WHUFC.com
James Tomkins is hoping to be rewarded for shackling old foe Yakubu by
earning a first-team recall
14.09.2010
James Tomkins completed a memorable personal hat-trick by helping West Ham
United to a 1-0 Barclays Premier Reserve League victory at Everton. Trips to
the blue half of Merseyside have played a huge part in the young
centre-back's career. After making his first-team debut Goodison Park in
March 2008, Tomkins was sent-off in the Hammers' 3-1 defeat at the same
venue in May 2009. The 21-year-old's debut - now some two-and-a-half years
ago - saw him come face to face with Yakubu, with the powerful Nigerian
striker giving the rookie defender a testing afternoon with his physical
approach. On Tuesday, Tomkins got his revenge, combining well with New
Zealand FIFA World Cup star Winston Reid to shackle both Yakubu and Jermaine
Beckford as Alex Dyer's side made a winning start to the 2010/11 campaign.
"It was a good game for us lads coming in because they had some good players
in their side and it was a good run out," said the Academy graduate. "It was
good to play in the reserves and, with them having some first-team players,
it made it even more important to do well. "They had Yakubu and Beckford who
are both good players and it was a good contest for us at the back. We were
delighted with a win and a clean sheet. "It brought back memories of my
debut. I've had a few weird scenarios against Everton in my career -
obviously my debut up there and I also got sent-off in the other game I
played there, so it brought back a few different feelings. "It was good to
get 90 minutes under my belt and was good for the lads who haven't played
that much to get their fitness in."
Tomkins appeared in the Barclays Premier League meeting with Aston Villa and
Carling Cup second-round victory over Oxford United, but has found first-
team chances harder to come by in recent weeks. Having impressed against an
experienced Everton strike-force, however, the England Under-21
international is hoping to force his way back into Avram Grant's plans for
Saturday's trip to Stoke City. "It's important to get match-practice in -
that's important. I've known Alex for a long time and he's a good man, and
he has got a good team spirit in the reserves, which is good. "I really want
to play. I'll keep working hard and trying to impress in training, as that's
all I can do. If I do play well for the reserves, hopefully the feedback
will get back to the manager and, you never, know, I might get to play.
That's all that I want to do - to play."
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Under 3,000 Spurs tickets left
WHUFC.com
Tottenham arrive next in east London and you will have to move fast if you
want to be there
08.09.2010
Hammers fans are snapping up tickets for the derby date with Tottenham
Hotspur on Saturday week. Under 3,000 tickets remain for the clash, which
will take place at 3pm on Saturday 25 September and is not being televised
live in England. A packed stadium is expected with Avram Grant's men looking
to kick-start their Boleyn Ground campaign. It will be another entertaining
encounter with UEFA Champions League contenders Spurs set to include new
recruits William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart. The Hammers could also be
at full strength with real competition for places - particularly in attack,
including exciting new forwards Pablo Barrera and Victor Obinna.
A season ticket is still the easiest way to make sure of your seat for every
single match played at the Boleyn Ground - and fans can get ten per cent off
if they buy before Spurs. With a season ticket, you never miss a kick from
the comfort of your own reserved seat, and never have the worry of missing
out on the big matches.
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Everton 0-1 Reserves
WHUFC.com
West Ham United kick-off their Barclays Premier Reserve League season with a
fine win on Merseyside
14.09.2010
Everton reserves v West Ham United reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League
Finch Farm training ground
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Kick-off: 2pm
Everton reserves 0-1 West Ham United reserves
West Ham United reserves kicked-off the new season with a superb away win
courtesy of Junior Stanislas's first-half goal. The England Under-21
attacker's strike was just reward for a terrific display from the whole
side, with particular plaudits going to goalkeeper Marek Stech and forward
Ahmed Abdulla. James Tomkins and Winston Reid also formed a valuable
partnership in central defence, keeping Everton duo Yakubu and Jermaine
Beckford at bay. Manager Alex Dyer will be delighted with all his players,
with Radoslav Kovac, Freddie Sears and Frank Nouble also getting valuable
run-outs. The reserves return to competitive action with the visit of Wigan
Athletic a fortnight today. Keep an eye on whufc.com for information about
that match and exclusive reaction from today's game at Finch Farm
Full time
93 mins - That's it! The full-time whistle is blown.
91 mins - Sears holds the ball up and wins a free-kick. Valuable time used
up. Stech and Abdulla have really caught the eye this afternoon, but then
every player in a claret and blue shirt has worked themselves into the
ground.
90 mins - Into the final minute plus added-time and Everton are still
pressing. The West Ham youngsters are working their socks off to protect
their lead and are rewarded when Coleman smashes his cross miles too long
and out for a throw to the Hammers.
88 mins - Time is ticking away for the hosts as Brown shields the ball out
for a goal kick. Dyer is again patrolling the touchline, no doubt desperate
for the game to be over. Barkley comes forward again, but Abdulla makes a
fine tackle and Stanislas brings the ball clear.
85 mins - So close from Sears. Reid finds Stanislas with a fine pass, the
winger turns and plays a ball over the top to Sears, but the forward can
only smash his shot high into the side-netting at the near post.
82 mins - Good defending twice in the space of 30 seconds there with first
Reid and then Modelski showing good strength and composure to keep Gueye and
Silva at bay.
81 mins - Lee wins a fine challenge and tries to play in Stanislas, who is
clean through, but he is halted by the offside flag. That must have been
close.
77 mins - West Ham make a second change, with skipper Spence being replaced
by Filip Modelski, the Poland U19 captain.
75 mins - Two changes for Everton. Beckford and Mustafi go off, with Joao
Silva and David Wallace coming on.
74 mins - Stech claims the corner and bowls the ball out to Stanislas. He
finds Lee, who plays the ball on to Sears, but the No10's cross is wayward.
73 mins - Everton are on top here. Coleman comes close for the Toffees,
seeing his volley deflect off a defender and wide. Can West Ham hold on?
70 mins - Stech makes a truly amazing save! A through ball from Coleman
loops over Tomkins to Beckford, who lobs Stech. The goalkeeper scrambles
back and somehow pushes the ball on to the inside of the post and underside
of the crossbar before it bounces clear. All eyes are on the assistant
referee, but nothing is given.
69 mins - Spence is back on as Everton come forward through Beckford. He
tries to flick the ball over Tomkins for himself, but Stech is alert and
rushes out to claim.
67 mins - Beckford has no fewer than three bites of the cherry, only to see
his first two shots blocked and his third roll into the arms of Stech. We're
going to have a slight delay while Spence receives some treatment.
66 mins - Kovac is replaced by George Moncur in the centre of midfield.
64 mins - Nouble picks out Sears at the far post. He controls and tries to
beat Bidwell, but the left-back sticks to his task to stab the ball out for
a corner. Stanislas's cross is headed out to Abdulla, who catches his
half-volley flush, only for Turner to fling himself to his left and turn the
ball around the post. West Ham maintain the pressure and when Stanislas
crosses again, the ball drops to Sears, but he can only lash his effort over
the top.
59 mins - The home side come forward again through the lively Barkley, whose
run is stopped by Abdulla. The first-year professional is booked for his
challenge. Barkley slams the ball to the turf in frustration.
58 mins - The Hammers really fancy this. Abdulla forces Duffy into a mistake
before Everton gift possession to Sears.
57 mins - Another chance for Stanislas, but this time to pick out a
team-mate. Unfortunately, his cross catches on the wind and floats into the
hands of Turner instead of on to the head of Nouble.
56 mins - It is real end-to-end stuff all of a sudden. First, Reid does
supremely well to halt the rampaging Barkley. The Hammers break and
Stanislas curls a shot a yard wide of the post from 25 yards out.
54 mins - The Toffees do mount their first attack of the half. A good piece
of possession football ends with Bidwell cutting inside and trying to chip
Stech, but the goalkeeper clings on. West Ham break immediately and Spence
picks out Lee with a low cross, only for Duffy to block again.
52 mins - Everton are really struggling to mount any sort of attack in the
face of this wind. At present, West Ham are really in control.
50 mins - Good pressure from West Ham results in Stanislas feeding Spence
wide on the right. His low cross finds Sears, whose first-time shot is
blocked by Duffy. Positive start to the second period from the Hammers.
49 mins - The wind is really causing havoc again. It had died down, but the
gusts are really blowing the ball all over the place. I should have said
that no changes were made by either side at the break.
47 mins - Sears nearly gets goal-side of Mustafi, but the No6 does well to
recover and clear. Moments later, Nouble sends Sears clear again, but his
cross is cut out.
46 mins - After an eight-minute half-time break, we're back underway...
Moyes is standing behind Turner's goal for a closer look.
Half-time score - Everton reserves 0-1 West Ham United reserves
47 mins - That's half-time...
46 mins - Into added time and Everton win a corner off Spence down their
left. Gueye crosses and Duffy heads powerfully over the bar, but Nsiala had
already been penalised for a push.
44 mins - Coleman again, skipping past Brown and Abdulla, but failing to
keep his shot down. Not long until half-time now.
42 mins - Just when it looks like Everton will equalise, West Ham break
through Nouble down the left, but his cross is too deep for Spence. The
captain retains possession and sees his cross headed behind by Duffy. The
corner is lifted to the back post where Tomkins crosses back to Spence, but
his volley flies over the top.
41 mins - The Toffees are really piling on the pressure. Neville finds
Barkley, who cuts past one defender on to his left foot, but can only drag
his shot wide of the post from 20 yards.
40 mins - Two more Gueye corners are cleared behind by Tomkins at the near
post. The third is hacked clear by Kovac at the second attempt. Everton are
finishing the half strongly here.
38 mins - Everton come forward again and threaten down the left through
Coleman. Beckford goes down with Spence in close attendance, but nothing is
given. Tomkins clears for a corner.
37 mins - I would say there are about 30 fans watching the game this
afternoon, plus twice as many Everton staff and players. They watch on as
Kovac is the second West Ham player to be booked for deliberate handball.
35 mins - Yakubu threads another superb ball through for Beckford. His
first-time shot is powerful, but straight at Stech, who parries. Abdulla
cleans up by heading the ball back to the goalkeeper.
33 mins - Neville takes the free-kick and Duffy wins it in the air, but
there is neither the power nor the direction on the header to trouble Stech.
31 mins - Reid is booked for a challenge on Barkley that leaves the Everton
skipper needing treatment to his right leg. Apologies if the updates are not
appearing immediately, as the wind is playing havoc with the internet
connection. It might not be the wind, but that's what I'm blaming for the
technology issues I'm having.
30 mins - Tomkins does well to deal with Yakubu. Fans will remember that the
young defender came up against the Nigerian on his first-team debut way back
in March 2008. Yakubu scored that day, while Tomkins hit the crossbar in a
1-1 draw that also saw Freddie Sears hit the post.
28 mins - GOAL! Stanislas puts the ball away at the second attempt following
a sweeping counter-attack from the Hammers. Tomkins hacked the ball clear
and found Nouble on the right. The England Under-19 man controlled superbly
on his chest and raced upfield. Stanislas cut across with a decoy run to
leave Sears one-on-one on the left. A superb first-touch saw Sears make
space to cross and, when Turner clashed with a defender and dropped the
ball, Stanislas was on hand to score after his initial attempt had been
blocked on the line.
26 mins - Turner springs Everton on the attack and Yakubu picks out Beckford
with a superb pass. The former Leeds United man should score, but is denied
by another superb save from Stech, who blocks with his feet. Coleman reacts
quickest and tries another shot, but this time Reid is there to block.
25 mins - Sears has been superb so far. He has shown for the ball, held it
up well and been very tidy in possession. Now, he has swapped with Nouble
and has a run at Everton No5 Shane Duffy, forcing the defender to concede a
corner. Stanislas curls it over but Turner shows good handling to claim the
high ball.
23 mins - Nouble tries again, but is caught offside as he runs on to Lee's
pass. The striker doesn't agree with the decision, but seeing as I'm at the
other end of the pitch on a balcony outside David Moyes' office, I can't
comment either way.
22 mins - Sears shows his defensive qualities, crowding out Gueye and
allowing Spence to complete the clearance to Kovac. The Czech tries to pick
out Nouble's run, but the ball catches on the wind and sails through to
Turner.
20 mins - Just to clarify, Winston Reid is playing at centre-back alongside
James Tomkins, with Jordan Spence at right-back. Meanwhile, Lee releases
Sears in acres of space down the right. He runs at the defence before
sending over a threatening cross-shot that rolls narrowly past the far post.
Close. Sears is actually playing wide on the right of a five-man midfield,
with Kovac, Lee and Ahmed Abdulla in the middle. Nouble is leading the
attack on his own.
18 mins - Stanislas finds Brown wide on the left. The full-back beats his
opposite number Nsiala before sending over a dangerous cross that Lee meets
with a header that loops over the crossbar.
16 mins - Stech does well again. Everton keep possession well around the
Hammers box before Neville feeds Barkley. The midfielder takes a touch and
shoots from 25 yards, forcing the Czech goalkeeper to tip over. The corner
is curled in wickedly by Gueye and Stech is again there at the near post to
block before Tomkins completes the clearance.
14 mins - Better from the Hammers. Stanislas and Nouble combine well on the
edge of the penalty area before Lee is crowded out as he tries to fashion a
shooting chance.
10 mins - Stech does well to keep the game scoreless, diving low to his left
to push the ball around the post after Coleman had beaten Brown to Reid's
header. The resulting corner comes to nothing.
9 mins - Alex Dyer is right on the touchline barking orders at his players.
The Hammers are playing into the wind this half, so it's going to be tough
for the visitors during the opening 45 minutes. Everton, meanwhile, are
having trouble judging their range of passing in the gusty wind, with plenty
of balls being over-hit.
7 mins - This time it is Seamus Coleman who crosses from the right, but
Tomkins judges the ball well to stoop and head clear of danger.
6 mins - Everton attack down the right flank but Nsiala's low cross is poor
and Kovac is able to clear with ease from the edge of his own penalty area.
4 mins - Turner shanks his clearance out of play. From the resulting
throw-in, Brown is felled by Beckford's late challenge.
2 mins - West Ham have made the better start in what are very difficult
conditions. Junior Stanislas has been very lively in the early going,
cutting in from the left and seeing plenty of the ball.
2.01pm - West Ham kick-off... A few of Everton's first-team players are
watching on, including Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
1.59pm - Here come the two teams, led by captains Jordan Spence and Ross
Barkley. It is a sunny yet very windy afternoon here on Merseyside. For
those that know the area, we are to the south east of the city, near
Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Good afternoon and welcome to Everton's Finch
Farm training ground for West Ham United's first fixture of the 2010/11
Barclays Premier Reserve League season. The Hammers have contested eight
pre-season friendly matches in preparation for the campaign, beating the
likes of Crystal Palace and Leicester City. Everton, meanwhile, have already
drawn at Chelsea and beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers in league action. Alex
Dyer has a number of first-team squad members at his disposal this
afternoon, with goalkeeper Marek Stech, defenders Winston Reid and James
Tomkins and midfielders Radoslav Kovac and Junior Stanislas all starting.
Everton boss Alan Stubbs has also named a strong lineup, with Phil Neville,
Yakubu and summer signing Jermaine Beckford all involved. For anyone
wondering why West Ham and Everton are meeting at reserve level, the
Barclays Premier Reserve League has been re-organised this season. West Ham
are in the six-team Southern division, while Everton are top of five-team
Northern B. Five other teams are in Northern A. West Ham will play the
Southern teams home and away and the Northern teams once each, making for a
20-game season overall.
Everton reserves: Turner, Nsiala, Bidwell, Duffy, Mustafi (Silva 75),
Coleman, Neville, Barkley, Gueye, Beckford (Wallace 75), Yakubu
Subs: Davis, Akpan
West Ham United reserves: Stech, Spence (Modelski 77), Reid, Tomkins, Brown,
Lee, Kovac (Moncur 66), Abdulla, Stanislas, Sears, Nouble
Subs: Cowler, Eyjolfsson, Sanchez
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Eyjolfsson eyes U21 finals
WHUFC.com
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson is hoping his Iceland U21 side can make history by
reaching EURO 2011
14.09.2010
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and Marek Stech have learnt their fate after the UEFA
European Under-21 Championship qualifying play-off draw was made in Denmark.
Stech's Czech Republic will take on Greece in their two-legged tie, while
Eyjolfsson and his Iceland team-mates face Scotland. The winners will join
the Danish hosts and five other play-off winners at the final tournament in
Aalborg, Aarhus, Viborg and Herning from 11 to 25 June 2011. The Czechs and
Icelanders came through qualifying Group 5 to reach the play-offs, with
Stech and his fellow countrymen edging out Eyjolfsson and his compatriots by
six points following the former's 3-1 victory in Jablonec nad Nisou last
week. Both nations eliminated holders Germany, who finished third in the
group.
While the Czech Republic U21 side has reached the finals on four previous
occasions, finishing as runners-up in 2000 and winning the title in 2002,
Iceland have never before reached a major UEFA or FIFA tournament at any
level. For that reason, Eyjolfsson - who will be in action again for the
reserves away to Everton on Tuesday - is excited about his country's
prospects of reaching Denmark 2011, but knows they face a tough assignment
in trying to overcome Group 10 winners Scotland. "To be fair I don't know
much about Scotland but I think I know the type of football they will play.
It will be a physical game, I'm sure," said Eyjolfsson, who played in seven
of Iceland's eight group matches, scoring once.
"There were teams like Holland and Croatia in the draw which maybe would
have been harder games but with the Under-21s you never know. You can't
always compare countries to their senior teams. "This is the longest we've
ever gone in the competition so we've already made history. Whatever we do
now is a bonus. It would be really good to make it to the finals. Against
the Czech Republic last week, the seniors took loads of our players, so
we're hoping we'll have some of them back for the play-offs to give us a
great chance of making the finals."
For Eyjolfsson, his team's achievement is all the more personal as the
Iceland U21 squad is coached by his father, former Iceland international
midfielder Eyjolfur Sverrisson. "It's very personal for me and emotional for
me to see us progress because it's glory for me and glory for my father as
well. It's nice for our family."
Elsewhere in the draw, England face Romania, with the likes of Hammers
youngsters James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas hopeful of receiving a call-up
to Stuart Pearce's squad.
Full play-off draw
England v Romania
Netherlands v Ukraine
Spain v Croatia
Switzerland v Sweden
Iceland v Scotland
Czech Republic v Greece
Italy v Belarus
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Hammers duo set to miss Stoke
Grant and Ben Haim to observe Yom Kippur
Last updated: 14th September 2010
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
Stoke v West Ham
12.30pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD2, Sky Sports 2 and online with Sky Player
SSN
West Ham are set to be without boss Avram Grant and defender Tal Ben Haim
for Saturday's crunch bottom-of-the-table clash with Stoke City. The Israeli
pair are expected to be absent at the Britannia Stadium so they can observe
the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. They are required to participate in 25
hours of fasting and prayer over the course of Friday and Saturday, during
which time Grant's assistant Zeljko Petrovic is likely to take charge of
team affairs.
Grant observed Yom Kippur prior to his first match as Chelsea manager three
years ago before flying by helicopter to Old Trafford for the game against
Manchester United. On-loan Portsmouth defender Ben Haim made his league
debut for the Hammers in last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea, which
left Grant's men still searching for their first point of the season. The
defender could be replaced in the squad on Saturday by fellow newcomer
Winston Reid, who made his comeback from a torn buttock muscle in Tuesday
afternoon's reserve team victory at Everton.
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Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim to be absent as West Ham seek first point
Winston Reid set to return after torn buttock muscle
Benni McCarthy reportedly fined for weight problems
Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 September 2010 20.55 BST
Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim are set to be given permission to miss West
Ham's Premier League game at Stoke so they can observe Yom Kippur. The
manager Grant and his on-loan Portsmouth defender Ben Haim are expected to
be absent at the Britannia Stadium for Saturday's bottom-of-the-table clash
while they celebrate the Jewish holy day.
The Israeli pair are required to participate in 25 hours of fasting and
prayer over the course of Friday and Saturday, during which time Grant's
assistant Zeljko Petrovic is likely to take charge of team affairs. Grant
observed Yom Kippur prior to his first match as Chelsea manager three years
ago before flying by helicopter to Old Trafford for the game against
Manchester United.
Ben Haim made his league debut for the Hammers in last weekend's 3-1 home
defeat by his former club Chelsea, which left Grant's side still searching
for their first point of the season. The defender could be replaced in the
squad on Saturday by fellow new boy Winston Reid, who made his comeback from
a torn buttock muscle in this afternoon's reserve team victory at Everton.
It is understood the striker Benni McCarthy was recently fined for failing
to meet certain deadlines in his weight-loss regime. The South Africa
international was reportedly docked the equivalent of two weeks' wages, or
£80,000.
He is now thought to have reached the target set by the Hammers medical
staff. McCarthy, who has previously admitted his weight balloons when he
does not train with intensity, joined West Ham from Blackburn in January but
has yet to score for his new club.
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Petrovic set to take charge of West Ham
15.09.10 | tribalfootball.com
Zeljko Petrovic is set to take charge of West Ham United for their clash
with Stoke City this weekend. Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim are set to be
given permission to miss West Ham's Premier League game at Stoke so they can
observe Yom Kippur. Manager Grant and on-loan Portsmouth defender Ben Haim
are expected to be absent at the Britannia Stadium for Saturday's
bottom-of-the-table clash while they celebrate the Jewish holy day. The
Israeli pair are required to participate in 25 hours of fasting and prayer
over the course of Friday and Saturday, during which time Grant's assistant
Petrovic is likely to take charge of team affairs.
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Please donate to my sisters Kenyan Cycle ride for Women v Cancer
http://www.justgiving.com/sandhy-cycles-kenya
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