All the team news and latest updates as they happened from today's victory
29.12.2007
Barclays Premier League
3pm
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
For the full text commentary of a fantastic home victory, click here.
Lineups
West Ham United: Green, Neill (c), Upson, Spector, McCartney, Solano
(Pantsil 50), Noble, Mullins, Parker (Ferdinand 56), Ljungberg (Ashton 70),
Cole
Subs: Wright, Camara
Manchester United: Kuszczak, Brown (O'Shea 89), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra,
Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Nani 80), Fletcher, Giggs (c), Tevez (Anderson 65),
Saha
Subs: Heaton, Pique
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Green remains the penalty king - WHUFC
England goalkeeper Robert Green has yet to be beaten from the spot this
season
29.12.2007
Robert Green has joked he wished Cristiano Ronaldo had got his penalty on
target "because I think I would have saved it".
With Manchester United defending a 1-0 lead with just over 20 minutes to
play at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, referee Mike Dean looked to have
dashed home hopes of a result when he awarded the visitors a penalty. Green
was well-placed to see the handball decision go against Jonathan Spector,
and admitted there were few complaints.
"He was really straining his neck and when you are stretching for the ball,
you are not controlling your arm," Green said. "It was just unfortunate, but
it was one of those things that happens, he didn't mean to do it and there's
no point in having a go at him."
That left the spotlight on the England goalkeeper again and having saved
three times from the spot this season, the home faithful would be forgiven
for thinking it was too much to ask for a fourth - especially when one of
the world's leading players stepped up. Cristiano Ronaldo had scored a
last-gasp penalty a week ago against Everton and looked sure to do the same
again. Green had other ideas, though.
"I have shown him a lot of room to my left," he said. "I then moved that way
to try and throw him a dummy that I was going to go to my left. I went to my
right and he has missed it with a horrible strike.
"As a professional footballer, you kick thousands of balls every week and
sometimes they don't come out right. I would have liked him to hit the
target because I think I would have saved it! It is one of them things that
happens and for a player of that quality it is surprising."
Green had "no idea" why the Portuguese attacker, who had put United in front
in the first half with a firm header that gave the goalkeeper no chance,
decided to go for power rather than his usual precision. "You look at the
ones he has taken before. He has stopped and looked where the keeper is
going. He didn't this time. He took one against Everton at one-all in the
88th minute last week - the pressure was not any greater today. It is just
something that happens."
That penalty miss gave the home side the belief they could salvage something
from the contest and they duly did through late headers from substitute
Anton Ferdinand and his defensive colleague Matthew Upson. "From the first
minute, we created the better chances and from there, even though we went
behind, we carried on going and pushing on. If you look at the chance count,
we have won hands down. You can't really debate that we were the deserved
winners."
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Noble rises to the occasion - WHUFC
Two assists for Mark Noble helped wipe away the agony of an early miss
29.12.2007
Mark Noble could not hide his relief at playing provider for both goals
after missing a gilt-edged chance early in the dramatic 2-1 victory against
Manchester United.
With little more than seven minutes played, West Ham United were more than
holding their own against the champions - and looked certain to take the
lead when a Hayden Mullins shot crashed against the bar and landed at
Noble's feet with the goal gaping. However, the 20-year-old could not keep
his effort on target, sending his first-time shot agonisingly over the bar.
"I missed a great chance," Noble recalled, and it seemed his profligacy
would come back to haunt him when Cristiano Ronaldo put United in front on a
breakway within five minutes. The England Under-21 midfielder was determined
though not to let the miss occupy his thoughts too much, especially with
virtually the whole match left to play. "It hurt me not scoring but we
needed to carry on the way we were going.
"We just needed to get around them and not let them play because they are
the best in the country - them and Arsenal - at passing the ball, so we
really got in and around them and spoilt the way they play. We really
excelled ourselves."
Having then seen Carlton Cole go close with "a header he normally puts
away", Noble finally got the reward his efforts deserved with two
second-half set-pieces that led to the quickfire goals for Anton Ferdinand
and Matthew Upson in the 76th and 81st minutes. "It was nice for me to set
up the two goals from a free-kick and a corner, so I ain't gonna be too
harsh on myself for missing that chance!"
Had Nolberto Solano not gone off with a hamstring strain early in the second
half, Noble might not even have had the chance to make the difference when
it mattered most. "As everyone knows Nobby's set-plays are second to none,
his delivery is fantastic," Noble said, explaining that assistant manager
Mervyn Day urged him to take responsibility in the Peruvian international's
absence.
"Merve always says when I have come on in the last couple of games - 'you
take the set-plays'. I took it upon myself to do that and thank God they
were OK. We really cracked on and I am happy for Matty and Anton that they
got their goals."
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'It was a great result for us' - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley was full of praise for the way his team kept going on
Saturday
29.12.2007
Alan Curbishley has called for his West Ham United side to get the credit
they richly deserve after outplaying the champions at the Boleyn Ground.
The home side went into the contest as firm underdogs but, despite going
behind, they survived a missed penalty to fight back with two late goals
from Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson. "We played well today, I don't
anyone to take anything away from what they have done," the manager said.
"With all the problems we have had, it is a fantastic result for us. The
players have dug in, done fantastically well. I am delighted with 29 points
and it is a fantastic way to finish the first half of the season.
"For the first time for a little while we heard the West Ham crowd. Once we
got back into it, it gave everybody a lift." The visitors scored through
Cristiano Ronaldo with a rare attack in the 13th minute but Curbishley said
a subsequent penalty miss by the Portuguese as the game entered its final
quarter galvanised the supporters. "We then put Deano on and the crowd got
another lift and we just kept going."
Dean Ashton had been left on the bench deliberately by the manager for two
reasons - resting him after four games in two and a half weeks in favour of
the midfield energy of Mark Noble and also because of the success this
campaign with Carlton Cole as a lone forward. "I wanted to start 4-5-1 and
give us a bit of a start and I had no hesitation putting Nobes in. He had an
excellent game."
On Ashton, Curbishley added: "Everyone is willing him to get a bit sharper.
I saved him a bit today and we have got another game [away to Arsenal] on
Tuesday." Squad rotation is a must this time of year, and United were not
without their absentees with both Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick going
down with a stomach bug before kick-off.
The manager continued: "It is a fantastic result, I think I had 16 fit
players, I have now got 14 I think, and every week someone else pops up and
at the end I have got Johnny Pantsil playing wide right, who is a
right-back. I have got George McCartney playing wide left, who's a left-back
- everybody else is just mucking in."
Nolberto Solano and Scott Parker both had to be replaced in the second half
with hamstring and knee problems respectively. "We didn't want to take any
more chances with it but we are struggling for Arsenal on Tuesday," said the
manager. "The boys that have perhaps got a chance of coming back in the next
few weeks probably won't be ready for that. We have just got to get on with
it."
That is exactly what the team did this afternoon, even following the
disappointment of conceding to Ronaldo's early header after a close-call at
the other end for Hayden Mullins and Noble. "I thought we played ever so
well first half and to go one-nought down, we were a bit disappointed at
half-time. If we had nicked our goal who knows what could have happened?"
All eyes before kick-off had been on Carlos Tevez, who responded to a
rapturous reception from the home crowd by acknowledging all four corners of
the ground and crossing his arms in a Hammers salute. "It was never going to
be any different," said Curbishley. "We kept him quiet actually."
Special mention was reserved for centre-back substitute Anton Ferdinand, fit
again after two months out with a hamstring problem. "It is just good to
have him back. He has been out for seven weeks. I had been a bit concerned
about throwing him straight back in, that's why I have been playing Jon
Spector there - because I don't want to lose anybody again. He was always
going to get some games over this period."
Ferdinand's equaliser, like the winner from Upson, came from a Noble
set-piece - a cause of much satisfaction for Curbishley, especially in the
absence of the creative Solano. "We are delighted to score two set-plays,
especially once Nobby came off and he's our set-piece taker. Mark Noble
stepped up to the plate and it was two fantastic headers. It is a great
result for us. I think the way we have had to deal with the problems we have
had so far this season has been fantastic."
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West Ham 2-1 Man Utd - BBC
By Mandeep Sanghera
Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty for Manchester United proved crucial at
West Ham as the Premier League champions were beaten at Upton Park. United
got an early let-off when Hayden Mullins hit the woodwork and Mark Noble
blazed high from the rebound. Ronaldo quickly made the Hammers pay when he
headed in a Ryan Giggs cross. But Ronaldo missed a penalty and that inspired
West Ham into a late rally, which saw Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson each
head in for the win. The loss was only a below-par United's third of the
top-flight campaign and was watched from the stands by manager Sir Alex
Ferguson as he served a touchline ban. He was unable to call on striker
Wayne Rooney, who along with midfielder Michael Carrick, were suffering from
viruses. West Ham's fans had booed their side at the end of the last home
game when the Hammers drew 1-1 with Reading but they vociferously supported
their team at the start and their efforts almost reaped immediate dividends.
Lucas Neill sent a dipping shot just wide before the Hammers worked a
glorious opening. Mullins was slipped in on goal by Carlton Cole's clever
touch but he angled a shot on to the crossbar as he tried beating on-rushing
keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. The ball rebounded to Noble and he looked certain to
slot into a gaping net only to sidefoot high. United quickly punished the
home side with ex-Hammer Carlos Tevez, who was applauded at the start,
beginning the attack on the halfway line as he held on to possession to drag
right-back Neill out of position before finding Louis Saha. Saha released
Giggs into the space created by Tevez down United's left flank and the
Welshman crossed for Ronaldo to nod in at the near post. The goal briefly
winded West Ham before they recovered as the game turned into a captivating
contest with the home side pushing for a leveller and United a threat on the
counter-attack. Nolberto Solano had a curling 25-yard strike tipped over the
bar by Kuszczak, while Giggs would have been clean through at the other end
had his normally assured touch not let him down. Hammers striker Cole had
started ahead of Dean Ashton and he was found in space by Noble's cross but
headed over. Ronaldo dragged a shot wide of near post just before the end of
a half which the Hammers ended the stronger. But West Ham's main problem was
their lack of ruthlessness in the final third with United's meagre defence
also standing firm like so many times this season. Solano and Scott Parker
were forced off injured for West Ham shortly after the break as United tried
to take the the sting out of the Hammers' play. And the game should have
been put out of the home side's reach after 66 minutes when the ball struck
makeshift centre-back Spector's arm after he mistimed a dive to meet a
cross. Ronaldo stepped up to take the spot-kick only to power his strike
wide. The miss breathed new life into West Ham and their crowd and they
produced a rousing finale as Anton Ferdinand equalised from a Noble corner
as United defence finally broke. Upson then rose highest to head a winner
from a Noble free-kick into the top corner and the Hammers held on for only
a third home win of the season.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley: "If you walk along the corridor here there
are pictures of all the players on the walls and I reckon I had a whole wall
out injured. "We played ever so well in the first half and we were
disappointed to be a goal down. "It's a fantastic result considering I had
16 fit players and lost two more."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "I have no complaints. We were
beaten by the better team. We were not nearly up to our normal performance.
"Scoring the penalty would have killed the game but if you lose goals to set
pieces you are not at your best. "It's difficult to say why but they are
human beings and you can't expect them to be perfect all the time."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Pantsil 49),
Parker (Ferdinand 55), Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg (Ashton 70), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Camara.
Booked: Pantsil, Mullins.
Goals: Ferdinand 77, Upson 82.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Brown (O'Shea 89), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo,
Hargreaves (Nani 80), Fletcher, Giggs, Saha, Tevez (Anderson 64).
Subs Not Used: Heaton, Pique.
Goals: Ronaldo 14.
Att: 34,966
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo 7.86 (on 90
minutes).
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West Ham Utd 2 Manchester Utd 1 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 29th December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
'Can we play you every week?' sang the jubilant Boleyn crowd as West Ham
United recorded their third successive victory over title contenders
Manchester United at Upton Park this afternoon. Alan Curbishley must also
love playing the Mancunians. His first game in charge of the Hammers, little
more than a year ago, was a 1-0 victory against the reds - whilst victory by
the same scoreline famously preserved West Ham United's Premier League
status in the final game of last season. Once again today, Curbishley got
one over his old pal Alex Ferguson - who was banished to the stands for
today's game as a result of a tongue-lashing delivered to a referee who
dared to give a decision against the fiery Scot's team some weeks ago - as a
late, late show by the home side secured what was only their third home
Premier League win of the season. Alll in all, it was so very West Ham; the
same United team that struggled to take a point against ten-man Reading just
three days earlier were more than good value for a victory against the
reigning league champions that didn't look like coming until the late
intervention of Anton Ferdinand - making his first appearance for over two
months - and the imperious Matt Upson, once again a rock at the heart of the
Hammers defence.
Yet when Manchester United - already a goal to the good following Ronaldo's
14th minute opener - were awarded a penalty 24 minutes from time it looked
like being a far different outcome. Jonathan Spector clearly handballed,
although referee Mike Dean - the scourge of West Ham United over the years -
couldn't have possibly known for sure whether the infringement has been
inside the penalty area given his position. However the spot kick was given,
and much to the relief of the home crowd Ronaldo - perhaps mindful of the
fact that none of the three previous penalties Rob Green had faced this
season had ended up in the net - fired his shot wide of the England
hopeful's left-hand post.
That miss - plus the eventual introduction of a second striker (Dean Ashton)
to assist the tireless Carlton Cole - gave the Hammers added impetus, and
Curbishley's side - who had given everything for no reward up to that point
- finally got their just desserts 13 minutes from time when Anton Ferdinand,
starting his first game since his much-publicised trial, nodded home from a
corner to level the scores.
No doubt at that point Curbishley - and perhaps much of the crowd - would
have settled for a share of the spoils. But West Ham had other ideas, and
four minutes later Mark Noble's free-kick was brilliantly converted by the
superb Matthew Upson, who leapt above a crowd of players to fire a header
into Tomas Kuszczak's top left-hand corner.
In truth the win was little more than West Ham had deserved. Throughout the
game it was they who made the better chances, and had referee Dean been as
impartial as he should have the result could have been ever more impressive
as Nobby Solano was denied a certain penalty in the first-half having been
tripped (albeit accidentally) by former Hammer Rio Ferdinand inside the box.
Solano, who sadly limped off early in the second half having sustained what
appeared to be a hamstring injury after taking a free kick was in fine form
once again, and another free kick on 36 minutes brought the best out of Man
Utd's young 'keeper. Meanwhile Man U were restricted to just two shots on
goal in the entire first half and barely registered in the second, such was
West Ham's domination. That injury - plus another to Scott Parker, who also
limped away from the action minutes after Solano - were perhaps the only
negative points on an extremely positive afternoon for the Hammers, who take
their Premier League tally to 29 points after exactly half a season - which,
in itself, is an impressive feat bearing in mind last season's form and the
extensive injury problems suffered this season. So with seven points out of
nine under their belt already this Christmas, the Hammers can go to Arsenal
on New Year's Day full of confidence with little to lose. Given the stature
of the opposition - and West Ham's strange ability to turn over the top
teams against all the odds - don't bet against a repeat of last season's
victory.
Especially as Mike Dean won't be refereeing ...
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Spector, Mullins, Noble,
Parker (Ferdinand 55), Ljungberg (Ashton 70), Solano (Paintsil 49), Cole.
Subs not used: Wright, Camara.
Goals: Ferdinand (77), Upson (81).
Booked: Paintsil (58), Mullins (66).
Manchester United: Kuszczak, Brown (O'Shea 89), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra,
Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Nani 80), Fletcher, Giggs, Tevez (Anderson 64), Saha.
Subs: Heaton, Pique.
Goals: Ronaldo (14).
Referee: Mike Dean.
Booked: 34,966.
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Queiroz: we weren't expecting that - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 29th December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz has expressed his
disappointment after his team went down 2-1 at Upton Park this afternoon.
Queiroz - who was in temporary charge as Alex Ferguson was temporarily
banned from the touchline - criticised his team's performance, whilst
accepting that they were very much second best on the day. "I'm very
disappointed," he told the BBC's Match of the Day. "We didn't expect a
result like this today but we got what we deserved. The reality is that West
Ham were the better team. "They fought for everything, they played, they
tried, they created opportunities and they got three points. We didn't
deserve to win the game. "It was a wake-up call and a lesson for us. We need
to take a positive from this result, and that is to learn from everything
that happened here today."
Queiroz saw his team go down to two late goals from Anton Ferdinand and
Matthew Upson - although admitted that his side were never comfortable,
despite leading for most of the game. "What was difficult was that West Ham
played so well - we were never in control despite the fact that we were
ahead and missed a penalty," he added. "In the first ten or fifteen minutes
of the second half we played better and created the penalty. But after that
the team crashed, and after West Ham scored the second goal we were not able
to find the strength to get back into the game."
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Curbishley: we had lift off - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 29th December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has praised his team for today's win against championship
chasers Manchester United, calling it 'an amazing effort'. Curbs - whose 38
league games in charge of the club have yielded a respectable 52 points -
was delighted at the three points which lift the Hammers into ninth place in
the table, just four points behind sixth place Everton (who have played a
game more). "It was a fantastic effort and a great result for us," he told
the BBC's Match of the Day*. "We came in at half-time massively disappointed
that we were losing. I think Man United changed their shape to combat us a
little bit but we were still disappointed. "For all our efforts you can't
disguise the fact that if the penalty had gone in - even though I thought it
was very harsh - that would have been it. "But it didn't, and the whole
place started to lift off. I think the West Ham fans should take a bit of
credit for us coming back becasue it was a fantastic atmosphere for the last
20 minutes."
West Ham won the game with late goals from Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson
- although it was once again the fringe players that drew special praise
from Curbs. "The situation we've been in over the first half of the season
was demonstrated again today with Johnny Paintsil playing wide-right and
George McCartney wide-left," he added. "It's just the way it's been, with
the injuries. "We've taken another couple of knocks and we only had 16
senior players available for today so we'll have to see what we've got left
for Arsenal. But we'll enjoy the win tonight first."
And he was naturally delighted to secure the team's first home league win
since the 3-1 win over Sunderland in mid-October. "We haven't been doing it
here at Upton Park and it was a bit doom and gloom, so I had to remind
everybody that we're doing alright despite all the problems we've got. "I
had to remind myself that we were tenth, and that of the last ten league
games we've won four, drawn four and lost two - and they were to Chelsea and
Arsenal in very tight games. "We've been winning away from home then coming
back here and not doing it. But I think that everyone connected with West
Ham realises what an effort those players are putting in. It's a massive
effort - and long may it continue."
* KUMB.com are currently unable to attend post-match press conferences at
The Boleyn Ground.
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Upson header upsets champions - SSN
Last updated: 29th December 2007
West Ham United spoiled Carlos Tevez's return to Upton Park after coming
from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1. The champions, suffering a rare
off-day, did take the lead on 14 minutes when the in-form Cristiano Ronaldo
headed home Ryan Giggs' cross after a sweeping move. Ronaldo was presented
with the chance to make it 2-0 midway through the second half, but he
drilled his penalty wide after Jonathan Spector was penalised for handball.
Yet West Ham had been the better side for large swathes of the game and drew
level on 77 minutes when substitute Anton Ferdinand headed home Mark Noble's
corner.
Noble was the creator for his side's winning goal on 82 minutes, curling in
a free-kick from the right which Matthew Upson rose well to meet for his
first goal for the club. The home side squandered a gilt-edged chance when
Hayden Mullins shot cannoned back off a post to the recalled Mark Noble, who
was horrified to fire over from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy.
Regret
United made him regret that even more when they turned their first attack of
note into Ronaldo's opener. Louis Saha began the move with a ball to find
Ryan Giggs in space and the Portugal international out-paced George
McCartney to head home the cross. Referee Mike Dean ruled that Rio
Ferdinand's challenge on Nolberto Solano on the edge of the box near a
touchline had been legal to the home fans' fury but the Peruvian almost
conjured up an equaliser in the 36th minute. The ex-Newcastle man latched on
to the loose ball after Freddie Ljungberg appeared to have been impeded and
instinctively let fly from distance. United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who
was continuing to deputise for the injured Edwin van der Sar, was alert to
the danger however and produced an acrobatic tip-over. The final chance of
the first half also belonged to the Londoners but Carlton Cole, operating as
a lone front-man after Dean Ashton was sacrificed to let Noble back in the
side, headed the midfielder's pin-point cross over the bar despite having
enough time and space to pick his spot. Solano, who put a free-kick just
past a post, was forced off by a leg injury five minutes into the second
period and was replaced by John Pantsil. Scott Parker had been hurt in the
first half and was replaced in the 56th minute by Anton Ferdinand,
previously absent since October because of a hamstring injury.
Dramatic twist
Mullins was booked for a foul on Ronaldo who then missed a penalty.
Ex-United man Jonathan Spector was adjudged to have handled in the box under
pressure from substitute Anderson but although Ronaldo's spot-kick did not
lack power it flew wide of Green's right-hand post to keep the home side in
the game. Curbishley took that as the perfect cue to send on Ashton in place
of Ljungberg for the final 20 minutes and a spell of intense pressure
conjured up an equaliser in the 77th minute when Anton Ferdinand rose to
head a Noble corner past Kuszczak. The home side continued to attack and
Upson repeated Ferdinand's trick by heading a Noble free-kick beyond the
United goalkeeper. Upton Park erupted as the race for the Barclays Premier
League title took another dramatic twist.
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Game, set piece, match - SSN
Last updated: 29th December 2007
Paul Walsh watched West Ham make it three wins from three against Manchester
United - and insisted they were well worth it. Two headers from set pieces
from centre-backs Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson saw Alan Curbishley's
side end the year in style at Upton Park. They had fallen behind to another
Christiano Ronaldo goal early on, but when Man United's man of the moment
missed a penalty at 1-1, the Hammers held on to their lead. "Over the 90
minutes, they way they played, you would have to say West Ham deserved it,"
Walsh told Soccer Saturday. "They had a lot of possession and their
formation seemed to work well. They had the back four with Hayden Mullins
and Scott Parker in front o them, three across the midfield in Solano, Noble
and Ljunberg with Carlton Cole up the middle, but they were prepared to get
men forward - and when it broke down they got back very quickly. "West Ham
controlled the ball in the main and Man United were disappointing in as much
as they didn't get on it as much as you'd expect them to. A Mullins effort
that hit the woodwork aside, the Hammers created little before the break.
But crucially it was Mark Noble's delivery from set pieces and the aerial
threat of Ferdinand and then Upson that proved the difference. A magnanimous
Sir Alex Ferguson agreed that the better side won, but Walsh felt that the
United boss will be far from happy with the way his side defended when he
sees the game again. "West Ham were a threat from set places and they did
look dangerous," he said.
"For the first goal, it was a Mark Noble corner and Anton Ferdinand got up
between two players and put in a good header. "But you would fancy Rio
Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in those situations and for much of the game
they controlled everything West Ham had to throw at them - apart from that
one instance.
"And then there was a repeat performance. The ball in from the right-hand
side from Noble, but this time it was Upson, who had hung out a bit, who got
a run on Vidic and Ferdinand and put a great header into the far corner to
put them 2-1 up."
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Curbs - Pen miss was key - SSN
Hammers boss happy with another win over champions
Last updated: 29th December 2007
Alan Curbishley felt Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty miss was the 'big turning
point' in West Ham United's 2-1 win over Manchester United. Ronaldo, who had
put the champions ahead at Upton Park, fluffed the chance to make it 2-0
when firing wide from the spot after Jonathan Spector handballed. The
Hammers rallied and clinched the points after Anton Ferdinand and Matthew
Upson headed home Mark Noble set-pieces. It was a third consecutive win over
the Red Devils for Curbishley and he admits Ronaldo's miss sparked his side
back into life. "I enjoyed it when it ended because you know Man Utd can get
back at you at any time and they put us under a bit of pressure in the last
10 minutes," Curbishley told Sky Sports. "It was a strange game, I think. It
never really lifted off and we found ourselves 1-0 down against the run of
play. "The penalty miss was the big turning point as it not only gave us a
chance to get back in it, but it galvanised the crowd and the crowd got up
for it."
West Ham deployed a five-man midfield and Curbishley was delighted with how
his system worked, with Noble having replaced Dean Ashton in the starting
line-up. He added: "We were very aggressive about it and I changed the way
we were going to play. I felt it was right. "Dean Ashton has been playing in
the last three or four games in 10 days and he needed a bit of a rest. I was
hoping to introduce a fresh pair of legs to give us a lift and that is
exactly what happened. He came on after the penalty miss and gave everybody
a lift. "Sometimes injuries dictate the way you are going to play. We had 16
fit players and that was the way it was."
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United Suffer Hammer Blow - Soccernet
West Ham 2-1 Man Utd: Upson shocks champions
Manchester United's title hopes suffered a dent at West Ham after the home
side came back from behind to win 2-1. Sir Alex Ferguson's side had been on
course to go four points clear of Arsenal, whose game at Everton was the
day's late kick-off, once Cristiano Ronaldo had given them a 14th-minute
lead.
But last season's player of the year then missed a penalty to allow the home
side to mount a stirring fight-back that saw first substitute Anton
Ferdinand and then fellow defender Matthew Upson head home from set-pieces.
The identity of the scorers added extra spice to the occasion as Ferdinand
is the younger brother of United's ex-Hammer Rio and Upson used to play for
Arsenal. Alan Curbishley's reign as Hammers boss had begun a year previously
with a 1-0 victory over United at Upton Park but it was not long before the
Londoners had looked doomed to the drop. The brilliance of Carlos Tevez
changed that picture with some remarkable performances before the South
American decamped for Old Trafford after his last-day winner there had made
the Hammers safe.
No wonder therefore that the Argentinian was greeted as a returning hero
with an ovation and a song, which was put into context by the polite
applause for the elder Ferdinand and the cat-calls for the rest of the
visiting squad. It was to prove a red herring however as the day belonged to
others. Inevitably Ronaldo had received the loudest abuse but it was the
United fans who were cheering after he netted his 18th goal of the season.
The home side had just squandered a gilt-edged chance when Hayden Mullins
shot cannoned back off a post to the recalled Mark Noble, who was horrified
to fire over from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy. United made him
regret that even more when they turned their first attack of note into
Ronaldo's opener. Louis Saha began the move with a ball to find Ryan Giggs
in space and the Portugal international out-paced George McCartney to head
home the cross. Referee Mike Dean ruled that Ferdinand's challenge on
Nolberto Solano on the edge of the box near a touchline had been legal to
the home fans' fury but the Peruvian almost conjured up an equaliser in the
36th minute. The ex-Newcastle man latched on to the loose ball after Freddie
Ljungberg appeared to have been impeded and instinctively let fly from
distance. United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who was continuing to deputise
for the injured Edwin van der Sar, was alert to the danger however and
produced an acrobatic tip-over.
The final chance of the first half also belonged to the Londoners but
Carlton Cole, operating as a lone front-man after Dean Ashton was sacrificed
to let Noble back in the side, headed the midfielder's pin-point cross over
the bar despite having enough time and space to pick his spot. Solano, who
put a free-kick just past a post, was forced off by a leg injury five
minutes into the second period and was replaced by John Pantsil. Scott
Parker had been hurt in the first half and was replaced in the 56th minute
by Anton Ferdinand, previously absent since October because of a hamstring
injury. Patrice Evra, one of three changes to the side that had demolished
Sunderland 4-0 on Boxing Day, was then clattered by Pantsil, who was booked.
The African then caught Nemanja Vidic with a raised boot right in front of a
linesman, but was punished only by a free-kick. United's first change came
in the 64th minute and it was Tevez who made way for Anderson and the South
American, who had stormed off in a huff following one early withdrawal while
a Hammer, could not have complained. He had made little impact. Mullins was
booked for a foul on Ronaldo who then missed a penalty. Ex-United man
Jonathan Spector was adjudged to have handled in the box under pressure from
Anderson but although Ronaldo's spot-kick did not lack power it flew wide of
Green's right-hand post to keep the home side in the game. Curbishley took
that as the perfect cue to send on Ashton in place of Ljungberg for the
final 20 minutes and a spell of intense pressure conjured up an equaliser in
the 77th minute when Anton Ferdinand rose to head a Noble corner past
Kuszczak. The home side continued to attack and Upson repeated Ferdinand's
trick by heading a Noble free-kick beyond the United goalkeeper. Upton Park
erupted as the race for the Premier League title took another dramatic
twist.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insisted he had no complaints
about his side's 2-1 loss at West Ham. Ferguson, who was without Wayne
Rooney and Michael Carrick through illness, said: 'I have no complaints. We
were beaten by the better team. We were not nearly up to our normal
performance. 'Scoring the penalty would have killed the game but if you lose
goals to set pieces you are not at your best.' United had demolished
Sunderland 4-0 on Boxing Day but failed to rise to similar heights against
Alan Curbishley's side. Ferguson added: 'It's difficult to say why but they
are human beings and you can't expect them to be perfect all the time. 'We
put in an excellent performance at Sunderland on Boxing Day but this was
disappointing. They struggled today, our team. They were very competitive
and aggressive, West Ham, and were always about us. 'They were very
motivated and it was probably their biggest game of the season.' It was the
third time in a row that United had been beaten by West Ham following home
and away 1-0 successes last term. Ferguson added: 'Sometimes it goes in
little cycles like that but we can't complain.'
Curbishley was delighted with the win especially as he had a number of
players out injured and lost two more, Scott Parker and Nolberto Solano,
during the game. He said: 'If you walk along the corridor here there are
pictures of all the players on the walls and I reckon I had a whole wall out
injured. 'We played ever so well in the first half and were disappointed to
be one down. Hayden Mullins hit the bar and it came back to Mark Noble and
if we had nicked our goal who knows what would have happened. 'It is a
fantastic result considering I had 16 fit players and lost another two.'
Curbishley admitted he had been relieved to see Ronaldo miss the penalty,
which had been conceded by ex-United defender Jonathan Spector. He said:
'That's the first time I have seen Ronaldo hit a penalty hard. I was
surprised when he missed it.' The game also marked the return to Upton Park
of Carlos Tevez, who had joined United after securing top-flight football
for the Hammers with a winner at Old Trafford on the final day of last
season. Curbishley added: 'We kept him quiet.'
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Manchester United lose to fired-up West Ham - Telegraph
By Clive White at Upton Park
Last Updated: 1:52am GMT 30/12/2007
West Ham United (0) 2 Manchester United (1) 1
Who needs Carlos Tevez? It's as though the sight of their returning hero
yesterday was all the Hammers needed to rekindle some of that Argentine fire
from last season when they did the double over United. The two goals in the
last 13 minutes with which they won the match - both headers from set-pieces
by Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson - may not have been in the Cristiano
Ronaldo class, but they were too good for a United side who were well below
their best and without Wayne Rooney, not that that should be seen as an
excuse.
For a long while it looked as if the West Ham fans had made a mistake by not
affording Ronaldo a similarly warm reception to Tevez, who was greeted with
a prolonged ovation. It had the effect of turning the Argentine terror into
a bit of a pussycat for the afternoon. Ronaldo, on the other hand, was booed
every time he touched the ball and one of those first few touches resulted
in him heading United ahead. Perhaps the West Ham fans knew best because
with United 1-0 up, Ronaldo missed a penalty midway through the second half
which would almost certainly have sealed the game.
Defeat would have been harsh on West Ham, who could themselves have put the
game out of United's reach in the first half. United may have been without
Rooney and Michael Carrick because of stomach upsets, and even Sir Alex
Ferguson had to watch the game from the stands as a result of his "sending
off" at Bolton last month, but their absenteeism was nothing like as
damaging as West Ham's has been this season.
On his way to the press conference, Alan Curbishley said he had had to pass
"a wall and a half" of photographs of absent players and he wasn't talking
about the likes of Hurst, Peters and Moore. "It's a fantastic result," he
said. "I had 16 players today, I've now got 14, I think, and every time
someone pops up and does a job." Nolberto Solano and Scott Parker both had
to come off and are struggling to be fit to play Arsenal on Tuesday.
West Ham's lack of creativity is seen by some as the reason for their poor
home form - away from home the responsibility is more on the opposition to
do the unlocking - but there was nothing wrong with their invention
yesterday. Their finishing, maybe. If there was any justice in the Premier
League they would have had a couple of goals as well as a penalty in the
first half. Starting so well without reward may have cost them because they
were certainly caught cold on the counter by United's first real attack
after 13 minutes.
By then Hayden Mullins had already hit the crossbar, finishing perhaps a
little casually after some slick build-up play by Lucas Neill and Carlton
Cole. Mark Noble might have done better with the rebound, too. As quiet as
he was, Tevez could still have instigated a United victory. He quickly put
three players out of the game before releasing the ball to Louis Saha, who
in turn fed Ryan Giggs. With Lucas AWOL at right-back the Welshman had ample
time in which to measure his cross for Ronaldo to easily head home his 13th
league goal and 18th in all.
Instead of galvanising the champions, the goal just seemed to instill
greater lethargy in them. Rio Ferdinand was fortunate not to concede a
penalty for a needless push and a trip from behind on Solano near the
byline, but the little Peruvian almost gained compensation with a dipping
shot from outside the box which Tomasz Kuszczak, standing in for the injured
Edwin van der Sar, just managed to tip over the crossbar.
There were few glimpses of United's class, even if Ronaldo did once
audaciously pass the ball with his shoulder, and it looked as if Jonathan
Spector had wrecked any chances of a comeback when he needlessly handled a
cross. Perhaps someone whispered in Ronaldo's ear that Robert Green hadn't
conceded a goal in four penalty attempts this season because, as Curbishley
said, he seemed to hit the ball a lot harder than usual and the result was
he pulled it wide.
With that, Dean Ashton joined the fray and suddenly there was a real menace
about West Ham at set-pieces. Ferdinand and Upson climbed comfortably higher
than anyone to head their goals, both from Noble deliveries in every way,
the first from a corner the second from a free-kick. "I couldn't see it
happening, I must say," Ferguson said, "but if you're losing goals from
set-pieces you know you're not at your best."
Man of the match
Mark Noble 8/10
Set up West Ham's two goals.
Won 100 per cent of tackles
Completed 84 per cent of passes
Telegraph verdict
Moment of the match: Robert Green is developing something of a reputation as
a penalty saver after denying four teams from the spot, saving on three
occasions, but even he must have feared the worst when Cristiano Ronaldo
stepped up to take one in 67th minute. But the Portuguese, possibly striking
the ball harder than usual, pulled his shot wide.
Match rating: 8/10
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Bro No - The Sun
Published: 29 Dec 2007
ANTON FERDINAND got one over big brother Rio to put a dent in Manchester
United's title charge. Ferdinand Jnr headed home West Ham's equaliser on 77
minutes. And five minutes later, Matthew Upson nodded home the Hammers'
winner to spark wild scenes at Upton Park. United had looked like starting
2008 in top spot following Cristiano Ronaldo's 14th-minute opener. But the
Portuguese winger missed a penalty after handball by Jonathan Spector and
Alan Curbishley's men yet again thwarted United following their league
double over the Red Devils last season. United boss Alex Ferguson admitted
his side were outplayed. He said: "I have no complaints. We were beaten by
the better team. We were not nearly up to our normal performance. "Scoring
the penalty would have killed the game but if you lose goals to set-pieces
you are not at your best. "It's difficult to say why, but they are human
beings and you can't expect them to be perfect all the time. "They were very
competitive and aggressive, West Ham, and were always about us. "They were
very motivated and it was probably their biggest game of the season."
Carlos Tevez received a standing ovation from the Hammers fans in
recognition of his one-man rescue mission last season when he saved the
Londoners from relegation. But the home faithful were left speechless on
eight minutes when Mark Noble fired over the bar with the goal gaping after
Hayden Mullins' shot had come back off the woodwork. United made him pay six
minutes later when Ronaldo headed home a Ryan Giggs cross. Nobby Solano went
down on the edge of the box under pressure from Rio Ferdinand but ref Mike
Dean waved play-on. Tomasz Kuszczak denied Solano an equaliser on 36 minutes
as he tipped over the Peruvian's lob. Carlton Cole then headed over Noble's
cross and Ronaldo drove wide of Rob Green's post. Solano curled another
free-kick wide before limping off with a leg injury. Scott Parker made way
for Ferdinand, who had been missing through injury since October, while the
ineffective Tevez was replaced by Anderson.
United were awarded a penalty when Spector handled under pressure from
Anderson. Up stepped Ronaldo but his spot-kick flew wide of Green's
right-hand post to keep the Hammers in the game. Ferdinand took full
advantage to head home Noble's corner with 20 minutes left. And another
set-piece from Noble saw West Ham seal their comeback win as Upson got the
leap on Nemanja Vidic to nod in. West Ham boss Curbishley said: "We played
ever so well in the first half and were disappointed to be one down. "Hayden
Mullins hit the bar and it came back to Mark Noble and if we had nicked our
goal who knows what would have happened. "It is a fantastic result
considering I had 16 fit players and lost another two."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Pantsil 49),
Parker (Ferdinand 55), Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg (Ashton 70), Cole. Subs not
used: Wright, Camara. Booked: Pantsil, Mullins. Goals: Ferdinand 77, Upson
82.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Brown (O'Shea 89), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo,
Hargreaves (Nani 80), Fletcher, Giggs, Saha, Tevez (Anderson 64). Subs not
used: Heaton, Pique. Goals: Ronaldo 14.
Att: 34,966
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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Snatch of the Day - West Ham Till I Die
December 29, 2007
Just watched the coverage of our match on Match of the Day. I suppose it was
predictable but the whole analysis centred on Man U having had an off day,
rather than the fact that at times we played them off the park. That buffoon
Lawrenson couldn't even bring himself to say anything about our performance
and wittered on about how Sir Alex would just treat it as an off day and
move on to the next match. Nothing about us winning despite going a goal
down and two players going off injured. No word about Cole or Solano. And
this is what we pay our licence fee for. If you're not one of the big four
you just don't count. Now I know what it is to be a Liberal Democrat!
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Man U Match Report: Proud to be a Hammer - West Ham Till I Die
December 29, 2007
Somehow it was just meant to be. I purposely got to the stadium early to
soak up the earlt atmosphere. It's easy for me to say now, but as I sat down
I felt it might be our day. I didn't say it to anyone for fear of jinxing
us. The reception for Carlos Tevez was astonishing. I suspect I wasn't alone
in having a tear in my eye. The whole crowd rose as one and sang 'One Carlos
Tevez'. At first sight the team selection looked odd, with Deano being
dropped to the bench. But with five across midfield Man U just couldn't
cope. From the word go we got stuck in and harried them.Parker, Mullins and
Noble were not just putting in some tough tackles but being creative too.
Our play in the first twenty minutes made us look like the top four team,
rather than Man U. We should have scored when Mullins hit the crossbar and
Noble hit the ball over the bar with the follow up. A few minutes later Man
U broke down the left and Ronaldo scored with a powerful header. Previous
West Ham teams might have folded there and then but not this one. For the
rest of the half we played well, dug in and created chances. Carlton Cole
held up the ball superbly and Nobby was inventive down the right. We also
had two good penalty shouts.
The second half saw Man U come into the game more and when they were awarded
a penalty after a Spector handball it seemed it might well be Game Over. Not
so. Robert Green seemed to put Ronaldo off and he skewed the ball wide. That
was the turning point. I screamed at Curbishley to put on Deano and take off
Ljungberg. He duly obliged and I turned to my mate and said 'we're going to
win this'. He didn't look convinced!
Meanwhile Anton had replaced the injured Scott Parker and John Pantsil came
on for Nobby, who also was injured. Anton didn't look rusty at all and made
some telling headers before popping up at a Mark Noble set piece to grab the
equaliser. And theb, what do you know but Matthew Upson headed a winner
seven minutes from time from another Mark Noble free kick special. We went
delirious. John Pantsil was tremendous in the last ten minutes, tackling,
harrying, running the ball to the corner flag. At last he's been given the
chance to show what he can do. So a fabulous day and by far the best home
performance of the season. Now, can anyone name me the last club to beat Man
U in three successive league meetings? No? Thought not!
29 points, eh? Woo hoo!!
Green 9 Awesome
McCartney 9 Brilliant
Upson 9 Stupendous
Spector 8 Great
Neill 7 Untroubled
Noble 8 Back to his best
Mullins 8 Powerful
Parker 8 Midfield general
Solano 9 Inventive
Cole 9 Man of the Match
Ljungberg 6 The only average performance
Pantsil 8 Supersub
Ashton 8 Held ball up well
Ferdinand 8 Super goal!
PS Tevez also played apparently!
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Ferguson: West Ham deserved win - viewlondon.co.uk
A graceful Sir Alex Ferguson admitted West Ham deserved to beat his
Manchester United team at Upton Park today. The Hammers fell behind to an
early Cristiano Ronaldo goal and the winger then missed a penalty before
West Ham won the game late on through goals from Anton Ferdinand and Matthew
Upson. "We were beaten by a better team I think. I don't think we measured
up to our normal performance," said Ferguson. "When that happens,
particularly when the team is motivated against you, you are going to get a
hard day, and we had a hard day. "I think we struggled today. They were very
competitive and aggressive West Ham and they were always about us, tackling
us everywhere. "Getting the lead, and missing the penalty - that would have
killed the game, but I couldn't see it happening. If you are losing goals
from set-pieces, you know you're not at your best."
Ferguson's men are now two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal,
after the Gunners won 4-1 at Everton in the day's late kickoff. The United
manager now hopes his players can bounce back with a win against Birmingham
at Old Trafford on New Year's Day. He said: "They are human beings and you
can't expect them to be perfect all the time. We had a perfect performance
in our last game at Sunderland and this was a disappointment today.
"It's a great team I've got, but we just have to galvanise ourselves. A
great reply if you always give a bad performance is to have a good one next
time."
© Adfero Ltd
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United hangover: Rooney laid low by bug as West Ham shock champions at Upton
Park - Daily Mail
West Ham 2 Man Utd 1
By IAN RIDLEY - More by this author »
Last updated at 23:18pm on 29th December 2007
Whether it was too much roast or not, Manchester United certainly produced a
turkey of a performance at Upton Park, losing the game and their leadership
of the Premier League. After a vintage display at Sunderland on Boxing Day
in which Wayne Rooney starred, United were left sick to their stomachs by
the defeat at the hands of West Ham, with their talisman missing due to a
stomach complaint that had swept through their camp. With Arsenal coming
from behind to win 4-1 at Everton, it is now Arsene Wenger's men who ring in
the new year on top of the table, two points ahead of United. Though well
below their best, Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who were also deprived of Michael
Carrick by the sickness, could still have taken the points. They went ahead
through Cristiano Ronaldo, with his 17th goal of the season, and the
Portuguese then had the chance to double the lead with a penalty, but
drilled it wide. Reprieved West Ham seized their chance with both hands,
towering headers from central defenders Anton Ferdinand — making his first
appearance as a substitute for two months after a hamstring injury — and
Matthew Upson turning the game on its head amid delirious scenes. It meant a
gloomy return to Upton Park for United's Argentine striker Carlos Tevez,
whose seven goals in 10 games — including the winner at Old Trafford on the
final day — saved West Ham from relegation last season. The only consolation
was a rare and rapturous reception for the returning player before the game
from the home fans. 'We were beaten by the better team,' said United manager
Ferguson. 'It was not up to our normal standard. They are only human beings
and you can't expect them to be perfect all the time. They were perfect on
Boxing Day, but this was a disappointment. We struggled. West Ham were
motivated and aggressive in the tackle and they got about us. This was their
biggest game of the season.'
Even so, Ferguson was surprised by the way his side capitulated. 'I couldn't
see it happening,' he said. 'But if you concede goals from set-pieces you
know you are not at your best. I can't complain, they were the better team.
'If you can go into the new year top of the table you have a massive chance.
And we've still got a great chance.'
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley was especially delighted, given the
injuryravaged state of his squad. And after going 15 years as Charlton
manager without a win over United, he now has three in a row in just over a
year at Upton Park. 'That was a fantastic result with all the players we
have got out,' said Curbishley. 'Everybody has been mucking in and every
week someone has been popping up for us.' Not that often at home. It was
only West Ham's third win from nine games at the Boleyn Ground. 'It was the
first time for a while we have heard that West Ham crowd,' added Curbishley.
'Once we got back into the game they got a big lift. The players dug in and
did fantastically well.'
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United pay for Cristiano Ronaldo gaffe - TheTimes
West Ham 2 Man Utd 1Andrew Longmore at Upton Park
If only Manchester United played West Ham every week, the Premier League
might be less of a closed shop. Last season, West Ham completed an unlikely
double over the champions, ensuring their Premiership survival through
Carlos Tevez in the final game of the season. Yesterday, they turned a
half-time deficit into thrilling victory through two headed goals in the
space of five minutes, ending Manchester United's dash for the title after
five straight wins and bringing their own supporters a welcome dose of
festive cheer before a New Year's Day visit to Arsenal.
Arsenal's handsome 4-1 victory at Everton only compounded United's woes. "If
you go into the New Year as leaders you have a massive chance," said Sir
Alex Feguson. "We have a massive chance anyway, but it was disappointing." A
potential four-point lead has been turned into a two-point deficit.
It was as if the morning's league leaders were distracted by the universal
acclaim for one of their number at Upton Park. "And a warm welcome for
number 32, Hammer of the Year, Carlos Tevez" came the announcement. Applause
tumbled from all corners of this grand old stadium, a reflection not just of
the Argentine's priceless goals in the critical run to safety, but his
commitment to the cause.
"It was never going to be any different," said Alan Curbishley, who had more
reason than most to thank the Argentine. "What he did for us last year was
fantastic."
Tevez, who is not one to seek the limelight, raised his hands above his head
in applause too, but seemed to have no heart for the game, making little
impact on his homecoming before being substituted – to another handsome
reception, borne of relief this time – just after the hour. The East End
love-in seemed to disconcert his teammates almost as much as West Ham, who
played with five in midfield and the excellent Carlton Cole as a lone
striker, played the neater and more industrious football.
Cole has been a revelation this season, his confidence boosted by a
prolonged run in the side, his strength a constant threat to Rio Ferdinand
and Nemanja Vidic at the centre of an unusually hesitant United defence.
With Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves in central midfield and Ryan Giggs
in one of his showboating moods, United lacked creativity in midfield.
A double miss, initially by Hayden Mullins, whose shot from an acute angle
cracked the crossbar, and then by Mark Noble, who lofted the follow-up over
the bar, punctured the buoyancy of the home fans.
A turning point as early as the eighth minute? It seemed so five minutes
later when Giggs measured a precise cross which Ronaldo headed past Robert
Green from close range. It was Ronaldo's 18th goal of the season. But
instead of settling into their free-flowing rhythm, United remained
disjointed, lacking intelligence and industry.
West Ham should have profited from disarray in United's defence on the
stroke of half-time. All Cole needed to cap a near-perfect half leading the
line was a goal, and he should have had one, heading Noble's pinpoint cross
over the bar.
If the hairdryer was out at half-time, it would have been whirring in the
visitors' dressing room. Curbishley could ask no more of his side. Yet West
Ham continued to dominate much of the possession without adding penetration
to the slickness of their passing.
In the 66th minute the game seemed to have lurched beyond the home team as
Jonathan Spector, backtracking, lost his bearings and handled Louis Saha's
cross. Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Ronaldo strode forward.
Aware of Robert Green's excellent record on penalty kicks, the league's
leading scorer was fractionally too precise, driving the ball firmly to
Green's right and just past the post. Every Christmas arrived at once in the
East End. Ronaldo could not believe the miss, but West Ham began to believe
this might yet be their day.
An innocuous foul by Giggs on John Pantsil, a right-back drafted in to the
right of midfield in the second half, produced two further corners for West
Ham, from the second of which Anton Ferdinand rose to head home. A draw
would have been welcome enough, but five minutes later, from another set
piece, a free kick also earned by Pantsil, Matthew Upson thumped another
header past Tomasz Kuszczak for the winner.
Manchester United barely raised a gallop in response, though Ferguson seemed
in unusually forgiving mood afterwards. "We're human beings," said the
United manager. "We can't be perfect all the time. We can't complain, they
were the better team." The only piece of good news for the champions was
that Wayne Rooney, laid low by a virus, will be fit for the visit of
Birmingham on New Year's Day. "These things go in cycles," said Ferguson of
West Ham's voodoo over his side.
Ferguson – and his title rivals – will note with interest that West Ham are
the visitors to Old Trafford on the final day of the season.
Match stats
Star man: Carlton Cole (West Ham)
Player ratings
West Ham: Green 6, Neill 4, Upson 6, Spector 6, McCartney 6, Solano 7
(Pantsil 49min, 6), Parker 5 (A Ferdinand 55min, 7), Noble 7, Mullins 7,
Ljungberg 5 (Ashton 70min), Cole 8 Star man: Carlton Cole (West Ham)
Man Utd: Kuszczak 6, Brown 5 (O'Shea 89min), R Ferdinand 5, Vidic 5, Evra 5,
Ronaldo 6, Hargreaves 6 (Nani 80min), Fletcher 6, Giggs 3, Tevez 4 (Anderson
64min), Saha 5
Scorers: West Ham: Fedinand 77, Upson 82 Man Utd: Ronaldo 14
Yellow cards: West Ham: Pantsil, Mullins
Referee: M Dean
Attendance: 34,966
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West Ham Utd 2 Manchester Utd 1: Upson downs United as Ferguson's title
hopes receive Hammer blow - The Independent
Defender's first goal for club puts Tevez in shade while champions pay
penalty for Ronaldo spot-kick miss
By Steve Tongue at Upton Park
Published: 30 December 2007
A fixture that is rarely dull lived up to its reputation yesterday when West
Ham, who achieved an improbable double over Manchester United last season,
came from behind to beat the champions again with two headed goals in the
final 15 minutes.United, forced to do without an ailing Wayne Rooney, took
the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, who then missed a penalty, allowing
Anton Ferdinand to put one over his brother Rio with the equaliser before
Matthew Upson's first goal for the club.
Sir Alex Ferguson, banned from the touchline, had to sit and squirm high up
in the main stand, from where he watched his team pushed further and further
back in the final hour of the game by what remains of a West Ham squad
depleted by injuries and struggling to win at home. This was only their
third such success but Ferguson admitted: "We can't complain. I think they
were the better team. I couldn't see it happening. But if you're losing
goals at set-pieces, you're not at your best."
In the end, United were some way below the standard expected. Carlos Tevez,
around whom all the pre-match publicity revolved, looked as if he would
rather have been somewhere other than attempting to beat the team whose
bacon he saved with seven goals in 10 games last spring – including the
decisive one on the final day at Old Trafford.
Other than being involved in Ronaldo's goal, neither Tevez nor Ryan Giggs
achieved anything. Louis Saha was never a threat in Rooney's position and
although Owen Hargreaves patrolled in front of the back four with his usual
diligence, Darren Fletcher could not compensate for the continued absence of
Paul Scholes. Lastly, the defence unexpectedly crumbled when West Ham
finally went for bust.
Alan Curbishley had set out with a cautious 4-5-1 formation and did not
throw Dean Ashton into the mix until the last 20 minutes. The strategy,
based on outnumbering United in central midfield, appeared to have been
undermined when a glorious chance was missed early on and the visitors
scored instead. If Hayden Mullins was unfortunate to strike a post when
Carlton Cole's clever touch played him in, Mark Noble failed wretchedly to
bury the rebound, striking it high into the crowd.
Punishment was swift. In the 14th minute Tevez controlled the ball expertly
in the centre circle and sent Giggs down the left. The run was swift and the
cross perfect for Ronaldo to score his 18th goal of the season with a firm
header. It was a classic counterattacking goal and briefly put United tails
up, Ronaldo once bouncing the ball to a team-mate off his shoulder. West Ham
took some time to reassert themselves but once they did, possibilities of an
equaliser materialised. Nolberto Solano dipped a shot from 25 yards that
Tomasz Kuszczak only just managed to turn over the bar and just before the
break Cole might have done better than head Noble's cross over the bar.
Within a few minutes of the resumption, however, both Solano and Scott
Parker were forced off by niggling injuries. Each time Curbishley declined
the opportunity to bring on a second striker, introducing the young Ghana
international John Pantsil in a like-for-like swap with Solano and then
Anton Ferdinand for Parker as Jonathan Spector moved into midfield.
Spector had barely settled before conceding a penalty by handling Ronaldo's
chip as he slipped over. But to general astonishment the Portuguese pulled
his low shot wide.
Tevez made way for Anderson and West Ham finally sent on Ashton for the late
assault that brought an unlikely victory. With quarter of an hour to play,
Noble was instructed to take a right-wing corner instead of George McCartney
and he swung it over perfectly for Anton Ferdinand to head in. Five more
minutes and United's defence was again found wanting at a set-piece, Upson
heading in Noble's free-kick.
In the end, United were some way below the standards set during 2007, and as
a result they end the year knocked off the top of the Premier League tree.
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Hammer heads sink teeth in to United
Duncan Castles at Upton Park
Sunday December 30, 2007
The Observer
You can take their best striker, but you cannot stop them taking points off
you. Sir Alex Ferguson walked into Upton Park with Carlos Tevez proudly
ensconced in the Premier League's most potent attack yet walked away from it
as he did a year ago - three precious points ceded to his opponents, and a
few question raised against his title challenge.
Though they have now lost their position at the top of the Premier League
Manchester United probably will not lose the championship; they definitely
should not have lost this match. In control for much of it, they took an
early lead through the counter-attacking Cristiano Ronaldo, then won a
penalty the Portuguese looked set to convert for his 17th goal in 14 games,
only for that unbelievable run to come to a halt.
Ronaldo shanked the spot kick wide of Robert Green's post and the home
supporters rediscovered belief in a team who refused to lose their own. The
comeback was brutal - a brace of Mark Noble set-pieces landed on the scoring
heads of Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson - yet no less stirring for the
manner of it. As West Ham celebrated a third successive victory over United,
so did Ferguson's rivals.
'If we'd scored our penalty it would have killed the game,' said Ferguson.
'I couldn't see it happening I must say, but if you're losing goals from
set-pieces you're not at your best. They are a very competitive team, West
Ham. They were always about us, tackling everywhere.'
If Ferguson was deprived of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick by a stomach
virus that has struck Old Trafford of late, he was dignified enough not to
use it as an excuse. His friend and opposite number had it much worse. 'I
had 16 fit players today and I've now got 14,' said Alan Curbishley.
'There's a walk to this room with pictures of the current squad on it, I
think I've got a wall and a half out injured. At the end I've got a
right-back playing wide right and a left-back playing wide left, everybody
else is mucking in. I think it's just a fantastic result for us.'
Short of bricks he may have been, but Curbishley devised a novel tactical
solution to unsettle United early on. Returned to the middle of the park
after five games on the bench, Noble was stationed behind Carlton Cole in a
role most would have expected Freddie Ljungberg to fill. As the
centre-forward bruised the centre-backs, the England Under-21 international
drifted off Owen Hargreaves and into creative possession that should have
delivered an eighth-minute goal. Smart passing allowed Hayden Mullins in for
a strike that careered back off the United crossbar to Noble, who with
Tomasz Kuszczak scrambling, lofted his shot over the same section of
woodwork.
As West Ham's confidence rose, so did the numbers they threw into the
attack; a dangerous policy against United. Eager to overlap, Lucas Neill
strung one long shot across Kuszczak, encouraging the full-back further
forward. Ryan Giggs first exploited the space in looping a left-wing
delivery just ahead of Tevez, then got his delivery spot on. Streaming out
of defence, United worked the ball between their sprinting forwards as Tevez
found Louis Saha and he, the unmarked Giggs. A precision cross arrived on
Ronaldo's head for the Portuguese's 18th goal of the season and impassioned
celebrations. Tevez, welcomed by a sustained standing ovation pre-match,
remained true to his promise not to join in.
United were now in control, Giggs and Ronaldo tucking in to combat West
Ham's five-man midfield, yet breaking wide when Neill and George McCartney
offered them a path down the wings. Had Ronaldo found a more precise cross
on one such foray Tevez would have been in for the second, had Giggs
controlled his pass from another scamper down the right the senior winger
would have been clean through on Green. Next time Ronaldo did the work
himself, switching wings, cutting around Neill, and firing into the side
netting.
West Ham were fighting for scraps and long balls, Cole claiming a penalty as
the ball ricocheted off Rio Ferdinand, the home support another as their
ex-defender bumped into Solano. Solano came close with a long-distance chip
that almost undid Kuszczak before undoing his own hamstring.
Principal ball-winner Scott Parker joined the playmaker after jarring a knee
in a tackle, forcing John Pantsil and Jonathan Spector into makeshift
midfield duty. Centre of the park still overloaded, Ferguson elected to add
another body, replacing Tevez with Anderson to the Argentine's second
ovation of the day. The move befuddled Spector, who, stretching out an arm
to counter the Brazilian's first venture into the area, conceded a penalty.
Green had faced three penalties this season and been beaten by none. With
this one Ronaldo was not even to test the keeper, powering his strike wide
of the right upright. 'He hasn't said anything and you don't start
questioning people in that situation,' said Ferguson.
Supporters' voices raised around them, West Ham's players did the same with
the ball, striving to hit substitute Dean Ashton and their centre-backs at
every opportunity. A series of set-pieces had Kuszczak struggling; on 77
minutes Noble's corner kick found the younger Ferdinand for a power header.
When Evra conceded a free-kick the game was done. Again, Noble delivered,
again a bullish centre-back was first to the ball and Upson's header sailed
into United's goal. No Carlitos, same outcome.
Man of the match
Mark Noble Restored to the starting line-up in an unaccustomed role, the
local hero and England Under 21 internatonal grabbed plaudits that seemed
destined for the less earthy skills of Cristiano Ronaldo. Noble, too, can
cross a ball and at the end of an afternoon of enervating running between
the lines he twice played his centre-backs in for goal. Could have scored
himself too in the first 10 minutes.
THE FANS' VERDICT
Tim Conlan, Observer reader I'm still in shock. I bet no other team can say
they've beaten Man United three times in a row. We took charge of the game
from the start and I think Curbishley's tactics of not starting with Ashton
confused them. Tevez looked so moved with the reception he got from the
whole ground - there must have been a minute's standing ovation at the start
and when he went off - that I think his head seemed to be all over the
place, and he didn't play well at all. Noble was brilliant, especially in
the second half, but for me Pantsil made the difference when he came on. He
was superb and from the moment he stepped on the pitch he bossed the game.
Player ratings Green 8; Neill 8, Spector 7, Upson 9, McCartney 7; Solano 6
(Pantsil 9), Parker 7 (Ferdinand 8), Mullins 7, Ljungberg 7 (Ashton 4);
Noble 8; Cole 7
Mark Harrison, Observer reader West Ham are definitely our bogey team - but
there's no doubt they deserved to win. They were the better side and made
the better chances. Had we beaten them it would have been very harsh. Tevez
got a fantastic reception from the West Ham fans - it was like he was still
their player. Didn't do him any good, though, because he just couldn't get
in the game. Mind you, he was like the rest of the team, no one seemed up
for it. There could be a good omen, however - West Ham beat us twice last
season and we still went on to win the title.
Player ratings Kuszczak 7; Brown 6 (O'Shea n/a), Ferdinand 6, Vidic 5, Evra
6; Hargreaves 7 (Nani 5); Ronaldo 7, Fletcher 5, Giggs 4; Saha 5, Tevez 4
(Anderson 6)
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Matthew Upson upset at Upton Park - The Times
Man Utd lose to West Ham, then Arsenal thrash Everton 4-1David Walsh, chief
sports writer
JUST WHEN we thought we had figured out this wonderfully close Premier
League title race, imperious Manchester United lose at West Ham and the
callow young men of Arsenal achieve an emphatic victory at high-riding
Everton. Whatever the Gunners achieved, it is hard to explain what happened
to the champions, who lost the three points and their position at the top.
United went ahead through their habitual goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, and
against injury-stricken West Ham that might have been curtains. For this is
the team booed off the same Upton Park pitch in their recent game against
10-man Reading; a West Ham whose injured crew could probably beat the XI who
played yesterday. But if the Hammers had one foot in the grave, they were
determined to take it out.
Their goals came from the centre-backs, Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson,
and in between, the normally reliable Ronaldo failed to convert a United
penalty. It still being the season of goodwill, you may imagine that
United's skipper Rio Ferdinand had the consolation of seeing his kid brother
score a rare goal. Don't bet too much on Rio's benevolence on this occasion.
Explaining why United lost is not difficult. "I have no complaints," said
Sir Alex Ferguson. "We were beaten by the better team." The United manager
also said he felt his team were a long way short of their best.
Given that West Ham twice beat them in the league last season, it's hard to
understand why the champions weren't sharper. "It's difficult to say why,
but they are human beings and you can't expect them to be perfect all the
time," said Ferguson.
The impact of United's defeat was deepened by Arsenal's fine victory over
Everton and Chelsea beating Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal's
win was impressive because Everton had won their past seven home games and
beaten the Gunners on their last two visits to Goodison. Last time, Arsène
Wenger felt his side were unable to match Everton's physical approach, so
what did he do yesterday? He put a few more inexperienced youngsters into
his side.
They certainly weren't going to be bullied and at the end of a tempestuous
game that had two sendings-off, Arsenal had scored four of the five goals.
The match turned on two moments of exquisite finishing by the Croatian
striker Eduardo.
With his team trailing by a goal, Eduardo got two chances early in the
second half and in the blink of an eyelid, both were lodged in the back of
the net. "He has the attitude of a young Robbie Fowler," said Wenger, "the
control, the short backlift, the quick finishing. It doesn't always look
spectacular but it is always out of the goalkeeper's reach. He got two away
at Blackburn, two again today. That tells you he is a special talent."
And up to now, he has been Arsenal's fourth-choice striker.
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Transfer speculation: Darren Bent to West Ham United (Unspecified) -
SquareFootball
Paul Grech
30/12/2007 05:44:58.
Is Darren Bent really worth £16 million? That is what everyone was asking
when Tottenham Hotpsur agreed to pay that fee in the summer to take him to
White Hart Lane from Charlton. Six months down the line and the answer is
in: no. A combination of injury and the turmoil that has engulfed the club
in the first half of the season has prevented him from settling in but, even
so, it is hard to see how he can ever justify that fee. Juande Ramos seems
to agree and of the four strikers at his disposal, Bent seems the one he is
most willing to let go. Despite a number of denials by the player that he is
about to leave, the rumour linking him to former boss Alan Curbishley at
West Ham won't go away something that is always a good indication that there
might be some truth in it. This gives rise to two futher questions: how much
Tottenham will ask for him and whether West Ham really need Bent.
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'Hard day' at the office for Manchester United - News.com.au
December 30, 2007 12:00am
SIR Alex Ferguson offered no excuses after seeing Manchester United slip to
a dramatic 2-1 defeat at West Ham. United were 13 minutes away from
extending their lead at the top of the English Premier League today when two
expert headers from Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson turned a pulsating
encounter on its head and sent the champions spinning to just their third
league loss of the season. It was no more than West Ham deserved for a fine
performance and Ferguson - who was unable to field Wayne Rooney or Michael
Carrick at Upton Park due to illness - was at a loss to explain his team's
lacklustre display. "I have no complaints," he said. "You are going to get
hard days in a title race and this was a hard day for us. It's hard to say
why it happened. You can't be perfect all the time. We were pretty perfect
at Sunderland on Wednesday but it didn't happen for us against West Ham.
"The team struggled. West Ham were very competitive and aggressive, tackling
everywhere, very motivated in what was pretty much their biggest game of the
season. They wanted to beat us. "It's a disappointment because I always feel
that if you go into the new year top of the table then you have a great
chance. But we still have a very good opportunity to go on in January."
Ferguson's demeanour suggested another non-performance against Birmingham on
New Year's day will simply not be tolerated, although for all their travails
at Upton Park, this was still a game United could have won. They were handed
a gilt-edged opportunity to open up a daunting two-goal lead in the 65th
minute when Jonathan Spector inexplicably handled Cristiano Ronaldo's
teasing cross. The Portuguese, who had already put his team ahead in the
13th minute by neatly heading in Ryan Giggs' near-post cross, swaggered to
the spot but his kick was snatched and the shot rolled well wide. It was, as
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, observed, the game's pivotal
incident. "That was a big miss," he said. "It's the first time I have seen
Ronaldo try and hit a penalty hard - usually he goes for placement but it
was power this time. I was surprised to see him miss it and it was obviously
a crucial moment."
West Ham had already been offered encouragement from a first-half display
which saw Hayden Mullins strike the crossbar and Mark Noble miss the rebound
with an open goal gaping, but Ronaldo's aberration offered fresh momentum
just when defeat seemed inevitable. They duly poured forward in search of an
equaliser and, in the 77th minute, it arrived when Ferdinand, returning to
action after a lengthy injury lay-off and a court case, headed in Noble's
pinpoint corner. That set up a grandstand finale and, with the noise levels
in east London threatening to shoot off the scale, the home fans were handed
the winner they craved when another excellent Noble set-piece was headed
into the top corner by the soaring Upson. "It's a fantastic result for us,"
Curbishley added.
"We had 16 fit players today and I've ended the game with 14, so it's a huge
effort from everyone. I'm just really pleased for the players."
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Fergie 'can't complain' - Sunday Mirror
WEST HAM 2 MAN UTD 1
By Steve Stammers 30/12/2007
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his champions were
deservedly beaten by West Ham at Upton Park. It was United's third straight
loss to West Ham and Sir Alex said: "No complaints. The better team won."
Sir Alex saw Cristiano Ronaldo waste the perfect opportunity to secure a
United win when he missed a 66th-minute penalty. Ferguson said: "He hasn't
said anything and you don't start quizzing people in that situation. "We
were beaten by the better team. I don't think we measured up to our normal
performance. "But the players are human and you can't expect them to be
perfect all the time. And if you lose goals at set pieces you are not at
your best."
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Hammers Revival Shocks United !! - ManUtdTalk.com
Posted by:carlyluvsunited
Date:Today
Matthew Upson gave Manchester United an early new year's hangover as his
goal handed West Ham a dramatic 2-1 win on Saturday. The England centre-half
thumped in a glorious header with just nine minutes remaining at Upton Park
to give United's English Premier League title bandwagon an unwelcome jolt.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side appeared certain to cement their position at the
top of the table after Cristiano Ronaldo's 13th-minute opener but once the
Portuguese missed a 65th-minute penalty, reigning champions United crumbled.
Anton Ferdinand - returning to action following a spate of injury problems
and his acquittal on a charge of causing actual bodily harm - nodded in a
deserved equaliser and the stage was set for Upson's thrilling winner.
Defeat left United just a point in front of Arsenal ahead of th Gunners'
late kick-off game with Everton. This appeared the sort of game to have
United's vast sweep of attacking talent smacking their lips in anticipation.
West Ham's abysmal home form - this was only their third win in 10 league
matches at Upton Park this season - has stymied a push for a top-six finish.
Yet there is something about United which seems to bring out the best in
West Ham. The east Londoners defeated Ferguson's side twice last season -
once in
Alan Curbishley's first game in charge and again, crucially, in the final
match of the season - and they began this latest spat in purposeful fashion.
United's defence was panicking in the first 60 seconds when Nolberto Solano
almost converted Freddie Ljungberg's centre and, in the eighth minute, the
hosts
should have forged ahead.
Hayden Mullins broke clear in United's left-hand channel and crashed a
fierce shot against the woodwork, with Mark Noble blazing over on the
rebound. Such chances have to be taken against a side of United's polish.
And if West Ham needed proof, it was supplied in devastating fashion five
minutes later. A lightning-quick break involving Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha
ended with the Frenchman setting Ryan Giggs clear on the left.
The Welshman dinked a delicious cross to the near post, where Ronaldo nodded
firmly home. That might have been the cue for West Ham to disintegrate, but
falling behind merely seemed to stiffen their resistance. The ever-inventive
Solano almost dragged his side back to parity with a 25-yard lob which drew
a fine save from Tomasz Kuszcak, while Carlton Cole should have done better
than head tamely over from Noble's pinpoint cross.
United, hanging on grimly, were grateful for the half-time whistle but the
interval did little to clear their heads. West Ham continued to press
hungrily but then, in the 65th minute, came the moment that turned the game.
After Jonathan Spector had inexplicably handled Ronaldo's searching pass,
United were handed a gift-wrapped penalty. Ronaldo duly swaggered forward to
supply the finishing touch but, for once, the winger's technique deserted
him: his spot -kick was dragged horribly wide.
It was a costly error. Upton Park revelled in the Portuguese's misery and
suddenly West Ham scented an unlikely opportunity and, gradually, they began
to pen back their illustrious guests. Their endeavour was rewarded in the
77th minute. Noble swung over a right -sided corner with just enough pace
and bend to deceive United's defence and Ferdinand - who had been introduced
as a second-half substitute - headed powerfully beyond Kuszczak.
That was dramatic enough but there was still time for another extraordinary
twist. With nine minutes left and Upton Park baying for blood, Patrice Evra
conceded a needless free-kick. Noble delivered yet another devilish cross
and Upson, timing his jump to perfection, nodded brilliantly into the top
corner.
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Noble relief after helping West Ham to shock win
tribalfooball.com - December 29, 2007
Mark Noble admitted some relief after having a say in both of West Ham's
goals in their 2-1 defeat of Manchester United. "I missed a great chance,"
Noble recalled to whufc.com, after missing an open goal before Cristiano
Ronaldo put United in front. "It hurt me not scoring but we needed to carry
on the way we were going. "We just needed to get around them and not let
them play because they are the best in the country - them and Arsenal - at
passing the ball, so we really got in and around them and spoilt the way
they play. We really excelled ourselves." Noble, with two second-half
set-pieces, helped the Hammers score quickfire goals through Anton Ferdinand
and Matthew Upson in the 76th and 81st minutes. "It was nice for me to set
up the two goals from a free-kick and a corner, so I ain't gonna be too
harsh on myself for missing that chance! "Merve (Mervyn Day) always says
when I have come on in the last couple of games - 'you take the set-plays'.
I took it upon myself to do that and thank God they were OK. We really
cracked on and I am happy for Matty and Anton that they got their goals."
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West Ham's Green convinced he put off Ronaldo
tribalfootball.com - December 29, 2007
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is convinced he won his battle of
wills with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese's
penalty miss in yesterday's 2-1 defeat. "I have shown him a lot of room to
my left," he told wufc.com. "I then moved that way to try and throw him a
dummy that I was going to go to my left. I went to my right and he has
missed it with a horrible strike. "As a professional footballer, you kick
thousands of balls every week and sometimes they don't come out right. I
would have liked him to hit the target because I think I would have saved
it! It is one of them things that happens and for a player of that quality
it is surprising."
Green had "no idea" why the Portuguese attacker, who had put United in front
in the first half with a firm header that gave the goalkeeper no chance,
decided to go for power rather than his usual precision. "You look at the
ones he has taken before. He has stopped and looked where the keeper is
going. He didn't this time. He took one against Everton at one-all in the
88th minute last week - the pressure was not any greater today. It is just
something that happens."
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Man Utd squad hit by virus
tribalfooball.com - December 29, 2007
Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick missed Manchester United's defeat at West
Ham with a stomach bug. After a vintage display at Sunderland on Boxing Day
in which Rooney starred, United were left sick to their stomachs by the
defeat at the hands of West Ham, with their talisman missing due to a
stomach complaint that had swept through their camp.
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West Ham's Ferdinand reveals secret of family success
tribalfooball.com - December 29, 2007
Anton Ferdinand has revealed how interests away from the football field
helped him and brother Rio make it in the Premier League. The West Ham
United defender kept in shape with gymnastics, while elder sibling Rio
developed his on-field elegance with ballet lessons. And Ferdinand junior is
also keen to get back to working with horses once his career as a player
draws to a close. Ferdinand told The Guardian: "I used to love horses and I
worked at a stables in Mottingham. "I'm not allowed to ride any more because
of insurance reasons but I'd love to own my own horses one day and start
riding again. "I used to do gymnastics as well. And Rio had ballet lessons.
He was 13 and I used to copy him at home. "It's the sort of thing
footballers slaughter each other for, but it has definitely helped him. Just
look at his balance."
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