of clawing their
way back into the game. With 12 minutes to go, Roque Santa Cruz had the
perfect chance to do just that but hooked his effort over the bar from just
outside the six-yard box. Blackburn's hopes of getting anything from the
game suffered another setback with five minutes to go when Ooijer was forced
off after pulling up. With Rovers boss Hughes having used all three
substitutes, it meant his side were forced to play the remainder of the game
with 10 men. But that didn't stop the home side pushing right to the end for
an equaliser. And Tugay unleashed a venomous strike from 25 yards which was
kept out with an equally impressive save from Green.
Blackburn V West Ham
56% POSSESSION 44%
6 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
10 SHOTS OFF TARGET 7
1 OFFSIDES 3
9 CORNERS 5
15 FOULS 18
1 YELLOW CARDS 1
0 RED CARDS 0
ATTENDANCE: 20,870
Man Of The Match: Green
TEAMS AND RATINGS
Blackburn: Friedel 7, Emerton 6, Ooijer 6, Samba 7, Warnock 6, Dunn 6 (Reid
70, 6), Tugay 7, Mokoena 5 (Savage 46, 6), Pedersen 5 (Roberts 76), Santa
Cruz 5, McCarthy 5.
West Ham: Green 8, Neill 7, Gabbidon 7, Upson 7, McCartney 7, Solano 7
(Spector 75, 5), Parker 7, Mullins 7, Etherington 5 (Ashton 46, 8), Boa
Morte 7, Cole 7 (Camara 88).
Referee: ALAN WILEY
THE ANORAK SAYS . . .
The Hammers are four strikes short of reaching 3,000 top-flight goals.
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Curbs' talk gets result - The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
10/12/2007
Alan Curbishley revealed he held clear-the-air talks with Dean Ashton before
the West Ham striker sunk Blackburn. Ashton has grown impatient for a
starting-place this term and the Hammers boss admitted: "I had a little chat
with Dean about the situation. "I have to do what's best for the team, not
the individual. He's been out for five weeks and in that time has had one
practice and one reserve match. "There's no rift between us, despite what
people might say. We have to see whether or not Dean can last 90 minutes."
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