16.05.2009
WHUFC.com
Everton v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Goodison Park
Saturday 16 May 2009
3pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
Full-time - Everton 3-1 West Ham United
93 mins - Referee Dowd blows the final whistle. West Ham's challenge for a
place in Europe is over for this season. Let us not be too down on our luck,
though, as the Hammers were as low as 17th in the Barclays Premier League
table after losing to Aston Villa on 20 December. Next season, with a full
pre-season of preparation behind them, the Hammers will make another
concerted bid to reach the UEFA Europa League.
90 mins - Credit to the visitors, they have not given up. Ilunga wins a
corner down the left. Boa Morte takes the kick, but it is headed clear.
Everton break and Baines tests Green with a right-footed shot. Two minutes
of added-time will be played.
88 mins - Boa Morte is booked for a foul on Baines just a yard outside the
penalty area. The left-back curls the ball miles over the top and West Ham
clear through Stanislas.
86 mins - On the plus-side, Collison has come through a full 90 minutes and
Cole has returned from injury. West Ham force a corner, but the ball is
cleared. Spector wins a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Noble takes the kick
but spanks it high into the stand.
83 mins - The unlikely figure of Spector gallops down the right and lofts
the ball into the centre, but it is too far in front of the rampaging
Stanislas.
82 mins - Saha has scored seven goals in 27 appearances this season. Four of
them have come in two games against West Ham. Neville is booked for a foul
on Boa Morte.
80 mins - Saha is replaced by Vaughan to a standing ovation. Cahill is also
going off as Jo makes his entrance.
79 mins - I nearly spoke too soon then! Saha is denied by a superb save by
Green, who then regathers himself to claw Cahill's header out from under the
crossbar.
78 mins - Moyes is going to bring on Jo and James Vaughan, so I'd suggest
Saha will not be completing his hat-trick this afternoon.
76 mins - GOAL! Game over. Pienaar gets to the byline and cuts the ball back
for Saha, who gets in front of Ilunga to tap into the net from no more than
three yards.
74 mins - Stanislas is racing around the pitch in his bright red boots. His
first name is actually Felix, not Junior. How's that for a fact?
72 mins - As things stand, West Ham's hopes of a top-seven finish have
disappeared with Fulham winning at ten-man Newcastle. Stanislas tries to
change all that by running 40 yards before forcing Howard into a scrambling
save.
69 mins - Neville launches another absolutely atrocious shot from 30 yards.
Fellaini is going off. He is replaced by Jack Rodwell.
68 mins - Stanislas is on for goalscorer Kovac.
66 mins - A big, big chance goes begging. Cole plays in Boa Morte but the
Portuguese winger's shot is weak and too close to Howard, who saves easily.
Seconds later, Cole has a chance himself, bringing down a long through ball,
but the ball just rolls away from him and Howard again gathers.
65 mins - Cole does well to hold off Yobo and curl the ball across the
six-yard box, but there is no-one there to apply the vital finish.
64 mins - Phil Neville slices a shot about 20 yards wide from long-range.
Ironic cheers from the home fans. Stanislas is warming up on the touchline.
62 mins - Saha turns past Neill 30 yards out and shoots low, but the ball
bobbles harmlessly wide. West Ham are coming back into this, but it is going
to be difficult for them to maintain any momentum with only ten players on
the field. All credit to them for trying, though.
59 mins - Pienaar takes the free-kick himself but it is too close to Green,
who catches the ball in front of his face. West Ham break and Cole has a
half-chance. The ball squirts out for a corner. Noble delivers and Upson
heads it. West Ham's players go up in unison in appealing for a penalty for
handball against Cahill. Replays are inconclusive.
57 mins - Weird. The ball flies at Kovac and he virtually catches it on the
halfway line. Seconds later, Spector is booked for dissent after committing
a foul on Pienaar. Neill reacts too and receives another lecture from Dowd.
55 mins - Upson has a chance to make amends, but he can only direct his
header from Noble's free-kick into the arms of Howard.
53 mins - After a long delay, Saha finally takes the free-kick, but he
balloons it into the back of the lower Gwladys Street end. Replays suggest
that might have been an Upson own-goal. Yobo's shot appeared to be going
wide before it hit the England defender's heel.
52 mins - Neill hauls down Pienaar on the edge of the penalty area. He
receives a stern talking to from referee Dowd.
50 mins - Osman crosses and Saha heads goalwards, only for the ball to hit
Spector and bounce off the near post and out for a corner. Green punches the
ball clear but Osman wins another flag-kick, which Green claims above the
head of Fellaini.
48 mins - GOAL! Boa Morte concedes a left-wing corner. Pienaar's kick eludes
everyone and falls to Yobo at the far post. The Nigerian takes a touch
before drilling a low shot past Green from six yards. Kovac had lost the big
defender.
47 mins - Lucas Neill is playing centre-back now, with Spector at
right-back. Cole is up front on his own with Collison on the left of a
four-man midfield.
46 mins - West Ham get us underway again. Cole is immediately fouled by Yobo
35 yards from goal. Noble curls the free-kick harmlessly wide of the far
post.
Cole and Jonathan Spector are both coming on. Still no sign of Robert Green,
but I doubt he'll be one of those replaced! Tristan and Di Michele are the
two players whose afternoon is over.
Half-time - Everton 1-1 West Ham United
Things are not exactly going brilliantly for West Ham elsewhere. Both
Tottenham and Fulham are winning. Back here at Goodison Park, Carlton Cole
is out warming up with fitness coach Antonio Pintus. Will we see the England
striker after the break?
Cole is back in the dressing room, so there is a good chance he will be on
after the interval. Four of the other substitutes - Walter Lopez, Junior
Stanislas, Savio and Josh Payne - are out on the pitch.
47 mins - Noble gifts the ball to Pienaar 30 yards from goal. He finds
Fellaini, who in turn finds Saha, but the Frenchman can only curl a weak
shot well over from 20 yards. Green clears and Dowd brings the first half to
a close.
45 mins - Di Michele is fouled on the halfway line. That should give West
Ham a bit of respite.
42 mins - Everton have a free-kick 25 yards from goal after Boa Morte
brought down Saha. Baines' shot hits the wall and is hacked clear.
40 mins - The sending off has forced Zola into a reshuffle. Kovac is now
playing alongside Upson. In midfield, Noble. Collison and Boa Morte are
playing behind Di Michele, with Tristan still up top on his own.
38 mins - GOAL! Saha calmly rolls the ball into the bottom right-hand corner
to level the scores. To be fair to referee Dowd, Tomkins was unquestionably
the last man, but the young defender made only minimal contact with the
Australian.
37 mins - Penalty! After seven minutes of hardly threatening Everton have a
penalty and West Ham are down to ten men. Cahill careered his way into the
box before going down under a challenge from Tomkins. Saha will take the
spot-kick.
30 mins - Everton are struggling to find their fluency again here. The goal
seems to have knocked the stuffing out of them.
27 mins - That goal has completely silenced Goodison Park, save for the away
fans, who are going completely mental in the sunshine. Those grey clouds
have disappeared, by the way.
24 mins - GOAL! Out of absolutely nowhere, Kovac takes a pass from Noble and
lets fly from about 35 yards. The ball swerves and arrows past Tim Howard.
The goalkeeper was slightly unsighted, but that was unstoppable! Kovac's
reaction to his first goal of the season is one of disbelief. He simply
raises both arms to the sky and receives the adulation of his team-mates.
22 mins - West Ham are still struggling to maintain possession in the
Everton half. Too often promising attacks are breaking down due to an
overhit or misplaced pass.
19 mins - Osman goes close again, stinging Green's palms with a rising shot
from the edge of the penalty area.
18 mins - The game is livening up. First, Neill steps in brilliantly to
intercept Saha's attempted through ball to Pienaar. Seconds later, play
switches to the other end, where Tristan fires a left-foot shot well over
the crossbar from 20 yards.
16 mins - A big chance for Tristan goes begging. Kovac's long ball over the
Everton defence found the Spaniard unmarked, but his first touch let him
down and allowed Tim Howard to plunge on to the loose ball.
15 mins - Something needs to be done to stop Everton from controlling this
game. West Ham simply cannot get out of their own half for longer than a few
seconds. Zola is in deep conversation with Steve Clarke to find a solution.
Tomkins is penalised for a foul on the edge of the penalty area. Baines and
Osman stand over the free-kick. Osman clips the ball in and Upson heads it
clear of the danger area.
13 mins - Osman should have just scored against West Ham for the fourth
straight season. The midfielder had an age to pick his spot from Fellaini's
knock-down, but can only poke a weak shot well wide of the near post from 12
yards.
11 mins - Pienaar goes very close with a searing angled drive from 25 yards.
Green wouldn't have got anywhere near that, had it been on target.
9 mins - Fellaini's cross-field ball finds Pienaar, who cuts inside Neill's
challenge before sliding the ball to Saha, who sends a low drive a few yards
wide of Green's right-hand post.
8 mins - Everton are seeing a lot more of the ball in the early going. West
Ham have hardly been out of their own half so far. Zola is out on the edge
of his technical area to try and change that situation.
7 mins - Everton's fans aren't making much noise, to be honest. All you can
hear are the West Ham supporters. There is low murmur elsewhere in the
ground.
6 mins - Some intricate build-up play from the home side almost sees
Marouane Fellaini get free, but Matthew Upson makes a vital interception.
5 mins - Boa Morte tries to play in Di Michele, but he delays his pass a
split-second too long and the Italian is again caught offside.
3 mins - West Ham are employing a new 4-2-3-1 formation this afternoon, with
Di Michele, Luis Boa Morte and Collison supporting Tristan. Noble and Kovac
are sitting in front of the back-four. Well, not literally sitting, but you
know what I mean...
2 mins - Radoslav Kovac lobs a first-time ball over the Everton back-four,
but David Di Michele is offside.
1 min - We're off and running. Everton are first to threaten, but Jack
Collison wins the ball back before Cahill fouls Mark Noble.
3pm - West Ham will attack the Gwladys Street end in the first half. Everton
will kick-off through Louis Saha and Tim Cahill.
2.59pm - The sun is out at Goodison Park, but there are some threatening
grey clouds overhead. It was raining about half-an-hour ago, so there should
be a nice zip to the playing surface. This is Everton's last home game
before the FA Cup final and their supporters are in high spirits, as you
might expect.
2.57pm - The strains of 'Z-Cars' ring out over the PA system as the two
teams take to the field. It really is a cracking tune, but it's no 'Bubbles'
is it?!
2.55pm - West Ham's players have thrown t-shirts thanking the club's
travelling fans for their support on the road this season into the crowd.
The lucky supporters who caught them are now wearing their newest items of
clothing.
2.50pm - Everton's player of the year award is handed to Phil Jagielka.
Unfortunately for the England defender, he will miss the FA Cup final
through injury. Both teams are back in their respective dressing rooms ahead
of this afternoon's Barclays Premier League match. Elsewhere, Manchester
United have drawn 0-0 with Arsenal at Old Trafford to secure the title. For
West Ham fans, events at Newcastle United, who take on Fulham, and Tottenham
Hotspur, who host Manchester City, hold more direct relevance as the three
clubs vie for a top-seven finish.
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has welcomed Jack Collison back into
his starting lineup at FA Cup finalists Everton this afternoon.
It is the first time the 21-year-old has started a Barclays Premier League
game since he suffered a dislocated kneecap in the 1-0 victory at Wigan
Athletic on 4 March.
The Wales international midfielder, who has appeared as a substitute in each
of West Ham's previous two league matches, replaced Junior Stanislas, who
dropped to the substitutes' bench after starting the Hammers' last six
matches.
Striker Carlton Cole returned to the bench after recovering from the groin
injury he suffered during England's 4-0 international friendly win over
Slovakia at Wembley on 28 March.
Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, on loan from Ujpest FC in his
homeland, was also among the replacements for the first time as Robert
Green's usual number two, Czech Jan Lastuvka, was ruled out through injury.
Kurucz turns 21 on 30 May, the same date that Everton will take on Chelsea
in the FA Cup final.
Everton manager David Moyes made three changes to the team that drew 0-0
with Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park a week ago.
Dane Lars Jacobsen for replaced Luke Gosling, with Phil Neville switching to
a midfield role. In midfield, Leon Osman replaced Jack Rodwell while, up
front, Louis Saha came in for Brazilian Jo.
Osman has scored against West Ham in each of the last three seasons.
West Ham, who probably need at least a point this afternoon to maintain
their challenge for a place in next season's UEFA Europa League, have won on
just one of their last 12 visits to Goodison, courtesy of a 2-1 Barclays
Premier League victory in December 2005.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Noble, Kovac
(Stanislas 67), Collison, Di Michele (Spector 46), Boa Morte, Tristan (Cole
46)
Subs: Kurucz, Lopez, Payne, Savio
Everton: Howard, Jacobsen, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Neville, Fellaini (Rodwell
69), Osman, Cahill (Jo 80), Pienaar, Saha (Vaughan 80)
Subs not used: Nash, Hibbert, Gosling, Castillo
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Hammers downed by Everton
WHUFC.com
Ten-man West Ham United succumbed to a 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at
Everton
16.05.2009
Everton 3-1 West Ham United
West Ham United fought bravely for an hour with ten men but eventually
Everton's superior numbers told at Goodison Park on Saturday.
It had all looked so promising when Radoslav Kovac got his first goal for
the club with an absolutely stunning long-range strike after 24 minutes. The
game was then turned on its head eight minutes before half time when James
Tomkins was sent off for felling Tim Cahill in the penalty area. Luis Saha
tucked the spot-kick away. Joseph Yobo gave Everton the lead three minutes
after half time before Saha got a simple third in the 77th minute.
West Ham United's line-up showed one change from the Liverpool match seven
days previously. Jack Collison made his first start since dislocating his
kneecap against Wigan Athletic on 4 March. There was further good news as
Carlton Cole was fit enough to return to the substitutes' bench.
Before the game captain Lucas Neil led the players in throwing their
specially-made t-shirts saying "Thanks for the support" into the away crowd
and Neill and his team-mates then set about trying to reward those fans
further by securing a result that would see them venture on European travels
next season.
Everton, though, were keen to ensure that their last home game before the FA
Cup final ended in their favour and had several speculative efforts on
Robert Green's goal in the opening ten minutes. The Toffees then had their
first clear sight of goal 13 minutes in when the big-haired Marouane
Fellaini cushioned a Lars Jacobsen centre to Leon Osman, but he sliced the
good opportunity wide.
West Ham edged their way into the game and a long ball over the top from
Kovac sent Tristan running into space. He bought the ball down, but Tim
Howard was out quickly to narrow the angle and shepherd the ball out for a
goal-kick.
The Spanish striker was involved again moments later when he showed some
neat footwork to side-step his marker, but sadly he could only fire high
into the crowd behind Howard's goal.
Kovac then gave the Hammers the lead midway through the half. There seemed
little danger when the Czech international picked up a short pass from Mark
Noble 35 yards from goal. But the midfielder had already seen an opportunity
to unleash an unstoppable right-footed drive that flew past the stunned
Howard.
The game-changing moment arrived 13 minutes later when Tomkins clipped the
on-rushing Tim Cahill in the area. Referee Phil Dowd swiftly showed Tomkins
the red card and Saha dispatched the spot kick into the bottom right-hand
corner of the net
Zola sought to re-organise his side with the introduction of Jonathan
Spector and Carlton Cole at the interval with David Di Michele and Tristan
making way. It was to no avail, though, as Everton took the lead just three
minutes later.
Yobo controlled a deep Stephen Pienaar corner at the far post before
drilling a low shot past Green and three West Ham players on the goal-line.
The hosts then nearly put the game to bed when Saha crashed a header against
the outside of the post.
Just before the hour mark Spector was cautioned for remonstrating a little
too strongly with Mr Dowd, before the man in black was the centre of
attention again at the other end of the field.
The Hammers won a corner after good work from Cole. Noble floated it in and
Upson headed the ball against Cahill's arm, but Dowd waved away the United
players' screams for a penalty.
Zola's men continued to fight, backed some vivacious support from the away
fans and had two great chances within a minute of each other. First, Cole
slipped Boa Morte through on goal with a perfect pass but the Portuguese
could only fire weakly at Howard. Then, the returning England striker had a
great chance of his own, but his touch when bringing down a long ball in the
area was just a little too heavy and Howard gathered.
Both Zola and David Moyes made changes for the final 20 minutes with Junior
Stanislas coming on for Radoslav Kovac and Jack Rodwell entering the fray
for Fellaini. Stanislas nearly made an instant impact when he ran at the
backtracking Blues defence and fired in a driven shot that Howard gathered
at the second attempt.
Everton got the killer third with 13 minutes to go. Pienaar did well to get
past Spector on the touchline, before sending a dangerous low cross along
the goal-line which left Saha with the most simple of tap-ins.
It could and probably should have been four seconds later, were it not for
the heroics of Green, who first thwarted Saha in a one-on-one before clawing
away a Cahill header from the top corner.
With the game seemingly wrapped up, Moyes made his final two changes with
Saha and Cahill leaving the field and Jo and James Vaughan replacing them.
Leighton Baines and Luis Boa Morte both went into the book for fouls.
West Ham gave it their all, but had just a couple of corners to show for all
of their effort as eventually their drive for European football ran out of
gas - for this year at least.
They will, of course, be looking to end the season on a high when
Middlesbrough visit the Boleyn Ground next Sunday when the winner of the
Hammer of the Year 2008/09 will be announced.
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Zola rues red card
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola was looking to the future after his side's 3-1 defeat by
Everton on Saturday
16.05.2009
Gianfranco Zola was in gracious mood after watching a game his side were in
control of turned on its head by the sending off of James Tomkins.
West Ham United were a goal up and cruising before the young defender was
shown a red card after tripping Tim Cahill in the penalty box. Louis Saha
ensured the Hammers suffered maximum punishment by equalising for Everton
from the resulting penalty before Everton added two more after the break.
Despite the cruel blow, Zola was quick to move any blame away from referee
Phil Dowd.
"Yes it did change the game. I was watching it on the TV and thought maybe
yes, maybe no. If I was the referee maybe I was going to give the penalty
but not give the red card as it was very close. Phil saw it that way, it is
sad and painful but I have to accept that," Zola said.
"I thought maybe a yellow card as our player tried to get the ball and maybe
the player arrived first. I don't know if it was clean contact. The referee
is there and sometimes can pick up the right decisions. He certainly doesn't
have the cameras we have but I have to accept it."
Zola's side had taken the lead through one of the goals of the season from
Radoslav Kovac. It was the Czech international's first for the club and if
he was to score 100 more it is unlikely any would better it. Kovac picked up
a short pass 35 yards from goal and drilled the ball past the startled Tim
Howard.
"It was a great strike. Although we didn't start the game as well as I had
wanted, just before the goal we started picking up a little bit and we
seemed in control of the game. The penalty changed the course of the game."
The defeat finishes any hope of West Ham qualifying for next season's UEFA
Europa League. Although disappointed, Zola is proud of what he and his team
have achieved in his short time with the club and is already looking forward
to next season.
"I am disappointed and I told the players that. They are very disappointed
but I am even more disappointed than them. We could have got the seventh
place but that doesn't take anything away from the season that they played
and I am proud to be their manager.
"If you consider all of the circumstances, all of the problems around the
club, all of the important injuries picked up in the crucial moment of the
season. Considering all of that they have done fantastic. I told them next
year we are going to be much better and I do believe in that."
On a day of few positives, the return to action of striker Carlton Cole was
one glimmering light. The England stiker was his usually bullish self after
coming on as a half-time substitute.
"He was positive but obviously we didn't have all of the Carlton Cole at his
best but he made an impact and he gave a great ball to Luis Boa Morte. But
it was important to have Carlton Cole back."
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Everton 3-1 West Ham
By Mike Henson
BBC.co.uk
Louis Saha scored twice as Everton came from behind against 10-man West Ham
to end the visitors' Europa League hopes. Radoslav Kovac's 30-yard rocket
had put West Ham ahead but a red card for James Tomkins changed the game's
destiny. Tomkins was sent off for tripping Tim Cahill and Saha tucked away
the resulting penalty with aplomb. After the break Joseph Yobo made it 2-1
with a rifled shot, Saha hit the post with a header, but a close-range shot
gave the Frenchman his second goal. West Ham had arrived on Merseyside
hoping to take a major step towards following Everton into the Europa
League, but found the home side in no mood to help out. A series of
dangerous raids from Leighton Baines soon had the Hammers rearguard chasing
back towards their own goal before Steven Pienaar's spectacular long-range
effort singed the bar with Robert Green beaten. Everton's dominance
continued as Marouane Fellaini's knockdown gave Leon Osman a clear sight of
goal but the midfielder swung awkwardly at a bobbling ball and sliced wide.
Starved of possession, West Ham were restricted to launching long balls
forward and almost had some success as Diego Tristan narrowly failed to
control a pass over his shoulder. That promised better things to come and
sure enough West Ham took the lead with their first attempt on goal with
Kovac's superb strike.
The Czech midfielder casually advanced towards the Everton goal before
launching a swerving 35-yard strike that sped into Tim Howard's bottom
corner. Just as they fell behind out of the blue, Everton found themselves
back in the game courtesy of Tomkins' dismissal Cahill was sent sprawling by
the West Ham defender's instinctive lunge and referee Phil Dowd duly
brandished a red card and pointed to the spot. Green stood in the right half
of his goal to put off Saha, but the Frenchman remained cool and confidently
tucked home. Kovac was forced back into defence as West Ham regrouped, but
inside two minutes of the restart David Moyes' side were ahead. Some flimsy
defending allowed a deep corner kick to find an unattended Yobo at the far
post, and the defender coolly controlled before driving hard and low through
the legs of Matthew Upson and into the far corner. And West Ham's resistance
was crushed with a beautifully crafted third. Pienaar dropped a shoulder to
go past Jonathan Spector and after reaching the byeline the South African
squared for Saha to sidefoot home. Everton were determined to sign off in
style in front of their home support and Saha squandered a fine opportunity
to pick up his hat-trick seconds before Cahill's header was scooped away by
an alert Green. After the final whistle, injured captain Phil Jagielka,
complete with crutches, joined a lap of the pitch as they bade their
supporters farewell and West Ham saw their European hopes wither.
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Everton manager David Moyes: "If you had given me sixth at the start of the
season I would have said thanks very much. If we can stay fifth I will be
more than happy.
"I thought we were really good for the first 20 minutes, then we went a goal
behind against the run of play. We showed great character to come back and
do the job. "The penalty and the sending off were a double whammy for West
Ham. It was difficult for them but I don't think you can doubt we played
very well first half. "Patience was always going to be the key as West Ham
tried to hit us on the counter."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "The players are very disappointed. But I
am even more disappointed we have not been able to make seventh place. "I am
really pleased and proud to be their manager. Considering all the problems
that were around the club, all the injuries we had, the players have done a
fantastic job. "I have promised them that next season we will be much
better. I do believe that."
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Everton: Howard, Jacobsen, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Neville, Cahill (Jo
80), Pienaar, Fellaini (Rodwell 69), Saha (Vaughan 80).Subs Not Used: Nash,
Hibbert, Castillo, Gosling.
Booked: Baines.
Goals: Saha 38 pen, Yobo 48, Saha 76.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Noble, Kovac
(Stanislas 67), Boa Morte, Tristan (Cole 46), Di Michele (Spector 46). Subs
Not Used: Kurucz, Lopez, Nsereko, Payne.
Sent Off: Tomkins (37).
Booked: Spector, Boa Morte.
Goals: Kovac 24.
Att: 38,501
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Everton's Steven Pienaar (8.06 on
90 minutes).
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Zola on ... Everton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 16th May 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola shares his thoughts after missing out on European
qualification...
On Tomkins' sending off...
I think it changed the game completely. What can I say? Unfortunately he
penalised us; that was the way the referee saw it. Although it has been very
painful for us.
It looked like it was a penalty, he was closer than me. But maybe it wasn't
a red card - maybe because he was trying to get the ball. But as I said it's
gone that way, we accept that but it's a pity because the team deserved
something more.
On Kovac's wonder strike...
It was a great goal - and he's been an important player for us.
On Boa Morte's second half chance...
To be fair to Luis he's run for 40 yards after chasing his man back so he
got there a little bit tired. I can understand why he's missed that.
On missing out on Europe...
My disappointment is the disappointment of the whole team but we tried very
hard. To be fair we've had such a difficult time considering everything and
I'm still pleased with what the team has done this year.
It was difficult and I think we've done very well so we didn't achieve that
this year but we're going to try harder next year. I'm very confident; this
year we've just had a taste of it and next year I'm sure we're going to
improve.
David Moyes - Everton
He {Louis Saha] got two goals against West Ham earlier in the season and it
was in my thoughts that he could do it again.
It sounds bad saying this but I haven't seen it [the penalty incident]
again. I thought with our play up to then we hadn't deserved to be a goal
down, we played really well.
My feeling was that it was a penalty kick because he was tripping the last
man through. It's the rules; I don't really like it myself - I don't think
for a minute that the boy meant to do it but at the end of the day if he
did, it has to be a red card.
* Zola and Moyes were talking to the BBC.
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Everton sign off in style
Tomkins sent-off as West Ham fall to defeat
Last updated: 16th May 2009
SSN
Man of the Match: Steven Pienaar set up Everton's second and third goals as
well as being a constant threat down the left-hand side
Goal of the Match: Radoslav Kovac stunned the home crowd with a thundering
strike from all of 35 yards that gave Tim Howard no chance
Attempt of the Match: Pienaar almost gave Everton the lead early in the game
with a long-range strike that whistled past the upright.
Miss of the Match: Luis Boa Morte should have equalised for the Hammers but
hit a tame effort straight at Tim Howard when through on goal
Talking Point: James Tomkins tripped Tim Cahill in the penalty area, but did
his foul warrant the red card he was given?
Everton easily grabbed three points from their final home game of the season
with a 3-1 win over West Ham. The visitors took the lead against the run of
play when Radoslav Kovac picked up the ball 35 yards out and blasted a
long-range effort into the net as Everton stood off him. But the game was
changed completely when Everton were awarded a penalty and West Ham reduced
to 10-men on 38 minutes. As Tim Cahill burst into the penalty area, he was
tripped by young centre-back James Tomkins. Phil Dowd pointed to the spot
and showed Tomkins a red card. Louis Saha stepped up and coolly sent
goalkeeper Robert Green the wrong way, slotting his shot into the bottom
corner. Everton took the lead shortly after half-time when Joseph Yobo
brought down a Steven Pienaar corner before firing his shot through a
crowded six-yard box.
The match was put beyond doubt when Saha tapped-in from inside the six-yard
box after some great work by Pienaar.
Everton had the majority of possession in the opening minutes, Saha dragging
a shot wide of the post from the edge of the area after nine minutes having
been set up by Pienaar. Then Pienaar strode forward and unleashed a powerful
effort from 25 yards that went narrowly over the bar. Leon Osman should have
given Everton the lead in the 13th minute but screwed his shot wide of the
post after Marouane Fellaini had flicked on a cross from Lars Jacobsen. West
Ham responded and Kovac split the defence to release Diego Tristan. He
seemed surprised at the chance and goalkeeper Tim Howard was able to mop up.
Osman tested Robert Green with a delicate chip in the 19th minute before
West Ham took the lead with a goal out of nowhere in the 24th minute. Kovac
delivered his first goal for West Ham with a stunning effort from distance
that flew beyond Howard. Gianfranco Zola's team then grew in confidence and
Tristan clipped a shot wide of the post in the 28th minute. However, the
game took a dramatic turn in the 38th minute when West Ham were reduced to
10 men as Tomkins tripped Cahill in the penalty area and was sent off. Saha
sent Green the wrong way with his spot-kick to take his tally for the season
to six goals.
Everton then forged ahead in the 48th minute after some sloppy defending by
the visitors. Yobo was left unmarked at the back post as Pienaar swung in
the corner and the Nigerian rifled a shot into the net, the ball taking a
slight deflection off Matthew Upson. Everton almost increased their lead two
minutes later. Saha got on the end of Osman's cross but his header clipped
substitute Jonathan Spector and came back off the post. But West Ham
suddenly launched two swift counter-attacks with Luis Boa Morte missing a
golden opportunity, then substitute Carlton Cole failed to get a decent
touch in a good position. Everton killed the game off in the 76th minute
with Saha's second goal of the game. He scored from close range following a
cross from Pienaar, who had shown good skill to skip to the byline. Saha
should have completed his hat-trick two minutes later but Green blocked his
effort after he had been released by Cahill.
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Zola would welcome Tevez
West Ham boss realistic over Argentine
Last updated: 14th May 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola has admitted it would be terrific if West Ham could bring
back Carlos Tevez. The Argentine forward joined the Hammers in the summer
of 2006 and became a fans' favourite with a series of inspirational
performances. He helped keep the club in the Premier League before switching
to Manchester United on a two-year loan deal. Tevez's future has yet to be
resolved and he acknowledged over the weekend there is a chance he could
leave Old Trafford during the transfer window. His preference would be to
stay in England and advisor Kia Joorabchian claimed on Tuesday that playing
UEFA Champions League football would not necessarily be a crucial factor in
any decision. Zola accepts that it is not very realistic to think that West
Ham could win the chase for Tevez's signature but the Italian tactician
insists he would be delighted to see such a move go through. "Carlos Tevez
would be a player that many, many managers would like to have in their
team," Zola told Sky Sports News. "He is a fantastic player and they tell me
he is also a wonderful boy as well, a real team player. "Yes. Why not? I
think it would be difficult because there might be so many teams interested
in him, probably bigger than West Ham. "But if he fancies it I am sure the
supporters would have him back and I would have him here with pleasure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Everton Report
Vinny - Sun May 17 2009
West Ham Online
Everton 3 West Ham United 1
West Ham's Europa League dream was ended as Everton ran out 3-1 winners
against the Hammers side who had been reduced to ten men following the
sending off of James Tomkins just before the half time mark.
With other results not going our way the 7th place finish is something we
now cannot achieve. It is difficult to really criticise the teams
performance due to fact that before the penalty and sending off we were
leading and looked quite comfortable.
Everton took advantage of the extra man and were far too strong for us in
the second half. We did have a couple of chances which at least one of them
should have been taken but anyone who watched the game will know that in
that second period it just wasn't to be.
We took the allocation that we were given which was around 1,800. I was
slightly disappointed with this turn out due to it being the last away game
of the season. We had sold this game out before we played Chelsea a number
of weeks ago, so there was obviously a demand for tickets.
Gianfranco Zola made just one change to the team who started against
Liverpool last weekend. The change came in midfield with Junior Stanislas
dropping to the bench with Jack Collison making his first start since the
away game at Wigan.
The subs bench saw the return of Carlton Cole. Also on the bench was 17 year
old goal keeper Peter Kurucz.
If there was any suggestion that Everton would take this game easy due to
their FA Cup Final appearance in a few weeks time it was put to rest early
on as the home side came at us from the off.
The first chance came from a long range effort from Steven Pienaar who was
very unlucky with his strike which had Robert Green worried.
Everton should have taken the lead (or at least made Green work more than he
had to) when the birds nest haired Fellani cushioned a header in the path of
Osman but his shot went wide of the goal.
We started to get into the game and should have done a lot better with a
chance which saw Kovac play a wonderful ball over the top for Tristan to run
onto but the Spaniard mis-controlled the ball and Howard was able to
smother.
Tristan would again be involved a few minutes later when he received the
ball in space on the right hand side. He cut inside and saw a shooting
opportunity but his left foot shot went high and wide.
On the 24 minute mark we would take the lead in spectacular fashion. An
attacking move involving Ilunga seemed to have broken down with the lack of
movement forcing him to play the ball backwards.
The ball was eventually squared to Kovac who with little options hit a shot
from around 30 yards which moved and beat Howard to put the away side in the
lead.
It was a stunning strike from a player who had been subject to a lot of
frustration from the West Ham crowd up until that point as he had lost
possession a few times.
The period after our goal was very positive as we seemed to take control of
the game and anything Everton threw at us. It was at this stage where I was
quite confident that we would go on to win the game and maybe even further
our lead.
On 37 minutes the game would completely turn on its head and went to show
yet again how quickly football can change.
Everton played the ball into the feet just outside the area and the ball was
flicked through to Cahill who was clipped by James Tomkins. A penalty was
duly given but the referee proceeded to further the damage by showing a red
card to Tomkins. Whilst I have little argument over the penalty, the red
card was a little harsh. It wasn't a malicious or pre meditated challenge
and the award of a penalty was punishment enough.
As the West Ham fans watched the game plan fall apart, Louis Saha stepped up
and sent Green the wrong way to equalise for the hosts.
The Everton support finally came to life as they had been very silent
throughout most of the first half.
We held out till half time but knew that the second half would be an uphill
struggle. Changes were needed and Zola made two of them, withdrawing Diego
Tristan and David Di Michele and replacing them with Jonathan Spector and
Carlton Cole.
Cole went up front on his own with Spector going to right back and Neill
moving into the centre of defence alongside Upson.
Everton had obviously talked about hitting us from the very beginning of the
second half and that is what they did. We could not contain the pressure and
they would find themselves in the lead just three minutes after the restart.
It came from a Everton's first corner of the day as the unmarked Yobo found
enough room to strike the ball which seemed to take a couple of deflections
along the way and end up in the back of the net.
Everton looked strong and the pressure was beginning to tell. We were nearly
put out of sight when a header from Saha clipped the outside of the post.
Our only outlet was Carlton Cole who was doing magnificently to fend off two
Everton defenders.
Everton found themselves winning a number of free kicks with Jonathan
Spector going into Phil Dowd's book for dissent.
The handball chant went up when a corner was floated in by Noble. The ball
found the head of Upson and the header seemed to strike the arm of Cahill
but the protests were waived away to the anger of the West Ham fans.
This seemed to give the players a bit more fight and we managed to create
two excellent chances. The first should have been taken and it came from a
player who divides many supporters as it is.
Carlton Cole (from his own half) played a simply stunning past through to
Boa Morte who had a clear sight on goal but his shot (on his good foot I
might add) was extremely poor and was easily saved by Howard.
The next chance came from an equally brilliant pass this time from Noble
which was floated over the top for Cole to get onto but his first touch
diverted the ball into Howard and despite the keeper fumbling the ball Cole
could not get a shot in to his and our frustration.
Zola took off Kovac and replaced him with Stanislas as we tried to give it a
go and continue to attack. Stanislas nearly made something happen when a
counter attack saw the winger cut inside and hit a shot which was saved by
Howard.
With our attempt at finding an equaliser proving unsuccessful, Everton
worked there way back into the game as an attacking force and found that
killer third goal which ended any hopes of a West Ham comeback.
It was a good goal too with the excellent Pienaar turning Spector and
squaring the ball for Saha to tap in from just a couple of yards out.
We looked deflated by this point and Everton should have increased the lead
when Saha was played through on goal only for his shot to be turned away by
Green.
From the rebound the ball was eventually clipped to he back post for the
unmarked Cahill to head at goal but Green somehow kept the ball out.
We had given it a go but ultimately Everton were too strong for the ten men
in the second half. A very anti climatic way for our season to effectively
end.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Made some excellent saves throughout the game and it would have been a lot
worse if it wasn't for him.
Lucas Neill
Up until the sending off of Tomkins the captain was having a wonderful game.
He seemed to have the better of Pienaar and Baines every time and when he
had to move in to the centre it was not a surprise to see Pienaar take over
the game.
Matthew Upson
A rock at the back for the majority of the game. Won so many headers and was
often strong in the challenge which he needed to be given the physicality of
some of the Everton players.
James Tomkins
It was a real shame for him that he was sent off as he was having another
terrific game. It was foul but a harsh sending off.
Herita Ilunga
Defended well but he like all the defenders were under immense pressure in
the second half. Is it me or does Ilunga take his eye off the ball at least
once a game and it goes out for a throw in?
Luis Boa Morte
Was always there to kick at the heels of the Everton players and found
himself with a lot of room in the first half which he failed to exploit
because of his indecision on the ball. He really should have scored in the
second half and his final ball and goal scoring are the two things he should
be good at but has never displayed any of these attribute since signing for
the club.
Mark Noble
A workman like display from Noble who found it difficult to find time and
space on the ball. He did get that chance a couple of times in the second
half and that pass to Cole shows you what he can do.
Radoslav Kovac
Just before he scored he had been subject to a lot of frustration from the
West Ham fans as he wanted far too long on the ball and kept losing it. Then
he goes and scores a cracker of a goal to put us in the lead. I think Kovac
is a decent player who you will see play really well against the lesser
teams and look a little out of his depth against the good ones. That's not
to say he can't be useful though.
Jack Collison
Easing himself back to fitness we didn't really see much of Collison on the
ball.
David Di Michele
Taken off at half time due to the sending off as we looked to reshuffle. His
performance up till then had been the same as usual.
Diego Tristan
In my opinion he should have controlled the ball in the first half and
scored as he was played in with acres of space by Kovac. He looked slow and
sluggish and his choices when on the ball were often the wrong ones.
Subs Used
Carlton Cole (on for Tristan 45 mins)
A superb performance from Cole and probably the highlight of the day for me.
He gave Lescott a torrid time and showed how to lead a line. It's funny
because you don't really know what you are missing when a player like Cole
gets injured and then you have to deal with Tristan and Di Michele. It does
leave me thinking 'what if Cole had not have got injured'.
Jonathan Spector (on for Di Michele 45 mins)
Given a hard time by Pienaar and looked all over the place in the second
half.
Junior Stanislas (on for Kovac 67 minutes)
One counter attack and shot aside we saw little of him.
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Lopez, Nsereko, Payne.
Overall
The European 'dream' is over and we can only realistically finish in 9th
place (or below of course). This is disappointing of course but I don't
think anyone would have thought we would even be in with a chance come the
penultimate game of the season.
It has been said before but with Behrami, Ashton, Dyer, Parker, Cole and
Collison missing either most or just key parts of the season it was always
going to be a big ask.
If we had not have had Tomkins sent off I fully believe we would have taken
something out of this game but of course we now get into the if's and buts
and our season isn't just based on this game of course.
Next up is Middlesbrough who have to beat us in order to even have a slim
chance of staying up. We want to end the season on a high and hopefully the
players will give the fans a big result.
Franco's Feelings
"Yes the red card did change the game. I was watching it on the TV and
thought maybe yes, maybe no. If I was the referee maybe I was going to give
the penalty but not give the red card as it was very close. Phil saw it that
way, it is sad and painful but I have to accept that,"
"I thought maybe a yellow card as our player tried to get the ball and maybe
the player arrived first. I don't know if it was clean contact. The referee
is there and sometimes can pick up the right decisions. He certainly doesn't
have the cameras we have but I have to accept it."
"It was a great strike. Although we didn't start the game as well as I had
wanted, just before the goal we started picking up a little bit and we
seemed in control of the game. The penalty changed the course of the game."
"I am disappointed and I told the players that. They are very disappointed
but I am even more disappointed than them. We could have got the seventh
place but that doesn't take anything away from the season that they played
and I am proud to be their manager.
"If you consider all of the circumstances, all of the problems around the
club, all of the important injuries picked up in the crucial moment of the
season. Considering all of that they have done fantastic. I told them next
year we are going to be much better and I do believe in that."
Att: 38,501
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola 'proud' of Hammers
Boss heaps praise on West Ham side
Last updated: 16th May 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola is proud of his players despite the fact West Ham fell out
of European contention after their Goodison Park defeat. The Hammers saw any
remaining hopes of finishing seventh slip away after Fulham and Tottenham
both secured victories on Saturday. Reports about the club's financial
status and possible takeover have dominated recent headlines at Upton Park,
but Zola says the squad's ability to remain focused has been "remarkable".
"I still remain very, very happy about the way the team has played this year
and, as I told the players, I'm very proud of them," he told Sky Sports. "It
has been a difficult season with many problems but what they've done has
been very remarkable. "We tried very hard, to be honest they always give me
100 per cent and I really appreciate that, they've been really good.
"Although everything was going on around them they always managed to focus
on the game and they've done a very good job."
West Ham were put on the back-foot against Everton when centre-back James
Tomkins was sent-off for upending Tim Cahill when the Australian was through
on goal. Zola was disappointed with Phil Dowd's decision to show the red
card but refused to criticise the referee, saying his judgement must be
accepted. "It was very frustrating," the Italian added. "We knew it was
going to be a difficult game and to be honest we didn't start in the best
way but we got a goal and we were holding out very well, the penalty just
came at the wrong moment and also losing James Tomkins was a big thing for
us. "Maybe it was a penalty, I don't know if it was necessary to send him
off but the referee was there and he's judged it like that and we can only
accept it. "Obviously we had to change the plan completely and to be fair
it's not easy to play against this team 11 against 11."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
RACE ON FOR JOE LEDLEY
Stoke, West Ham and Everton all want Cardiff winger
16/05/2009
News Of The World
STOKE have joined West Ham and Everton in a battle to sign Cardiff winger
Joe Ledley. Boss Tony Pulis has been on the trail of the 22-year-old Wales
international since last summer. He had three bids - the last for £6million
- rejected.
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Saha's double deflects Kovac hammer blow
Everton 3 West Ham United 1
By David Instone at Goodison Park
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Independent.co.uk
For the second time this season, Everton gave West Ham a goal start and hit
back to win with three of their own. More eye-opening still is the fact
Louis Saha was again at the heart of the comeback. This was only the
Frenchman's 12th start of an injury-ravaged campaign and, it now being
claim-staking time for FA Cup final places, his latest return to the
starting line-up could have wider repercussions.
Saha's brace helped settle a game that see-sawed entertainingly without
possessing the dramatic twist provided by Everton's three goals – two of
them by him – in the last seven minutes at Upton Park in November. Fifth
place is now Everton's for the first time in 2008-09 and their manager David
Moyes said: "Louis's overall contribution was much better. He has that in
him and it has always been a case of getting it out. I would have taken
sixth at the start of the season and I'm delighted we will now finish fifth
or sixth."
While Everton leapfrogged Aston Villa, the Europa League chase is up for
West Ham who led spectacularly through their on-loan Spartak Moscow
midfielder Radoslav Kovac but had James Tomkins sent off in the build-up to
the equaliser. "It completely changed the game and it was painful," said
their manager Gianfranco Zola. "Maybe the referee could have given only a
yellow card."
Everton began brightly with Saha and the excellent Steven Pienaar shooting
off target and Leon Osman driving wastefully wide from 15 yards. Kovac
thunderously opened the scoring, though, when letting fly from 30 yards with
a 24th-minute right-foot shot that swerved away from Tim Howard to his left.
The lead West Ham were comfortably defending disappeared eight minutes
before half-time. Tim Cahill showed characteristic awareness to burst
goalwards after Saha was crowded out and the left foot Tomkins stuck out in
response produced a trip and a red card. Saha drilled home the penalty.
Three minutes after the interval, Pienaar's deep left-wing corner was
allowed to not only reach Joseph Yobo but also be controlled and then
despatched with such freakish precision as to whistle in through the legs of
Matthew Upson and Mark Noble.
Almost immediately, Jonathan Spector deflected a Saha header against the
outside of the post but the striker touched in the third after Pienaar
superbly wrong-footed Spector to cross and later fluffed his hat-trick
chance when played in one-on-one by Cahill and repelled by Robert Green.
There was much life in West Ham at 2-1. Upson directed a powerful header
straight at Howard, the goalkeeper subsequently saving superbly from Luis
Boa Morte before, in a game of numerous chances and near misses, Green, on
his 350th start in club football, performed heroics to prevent Everton's
post-match lap of honour bearing an even bigger swagger.
Attendance: 38,501
Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Pienaar
Match rating: 8/10
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Davenport certain to leave
Sunday 17 May 2009
4thGame.com
West Ham United defender Calum Davenport is keen to turn his loan move to
Sunderland into a permanent transfer in the summer. The 26-year-old former
Tottenham and Coventry City player has made six appearances for Ricky
Sbragia's relegation-threatened side since arriving on Wearside in January
and has enjoyed his spell in the north-east. He told the Sunderland Echo:
"The main focus for me is to do a job for Sunderland, then we'll get to the
summer and see what the situation is. "But I'd definitely sign if Sunderland
wanted me in the summer. Whatever happens, I won't be at West Ham next
season. I've got another year left on my contract but I'll be moving on in
the summer. "I've really enjoyed myself here and I settled in really
quickly. I've been all over the country so it wasn't a problem for me. "I
thought I might be travelling up and down to London, but I haven't done that
at all. I've stayed up here and just got back to see the family when I can.
There's a massive fanbase here and the club has terrific facilities. Playing
in front of 40,000-plus every week is amazing and, even at Bolton last
weekend, there were 5,000 Sunderland fans at the game - incredible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gabbidon on the comeback trail
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 17 May 2009 - 3:47 PM
Danny Gabbidon is set to end his West Ham injury hell by returning to
first-team training this week. The Hammers defender has not played since
December 2007 after failing to recover from a troublesome stomach injury.
The 29-year-old had feared for his career with Wales boss John Toshack
questioning whether the centre-back would ever make another international
appearance. But after stepping up his rehabilitation with the club's
fitness coaches, Gabbidon is ready to return, much to the delight of Hammers
boss Gianfranco Zola. "This is very, very good news that he will be training
with us next week," said Zola. "He is looking forward to next season, which
is good.
"I am not sure whether he will be on the bench this season as he has been
out for such a long time but it will be fantastic to have him train with
us."
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Olympiakos Eye West Ham United's Lucas Neill
The Australian is reportedly on the Greek side's summer transfer wish
list...
17 May 2009 16:43:06
Goal.com
West Ham United defender Lucas Neill is the subject of some interest from
Greek giants Olympiakos, according to News of the World. The Greek side are
looking to strengthen their squad in preparation for Champions League
football next year and it is believed that Neill is a target. The former
Blackburn Rovers player is out of contract at Upton Park at the end of the
season, and may want to consider his options. The Hammers failed to gain
European football for next season, after missing out on a Europa League spot
following their 3-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park yesterday. Hammers
boss Gianfranco Zola is keen to extend the Australia international's stay
with the club, but Neill is reportedly unwilling to take a cut on his
£60,000-a-week contract. Olympiakos could match this offer, and the
31-year-old may also be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football
next season with the Greek side. Neill nearly moved to Liverpool rather than
West Ham, but eventually chose a move to Upton Park because of the massive
wages the Hammers were offering. The Australian has been with the Hammers
since moving from Ewood Park, two years ago, and has since made 76 Premier
League appearances, as well as becoming club captain.
Nick Turner, Goal.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola confident of cash to buy new West Ham signings
18.05.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has no doubts he can sign players this
summer. He said: "The players will have more experience and I am absolutely
positive that we will be much better. "I think we have money to spend and if
we need to buy a player we can."
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