WHUFC.com
Middlesbrough hold West Ham United to a draw in the FA Cup fifth round at
the Boleyn Ground
14.02.2009
FA Cup fifth round
West Ham United v Middlesbrough
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 14 February
3pm
Referee: Peter Walton
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Parker,
Noble (Nsereko 74), Boa Morte (Sears 49), Di Michele, Cole (Tristan 33)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Kovac, Spector.
Goal: Ilunga 83.
Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, Adam Johnson, O'Neil,
Digard, Arca (Walker 77), Downing, Alves (Sanli 74).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Emnes, Bates, McMahon, Bennett.
Goal: Downing 22.
93 min - Peter Walton blows for full-time. So the two sides will have to try
all over again at the Riverside Stadium. The replay will be on Tuesday 24
February, with kick-off on Teesside at 8pm. Before then, the Hammers have
the small matter of a Premier League fixture at Bolton Wanderers to deal
with. Elsewhere in the FA Cup, Coventry have been denied by a late Blackburn
equaliser at Ewood Park, while Sheffield United and Hull have drawn 1-1.
Earlier, Swansea City and Fulham drew 1-1, meaning not one team is
definitely through to the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Portsmouth have beaten
Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League, so the Hammers remain eighth in
the table.
91 min - Sears is penalised for a nudge on Pogatetz.
90 min - Di Michele takes a tumble on the red pitch surround after chasing a
through ball, much to the crowd's amusement. There will be three added
minutes.
89 min - Huth fouls Tristan. The Spaniard has held the ball up well. A loose
ball falls to Sears inside the panelty area, but the youngster can only lash
the ball high into the stand.
87 min - Di Michele is booked after Collins commits a foul. It is not clear
what the Italian did wrong. It is his third yellow card of the season.
87 min - Savio has been lively since arriving. The Germany Under-20 man
clearly has a few tricks in his locker.
85 min - Boro have a free-kick wide on the left after Di Michele commits a
foul, but Collins risest highest to head the ball clear.
83 min - GOAL! O'Neil is made to pay for his mistake. Savio curls the ball
into the penalty area. It eludes Collins' flick-on but bounces to the far
post where Ilunga is on hand to head the ball into the roof of the net. It
is the DR Congo international's second FA Cup goal of the season, having
earlier scored in the third round win over Barnsley.
82 min - O'Neil handles the ball, then slams it high into the East Stand.
Referee Walton books him for his troubles.
81 min - Downing lets fly with a left-foot shot, only for the ball to hit
Tuncay and bounce out for a goal-kick. We're inside the final ten minutes.
Can West Ham book themselves a trip to the Riverside Stadium?
80 min - West Ham have a corner. Savio will take it. Tuncay slices it out
for another flag-kick. This time, Jones claims the high ball.
77 min - Hermann Hreidarsson has put Portsmouth 2-0 up over Manchester City.
In the FA Cup, Coventry have taken the lead at Blackburn through Michael
Doyle.
76 min - Close again! Jones is out smartly to deny Sears as West Ham pile
bodies into the Boro penalty area. The visitors are preparing to make
another change, with Josh Walker coming on to replace Arca.
75 min - West Ham are getting up a head of steam here. There is still enough
time to force a replay.
74 min - Maybe it is not going to be West Ham's day. Collison finds Ilunga
and his cut-back rolls into the path of Di Michele ten yards from goal, only
for the Italian to sky his left-foot shot high into the Bobby Moore Stand.
Savio is on for Noble, while Tuncay is on for Alves.
73 min - Green does brillianlty to keep out Downing's long-range shot. The
goalkeeper also did well to scramble and prevent the ball rolling out for a
corner. Savio is still waiting to make his entrance.
72 min - Good news for West Ham. Portsmouth are a goal ahead against
Manchester City courtesy of former Hammer Glen Johnson. If Pompey win, West
Ham remain eighth in the Premier League table.
71 min - Both sides are preparing to make a change. Savio is stripped off
and ready to go for West Ham, while Boro have Tuncay Sanli on the touchline.
69 min - So close for the Hammers! Tristan swaps passes with Di Michele
before skipping past a challenge, but the ball rolls just too far in front
of him and Boro clear the danger.
68 min - Coventry City have drawn level at Blackburn. Aron Gunnarsson is the
Sky Blues' scorer.
67 min - Savio and Walter Lopez are warming up on the touchline.
65 min - To be fair, Middlesbrough look the more likely side to score the
game's second goal. Boro have made the FA Cup quarter-finals in each of the
past four seasons and, as things stand, will make it five in a row.
64 min - Noble is robbed in midfield. Alves runs at Collins and unleashes a
low shot, but Green goes down well to his right to keep the ball out.
63 min - Collison combines with fellow Academy graduate Sears down the right
flank, but the striker's cross is too close to Jones.
60 min - Di Michele is robbed by Downing. The winger rolls the ball through
the middle of the Hammers' back-four and Alves springs the offside trap, but
his shot is low and wayward again.
58 min - Alves cuts between Neill and Collins and, despite having O' Neil
and Downing free to his right, slams a shot at least 20 yards wide of
Green's goal.
57 min - Arca is penalised for holding back Di Michele. Noble's free-kick is
easily cleared, though.
55 min - Parker drives forward and finds Tristan 25 yards out. The Spaniard
turns, but his shot is too high to trouble Jones.
54 min - Neill lobs the ball over the top for Di Michele, but the Italian is
flagged for offside. It is just not clicking for the Hammers in the
attacking third. Will things change in the final 35 minutes?
52 min - Downing slaloms past Parker and Collison only to be brought down.
Boro have a dangerous free-kick 25 yards from goal. O'Neil finds Downing,
but his cross is cleared by Collins.
49 min - Boa Morte is replaced by Freddie Sears.
46 min - A couple of things to report at the start of the second half. The
referee has changed into a yellow kit as his black shirt clashed with Boro's
black and blue away kit. Meanwhile, the attendance today has been announced
as 33,658. Oh, and the match has started again.
HALF TIME - West Ham United 0-1 Middlesbrough
47 min - Peter Walton blows for the end of the first half, but not before
booking Noble for a lunging tackle on O'Neil.
45 min - Boa Morte leads a counter-attack from a Boro free-kick. He finds Di
Michele, who lays the ball into Tristan's path, but the striker can only
slice his shot well off-target.
43 min - It just is not happening for West Ham as yet. Maybe the half-time
break will bring about a change in fortune after the interval.
40 min - Huth is slightly fortunate. Collison lofts a through ball over the
top for Parker to chase. The German attempts to clear and inadvertantly
nutmegs Parker inside his own penalty area. Straight up the other end and
Julio Arca brings Green into action again with a header from O'Neil's cross.
38 min - Tristan gets involved. He outpaces Hoyte to the loose ball before
feeding Boa Morte. The Portuguese winger's low cross is deflected into the
path of Noble, whose shot is well saved by Jones. Collison reacts quickest
but launches his shot well over the crossbar from a tight angle.
37 min - Collins' loose header falls to Downing. He feeds Alves, but the
Brazilian's low shot dribbles wide of the target.
36 min - Parker brings down Alves 30 yards from goal. Meanwhile, Kamil
Zayatte has equalised for Hull at Sheffield United. Alves' free-kick hits
the wall and is cleared.
34 min - A bit of a blow for the Hammers. Cole is unable to continue and is
replaced by the Spaniard Diego Tristan.
31 min - Alves meets Hoyte's volleyed cross, but his header skims well wide
and out for a goal kick.
28 min - Alves lets fly with a low shot that is deflected well wide for a
Boro corner. O'Neil's centre falls back to the midfielder and his second
cross is met by Huth's head, but Green is there to make the catch.
27 min - Cole receives treatment for a left leg injury. The striker then
walks to the touchline for further assistance. Let us hope it is not too
serious.
26 min - After the shock of conceding, West Ham go close to an equaliser. Di
Michele beats two Middlesbrough defenders before unleashing a dipping volley
from 25 yards that bounces past the Australian's left-hand post and into the
Boro fans behind the goal.
22 min - GOAL! Football really is a funny old game. Alves leads a
counter-attack and finds Downing on the left. He works the ball back out to
O'Neil on the right wing. The former Portsmouth man crosses, the ball eludes
Collins and Upson and England winger Downing is on hand to head past Green
from close-range. That is a complete sucker-punch.
22 min - This is complete one-way traffic at the moment. Di Michele sees his
shot blocked as West Ham continue to press.
21 min - Ilunga wins yet another corner. Noble takes again and, following a
game of penalty area pinball, Didier Digard hacks the ball clear.
20 min - Boro cannot get hold of the ball at all. They have not been out of
their own half for nearly five minutes.
18 min - Boa Morte foces Hoyte to concede a corner. Noble takes, but an
unmarked David Di Michele is unable to make contact with an acrobatic
volley. Seconds later, Jones flies to his right to repel James Collins'
blockbuster. Surely an opening goal will arrive soon?
17 min - I told you it would liven up! Boa Morte and Collison combine to set
up Noble, but Jones is alert and pushes aside his rasping shot.
16 min - Upson produces a fine sliding challenge to deny Alves. The England
defender then does brilliantly to avoid touching the ball with his hands
before stabbing clear.
15 min - There is not a huge amount happening here, to be honest. West Ham
are showing signs that they may spring to life though. A quickly taken
throw-in leads to Noble curling a shot into Jones' arms.
13 min - A first sniff of goal for England's Carlton Cole, but his effort is
deflected behind by Huth. Mark Noble's corner is plucked out of the sky by
Jones.
11 min - There have been two early goals in the other 3pm FA Cup kick-offs.
Sheffield United are 1-0 up against Hull City thanks to Greg Halford, while
Roque Santa Cruz has put Blackburn Rovers a goal up against Coventry City.
Back at the Boleyn Ground, Downing fizzes a low shot narrowly wide of Robert
Green's post following a fine run and pass from Gary O'Neil.
10 min - West Ham have made a slightly nervy start here. The home side have
not found their trademark passing rhythm as yet.
8 min - Brad Jones hacks the ball into touch following a mis-directed
backpass from David Wheater.
6 min - Gianfranco Zola is on the edge of his technical area issuing
instructions to his side. Middlesbrough have started the better of the two
sides, which will not be pleasing the West Ham manager.
4 min - Luis Boa Morte puts in a fine sliding challenge on Robert Huth, much
to the home crowd's delight.
3 min - Justin Hoyte crosses low into the box, only for Afonso Alves to lose
his footing, allowing Collins to clear comfortably.
2 min - A short pass from Jack Collison allows Stewart Downing to get in
behind James Collins. His low cross is half-cleared by Matthew Upson, only
to fall to Adam Johnson, but the England Under-21 man's shot flies well
wide. That was a let-off.
West Ham have just one survivor from the memorable 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win
over Boro three seasons ago. For the visitors, goalkeeper Brad Jones and
Stewart Downing both featured at Villa Park on 23 April 2006.
Here come the two teams! Lucas Neill leads out the home side to the strains
of 'Bubbles'. Emanuel Pogatetz is the Boro skipper.
The groundstaff are out forking the pitch as we approach the big kick-off. A
win today would take the Hammers to within one victory of their first trip
to the new Wembley Stadium.
It is approaching 2.50pm and the West Ham United players are heading for the
home dressing room. A few of the substitutes have remained on the pitch and
are firing shots at young goalkeeper Marek Stech.
It's a crisp, sunny day in east London. Both teams are completing their
pre-match warm-ups on the Boleyn Ground pitch.
Swansea City and Fulham will both be in the hat for Sunday'sixth round draw.
The pair have fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate has switched to a 4-5-1 formation, with Gary
O'Neill coming in for the cup-tied Marlon King. At the back, Justin Hoyte
replaces the injured Chris Riggott, with England Under-21 defender David
Wheater reverting to centre-half.
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has made just one change from the team that
went down to a narrow 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United six
days ago. Valon Behrami, who has a slight hamstring injury, has been
replaced by Luis Boa Morte. Walter Lopez has been named among the
substitutes in Behrami's absence.
Kick-off is fast approaching at the Boleyn Ground, with West Ham United
preparing to entertain Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round.
Boro have not won in their past 13 Premier League matches, but have found
their form in the FA Cup, knocking out non-league Barrow and Championship
leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers to reach the last 16.
West Ham, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last nine matches in all
competitions, beating Barnsley and Hartlepool United to reach this stage.
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Ilunga strike secures replay
WHUFC.com
Herita Ilunga got a vital equaliser with seven minutes to go to earn West
Ham United a fifth-round replay
14.02.2009
West Ham United 1-1 Middlesbrough
West Ham United left it late to secure a replay against a battling
Middlesbrough side in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
Stewart Downing gave Middlesbrough the lead midway through the first half
when he headed in a cross from Gary O'Neil. The Hammers huffed and puffed
and after numerous chances went begging, they finally got their reward when
Herita Ilunga headed in a free-kick from Savio with just seven minutes
remaining.
Gianfranco Zola made one change to the side that narrowly lost to Manchester
United. Valon Behrami had not quite recovered from the hamstring injury that
forced him to miss Switzerland's midweek game with Bulgaria so Luis Boa
Morte came in to replace him with Jack Collison switching to the right.
Walter Lopez took the Portuguese's place on the bench.
West Ham started slowly with several passes going astray, while Downing gave
a warning of what was to come, twice going close in the opening exchanges
with two left-footed shots from just outside the penalty area.
However, the Hammers soon started to find their feet and began knocking the
ball around in the manner that had become their trademark in recent weeks.
Mark Noble was the first to test Brad Jones with an effort from just inside
the area on 16 minutes and a minute later the he was to go close again. Boa
Morte did well to feed Collison and the Wales international danced around
two defenders before laying it off to the on-rushing Noble. He controlled
well but he could only direct his shot straight at Jones.
The Middlesbrough No22 was having a busy period and was called into action
again two minutes later through a 25-yard piledriver from centre-back James
Collins.
Despite all of the home pressure, it was to be Middlesbrough that were to
take the lead. On 22 minutes, O'Neil crossed from the right and the ball
missed everyone apart from Downing, who stooped low to head past Robert
Green at the far post.
David Di Michele almost restored parity instantly with a sensational effort.
The Italian juggled the ball over two defenders before sending a left-footed
volley from 30 yard inches wide.
The home side suffered a further setback eleven minutes before half-time
when Carlton Cole - fresh from his midweek England debut in Spain - had to
leave the field with what looked like an ankle injury. Diego Tristan
replaced him and the former Spanish international then had a great chance to
announce his arrival with a goal on the stroke of half-time.
A swift counterattack saw Boa Morte feed Di Michele, who drew the last two
defenders towards him before rolling the ball across to Tristan, but the
striker could only fire high into the Centenary Stand. There was still time
for Noble to go into referee Peter Walton's book for a late tackle to
compound a frustrating first half for the Hammers.
Three minutes after the restart Freddie Sears came on for the injured Boa
Morte and that was to be the most noteworthy action of the opening period,
as passes from both teams failed to find their target. Indeed it was 20
minutes into the second half before either keeper was tested - Afonso Alves
forcing Green into a sharp stop down to his right. The England international
had to be at his best again moments later to stop another long-range effort
from Downing.
The game looked to be creeping away from the home side as chances came and
went, with Di Michele putting the most clear-cut opening over the bar. Zola
responded by adding some extra attacking verve with the introduction of
Savio for Noble with 15 minutes to go, while his Middlesbrough counterpart
Gareth Southgate brought on Tuncay Sanli for Alves and Josh Walker for Julio
Arca.
Lucas Neill went into the book for a handball before Ilunga put his side's
nerves at ease with an equaliser with just seven minutes left on the clock.
Savio floated in a delightful free-kick from the left which bounced over
Collins but not the left-back - who simply nodded the ball in from three
yards.
The 33,658 among the home support packed into the Boleyn Ground erupted
while simultaneously breathing a huge sigh of relief. It was not a vintage
performance from the Hammers, but most importantly they are still in the
draw for the sixth round of the cup, which will be made on Sunday.
But first things first. West Ham must clear the current hurdle in the replay
at the Riverside a week on Tuesday.
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Spence on song
WHUFC.com
The 18-year-old defender Jordan Spence continues to do well while away on
loan from the Boleyn Ground
14.02.2009
Jordan Spence's good week continued as Leyton Orient won on Saturday for
only the third time at home this season while Lee Bowyer was another loanee
to taste success.
England Under-19 defender Spence picked up another international cap on
Tuesday night, having last weekend helped Orient to a precious goalless draw
at Tranmere Rovers. He kept up his fine form with a good display at
centre-back as the east London club won 2-1 against visiting Crewe
Alexandra.
Still only 18, Spence is highly regarded at the Boleyn Ground and remains a
familiar sight around the club despite his loan at the Matchroom Stadium
until the end of the season. Fellow academy graduate Joe Widdowson could not
help Grimsby Town avoid a 2-1 home defeat by Bury to remain in trouble at
the wrong end of the League Two table.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Lee Bowyer helped Birmingham City to a 2-0 home win
against Nottingham Forest that boosted their chances of Premier League
promotion as Nigel Quashie played an hour as table-toppng Wolves, without
Kyel Reid, went down 1-0 at Burnley. Also in the Championship, Jimmy
Walker's Colchester United lost 2-0 at his former club Walsall.
On Sunday in Spain, Julien Faubert will look to make his second loan
appearance for Real Madrid away to Sporting Gijon, with the club 13 points
behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand. whufc.com will also have a
full update on Sunday on the Under-18s after they drew 1-1 at Norwich City
on Saturday to make it six games unbeaten.
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New dates for reserves
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's West Ham United reserves have seen two away games rescheduled
for later in the season
14.02.2009
West Ham United's Barclays Premier Reserve League South trip to West
Bromwich Albion has been postponed.
The Hammers were originally set to take on the Baggies' second-string at
Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough stadium on Monday evening, but the
fixture has been called off following the recent wet weather in the
Midlands. The match has been re-arranged and will be played on Tuesday 14
April, with a 7pm kick-off.
Meanwhile, West Ham's reserve trip to Stoke City, which was originally meant
to be played on Wednesday 4 February, has been rescheduled to be played at
the Britannia Stadium at 7pm on Monday 30 March. Alex Dyer's side, who sit
fourth in the table, return to competitive action on Tuesday 24 February,
when Tottenham Hotspur are the visitors to Bishop's Stortford. Kick-off will
be at 7pm.
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Wembley dream still alive
WHUFC.com
The manager said the draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday was a 'fair result'
but is ready for the replay
14.02.2009
Gianfranco Zola said his team remain confident of reaching the FA Cup
quarter-finals despite having to come from behind for a 1-1 fifth-round draw
against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The manager agreed with his opposite number Gareth Southgate that neither
side had quite done enough for victory on a day when Stewart Downing gave
the visitors a first-half lead before Herita Ilunga headed an equaliser with
seven minutes to play. The two sides will do battle again at the Riverside
on Tuesday week with the draw to determine the next round opponents being
held on Sunday evening.
"It was a deserved draw but at the same time it was a relief as well with
the way the game was going," Zola said. "I was afraid that we were not going
to score. At the end of the day it was a fair result. They played a good
match and deserved to get a draw and we didn't deserve to lose so a draw was
the fair result.
"The replay is not great news but it is OK. We are going to try to have what
we didn't have today over there. It's going to be tough but we are
determined to go through." The early signs are that Carlton Cole's
first-half ankle injury that caused his substitution is not too serious
while the "important" Valon Behrami should also be available having missed
out with a minor hamstring problem.
It had been a "strange week" for the coaching staff with several players
away on international duty but the manager was not making too much of that
or focusing overly on any injury hassles. "The first 15 minutes was one of
the worst 15 minutes we have played recently. Not as near as our standards.
After that we started to pick it up and had a few good chances.
"You can't afford not to play at high levels. Boro were very well organised
and they caused us a lot of problems. But it is OK as it was a good lesson
for us and we have had lots of compliments and today we learnt that if we
want to keep it that way then we need to pick up our standards and we cannot
drop anything … I'm 100 per cent sure next week we will be better.
"Today the quality wasn't quite right, I had the feeling the body was there
but the mind wasn't. there. It's understandable. For me it is really
important that we didn't lose . Three months ago we would have lost easily.
I am pleased because at least they show that they didn't want to lose."
He also had a word for a couple of individuals, not least goalscorer Ilunga
who he reiterated "is going to stay with us for a long time". He added: "He
is playing well. I don't think there are many left-backs playing as well as
he is now. He is very good defensively but also very good coming forward."
Luis Boa Morte was also in the manager's thoughts, not just because of a
possible torn hamstring that could sideline him for some time but also for
his attitude when unfairly singled out by some for criticism. "Luis Boa
Morte has been a fantastic professional and every time he has played he has
done his job.
"He is incredible in the changing room and he is one of the players that
every manager would want to have. I don't think he deserves the supporters
picking on him, it also makes it more difficult for him. [That he did not
leave] is more proof that he cares about what he is doing here. He wanted to
stay and prove to be useful for the cause. He's got all my respect."
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West Ham 1-1 Middlesbrough
By Julian Shea
BBC.co.uk
West Ham snatched a replay against Middlesbrough after an unconvincing
display in the FA Cup at Upton Park. The home side wasted several good
chances before Stewart Downing stooped to head in Gary O'Neil's cross. The
Hammers endured a frustrating second half, producing several chances but
failing to really stretch Boro keeper Brad Jones with any of them. Afonso
Alves and Downing both went close to making it 2-0 before Herita Ilunga
headed home Savio's cross.
After a sluggish start, West Ham finally came to life around the 15 minute
mark and began to test Jones, with Mark Noble and David di Michele both
drawing good saves from the Australian. Then, against the run of play, Boro
went ahead. O'Neil's cross from the right eluded both James Collins and
Matthew Upson and bounced perfectly for Downing to head the ball past the
stranded Robert Green. The loss of Carlton Cole to an ankle injury further
frustrated the home side, and they were forced into another reshuffle early
in the second half when Luis Boa Morte took a bang in the face and was
replaced by Freddie Sears. Alves had a good chance to make it 2-0 to Boro
when O'Neil's through-ball sliced the West Ham defence in half but he put
his shot just wide of Green's far post, and this near-miss seemed to lift
the tempo of the match. Downing nearly grabbed his second goal of the game
when he tested Green from long range, shortly before di Michele infuriated
the home fans when he ballooned Ilunga's cross over from close range. Time
was running out and the home crowd were becoming increasingly frustrated
when Noble's replacement Savio sent over a cross which eluded everyone and
bounced up perfectly for Ilunga to head home and earn a replay at the
Riverside on 24 February.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "The first 50 minutes was the worst we
have played recently. It was not near our standards. After that we picked up
a bit.
"It's a good lesson for us. Three months ago we would have lost that game so
I am pleased because the players showed we did not want to lose."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "I was pleased with how we played,
the quality was good and I was pleased how we opened them up. We will take
more from it than the result itself. "We got ourselves in enough good
situations but that has been the story of the season for us. "We are at our
best when we pass and play football and that's what we were doing today -
the players will take great confidence from that."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Parker, Noble
(Nsereko 74), Boa Morte (Sears 49), Di Michele, Cole (Tristan 33). Subs Not
Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Kovac, Spector.
Booked: Noble, Di Michele.
Goals: Ilunga 83.
Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, Adam Johnson, O'Neil,
Digard, Arca (Walker 77), Downing, Alves (Sanli 74). Subs Not Used:
Turnbull, Emnes, Bates, McMahon, Bennett.
Booked: O'Neil.
Goals: Downing 22.
Att: 33,658
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
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West Ham United 1 Middlesbrough 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are in the hat for the FA Cup quarter final draw - but still have
it all to do after drawing this aftenoon's fifth round tie at the Boleyn. A
late Herita Ilunga header saved the Hammers' blushes after they produced
just about their worst performance since Gianfranco Zola succeeded Alan
Curbishley last September.
Ilunga, who recently put pen to paper on a permanent four-year contract rose
to nod home a free kick at the far post with just seven minutes of normal
time remaining, cancelling out Stewart Downing's first half opener. 'Boro,
who are currently just one place off the bottom of the Premier League wasted
a whole stack of chances to put the game beyond doubt before Ilunga pounced
to grab a dramatic equaliser. However they were still the better of the two
sides on display today, although Gianfranco Zola's options had been severely
limited by the absence of Valon Behrami and the early loss of England
striker Carlton Cole, who limped off as the half time whistle approached.
Middlesbrough have managed just 18 goals in the Premier League this season
and the reasons why were clearly evident today as good possession was wasted
time and time again - with none more guilty than £12million striker Alfonso
Alves, who only tested Rob Green the once despite having seven shots at
goal.
It at least partly thanks to 'Boro's profligacy that the Hammers retain an
interest in this year's competition, although Gareth Southgate's team also
owe a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Brad Jones who made a series of good
saves denying the likes of Mark Noble, James Collins and Diego Tristan, who
replaced the injured Carlton Cole. However there is no denying that the
Hammers are somewhat fortunate to find themselves going into tomorrow's
quarter final draw.
West Ham Utd 1 Middlesbrough 1: Match Stats
West Ham United: Green, Ilunga, Neill, Upson, Collins, Parker, Noble (Savio
74), Boa Morte (Sears 49), Collison, Di Michele, Cole (Tristan 34).
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Spector, Kovac.
Goals: Ilunga (83).
Efforts on goal: 13 (13, 16, 17, 18, 26, 38, 45; 55, 69, 73, 76, 83*, 89).
Booked: Noble (45), Di Michele (87).
Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Pogatetz, Wheater, Huth, Digard, Johnson,
O'Neill, Arca (Walker 77), Downing, Alves (Tuncay 74).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Emnes, Bates, McMahon, Bennett.
Goals: Downing (22).
Efforts on goal: 14 (2, 11, 22*, 28, 29, 30, 37, 40; 58, 63, 64, 65, 72,
81).
Booked: O'Neill (82).
Referee: Peter Walton.
Attendance: 33,658.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Talking out of his 'aris?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2009
By: Staff Writer
Claims made by journalist Harry Harris regarding Gianfranco Zola and the
vacant Chelsea job have been denied. Harris, talking on Radio Five Live
earlier this week claimed that Zola and assistant Steve Clarke had held
negotiations with Chelsea following the sacking of Phil Scolari. Boasting
to have enjoyed exclusive access to Chelsea's Cobham training ground on the
day of Scolari's departure, Harris went on to claim that both Zola and
Clarke had agreed to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer when temporary
replacement Guus Hiddink's short-term contract expires. But according to a
club source Harris' claims are well wide of the mark, whilst both Zola and
Clarke remain committed to continuing their promising start at West Ham.
Rumours of a potential return to Stamford Bridge for former playing legend
Zola gathered pace after lawyer Fulvio Marrucco, claiming to speak on behalf
of Zola, told SkySports that "it is very difficult to say if anything will
happen."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Great Scott
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2009
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker has been rewarded for his excellent recent form with a
five-year contract. The deal, revealed here on KUMB.com lasdt month ties
28-year-old Parker to the club until 2014. A delighted Parker, talking to
whufc.com this afternoon said: "I am very pleased - especially after all the
speculation in the transfer window - that I can now put that to rest and
sign a new-long term contract. The way the club is going and the direction
that the manager and the board want to go is something I want to follow.
"There has been a lot of negative things written, saying there was a crisis
and all of that. This shows that West Ham are in a position to keep their
players when others want them and as a player and for the fans, that is a
great thing. "The manager showed a real desire to keep me. He sees me as a
massive part of the squad and that meant a lot to me, especially when there
were things being written everywhere. So I am delighted to sign."
Parker, who has been in excellent form this season is currently one of the
leading contenders for Hammer of the Year. He was signed by Alan Curbishley
in a £7million deal from Newcastle two years ago last month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Late Ilunga goal forces replay
Downing puts Boro ahead before Ilunga forces late replay
SSN
Last updated: 14th February 2009
A late equaliser from Herita Ilunga saw West Ham force a replay against
Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. Stewart Downing put Boro ahead in the 22nd
minute of this fifth round tie, heading home a fantastic cross from Gary
O'Neil at the far post. The Hammers had chances at the other end, with Jack
Collison blasting over from close range and David Di Michele volleying just
wide from the edge of the box. In the second period, Michele blasted over
from close range when unmarked before Ilunga got the equaliser in the 83rd
minute, heading home a whipped-in free-kick from Savio to force the replay.
The Congo defender has a taste for the cup - both his goals this campaign
have come in the competition and it keeps alive Gianfranco Zola's hopes of
winning the trophy as a manager. Zola had FA Cup pedigree as a player,
winning it twice with Chelsea and beating Boro at Wembley both times,
including getting the better of Boro boss Gareth Southgate in the 2000
final. The Hammers also went into Saturday's clash in good form - their
defeat against Manchester United last Sunday coming after eight unbeaten
matches - but it was the visitors who took the initiative in the early
stages. Boro boss Southgate had been forced into a change of formation due
to Marlon King being cup-tied, meaning Downing was employed in a central
position in midfield.
It was Downing who helped create the first chance after his cross was
cleared as far as Adam Johnson, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide.
Another mistake, this time from David Di Michele, led to another Boro chance
after 11 minutes. Didier Digard cut inside from the left and offloaded to
Downing, whose shot from 20 yards went just past Robert Green's upright. The
Hammers were hoping for a repeat of the 2006 season when they beat Boro on
the way to the final - and before falling behind they applied pressure.
Collison wriggled free on the edge of the area and laid the ball off, but
Boro keeper Brad Jones was alert to the near-post shot from Mark Noble. Di
Michele then failed to connect with a scissor-kick, James Collins forced a
save with a long-range drive and a handball shout against David Wheater was
turned down. Despite the encouraging attacks, it was Boro who took the lead
in the 22nd minute. O'Neil picked the ball up on the right flank and curled
in a dangerous ball that evaded both Matthew Upson and Collins to allow
Downing to stoop down and head home at the far post. O'Neil's right boot
then almost created a second goal but Robert Huth could not direct his
header. West Ham attempted to reply and a dipping volley from Di Michele was
just off target.
They then received another blow when in-form England striker Carlton Cole
was forced off with an ankle injury, with Diego Tristan coming on in his
place. Boro goalkeeper Jones then kept his side on level terms with a save
in the 38th minute. Luis Boa Morte had driven into the penalty area and
Noble shot at goal, with Jones swatting away the ball away after being
wrongfooted by a deflection. The ball fell to Collison but he blasted over
from close range. Soon into the second-period, Zola brought on Freddie Sears
and took off Boa Morte, with the former Fulham winger getting jeered by his
own supporters. Sears had a shot from 25 yards that flew over the crossbar
as West Ham attempted to find a way back into the match with a three-man
strikeforce. But it was Boro who created the better chances. First Downing
released Afonso Alves on the hour mark but the Brazilian's angled drive went
wide of Green's post. Shortly afterwards, Green dived down to parry an
effort from Alves before the Hammers keeper made a great save to deny a
long-range drive from Downing with his unfavoured right foot. Di Michele
then missed a glorious chance at the other end when Ilunga crossed, but the
Italian skied the finish from close range. But the leveller came on 83
minutes when Savio, who was on as a substitute, whipped in a free-kick from
the left and Ilunga headed in at the far post to earn the replay.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bosses - Upton Park draw fair
Zola and Southgate believe Upton Park stalemate was a fair result
SSN
Last updated: 14th February 2009
Both West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and Boro counterpart Gareth Southgate
thought their teams' 1-1 FA Cup stalemate at Upton Park was a fair result.
Stewart Downing put Boro ahead in the 22nd minute before Herita Ilunga
scored a late equaliser to send this fifth round tie to a replay at the
Riverside. Both managers were left to rue missed opportunities after their
teams each created plenty of chances. Hammers boss Zola said: "We had so
many chances that I was afraid we weren't going to score. "We didn't deserve
to lose and a draw may have been fair. A replay is not great news but we
want to go through. It will be tougher but we want to go through."
Zola admitted his side were awful in the first half. "The first 50 minutes
was the worst we have played recently," he said. "It was not near our
standards. After that we picked up a bit. You cannot afford not to play high
levels. "It's a good lesson for us. Three months ago we would have lost that
game so I am pleased because the players showed we did not want to lose."
But Zola is now sweating on Carlton Cole's X-ray results after the England
striker picked up an ankle injury and had to be replaced in the 33rd minute.
"We don't know how bad it is yet," said Zola. "He is going to have an X-ray
in the next 24 hours and hopefully it will be just a twist."
Zola also lost Luis Boa Morte to a hamstring tear and the winger was jeered
off by his own supporters. "As soon as he makes a mistake they pick on him
and he doesn't deserve that," said Zola, who, on a more positive note, was
pleased with the form of goalscorer Ilunga. "He has signed a contract for
four-and-half years so he will be with us for a long time. I don't think
there are many left-backs playing as well he is."
Boro boss Southgate was pleased with his side's display. "It was probably a
fair result. I was pleased with how we played, the quality was good and I
was pleased how we opened them up. We will take more from it than the result
itself," said Southgate, who felt his side had created enough chances to
win. "We got ourselves in enough good situations but that has been the story
of the season for us," he said. "We are at our best when we pass and play
football and that's what we were doing today - the players will take great
confidence from that. A lot of our senior players are coming back, you need
them to get results in our league and in this competition. "It was the best
game through this period and the players have the belief that they can turn
it around. We know what needs to be done and we believe we can do it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola breaks Boro's hearts
West Ham 1 Middlesbrough 1
Nick Townsend at Upton Park
The Times
BY half-time the mood was nudging the mutinous in the toilets of the main
stand. It wouldn't have surprised Gianfranco Zola. The Italian already knows
enough about the vicissitudes of Premier League club management.
"He needs to make some changes if he's going to turn this round. We can't
lose to this lot," muttered one Hammers' fan darkly, alluding to a manager
who, he had obviously quickly forgotten, had turned derision to approaching
deification in recent weeks.
So, Zola obliged, thrust Fred-die Sears and Ugandan-born, German striker
Savio Nsereko, the £9m club-record signing, into the fray. The latter
obliged with the kind of free kick that strikes trepidation into the most
resolute rearguard, defender Herita Ilunga thrust a head at it, and a replay
was secured. Yet, as Zola admitted: "The equaliser was deserved, but I am
relieved. I was afraid we were not going to score. The first 50 minutes was
one of the worst we have played recently. It was not up to our standards.
This was not the team that has played in recent weeks. We've had a lot of
compliments, but today we learnt that we need to keep up our standards."
From Boro's perspective, maybe it was the fact that Premier League pressure
was removed, but Southgate's men performed with a poise and confidence that
belied recent form. England's Stewart Downing, scorer of the opener - his
first goal of the season – epitomised that improvement, revelling in his
role behind striker Afonso Alves.
Yesterday might not be enough to immediately revitalise Boro's season, but
it might just be the fillip their players, and manager require. In the midst
of a sequence in which Gareth Southgate's side can't buy a league win, to
borrow that old adage, the Hammers came perilously close to handing this to
them, gratis. Indifferent defending, and atrociously-profligate finishing
had provoked the home faithful's displeasure in a first half in which the
Hammers were insipid. There was a malaise throughout, with passes too often
going adrift. Zola claimed later that his players' "bodies were there, but
their minds sometimes weren't". It was an apt description. They briefly
snapped out of complacency, and Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones made fine saves
from Mark Noble and James Collins. But it was Boro who scored. Gary O'Neil's
cross somehow eluded the home defence and Downing ducked in to steer home a
header at the far post.
Carlton Cole, who made his England debut on Wednesday, departed just after
the half-hour with an ankle injury and was replaced by Diego Tristan, who
missed an inviting opportunity when put through by David Di Michele.
However, the Hammers had spurned an even easier chance before that when a
deflected Noble effort was pawed away by Jones. Jack Collison pounced but
skied the ball. Alves could have put the game beyond West Ham, before Zola's
men finally produced their most cohesive football. One miss by Di Michele
who cleared the bar after Ilunga had cut back the ball perfectly to him was
unforgiveable. Fortunately for him, the visitors' rearguard was breached by
Ilunga, West Ham's Congolese left-back to ensure that their manager still
maintains an interest in the competition he has graced as a player.
WEST HAM UNITED:Green 7, Neill 6, Collins 6, in which Middlesbrough have
been Upson 6, Ilunga 7, Collison 7, Parker 7, Noble 6 (Savio 73), Boa Morte
5 (Sears 48, 6), Di Michele 6, Cole 5 (Tristan 33 )
MIDDLESBROUGH:Jones 7, Hoyte 6, Huth 6, Wheater 7, Pogatetz 6, Adam Johnson
7, O'Neil 6, Digard 6, Arca 6 (Walker 76), Downing 8, Alves 6 (Tuncay 73).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker pens new West Ham deal
PA
Friday, 13 February 2009
The Independent
Parker has signed a deal until 2013
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has signed a new contract which commits him
to the Upton Park club until the summer of 2013. The England midfielder, who
put pen to paper on the new deal this afternoon, told he club's official
website, www.whufc.co.uk: "I am very happy, pleased and excited - especially
after all the speculation in the transfer window - that I can now put that
to rest and sign a new long-term contract. "In the last few weeks, the way
the club is going and the direction that the manager and the board want to
go is something I want to follow."
The former Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle player continued: "By signing my
new contract, it says that I want to do this as well. "It also says a lot
about West Ham. There have been a lot of negative things written, saying
there was a crisis and all of that. "This shows that West Ham are in a
position to keep their players when others want them and as a player and for
the fans, that is a great thing. "The manager (Gianfranco Zola) showed a
real desire to keep me. He sees me as a massive part of the squad and that
meant a lot to me, especially when there were things being written
everywhere. So I am delighted to sign."
Parker follows England strikers Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole in committing
himself to the club long-term, while youngsters Jack Collison and Freddie
Sears have done likewise. Zola said: "This is great news. Scott is an
excellent player and it is good to have him at our service for more years.
"We have a long-term view, and we need time to set up our project and give
it a chance to grow. "The club are sticking to this policy and it is
brilliant. It means we are really serious about everything that we have
said."
Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "Scott is a hugely important
player and his belief in the club's vision is a fantastic boost for everyone
at West Ham.
"He has been tremendous this season, not only with his individual
performances but for his example and leadership to the talented youngsters
we have coming through. "Added to the absolute assurances Gianfranco has
given fans this week about his long-term commitment, this agreement is a
further sign that we can all look forward. "Today's news underlines that a
lot of nonsense has been written and said about this club in recent weeks.
"It is clear that even if external forces try to destabilise us, nothing
will stand in the way of our football project and our efforts to bring
success to this club and our supporters."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Norwich City U18 1, West Ham U18 1
JOHN LANDAMORE
EDP24.co.uk
14 February 2009
Because of international call-ups Ricky Martin was forced into a couple of
changes for this morning's visit of West Ham to Colney. Striker Danny Kelly
had five stitches in a head injury picked up in Russia playing for the
Republic of Ireland and took no part in this game while having played twice
for Denmark in Greece this week Dario Dumic started the game on the
substitutes' bench. After this week's wintry conditions it was a very heavy
pitch that greeted the teams and not surprisingly the surface cut up right
from the off. City created the first opening of the game after some good
build-up play although Nick Davey fired his shot wide of the target. The
Hammers looked dangerous on the break and they almost caught the Canaries
out with a shot from the edge of the area that was blocked by a City
defender but the loose ball was teed up for Georg Grasser but his rising
shot was well saved by the Canaries keeper Declan Rudd. Davey again went
close, this time after some good work by Luke Daley. West Ham striker Balint
Bajner should have done better with a free header that Rudd saved
comfortably. Kris Renton was making his first appearance since a minor knee
operation and on the stroke of half-time he saw a shot blocked. Martin
introduced Jed Steer at half time. The City keeper is all set to join the
England squad early next week when they travel to the Algarve. The visitors
stepped their game up and it needed a good interception from George Francomb
to deny Bajner while moments later a through ball sent Oliver Lee clear but
after rounding Steer he took the ball too wide before losing possession. Tom
Adeyemi saw a curling shot go just wide while moments later at the other end
Steer got down well to block a shot from Josh Payne. On 84 minutes City
finally broke the deadlock. A fantastic run by Adeyemi saw him beat two
defenders before pulling the ball back from the byline and while the initial
shot was blocked DAVEY fired the loose ball home although it needed referee
Mr George to signal a ball had crossed the line after a West Ham defender
appeared to clear the ball off the line. City's lead lasted all of three
minutes as the Hammers hit back when a far post header was knocked down for
LEE to cheekily back heel the ball into the net.
Norwich City Man of the Match: George Francomb.
Norwich City: Rudd (Steer 45), Brindley, Gordon (Dumic 87), Lathrope,
Francomb, Stephens, Daley, Omoregei, Renton (Clarke 45), Adeyemi, Davey.
Subs not used Reeves, Ball.
West Ham: Loveday, Barrett, Fry, McNaughton, Sanchez, Lee, Kearns, Payne,
Abdullah (Edgar 70), Bajner (Subuola 72), Grasser (Okus 75). Sub not used:
Cowler.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Middlesbrough fail to capitalise as sorry West Ham eke out a draw
West Ham United (0) 1 Middlesbrough (1) 1
Telegraph
By Joh Ley at Upton Park
Last Updated: 7:53PM GMT 14 Feb 2009
The curse of Gianfranco Zola returned to haunt Gareth Southgate again when
Middlesbrough were seven minutes from confirming their place in the
quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the fourth year in succession, before a
woefully inept West Ham won a replay they did not deserve when Herita Ilunga
stole a late equaliser.
Southgate, then the captain of Aston Villa, was denied his only winners'
medal, in the 2000 FA Cup final when Chelsea, inspired by Zola, won 1-0 at
Wembley. And though West Ham were inept, while Middlesbrough, inspired by
Downing, deserved to be contemplating a guaranteed last-eight place, the
visitors left ruing a succession of wasted chances. Southgate, whose side
has gone 13 Premier League games without a win said: "The manner of the
performance pleased me most, more so than the result. Confidence is the key
at this level, and we have had discussions on how to go forward. This
performance will help." And a relieved Zola admitted: "Three months ago we
would have lost easily, but the players showed me they didn't want to lose."
Before Downing's early goal Adam Johnson came close to taking advantage of a
poor clearance by Matthew Upson while another error, by David Di Michele,
allowed Didier Digard a run at goal, with Downing squandering the finish.
West Ham ignored the warning signs and, in the 22nd minute, Gary O'Neil's
cross bounced in front of Upson, but the more painful mistake was by James
Collins, who missed his attempted clearance, allowing Downing's diving
far-post header to give Middlesbrough the advantage. West Ham's errors at
the back were mirrored by faulty forward play. Jack Collison offered Mark
Noble a chance he allowed Brad Jones to save and Collins saw another effort
parried by Jones. And then West Ham's afternoon got worse when New England
cap Carlton Cole hobbled off with an ankle injury and undergoes a scan
today. For the second half the officials changed their black shirts for
yellow after West Ham had complained that Middlesbrough's blue and black
stripes were too alike.
It did little to inspire West Ham who had to make another change, within
four minutes, when Freddie Sears replaced the ineffectual Boa Morte, who
left holding his hamstring to a chorus if bones, and could be out for
several weeks. Middlesbrough had two chances in as many minutes to punish
poor West Ham further; Afonso Alves had Johnson free and unmarked on his
right but sent the ball horribly off target. And then the Brazilian drove an
effort across goal. Alves was guilty of another frivolous attempt while, at
the other end, Diego Tristan jinxed his way into the Middlesbrough area but,
when it mattered, let the ball bobble from his grasp. But the miss of the
afternoon belong to Di Michele, when in the 74th minute Italian planted
Ilunga's pass high and over, from 10 yards. It was painful and embarrassing,
and appeared to have ended West Ham's FA Cup aspirations for another year.
Yet a defence that had held out so well for so long, succumbed to Savio's
free-kick in the 83rd minute. Collins missed the ball but it fell for the
unmarked Ilunga, who headed his second Cup goal of the season to leave
Middlesbrough drained by the injustice of it all.
Fifth round replays
Hull v Sheff Utd: 26 Feb, 7.45pm
Middlesbrough v West Ham: 24 Feb, 8pm
Coventry v Blackburn: 24 Feb, 7.45pm
Fulham v Swansea: 24 Feb, 8pm
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola calm over Cole
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 14 February 2009 - 7:17 PM
Sport.co.uk
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has allayed fears his ankle injury may keep
him out for some time after he was taken off in the 1-1 draw with
Middlesbrough. The forward - who made his England debut in midweek -
appeared to have hurt his ankle in the first-half and limped off.His
manager, Gianfranco Zola, admitted afterwards he was concerned, saying: We
don't know how bad it is yet. He is going to have an X-ray in the next 24
hours and hopefully it will be just a twist."
But Cole believes the injury isn't serious but says he is waiting for the
results of an scan that should show the full extent of the damage. "I don't
think it's too bad," said the former Chelsea frontman. "We'll have to wait
for the scan but it should be OK."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 Middlesbrough 1: Ilunga the copycat leaves it late to keep Zola
in hunt
By DANIEL KING Last updated at 12:39 AM on 15th February 2009
Daily Mail
Both Gareth Southgate and Gianfranco Zola have had cause to be grateful to
the FA Cup and they will live to fight another day after Herita Ilunga's
late equaliser snatched a draw which West Ham just about deserved. Under
Southgate's stewardship, good cup runs have acted as a catalyst for the
improved league form which has saved Middlesbrough from relegation, and
Stewart Downing's first-half goal seemed to have earned them a third
consecutive place in the sixth round.
But the visitors failed to learn from the West Ham mistake which had given
them their goal when Savio's free-kick was allowed to find its way to
Ilunga, who stole in to head home. Understandably, during a run of 13 league
games without a win, Southgate was accentuating the positive. He said:
'Before we went to Wolves in the previous round we had a lot of discussions
about how to take things forward and what we needed to work on, and since
then a lot of the performances have been healthy. 'The character in this
squad has been good, the attitude has been excellent. This is the best we've
played during that period and I think the players will take great confidence
from that. They showed themselves what they are capable of by coming to one
of the form teams in the league and playing well.'
Though Southgate was right to praise his team, West Ham were for the most
part a shadow of the side who have climbed the Premier League by combining
youthful verve with the grit and experience of a few older heads. With two
of their most dynamic players, Scott Parker and Mark Noble, both having off
days, there was a lackadaisical air to their performance which translated
into poor defending at one end, not least for Downing's goal, and dreadful
finishing at the other.
Zola said: 'The first 50 minutes were among the worst we've played, nowhere
near the standards of recent weeks. It's a good lesson for us. We've had a
lot of compliments and now we know that if we want to keep that up, we have
to keep up our standards. 'I had the feeling the body was there but the mind
sometimes wasn't. A game like this maybe three months ago we would have lost
easily. I'm pleased because the players at least showed me that they didn't
want to lose.'
Although Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones made two good saves to deny
Mark Noble and James Collins, Middlesbrough were worth the lead they took in
the 23rd minute when Collins inexplicably allowed Gary O'Neil's cross to
reach the stooping Downing at the far post. Jones later clawed away Noble's
deflected shot and Jack Collison sent the follow-up well over the bar from
two yards. But a horribly miscued shot by Diego Tristan, who had come on for
Carlton Cole when the newly capped England striker went off with an ankle
injury, summed up West Ham's first half. The home surge did not come before
Afonso Alves had three chances to extend Middlesbrough's lead, but the
Brazilian forced only one save from Robert Green. After Tristan had spurned
one chance and David Di Michele had shot unforgivably over the bar, Ilunga
finally made the breakthrough. The Middlesbrough defence watched Savio's
free-kick dip and bounce all the way across the penalty area and the
Congolese defender matched Downing's decisive finish.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga; Collison, Parker,
Noble (Savio 74min), Boa Morte (Sears 49); Di Michele, Cole (Tristan 33).
Subs (not used): Lastuvka, Lopez, Kovac, Spector. Booked: Noble, Di Michele.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-1-1): Jones; Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz; O'Neil,
Digard, Arca (Walker 77), Johnson; Downing; Alves (Tuncay 74).
Subs (not used): Turnbull, Emnes, Bates, McMahon, Bennett.
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ilunga stoops to deny Boro rare taste of victory
West Ham United 1 Middlesbrough 1
By Jim Foulerton at Upton Park
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Independent.co.uk
Middlesbrough are running on empty in the League but their cup was looking
half full until a late intervention by Herita Ilunga earned West Ham a
replay they just about deserved. Boro, second-bottom in the Premier League,
had led since the 22nd minute through the classy Stewart Downing and looked
to be heading into the last eight for the fourth season in succession with a
display that belied their recent troubles. But West Ham's lively substitute
Savio, a German youth international, sent in a free-kick conceded by Gary
O'Neil in the 83rd minute for Congolese defender Ilunga to nod home his
second goal of the season. Goals have been in short supply for both teams,
particularly Boro. On yesterday's evidence, there is still plenty to do in
that department, with West Ham's array of foreign talents particularly
wasteful. Adam Johnson and Downing pulled shots wide from good positions
before Downing made amends. A starter for England in Seville, the
left-footed midfielder headed in from close range after O'Neil's cross had
embarrassed Matthew Upson and James Collins. West Ham had chances, too, in a
bright first half. Mark Noble, twice, and Collins were denied by Brad Jones.
Their representatives in Spain did not fare well, Carlton Cole limping off
with an ankle injury, Upson out of sorts and Rob Green left exposed in goal.
The managers faced each other in the 2000 final, when Gianfranco Zola's
Chelsea beat Gareth Southgate's Aston Villa at the old Wembley. Both fielded
their strongest sides in what was also a re-run of the 2006 semi-final. Boro
scented revenge for that loss and they could have gone further ahead had
Green not got down to save smartly from Afonso Alves after an hour. Downing,
too, was denied by an excellent one-handed save from Green.
Boro could have been out of sight. "We got ourselves in some good situations
but that has been a feature of our play recently," Southgate said. "However
we played some good football and were well worth the draw." The Hammers were
also asserting pressure, much of it frenzied, but their finishing was
dreadful. Diego Tristan lost his footing when through on goal and David Di
Michele missed after Collison and Ilunga had combined superbly. Finally the
equaliser came, though, Savio's set-piece eluding everyone bar Illunga, who
stooped to head home at the far post. "We deserved the draw because we
created so many chances," Zola said. "The body was there but sometimes the
mind was not."
Attendance: 33,658
Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the match: Downing
Match rating: 7/10
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Cole concern for Hammers
Nanova.co.uk
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is sweating on Carlton Cole's X-ray results
after the England striker picked up an ankle injury during the 1-1 FA Cup
draw against Middlesbrough. Cole, who made his senior international debut
this week against Spain after 10 goals for his club this season, limped off
after 34 minutes at Upton Park. "We don't know how bad it is yet," said
Zola. "He is going to have an X-ray in the next 24 hours and hopefully it
will be just a twist." Zola also lost Luis Boa Morte to a hamstring tear and
the winger was jeered off by his own supporters when he was replaced just
after the break when his side were behind to Stewart Downing's opener. "As
soon as he makes a mistake they pick on him and he doesn't deserve that,"
Zola said. Downing's opener came in the 22nd minute, a header from Gary
O'Neil's cross after Matthew Upson and James Collins failed to clear. David
Di Michele and Diego Tristan were guilty of missing chances but the hosts
eventually drew level. Savio Nsereko was thrown on by Zola and his free-kick
was headed in by Herita Ilunga. "We had so many chances that I was afraid we
weren't going to score," Zola said. "We didn't deserve to lose and a draw
may have been fair. A replay is not great news but we want to go through. It
will be tougher but we want to go through."
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West Ham's Parker: New deal down to Zola
15.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
Scott Parker is delighted with his new West Ham United contract. The
midfielder told West Ham's website: "I am very happy, pleased and excited -
especially after all the speculation in the transfer window - that I can now
put that to rest and sign a new long-term contract. "In the last few weeks,
the way the club is going and the direction that the manager and the board
want to go is something I want to follow." The former Charlton, Chelsea and
Newcastle player continued: "By signing my new contract, it says that I want
to do this as well. "It also says a lot about West Ham. There have been a
lot of negative things written, saying there was a crisis and all of that.
"This shows that West Ham are in a position to keep their players when
others want them and as a player and for the fans, that is a great thing.
"The manager (Gianfranco Zola) showed a real desire to keep me. He sees me
as a massive part of the squad and that meant a lot to me, especially when
there were things being written everywhere. So I am delighted to sign."
Parker follows England strikers Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole in committing
himself to the club long-term, while youngsters Jack Collison and Freddie
Sears have done likewise. Zola said: "This is great news. Scott is an
excellent player and it is good to have him at our service for more years.
"We have a long-term view, and we need time to set up our project and give
it a chance to grow. "The club are sticking to this policy and it is
brilliant. It means we are really serious about everything that we have
said."
Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "Scott is a hugely important
player and his belief in the club's vision is a fantastic boost for everyone
at West Ham.
"He has been tremendous this season, not only with his individual
performances but for his example and leadership to the talented youngsters
we have coming through. "Added to the absolute assurances Gianfranco has
given fans this week about his long-term commitment, this agreement is a
further sign that we can all look forward. "Today's news underlines that a
lot of nonsense has been written and said about this club in recent weeks.
"It is clear that even if external forces try to destabilise us, nothing
will stand in the way of our football project and our efforts to bring
success to this club and our supporters."
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Di Michele: Life at West Ham is great
15.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
Davide Di Michele is enjoying his extended first team run at West Ham
United. "Life at West Ham is great and I'm really enjoying it," Di Michele
said. "Being in the team over the last few weeks has really helped my form.
You can express yourself and get the match fitness that you need. When I
wasn't in the team I understood and was just waiting for my chance. As soon
as the chance came I did well to take it and it was important for me to do
that." Di Michele is midway through a season long loan from Torino and the
Italian is so settled he would extend his stay in London immediately if
given the chance. He told whufc.com: "I need to do the best I can and then
at the end of the season we will see."
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West Ham boss Zola delighted with Ilunga form
15.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola singled out Herita Ilunga for praise
after their 1--1 draw with FA Cup opponents Middlesbrough yesterday. "He has
signed a contract for four-and-half years so he will be with us for a long
time," Zola said. "I don't think there are many left-backs playing as well
he is."
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