WHUFC.com
All the action as it happened as West Ham United took the spoils in the
north-east on Sunday afternoon
23.11.2008
Barclays Premier League
Stadium of Light
Sunday 23 November 2008
Kick-off: 4pm
Referee: Mike Dean
Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque
(Edwards 66), Whitehead, Reid (Murphy 66), Richardson, Jones (Diouf 81),
Cisse
Subs not used: Colgan, Tainio, Colback, Henderson.
Booked: Reid, Bardsley
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte
76), Parker, Bowyer (Mullins 61), Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 87), Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Davenport, Collison, Sears
Booked: Bowyer
Goal: Behrami 20
Attendance: 35,222.
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Behrami sinks Sunderland
WHUFC.com
Valon Behrami's strike earns victory for the visitors and moves them to
within two points of seventh place
23.11.2008
Sunderland 0-1 West Ham United
Valon Behrami's first goal for the club was enough to give West Ham United
all three points at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The Swiss international midfielder picked up a loose ball on the edge of the
area in the 20th minute and drilled in a left-footed shot that went in with
the help of a deflection. Behrami could have added a second just before the
break but fired against the crossbar. The hosts fought back in the second
period but could not find a way past a resilient Hammers' defence.
Opting for a 4-4-2 formation, Gianfranco Zola handed a recall to Julien
Faubert and Lee Bowyer in midfield, with Jack Collison and Freddie Sears
dropping to the bench. Matthew Etherington did not travel due to a muscle
strain, meaning a return as substitute for Luis Boa Morte. In Anton
Ferdinand, Sunderland had one former Hammers defender in their ranks but
George McCartney missed out through injury.
Sunderland were quick off the mark with Dean Whitehead shooting wide with a
speculative effort on 44 seconds. That was as close as either side was to
come in the first ten minutes with Matthew Upson paying close attention to
Djbril Cisse, who eventually had the first real effort with a header over.
Faubert and Carlton Cole then tried their luck with shots that went straight
to Marton Fulop, deputising for the injured Craig Gordon. The match sparked
into life with a booking for Andy Reid on 19 minutes after he fouled Lucas
Neill out on the right-hand side. Faubert took the free-kick and when the
ball was cleared to the edge of the area, Behrami smashed in via Kenwyne
Jones to leave Fulop with no chance to save.
Cisse could have equalised immediately but headed wide having managed to
evade Upson and James Collins for the first time. Behrami was causing all
sorts of problems in his new left-wing role and David Bardsley then went
into the book for a foul on the Swiss international. Sunderland thought they
had finally scored as the half-hour approached when Reid hit the bar with a
curling effort from 20 yards out before Lee Bowyer was then cautioned for
bringing down the same player.
It was a full-blooded affair on a freezing afternoon and Cole worked space
for a shot that soared over before twice Sunderland claimed James Collins
had fouled their forwards in the penalty area - referee Mike Dean waved each
one away despite strong protests from the majority of the 35,222 fans in the
crowd. Danny Collins then forced Robert Green into his first save with a
rising effort before the half finished in dramatic style.
Ferdinand was dispossessed by the on-rushing Bellamy and the Wales striker
bore down on goal. Fulop came out and forced him wide but the No10 showed
good composure to pick out Behrami as he raced into the area. A second goal
seemed certain but the midfielder's shot crashed against the bar and away to
safety.
The second half began with Sunderland again appealing, this time after
Cisse's shot struck Upson's hand from a couple of feet away. Cisse was
proving a menace, getting around the back of the defence on 50 minutes only
to head wide when well placed again. It was all Sunderland but Parker soon
got things going at the other end with a shot from range that in truth never
troubled Fulop before Bowyer headed over.
On the hour, Zola introduced Hayden Mullins for Bowyer and it had the
required effect as the match became a less frenetic affair. Sunderland made
two changes of their own on 66 minutes with Steed Malbranque off for Carlos
Edwards and Reid replaced by Daryl Murphy. Bardsley was next to show with a
run and shot on 72 minutes. Zola made another change four minutes later,
replacing Faubert with Boa Morte.
El Hadj Diouf came on for Jones with nine minutes remaining and Green held a
Whitehead header as the home side pressed for an equaliser. Zola made his
final substitution when David Di Michele came on for Bellamy as the visitors
survived four minutes of injury time to secure a hard-fought win that moves
them four places up the Barclays Premier League table.
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Zola pleased by points return
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola believes the win at Sunderland on Sunday was reward for his
players' recent hard work
23.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola thinks his side's 1-0 win at Sunderland on Sunday is just
desserts for the team's effort in recent games.
Valon Behrami got the only goal at the Stadium of Light as West Ham United
earned a second consecutive clean sheet and, more importantly, the three
points that move them up to 13th in the Barclays Premier League.
Zola was certain his side's luck would eventually change after recent
performances had not got the results they deserved. "Today my smile is a bit
bigger because the team were playing well and not getting results," he said.
"Today they got what they deserved from before. In the last five or six
matches we played really well but got few points. Today it was not so pretty
at times but the result was what was important. I am pleased for the boys.
"Football is strange, sometimes you play well and you get nothing and in
those moments you have to keep working, keep perfecting what you are doing
and sooner or later you will be rewarded for what you are doing."
The second half saw the visiting defence come under sustained pressure but a
solid rearguard action - led by Matthew Upson and James Collins - ensured
they left the north-east with a win. Zola said: "We know it is important to
defend properly, the three points we got today proved that. But we are going
to try and build the quality of the football - that is our aim and that is
what we are going to be doing during the week."
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Edgar and Bajner on target
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr was delighted to see a welcome victory on Saturday to set his side
up for the FA Youth Cup
22.11.2008
Fulham Under-18s 0-2 West Ham United Under-18s
Anthony Edgar and Balint Bajner struck second-half goals to give Tony Carr's
team a deserved derby victory in west London on Saturday morning.
After two defeats in a row, the Under-18s returned to winning ways after
Edgar struck early in the second half and Bajner converted a late goal on
the counterattack. It was just reward for a polished performance that also
saw a first start for Polish right-back Filip Modelski and another late
run-out for England Under-16 forward Robert Hall.
Modelski is still only an Under-16 player at the club but already an
established youth international with his country. In September, he helped
Poland qualify for next spring's Elite round for the 2009 European U17
Championship. He played in the first two qualifiers that sealed Polish
progress before sitting out the academic third. Modelski, like the versatile
young Austrian Georg Grasser and Hungarian forward Bajner, is fitting in
well at Chadwell Heath.
After a first half at Motspur Park that saw both teams have their moments
without ever really threatening, the deadlock was finally broken after the
interval when Edgar collected a cross from the left-hand side. He showed
good footwork to create an opening before firing low through a crowd of
players into the corner of the net.
The second came via a quickfire breakaway. The Hammers were defending a
corner when Jordan Brown set Edgar away down the right-hand side. The
goalscorer turned provider by picking out the on-rushing Bajner with a low
cross and the in-form Hungary Under-19 striker slid in to score.
Carr said: "It was a good performance all round and on a cold wintry day it
was quite warming to see. It was the result we needed to take into the FA
Youth Cup which is our next game [on 2 December]." That third-round tie will
see the youngsters head to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest.
West Ham United: Street, Modelski, Brown, Brooks, Fry, Okus, Edgar, Lee,
Abdulla (Hall 70), Bajner, Montano (Grasser 75)
Subs not used: Loveday, McNaughton
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League bow for N'Gala
WHUFC.com
Bondz N'Gala has had a weekend to remember after his first taste of senior
league action with MK Dons
22.11.2008
Bondz N'Gala made his league debut on Saturday coming on as an early
substitute for League One high-fliers MK Dons in their 3-0 away win at
Walsall.
The Forest Gate-born centre-back joined Roberto Di Matteo's club on loan
just over a week ago but was an unused replacement last weekend. It was a
different story this time out, with the 19-year-old needed on 24 minutes to
replace injured captain Dean Lewington. By that time, MK Dons were one-nil
up and they went on to add a further two goals after the interval.
Meanwhile, Josh Payne looks set for a third month at Cheltenham Town as the
midfielder, who only turns 18 on Tuesday, made his eighth appearance for the
League One strugglers in a 1-0 defeat at Carlisle United. Finally, Nigel
Quashie's initial month-loan at Birmingham City ended with the midfielder
suspended for their 3-2 win against Swansea City after his red card in the
previous fixture.
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Sunderland 0-1 West Ham
By Andrew McKenzie
BBC.co.uk
Valon Behrami's first goal for West Ham was enough to give them a
much-needed victory over a below-par Sunderland. Behrami's shot took a
deflection off Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to beat stranded keeper
Marton Fulop. Sunderland had penalty appeals turned down when Jones and
Djibril Cisse went down in the area. Behrami should have added a second but
hit the bar from five yards out, while Sunderland striker Cisse was guilty
of missing a number of chances. The Hammers' reward for a battling defensive
performance was a first victory in eight games to ease some of the pressure
on manager Gianfranco Zola. Sunderland suffered a fourth home defeat of the
Premier League season - and a third in a row - on a thoroughly frustrating
afternoon for their fans and manager Roy Keane.
Having settled the better of the two sides they found themselves behind
after 20 minutes. The Black Cats failed to clear a free-kick and Behrami
latched on to the loose ball to drive a shot from inside the box that
deflected off Jones and into the net. Sunderland should have equalised
almost immediately when an Andy Reid cross found Cisse unmarked in front of
goal, but he planted his header wide. The home side's frustrations grew when
referee Mike Dean turned down two penalty appeals inside five minutes. James
Collins seemed to pull down Jones as the Trinidad and Tobago striker
attempted to get his head on a free-kick. Wales defender Collins was also
involved in the second incident when Cisse tumbled to the ground as he ran
on to a Steed Malbranque flick. Reid hit the top of the bar, Cisse again
headed wide of the mark and Danny Collins saw a left-foot shot tipped over
by Robert Green as Sunderland searched for an equaliser. But on the stroke
of half-time West Ham should have doubled their lead when Behrami missed a
glorious chance. Former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand was dispossessed
by Craig Bellamy, who ran through on goal only to be forced wide by Fulop.
The striker took a look up and saw an advancing Behrami, who smacked his
shot off the bar from five yards out. Cisse showed his increasing
frustrations when his shot hit Matthew Upson's hand, but it would have been
asking a lot for Dean to have given a penalty. Phil Bardsley's left-foot
cross found Cisse at the back post and he was again unable to direct his
effort on goal. Sunderland's attacks became increasingly desperate and the
West Ham backline comfortably coped with the hopeful crosses from deep. When
Sunderland did find a man in the box it was generally wasted, with Cisse in
particular guilty of some shocking efforts in front of goal. Bardsley shot
just wide and Dean Whitehead's header was comfortably collected by Green.
The Hammers comfortably saw out the closing stages as they recorded
back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in over a year.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane: "We are disappointed with the goal we gave away.
We didn't defend the set piece, particularly the second ball, and we got
punished for it. "We had chances but we didn't test their keeper enough. In
the Premier League you have to take your chances. "We felt we didn't deserve
to lose the game. We are disappointed with one or two decisions in terms of
fairly clear-cut penalties. "But we have to learn to get something even on
our off days."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola on their recent run: "It's been very
difficult. "You walk into the dressing room after your team has played well
and you have to try to cheer them up. But they have character and they
proved it today. "The defence was unbelievable, particularly Matt Upson and
James Collins who were outstanding."
Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque
(Edwards 66), Whitehead, Reid (Murphy 66), Richardson, Jones (Diouf 81),
Cisse.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Tainio, Colback, Henderson.
Booked: Reid, Bardsley.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte 76),
Parker, Bowyer (Mullins 61), Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 87), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Davenport, Collison, Sears.
Booked: Bowyer.
Goals: Behrami 20.
Att: 35,222.
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: West Ham's Valon Behrami (6.86 on
90 minutes).
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Collison savours Wales experience
BBC.co.uk
Jack Collison says he is feeling right at home in the senior Wales squad
after winning his third cap in Wednesday night's 1-0 friendly win in
Denmark. The match saw the young West Ham player partner Aaron Ramsey, 17,
in midfield. "All round the team there was a lot of people that I've played
quite a bit with," Collison, just 20 himself, said. "I mean a lot of the
Under-21s and also personally James Collins and Craig Bellamy, obviously
I've played with them at West Ham." Wales captain Bellamy's 77th-minute
strike earned Wales their victory in the Brondby Stadium, but both Collison
and Ramsey impressed. "Right throughout the team there was a really good
mix and the boys did well," said Collison, whose previous caps came in
friendlies against Iceland and the Netherlands. "I just really enjoyed it
out there, with the young boys I think you get players going out there and
playing without fear. "Everyone's just looking to do their part to try and
cement a place in the team."
Wales were without midfielders Carl Fletcher, Carl Robinson, Jason Koumas,
Simon Davies, Joe Ledley and David Vaughan, while defender Danny Gabbidon
and striker Rob Earnshaw were also injured. But with a youthful Wales side
claiming the scalp of a well-regarded Denmark side, competition for places
will be fierce when they return to World Cup qualifying action. "Obviously a
1-0 result away from home anywhere is going to be a great result, but
especially here in Denmark so we can take a lot of positives out of the game
and push on in the qualifiers," Collison added.
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Zola on ... Sunderland
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd November 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has praised his players after they recorded their first
league win since September at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
Zola, whose team had gone seven games without a win prior to this afternoon
singled out his central defensive partnership of James Collins and Matthew
Upson for special mention but declared that he was delighted with the entire
team.
"It's been a hard time so I'm pleased," he said. "The defensive side [of our
game] was unbelievable. The four defenders, along with the midfield were
fantastic - particularly Matthew Upson and James Collins, they were really
outstanding.
"We knew that they have a few good players in the air, like Jones. They were
really on top of the game so good for them."
Zola admitted that it had been tough keeping spirits up following the dismal
run, adding that today's victory was more than justified given some recent
good performances.
"It's very, very difficult, I tell you. You walk in after your team had
played a very good match and you have to try to cheer them up - and it's not
easy," he added.
"But I'm pleased for them today, it was the perfect reward for what they've
done not only today but also in the last two months. So congratulations to
them, and I think the victory today is all down to them."
Meanwhile Roy Keane was less than happy with some of referee Mike Dean's
decisions - although he admitted that had his strikers been on form they
could have won the game.
"Looking at the game I don't think we tested their keeper enough," he mused.
"We had some decent chances but we nevere really tested the keeper. When you
get these chances in the Premiership you've got to take them and we were
punished for it.
"We were disappointed at decisions that went against us in terms of fairly
clear cut penalties. It wasn't to be. We're disappointed and we certainly
didn't feel we deserved to lose the game today."
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Sunderland 0 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd November 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's miserable run of games without a win finally came to an end
thanks to a narrow victory at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
A fantastic effort from the United back four - plus 'keeper Rob Green - was
enough to give the Hammers all three points and keep a second successive
clean sheet in the process, despite bing under the cosh for most of th e
game.
In recent weeks Gianfranco Zola's side have played some clever, intelligent
football with little to show for it. Collectively today they were poor - at
best - yet managed to grab their first three-pointer since winning 2-1 at
Fulham back in September. Sunderland boss Roy Keane will no doubt be tearing
his hair out wondering just how his side contrived to waste a hatful of
chances and lose this keenly fought game.
With both sides in desperate need of points, the match promised to be a
lively encounter. It certainly lived up to the pre-match billing with both
the Black Cats and the Hammers producing fully committed performances.
Sunderland enjoyed the greater possession and chances in the opening 45 but
it was the Hammers who went into the break with a precious lead thanks to
Valon Behrami's 20th minute opening goal. It came from a Julien Faubert free
kick which was only half cleared to the grateful Behrami, who fired through
a crowd of bodies to register his first league goal for the Hammers (albeit
with a slight deflection off the ankle of Sunderland's Kenwyn Jones).
Sunderland created a number of chances in the half but a combination of poor
finishing and solid defending ensured the Hammers go into the break ahead.
Andy Reid - who constantly tormented United skipper Lucas Neill throughout
the first period - hit the bar with a curling, dipping effort from the edge
of the box with Rob Green stranded on 27 minutes to register their best
effort of the half.
Meanwhile Djibril Cisse and Jones both missed a hatful of chances as the
Hammers defence began to creak under pressure; Cisse missed one particularly
glorious opportunity to level terms towards the end of the half with a free
header.
West Ham, so good until the final third where they too often failed to
deliver from promising positions should have doubled their lead two minutes
into injury time when former Hammer Anton Ferdinand let Craig Bellamy in
whilst dallying on the ball. Fortunately for Anton he recovered in time to
do enough to put Valon Behrami - supplied by Bellamy yards from goal - off
of his shot which hit the bar when it was easier to score. In the Swiss
midfielder's defence, the ball took a nasty bobble just as he was lining up
his effort.
It was no surprise that the home side started the second period the
stronger, and Cisse again went close to levelling the scores four minutes
in. The French striker also saw a penalty claim for hand ball dismissed -
rightly so as the 'offender' Matthew Upson was standing less than a yard
from Cisse when the strangely red-headed forward blasted the ball straight
at the England international's hand.
The Hammers responded with efforts from Parker (long range effort) and
Bowyer (glancing header on to the top of the net). The effort were timed at
55 and 56 minutes respectively; it was a mark of Sunderland's dominance that
these were the final chances created by United in the game.
As the Hammers began to sink deeper and deeper Gianfranco Zola reacted by
introducing Hayden Mullins for Lee Bowyer - who had struggled to get into
the game after the half-time break - on 62 minutes. That change momentarily
subdued the home side, who had to wait a further 10 minutes for their next
opportunity.
Whilst Sunderland - now enhanced by the introduction of and the introduction
of Carlos Edwards and Darryl Murphy - pressed harder and harder it is
testament to the United rearguard that Roy Keane's side only managed to
produce a further three efforts on goal, despite enjoying almost total
domination in the final third of the game.
James Collins and Matthew Upson, heroes in midweek for their respective
nations were absolutely immense, winning virtually every ball that was
delivered into the box - of which there were many. Meanwhile Herita Ilunga
and Lucas Neill worked hard to close down the flanks and prevent Sunderland
from expoliting the space that they had done so so successfully prior to the
half-time break.
Sunderland were given brief hopes of emulating last season's dramatic injury
time success when four minutes of injury time were signalled. But so strong
- and resolute - were the Hammers at the back that in all honesty they could
have probably played for another two hours without scoring.
The win lifts the Hammers back into 13th spot, four points ahead of the
relegation zone - and back above Tottenham who went ahead of the Hammers for
the first time this season courtesy of a lunchtime victory against Blackburn
at White Hart Lane.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker,
Bowyer, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole
Substitutes: Lastuvka, Mullins, Davenport, Collison, Boa Morte, Di Michele,
Sears
Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque,
Whitehead, Reid, Richardson, Jones, Cisse
Substitutes: Colgan, Tainio, Edwards, Diouf, Meyler, Colback, Henderson
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers halt winless run
Deflected Behrami strike enough to stop the rot for West Ham
By Ben Collins Last updated: 23rd November 2008
SSN
Man of the match - Matthew Upson - excellent for England in midweek,
outstanding leader at the back today.
Moment of the match - James Collins' challenge on Djibril Cisse which was
judged to be fair. He could easily have been sent off.
Attempt of the match - Andy Reid's curler which clipped the woodwork in the
first half.
Save of the match - With few efforts on target, there was little of note.
Talking point - Sunderland are sure to complain about Mike Dean's decision
regarding Collins and Cisse's tangle.
Goal of the game - Just the one, so Behrami's deflected winner will have to
do.
Valon Behrami's first goal for West Ham was enough to give the Hammers their
first win in eight games. The visitors took the lead against the run of play
with a deflected strike by the Swiss midfielder in the 20th minute.
Sunderland will be aggrieved that Hammers defender James Collins was not
shown a red card for bringing down Djibril Cisse late in the first half. But
the Blacks Cats only have themselves to blame for not claiming a point they
richly deserved as top scorer Cisse missed a host of chances on the way to
their fourth defeat in five. Victory eased the pressure on West Ham boss
Gianfranco Zola and allowed the Hammers to leapfrog Sunderland into 13th
place. Sunderland made most of the running and their best early opportunity
saw Cisse head narrowly over from Andy Reid's left-wing cross.
Kenwyne Jones had a shot blocked by Collins after combining well with Cisse
but it was the visitors that opened the scoring following a free-kick by
Julien Faubert.
Nyron Nosworthy cleared as far as Behrami on the edge of the box and his
shot deflected off Jones past the hapless Martin Fulop in the Sunderland
goal. The Black Cats almost drew level immediately as Cisse headed wide from
another Reid cross before Reid himself curled a 20-yard effort against the
crossbar. The home side were then angered by two dubious decisions by
referee Mike Dean, with Collins appearing to pull down Jones in the box and
then Cisse when he was through on goal, but Dean waved away the Black Cats'
appeals. Cisse fired into the side-netting as Sunderland remained on top
while Danny Collins forced Robert Green to tip the ball over, yet West Ham
should have gone into the break with a two-goal cushion after a slip by
former Hammer Anton Ferdinand put Craig Bellamy clean through.
Although Bellamy took the ball round Fulop, he drifted wide and had to
square for Behrami, who smashed the ball against the crossbar from six yards
under close attention from a relieved Ferdinand. Sunderland continued to
dominate after the break and Cisse headed wide from a deep Phil Bardsley
cross, while another Cisse header just after the hour mark failed to even
cross the goal-line. West Ham gained some respite as Lee Bowyer and the
tireless Scott Parker were off target, before Sunderland made a double
substitution with Carlos Edwards and Daryl Murphy replacing the impressive
Reid and ineffective Steed Malbranque. Bardsley lashed a 20-yard strike wide
after exchanging passes with Edwards down the right and did likewise 10
minutes from time from an Edwards lay-off. Yet for all their possession,
Sunderland failed to seriously test Green in the West Ham goal and the
visitors comfortably held on for the three points.
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Zola rules out Upson sale
West Ham boss determined to keep best players
Last updated: 23rd November 2008
SSN
Gianfranco Zola has warned any Premier League vultures circling Matthew
Upson that the England centre-half is not for sale. With West Ham in
financial dire-straights and expected to sell in January, invariable
speculation has surfaced with regards Upson's future. In one Sunday
newspaper Upson has been strongly linked with a return to former club
Arsenal, who are expected to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements
when the transfer window re-opens. Upson started and scored in England's
impressive defeat of Germany in midweek and Zola has now moved to rule out a
sale. "Matty is not for sale either now or in January," he told the Sunday
Express. "I don't have to sell any of my best players. I have been promised
that." Hammers stopper James Collins, who is currently playing alongside
Upson, has echoed his manager's thoughts. "He's a top class player and
hopefully we can build a partnership and keep a few more clean sheets. "It
would be a massive loss to lose any player of his quality."
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Zola happy to win ugly
Points were top priority for struggling Hammers
By Ben Collins Last updated: 23rd November 2008
SSN
Gianfranco Zola was happy to sacrifice his footballing principles to ensure
West Ham stopped the rot with a 1-0 win at Sunderland. Zola's Upton Park
reign began with some free-flowing football, which brought entertaining
victories in his first two league games. But the Hammers then went seven
games without a win before a deflected strike by Valon Behrami gave them a
much-needed three points at the Stadium of Light. Zola's men took a
20th-minute lead against the run of play and although Sunderland missed a
host of chances to draw level, they never really tested keeper Robert Green
and West Ham comfortably held on. "I tried to keep smiling even when we
weren't getting results but obviously today my smile is even bigger," he
told Sky Sports. "I'm pleased for the boys because they've been playing well
and not getting results. Today they got the result that maybe they've
deserved before. "My first five or six matches we played really well.
Sometimes it wasn't that pretty today but the result was the most important
thing."
Zola is now aiming to ally his attacking instincts with a pragmatic approach
as the Hammers hope to build on their current league position of 13th.
"Sometimes you play well and get nothing," he added. "In those times you
have to hang on, keep working and keep faith in what you're doing then
sooner or later you're going to be rewarded. Today that's been the case.
"We've got to try to put them together. We know it's important to defend
properly and the three points we got today proved that. "But we've got to
improve the quality of our football also, and we'll work on that during the
week."
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Zola ordered to trim
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd November 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has admitted that he may have to trim his squad in January -
but remains adamant that none of his key players will be leaving.
With remarks that echoed Alan Curbishley's in the weeks before he was forced
to quit, Zola has confirmed that should the current board remain in place
come January he will have to reduce the size of his squad - a squad that, in
comparison with other Premier League rosters, is hardly bursting at the
seams with players capable of holding down a first team place.
It is understood that it is these players the club wishes to move on - but
as the summer transfer window proved, that is easier said than done. However
Zola remains confident that he will be holding on to his main players.
One such player, England's Matthew Upson has been linked with a return to
Arsenal. But Zola insists that he is going nowhere in January.
Matty is not for sale either now or in January," he said. "I don't have to
sell any of my best players. I have been promised that.
"But when we have all the players back fit we will have to make some
decisions. For me, it's not worth having 24 players and having some players
only training and not playing. It's not good for them or for us.
"So yes, we will probably be selling some players but we'll decide only when
I have the full squad training and then I can make my decision. The players
who are not playing here regularly we will give them the possibility of
playing a little bit more or going somewhere else.
"But we won't be selling our best players. The club intends to keep and to
sign good players who we think have a good future at the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
John Greenacre
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd November 2008
By: Staff Writer
John Greenacre, the Honourary President of West Ham United Ladies FC has
passed away following illness.
Greenacre, a devoted servant to women's football was instrumental in setting
up a ladies team at West Ham back in the mid-1970s. After a spell away from
the club in the 1980s he returned in 1992 to reform the team/s that still
exists today.
During his time with the Hammers his roles, amogst others, included
chairman, treasurer, first team and junior team manager. He retired last
year after accepting the role of Honourary Club President following more
than 30 years in the game.
Despite his illness John still took time to watch the ladies teams and will
be much missed by his family and all those who worked with him at West Ham.
As a mark of respect all games featuring Hammers ladies this weekend have
been postponed. Our condolenses go to John's family.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham on the rise
Sunderland (0) 0 West Ham (1) 1
Telegraph
By Rod Gilmour
Last Updated: 6:28PM GMT 23 Nov 2008
Valon Behrami's first West Ham goal ended their search for a Premier League
victory at the eighth attempt as Sunderland were once again made to pay for
missed chances. The Switzerland international struck with 20 minutes gone
and then passed up a glorious opportunity to make it 2-0 when he hit the bar
from six yards in first-half injury time. Roy Keane's side dominated for
long periods, but were unable to make the most of their possession with
striker Djibril Cisse in particular guilty of a series of misses. As
Sunderland committed men to the search for an equaliser, the visitors looked
dangerous on the break, although Carlton Cole overhit his 71st-minute pass
to Craig Bellamy when a better ball would have put him in on goal. Bardsley
set his sights on goal at the other end seconds later, but his 20-yard
effort flew well wide. Gianfranco Zola sent on Luis Boa Morte for Faubert
with 14 minutes remaining with his side coping admirably with the dwindling
threat posed by the Black Cats. El-Hadji Diouf replaced the tiring Jones
with nine minutes remaining, but it was Dean Whitehead who came closest to
snatching a point with a glancing 84th-minute header which was plucked out
of the air by Green.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valon Behrami's first goal for West Ham eases pressure on Gianfranco Zola
Sunderland (0) 0 West Ham United (1) 1
Telegraph
By Rob Stewart at the Stadium of Light
Last Updated: 7:35AM GMT 24 Nov 2008
Gianfranco Zola refused to accept any credit for a victory that ended a
worrying sequence of results for the West Ham manager and instead singled
out Matthew Upson for praise for his "perfect" performance. Following what
Zola described as "a very important result for the players and manager after
a difficult time", he repeated his assertion that the outstanding Upson was
not for sale despite the club's financial troubles which would have briefly
been forgotten on Sunday night.
Modesty personified, the Italian, whose side had drawn twice and lost five
of their previous seven games before Volan Behrami's goal ensured he left
Wearside victorious, refused to accept any plaudits. "The players have been
fantastic and this win is all down to them but Matthew was absolutely
perfect," Zola said. "I could not give him a mark out of ten because I would
have had to give him 11. I can't remember him losing one challenge and he
commanded the defence. "It was a brilliant display and showed why he
deserves to play for England. Matthew's a wonderful professional and playing
for England has been a big boost for him but as far as I am concerned he is
not for sale. The club intends to keep its best players."
Zola's side were put on course for a first victory outside London this year
- and only their third win since he took the reins in mid-September - in the
20th minute in fortuitous fashion. Behrami's low shot from just inside the
area veered wildly away from outstretched goalkeeper Marton Fulop after
taking a deflection off Kenwyne Jones allowing the Kosovo-born Swiss
international to celebrate his first goal in West Ham colours. West Ham rode
their luck and Djibril Cisse wasted a fine opportunity by nodding Andy
Reid's cross over before the Irish midfielder saw a curling shot strike the
crossbar. The visitors were living dangerously but survived thanks as
referee Mike Dean failed to punish James Collins for wrestling Jones to the
ground in the goalmouth before the defender was given the benefit of the
doubt after hauling down Cisse on the edge of the penalty box as he broke
clear. Robert Green tipped over Danny Collins' effort before Behrami went
from hero to zero, clattering the bar from close-range after being teed up
by Craig Bellamy following Anton Ferdinand's awful error. After the break,
West Ham continued to skate on thin ice and Dean ignored Cisse's appeals for
a penalty after his powerful shot struck Upson's hand. The French striker,
sporting a red Mohican-style hairdo, lost his head and wasted two more very
presentable opportunities.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane's team were booed off after a fifth defeat in
six outings in front of their lowest Premier League attendance since the
Irishman headed to the Stadium of Light. Refusing to blame referee Dean,
Keane added: "We need to be doing better and that's why we all need to be
taking responsibility, ultimately the manager," Keane said. "We can't seem
to string two wins together and sometimes that feels like it's in the
mentality and the fibre of the club. We're working daily to change that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 0 West Ham 1: No home improvement as Valon Behrami sinks the
Black Cats
By Colin Young Last updated at 1:08 AM on 24th November 2008
Daily Mail
Sunderland's problems at the Stadium of Light continued with a third
successive home defeat which came in front of their lowest crowd - 35,222 -
since the club returned to the Premier League last season. They missed the
chance to move back into the top half of the table and once again, after
failing to create a meaningful chance for Robert Green to save, Roy Keane's
side were booed off at the final whistle by those who had bothered to see
out the final pointless minutes. Countless crosses and aimless passes were
played into the West Ham penalty area and, although Italian boss Gianfranco
Zola declared his central defensive partnership of James Collins and Matthew
Upson had the perfect afternoon, Sunderland made it all too easy for them.
'We didn't give the keeper enough to do and that is the real frustration,'
said Keane, whose side have been unable to pick up back-to-back wins this
season. 'You can talk all you like about new players still finding their
feet, but that's little consolation after three home defeats in a row.
'We want and we need to be doing better than that, and that's why we all
need to be taking responsibility, ultimately the manager. We need to sort it
out. Every time the club has been in the Premier League it's been hard work
or a struggle. Sometimes that is the expectation. 'A win today would have
taken us up into mid-table, but we can't seem to string two together and
sometimes that feels like it's in the mentality and the fibre of the club.
We're working daily to change that.' The basis of West Ham's first victory
in eight games, and Zola's third in 10, was the outstanding partnership of
Upson and Collins, who left wintry Wearside with Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne
Jones safely tucked in their top pockets. Before an exhausted Jones left to
rest bones made even wearier by his midweek World Cup jaunt to Cuba, he had
few goal chances. In fact, his only meaningful touch in front of goal was
the clip against his heels which deflected Valon Behrami's drive over Marton
Fulop's head in the 20th minute. The Kosovo-born Swiss international then
rushed over to Zola for high fives to celebrate his first West Ham goal
since his £5million move from Lazio.
When on-loan Marseille striker Cisse did escape the shackles of Collins and
Upson, he wasted four clear-cut chances to test Green, with the excellent
Andy Reid providing most of the ammunition until his bewildering withdrawal
for Daryl Murphy. Cisse may have had an off-day - his best chance actually
went out for a throw-in - but Zola was delighted with his central defenders.
'They were perfect,' said the West Ham manager. 'I told Matthew if I had to
give him a mark from one to 10, I couldn't, it would be 11. He didn't lose
one challenge and he deserves to play in the national team. 'And I am
telling you again, he is not for sale. We are not selling our best players.
The club need to keep their best players.' Mindful of his existing FA charge
for confronting referee Martin Atkinson at Stamford Bridge, Keane remained
remarkably calm during and after the game when Mike Dean failed to award two
penalties against Collins. The Wales defender, who also perhaps got away
with it when a Cisse piledriver struck his hand, wrestled Jones to the
ground as they contested a Reid cross and then fell on Cisse as the pair
chased a through ball to the edge of the area. It looked outside the penalty
box, but it was a clear foul and probable red card. Dean gave nothing. 'We
can't complain too much about the referee,' said Keane. 'We feel they were
penalties but that always comes across as sour grapes when you lose.'
Although Sunderland were rightly unhappy with two poor decisions, West Ham
could have scored two additional goals to add to Keane's home humiliation.
After Anton Ferdinand had delighted visiting fans with a gift to Craig
Bellamy, the former Newcastle striker sprinted on goal and pulled his cross
back for Behrami, who smashed his shot against the bar with the goal open.
And Lee Bowyer wasted the best second-half opportunity when he was left
unmarked and headed Julien Faubert's cross over. For all Sunderland's
possession, all they had to show for the second period were two dreadful
shots off target from Phil Bardsley and a Dean Whitehead header which Green
grabbed with both hands.
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Fulop 5; Bardsley 5, Nosworthy 6, Ferdinand 6, D Collins
7; Malbranque 5 (Edwards 66min, 5), Whitehead 5, Richardson 6, Reid 8
(Murphy 67, 4); Jones 7 (Diouf 81), Cisse 5.
Booked: Reid, Bardsley.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 7; Neill 6, J Collins 8, Upson 8, Ilunga 6; Faubert
6 (Boa Morte 78), Bowyer 6 (Mullins 62, 6), Parker 7, Behrami 7; Cole 6,
Bellamy 7 (Di Michele 87).
Booked: Bowyer.
Man of the match: Matthew Upson.
Referee: Mike Dean.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valon Behrami strike ends West Ham's torrid run
Sunderland 0 West Ham 1
George Caulkin
The Times
Such is the cramped, unforgiving nature of the league this season that as
one manager takes a sharp intake of breath, another emits a sigh of relief.
Last night it was Gianfranco Zola's moment to exhale, with West Ham United
concluding a corrosive spell without victory to record a narrow but
significant win over Sunderland. By contrast, Roy Keane must feel like
bellowing in irritation.
For seven sapping matches, Zola had talked about retaining his principles
and grasping the positives, but this is not an arena in which patience
thrives and as each week elapsed, the little Italian's authority could only
diminish. Yet his team have held firm and if yesterday demonstrated
anything, aside from Sunderland's cursed inconsistency, it was that Zola's
players remain on-message.
This was West Ham's first league victory outside London in 2008 and the
timing of it was pivotal. "I'm very pleased and I feel relieved for the
players," Zola said.
"We've finally been rewarded for the work we've done in the last couple of
months. We are all passionate about his game and we take it too seriously
sometimes, but this was very, very important for us. For the manager, as
well."
The integral figures were Valon Behrami, whose twentieth-minute goal — his
first for the club — separated the sides and West Ham's defenders, who
excelled. Matthew Upson, in particular, was superb. "I told Matthew that if
I had to give him a mark from 1 to 10, I couldn't," Zola said. "It would
have been 11. He was absolutely outstanding. It was a perfect performance."
Upson, of course, was a member of the England side who beat Germany last
week, but in spite of his elevated profile and West Ham's pecuniary
difficulties, he will not be sacrificed. "Matthew deserves to play for the
national team, "but we are not selling our best players," Zola said.
"We are determined to keep them. He's a wonderful, wonderful professional.
What I like about him is that he always wants to improve."
At the other end, Behrami reacted smartly on the edge of the 18-yard box
when a free kick from Julien Faubert was half-cleared by Nyron Nosworthy,
although Keane found fault with his sluggish players. "Frustration would be
a good word, especially when you give teams a helping hand like that," the
manager said.
"We make it hard for ourselves, but that seems to be the nature of the club,
the nature of the team."
Behrami's pleasure was tinged with mortification. As a feisty first half,
full of incident and irritants, clattered to a close, Anton Ferdinand
miscontrolled a high punt, allowing Craig Bellamy to speed towards the area.
The Wales forward showed awareness, squaring a pass along the six-yard line,
where an unmarked Behrami was lurking; his finish, however, was ludicrous,
striking the crossbar when it would have been easier to score.
If that served as a disappointment for the East London side, it was a
let-off for Sunderland, who, as usual, had not transformed their dominance
of possession into opportunities.
An early effort from Djibril Cissé had flopped on to the roof of the net, a
later chance was speared marginally wide and a header from Danny Collins had
been prodded over for a corner by Robert Green.
By that stage, the majority inside the Stadium of Light were expressing
their displeasure with Mike Dean, the referee, who had dismissed
Sunderland's penalty appeals when Kenwyne Jones was tugged down by James
Collins at a free kick. Cissé was later grappled by Collins as they hared
towards the area, an episode that could easily have drawn a red card. "We
feel they were penalties, but no sour grapes," Keane said.
This was the club's lowest league crowd of a rabidly fluctuating season.
Cissé was to spurn a number of chances and he had a worthwhile claim for
handball against Upson ignored, but the recourse to lumping high balls
towards Jones was overly predictable.
There were jeers at the end.
Sunderland (4-4-2): M Fulop 4 - P Bardsley 6, N Nosworthy 5, A Ferdinand 5,
D Collins 6 - S Malbranque 5, D Whitehead 5, K Richardson 5, A Reid 6 - K
Jones 5, D Cissé 5. Substitutes: C Edwards 4 (for Malbranque, 66min), D
Murphy 4 (for Reid, 67), E-H Diouf (for Jones, 81). Not used: N Colgan, T
Tainio, J Colback, J Henderson. Next: Bolton Wanderers (h).
West Ham (4-4-2): R Green 7 - L Neill 6, J Collins 7, M Upson 8, H Ilunga 7
- J Faubert 6, L Bowyer 6, S Parker 7, V Behrami 6 - C Bellamy 7, C Cole 6.
Substitutes: H Mullins 6 (for Bowyer, 62min), L Boa Morte (for Faubert, 76),
D Di Michele (for Bellamy, 88). Not used: J Lastuvka, C Davenport, J
Collison, F Sears. Next: Liverpool (a).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Keane furious with players after Hammers defeat
Viewlondon.co.uk
Roy Keane blasted his Sunderland side after their 1-0 loss to West Ham
United at the Stadium of Light. A deflected strike from Valon Behrami
condemns the Black Cats to their fifth defeat in their last six games.
Sunderland slip to 16th place in the table, just two points away from the
relegation zone. Manager Keane was unhappy with his side's defending and
wastefulness in front of goal. "We are disappointed with the goal we gave
away. We didn't defend the set piece, particularly the second ball, and we
got punished for it," the Irishman said. "We had chances but we didn't test
their keeper enough. In the Premier League you have to take your chances. We
are disappointed with one or two decisions in terms of fairly clear-cut
penalties. "But we have to learn to get something even on our off days." The
win for West Ham is their first in eight games and moves them into 13th
position. Manager Gianfranco Zola admits it has been difficult to lift his
side during their miserable run of form. "You walk into the dressing room
after your team has played well and you have to try to cheer them up. But
they have character and they proved it today," the Italian said. "The
defence was unbelievable, particularly Matt Upson and James Collins who were
outstanding."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Behrami brings soothing outcome for sore heads
Sunderland 0 West Ham United 1
By Michael Walker
Monday, 24 November 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Matthew Upson left Wearside with a sore head but a big smile yesterday.
Upson and his centre-half partner James Collins produced header after header
after header after header – and then some more headers – as West Ham United
butted their way to a first win in eight games and two months to remind
their suffering followers of the taste of victory.
The stress caused by their decline on the pitch and the implosion off it was
alleviated – albeit temporarily – and the pressure eased on the new manager
Gianfranco Zola. "I told him if I had to give him a mark from one to 10, I
couldn't," Zola said of Upson afterwards, "I'd give him 11. He was
outstanding. I don't think he and Collins lost one challenge, absolutely
perfect. He [Upson] is a wonderful professional. He deserves to be in the
national team and I'm telling you again he is not for sale."
Zola expressed his "relief for the players" after Valon Behrami scored his
first West Ham goal since his £5m transfer from Lazio. That was in the 20th
minute and the visitors had only one other chance. It too fell to Behrami
but from four yards he hit the bar after Craig Bellamy had seized upon an
error by the former Hammer Anton Ferdinand.
Aside from that it was all Sunderland but, despite inventive play from Andy
Reid and Kieran Richardson, long before the end the home pattern became too
long-ball and too predictable. This suited Upson's aerial prowess and meant
that Sunderland's approach was blunted time and again. Djibril Cissé
nevertheless managed to squander three good openings and, as is the way this
season, the game came complete with the obligatory refereeing controversy.
These involved Collins.
The referee, Mike Dean, either failed to notice or failed to recognise the
seriousness of two first-half fouls by Collins, first on Kenwyne Jones and
then on Cissé. Had Dean awarded either, Sunderland would have been given a
penalty in the first instance and a red card for Collins would have been
shown on the second.
They were match-defining non-decisions and yet their significance in the
34th minute felt considerably greater than by the end and the Sunderland
manager, Roy Keane, merely said: "We feel they were penalties but that
always comes across as sour grapes when you lose."
Keane was as aggrieved by his players' defending on Behrami's goal as he was
with the referee. After Julien Faubert's free-kick was nodded to the edge of
the area by Nyron Nosworthy, no one closed down the space in front of
Behrami swiftly enough. The Swiss midfielder's strike clipped Jones as it
flew in.
"We can't seem to string two wins together and sometimes that feels like
it's in the mentality and the fibre of the club," Keane said. It was a third
home defeat in a row and a fifth in the last six matches. It came in front
of Sunderland's lowest league crowd of a hiccupping season.
Goals: Behrami (2) 0-1.
Sunderland (4-4-2) Fulop (gk); Bardsley, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, D Collins;
Malbranque (Edwards, 66), Whitehead, Richardson, Reid (Murphy, 66); Cissé,
Jones (Diouf, 81). Substitutes not used: Colgan, Tainio, Colback, Henderson.
West Ham United (4-4-2) Green; Neill, J Collins, Upson, Ilunga; Faubert (Boa
Morte, 76) Parker, Bowyer (Mullins, 62), Behrami; Cole, Bellamy (Di Michele,
88). Substitutes not used: Lastuvka (gk), Davenport, Collison, Sears.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Booked: Sunderland: Reid, Bardsley. West Ham: Bowyer.
Man of the match: Upson.
Attendance: 35,222.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 0-1 West Ham: Zola smilng again after Valon Behrami lifts gloom
By Simon Bird 24/11/2008
The Mirror
Barclays Premier League
Gianfranco Zola's two-month crash course in management finally includes a
third win - and an away day he could enjoy. Dealing with a seven-game slump,
a financially stricken owner, rumours of fire - sales and dressing room
"confrontation" are par for the course these days. Tough enough for an
experienced boss to cope with, never mind a novice who admits being in the
dugout is harder than playing. But the pressure eased yesterday with a
robust victory in the frozen North-East. The baton of discontent passed
firmly into Roy Keane's hand, as his disjointed side laboured to a third
consecutive home defeat. Determined defensive resistance from West Ham was
led by the excellent Matthew Upson and James Collins. "I said I couldn't
give him a mark out of 10 today because he deserved an 11," Zola said of the
England man.
A referee who refused to give any of three penalty appeals did not help
Sunderland's cause and Roy Keane admitted: "Three home defeats in a row is
n't good enough." Zola half-joked before kick-off that his wife Franca might
leave him if the bad run of two points from 24 continued. She will surely be
spared having to flee back home to Sardinia now. Zola's problematic baptism
into management was looking brighter the moment Valon Behrami struck after
20 minutes. The visitors never looked back, and scrapped it out, showing a
solid side that has been absent recently. "Upson deserves to play for
England. We won't sell him. We are not selling our best players," added
Zola. "The win is reward for the work we have done in the last couple of
months. "We're all passionate and take it seriously. This will give the boys
a big boost."
The Wear side faithful grew increasingly frustrated at the lack of guile and
the final whistle was greeted by booing. This season was supposed to be a
breakthrough into the top 10, not another bout of terrace strife. Good wins
away from home, such as at Black burn last week, have to be followed up by
home victories if Keane is going to take this team to the next level. Zola
had not experienced a win in seven games, five of which were defeats, but
relief came through Behrami. The Switzerland international reacted quickly
to a Nyron Nosworthy defensive header that fell on the edge of the box and
skipped inside before unleashing a drive.
A deflection off Kenwyne Jones's heel had keeper Marton Fulop beaten for
direction but Behrami claimed his first goal since his £5million move from
Lazio in the summer. He also produced one of the misses of the season
moments before half-time when he hit the bar from six yards out, with Fulop
stranded. Craig Bellamy had robbed Anton Ferdinand on the halfway line and
raced 50 yards into the box but was forced wide by Fulop. He teed up Behrami
perfectly, but under pressure from Phil Bardsley, he skied what should been
a tap-in. Referee Mike Dean waved away three penalty shouts from the home
team, one of which could have seen Collins sent off.
Keane and his men have consistently been on the rough end of decisions this
season and once again they had a case to plead hard done by. Keane refused
to complain afterwards, fearing it would look like sour grapes. First,
Djibril Cisse was put through on goal in a sprint with Collins after 35
minutes and appeared to be hauled back by an arm-lock. The France striker,
who lived up to his promise in Mirror Sport last month to sport a red stripe
in his hair if he scored in the Tyne Wear derby, went to ground, probably
fouled outside the box. But Collins was the last man and was lucky to escape
the incident unpunished. Then Kenwyne Jones was wrestled around the neck by
Collins as a corner was swung over, but neither Dean nor his assistants
deemed it worthy of a spot-kick. The third potential penalty came after the
break when a volley from Cisse hit Upson's hand as he shaped his body to
block. Keane's men were lively on the counter attack in the first half but
fizzled out. Cisse failed to convert five chances and Keane complained about
a "lack of cutting edge".
Robert Green saved well from Danny Collins, with Cisse failing to contact
with a free header in the first-half, after several promising crosses from
the left by the recalled Andy Reid. The Hammers fought hard and snapped at
the heals of Sunderland, Carlton Cole and former Newcastle striker Craig
Bellamy leading the line well.
Cisse could not make his new mohican hairstyle work, nodding wide
repeatedly. Sunderland pressed the game and dominated possession late on but
could not find the quality to break down West Ham. At least Zola can smile
again.
Sunderland: Fulop 5, Bardsley 6, Nosworthy 5, Ferdinand 6, Collins 5,
Malbranque 6 (Edwards 66, 5), Whitehead 5, Richardson 5, Reid 6, (Murphy 66,
6), Cisse 5, Jones 5 (Diouf 81).
West Ham: Green 6, Neill 7, Upson 9, Collins 8, Ilunga 7, Faubert 6 (Boa
Morte 75), Parker 8, Bowyer 7 (Mullins 62, 7), Behrami 7, Cole 7, Bellamy 7
(De Michele 88).
Goal: Behrami 20.
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 35,222
Man Of The Match
Matthew Upson - Followed up his England heroics with another commanding
display
Villain of the Match
Mike Dean - Surely he could have spotted one of the three big penalty
appeals
Anorak
This was West Ham's first win outside London since December last year
Next Three Games
Sunderland
Saturday: Bolton (h) Prem
Sat Dec 6: Man Utd (a) Prem
Sat Dec 13: West Brom (h) Prem
West Ham
Mon Dec 1: Liverpool (a) Prem
Mon Dec 8: Tottenham (h) Prem
Sun Dec 14: Chelsea (a) Prem
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola: Matt is on the up, son
Nov 24 2008
Birmingham Mail
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to England defender Matthew Upson
after watching him provide the foundation for a first Barclays Premier
League victory in eight attempts. The 29-year-old, who scored for England
against Germany in midweek, turned in a superb individual display as he and
James Collins withstood the threat of Sunderland strikers Kenwyne Jones and
Djibril Cisse at the Stadium of Light as the Hammers claimed a 1-0 victory.
A delighted Zola said: "I told him if I had to give him a vote one to 10, I
couldn't because I would have given him 11." He added: "He didn't lose one
challenge. He was also aware, talking, commanding the defence. He was
perfect. "Matthew Upson deserves to play in the national team."
Asked how Upson's return to the international stage had boosted him, Zola
added: "It has been a big boost for him. "To perform well for a footballer
is great, but also when you receive so many compliments, it is even bigger.
"He is a wonderful professional because he always does his best. What I like
about him is he wants to improve, he wants to improve all the time. "For a
manager, it is so good to have players like that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Roy Keane's reaction to the West Ham defeat
Sunderland Echo
Date: 24 November 2008
Full quotes from Keane...
"It was frustrating, we didn't test the keeper. We had good opportunities,
some good balls into the box but their keeper did not have too much to do.
"We gave them a helping hand in the goal we gave away. We don't score too
many so when you go a goal behind you know it will be a tough afternoon.
"We seem to always make it difficult for ourselves, it was a good
opportunity and we let it slip by.
"We feel they were penalties but there's no point going on about it, it just
sounds like sour grapes. Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don't.
"Credit to (Matthew] Upson and (James] Collins, I thought they defended
well, but the balls were quite easy to defend; we didn't get behind them, we
have to mix our game up a bit.
"Even when you are not quite at it, you take a point and we haven't managed
to do that.
"Last season we lost 20-odd games. If you turn some of them into draws, it
makes a hell of a difference, it seems to be win or bust for us.
"It's been a while since we've won back-to-back games, we just can't quite
do it.
"We said after the Blackburn game, can we kick on? We just can't quite do
it. It's been a problem at the club for a long time.
"We don't like losing games, particularly at home and we're hugely
disappointed with another defeat. I don't think we deserved the defeat today
but we've not managed to do it. Three home defeats in a row - we have to do
better than that.
"I can't really fault the players' attitude and desire, we just lacked a
cutting edge. We got in good positions but their keeper had little to do.
"The fans stayed with us and, of course, they are going to be disappointed
at the end.
"It's been a struggle for this club in the Premier League, we want to kick
on but we can't seem to do it. We have to work on it, change it.
"There are no gimmees in this league but this was an opportunity to win and
move up that table and we didn't take it."
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Zola facing doubts inside West Ham boardroom
24.11.08 | tribalfootball.com
Gianfranco Zola must improve results quickly at West Ham United. Before
yesterday's victory over Sunderland, the People says senior sources at Upton
Park fear the club made a mistake by naming ex-Chelsea star Zola as Alan
Curbishley's successor. Hammers top brass admit that if results do not
improve soon, they must weigh up the cost of replacing Zola with the
financial impact of a possible relegation. The Hammers interviewed former
Italy boss Roberto Donadoni and ex-Hibernian chief John Collins before
appointing Zola, and sought talks with Croatia boss Slaven Bilic and Danish
coach Michael Laudrup.
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Match report: Sunderland 0 West Ham 1
Sunderland Echo
A frustrated Djibril Cisse rues a missed chance against West Ham.
Date: 24 November 2008
Valon Behrami handed Gianfranco Zola a first Barclays Premier League victory
in eight attempts as Sunderland suffered a third successive home defeat.
The Switzerland international fired his side ahead with 20 minutes gone and
could have made what followed far more comfortable had he not shot against
the crossbar from just six yards on the stroke of half-time.
But in the end, his contribution proved enough to win a game which the home
side dominated for long periods, but failed to make the most of the chances
they created.
Manager Roy Keane has admitted in the past that the relative lack of goals
his side scores often makes life difficult for them, and that shortcoming
was painfully evident once again.
Djibril Cisse in particular had a series of chances, but the Wearsiders did
not work goalkeeper Robert Green anywhere near often enough and ultimately
paid the price.
The Hammers had to defend for long periods, but in Matthew Upson and James
Collins, had willing workhorses, while former Newcastle striker Craig
Bellamy was at his irritating best in front of a disgruntled crowd of
35,222.
Keane has seen and done most things in football, and little surprises him
any longer.
However, he headed for the dressing room at half-time having seen his side
create more than enough chances to win the game, but lucky still to be in
it.
With recalled midfielder Andy Reid tormenting the Hammers down the left to
provide a series of inviting cross for Cisse, it seemed only a matter of
time before the home side took the lead.
Cisse sent one header just over and another narrowly wide, and then drilled
a right-foot shot into the side-netting.
Reid landed a curling shot on top of Green's crossbar and Danny Collins
forced a good save from the keeper four minutes before the break, and there
was fury inside the Stadium of Light went Cisse went down on the edge of the
box under James Collins' challenge and referee Mike Dean waved away his
penalty appeals.
But in the meantime, Zola's men had taken the lead against the run of play.
Reid was penalised for a foul on Lucas Neill wide on the right, and although
Nyron Nosworthy cleared Julien Faubert's free-kick, Behrami picked up the
rebound and drilled a low shot past Marton Fulop with the help of a
deflection off Kenwyne Jones.
Chances were few for the Londoners, but they should really have been 2-0 up
in first-half injury-time after former Hammer Anton Ferdinand was left
red-faced.
The defender attempted to control a high ball on halfway when he should
really have headed it and succeeded only in giving it to Bellamy.
The Welsh international striker sprinted into the box and although he was
forced wide as he attempted to round Fulop, he managed to squad for Behrami
on the edge of the six-yard box - only for the midfielder to fire against
the bar.
Keane's side returned determined to make the most of their escape, and they
were appealing for a penalty again within two minutes when Cisse smashed the
ball against Upson's arm from point-blank range - although Dean turned them
down
The Frenchman was finding space with ease and headed wide once again from
Phil Bardsley's 49th-minute cross, and Green was relieved not to be punished
for losing out in an aerial battle with Jones five minutes later.
Having spent 10 minutes pinned back inside their own half, the Hammers
eventually fought their way into enemy territory and went close to a second
goal with 56 minutes gone when Lee Bowyer headed just over.
The former Magpie was in on goal again on the hour when he ran on to
Behrami's pass, but Fulop smothered his cross with the blue shirts
gathering.
Cisse was unable to capitalise on James Collins' misjudgement when he
allowed Reid's 65th-minute cross to reach the Frenchman, who totally miscued
his header.
Keane's withdrew Steed Malbranque and Reid and sent on Daryl Murphy and
Carlos Edwards, the latter having been recalled from his loan spell at
Wolves.
Dean Whitehead forced a smart save from Green with a glancing 84th-minute
header, but Sunderland's fightback simply dwindled away to nothing.
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Keane: Let's go mental
Date: 24 November 2008
Sunderlandecho
Sunderland boss Roy Keane believes his players need to change their
mentality after Sunday's defeat against West Ham. He said: "Last year, we
ended up losing 20-odd games - if you turn 20-odd defeats into six or seven
draws, it makes a hell of a difference at the end of the season. "That's
something we have got to find at the football club in the first team, that
mentality where we are not at it, but we will take a draw. "We have seen
other teams doing it. It just seems to be win or bust.
"That's something we are daily working to change. You have got to take
advantage of games like today. "There are no gimmes in this league, but a
home game, we felt, was an opportunity at least to get a point."
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11 OUT OF 10 FOR `PERFECT` UPSON
Posted 24/11/08 06:28
Football365
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to England defender Matthew Upson
after watching him provide the foundation for a first Barclays Premier
League victory in eight attempts. The 29-year-old, who scored for England
against Germany in midweek, turned in a superb individual display as he and
James Collins withstood the threat of Sunderland strikers Kenwyne Jones and
Djibril Cisse at the Stadium of Light as the Hammers claimed a 1-0 victory.
A delighted Zola said: "I told him if I had to give him a vote one to 10, I
couldn't because I would have given him 11. "He didn't lose one challenge.
He was also aware, talking, commanding the defence. He was perfect. "Matthew
Upson deserves to play in the national team." Asked how Upson's return to
the international stage had boosted him, Zola added: "It has been a big
boost for him. "To perform well for a footballer is great, but also when you
receive so many compliments, it is even bigger. "He is a wonderful
professional because he always does his best. What I like about him is he
wants to improve, he wants to improve all the time. "For a manager, it is so
good to have players like that." Upson's form for the Hammers has inevitably
led to speculation he could be a target for other clubs during the January
transfer window, but his manager is having none of it. He said: "We are not
selling our best players, I have said that. The club is determined to keep
its best players. "He is not for sale as far as I am concerned."
If Upson claimed the plaudits, it was Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami who won
the day on Wearside with a 20th-minute strike. The former Lazio player
passed up a glorious opportunity to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time
when he hit the bar from just six yards, but Black Cats striker Djibril
Cisse was even more wasteful as the home side were made to pay for their
failure to work keeper Robert Green. Manager Roy Keane said: "We would like
to be scoring more goals, without a shadow of a doubt. "We had opportunities
- I am disappointed, but I would be more worried if I thought we had one
half-opportunity. "We had good chances to score - we didn't test the keeper,
but listen, we all know how tough it is to score in the Premier League. We
are not the only team. "With the players we have, the expectation is quite
high, but of course to win football matches, you have got to put the ball in
the back of the net, and we didn't do quite enough on that side of it. "But
what we certainly can't be doing either is giving teams a helping hand."
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Curbishley on standby as Charlton axe Pardew after another thumping
By Steve Skerry
Last updated at 2:11 AM on 24th November 2008
Daily Mail
Alan Curbishley has left the door open for an emotional return to Charlton
Athletic but they may have to wait until his dispute with West Ham is
resolved. With the fans demanding action, the Charlton board finally ran out
of patience with Alan Pardew, who was sacked late on Saturday night after
Sheffield United ran riot at The Valley and plunged them into the
Championship relegation zone. Curbishley served the club with distinction
for 15 years between 1990-2006 and would be the fans' choice after resigning
from West Ham in September. But he is about to fight the Hammers for
compensation at a Premier League tribunal, which is a complicating factor.
Former Tottenham No 2 Gus Poyet and ex-Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd are other
possible candidates. In the meantime, assistant manager Phil Parkinson has
been put in charge for the visit to QPR tomorrow night and could take over
on a permanent basis if he proves himself. Curbishley, 51, said: 'I left the
club two-and-a-half years ago, and to see what has happened is very
disappointing, both for myself and everyone associated with the club. 'I'm
sure I'll be linked with the job but we'll have to wait and see what
happens. I was at Charlton for a long time and I have a lot of friends
there. I said when I left that it was the right time for me to go and when I
got the West Ham job it was a big one for me and I really enjoyed it. If I
did look to come back I think it would be in the Premier League.'
Since Curbishley left in May 2006, Charlton have hired and fired three
managers, Iain Dowie, Les Reed and now Pardew, who is set to receive a
pay-off of around £1m for the 18 months left on his contract. Ironically the
club, who are reported to be £20m in debt, find themselves in almost the
same position to two years ago, albeit in the division below.
When Pardew took over from Reed on Boxing Day in 2006, they had 12 points
after 19 games. After 18 matches this season, Charlton have 16 points and
are in a relegation place. Before learning of his fate on Saturday, Pardew
blamed the sale of key players and his new signings' inability to settle as
the reasons behind Charlton's downturn.
'The loss of Andy Reid midway through last season had an effect on the
players,' said Pardew. 'We missed out on the play-offs and this season we've
not been able to strengthen as much as we would have liked. We lost Zizi
(Zheng Zhi) on top of that. But we should expect better from the players we
brought in.' Pardew's time seemed to be up after just seven minutes on
Saturday when James Beattie sidefooted in Greg Halford's drag-back. Linvoy
Primus brought Charlton level after heading in Nicky Bailey's free-kick
before Gary Speed nodded in Brian Howard's free-kick. The hapless Nicky
Weaver then fumbled Kyle Naughton's lob and Matthew Kilgallon easily scooped
the ball home on half-time. Eight minutes after the break Charlton were 5-1
down as Halford's long throw-in saw Kelly Youga deflect the ball into his
own net. Hameur Bouazza pulled a goal back for Charlton but it was too
little too late.
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WE MUST BACK ZOLA
Don't sell our best players, Collins warns crisis-hit Hammers
News Of The World
22/11/2008
JAMES COLLINS has urged crisis club West Ham to keep hold of all their star
players and build for a successful future under boss Gianfranco Zola.
England defender Matthew Upson has been linked with a move back to former
club Arsenal, while Craig Bellamy and Robert Green could also be sold. But
Hammers' defender Collins, up against Sunderland today, said: "If Matty went
it would be a massive loss. He's a tremendous influence in the changing room
and he gives big performances.
"The same with Craig. We have to keep him. We need to try to climb up the
table. "We have a great squad with some great players. "I'd be bitterly
disappointed to see anybody leave in January."
Collins is also hoping to get one over old pal Anton Ferdinand when the two
clash at the Stadium of Light with the Welsh international claiming his
former team-mate never wanted to leave Upton Park. He added: "Anton didn't
want to go. It was a tricky situation because he had been here since he was
a young kid. "But it was destined to happen and, unfortunately for us, it
did happen. "We have missed him but we will be looking to score a few past
him today."
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