WHUFC.com
21.02.2009
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 21 February 2009
3pm
Referee: Steve Tanner
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier (Andrew
O'Brien 73), Samuel, Kevin Davies, Mark Davies, McCann, Gardner, Taylor,
Elmander (Muamba 76)
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Smolarek, Makukula, Shittu, Basham
Goals: Taylor 10, Kevin Davies 11
West Ham United: Green, Spector (Sears 85), Collins (Tomkins 16), Upson,
Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison (Savio 62), Cole, Di Michele
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Kovac, Tristan
Booked: Upson, Noble
Goal: Parker 66
FULL TIME
90min - The referee blows for full time.
90min - We are playing three minutes of added time.
90min - We are into the final minute here. A half-chance for Sears but the
keeper saves.
88min - It looks like being so near but so far for the visitors. It is not
for the want of trying though after a strong second half.
86min - Loud shot from the home side for a penalty after Kevin Davies fell
under pressure from Tomkins. The referee rightly waves play on.
85min - Freddie Sears is coming on for Spector. Savio allowed the change to
be made with a wayward shot that went high and wide from distance.
83min - Behrami gets a chance to shoot after more sustained pressure. The
shot is weak though and comfortably saved.
82min - So close for Cole. After the corner was cleared to Savio, the
substitute whipped the ball in for the No12 to head goalwards. He made a
good downward connection but it was straight at the keeper.
81min - Cole beats Jaaskelainen to the ball before Bolton scramble it away
for another corner.
80min - Taylor's free-kick hits the wall and from the follow-up his low shot
is saved by Green low to his right.
79min - The referee penalises Upson on the edge of the area after a foul on
Kevin Davies.
77 min - Fabrice Muamba is on to replace Elmander.
75 min - If West Ham keep up this pressure, something has to give in the
Bolton defence. They are really creaking at the back.
74 min - Amazing clearance from Cahill. Di Michele dances around
Jaaskelainen, only for the defender to slide in and hack his shot off the
line.
73 min - Puygrenier is replaced by Andy O'Brien. That is Bolton's first
change.
72 min - Di Michele wins yet another corner. It is half-cleared to Savio,
who wins yet another flag-kick.
70 min - West Ham are bang on top now. All they need to do is turn their
pressure into a goal. They have shown real spirit during the second half.
69 min - McCann brings down Cole 30 yards from goal. Noble's free-kick is
deflected out for a corner.
67 min - The Hammers force a corner, but Bolton scramble the ball clear.
66 min - GOAL! West Ham are back in it. Parker drives through the midfield,
his pass cannons off Cole into the path of Spector, who crosses near-post
and Parker is on hand to shoot past Jaaskelainen from close-range.
63 min - Cahill does well to deny Cole a shooting chance.
62 min - Savio is on as Gianfranco Zola makes his first change. Collison is
the man who comes off.
61 min - Upson concedes a corner. Taylor takes and...the referee spots an
infringement inside the West Ham penalty area.
60 min - This time it is the home fans who are livid as Tanner penalises
Taylor for a foul on Green. Straight up the other end and Jaaskelainen
clings on to Parker's near-post cross. Half-an-hour to play...
59 min - Elmander appears to take out Noble well after he has played a pass,
but the referee does not even see the challenge.
58 min - Cole chases a through ball and challenges Jaaskelainen, who does
not appear to have control of the ball. As Cole comes clear, the referee
blows for a foul.
57 min - Elmander takes a touch and launches a shot that nearly flies out of
the stadium.
56 min - Puygrenier is back on his feet and back on the pitch after
treatment.
55 min - Noble challenges Puygrenier and the French defender writhes around
on the floor. The midfielder will now miss next Sunday's home match against
Manchester City through suspension.
54 min - Green goes down smartly to his right to keep out Taylor's hooked
shot. After a bit of intricate interplay, the Hammers clear their lines.
53 min - There is not much going on to be honest. Bolton have threatened on
a couple of occasions, but West Ham are standing firm.
47 min - Mark Davies concedes a corner. Noble crosses, Tomkins flicks on and
Cole heads goalwards, only for Taylor to nod off his own goalline. West Ham
have started well here.
46 min - West Ham are playing towards their own fans this half. The away
support has been superb, as always, this afternoon. Let's hope the players
can give them something to sing about.
West Ham's players are out first for the second half. Two minutes later,
Bolton appear. We're nearly ready to go again.
HALF-TIME
48 min - Cole goes down in the Bolton box, but there is nothing doing there.
The half-time whistle blows. West Ham are down but they are certainly not
out of this match. An early goal after the break is vital, though.
46 min - There will be three minutes of added-time.
45 min - Kevin Davies gets a talking to following a strong aerial challenge
on Upson. West Ham have got Bolton a bit rattled here. They just need a goal
before the break and the second half could be really interesting...
44 min - Good defensive work from Ilunga leads to Collison playing in Cole,
but the ball will just not roll for the England man and his weak shot rolls
into the arms of Jaaskelainen.
42 min - More good build-up play, this time from Behrami and Ilunga, ends
with Di Michele's volley being deflected over the top. Noble's corner is met
by Upson, but the ball flies into the stand.
40 min - On the plus side, the Hammers have opened up the Bolton defence
twice in the space of three minutes. A goal before half-time could be vital.
39 min - Noble sends Di Michele clear. He races into the penalty area and
opens up his body to curl the ball into the far corner but makes a mess of
it and the ball flies well wide of the target.
36 min - A brilliant piece of interplay from Cole sees Noble go clear inside
the Bolton half. He tries to square the ball for Collison, but Cahill
intercepts. The ball breaks to Noble, but his attempted lob is pushed over
by Jaaskelainen.
35 min - West Ham are working hard for an opening, but Bolton look strong at
the back.
32 min - Ilunga wins a corner with a nice bit of skill. Upson is going
forward. Jaaskelainen makes a good claim.
30 min - Upson is struggling again. This time he is hurt challenging Kevin
Davies for a high ball. It looks like his right foot.
29 min - Mark Davies concedes a left-wing corner. Noble will take... The
ball falls to Di Michele at the far post, he controls but drags his
left-foot shot well wide.
27 min - Kevin Davies wins a corner off Upson. It may not be the prettiest,
but Bolton's football has been effective so far. Garnder launches a wayward
shot miles over the top.
25 min - Di Michele's pass nearly sets Cole away, but Bolton's defence
recovers. The striker looks on his game this afternoon. He's already had a
couple of threatening runs. If the Hammers can get a goal back, it will be
well and truly game on.
23 min - Upson is booked for a challenge on Kevin Davies. It was a bit late.
That is the England man's first yellow card of the season.
21 min - Good football from Tomkins and Noble nearly sets Cole clear, but
McCann intercepts the pass. That was close.
19 min - Upson gets a boo from the Bolton supporters as he heads for the
touchline after receiving treatment. A bit harsh, that is.
18 min - The Hammers need to re-group. There is plenty of time to get back
into this game. Meanwhile, the home fans are incensed when referee Tanner
stops the game for Upson to be treated for a head injury as Bolton go on the
attack.
17 min - A chance for West Ham to get back in it as Collison is brought down
30 yards from goal. Cahill does well to divert Noble's free-kick out for a
corner. The ball is cleared.
16 min - The home crowd give Collins a good round of applause as he is taken
off on a stretcher. Tomkins is on for his first Premier League start since
the final day of last term.
15 min - The stretcher-bearers are coming to Collins' aid, while James
Tomkins is already stripped and ready to come on for his first Premier
League appearance of the season.
13 min - Can things get any worse for West Ham? Collins is injured making a
sliding challenge on Elmander and immediately signals to the bench that he
needs treatment for a left hamstring injury.
11 min - GOAL! Unbelievable. Johan Elmander's cross looks to be a mis-hit,
but it rolls behind Ricardo Gardner and Upson into the path of Kevin Davies,
who slots the ball past Green's despairing dive. Davies also scored in
Bolton's 3-1 win at the Boleyn Ground back in October.
10 min - GOAL! Matthew Taylor scores with an inch-perfect free-kick that
flies over the wall and into Green's top left-hand corner. That was
unstoppable. Taylor has now scored in both league matches against West Ham
this season.
9 min - Maybe I was being a bit harsh on Bolton. A neat Kevin Davies
backheel finds namesake Mark, who is brought down by Collison 25 yards from
goal. This is a real chance.
7 min - Ilunga plays a lovely one-two with Di Michele and cuts the ball back
to Cole, but the striker's shot is blocked behind by Gary Cahill. The
ensuing corner is headed well wide by Di Michele.
6 min - This is a real clash of styles. West Ham are trying to knock the
ball around, while Bolton are aiming long passes towards Kevin Davies, who
is up against Herita Ilunga.
5 min - Scott Parker is harshly penalished for a sliding challenge on
McCann. He is clearly unhappy with the referee's decision. Taylor's
free-kick bounces harmlessly into Green's arms.
4 min - Noble plays a one-two with Jack Collison but his shot is
inadvertantly blocked by Cole.
3 min - Matthew Taylor forces Jonathan Spector into conceding an early
corner. It is worked short and cleared for another one by Mark Noble. The
ball is flicked-on at the near-post and into Green's arms by Gary Cahill.
West Ham break, but Noble's through ball is just too strong for David Di
Michele and Jussi Jaaskelainen clears.
2 min - A game of penalty area pinball ends with Gavin McCann slicing a
volley well wide of Robert Green's right-hand post.
1 min - We're off! Carlton Cole is caught offside from an early Hammers
attack.
2.59pm - As if by magic, the tarpaulin is gone and referee Steve Tanner
calls together the two captains - Davies for Bolton and Matthew Upson for
West Ham United.
2.58pm - There is still a huge tarpaulin covering a section of the pitch.
They will have to move that in a hurry if we're to start on time.
2.57pm - Here come the two teams...
2.56pm - Bolton are expected to line up in a 4-5-1 formation with new
captain Kevin Davies wide on the right wing.
2.54pm - The atmosphere is building here at the Reebok Stadium. There are
plenty of empty blue, red and white seats, however. Behind the goal, the
3,000 travelling Hammers are making plenty of noise.
2.52pm - Contrary to some reports, David Di Michele is starting for West Ham
this afternoon. Tony Stokes has signed for Hungarian side Ujpest FC on loan
until the end of the season. Hope that clears up any confusion!
2.50pm - Bolton's players have returned to the warmth of the home dressing
room, but West Ham United's players are still going through their final
preparations on the pitch. Carlton Cole and Jack Collison finish their
warm-up by firing shots past Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, who
has travelled with the first-team this afternoon.
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Samuel, Cahill, Puygrenier, K
Davies, McCann, M Davies, Gardner, Taylor, Elmander. Subs: Al Habsi, Shittu,
Basham, Muamba, A O'Brien, Smolarek, Makakula.
West Ham United: Green, Spector, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Collison, Di Michele, Cole. Subs: Lastuvka, Lopez, Tomkins, Kovac,
Savio, Sears, Tristan
The early team news is in ahead of West Ham United's Premier League fixture
at Bolton Wanderers this afternoon. The Hammers are looking for their first
victory in nine attempts at the Trotters' Reebok Stadium.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has been handed a huge boost with the news
that England striker Carlton Cole has overcome a left ankle problem to take
his place alongside David Di Michele in attack. At the back, suspended
captain Lucas Neill was replaced by United States international Jonathan
Spector. The 23-year-old has made just one previous appearance this season,
as a late substitute in the home win over Stoke City in December. His last
start, ironically, came in the Hammers 1-0 defeat at Bolton on 12 April last
year.
Bolton have made three changes to the team that lost 3-0 at Everton in their
last Premier League fixture a fortnight ago. Johan Elmander, Gavin McCann
and Ricardo Gardner replaced Ariza Makakula, Fabrice Muamba and Andy
O'Brien. Former Hammers trainee J'Lloyd Samuel was named at left-back.
It's a cold day in Bolton, or should I say Horwich as that is where the
Reebok Stadium is actually situated. The blue skies that we left behind in
the south east this morning have been replaced by white clouds and a chilly
breeze.
Match Report
2 - 1
West Ham United
Date: 21/02/2009
Venue: Reebok Stadium
Attendance: 21245
Referee: S Tanner
West Ham United's winless run at the Reebok Stadium was extended to nine
matches as Bolton Wanderers battled to a scarcely-deserved 2-1 Premier
League victory on Saturday.
The Trotters scored twice in a little more than a minute early in the first
half to consign the Hammers to just their second defeat in eleven matches in
all competitions. Matthew Taylor, with an inch-perfect free-kick, and Kevin
Davies, with a neat close-range finish, were Bolton's match-winners on a
chilly February afternoon in the north west - consigning the visitors to
their first away defeat since 29 October.
The visitors, who have now lost on seven of their nine trips to the Reebok
in league and cup, hit back through a fine Scott Parker goal midway through
the second half, but the home side held on to complete a Premier League
double over Gianfranco Zola's side.
Visiting manager Zola made one enforced change to the side that drew 1-1
with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round a week previously, replacing
suspended captain Lucas Neill with United States defender Jonathan Spector.
It was the 23-year-old's first Premier League start since the Hammers' 1-0
defeat at Bolton on 12 April last year.
After a fairly nondescript opening, the home side took the lead in
spectacular fashion on ten minutes. Jack Collison brought down January
transfer window signing Mark Davies 25 yards from goal and Taylor did the
rest, curling a magnificent free-kick into Robert Green's top left-hand
corner. A minute later, things got even worse for the Hammers as Kevin
Davies scored with an opportunist strike from Johan Elmander's mis-hit
cross.
From then on, almost all of the attacking was done by Zola's men, who spent
the remaining 79 minutes throwing everything at Bolton in a vain effort to
extend their fine unbeaten run on their travels. First, however, they had to
deal with a third setback in the space of four minutes as James Collins was
forced off with an injury to his left hamstring. James Tomkins, appearing in
the Premier League for the first time this season, was his replacement.
As Bolton's attacking threat subsided, West Ham went on the hunt for the
goal they needed to force their way back into the match. Unfortunately, two
gilt-edged chances would come and go before half-time.
First, on 36 minutes, Cole sent Mark Noble clear, but the England Under-21
man chose to square the ball to Collison instead of shooting and the chance
was lost. Then, three minutes later, Noble put Di Michele through on goal,
only for the Italian to send his shot well wide of the far post.
Earlier, the impressive Cole and Di Michele had both gone close, but the
elusive goal would just not come. Meanwhile, Matthew Upson received his
first booking of the season for a foul on Kevin Davies while a later booking
for Noble would rule him out of Sunday week's visit of Manchester City after
his fifth caution of the season.
Into the second half and West Ham continued to look the more likely team to
score the game's third goal. Two minutes into the second period, it nearly
arrived, only for Taylor to nod Cole's goalbound header out from under his
own crossbar.
Taylor then forced Green into a smart low save with a hooked effort, but it
was merely a momentary respite from what was rapidly becoming a barrage on
Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal.
With 28 minutes to go, Zola sent on Savio for Collison in an attempt to
inject some more pace into the Hammers' attacks and the move paid almost
immediate dividends. Four minutes later, Parker drove through the midfield
before finding Cole. The ball cannoned out to Spector on the right edge of
the Bolton penalty area and when he crossed to the near-post, Parker was on
hand to smartly divert the ball past the Finnish goalkeeper.
West Ham continued to throw bodies forward in search of an equaliser but a
combination of bad luck, fine defending and good goalkeeping ensured the
Trotters would hold out for the win. The closest Zola's men came was with 16
minutes remaining when Di Michele skipped around Jaaskelainen, only for Gary
Cahill to slide and miraculously hack his shot off the goal-line.
There was still time for Jaaskelainen to grab hold of Cole's header from
Savio's cross but, despite the introduction of Freddie Sears as a fourth
forward, the Hammers were unable to find a way through to secure a deserved
share of the spoils.
Zola and his players will be hoping for much better fortune when they head
north again for the FA Cup fifth round replay at Middlesbrough on Wednesday
evening.
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Spence leads loanees
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's band of loan players had a mixed weekend of results with
their respective clubs
22.02.2009
Kyel Reid helped Wolverhampton Wanderers to snatch a late 2-2 Championship
draw with Cardiff City on Sunday to end a mixed weekend for West Ham
United's band of loanees.
The 21-year-old winger emerged as a 76th-minute replacement for Andrew
Jarvis for Mick McCarthy's side before forcing Cardiff goalkeeper Dimitrios
Konstantopoulos into conceding an own-goal just five minutes later when the
Greek dropped his cross over the line. Fellow Hammer Nigel Quashie, who is
also with Wolves until the end of the season, was not involved in the game.
Sunday's draw put Wolves four points clear of second-placed Birmingham City,
for whom West Ham's Lee Bowyer completed a full 90 minutes in Saturday's 1-0
defeat at Coventry City.
Elsewhere, England Under-19 defender Jordan Spence helped a resurgent Leyton
Orient keep a third clean sheet in succession as Geraint Williams' side
overcame Hartlepool United 1-0 at the Victoria Ground. Spence has now
appeared in each of the O's last six matches, during which time the east
London club have conceded just four goals to climb out of the relegation
zone.
In the same division, goalkeeper Jimmy Walker was beaten by a solitary
Franck Moussa strike as Colchester United lost out 1-0 to Essex rivals
Southend United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Walker has now made
14 league appearances for the U's.
Young left-back Joe Widdowson completed another full 90 minutes for League
Two outfit Grimsby Town but was unable to prevent the Mariners from slipping
to a 1-0 defeat at Darlington at The Arena. Widdowson, who has now made
eight appearances for Grimsby since joining them in January, was also
booked.
Calum Davenport was an unused substitute as Sunderland held out for a
goalless Premier League draw at Arsenal, while Julien Faubert was not
involved in the squad as Real Madrid romped to a 6-1 victory over Real Betis
in Spain.
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Zola rues missed chances
WHUFC.com
The manager said his team deserved more having dominated a physical contest
at Bolton Wanderers
21.02.2009
Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to his young charges despite the disappointment
of an undeserved 2-1 defeat away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
The manager is firmly committed to youthful talent, underlined by the four
homegrown Hammers involved in James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Mark Noble and
Freddie Sears but that quartet were not the only youngsters on view. There
were three other under 23's who took part in Jonathan Spector, Valon Behrami
and Savio - and Zola said all would learn from the experience.
"The only complaint I have is we didn't take the chances we created," he
said. "It is a pity because the performance was the performance of a team
that didn't deserve it. This is football, you cannot afford to concede
anything to Premier League teams because they take advantage [if you let
them] so it is a good lesson for us for the future."
While the youngsters kept going in difficult circumstances, the manager paid
tribute to Scott Parker - the shining light in the spine of England
internationals also featuring Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole
running through his team. "He was excellent," Zola said. "He was all over
the place.
"He has got desire, he has got passion, he has got the game, he has got
everything to be a successful player for us but he has been playing all the
time very well." It was Parker who gave the Hammers hope with a second-half
equaliser but the team were unable to get the vital second with Noble -
whose yellow card means a suspension against Manchester City next Sunday -
Cole and David Di Michele all being frustrated.
The manager did acknowledge the brilliance of Bolton's opener - a
tenth-minute free-kick by Matthew Taylor quickly followed by Kevin Davies'
scrambled second. "The first goal was, let's be honest, a great goal. That
is football - if somebody puts the ball in the top corner you can't do
anything about that."
"The second one maybe we should have done better. That was the difference -
certainly nothing else was because nobody could disagree with me if I say we
played better than them. We knew what kind of team Bolton are and we knew
the first 15 minutes would be vital."
There was another positive with Cole coming through the 90 minutes unscathed
after an ankle injury last week had threatened his involvement. The manager
said: "He trained yesterday and he was OK. I spoke to him before the match
and he felt perfectly right and it proved to be right because he played a
good match."
However, the news is not so optimistic on James Collins, who suffered a
hamstring injury moments after Bolton's second. "He is going to have a
problem. It is a hamstring. How long it is going to be I don't know but it
is not looking very good. We don't know. He is going to have a scan. It is a
pity because James has been playing very well and we are going to have to
lose him for a while."
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Bittersweet day for Spector
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector was pleased to be back from injury, but disappointed to
suffer defeat at Bolton
23.02.2009
Jonathan Spector admitted to having mixed emotions after making his first
West Ham United start in ten months at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
Spector was named at right-back in the Hammers team after captain Lucas
Neill was ruled out through suspension. The versatile defender responded
with an encouraging performance capped with an inch-perfect cross for Scott
Parker's 66th-minute goal, but it was not enough to stop Gianfranco Zola's
side from falling to a 2-1 defeat.
The United States international endured a frustrating second half to 2008,
suffering a hip flexor injury that ruled him out of the Olympic Games in
Beijing and the opening half of the new Premier League season. However, the
23-year-old was back in the Hammers lineup at the Reebok Stadium at the
weekend, making his first start in claret and blue since appearing in a 1-0
defeat at the same venue in April last year.
"On a personal level it was good to be back because it was my first game in
a long while but, more importantly, the team was very disappointed with the
result. We went 2-0 down very early on and gave ourselves a mountain to
climb and made it really difficult for ourselves. I think it was difficult
from then on but we fought back and were on top for the majority of the game
but just weren't able to get it back.
"I couldn't be happier to get my first start under my belt but it's more
important to be winning the game but we didn't do that so it's a little bit
of a bittersweet moment for me.
"All things considered I was pretty happy with my personal fitness. I felt
good throughout the match. If you put the work in then you hope that when
the matchday comes you feel good, and that was the case for me on Saturday.
"It was a great run by Scotty to get across the first defender for his goal.
I put it into the right area and he was there with a perfect finish. I put
another one in for Coley and he was a little bit unlucky not to score. We
had quite a few opportunities to score but it just didn't happen for us."
Neill will be available again for Wednesday evening's FA Cup fifth-round
replay at Middlesbrough, but Spector is ready for action if he is called
upon by manager Zola. Whether he is playing or not, the defender says it is
important for the Hammers to get back on the pitch and get Saturday's
scarcely-deserved defeat at Bolton out of their systems.
"It may be a cliché that it's good to be playing again so soon but it's very
true. We've had a good cup run this year and we want to continue that. It's
a game where we're going to go up there looking to win. I think we've got
every chance to do that."
Spector also spoke more generally about the relief of finally putting his
injury problems behind him after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Now,
West Ham's No18 is back to 100 per cent and keen to force his way into
Zola's starting lineup on a regular basis.
"Of course it's frustrating when you're not playing but you just keep going.
We've got a great team here and a lot of strength in the squad. The team has
been playing extremely well and winning games so it's understandable that I
wasn't able to work my way in. I've just got to make the most of my
opportunities when they do come.
"I'm a West Ham player and it's a great club and I'm more than happy to be
here. Obviously my aim is to work my way into the starting eleven, just as
every other play wants to. That's what makes the squad so strong. Everyone
wants to play and that's what has spurred our success this season."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFc.com
Middlesbrough is all that is concerning Gianfranco Zola and his team after a
lively but unlucky weekend showing
23.02.2009
West Ham United have been hard at work on the training pitch already as they
build towards Wednesday night's FA Cup replay away to Middlesbrough.
Gianfranco Zola's squad were in on Sunday and there was a determination in
the camp to instantly put right the disappointment of Saturday's 2-1 defeat
at Bolton Wanderers. Missing on the Chadwell Heath pitches was James
Collins, with his hamstring injury suffered early in the Reebok Stadium
contest expected to keep him out for a month but the manager has plenty of
defenders ready to deputise.
James Tomkins was a more than able replacement on the day for Collins,
getting 75 minutes against a lively Bolton strikeforce while, at right-back,
Jonathan Spector's first start since April was impressive and he also made
Scott Parker's second-half consolation. Both have staked their claim while
captain Lucas Neill is back from suspension and the versatile Radoslav Kovac
remains in line for his Hammers debut.
The manager, who is well aware that Riverside date this week could go all
the way to extra time and penalties with a quarter-final at Everton the
ultimate prize, said: "James Collins has been playing very well. He is a big
asset for us but the way James Tomkins came on and played was very
encouraging for me. I am sure he will do his job properly."
Zola also said "it was not a concern" that the team has failed to take a
host of chances at the other end in recent matches. "It would be a concern
if we weren't creating the opportunities," he explained. "I am sure that my
strikers will be scoring again soon. For me the most important thing is the
team performance. We had chances and that's it, they are doing well. I am
sure they will sort the problem out straight away."
The memories of Bolton may have begun to be wiped away by a lively training
session or two but Zola wants his team to recognise the positive way they
responded to their early setback. "Apart from the first ten minutes, the
players were OK. They got back in the game very well. They were very unlucky
to be down two-nil and the team were getting back in the game.
"There was not much I could say to them at half-time. The whole performance
apart from the first 15 minutes was good and the second half was even
better. I think being two-nil down against a team like Bolton in their home
could have been more difficult. I was pleased because the team didn't lose
their bearings. They kept playing all the time and, in the end, were unlucky
that they just didn't get the result."
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Kurucz gets first taste
WHUFC.com
There was a new face in the travelling party on Saturday afternoon in
goalkeeper Peter Kurucz involved
21.02.2009
Peter Kurucz got his first taste of the West Ham United senior set-up on
Saturday afternoon after travelling with the first team to Bolton Wanderers.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper has joined on loan from Ujpest in his native
Hungary until the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer. An
Under-21 international, Kurucz warmed up with No1 Robert Green and
understudy Jan Lastuvka as goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko put the
shot-stoppers through their paces.
Kurucz , who has played nine times in the Hungarian top flight, made his
first West Ham United appearance in midweek during a reserve-team friendly,
playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw at Fulham. The other player not to
feature in Gianfranco Zola's matchday 18 this weekend was 19-year-old winger
Junior Stanislas.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton 2-1 West Ham
By Julian Shea
BBC.co.uk
Two goals in as many first-half minutes gave Bolton victory over West Ham.
Matt Taylor gave them a dream start with a curling free-kick, followed
instantly by Kevin Davies turning in Johan Elmander's cross to make it 2-0.
Mark Noble and David di Michele wasted clear chances and Carlton Cole saw a
goal-bound header cleared off the line as West Ham tried to cut the deficit.
Their persistence was rewarded when Scott Parker scored from close range but
an equaliser proved beyond them. Taylor's opener was a delightfully curled
effort over an unconvincing-looking defensive wall, after Jack Collison had
conceded a free-kick in a central position. The visitors had barely come to
terms with going one goal down when the advantage was doubled, as Elmander's
cross from the right fell perfectly into the path of Davies, who slid in
between Jonathan Spector and Matthew Upson to shoot home. A miserable
passage of play for West Ham was capped by defender James Collins going off
with a pulled hamstring, and, after this flurry of activity, the match fell
into a rut as Bolton looked satisfied with their lead. Towards the end of
the half, the Hammers seized the initiative but failed to change the
scoreline, despite several good chances. First, Noble could have pulled one
back when Cole's pass found him in the clear on the right, but he took the
wrong option and tried to set up Collison when he would have been better
going for goal himself. Minutes later, another glorious chance was missed by
the visitors as Di Michele shot wildly off-target, having run from the
halfway line, and Taylor had to have his wits about him when he headed
Cole's goal-bound header off the line.
The early stages of the second half were increasingly ragged, with neither
side really taking control and players from both sides putting in heavy
challenges. Apart from the ever-busy Taylor, Bolton looked satisfied with
their lead, and West Ham's determination to change it was finally rewarded
just after the hour mark, when Spector's low cross from the right went
perfectly into the path of Parker, who stabbed home. Gianfranco Zola's side
sensed blood and went all out for the equaliser, and thought it was coming
when Di Michele showed neat footwork in the box, but Gary Cahill's superbly
timed block denied him what looked like a certain goal. Bolton keeper
Jaaskelainen did well to keep out Cole's bouncing header and would have been
thankful for the lack of pace in Valon Behrami's shot as West Ham went all
out in search of a late equaliser.
Kevin Davies had penalty appeals rejected late on when he was brought down
by James Tomkins but the first half double-strike was enough to secure the
points for Bolton.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Bolton manager Gary Megson: "We seem incapable of going on to make it three
or four goals after going 2-0 up. It happened against Blackburn and Spurs
and again today.
"We showed apprehension but it would be wrong to criticise the players. We
have won what I felt was a vital game for us - our biggest of the season.
"We got off to a great start but need to show more confidence and belief."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "After all the chances we had I thought
we'd get at least one point. "They had two chances they took, we didn't -
that's something we'll be working on in the next few days. "Every moment in
the game I had the idea that we were going to get something as the team were
playing so well, they had problems handling us."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier (Andrew O'Brien 73),
Samuel, Kevin Davies, Mark Davies, McCann, Gardner, Taylor, Elmander (Muamba
76). Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Smolarek, Makukula, Shittu, Basham.
Goals: Taylor 10, Kevin Davies 11.
West Ham: Green, Spector (Sears 85), Collins (Tomkins 16), Upson, Ilunga,
Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison (Nsereko 62), Cole, Di Michele. Subs Not
Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Kovac, Tristan.
Booked: Upson, Noble.
Goals: Parker 66.
Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Bolton's Matt Taylor 8.0 (on 90
minutes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to send Collins for scan
BBC.co.uk
West Ham lost more than just the points at Bolton on Saturday as James
Collins was carried off in the 2-1 loss with a suspected hamstring injury.
The Welsh international, a first-team regular this season, was helped off
just after Bolton had scored the two early goals that won them the match. "I
don't know how long he'll be out but it doesn't look good. He'll have a scan
on Sunday," said boss Gianfranco Zola. "It is a pity that we will lose him
for a while as he has been playing well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola on ... Bolton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 21st February 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola promises a tough week ahead for his strikers as he reflects
on today's 2-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium.
On the game...
In the end, after all the chances we had I thought we were going to get at
least one point. But it didn't happen and I'm sorry for my players, that's
all. That's football. The only complaint I have is that the first 15 minutes
were very costly for us.
The free kick, first goal was a great goal so that's football. I've got
something to say maybe on the second one, we should have done better. But we
knew the first 15 minutes would be difficult; that was a good lesson for the
future - in the Premier League you have to start better if you really want
to get points.
At every moment in the game I had the idea that we were going to get
something because the team were playing very well and they were having
problems handling us. I couldn't believe Di Michele's chance, I thought it
was a goal. But never mind, he's promised me that next game he's going to
score two so ..!
On wasted opportunities...
We had a couple of very good ones. That has been the difference - they had
two chances which they took and we didn't, and that's something we're going
to be working on in the next few days.
On James Collins...
It's a pity because James has been playing very well recently and it's not
easy to lose a player like him, but on the other hand James Tomkins when he
came on was excellent so that gives me a good guarantee for the future.
On losing the four-month unbeaten away record...
We've had a long, good spell and now we're looking forward to setting up
another one, even longer possibly.
Gary Megson - Bolton Wanderers
I felt it was our biggest game so far this season. We had some repair work
to do and we've done that.
We've got into a great lead, 2-0 and we're all over them playing some
terrific stuff - then for some unknown reason we became a little bit
hesitant, a little bit apprehensive and we got pegged back at times.
Although it will be looked at that West Ham put us under a great deal of
pressure you would expect that.
Zola and Megson were talking to the BBC.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton 2 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 21st February 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's four-month unbeaten away run finally came to an end at the Reebok
Stadium this afternoon.
Two first half goals within the space of 60 seconds were enough to condemn
the Hammers to their first defeat on the road since the 2-0 reversal at Old
Trafford on October 30th.
An 11th minute Matt Taylor free kick swiftly followed by a Kevin Davies
strike a minute later was enough to earn all three points for the home side
despite a spirited comeback from the Hammers, who scored a 66th minute
consolation goal through Scott Parker and did more than enough to deserve a
point from a keenly-contested battle.
Gianfranco Zola made two changes to the side beaten 1-0 by Manchester United
last weekend, with Valon Behrami returning to replace Luis Boa Morte and Jon
Spector deputising for the suspended Lucas Neill.
Although the Hammers started well enough - David Di Michele and Herita
Ilunga both exposing gaps in the Bolton rearguard early on - it was the
Trotters who took the lead on 11 minutes after Jack Collison conceded an
unnecessary foul on the edge of the box.
Matt Taylor - who scored a peach in Bolton's 3-1 win at the Boleyn earlier
in the season - sent the resulting free kick curling away from Rob Green
into the goalkeeper's left hand top corner. Whilst the execution should be
applauded Green will perhaps feel that he could have been better positioned,
standing as he was towards the right side of his goal.
With the Hammers still reeling from that blow Kevin Davies, so long the
scourge of various United defences found space between the retreating Jon
Spector and Matthew Upson to pounce on a Johan Elmander centre to make it
2-0 to the Wanderers, much to the delight of the strangely-muted home crowd.
Two down within 12 minutes and it didn't seem as if things could get much
worse - but they did when James Collins went down clutching his leg after
attempting to tackle Elmander just two minutes after Davies' goal.
The Welsh centre half signalled immediately to the bench that his game was
over, and three minutes later he left the field on a stretcher with what
looked like a hamstring injury - although it is of course just six months
since he returned from a career-threatening knee injury. James Tomkins
stepped in to make only his thirs appearance of the season.
Hit by a treble sucker-punch, the Hammers were right up against it from
thereon in and could have perhaps been forgiven had they conceded further -
but on reflection Zola's side will sfeel hard done by to come away with
nothing at all against a Bolton side that have thrown a two-goal home
advantage away three times already this season.
The first of West Ham's many subsequent chances fell to Mark Noble ten
minutes ahead of the break when the youngster was sent racing through on
Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal. Unfortunately the midfielder opted to look inside
when the better option would have been to shoot as he bore down on goal, and
the chance came to nothing.
Undettered however Noble was involved again four minutes later when his
pinpoint through ball gave David Di Michele the opportunity to reduce the
deficit, but once again the chance was wasted as the 33-year-old striker
spooned his effort horribly wide of the target.
The Italian went close again before the half time whistle blew - as did
strike partner Carlton Cole, who passed a late fitness test to make the game
- but the Trotters held on to maintain a largely undeserved two goal
advantage at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Bolton looking
stronger early on before the Hammers came to dominate proceedings. Rob Green
amended for his earlier mishap by making a point blank save from goalscorer
Taylor five minutes into the second half but United were to practically lay
siege to the home goal for the rest of the game.
Hopes of a revival were stirred on 66 minutes when Scott Parker grabbed his
second goal for the club, stealing in late to prod home a dangerous looking
Spector cross. The Hammers, spurred on by the goal pushed on in search of
the equaliser and thought they had in on 74 minutes when David Di Michele
pounced on a loose ball in the Bolton box and rounded keeper Jaaskelainen -
only to see Gary Cahill prevent the ball from crossing the line with an
outstretched boot.
Still the Irons pushed on, and Carlton Cole had defenders scrambling to
clear when Jaaskelainen failed to deal with a header from the England
striker eight minutes from time. Further (half) chances came and went before
referee Steve Tanner blew for time, much to the relief of the watching
Bolton supporters.
So once again it was a spirited performance from Zola's side, but one that
extends their run without a win to four games - in sharp contrast to the
unbeaten eight-match run that immediately preceeded it. The defeat moved
Bolton to within three points of West Ham, who despite the defeat, remain in
eighth spot in tonight's Premier League table.
Bolton Wanderers 2 West Ham United 1: Match Stats
West Ham United: Green, Ilunga, Spector (Sears 85), Upson, Collins (Tomkins
16), Parker, Noble, Collison (Savio 62), Behrami, Di Michele, Cole.
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Kovac, Tristan.
Goals: Parker (66).
Efforts on goal: 14 (29, 35, 39, 42, 43; 60, 66*, 72, 74, 81, 82, 82, 85,
90).
Booked: Upson (23), Noble (55).
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier (O'Brien 73),
Gardner, Samuel, McCann, M.Davies, Taylor, K.Davies, Elmander (Muamba 76).
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Shittu, Smolarek, Makukula, Basham.
Goals: Taylor (10), Davies (11).
Efforts on goal: 9 (2, 10*, 11*, 13, 27; 46, 50, 57, 80).
Booked: None.
Referee: Steve Tanner.
Attendance: 21,245.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola hopes for Dyer return
Midfielder could be back next month
Last updated: 22nd February 2009
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola hopes to have Kieron Dyer available again next
month. Dyer ended 17 months of injury frustration last month when he
returned from a double leg fracture. But after making a brief appearance
against Barnsley in the FA Cup, Dyer picked up a calf problem. Zola has now
confirmed that he has undergone another operation, but he should be back in
March. "Kieron had another operation which went very well and it wasn't a
big thing," the Hammers boss told the Sunday Mirror. "He is already doing
something with the physio again and should be available soon."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Insult and injury for Zola
Collins injury blow for Hammers manager following defeat
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 21st February 2009
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola had salt rubbed into the wounds of Saturday's
defeat to Bolton. Zola was forced to look on as a terrible opening 15
minutes saw his side two goals down, while centre-back James Collins was
stretchered off injured. But West Ham responded and got back into the game
when Scott Parker scored in the 66th minute after a cross from Jonathon
Spector. It set up a rousing finale and Bolton's nerves were stretched to
breaking point by the end of the game but the Hammers were unable to find an
equalising goal. Not only did West Ham lose the points, defender Collins
will be out of action for the forseeable future with a hamstring injury
according to his manager. "I do not know how long he is going to be out but
it does not look good. He will have a scan tomorrow," Zola said. "It is a
pity that we will lose him for a while as James has been playing well." Zola
felt his side should have got something from the match. "My only complaint
is we did not take the chances we created," he added.
"The performance deserved something more. "But this is football. You cannot
afford to concede to Premier League teams. It is a good lesson for us. "We
were aware the first 15 minutes would be vital as we knew what kind of team
Bolton are. So to lose two goals so early in the game was disappointing.
"However they scored a great first goal. He put it right in the top corner
and you cannot do anything about a free-kick like that. "Perhaps we should
have done better for the second goal. That was the difference between the
teams. No-one will disagree with me that we played the better football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton misery for Hammers
Taylor and Davies do the damage despite Hammers fightback
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 21st February 2009
SSN
Man of the match: Despite defeat, West Ham's captain for the day Scott
Parker gets the gong for a lung-bursting performance that consisted of
several key challenges and an excellent goal to add.
Moment of the match: Sixty seconds in which Bolton went two goals to the
good. It proved the difference as the Trotters held on for victory.
Goal of the match: Matthew Taylor opened proceedings with a superb,
customary, free-kick. His left-foot curler will definitely be a contender
for Sky Sports News' 'goal of the week'.
Talking point: Footballing hoodoos rule the roost over the form-book. West
Ham came into the game favourites, but left empty handed at the ground where
they have yet to taste victory.
Bolton continued their home hoodoo over West Ham to upset the form-book with
a 2-1 win on Saturday. Going into the fixture, Gianfranco Zola's Hammers
were tipped as firm favourites having lost just once in seven games while
Gary Megson's Trotters ironically held a reverse set of results with just
one win in seven league outings. But the pre-match predictions went out of
the window with just 10 minutes gone when Matthew Taylor scored his seventh
goal of the season courtesy of a brilliant free-kick.
If West Ham were caught cold by their opponents, they were well and truly
shell-shocked when Kevin Davies doubled Bolton's lead a minute later with a
great finish from Johan Elmander's assist. There was more misery for the
visitors in the 15th minute when James Collins was stretchered off with what
appeared to be a hamstring injury. He was replaced by James Tomkins. The
Hammers then sparked into life with David Di Michele looking brightest, if
not potent, as Zola's men tried to get back into the game.
And the breakthrough came in the second half through, man of the match,
Scott Parker's industrious finish on 66 minutes. But try as they might, West
Ham could not find a second as their winless run at the Reebok Stadium
continues and their unbeaten away record which stood since October comes
crumbling to an end. The match begun with Bolton starting positively, most
likely a response from the defeat to Everton, and the Trotters got off to
the best start possible from a delightful Taylor set-piece. With the ball
right in the midfielders hitting zone, the 27-year-old did what he does best
and found the Robert Green's top left corner. It was double-trouble for the
Hammers when Bolton's club captain Davies made it 10 for the season with 11
minutes gone. Elmander, back in the side after a four-match absence with a
hamstring injury, showed neat footwork to carve out an opening for his
industrious strike partner, who has reached double figures for the first
time. West Ham were anxious to get back in the game before half-time and Di
Michele found space at the back post 14 minutes later but dragged his effort
wide. They launched a swift counter-attack seven minutes afterwards when
Carlton Cole released Mark Noble with a delightful through ball. Noble was
clear on goal but instead opted to try to find a team-mate. It proved to be
the wrong call as Gary Cahill was able to make the clearance with a degree
of comfort.
Then Di Michele scampered clear and drew Jussi Jasskelainen out of his goal
but his finish was dreadful, the ball missing the target by a distance. The
Hammers kept up the pressure and Cole got into a good position in the
penalty area but his effort failed to trouble Jaaskelainen. West Ham almost
pulled a goal back two minutes into the second half when Taylor cleared
Cole's effort off the line after Tomkins had headed the ball on. Bolton hit
back and Taylor tested Green after Jlloyd Samuel had launched the ball
forward. West Ham got their reward midway in the second half when Parker
scored after timing his run to perfection to get on the end of a cross from
Jonathon Spector.
It was no more than the visitors deserved for the work they had put in after
conceding two goals in the first 11 minutes. Now it was Bolton's turn to
look vulnerable. West Ham maintained the momentum and Cahill cleared off the
line from Di Michele's effort. There was another scare for Bolton in the
82nd minute when Jaaskelainen spilled a header from Cole, only to recover
just in time. West Ham were running the show but ran out of time and slumped
to their first defeat on the road in the Premier League in eight games. It
was little wonder manager Zola looked a picture of bewilderment at the end
of the game
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton 2 West Ham 1: Trotters boss Megson urges Fabio to call up Kev
By Chris Wheeler
Last updated at 11:43 PM on 22nd February 2009
Daily Mail
Very few defenders come out on top in a head-to-head with Kevin Davies -
just ask West Ham's Matthew Upson. But there is one battle he seems destined
to lose.
A senior England cap remains a faint hope for the combative Bolton striker,
despite his call-up to Fabio Capello's extended squad for the friendly
against Spain earlier this month. An old-fashioned centre forward playing
for an unfashionable club in the north as he approaches his 32nd birthday,
the odds seem to be stacked against Davies adding to the three caps he won
at Under 21 level. Maybe Capello should have been here at the Reebok Stadium
to see him win his running battle with Upson and outshine Carlton Cole - two
players who made the cut to play for their country in Seville. Davies, who
has embraced the role of club captain following Kevin Nolan's move to
Newcastle, scored his 50th goal for Bolton and in so doing reached double
figures for the first time in a Barclays Premier League season. Asked about
his England prospects, he said: 'I'd love it to happen. Now I'm captain it's
probably the most enjoyable time of my career. I've had a few close calls
but hopefully I'll get the chance.' Bolton manager Gary Megson added: 'If
Fabio Capello wanted Kevin to get hold of the ball at his feet and do
pirouettes, then he's not the right kind of player. But he's as good as
anybody in the country at what he does. Upson couldn't handle him.' The
England defender was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on the
Bolton striker and became increasingly exasperated as the game wore on.
Davies said: 'I think he was trying to get me booked, which was
disappointing. He knew he was going to be in for a battle today and every
time I went in for a challenge he was on to the referee. I take that as a
compliment that he wasn't very happy playing against me.'
With the left side of midfield still something of a problem position for
England, Megson also championed the cause of Matt Taylor, who beat Robert
Green with a sublime free-kick before Davies put Bolton two goals up inside
11 minutes. West Ham dominated the second half and pulled a goal back
through the outstanding Scott Parker, but could not avoid their sixth
straight league defeat at Bolton. Defender Jonathan Spector said: 'We were
hoping to go seventh today but we just see this as a minor setback. We're
not ruling out Europe.'
BOLTON (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen 6; Steinsson 7, Cahill 7, Puygrenier 6 (A
O'Brien 73, 6), Samuel 5, K Davies 8, M Davies 6, McCann 6, Gardner 6,
Taylor 8; Elmander 5 (Muamba 76).
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 6; Spector 6 (Sears 85), Collins 6 (Tomkins 16, 6),
Upson 5, Ilunga 5; Behrami 5, Parker 8, Noble 7, Collison 6 (Nsereko 62, 7);
Cole 6, Di Michele 6.
Booked: Upson, Noble.
Man of the match: Scott Parker.
Referee: Steve Tanner.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loss leaves Gianfranco Zola in state of disbelief
Bolton Wanderers 2 West Ham United 1
Gary Jacob at the Reebok Stadium
The Times
As a player, Gianfranco Zola could always run off any frustrations on the
pitch, but losing a ridiculously one-sided match presents different problems
as West Ham United manager. The Italian emerged from the dressing-room more
than an hour after the match in stunned disbelief, head shaking, bemoaning
the injustice of a farcical result that spoke volumes for Bolton Wanderers'
sole ambition of staying in the top flight with little regard for their
football.
Better sides have staggered, bruised and battered, from the Reebok Stadium,
but few have dominated as comprehensively as West Ham. But for a two-minute
spell early in the game when they conceded twice and watched a brilliant
goalline clearance from the influential Gary Cahill after David Di Michele
had wriggled past the goalkeeper, West Ham would have turned their superior
technique and overwhelming possession into victory. Mark Noble dithered when
clean through and Di Michele's dreadful miss when bearing down on goal
encapsulated how West Ham's passing style suffers without an assured
goalscorer.
They did eventually score when Scott Parker, who was outstanding in taking
hold of and driving from midfield, swept the ball in from Jonathan Spector's
low cross. "I am pleased we did not lose our bearings and kept playing,"
Zola said.
Zola is too nice to publicly criticise Steve Tanner, the referee, for some
awful decisions, but he felt that Kevin Davies had been too tenacious with a
succession of challenges on Matthew Upson, including an ugly body-check, for
which he was not booked
Megson cited his team's goals as an example of how they are trying to change
their style, but they reverted to their brutal type for the rest of the
match. Matt Taylor curled in a wonderful free kick and Davies was the most
alert to sidefoot in Johan Elmander's cross, which caught three West Ham
players on their heels.
Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): J Jaaskelainen 6 — G Steinsson 5, G Cahill 8, S
Puygrenier 6 (sub: A O'Brien, 73min, 5), J Samuel 5 — M Taylor 7, M Davies
5, G McCann 4, R Gardner 5 — K Davies 7, J Elmander 5 (sub: F Muamba, 76).
Substitutes not used: A Al Habsi, E Smolarek, C Basham, A Makukula, D
Shittu. Next: Newcastle United (h).
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 5 — J Spector 6 (sub: F Sears, 85), J
Collins 6 (sub: J Tomkins, 16, 7), M Upson 6, H Ilunga 6 — V Behrami 5, S
Parker 8, M Noble 5, J Collison 6 (sub: Savio, 62, 6) — D Di Michele 6, C
Cole 6. Substitutes not used: J Lastuvka, W López, R Kovac, D Tristán.
Booked: Upson, Noble. Next: Manchester City (h).
Referee: S Tanner. Attendance: 21,245.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton stir from hibernation to nail Hammers
Bolton Wanderers 2 West Ham United 1
By Guy Hodgson at the Reebok Stadium
Independent.co.uk
Sunday, 22 February 2009
No one would mistake muscular Bolton Wanderers for a bunch of northern
softies but they do not like the cold. Their form dropped like the
temperature during the recent freeze so there is no need to look at the
thermometer this morning. Just check this result.
With the first breath of Spring in the air they recorded only their second
win in eight Premier League matches yesterday to soothe relegation concerns
that seemed a distant fear when they had six Premier League wins to their
name by the end of November. This victory pushed the total to a princely
nine.
Their luck appears to be changing with the weather, too, because Bolton were
clinging to the result like a lifeline by the end even though they went 2-0
up through Matt Taylor and Kevin Davies within 11 minutes. Scott Parker
pulled a goal back but West Ham United will have travelled back down the M6
last night wholly bewildered by their lack of any gain. Twice they had
efforts cleared off the line and these were just the ripest of several
opportunities.
Gary Megson, the Bolton manager, was a relieved man. "As soon as we go 2-0
up there is an air of apprehension," he said. "We start playing differently
and we seem incapable of making it three or four. We won what for us is
possibly the most important game of the season but we need a bit more belief
in ourselves."
West Ham began brightly and only the quick wits and quicker tackling of Gary
Cahill denied Carlton Cole a shot after eight minutes. But if ever there was
a false dawn this was it because within two minutes the home side were
ahead. Mark Davies was brought down by Jack Collison and Matt Taylor curled
an exquisite free-kick from 25 yards over Robert Green and into the top
corner.
West Ham might have looked rattled if they had been given time to dwell on
this setback but by the 11th minute they were further behind with a goal
that epitomised the qualities of Kevin Davies. The Bolton captain was aware
enough to prod the ball forward for Johan Elmander to chase and few could
match his determination to be first to the ball when his fellow striker
passed to the edge of the area. He won the race and swept a side-foot shot
past Green.
It was to the Hammers' credit they did not crack under the weight of these
reverses and, to the contrary, they were the better team for the rest of the
game. Mark Noble was put through by Cole after 36 minutes and, instead of
shooting, tried to pass inside. Three minutes later David Di Michele also
pierced the flimsy looking Bolton rearguard but his shot was so wide even
two sets of goalposts would not have been enough to find the net.
Cole also had a header cleared off the line by Taylor in the 47th minute so
even the most one-eyed Bolton supporter could not complain when the visitors
pulled a goal back after 66 minutes. Not for the first time, Cole's trap
became a pass, Jonathon Spector crossed to the near post and Parker darted
ahead of his marker to score. (par)
Ten minutes later West Ham almost got an equaliser when Parker chested the
ball down, Di Michele rounded Jussi Jaaskelainen and appeared to have an
empty net to pass into until the excellent Cahill stretched to make the
clearance.
That, one Jaaskelainen fumble from a Cole header apart, was West ham's last
throw. Give or take the odd dressing room tea-cup that is.
Attendance: 21,245
Referee: Steve Tanner
Man of the match: K Davies
Match rating: 7/10
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ugly win is a thing of beauty for Gary Megson
Bolton 2 West Ham 1
On target: Matt Taylor scores from a free kick for Bolton at the Reebok
Stadium
The Times
Andrew Longmore
BOLTON have never worried too much about football's sweet science. But even
they would have been a trifle embarrassed about the manner of this victory.
West Ham will wonder how on earth they managed to lose to a team of such
minimal ambition and technical poverty as Bolton twice in a season.
Until they start offering points for artistic merit, Bolton manager Gary
Megson will care not one iota about the quality of the win, earned by two
goals in two minutes inside the first quarter of the match. His Wanderers
have halted a dismal run of one win in eight matches and clawed their way a
fraction closer to survival. Although West Ham have stabilised their
position impressively over the past couple of months, only three points now
separate the two clubs. Three points and a gap in footballing philosophy the
size of the Grand Canyon.
Where West Ham, to their credit, were still trying to pass the ball through
midfield in the closing moments, Bolton relied almost exclusively on the
long ball to the feet of their captain, Kevin Davies, whose battle with
Matthew Upson lasted from first minute to last and ended with a victory on
points for Davies. Upson was booked for a two-footed lunge at his opposite
number in the first half, but how Davies did not earn a yellow card, for use
of the elbow, is one of many questions only Steve Tanner, the referee, can
answer. It must be Davies's boyish face.
Tanner annoyed both teams in roughly equal measure and refused to let West
Ham take quick free kicks, which are important to maintaining their
quick-passing rhythm. Bolton were delighted. The more staccato the game, the
better.
Having squandered two-goal leads against Blackburn and Tottenham, "an air of
apprehension set in", admitted Megson. "We started playing differently, so
we need to settle down and get a bit more self-belief." As he rightly
pointed out, the quality of the two goals, a beautifully struck free kick by
Matt Taylor and a well-worked move for Kevin Davies's 10th goal of the
season, could not be faulted. "We're supposed not to be able to do those
things at this club," Megson said.
But too easily Bolton reverted to type, retreating to the edge of their
penalty area and thumping the ball into the channels for their lone forward
to chase. West Ham, with Scott Parker the most influential player on the
field, created a host of chances but until his neat finish 20 minutes from
time they strangely lacked conviction in front of goal. The chief culprit
was Mark Noble, who was left one on one with Jussi Jaaskelainen after the
best move of the match just before half-time and chose to pass instead of
shoot.
Taylor cleared off the line early in the second half, a header by Carlton
Cole almost slipped through Jaaskelainen's hands . . . and Bolton survived.
"Football-wise, nobody could disagree that we played better than them," said
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola. "Not even Bolton fans."
Star man: Scott Parker (West Ham)
Yellow cards: West Ham: Upson, Noble
Referee: S Tanner
Attendance: 21,245
BOLTON WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen 5, Steinsson 5, Cahill 7, Puygrenier 5
(O'Brien 72min), Samuel 5, K Davies 6, M Davies 6, McCann 5, Gardner 6,
Taylor 6, Elmander 5 (Muamba 75min)
WEST HAM UNITED: Green 6, Spector 5 (Sears 85min), Collins 5 (Tomkins 16min,
6), Upson 5, Ilunga 5, Behrami 4, Parker 8, Noble 6, Collison 6 (Nsereko
62min), Cole 6, De Michele 4
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