25.04.2009
WHUFC.com
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Chelsea
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 25 April
3pm
Referee: MIke Dean
Full-time - West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea
96 min - Into added time after added time and Chelsea counter-attack.
Lampard finds himself in space 25 yards out, but can only launch the ball
into the Bobby Moore Stand. Green kicks the ball clear and the final whistle
blows.
94 min - An encouraging spell of West Ham possession ends with Savio
clipping a ball over the defence for Ilunga, but it is too strong and
bounces through to Cech.
92 min - Tomkins deflects a Lampard pass and Ilunga misjudges the bounce.
Belletti picks up the loose ball but can only launch a very poor effort way
off-target.
91 min - Noble lifts a free-kick into the penalty area. It is cleared to
Stanislas, whose cross is headed back to Noble. The midfielder takes a touch
and lets fly with a shot from 25 yards that arrows wide of Cech's far post.
90 min - West Ham win a late free-kick midway inside the Chelsea half when
Lampard fells Savio. There will be five added minutes!
89 min - Tristan finds a bit of space on the edge of the area, but Ivanovic
blocks his shot with a crunching tackle.
87 min - Savio forces a corner. Noble takes the set piece but the referee's
whistle goes for an infringement inside the penalty area.
85 min - Five minutes to go... Can West Ham find the equaliser that will see
them nick a point? With Fulham 1-0 up at home to Stoke City, the Hammers
will drop to eighth whether they equalise or not.
82 min - Chelsea swap one Michael for another. Ballack is on for Mancienne.
Meanwhile, Kalou is brought down 30 yards from goal. Lampard lines up the
free-kick and smashes a dipping shot over the wall that Green has to be
alert to tip over the top for a corner, which comes to nothing.
80 min - Another good turn from Tristan nearly sees the striker play in
Stanislas, but Mancienne is too strong and holds off the winger before
hooking the ball out for a throw-in and falling to the turf. Chelsea's
physio is on to have a look at the England Under-21 defender.
79 min - Neill lofts the ball down the line for Savio to chase. Cech rushes
out to clear, but Savio looks favourite to win the race. Ivanovic takes
matters into his own hands by hacking the ball clear of danger.
77 min - No sign of an equaliser for the Hammers, but there is still time...
73 min - Chelsea make a change. Kalou is replaced by Essien.
72 min - Savio is on for Boa Morte. Chelsea clear the resulting corner and
Lampard beats Stanislas to a bouncing ball. The winger's tackle earns him a
booking.
70 min - Penalty! Fine build-up play from Sears, Tristan and Stanislas ends
with the Spaniard backheeling the ball through to Ilunga, who is hauled down
by Kalou inside the penalty area. Mike Dean points to the spot. Noble steps
up and shoots towards the bottom right-hand corner, only for Cech to dive
full-length to push the ball around the post.
69 min - Savio is about to enter the fray.
66 min - Woodwork! Cole and Belletti combine brilliantly to give the England
full-back the freedom of the Hammers' penalty area. He looks up and curls a
shot that kisses the top of the crossbar on the way over the top. That was a
close-call. Belletti's skill to find Cole with a backheel was sublime.
65 min - Lampard threads the ball through Upson's legs and Anelka is clean
through. Green does superbly to block the Frenchman's low shot and the ball
bounces back off Anelka and out for a goal kick. That was good goalkeeping
from the England man.
63 min - West Ham are working hard to get back into this game, but Chelsea
are still controlling matters, to be honest.
61 min - Kovac and Sears are both stripped and ready to enter the fray. Dyer
and Di Michele are the pair to make way.
58 min - Boa Morte is fouled by Bosingwa, who is immediately replaced by
Ashley Cole. Bosingwa has only just returned from injury, so it is no
surprise that he has not completed the full 90 minutes. Sears and Kovac are
warming-up.
56 min - West Ham nearly hit back immediately, but Cech is able to push
aside Dyer's bouncing volley from just outside the penalty area. Chelsea
counter-attack and force a corner, but after working it short, Lampard
launches the ball out for a throw-in.
55 min -GOAL! Lampard skips around a challenge and gets to the by-line
before clipping the ball into the six-yard box with his left foot. It falls
to Kalou at the far post, who pokes the ball into the roof of the net to
give Chelsea the lead.
53 min - Ilunga is back on to a rousing reception from the home faithful.
51 min - Ilunga is hurt blocking a Lampard shot. He seemed to be sandwiched
between the Chelsea man and team-mate Boa Morte. The ball breaks to Malouda,
who can only hook it into Green's arms. A stretched is called for for the DR
Congo man, but he is up on his feet after a couple of minutes.
50 min - Noble loses the ball in midfield. Malouda picks up possession and
runs at the back-four but his shot is dreadful and flies miles over the
crossbar.
47 min - Stanislas leads a lightning counter attack. Tristan turns neatly
away from Belletti and finds the youngster, who runs forward 30 yards before
working the ball back to Tristan, who cuts inside but sees his shot blocked
by Ivanovic. The official attendance is announced as 34,749.
46 min - Tristan and Di Michele get the second half underway...
Chelsea's players are back out on the pitch a good minute or two before the
home side. It does not look like either manager is going to shuffle his pack
just yet.
Half-time - West Ham United 0-0 Chelsea
47 min - The half-time whistle goes with the game still goalless. Chelsea
edged the opening 45 minutes in terms of possession, but they created
precious little. Dyer had West Ham's best chance on 18 minutes, but Cech was
equal to his effort.
45 min - Boa Morte skips around two challenges before being brought down by
Belletti, prompting a chorus of 'Doo, doo, doo, Luis Boa Morte' from the
fans in the Bobby Moore Stand. There will be one added minute. Boa Morte is
standing over the free-kick... But it is Stanislas who takes and curls the
ball over the wall and on target, but Cech catches with relative ease.
42 min - A Noble free-kick is only half-cleared and the ball drops to
Stanislas, who lets fly from 25 yards and sees his shot hit Mancienne and
skip wide for a corner. Noble clips the ball in, Upson heads it goalwards
and Tristan attempts to poke it over the line from close-range, only for
Mikel, who was manning the near post, to hack the ball clear.
40 min - Boa Morte is penalised for a foul on Lampard 30 yards from goal.
Malouda curls the resulting free-kick wide of the near post. Green had that
covered.
35 min - It is now more than five-and-a-half hours since West Ham conceded a
goal at the Boleyn Ground.
33 min - Tristan wins a free-kick 35 yards from goal. The Spaniard has
always wanted the ball this afternoon. Noble takes the free-kick and Cech
comes out to punch the ball clear with a Rocky-style roundhouse!
32 min - There really is not much going on here to be honest. Goalmouth
action has been at a real premium.
30 min - Essien and Ashley Cole are warming-up on the touchline. Maybe the
pair will be called upon after the break. Zola responds by sending Lopez,
Savio and Payne out for a run.
26 min - Upson makes a good block to stop another Lampard strike threatening
the goal.
23 min - Malouda crosses from the left but Lampard can only divert the ball
wide of the near post.
22 min - Lampard shoots from distance, but the ball bounces straight into
Green's arms.
20 min - Neill's quick throw-in finds Stanislas, The winger tries to play a
one-two with Di Michele, but the Italian instead elects to volley on goal,
but the ball flies well over. Seconds later Tristan's superb through ball
finds Dyer, but the England man's shot is too close to Cech, who smothers
the ball. That was a great chance.
18 min - Boa Morte is knocked over by Mikel wide on the right. Boa Morte
takes the free-kick short to Noble who crosses deep to the far post, where
Di Michele sees his volley blocked and cleared.
16 min - Tomkins clips a lovely ball to Neill, who controls on his chest and
lofts the ball over Terry to Di Michele, but the Italian cannot control on
his thigh and Cech claims the loose ball. The goalkeeper immediately
launches a counter-attack that ends with Malouda dragging his shot across
the face of goal from a good position inside the Hammers' penalty area.
14 min - Anelka is dropping deep to pick up possession, while Belletti is
playing in a more advanced role than one might have expected. Chelsea have
started the better of the two teams. but they have failed to work Green as
yet. In fact, bar Malouda's early shot, not a huge amount has happened in
either penalty area so far.
11 min - Lampard clips a clever ball over the top for Kalou, but Upson does
well to knock the ball out for a corner, which Green claims with ease high
above his head.
10 min - Zola is out on the very edge of his technical area to watch
proceedings. As he looks on, West Ham launch an attack, but Di Michele
overhits his through ball out for a goal kick.
8 min - The home side are forcing their way back into the game, though, and
are starting to sting a few passes together now.
6 min - There is plenty of noise coming from both sets of fans as the sun
beats down on east London. Chelsea are seeing a lot of the ball but West Ham
are holding firm thus far.
5 min - Corner to Chelsea on the left is swung in by Lampard but Upson heads
it clear.
1 min - Chelsea get us underway attacking the Centenary Stand. A neat
passing move involving Bosingwa and Kalou ends with Malouda firing a rising
shot that fizzes wide of Green's near post.
3.02pm - After a rousing tribute to Neighbour, the two teams are ready to
go.
3pm - It looks like Mancienne will play at right-back for Chelsea, with
Bosingwa at left-back. Ivanovic, who scored twice against Liverpool in the
Champions League quarter-final first-leg, switches to centre-back. The two
teams line-up around the centre circle to mark the memory of Jimmy Neighbour
with a minute's applause.
2.58pm - The two teams emerge from the tunnel and on to the pitch. The sun
has come out at the Boleyn Ground and the atmosphere is building nicely as
'Bubbles' plays over the PA system. Can West Ham strengthen their grip on
seventh place or will Chelsea secure victory in east London for the fourth
consecutive season?
2.55pm - West Ham are looking for their first win over Chelsea at the Boleyn
Ground since the 2002/03 season, when they secured a 1-0 victory thanks to
substitute Paolo Di Canio's 71st minute goal. That season, the Hammers
completed a league double over the Blues. Earlier this term, Gianfranco
Zola's team drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on 14 December.
2.50pm - Chelsea's players are the first to head for the dressing room, with
West Ham's following swiftly afterwards. A minute's applause will be held
before today's game in memory of former Hammers winger Jimmy Neighbour and
Mike Keen, the father of first-team coach Kevin. Neighbour passed away at
the age of 58 a fortnight ago, while former Watford and Wycombe Wanderers
manager Keen died on 12 April. He was 69.
2.45pm - West Ham's players are warming up in Richard House children's
hospice t-shirts. One of the club's two official charities, Richard House,
in Beckton, was London's first children's hospice when it opened in 2000,
providing care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and
their families. Hammers' pair Junior Stanislas and Mark Noble recently spent
an afternoon at Richard House, meeting youngsters, their families and staff.
Kieron Dyer makes his first West Ham United start since breaking his leg in
the League Cup second round tie at Bristol Rovers on 28 August 2007. The
30-year-old England forward has shown impressive form in a number of
substitute appearances in recent weeks and will start this afternoon in a
holding midfield role. Today marks Dyer's first Premier League start for the
Hammers since the 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground on 25
August 2007.
James Collins, who is recovering from a minor calf injury suffered at Aston
Villa a week ago, misses out. James Tomkins moves back to centre-half, with
captain Lucas Neill reverting to his regular position at right-back.
For Chelsea, Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, Ghana midfielder Michael
Essien, Brazil defender Alex and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack are
rested ahead of next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg
tie at FC Barcelona. Jose Bosingwa, Juliano Belletti, Salomon Kalou and John
Mikel Obi deputise. Michael Mancienne is handed a start in place of Ashley
Cole, who is suspended for the trip to Spain.
West Ham go into this afternoon's game seventh in the Premier League table
and eager to secure a victory that will strengthen their bid for UEFA Europa
League football next season.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Boa Morte, Dyer,
Noble, Stanislas, Di Michele, Tristan
Subs: Lastuvka, Spector, Lopez, Payne, Kovac, Savio, Sears
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Mancienne, Belletti, Mikel,
Lampard, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka
Subs: Hilario, A.Cole, Essien, Ballack, Stoch, Di Santo, Drogba
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Chelsea take the spoils
WHUFC.com
A solitary Salomon Kalou goal was enough to win Saturday's London derby at
the Boleyn Ground
25.04.2009
West Ham United 1-0 Chelsea
A Salomon Kalou goal just after half-time was the difference between the
sides as Chelsea left east London with three points on Saturday.
After a fairly incident-free first half, Kalou opened the scoring shortly
after the restart when he bundled home a loose ball. West Ham United had
their chances to get back into the game - most notably through Mark Noble's
saved spot kick - but could not force their way back into the game.
West Ham's side saw one change from the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa seven days
previously. Kieron Dyer came in to make his first start since August 2007 in
central midfield, with Lucas Neill dropping back into his more familiar
right-back slot. Calf injury victim James Collins was the player to miss
out. Chelsea called up John Mikel Obi, Kalou, Juliano Belletti and Michael
Mancienne into their starting XI.
West Ham went into the game having not conceded a goal at home for four
hours and 58 minutes and they safely passed the five hour mark as, bar a few
half-chances which excellent tackles from Neill and Matthew Upson thwarted,
there was little goalmouth action in the opening period.
Indeed, the Hammers' first chance of the match arrived in the 16th minute
when a perfect chipped ball forward from Neill nearly put Tristan in on with
a clear sight on goal. Chelsea had a first opening of their own moments
later when Florent Malouda flashed a shot just wide of Robert Green's far
post.
Dyer then nearly marked his return to the side with the opening goal after
Tristan played a delicious through ball to put the No7 through one-on-one
with the goalkeeper. Sadly, his shot was just too close to Petr Cech, who
gratefully gathered the ball in.
Two minutes before half time, the home side were to go even closer to taking
the lead. Mark Noble drifted in a corner and a combination of James Tomkins
and Upson forced the ball back to Tristan. The Spaniard managed to help the
ball goalwards and just as the Bobby Moore Stand collectively got to its
feet to mark what seemed to be the game's opening goal, Mikel intervened to
hack the ball off the line. There was just still time in the first 45
minutes for Junior Stanislas to test Cech with a 25-yard free-kick as the
Hammers finished the half on top.
Chelsea came out of the blocks strongly after the interval, however, and
took the lead ten minutes after the break. A good run and cross by Lampard
was only palmed away by Green as far as Kalou, who prodded the rebound into
the roof of the net.
The Blues made the game's first change when Bosingwa left the field in the
58th minute for Ashley Cole. Seconds later, Neill sent a lop tantalisingly
over Cech's crossbar before Zola made his first changes of the game,
bringing on Freddie Sears and Radoslav Kovac for Di Michele and Dyer - who
had enjoyed an encouraging hour long run-out on his full return.
Chelsea could, and probably should, have made it two when Anelka raced
through but Green narrowed the angle saved well. Minutes after, Cole
combined well to put Malouda in space on the left and his fierce shot
clipped the crossbar before going over.
West Ham then had a great chance to restore parity with 20 minutes remaining
as Kalou tugged bag Ilunga in the box and referee Mike Dean pointed to the
spot. Noble's spot kick was low and hard, but Cech flung himself to the left
to push the ball around the post.
Zola made his final change by bringing on Savio for Boa Morte, before
Stanislas was booked for a foul on Lampard. Green was called into action by
the Chelsea midfielder shortly after as he hit a fearsome free-kick
goalwards, which the West Ham stopper had to be alert to tip over the bar.
Mr Dean announced five minutes of added time to give the home support among
the 34,749 inside the Boleyn Ground hope. But despite plenty of pressure and
a long-range drive from Noble, Chelsea held on to take the points back
across London.
West Ham should be buoyed by their efforts and were unfortunate not to get
anything from the game. They will be looking for better luck when they seek
to get their push for seventh back on track with the trip to Stoke City next
weekend.
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'It was a difficult task'
WHUFC.com
A difficult encounter against a high-flying Chelsea side left Gianfranco
Zola still proud of his team's efforts
25.04.2009
Fresh from signing a new four-year contract, Gianfranco Zola was pleased
with his side's effort during the 1-0 defeat by UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists Chelsea.
Salomon Kalou scored the only goal of the game goal ten minutes after
half-time, but West Ham United had the majority of the best chances through
Kieron Dyer, Diego Tristan and a saved Mark Noble penalty. With four games
to go, the result leaves the club two points adrift of Fulham in seventh,
who go to Chelsea next weekend when West Ham United travel to Stoke City.
Zola said: "I wouldn't say I was disappointed as that means I am
disappointed towards my players. It's just that I knew it was a difficult
task and we didn't play as well aand pass the ball as well as we did in
other games, but it was a difficult task for my team."
"Some players who have not played throughout the season started to get a bit
tired. So it was a difficult situation and I do understand it was difficult
for the supporters because they were probably expecting more.
"I can't say anything to the players as they have all my appreciation and my
respect because considering everything they have done exceptionally well."
West Ham passed up the chance to get back into the game when Noble's penalty
was superbly saved by Petr Cech with 20 minutes to go. His manager was
certainly not portioning any of the blame on the shoulder's of the
21-year-old, who has stepped up to dominate midfield in the absence of Valon
Behrami, Jack Collison and Scott Parker.
"I think it was a good penalty. Unfortunately Petr Cech has made a great
save as he did in the first half so nothing to say really. A penalty can
always be seen as an easy task but I can tell you from experience it is not
easy."
Kieron Dyer also impressed on his first start in more than 18 months. The
England interntional started in a central midfield role alongside Noble
before being withdrawn in a planned substitution on the hour mark.
"I think he did well considering the kind of match it was today. They had
three players in midfield and they only had two and those three players were
top players so he had to work harder. I'm pleased, he played for one hour
and it was another step forward to a complete recovery.
"Kieron had a great chance and Diego Tristan, who played a very good match,
played a great ball to him and he went with the left and Petr Cech was good
in that occasion but it would have been a very good goal."
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Zola signs new contract
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has signed a new contract with West Ham United that will see
him stay until at least 2013
25.04.2009
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has pledged his long-term future to
the club by signing a new contract until 2013.
A delighted Zola put pen to paper in his dressing room office following
Saturday's match with Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground. He was joined by CEO
Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani.
"I am delighted to have signed the contract," Zola said. "I'm very pleased
and grateful for the club for looking after me. We have a project that we
are taking forward with the coaching staff and with Gianluca Nani and Scott
Duxbury. We are very much working together and we believe very much in the
project we are working on. We are going to try everything we can to make it
happen."
Zola added that he expects first-team coach Steve Clarke to follow suit by
signing a new contract within the "next few hours," with the club set to
confirm his signature early next week with all agreed on the deal. The duo's
commitment comes after ten first-teamers have signed new deals during the
current campaign.
Duxbury said the manager's faith in the club's direction was a major lift
for everyone. "We hope we can achieve success this season but we are very
much looking at the long-term with Gianfranco," he said. "With Steve Clarke
soon to sign, we know we have the foundation for great success. It is a very
bright future for West Ham United.
"Everything Gianfranco said to me when I first met him in Rome has come
true. He said he would enhance the philosophy of what West Ham United is
about which is bringing the youngsters through and that has happened. We are
very confident for the future."
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Double delight for Montano
WHUFC.com
Young attacker Cristian Montano was on target twice as the Under-18s romped
to a fine 5-0 victory.
24.04.2009
West Ham United Under-18s 5-0 Bristol City Under-18s
Cristian Montano scored twice to top off a polished performance by the
Under-18s in an inter-group FA Academy League encounter on Friday.
The Colombian-born attacker opened the scoring before Georg Grasser, the
Austrian Under-19 international midfielder, added to the advantage before
the interval. The second half was dominated by the home team with Danny
Kearns, Montano again and Anthony Edgar all finding the target for the young
Hammers.
Tony Carr said: "We had a lot of players back because the reserve season has
endeded. Some played, some got a half and we were also able to rest the
likes of Ollie Lee. It was a resounding win in the end. We could have won by
a lot more but it was a resounding win and a lot closer in the first half
than it was in the second.
"Once we got the third it was a question of how many we were going to score.
We had plenty of chances on what was not the easiest of days. It was sunny
but very windy. We have got Fulham now on Tuesday and Spurs away on Saturday
so we are hoping to keep a winning run until the end of the season."
West Ham United: Street, Driver, Brown (Fry 45), McNaughton, Sanchez,
Barrett, Kearns, Grasser, Abdulla (Bajner 65), Montano, Edgar (Okus 65)
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Hammers fans went too far - Terry
BBC.co.uk
Chelsea skipper John Terry believes a section of West Ham fans went too far
with abuse aimed towards himself and team-mate Frank Lampard at Upton Park.
A number of Hammers fans taunted the pair during Saturday's game as West Ham
were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea. The duo celebrated Salomon Kalou's winner in
front of the home fans and objects were thrown in their direction. Asked if
he felt the West Ham fans had crossed the line, Terry said: "I think they
did, personally."
Terry's family, who are West Ham fans, stayed away from the match after
learning through the internet the 28-year-old would be targeted. Hammers
supporters have not forgotten that Terry spent five years with their academy
before joining Chelsea as a 14-year-old, while Lampard joined Chelsea from
West Ham in 2001 for £11m. "I can take it, Lamps can take it. It's a little
bit more than that but I'm not going to give them a chance to say I'm
whingeing," added Terry. "When we scored, I went running over to Lamps and
gave them a bit back. There's nothing wrong with that."
Referee Mike Dean spoke with Terry to ensure he did not incite home
supporters, but the England skipper feels that players should be allowed to
express their emotions more openly. "If they can give they can take it, and
if I can take it I can give it. That's the way it's got to be," said Terry.
"They have to expect a bit back. When they do get a bit back they all get
the hump a little bit. But that is football. I'll take it the rest of my
career and I'll certainly give a bit back in my career."
Terry insisted the abuse he had to contend with on Saturday made Chelsea's
victory all the more enjoyable. "Walking home with three points and them
walking home with nothing, you can't buy that and they can't buy that," he
said. "As a player coming here, knowing you are going to get stick, I swear
me and Lamps are so fired up before the game and determined. "When you get
that stick you just want to prove them wrong and shut them up. I think we
did that."
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West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
By Ian Hughes
BBC.co.uk
Chelsea kept their slim title hopes alive with victory at West Ham. Florent
Malouda went close as Chelsea dominated before Kieron Dyer was denied by
Peter Cech and Diego Tristan's flick was cleared off the line. Salomon Kalou
put Chelsea ahead when he volleyed in from Frank Lampard's cross, and later
Ashley Cole hit the bar as the Hammers were pinned back. West Ham had a
chance to equalise when Kalou fouled Hireta Ilunga but Cech superbly saved
Mark Noble's penalty. The win briefly saw Chelsea move to within three
points of leaders Manchester United, but their rivals later beat Tottenham
5-2. Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink had already conceded the title after his
side's 0-0 midweek draw against at Everton, but ahead of the trip to Upton
Park, the Dutchman had insisted his side were keen to finish as runners-up.
However, the wholesale changes to his line-up suggested there was far more
focus on the midweek Champions League match at Barcelona than catching
second-placed Liverpool. Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack
were all on the bench, though their absence was hardly noticed as Chelsea
outplayed their hosts in the opening 45 minutes.
Malouda had the best of Chelsea's first-half chances but struck a low,
diagonal shot just wide after being played in by Lampard. The England
international midfielder, following his radio row on Friday experienced
another hostile reception at his former club, inevitably fired in a few
shots. But he, along with Nicolas Anelka, who also had a shoot on sight
policy, failed to trouble keeper Robert Green. Instead it was West Ham who
created the first-half's best two openings. The first fell to Dyer, who was
making his first start since breaking his leg in August 2007, but he shot
weakly at Cech. The second chance came just before the interval - from West
Ham's first corner - when Matthew Upson headed the ball on and Tristan
flicked the ball goalwards only for Jon Mikel Obi to clear off the line.
Chelsea finally got the goal their superiority deserved when Lampard crossed
from the left and Kalou controlled with his chest before clipping the ball
home on the volley.
Anelka had a great opportunity to double the lead when through one-on-one
with Green but the keeper spread himself well to make a fine stop. Shortly
after Green was beaten by a fierce Cole drive but the ball bounced off the
top of the bar. It seemed Chelsea had three points wrapped up but they had
to survive a scare when Kalou conceded a penalty for tugging back Ilunga.
Noble stepped up and struck the kick well, but Cech was equal to it as he
dived to his left to make an excellent save.
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola on Frank Lampard: "They didn't forgive him for
leaving. "Frank is a very good professional, a very good boy and it makes me
sorry to think he has a problem with this crowd."
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink: "I have rested some players but if I had
suggested doing the same to Frank Lampard, well, I didn't even talk to him
about it. "He would have looked at me as if to say, 'Why are you doing
that?' These guys with big personalities, they want to play every game.
"Maybe some time in the near future I will have to tell him he's not going
to play, but without looking at him I think."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Boa Morte (Nsereko 72),
Noble, Stanislas, Dyer (Sears 61), Tristan, Di Michele (Kovac 61).
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Spector, Payne.
Booked: Stanislas.
Chelsea: Cech, Mancienne (Ballack 83), Ivanovic, Terry, Bosingwa (Ashley
Cole 58), Mikel, Belletti, Kalou (Essien 73), Lampard, Malouda, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Di Santo, Drogba, Stoch.
Goals: Kalou 55.
Att: 34,749
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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Zola joy at new contract
Four-year deal mooted
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 25th April 2009
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed his delight at signing a new
contract with the club. Zola joined the Hammers in the first few weeks of
the current season and has since manged to lead his side to a high of
seventh in the league, with the club still in the running to qualify for the
inaugural Europa League next season The Italian is believed to have put pen
to paper on a four-year contract alongside assistant manager Steve Clarke,
and Zola has told Sky Sports that he believes West Ham to be a club with
real ambition. "I have just signed a new contract and I'm very happy," the
42-year-old announced. "At the club we have a very good project in my
opinion. The coaching staff along with (chief executive) Scott Duxbury and
(technical director) Gianluca Nani are trying to build up something which
I'm sure has a future. "I'm committing to it and we're going to be working
very hard to make it successful."
Zola's contract news was somewhat tempered though by the 1-0 defeat at Upton
Park to local rivals Chelsea. A solitary goal from Salomon Kalou clinched
the win for the away side, while Hammers fans also had to suffer the pain of
seeing Mark Noble miss a penalty that would have drawn the game level.
However in the aftermath, Zola was understandably philosophical about losing
so narrowly to one of the country's top teams. "We certainly didn't play to
our normal standard but I can't really blame anybody for this because things
have gone fantastically so far and it was difficult today," Zola reflected.
"It was a big task we were asking from the players today, so they have all
my appreciation for what they are doing and I'm sure we are going to have
better opportunities."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kalou delivers Hammer blow
Missed chances haunt home side as Europe slips away
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 25th April 2009
SSN
Man of the Match: Frank Lampard. Delivered the telling cross for the goal
and put in a good performance considering the difficult atmosphere that
greeted him.
Save of the Match: Petr Cech's agile save to his left was as much a matter
of anticipation as skill as the big man read Mark Noble's penalty to clinch
the three points for his side
Miss of the Match: Kieron Dyer made his long-awaited starting return to the
West Ham side, but was guilty of a lack of composure when he failed to beat
Cech one-on-one
Talking Point: Will the Hammers be able to recover from defeat and keep
going in the race for Europe?
Chelsea overcame West Ham 1-0 at Upton Park as Mark Noble missed a
second-half penalty. A 56th minute goal from Salomon Kalou was all that
separated the sides, but the Ivorian turned villain just fifteen minutes
later as he dragged down Herita Ilunga in the box to give away the penalty.
However, Petr Cech saved superbly from Mark Noble's effort and the away side
held on for a fine victory against their London rivals. The loss greatly
harms West Ham's chances of securing Europa League football next season, and
defeat to Chelsea is not what Stamford Bridge old boys Gianfranco Zola and
Steve Clarke will have been looking for on the day they agreed new contracts
with the Hammers. Meanwhile, Chelsea will be elated to have taken all three
points while managing to rest their key players ahead of the UEFA Champions
League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday. With player transfers a constant
backdrop to this derby, it was not surprisingly former West Ham man Frank
Lampard who created the first chance when he slid the ball through to
Florent Malouda in the 16th minute - but the Frenchman dragged his shot wide
after racing through. The away side dominated the early part of the game,
but Kieron Dyer - in the starting line-up for the first time since August
2007 - should have given the hosts a lead shortly after, only to shoot
tamely at Cech after Diego Tristan had split the Chelsea defence. The focus
then switched back to Lampard once again and with jeers ringing in his ears,
the midfielder unleashed a few sighters on Robert Green's goal. One volley
flashed wide, a second went straight at the West Ham goalkeeper and Noble
bravely blocked another. Chelsea were applying the majority of the pressure,
but almost fell behind just before the break. Matthew Upson rose to meet
Noble's header and John Obi Mikel was called into action to clear off the
line when Tristan prodded the ball towards goal.
Despite the scare though, the visitors were ahead 10 minutes after the
restart. None other than Frank Lampard picked up the ball, wriggled to the
byline down the left and floated a cross to the far post, where Kalou took
one touch before planting his finish into the empty net for his ninth goal
of the season. Unfortunately Lampard and Terry then proceeded to celebrate
in front of the Bobby Moore Stand and missiles were thrown towards them from
the crowd - an incident the Football Association could now look at. With the
lead secured, Jose Bosingwa was given a breather just before the hour mark
in preparation for Tuesday, while Zola's response to falling behind was
replacing Dyer and David Di Michele with Freddie Sears and Radoslav Kovac.
Nicolas Anelka should have doubled the lead when Juliano Belletti sent him
through after Upson slipped, with Green rushing out to block the finish, and
seconds later Ashley Cole shaved the crossbar after exchanging passes with
Malouda.
The Hammers kept on battling though and were given a spot-kick 20 minutes
from full-time when Illunga's shirt was pulled back by Kalou in the box.
Noble's penalty was struck well but Cech leapt to his left and tipped away
the effort to the great disappointment of the home fans and the West Ham
players. Heads seemed to drop and despite efforts to find the equaliser, the
game was beyond West Ham, leaving Chelsea to see out the five minutes of
added time and secure a valuable win.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Chelsea Report
Vinny - Sun Apr 26 2009
West Ham Online
West Ham United 0 Chelsea 1
West Ham were beaten by a second half strike from Salamon Kalou as London
neighbours Chelsea walked away with all three points.
A penalty miss from Mark Noble late in the second period only added to the
disappointment and with former hammer Frank Lampard Junior losing his
professional cool (much like he did on the radio the other day) many West
Ham fans left Upton Park not in the best spirits.
Despite Chelsea making a number of changes to their starting line up they
were still very strong and this showed throughout most of the game as we
struggled to command possession and were often wasteful. We found it very
difficult to create chances but still managed to have a couple of clear cut
opportunities which really should have been taken.
It is no shame losing to Chelsea and of course we were never expected to win
the game, but it is always hard to shake the disappointment when losing to a
rival. It is not in the same as losing to Tottenham which always grates much
more but listening to their supporters can even make the most mild mannered
West Ham fan get a little wound up.
Gianfranco Zola made just one change to the side who claimed a point last
weekend at Villa Park. James Collins was injured and replaced by Kieron
Dyer. This saw Lucas Neill move to right back and Dyer in the centre of
midfield alongside Mark Noble,
On the bench was Radoslav Kovac but he had obviously not been deemed match
fit as if he was he would have surely have started given out lack of
physical presence in our midfield. Scott Parker was again missing and this
was our fourth game without him in the team with no return date in sight.
Chelsea started well and dominated possession. They found space and we
looked a little intimidated by the task in hand. We seemed to be chasing
shadows for most of the opening fifteen minutes but as we settled it looked
as though we could cause some damage if we pushed bodies forward.
A wonderful clipped pass from Neill found Tristan with a clear sight on goal
but his first touch was poor and he just looked to slow to actually muster
any type of shot. Chelsea themselves had a chance which came from Malouda as
his shot whistled just past the post.
By far the best chance of the first half fell our way as Tristan
delightfully flicked the ball around John Terry and through to Dyer who only
had the keeper to beat but his shot was straight at Cech in the Chelsea goal
when it simply had to be finding the back of the net.
There could have been more of these chances but for our terrible passing
which was becoming very frustrating to watch. You could argue that it was
the pressure from Chelsea which would hurry our players into mis placed
passes but most of the time the waste of possession so no excuses other than
players playing badly.
With the half producing very few goal scoring chances it was left till just
before the half time whistle for the next great opportunity. A corner was
drifted in by Mark Noble and found he head of Matthew Upson. The header
which was knocked down found its way to Tristan who managed to get a touch
on the ball to force it goalwards but just as most of Upton Park was
celebrating the ball was hacked off the line.
Even with a short amount of time left of the half there was one more half
chance when a free kick from Junior Stanislas got up over the wall but was
easily saved by Cech.
Half time and we were still well in the game but if we kept gifting Chelsea
the ball there was no doubt in my mind that we would be punished. I felt
that Chelsea had been toying with us for most of the first half and had that
extra gear to go up if needed. There had been a few times where we had
defenders in the right place to clear a loose ball and at some point one of
these would fall to a Chelsea player.
Chelsea seemed to go into that higher gear in the early stages of the second
period as again we looked as if we were chasing shadows. Our midfield could
not get near to them and there was a sense of inevitability about Chelsea
scoring.
On 55 minutes the West London side did get their goal which you could say
they may have deserved due to their territorial dominance. It was Frank
Lampard Jr. who did well down the left hand side and his cross was palmed
away by Green only as far as Kalou who prodded the ball into the goal.
Despite the goal the West Ham fans reacted well and continued to get behind
their team. The atmosphere had on the whole been very good as there was some
good spirited banter with the Chelsea supporters.
Just after the hour mark Zola made two substitutions to try and get us back
in to the game. Off came Kieron Dyer and the dreadful David Di Michele and
on came Radoslav Kovac and Freddie Sears.
Chelsea really should have put the game beyond us when Anelka was played
through with only Green to beat but the West Ham keeper kept it out and kept
us in the game with a fine save.
Not long after Green was beaten but it was the cross bar which came to our
rescue as Ashley Cole hit a thunderous shot. Chelsea seemed to have the game
in complete control as we could offer nothing in the way of goal scoring
chances.
With 20 minutes to go we seemed to have found our way back in to the game as
a lovely footballing move saw Tristan flick the ball through to Ilunga who
was tugged back in the area and referee Mike Dean pointed to the penalty
spot.
The roof was about to come off Upton Park as Mark Noble stepped up to take
the spot kick but just as he did with his last spot kick against Hull City
he did not manage to convert and Chelsea keeper Cech made a good save.
This really killed us. Supporters and players alike were quite clearly
drained from this miss. I think we all knew that if we were going to get
back into the game that was the chance and having not taken it simply
resigned us to the fact that we would walk away from this one with nothing.
Robert Green had to be alert again when a stinging free kick from Lampard
had to be tipped over the bar. Lampard would be scathed down by Junior
Stanislas in what was the only yellow card shown throughout the game for the
youngster.
Five minutes of injury time were awarded by we did not manage to create a
chance to give us a share of the spoils.
I've seen worse performances but the bottom line was we simply did not have
enough to hurt a team of Chelsea's quality and when you do get presented
with golden chances that Dyer and Noble were given you simply have to take
them or be punished.
And we were.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
I do believe he is in the running for hammer of the year due to his
consistent performances. He made some excellent stops in this game and again
showed complete dominance when coming for crosses.
Lucas Neill
The first half performance was brilliant. He had the awful Malouda in his
pocket as he didn't go to ground and simply stood strong. The second half he
found himself under more pressure but overall I thought Neill put in a
strong showing.
Matthew Upson
One or two slip ups aside he and Tomkins played very well and if there was
anything to come out of our performance it was the display from the defence.
James Tomkins
Much the same as Upson, the young defender played well and kept Chelsea out
a number of times. Tomkins has done so well since coming back into the side
and Collins will find it very hard to get back into the side when he returns
from injury.
Herita Ilunga
Another display which showed some of his best attributes as he put his body
on the line and showed his strength time and time again. Got forward well
and it was he who won the penalty.
Luis Boa Morte
Continues to impress me with his high energy performances. Yes, his final
ball is still terrible but his commitment to the team should not go
unnoticed.
Kieron Dyer
Despite his great chance which he failed to convert in the first half I have
to say I felt Dyer was largely anonymous . Of course this was his first
start in quite some time so it is understandable but this led to Noble
having to do more work which he failed to do.
Mark Noble
A poor penalty is what people will remember from this game of its hard to
blame them. Penalty aside, this was not a great Noble performance which is a
shame because I think he was been excellent over the last few weeks. Never
got the chance to burst forward as he had to play the defensive midfielder
role which is not where he is best.
Junior Stanislas
Impressed yet again by the young winger. There is no fear in him and
although I still believe he would be better on the right wing he is worth
his place in the starting line up at the moment.
David Di Michele
Choosing a poor Di Michele performance is quite difficult due to there being
so many, but this display was pretty pathetic and it was not a shock to see
him taken off for Sears.
Diego Tristan
Shock horror - I thought he did well. Had little support but there were
times where he would be intelligent on the ball although he still remains
the slowest player I may have ever seen he made the chance for Dyer, nearly
scored just before half time and flicked the ball through for Ilunga to win
the penalty.
Subs Used
Freddie Sears (on for Dyer 61 mins)
Ran his heart out but just cannot get to grips with this physical nature of
Premiership football.
Radoslav Kovac (on for Di Michele 61 mins)
I feel without Parker we need to start him next week because Noble and Dyer
will just hinder Noble's performances. Kovac came on, did alright but gave
the ball away a few times.
Savio Nsereko (on for Boa Morte 72 mins)
He came on and looked positive every time he had the ball. But everything he
did was generally bad and he wasted a number of chances to get the ball into
the area.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Spector, Payne.
Overall
This game was certainly not reflective of our season and the progress as a
football team that we have made. Playing against any of the top four you
need a bit of luck and to take the few chances you may get when they present
themselves.
Unfortunately we did not manage to do that and were punished for it. We
still have a chance of making 7th place and although games are running out
we still have a few winnable fixtures starting with Stoke City next week.
I would hope that Parker will be back but I have a feeling we may not see
him again this season. Some communication about his injury from the club
would be nice considering how important he has become to our side.
Stoke of course are next and they have been fantastic at home this season,
but this for me is a very winnable game and one I am sure that if we get
back to playing the free flowing passing football we will be able to beat a
team who play anti-football.
Franco's Feelings
"I wouldn't say I was disappointed as that means I am disappointed towards
my players. It's just that I knew it was a difficult task and we didn't play
as well aand pass the ball as well as we did in other games, but it was a
difficult task for my team."
"Some players who have not played throughout the season started to get a bit
tired. So it was a difficult situation and I do understand it was difficult
for the supporters because they were probably expecting more.
"I can't say anything to the players as they have all my appreciation and my
respect because considering everything they have done exceptionally well."
"I think it was a good penalty. Unfortunately Petr Cech has made a great
save as he did in the first half so nothing to say really. A penalty can
always be seen as an easy task but I can tell you from experience it is not
easy."
[On Dyer] "I think he did well considering the kind of match it was today.
They had three players in midfield and they only had two and those three
players were top players so he had to work harder. I'm pleased, he played
for one hour and it was another step forward to a complete recovery.
"Kieron had a great chance and Diego Tristan, who played a very good match,
played a great ball to him and he went with the left and Petr Cech was good
in that occasion but it would have been a very good goal.
Att: 34,749
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
John Terry hammers West Ham fans
Telegraph
Gary Jacob
John Terry has criticised the West Ham United supporters for their verbal
abuse during Chelsea's 1-0 victory at Upton Park on Saturday. The defender
was continually mocked for his mother and mother-in-law being cautioned by
police for shoplifting from Marks & Spencer and Tesco stores in Weybridge,
Surrey.
The West Ham fans sang "John Terry, your mum's a thief", while his teammate,
Frank Lampard, was also targeted for problems in his personal life. "When
you get that stick, you are more determined to prove them wrong and shut
them up," Terry said.
Terry ran over to the home fans to celebrate with Lampard, who moved from
West Ham in 2001, after he created the goal. "The referee had a quiet word
and told me not to wind them up but if I can take it, they have to get a
little bit back," Terry, who played as a teenager at Upton Park, said. "But
when they got a bit back they all got the a***."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lampard rises above the abuse
West Ham United 0 Chelsea 1
By Mark Fleming
Independent
Monday, 27 April 2009
Chelsea fly to Barcelona today expecting a hostile reception at the airport.
But it will be nothing compared to the vitriol that was directed towards
Frank Lampard at Upton Park. Chelsea captain John Terry said the insults
"crossed the line", especially taunts about Lampard's late mother and his
separation from his two young children. Terry was also subjected to chants
about his mother's arrest for alleged shoplifting. The insults hurled at
Terry were par for the course at football grounds, more embarrassing than
anything else. But he said the spiteful nature of the abuse aimed at Lampard
was way beyond the acceptable levels of football banter. The Chelsea captain
said: "Personally, I think they cross the line. Lampsy can take it, I can
take it too. I'm not going to give them a chance to have a whinge at me.
Lampsy and I are big enough to take it. "All my family are West Ham and
some of them have not come to the game because there were things on a
website about what they were going to sing about me."
The insults served only to inspire Lampard, and he set up Salomon Kalou's
solitary goal in the 55th minute. Terry and Lampard were warned by referee
Mike Dean for their passionate celebrations in front of the main section of
West Ham fans in the Bobby Moore Stand, but the Chelsea and England captain
was unrepentant. Terry said: "Well, when we scored I went running over to
Lampsy and gave them a bit back, there's nothing wrong with that. The ref
had a quiet word and told me not to wind them up but if I can take it, they
have to get a little bit back. "They have to respect it, but when they got
a bit back today they all got the arse. That's football. I'll take it. I
will take it. And I will give it back. There are things in life you enjoy.
We came here and got three points and their fans walked away with nothing.
You can't buy that."
For some unknown reason it seems almost accepted wisdom that Lampard, who
left West Ham in 2001, will be subjected to vile abuse at Upton Park. Were
the taunts to be racist or homophobic, there would be outrage, yet these
taunts were just as hateful. The insults became so deeply personal that
after the match West Ham chat-rooms contained posts from supporters who said
the time had come to draw a line under it all. Sadly, West Ham manager
Gianfranco Zola took the occasion of signing a new four-year deal to sit
firmly on the fence. "It's hard for me to comment," he said when asked what
he thought about the abuse. "Frank has always been a good professional and a
good boy. It's sad to see he has a problem with this crowd. It makes me
sorry."
For a side chasing Europe, West Ham provided surprisingly little of a test
for Chelsea, but still the Hammers had enough chances to score and give the
Chelsea manager, Guus Hiddink , cause for concern. Kieron Dyer, making his
first start since a double fracture to his leg in August 2007, had a
wonderful opportunity but Petr Cech saved. John Obi Mikel also cleared
Diego Tristan's effort off the line, and Cech saved a penalty from Mark
Noble after Kalou brought down Herita Ilunga. Chelsea's thoughts now turn to
Barcelona, and the hope that Jose Bosingwa will shrug off stiffness in his
thigh to take his place as a make-shift left-back. Hiddink rested Didier
Drogba, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Alex, all of whom are expected
to return at the Nou Camp, and witnessed Cech confirm his return to form
with that wonderful penalty save.
Hiddink said: "You have to think to play games ahead and I have played this
Barcelona game twice in my head. In my head, I have never lost a game in the
preparation.
"When you play Manchester United or Liverpool it is less controlled – like a
pinball machine. But when you are playing Barcelona it is more difficult as
they have control and they can play with the pace of the game. "Any second
– boom – it's going up. They're very smart to control the pace of the game
up, but also a little down, so you think that you are in control and then
all of a sudden they strike."
Zola tipped his former club to pull off a shock at the Nou Camp, and said a
victory was well within their grasp. "I don't think there were many people
giving Chelsea too much of a chance when they played Liverpool and they made
it," he said. "This team has got desire to win so don't be surprised if
they produce an incredible game and maybe win. The core of the team is a
strong core and they will try everything to win."
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga; Boa Morte (Savio,
72), Dyer (Sears, 61), Noble, Stanislaus; Tristan, Di Michele (Kovac, 61).
Substitutes not used: Lastuvka (gk), Lopez, Spector, Payne.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Mancienne (Ballack, 83), Ivanovic, Terry, Bosingwa
(Cole, 59); Belletti, Mikel; Kalou (Essien, 73), Lampard, Malouda; Anelka.
Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Di Santo, Drogba, Stoch.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Booked: West Ham Stanislaus.
Man of the match: Lampard.
Attendance: 34,749.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea's John Terry says West Ham fans' abuse 'crossed the line'
At Upton Park the vitriol dripped more than the sweat. For Chelsea this was,
ahead of tomorrow's Champions League semi-final first-leg in Barcelona, a
Saturday stroll.
telegraph
By Jason Burt
Last Updated: 7:19AM BST 27 Apr 2009
Save for the abuse directed at, predictably, Frank Lampard but also John
Terry. It wasn't as white-hot as in previous years down at the Boleyn but
for Terry, the West Ham supporters went too far. "Personally, I think they
crossed the line," the Chelsea captain said at the chants aimed towards him
and detailing, in the bluntest terms, the caution for shoplifting recently
suffered by his mother, Sue.
Guus Hiddink will want to stay at Chelsea after facing Liverpool in
Champions League"All my family are West Ham and some of them haven't come to
the game because there were things on a website about what they were going
to sing about me," Terry, who was born in Barking, east London, said.
"There are things in life you enjoy. We came here and got three points and
their fans walked away with nothing. You can't buy that. When we scored I
went running over to Lampsy (Lampard) and gave them (the West Ham
supporters) a bit back, there's nothing wrong with that. The ref had a quiet
word and told me not to wind them up."
Unsurprisingly, Terry added that he and Lampard were "so fired up before the
game" and determined to lead a deliberately depleted Chelsea to victory. And
they did. For West Ham supporters Terry's comments echoed previous ones from
Lampard. The midfielder has never been forgiven for the manner in which he
left and he was also goaded on Saturday for the break-up of his relationship
with his fiancée. In calmer moments, however, the home fans may realise that
perhaps this is all a bit counter-productive. It's West Ham who are
suffering, not Terry or Lampard, and Chelsea's record bears that out.
If Guus Hiddink had feared that by making so many changes with tomorrow and
Barcelona in mind – Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack were all
on the bench – he may have stalled his side's momentum, he need not have
worried. But Hiddink is shrewd and knows that by keeping the core of Terry
and Lampard the motivation was already provided. This was a Premier League
match, after all. "Each year we go to West Ham we are more determined to
prove them wrong and shut them up," Terry added.
They did. Despite the chants, West Ham fans were almost as subdued as their
team. There were mitigating circumstances. As well as Gianfranco Zola has
done in radically altering
West Ham's style into a more attractive passing game, it is a work in
progress. And one that, with almost his entire front six out injured,
doesn't have the reserves to carry on without them.
Zola signed a new four-year contract immediately after the final whistle and
amid all the congratulatory words there was also a comment from him that
will not go unnoticed. "Don't be surprised if there are a few signings and,
hopefully, the players will come and take the level of the team even
higher," he said of the forthcoming summer. It helps that West Ham's
ownership is to be stabilised at the end of the season with the Icelandic
bank Straumur effectively assuming control and allowing the club to be a
self-financing entity.
Then, Zola hopes to be challenging the top four. His former club, Chelsea,
fast-tracked to the top by Roman Abramovich, have grander designs. Their eye
is on the main prize and the suspicion lingers that whoever triumphs between
them and Barca will lift what Jose Mourinho dubbed the famous trophy with
the big ears.
In Hiddink they have a man equipped to do that. He revealed that twice
Chelsea had played Barca in the Champions League semi-final and won on both
occasions. In his head. "You have to think, to play games ahead – in my head
I have never lost a game in the preparation," he said and it may well be
that preparation which tips the balance in the tie. Hiddink, as he flies out
with the squad to Spain today, will have a plan, a strategy. "We have to try
and harm them," he said, "but of course we are preparing the detail on how
to control their power."
Chelsea collected the points after Salomon Kalou poked the ball home after
fine work by Lampard. West Ham missed three golden chances – Kieron Dyer
shot straight at Petr Cech, Diego Tristan's tame effort was cleared off the
line and Mark Noble's penalty was saved, but the visitors dominated with
opportunities of their own.
Now for Barca. And who, Hiddink was asked, scored in the games in his head?
"I will not tell you," he said, "then they make double coverage of this
player." Which is probably what he has planned for Lionel Messi.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Terry points finger at Hammers fans
by Tom Adams , 26 April 2009
setanta.co.uk
John Terry claims West Ham fans went over the top in the abuse dished out to
both himself and Frank Lampard and the Chelsea defender admits he relished
the chance to 'give them a bit back' on Saturday. Chelsea emerged victorious
from their trip to Upton Park thanks to Salomon Kalou's goal but Lampard and
Terry were subjected to now-annual taunts from the home support. Blues
captain Terry left West Ham's academy to join Chelsea as a teenager and
Frank Lampard also made the same move in 2001 for £11 million to provoke the
ire of Hammers fans who have still not forgiven the decision to swap East
London for West. When asked if the West Ham support had overstepped the
mark, Terry replied: "I think they do, personally. I can take it, Lamps can
take. It's a little bit more than that but I'm not going to give them a
chance to say I'm whinging. "Walking home with three points and them walking
home with nothing, you can't buy that and they can't buy that. "As a player
coming here, knowing you are going to get stick, I swear me and Lamps are so
fired up before the game and determined. "When you get that stick you just
want to prove them wrong and shut them up. I think we did that. "When we
scored, I went running over to Lamps and gave them a bit back. There's
nothing wrong with that. "The referee had a quiet word with me and said,
'Don't wind them up'. But if they can give they can take it, and if I can
take it I can give it. That's the way it's got to be. "They have to expect a
bit back. When they do get a bit back they all get the hump a little bit.
But that is football. I'll take it the rest of my career and I'll certainly
give a bit back in my career."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Terry: Boos makes me play better
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 26 April 2009 - 8:03 PM
John Terry has told the West Ham boo-boys: 'Keep giving me Hell'. The
Chelsea defender and Frank Lampard were subjected to vile taunts from the
Hammers fans during Chelsea's 1-0 win at Upton Park on Saturday but skipper
Terry says the abuse just spurs him on. He said: "There is a determination
each year to come to West Ham and shut them up. "I think Frank and I did
that. I can take it and 'Lamps' can take it, but I think they cross the
line. But I am not going to give them a chance by whinging about it. "I am a
big man and I can take it. Walking home with the three points and them
walking home with nothing - you can't buy that." The victory at Upton Park
was the ideal preparation for Chelsea's semi final clash with Barcelona in
the Champions League and Terry says the team will go to the Nou Camp full of
confidence. "We improved in the second half against West Ham after looking a
little tired. We dominated them and it's great to get the win. We can take
that momentum in Tuesday's game," he added.
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West Ham Look to Future
The Sun
Published: 26 Apr 2009
BOSS Gianfranco Zola is determined to take West Ham forward after committing
his future to the club. Zola signed a new four-year contract following the
1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, keeping him at Upton Park until 2013. The
Hammers are also set to announce assistant manager Steve Clarke has agreed a
long-term deal. And Zola said: "I am delighted to have signed the contract.
"We have a project here that we are taking forward with the coaching staff,
technical director Gianluca Nani and chief executive Scott Duxbury. "We are
very much working together. "We believe in the project and we will do
everything we can to make it happen."
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Terry outrage: Chelsea skipper slams vile chants but admits: I riled Hammers
fans
by NEIL ASHTON
Daily Mail
John Terry last night condemned West Ham's supporters for the disgraceful
taunts aimed at him and team-mate Frank Lampard during Chelsea's 1-0 victory
at Upton Park.
West Ham fans sang 'you let your children down' to former Hammer Lampard
throughout the game, a reference to his infamous call to a London radio
station last Friday in which he sought to defend himself on air against
accusations of being a bad father. Terry revealed that his mother, along
with several members of his family, did not attend the game after West Ham
websites encouraged supporters to sing 'John Terry's mum is a thief'
following her recent brush with the law. The Chelsea captain, who was
disgusted by the abuse, said: 'When we scored I went running to Frank and
gave them a bit back, but there's nothing wrong with that. The referee had a
quiet word and told me not to wind them up but if I can take it, they have
to get a little bit back as well. They have to respect it, but when we gave
them some back they all got the a***.'
West Ham fans have developed a reputation for being among the most spiteful
in the country and abuse former players when they return to Upton Park. Paul
Ince was still the target of hate-filled chants when he went back last
August as Blackburn manager, 19 years after incurring the supporters' wrath
by being pictured in a Manchester United shirt before he had joined them.
Lampard has had to endure stick for years, too, but other stars, such as
David Beckham, have also been singled out for vile abuse in the past. The
only consolation for the Chelsea midfielder and his team-mates is that it
could help prepare them to face the hostility of 90,000 Barcelona fans at
the Nou Camp tomorrow evening in the first leg of their Champions League
semi-final. But Terry, who, along with Lampard was given a police escort to
the team bus after the game, is still fuming about West Ham. He said: 'I
will take it and I will give it back. Frank and I were so fired up before
this game and we told the lads we couldn't let it slip.
'Frank and I are big enough to take it, but my family are all West Ham fans
and some of them did not go to the game because there were things on a
website about the songs they were going to sing. 'When we get stick like
thatwe are more determined to shut them up. We did that. 'I think West Ham's
fans cross the line but I'm not going to give them the chance to have a
whinge at me. There are certain things in life you enjoy. We came to get
three points and their fans walked away with nothing. You can't buy that.'
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Charlton 2 West Ham 3
Cact.org.uk
The Addicks dismal run in the league continued in their final match at
Dartford FC as they lost out by the odd goal to London rivals West Ham.
Although Technical Director Paul Mortimer welcomed back keeper Becky Musial
after a two-match absence he was without regular defenders Emma Wood and
Athena Yennaris through injury. Mortimer also welcomed back into the squad
midfielder Emma Tune, absent since November with a broken ankle. The Addicks
exerted early pressure but it was the Hammers who created the first real
chance as Musial was forced to make an excellent point blank save from
Tracey Duxbury. Minutes later Musial made a brave smothering save from the
same player who broke through the Addicks defence. Charlton won a free-kick
and skipper Kim Dixson's ball into the area was met by Toni Alden who saw
her goalbound header superbly saved by Hammers keeper Paris Smith. Addicks
striker Natalie Crinean then picked up a yellow card for dissent before
Ciara Sherwood's cross was met by Dixson who volleyed over the target. After
23 minutes a measured ball through the heart of the Hammers defence set
Crinean clear and the teenage striker rounded keeper Smith before slotting
the ball into the empty goal. A wayward pass from Addicks centre-back Harley
Bennett was then pounced on by Sam Pittuck who was denied the equaliser by
Musial who made a great save with her feet. West Ham then won a corner,
which Musial did well to punch clear from just under the crossbar. At the
other end Crinean set up Alden whose dipping effort went narrowly over the
bar.
Pittuck then won possession for the Hammers and set up Duxbury who brought a
fine fingertip save from Musial in the final action of the half. The second
half started with the Addicks giving away possession and Duxbury wasted a
golden opportunity shooting wide of the open goal. Charlton pressed forward
and Dixson shot over before Daniella Farmer cut in from the flank and curled
an effort off target. With 61 minutes gone Addicks centre-back was beaten in
the air and Duxbury raced clear to clinically finish into the far corner
leaving Musial with no chance. Five minutes later the Hammers took the lead
as former Addick Toni-Anne Wayne's high dipping free-kick was volleyed home
at the far post by unmarked Rosey Sullivan. On 73 minutes West Ham went
further ahead as the referee failed to award an off-side decision and Sam
Pittuck sent a low strike from the edge of the area just inside the post.
Substitute Emma Tune began to make an impact in the middle of the pitch with
several good challenges, which saw her win the ball and send in a long-range
bringing a useful save from Smith. Dixson then made a powerful run down the
left wing and sent in a low cross which keeper Smith got her hand too and
Ellie Stenning closed in. With 89 minutes gone Stenning finally got a
reward for all her chasing as she latched on to a through ball, cut inside a
defender and drilled a low shot under keeper Smith. The Addicks had the
chance to level the scores in injury time from a corner as Harley Bennett
brought a save from Smith and Jenny Moore latched onto the rebound but shot
straight at the keeper. Charlton have now gone seven games without a win and
on Thursday visit Barnet who now look favourites to clinch the runners-up
spot.
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Chelsea skipper Terry reacts to West Ham abuse
27.04.09 | Andrew Slevison
Chelsea captain John Terry has claimed that West Ham fans went too far with
abuse directed at both himself and Frank Lampard in the Blues win at Upton
Park on the weekend. Both former Hammers youth stars, Terry and Lampard left
the club to join Chelsea and it has always left a scar on West Ham fans.
"Walking home with three points and them walking home with nothing, you
can't buy that and they can't buy that," Terry said. "As a player coming
here, knowing you are going to get stick, I swear me and Lamps are so fired
up before the game and determined. "When you get that stick you just want to
prove them wrong and shut them up. I think we did that. "When we scored, I
went running over to Lamps and gave them a bit back. There's nothing wrong
with that. "The referee had a quiet word with me and said, 'Don't wind them
up'. But if they can give they can take it, and if I can take it I can give
it. That's the way it's got to be. "They have to expect a bit back. When
they do get a bit back they all get the hump a little bit. But that is
football. I'll take it the rest of my career and I'll certainly give a bit
back in my career."
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Chelsea skipper Terry: West Ham jeers are inspiration
27.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Chelsea skipper John Terry says the jeers from West Ham United fans work in
their favour everytime they visit Upton Park. He said: "I think they do,
personally. I can take it, Lamps (Frank Lampard) can take. It's a little bit
more than that but I'm not going to give them a chance to say I'm whinging.
"Walking home with three points and them walking home with nothing, you
can't buy that and they can't buy that. "As a player coming here, knowing
you are going to get stick, I swear me and Lamps are so fired up before the
game and determined. "When you get that stick you just want to prove them
wrong and shut them up. I think we did that."
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