WHUFC.com
West Ham United reserves were beaten at home for the first time this season
by a strong Fulham side
20.01.2009
West Ham United Reserves 0-2 Fulham Reserves
Alex Dyer's reserve side ended their long run of home wins with defeat to
Fulham at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday.
A quiet opening period was bought to life when Zoltan Gera opened the
scoring for the visitors nine minutes before half time. Fulham striker Wayne
Brown ensured an away win with their second just before the hour mark.
The match began in a cautious manner with both teams seeming reluctant to
attack although Julian Gray did test Marek Stech with a shot that the Czech
youth international did well to palm around the post. The visitors seemed
lifted and only the alert defending of Jonathan Spector and captain James
Tomkins kept several attacks at bay.
As the half wore on the Hammers began to settle, though, finding the rhythm
that had served them so well at home this season. The strike pairing of
Freddie Sears and Jack Jeffery were starting to threaten and only a crucial
interception from Fulham captain Chris Smalling prevented a Walter Lopez
cross from reaching Sears.
Moments later it was Jeffery's turn to get involved as Fulham goalkeeper
David Stockdale completely misjudged a backpass to leave the United No9 with
what looked like a certain goal. However, just as he was poised to shoot,
Smalling intervened to make his second vital clearance in the space of five
minutes.
Fulham then took the lead on 36 minutes when Gera - one of six full
internationals playing in white - beat Stech with a low right-footed drive
from 20 yards. Two minutes later Kieron Dyer was replaced by England
Under-19 international Jordan Spence in reserve team manager Alex Dyer's
first change of the night. United nearly levelled with the last attack of
the half when Luis Boa Morte - who had enjoyed an excellent opening period -
played Lopez down the left and his smart cross was cleared from danger by
Toni Kallio. It was to be the last action of fairly subdued first half.
The Hammers were full of running in the opening exchanges after the interval
but just seemed to lack that bit of luck in final third. Their frustration
was compounded as Fulham doubled their advantage 13 minutes into the second
period. A cross from the right was controlled on the chest superbly by
Brown, who then evaded his marker before firing low and hard past the
stranded Stech.
Fulham sought to hang onto their lead by bringing on Matthew Saunders for
Leon Andreasen on the hour and Dyer responded by swapping Tom Harvey for
Zavon Hines, who was making his first appearance since recovering from a
knee injury.
The visitors continued to stifle everything United threw at them and the
game was threatening to meander to its conclusion despite the home side's
best efforts. Alex Dyer played his final card by bringing on Bondz N'Gala
for Holmar Eyjolfsson as the Hammers fought to keep their 100 per cent home
record in tact.
With eight minutes remaining Sears nearly pulled one back, but his shot
following a darting run was blocked behind by a Fulham defender. From the
resulting corner, Spector's flicked effort crept just wide. There was just
enough time for one last incident involving the American international as he
tumbled down in the area, but the referee ruled no penalty.
It was to be the final chance for United, who lose their 100 per cent
record, but Alex Dyer and his players can heart from the committed
performance of all in a claret and blue shirt tonight and they will be
looking to get back to winning ways during the trip to Stoke City in two
weeks' time.
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Reserves 0-2 Fulham
WHUFC.com
A goal in each half is enough to see Fulham end West Ham United's 100 per
cent home record
20.01.2009
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
West Ham United v Fulham
Boleyn Ground
Tuesday 20 December
7pm
(Hit F5 to refresh for live text updates)
Full-time: West Ham United 0 Fulham 2
FULL-TIME
94 min - The referee blows for full-time on what has been a disappointing
night for Alex Dyer and his players. Fulham, in contrast, will be more than
happy with their evening's work.
93 min - Drama at the end. Jeffery forces a late corner after tenacious work
from Boa Morte. The ball is cleared to Mullins, who hooks it back into the
penalty area. Spector controls before going down under a challenge, but the
referee turns down the home side's penalty claims.
92 min - Tomkins is still urging his team-mates forward.
91 min - Lopez powers through the midfield but his shot is tame and rolls
wide.
90 min - There will be four minutes of added-time.
89 min - Another strong run from the impressive Saunders ends with a shot
that flies high and wide.
87 min - West Ham United have worked hard during the second half, but they
have not really tested Fulham goalkeeper Stockdale.
85 min - Andranik leads a counter attack that ends with Smith firing a low
shot straight into the arms of Stech.
84 min - Fulham look content to knock the ball around and play out time.
82 min - The game seems to be meandering towards an inevitable Fulham win
before Sears brings the crowd to life with a run and shot that is blocked
behind for a corner. Sears himself takes the flag-kick, but Spector can only
hook the ball wide of the far post.
77 min - The Hammers are huffing and puffing but they cannot blow the
visitors' house - or should that be Cottage? - down. Meanwhile, Saunders
sends a rasping left-foot shot just wide of the target.
75 min - The Fulham physiotherapist is earning his crust tonight. He is back
on again, this time to administer treatment to Smith, who appears to have
hurt his leg.
73 min - The game is held up for a while as Brown receives treatment after
colliding with the post. He had just headed a great chance wide, too.
71 min - Boa Morte's neat turn creates a shooting chance for Sears inside
the box, but the ball just will not run for the England Under-19 striker.
Seconds later, Sears has a shot blocked by Smalling following more good work
from the former Fulham man.
70 min - I wish the goals were flowing like the substitutions in this game.
Holmar Eyjolfsson is replaced by Bondz N'Gala to complete tonight's
replacement fun. The fourth official can have a rest for the next 20
minutes...
68 min - The home side will breathe a sigh of relief. The ever-dangerous
Gera is replaced by Joe Anderson. Maybe Fulham are saving the Hungarian to
take on Kettering in the FA Cup on Saturday?
66 min - Mullins gives the ball away to Gera. He cuts inside but Tomkins
does brilliantly to block his shot out for a corner, which he then clears
with a header.
64 min - Stoor is replaced by Lewis Cumber as Fulham make their second
change of the night. West Ham United have struggled to keep possession for
long enough periods in the Fulham half tonight. The Cottagers are, it would
be fair to say, full value for their lead. There is still time for things to
change around, however.
63 min - Saunders drags a low shot well wide from 20 yards. It did not
remotely threaten Stech's goal.
62 min - It is good to see Hines back in action. He was in red hot
goalscoring form in pre-season. We could do with a few more of his goals
tonight.
61 min - A bold move by Alex Dyer. Central midfielder Tom Harvey comes off.
Striker Zavon Hines, who has recovered from a knee injury, has gone up front
with Sears and Jeffery. It's a gamble, but the Hammers have nothing to lose.
59 min - Fulham make their first change. Matthew Saunders replaces Andreasen
in central midfield.
58 min - GOAL! The ball is given away in midfield. A long diagonal ball into
the West Ham United penalty area is controlled on the chest by Brown, who
duly converts smartly with a low right-foot shot. The home side are up
against it now. Their 100 per cent home record is in real danger, to state
the obvious.
55 min - Jeffery intially does well to nip in and latch on to Stockdale's
loose clearance, but his subsequent cross bisects Sears and Boa Morte and
the ball is cleared. Half a chance went begging there.
52 min - West Ham United are making an attempt to get back on level terms,
but Fulham's central defenders are standing firm.
50 min - Fredrik Stoor's cross is half-blocked. Lewis Smith tries to
acrobatically volley the loose ball into the net, but the ball only hits
team-mate Andranik in the head before being cleared.
48 min - Kallio and Brown combine down the left. His cross finds Andranik,
but he can only fire a half-volley high into the Centenary Stand.
46 min - We are back underway at the Boleyn Ground. Neither side has made
any changes at the break.
HALF-TIME
47 min - The referee blows for half-time with Fulham a goal to the good.
Back soon.
46 min - Boa Morte sets Lopez free. He crosses to the back post where Kallio
is on hand to head the ball over his own crossbar. Boa Morte's corner is
cleared to Spector. He crosses, but Stockdale is out smartly to claim the
high ball.
45 min - Gera finds Wayne Brown on the edge of the box, but his touch badly
lets him down and the chance is lost.
44 min - Lopez does well to cut out Gera's low cross.
43 min - The set piece flies over everybody. Spence curls the ball back into
the danger zone, but Stockdale grabs it ahead of Sears.
42 min - Sears forces a corner down the left. Boa Morte swings the ball over
and Andreasen clears. The Portuguese winger works hard to win another corner
seconds later.
38 min - West Ham United make a change. Dyer has been replaced by England
Under-19 international defender Jordan Spence. He slots in at right-back,
with Spector moving into central midfield alongside Mullins.
36 min - GOAL! Gera smashes the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from
20 yards out. Where did that come from?
35 min - Stech is full of chat tonight. He is constantly ordering his
defenders around, like any good goalkeeper should.
33 min - I for one am glad it's not too cold this evening. The football,
unlike Saturday's Premier League match between the two sides, has not been
of the most thrilling variety. Having said that, West Ham United's defence
looks good. Spector, in particular, is in resolute mood, while young Holmar
Eyjolfsson looks composed alongside skipper Tomkins.
31 min - Stech does well again. Andreasen finds Kallio wide on the left but
his driven cross is securely held by the young goalkeeper.
30 min - Just as the visitors looked set to take over, West Ham United have
come back into the game strongly. Boa Morte has launched a couple of
dangerous crosses into the penalty area, but both were cleared.
28 min - Fulham force another corner. They are definitely on top here. Marek
Stech is out to claim the corner well.
27 min - Leon Andreason hits Wayne Brown's lay-off first time, but his shot
is deflected wide by Hayden Mullins.
25 min - Andranik is down near the left touchline. He is up and at it again
following a short period of treatment.
22 min - Sears causes Kallio to send a high backpass towards Stockdale. The
goalkeeper completely misjudges the bounce and the ball loops over his head
where Jeffery appears to have the easiest of tap-ins, only for Smalling to
make a fantastic saving tackle. The ball flies to the edge of the penalty
area where Boa Morte heads it goalwards, only for Smalling to nod it clear
again. Great action!
21 min - Toni Kallio's cross finds Zoltan Gera in acres of space 12 yards
out, but his left-foot volley flies literally miles over the crossbar.
20 min - Kieron Dyer has come to the sidelines for some running repairs to
his footwear. After a short break, he is back in the action.
17 min - Walter Lopez sets Luis Boa Morte clear down the left. He cuts
inside and gets to the byline but his attempted cross to Sears is cut out by
Smalling.
16 min - Chris Baird's attempted clearance hits Jonathan Spector but loops
harmlessly into the arms of David Stockdale.
15 min - Aside from Gray's shot, not much has really happened so far...
12 min - West Ham United are coming back into the game. The front pair of
Sears and Jack Jeffery are looking particularly lively.
9 min - Gray's cross is headed behind by the alert Tomkins. From the
resulting corner, Spector heads clear.
7 min - Freddie Sears fails to control the ball on the edge of the Fulham
penalty area and the chance goes begging.
4 min - Julian Gray lets fly from just over 20 yards out. Marek Stech goes
down low to his left to divert the ball out for a corner, which the home
side eventually clear.
2 min - West Ham United are employing a 4-4-2 formation, with Walter Lopez
at left-back, Jonathan Spector at right-back and Kieron Dyer and Hayden
Mullins in central midfield. Neither side has settled as yet.
Good evening and welcome to the Boleyn Ground for what promises to be a
highly competitive Barclays Premier Reserve League South fixture between
West Ham United and Fulham.
It is a still, clear evening in east London. The pitch looks in fine
condition.
Both sides have left for the dressing rooms following their warm-ups.
Both managers have strong sides at their disposal tonight. Alex Dyer has
four full internationals in his West Ham United team.
Fulham's Billy McKinlay - himself a former Scotland midfielder - has
Finland's Toni Kallio, Sweden's Fredrik Stoor, Hungary midfielder Zoltan
Gera, Northern Ireland's Chris Baird, Denmark's Leon Andreasen and Iranian
Andranik in a cosmopolitan line-up.
Here come the two teams. They are met with a generous round of applause from
the small, hardy band of supporters who have turned out to support the
Hammers.
James Tomkins has been given the honour of captaining the side tonight. He
shakes hands with the officials and Fulham skipper Chris Smalling. The
visitors win the toss and West Ham kick off towards the Centenary Stand.
West Ham United: Stech, Spector, Lopez, Eyjolfsson, Tomkins, Dyer, Mullins,
Harvey, Jeffrey, Sears, Boa Morte
Subs: Loveday, N'Gala, Miller, Spence, Hines
Fulham: Stockdale, Stoor, Kallio, Baird, Smalling, Andranik, Gera,
Andreasen, Smith, Brown, Gray
Subs: Foderingham, Cumber, Anderson, Saunders, Uwezu
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Osvaldo makes Bologna move
Hammers target staying in Serie A
Last updated: 20th January 2009
SSN
West Ham have missed out on Pablo Osvaldo after the striker elected to join
Bologna from Serie A rivals Fiorentina. Osvaldo was reported to be on his
way to Upton Park as a replacement for Craig Bellamy, who has joined
Manchester City in a £14million deal. However, the Argentina-born forward,
who has represented Italy at Under 21 level, will not be joining Gianfranco
Zola's side. Bologna have secured Osvaldo's services for an undisclosed fee,
with the length of his contract still to be revealed. He is the second
Fiorentina striker to leave the club in the current transfer window
following Giampaolo Pazzini's switch to Sampdoria. Osvaldo has been brought
in to play alongside Serie A's leading scorer Marco Di Vaio as Bologna
battle to ward off the threat of relegation
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Zola open to Faubert stay
Hammers boss hopeful midfielder could remain at Upton Park
By James Dall Last updated: 20th January 2009
SSN
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is keen to retain the services of
midfielder Julien Faubert. The one-time France international has suggested
that he would be interested in a return to his homeland, and Lyon have
hinted at an interest in landing his signature. Zola, however, believes the
25-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Bordeaux in 2007, could have a
bright future at Upton Park, should he choose to remain at the club. He
said: "I believe in him and he can be an important player for us. If he
wants to stay, then I would like to keep him." Meanwhile, defender Matthew
Upson has expressed his delight at West Ham's recent form, after Zola's
charges made it three wins in four league games at the weekend. Upson said:
"It was good to see the players coming together and picking up a nice run,
so I am really pleased. "We have shown some good belief and we are sticking
to what we believe in. The players and the manager have to take a lot of
credit for that."
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Upson: No axe to grind with Bellamy
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 20 January 2009 - 9:26 PM
Matthew Upson insists West Ham's stars have no problem with Craig Bellamy
leaving the club in the lurch to join moneybags Manchester City. The West
Ham defender, who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, admits the
ongoing saga over Bellamy's future had a major effect on the Hammers squad
last week.The striker stormed out of the club's training ground after
rejecting a new contract after being refused permission to talk to Tottenham
- just days before completing a move to City. But Upson says he feels no
malice towards Bellamy for joining the richest club in the country and
landing himself a bumper pay deal at Eastlands. "There's no animosity," said
the England defender. "It has been a difficult week with all the
speculation. "We spoke about it as a group but it's no big deal to us
because we're paid to do a job. "What the club decide and players'
behaviour, we can't influence. We're here to do a job and we're focused on
what we're doing. "You can't control individuals' behaviour and if someone
wants to go and leave then that's fine. "It's football and we're paid to do
a job at the end of the day and whether or not certain players are here or
whether they're at home and don't want to be here isn't going to change my
attitude towards the club or what I'm trying to achieve here."
And Upson reckons the Hammers will go from strength to strength under boss
Gianfranco Zola - despite losing the £14million striker. He added: "We've
started to put together some more consistent performances and all the work
we've done on the training pitch along with the mentality of the players has
given us more of an understanding of what we need to do. "We're together and
we're playing really well. It's all going in the right direction and the
club is moving in a positive direction at the moment."
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Fabio Capello may hand Carlton Cole an England chance
The Times
England expects: Cole's reputation has been on the rise since Zola became
manager at West Ham in September
Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent
Fabio Capello is considering including Carlton Cole in his England squad for
the friendly international against Spain in Seville on February 11. The West
Ham United striker would be a surprise call-up because he has not come close
to featuring in the senior squad under the past three managers and appeared
to have stagnated since making the last of his 19 appearances for the
under-21 side four years ago.
A key tenet of Capello's managerial philosophy is to focus on the players
who are fit and in form, however, with Cole certainly falling into that
category. The 25-year-old has scored five goals in as many matches to help
to take West Ham up to eighth in the Barclays Premier League.
Capello has reservations about Cole's technical skills at the highest level,
with particular doubts over the quality of his finishing, but has been
impressed by his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play. The
Italian names his squad on February 7 and could give Cole the opportunity to
win his first cap four days later.
In an ideal world Capello would name two physically imposing strikers, such
as Emile Heskey, and two nippier ones — in the style of Jermain Defoe — in
his 23-man squad, but he is still looking for back-up to the Wigan Athletic
forward. Peter Crouch replaced the injured Heskey in England's most recent
match, against Germany in Berlin last November, but appeared only as a
last-minute substitute and he has yet to fully convince Capello of his
merits, despite scoring regularly for Portsmouth this season.
Cole has improved dramatically since Gianfranco Zola took over as West Ham
manager in September, with the Sardinian tipping his former Chelsea
team-mate for international honours after handing him a new four-year
contract in November.
Wayne Rooney is an automatic selection if he recovers from his hamstring
injury, but if the Manchester United forward fails to make it, Capello has
several options. Gabriel Agbonlahor did enough on his debut in Berlin to be
given another chance, while, to the surprise of many, Defoe remains ahead of
Michael Owen in the pecking order. Capello went to watch Owen in Newcastle
United's 3-0 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last weekend, but the
visiting team were so poor that he had little opportunity to impress.
Capello has also noted Phil Jagielka's outstanding club performances and he
is pushing hard for a call-up at the expense of Joleon Lescott, his Everton
team-mate. Both players could be named in the squad if Rio Ferdinand's back
problems persist because Curtis Davies and Michael Mancienne are likely to
be dispensed with after being non-playing substitutes against Germany.
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West Ham Are getting Savvy
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
WEST HAM have stepped up their £8million move for Brescia striker Savio.
Technical director Gianluca Nani flew to Italy on Tuesday. The Hammers see
the Uganda-born German teen as a replacement for Craig Bellamy after his
£14m switch to Manchester City. Nani hopes his friendship with Savio, 19,
will swing the balance despite competition from Italian giants Juventus and
Roma. It was Nani who introduced the player to European football at former
club Brescia five years ago. Savio stars in the Germany Under-19 team and is
close to breaking into the full senior squad. He can play on the left side
of a three-man attack. Striker Pablo Osvaldo, another target for the
Hammers, has left Fiorentina to join Bologna for £5m.
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Cole for England
West Ham Till I Die
That's Carlton, not Ashley. The Times reckons Fabio Capello is about to call
up Carlton Cole for the next England game. Who'd have thunk?
But on present form, not many of us would say it is undeserved. Zola has
worked miracles with Cole. And long may it continue.
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Osvaldo makes move to Bologna instead of West Ham
21.01.09 | Andrew Slevison
Bologna have snapped up Osvaldo from Fiorentina despite rumours the player
would end up at West Ham. The 23-year old has agreed to a move away from
Florence and will saddle up as Bologna's new striker. The move will be made
official to media on Wednesday.
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Lyon express interest in West Ham's Faubert
21.01.09 | Ian Ferris
French champions Lyon are interested in signing West Ham midfielder Julien
Faubert. Special advisor Bernard Lacombe concedes Faubert is one option
being considered. "Faubert is a player that is capable of getting our
attention," Lacombe told Le 10 Sport. "But we have several trails. The
right full-back position is our priority."
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