WHUFC.com
Avram Grant was a happy man following Tuesday's Carling Cup third-round
success at Sunderland
21.09.2010
Knockout specialist Avram Grant worked his magic again as West Ham United
progressed to the Carling Cup fourth round with a deserved 2-1 victory at
Sunderland. Grant, who guided Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League and
Carling Cup finals before reaching the FA Cup final with Portsmouth last
season, was up to his old tricks again at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday
evening. Summer signings Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna both netted
their first goals for the club, cancelling out Ghana FIFA World Cup star
Asamoah Gyan's header to fire the Hammers into the last 16. A smiling
manager told WHUTV of his delight at guiding the club to their first away
win in 23 attempts - a run stretching back 401 days to a 2-0 Barclays
Premier League success at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 15 August 2009.
"We deserved it. It has been there for a few weeks. We have been making
progress. We came here without a few players who couldn't play, but we
played well against Sunderland's strongest team and we deserved to win by a
wider margin than 2-1. "I'm very delighted with the goals. They were
excellent goals and the combinations for both the first and the second were
brilliant. We had few opportunities to add to them, but they didn't create
anything and their goal came from a set piece. "The most important thing is
that they continue progressing. The players showed a lot of character, they
wanted to win and this was a difficult place to come and win."
Grant said Tuesday's success went some way to making up for the
disappointment of losing out at home to Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea - games
in which the Hammers created chance after chance without making their
opponents pay. "It's always good to win. Every player had a very good game
against Bolton but we didn't win. Against Chelsea, this was the game where
they didn't create many chances and we created more than them, but we still
didn't win. After these two games, we turned the corner with the game
against Stoke and then we won at Sunderland. "I believe that we're
progressing very well and we need to continue with this."
While Piquionne and Obinna stole the headlines, young goalkeeper Marek Stech
was also singled out for praise by Grant. The 20-year-old was in solid form,
making one outstanding late save from Steed Malbranque to maintain the
visitors' slender advantage. "He is a good player. Ruud [Boffin] is also a
very good goalkeeper, as is Peter [Kurucz] who is now injured. We have very
good young goalkeepers and it's part of our vision about the club. Firstly
because of the financial situation, but also because we want to give
opportunities to young, hungry players who want to develop the club."
Having seen off the challenge of Steve Bruce's side, attention now turns to
Saturday's fourth-round draw. While lower-league Brentford, Leicester City
and Swansea City would be the preferred opposition, Grant admitted he did
not mind who his side were drawn to face during the final week of October.
"First, I like to win. Any game is good to win. We hated it when we had zero
points, but this belongs to the past. Now, we want to continue and I don't
care who we draw!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Claret and blue army praised
WHUFC.com
The Chairman has been vocal in support this week for the club's
'magnificent' supporters
21.09.2010
West Ham United's "fantastic fans" were once again out in force on Tuesday
night as the Hammers travelled to Sunderland. Chairman David Gold said the
backing received was deserving of praise, especially as just four days ago
the travelling faithful had to make the long trip to Stoke City. Despite the
famed noise of the Britannia Stadium, 'West Ham's claret and blue army' were
equally in full voice. "I pay tribute to the thousands who follow us
wherever we play," he said. "Their enthusiasm and determination never ceases
to amaze me. They have such good humour and are simply outstanding."
The Chairman has also been considering the stories of two very different
Hammers this week - united by a common cause. One was Jonjo Heuerman, an
eight-year-old season ticket holder who will be walking from Wembley to
Upton Park in February in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund. The other was Alan
Scott, a season ticket holder for half-a-century who has sadly just passed
away. Jonjo will set out with his family on 24 February 2010 to walk 23
miles from the national stadium to the Boleyn Ground home of the Hammers. He
plans to arrive on Saturday 26 February, just before the Liverpool game. It
is an idea that has captured the imagination of many, not least the
Chairman. "I have to say it is remarkable for a young man to be so
determined and resolute for such a good cause. He deserves all our
admiration for what he is going to try and do, and I am sure he will get a
terrific reception from the fans."
The Chairman will greet Jonjo when he concludes his charity walk, something
that he said he "would be thrilled and honoured" to do, adding: "To be a
part of his day and congratulate him on such a performance will be
wonderful."
It was a more sombre tone when discussing the news of Alan Scott, a loyal
supporter who was remembered at a special wake held at the stadium on
Monday. Fittingly held in the Billy Bonds Lounge, given his favourite player
was the marauding mainstay of the 60s, 70s and 80s, the Chairman was touched
to hear of Alan's lifelong commitment. "I have personal experience with my
mum who was a West Ham fan for 60 years and sadly passed away a few years
ago. It brings back memories to me of how much this club meant to her. Fans
like Alan are the lifeblood of this club and we value them. My condolences
to his family and friends."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies take pole position
WHUFC.com
Gemma Shepherd's goal was enough to send the Hammers to the top of the table
21.09.2010
Portsmouth Ladies 0-1 West Ham United Ladies
West Ham United Ladies have gone two points clear at the top of the FA
Womens Premier League Southern Division after a fine 1-0 win at fellow
high-fliers Portsmouth on Sunday. Despite injuries depleting the squad, with
skipper Nat Grafton forced to sit out, the Ladies produced their best
performance of the season so far. The side included 16-year-old debutant
Danica Revell in the back line, and she helped the defence keep a clean
sheet for the third consecutive league game. A very entertaning end-to-end
match was settled by Gemma Shepherd's header early in the second half, from
a pinpoint Emma Thomas cross, to keep up the club's 100 per cent start to
the league season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1 - 2 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
West Ham secured their first away victory since 15 August 2009 as they beat
Sunderland to seal a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The
Hammers deservedly took the lead when Victor Obinna fed in Frederic
Piquionne, who finished superbly. Sunderland levelled just before half-time
through Asamoah Gyan's near-post header from a Jordan Henderson corner. But
the visitors reclaimed the lead decisively when Obinna finished a superb
passing move on the hour. The victory was nothing less than the men from
Upton Park deserved for a calm and controlled display that belied their
current position, propping up the rest of the Premier League. In contrast,
Sunderland looked a shadow of the side who battled hard to snatch a point in
injury time against Arsenal on Saturday. The Black Cats made changes from
the weekend but still fielded a strong side, not least in attack where
Darren Bent was paired with recent £13m signing Gyan for the first time.
However, the most potent attacking duo on display belonged to the east
Londoners. Piquionne and Obinna combined to put West Ham ahead on 35 minutes
- the latter feeding the former, who rounded home keeper Simon Mignolet and
finished with aplomb.
However, the Hammers were pinned back just before the break as Henderson's
corner was glanced into the net by the head of Gyan. The visitors were not
to be denied though and the impressive Scott Parker combined with Pablo
Barrera before the latter picked out Obinna and his low drive found the
bottom corner.
Substitute Steed Malbranque had a late effort saved by West Ham keeper Marek
Stech as Sunderland fought an ultimately losing battle for parity. The win
is West Ham's first away win in 23 attempts and the first time they have
knocked a fellow Premier League side out of the League Cup since 1997.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce:
"We were flat from the first whistle. I decided to go with mainly what we
did against Arsenal, but we looked off it and it was plainly evident to see.
"Obviously the game against Arsenal took a lot out of us. Some of them had
run the equivalent of the Great North Run and to try to do it again was
difficult.
"I thought West Ham were the better team on the night and we were well
beaten."
West Ham manager Avram Grant:
"I am very optimistic about the future of this club. We know what we are
doing, we have a vision about this club and I am optimistic about it. "I
believe in the football you saw today. It is good for the confidence of the
players that they have a reward from the game. "It's very important to us to
come to a place like this and win the game because the players feel we have
played well in the last games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st September 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are through to the next round of the Carling Cup after recording
their first away win since last August.
Victor Obinna's second half strike sent the Hammers through to the fourth
round of the competition for only the second time this century after
Frederic Piquionne gave United an early lead that was cancelled out by
Asamoah Gyan ahead of the break.
The Stadium of Light is turning out to be something of a happy hunting
ground for West Ham. Memories of the 1-0 FA Cup win back at the turn of the
century are still fresh, whilst United were unlucky to only record a 2-2
draw here in the Premier League last season.
Tonight Avram Grant's side went one better - and in doing so, recorded their
first away win since the 2-0 victory at Wolves on the opening day of last
season.
Despite creating a plethora of chances in the opening half-hour West Ham -
who welcomed back both Tal Ben Haim and manager Avram Grant from their
weekend break - managed to profit on just the one occasion, when Frederic
Piquionne - standing in for the benched Carlton Cole - notched his first
goal since moving from Portsmouth in the summer.
The 31-year-old striker fired home ten minutes before the break following
some good work by fellow newcomer Victor Obinna. The on-loan winger's clever
turn and pass left Piquionne with just 'keeper Mignolet to beat: rounded by
the wily Piquionne he watched helpless as the ball was passed into an empty
net.
Sadly United's lead was to last for just six minutes - and once again, it
was another soft goal conceded from a set play. A corner drilled towards the
near post found a criminally unmarked Asamoah Gyan who was left with the
simplest of chances to make it 1-1.
That's how it stayed until the hour mark when Victor Obinna, who impressed
yet again with another strong performance slammed home what proved to be the
winning goal from Scott Parker's free kick. The young Nigerian, who only
yesterday mooted the idea of remaining at the Boleyn following his year-long
loan spell has been excellent despite being in England for only a matter of
weeks. Long may it continue.
Sunderland, as expected, enjoyed the brunt of posession as the game wore on
but the Hammers - assisted by some sterling defensive work throughout the
team and one or two important stops from stand-in 'keeper Marek Stech -
stood resolute to deservedly earn their first win on their travels for more
than a year.
Avram Grant - and one or two supporters - will be hoping the team can take
this form into Saturday's London derby with Tottenham, who were sent packing
out of the competition by rivals Arsenal tonight.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant boosted by cup win
Boss optimistic Hammers can move away from relegation places
Last updated: 21st September 2010
SSN
A buoyant Avram Grant is confident West Ham can lift themselves off the
bottom of the Premier League after Tuesday's Carling Cup success at
Sunderland.
The Hammers booked their place in the fourth round of the League Cup with a
2-1 win over the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light. Frederic Piquionne
opened the scoring with his first for the club before Victor Obinna fired a
second-half winner to render Asamoah Gyan's second goal in Sunderland
colours as insignificant. And Grant has high hopes that West Ham can move
off the foot of the table this weekend when they take on London rivals
Tottenham, who were dumped out of the cup by neighbours Arsenal. The Hammers
boss said: "I am very optimistic about the future of this club. We know what
we are doing, we have a vision about this club and I am optimistic about it.
"If you have seen our games, this is not the place for us, but we need to
take points. We have a long, long season. I think it will be very hard, but
it will be possible."
Grant added: "After so many games from which we took zero points and we have
played well, except in the first game - we played well against Bolton, we
played well against Chelsea - it is good for the players to see that if we
continue to do the right things, we can get results. "I believe in the
football you saw today. It is good for the confidence of the players that
they have a reward from the game. "It's very important to us to come to a
place like this and win the game because the players feel we have played
well in the last games. "But it is very frustrating when we play so well but
don't take three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers see off Black Cats
Londoners beat Sunderland in their own backyard
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 21st September 2010
SSN
West Ham have continued their resurgence as they knocked Sunderland out of
the Carling Cup. Avram Grant's side got on the board in the draw at Stoke
City at the weekend and the Hammers enjoyed another away success as they
moved into the fourth round of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory at the
Stadium of Light. Sunderland record signing Asamoah Gyan marked his first
start with a goal as he cancelled out Frederic Piquionne's first goal in
Hammers colours. But the Ghanaian international was upstaged by Victor
Obinna after the on-loan Nigerian blasted home a second-half winner.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce paired new record signing Gyan and predecessor
Darren Benttogether from the start for the first time in the hunt for
Carling Cup glory in just two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with
Arsenal. Opposite number Grant, however, made seven changes to the team
which secured a first Premier League point of the season at Stoke on
Saturday as only skipper Scott Parker, Manuel Da Costa, Piquionne and Obinna
were retained.
Enterprising
In an enterprising start by the Hammers, Obinna sliced horribly wide from
distance with four minutes gone, and full-back Kieran Richardson briefly
gave Barrera hope with an under-hit backpass three minutes later. Piquionne
failed to trouble goalkeeper Simon Mignolet after dispossessing Jordan
Henderson and shooting from distance, and Obinna was similarly inaccurate
seconds later as the Londoners enjoyed much the better start. Sunderland
finally made an impact with 14 minutes gone when Bent surged past Parker and
found Gyan, but the Hammers skipper was in the right place at the right time
to block his shot. The Black Cats front-men linked up again seconds later
when Ahmed Elmohamady sent Bent away down the right, but his driven cross
was too strong for the unmarked Gyan in the middle. Danny Welbeck brought
the game's first real save from Stech with a well-struck 19th-minute effort,
and Richardson fired across goal from a tight angle two minutes later. Nedum
Onuoha then went close with a header which flew just over the bar after he
met Henderson's 24th minute corner. The home side were finally starting to
establish momentum with Elmohamady prospering down the right and Bent
causing problems by dropping deep to pick up possession and then running at
the Hammers' defence. They pressed again with 29 minutes gone when the ball
dropped nicely for Cristian Riveros 25 yards out, although his dipping
effort sailed high and wide. The breakthrough almost came at the other end
within seconds when Obinna found space and curled in a right-footed shot
which Mignolet had to palm away. Piquionne pounced on the rebound, but the
Belgian had recovered in time to make a vital save. Stech easily kept out
Gyan's long-range shot 11 minutes before the break, and it was his side
which took the lead a minute later. Obinna's pass put Piquionne in on goal
and he rounded Mignolet with ease to silence the home crowd. It would have
been 2-0 within two minutes had Mignolet not got down well to turn away
Parker's stabbed shot after he and Barrera had carved a path through the
home defence, and the keeper was relieved to claim the Mexican's snapshot
seconds later with his side under the cosh. However, Sunderland were back in
it with 41 minutes gone when Gyan met Henderson's corner with a glancing
header to score his second goal for the club.
Second half
The Hammers went close to restoring their lead within seconds of the
restart, although having been beaten by Cesc Fabregas' outrageous fluke at
the weekend, Mignolet was due some luck. He was completely wrong-footed when
Barrera's shot took a wicked deflection off Riveros, but fortunately for the
home side, the ball dropped just wide of the post. But Sunderland had
started the second half at a much higher tempo than they had the first, and
they threatened four minutes later after full-back Bardsley had broken down
the right. He forced his way into the box and pulled the ball back for Gyan,
but the former Rennesfrontman skied his first-time strike over the crossbar.
However, the visitors were not done and Barrera might have done better with
55 minutes gone when his delicate chip sent Mignolet back-pedalling
anxiously towards his goal, although the ball eventually dropped well over.
But the Belgian was beaten for a second time four minutes later after Parker
and Barrera combined once again to slice the home defence wide open. The
pair twice exchanged passes before the South American squared for Obinna,
whose low right-foot finish was unerring. Bruce immediately replaced the
tiring Gyan with Malbranque as he looked for fresh inspiration with time
running down. Bent was too high with a 63rd minute snapshot from the edge of
the area with his side labouring in the quest for a second equaliser. Bruce
replaced Henderson with Bolo Zenden with 19 minutes remaining and Grant
followed suit by sending on former Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer to a
predictable welcome in place of Obinna. But it was the visitors who
continued to create the better openings, although Piquionne was unable to
direct a looping long-range 74th minute header on target. Piquionne made way
to warm applause from the small band of travelling supporters for Carlton
Cole 11 minutes from time. Stech did well to parry Malbranque's strike three
minutes later to see his side home, although substitute Cole might have made
sure deep into injury time but for Mignolet's heroics once again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram's in Wunderland
The Sun
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT reckons West Ham are on the up after Frederic Piquionne and
Victor Obinna swept them into round four. It was the Hammers' first away win
in THIRTEEN months. Now boss Grant believes his men can climb off the foot
of the Premier League. He said: "Psychologically this was a very important
win for us. I am delighted we got this win because it has been a long time
coming. We have played well and it was important to come here and get a
result. "It is good for the confidence of the players. It shows we are
making progress. I am very optimistic about the season. We know what we are
doing and we have a vision."
Asamoah Gyan netted for Sunderland. But Black Cats boss Steve Bruce admitted
his side looked tired after their battling 1-1 draw with Arsenal on
Saturday.
Bruce said: "We were flat from the first whistle. I stuck with it because I
thought we would fly into the match. But the game against Arsenal took a lot
out of us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1 West Ham 2
The Sun
By STEVE BRENNER
Published: 21 Sep 2010
VICTOR OBINNA can save Avram Grant's season. The Nigerian, on loan from
Inter Milan, brilliantly made one goal and scored another to finally get
West Ham's campaign up and running. Boss Grant's Hammers were not
scintillating - yet they did not have to be against an out-of-sorts
Sunderland side. For Steve Bruce however, this was a major kick in the gut
as he went all out for the win. Red-hot Darren Bent teamed up with the Black
Cats' £13million record-signing Asamoah Gyan - a clear signal of their
intent in the Carling Cup. And the hosts created the first clear-cut chance.
Paraguayan Cristian Riveros lofted a super ball over the the top of the
Irons backline to Bent but the England striker's cross to the unmarked Gyan
was a shocker. Gyan went close soon after when his 20-yard drive was well
saved by Marek Stech. But on 28 minutes Grant's men finally came to life.
Obinna cut inside and saw his shot pushed away by Simon Mignolet before the
Belgian keeper saved again from Frederic Piquionne. Yet within five minutes,
the same combination brought the opener. And what a goal it was. Obinna's
slide-rule pass cut the Sunderland defence in two and Piquionne rounded
Mignolet and rolled it home. Steve Bruce's Sunderland were starting to
wobble but five minutes before the break Gyan levelled. Jordan Henderson's
corner was poorly defended and the Ghanaian leapt to head his second in
three games since arriving on Wearside. Gyan blazed over just after the
restart and it proved to be a big miss as Obinna struck on 58 minutes to hit
the winner. This time tricky Mexican winger Pablo Barrera was the architect,
jinking into the box and crossing for Obinna to slide past Mignolet. It
sealed the Hammers' first victory on the road since their opening-day win
against Wolves at Molineux LAST SEASON. Now Grant will hope Obinna can
produce this form in the league.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN - VICTOR OBINNA (West Ham)
Sunderland: Mignolet 6, Bardsley 6, Richardson 6, Henderson 6 (Zenden 5),
Bent 5, Riveros 5, Onuoha 5, Wellbeck 5, Elmohamady 6, Ferdinand 5 (Da Silva
5), Gyan 6 (Malbranque 5). Subs not used: Carson, Colback, Angeleri, Reid.
West Ham: Stech 6, Ben Haim 6, Tomkins 6, Parker 7, Barrera 7 (Noble 3), Boa
Morte 5, Kovac 5, Faubert 5, Da Costa 6, Piquionne 7 (Cole 5), Obinna 8
(Dyer 5). Subs not used: McCarthy, Spector, Boffin, Brown.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1-2 West Ham: Grant predicts revival on the cards
Published 21:43 21/09/10 By Simon Bird
The Mirror
Avram Grant predicted a West Ham revival after Victor Obinna clinched their
first win against top flight opposition this seasons. The Hammers boss is
convinced his side will battle their way off the bottom of the Premier
League after dismantling Sunderland with a confident display. Obinna, who
fired home the winner on the hour, was joined in opening his account by
Frederic Piquionne who notched in the first half. Grant said:
"Psychologically it is very important to get a win. The players are
frustrated because we have played well but not taken the points recently.
"We need positive players who give everything and Scott Parker is the best
example. After so many games taking zero points, and playing well, it is
good for the players to see if you keep doing the right things you will get
rewarded. "This is good for confidence. I am optimistic about the future of
this club and our vision and direction. We have a long long season but I
think it is possible to get away from the bottom of the league. "I am very
delighted, because it has taken a long time. We have played well for a few
weeks. Here is difficult to play. Sunderland played a strong team but we
were better and deserved it. "The two scorers worked hard and moved very
well and combined well together but so did the team behind them. We worked
the ball and made it easy to find the space."
In a show of intent Bruce fielded a virtually full strength line up with
Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan starting and only two changed from the weekend
draw with Arsenal. In contrast West Ham made seven changes. But it was Avram
Grant's men who struck the first blow after 34 minutes when Frederic
Piquionne grabbed his first for the Hammers since signing from Portsmouth.
The striker took his goal well, splitting the defence and running onto a
fine ball from Victor Obinna, rounding Simon Mignolet, and tapping home. The
goal was against the run of play. A lacklustre display suddenly sparked to
life and it could have been two up when Pablo Barrera picked out Parker
whose flick was tipped round the post by the Belgian keeper. And Obinna had
another shot saved. Sunderland's response was swift and then were back level
by the 41st minute - thanks to a Gyan header. The pds 13 million star was
making his first start and had previously been confined to long range shots.
But he showed an impressive ability in the air to notch the leveller, rising
above defence to power home Jordan Henderson's corner. But Obinna, signed
for Inter by Jose Mourinho two years ago, showed his class with an expert
finish from 12 yards for the winner. Parker's clever angled ball to winger
Pablo Barrera did the damage down the right, and Obinna took a touch inside
the box before finishing low to Simon Mignolet's right. Steve Bruce said:
"We were flat from the whistle. We were off it. I stuck with the Arsenal
team because I though we'd fly into it. In hindsight I should have made more
changes to freshen us up. West Ham were the better team and we were well
beaten. "The fans pay their money and were disappointed. I have no
complaints about their reaction at the end."
Bruce now has injury problems with Asamoah Gyan struggling with a hamstring
injury and Kieron Richardson and Anton Ferdinand are struggling.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1 West Ham United 2
Sunderland's Carling Cup challenge came to a premature end on a
disappointing evening on Wearside.
Safc.com
Stu Vose
Asamoah Gyan found the net on his first start for Sunderland but he couldn't
prevent the Black Cats crashing out of the Carling Cup at the hands of West
Ham. The Hammers fashioned their first win of the season to progress to the
fourth round thanks to a goal in each half from Frederic Piquionne and the
impressive Victor Obinna. In truth Sunderland never really got going,
although they did respond to Piquionne's 35th-minute opener when Gyan headed
home his second goal in three games. The hosts struggled to get quality
balls into the box, although they did create a handful of chances. So did
West Ham, though, and it was the visitors who took the tie when Obinna
capped a fine display by curling home from 12 yards just before the hour.
The visitors built on their draw with Stoke last weekend by notching up a
win at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland's 150th all-time League Cup tie.
And boss Steve Bruce will have been disappointed to exit a competition he'd
placed great importance on this season. A slow start produced few chances of
note, with Piquionne and Obinna both shooting wide for the visitors in the
early stages. But Sunderland, for whom Danny Welbeck had a shot blocked 14
minutes in, produced the first real chance with the game's first piece of
enterprising play. Ahmed Elmohamady's long ball out of defence sent Bent
scampering away down the right, and his cross was inches away from finding
the outstretched boot of the sliding Gyan. And Welbeck warmed the gloves of
Hammers keeper Marek Stech just before the 20-minute mark as the Czech
stopper gathered his powerful low drive from just outside the box. By now
Sunderland were getting themselves on top and the hosts almost took the lead
when a Jordan Henderson corner was met by the head of Nedum Onuoha, who
nodded the ball inches over the top from close range. But West Ham fired a
warning shot when Scott Parker sent Piquionne racing down the left and his
shot was well parried away by Simon Mignolet. There was a collective intake
of breath around the Stadium of Light when the loose ball fell to the feet
of Obinna, but his shot through a crowd of players was well held by the
Belgian stopper almost on his goal-line. And the warning wasn't heeded as
the Hammers took the lead ten minutes before half time.
Obinna threaded a dangerous ball behind the Sunderland back line for
Piquionne, who kept his cool to round Mignolet and slide the ball home from
an acute angle. It could have been two just moments later. Parker instigated
a flowing move through the middle of midfield and almost finished off his
own work, denied only by a fine fingertip save from Mignolet low to his
left. Bruce was forced into a change four minutes before the break as Anton
Ferdinand limped off and was replaced by Paraguay international Paulo Da
Silva. But the Sunderland boss was celebrating just moments later as his
side fashioned an equaliser. Henderson was the architect, delivering a
pinpoint corner which was gleefully headed home by Gyan at the front post -
cue the signature dance to mark the striker's first goal at the Stadium of
Light.
Level at the break, Sunderland survived a hairy moment early in the second
half when Pablo Barrera's snapshot struck Da Silva on the back and dribbled
just wide of the post with a wrong-footed Mignolet going the other way. Then
the jitters were at the other end - Phil Bardsley pulling the ball back from
the by-line for Gyan to blast a shot over the bar. Just as Sunderland looked
to grab the momentum, though, the Hammers struck back with a well-fashioned
second goal. Some good wing play saw the ball worked to Obinna 12 yards out
and he turned to curl a low shot into the far corner of the net. Bruce
responded to the blow by replacing Gyan with Steed Malbranque and Henderson
fired high at Stech before being replaced with Bolo Zenden. Happy to sit on
their lead, the Hammers defended well and didn't have to endure too many
scares in the closing stages. Bardsley and Malbranque did threaten in the
final 10 minutes - the latter drawing a fine save from Stech with a rising
drive - but West Ham rode out the home side's late pressure to secure safe
passage to round four. Indeed the visitors could have added a third goal in
time added on, only for Mignolet to produce a fine block at the feet of
substitute Carlton Cole.
Sunderland Mignolet, Bardsley, Richardson (C), Onuoha, Ferdinand (Da Silva,
41), Welbeck, Elmohamady, Riveros, Henderson (Zenden, 71), Gyan (Malbranque,
60), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Carson, Colback, Angeleri, Reid.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
West Ham Stech, Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Parker (C), Barrera (Noble, 90), Boa
Morte, Kovac, Faubert, Da Costa, Piquionne (Cole, 79), Obinna (Dyer, 72).
Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Spector, Boffin, Brown.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 1 West Ham United 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Carling Carling Cup third-round game between
Sunderland and West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday Sept 21
2010.
By Rob Stewart
Published: 6:10AM BST 22 Sep 2010
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham manager Avram Grant is not normally prone to smiling but his
deadpan demeanour briefly changed after his side secured what he called a
"psychologically important" victory at Sunderland. Grant has nothing to
laugh about since taking charge at West Ham but allowed himself a grin in
his post-match press conference as he evaluated the potential spin-offs of
the Premier League's bottom club's first victory over top-flight opposition
this term.
"Psychologically this was a very important win for us," said Grant. "I am
delighted because it has been a long time coming. We have played well
without winning and that is frustrating so it was important to come to a
tough place and get a result. "After so many games with zero points and
playing well it is good to get a win because it shows if you continue to do
the right things you can win. It is good for the players' confidence. "This
shows we are making progress. I am very optimistic about the season. We know
what we are doing and we have a vision. Bottom of the league is not the
place for us but we need to win games. We have a long, long season and it
will be hard but it will be possible."
Inspired by the game's outstanding player, Scott Parker, West Ham showed
seven changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Stoke and had to overcome an
uncertain start that saw Asamoah Gyan miss a sitter. Frederic Piquionne put
his side ahead in the 35th minute, coolly rounding Mignolet after being sent
through by Victor Obinna before finishing from an acute angle for his first
West Ham goal. Parker would have doubled the lead but for Mignolet's
fingertips after surging through following a one-two with Julien Faubert.
Gyan atoned for his earlier miss by nodding in Jordan Henderson's
41st-minute corner. West Ham moved towards a first win on opposition
territory since August 2009 in the 59th minute when Obinna swept a low,
12-yard shot beyond Simon Mignolet for his first goal since heading to Upton
Park on loan from Inter Milan after being skillfully teed up by Pablo
Barrera in a move initiated by Parker. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who
confirmed left-back George McCartney was poised to join Leeds on loan, had
"no complaints" about home fans' booing his team after the final whistle. He
was more concerned with hamstring injuries to Anton Ferdinand, Kieran
Richardson and Gyan gave him further cause to regret his selection policy as
he made just two changes to the side that held Arsenal 1-1. "We were flat
from the first whistle," said Bruce. "We looked off it. The game with
Arsenal took it out of us. The players have run the equivalent of the Great
North Run. Maybe I should have made more changes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Scott Parker's dominance helps take the pressure off Avram Grant
Guardian report Guardian.co.uk
Louise Taylor at the Stadium of Light
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 21 September 2010 22.09 BST
Inspired by a superb performance from Scott Parker, a supposedly
under-strength West Ham shrugged off their Premier League woes and destroyed
Steve Bruce's dream of winning this season's Carling Cup. With Parker
largely controlling midfield in gloriously measured fashion, the Sunderland
manager's intention of "having a right good go at getting some silverware"
swiftly fizzled out on a night when it seemed that Avram Grant might have a
long-term managerial future at Upton Park after all.
"I'm very delighted, psychologically it's a very important win," said Grant
who made seven changes from the team that drew at Stoke on Saturday. "It's a
difficult place to come but we were the stronger side, we played the best
football, we deserved to win. We picked players who were hungry – and Scott
Parker had the vision."
If it was hard to believe West Ham currently prop up the Premier League
table, a few cracks seemed to be reopening at Sunderland. Worryingly,
Bruce's new-found rapprochement with Anton Ferdinand came under early
strain, Sunderland's recently reconciled manager and centre-half exchanging
some strong words after Victor Obinna was twice permitted freedom to shoot
from the edge of the area. By the time Ferdinand limped off both he and
Bruce pointedly looked away from each other.
When an otherwise anonymous Darren Bent raced down the right, a stretching
Asamoah Gyan could not quite meet the ensuing cross. Indeed that moment
seemed to encapsulate a night of missed connections for Bruce's side.
Before kick-off he had said he would much rather win the Carling Cup than
finish in the "top five or six" of the Premier League but Sunderland's
players failed to rise to the challenge.
If Ahmed Elmohamady gave Tal Ben Haim quite a work out down the right, Danny
Welbeck – whose hesitancy in front of goal saw him let a couple of chances
go begging – looked a little lost wide on the left while Paraguay's
Christian Riveros seemed way out of his depth against Parker.
Grant's side deservedly took the lead after Pablo Barrera's pass to the
accelerating Frédéric Piquionne defied home hopes of an offside flag. Having
rounded the advancing Simon Mignolet, Piquionne passed the ball into the
empty net and, suddenly, West Ham's manager was smiling. His players might
have been two up had Mignolet not dived low to save smartly from Parker at
the conclusion of a move initiated by the midfielder but shortly after that
Gyan equalised. The goal came from a corner, Jordan Henderson's inswinger
being met by the Ghana striker whose scoring header beyond Marek Stech
proved the cue for a wonderful virtuoso dance routine.
The second half began with Gyan directing a decent chance over the bar as
his team-mates briefly upped the tempo with the urgency which suggested they
had just received an ear-bashing. But Obinna had the Stadium of Light booing
in unison after restoring West Ham's lead. It was not a goal Kieran
Richardson will care to remember, having begun with Barrera getting in
behind the home left-back before crossing for Obinna to shoot home.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
VICTOR OBINNA PUTS WEST HAM IN GREAT HEART
Daily Express
Wednesday September 22,2010
By Niall Hickman
Sunderland 1, West Ham 2
VICTOR Obinna's name translates as 'my father's heart', but it was
Sunderland hearts he broke last night with the goal that sent West Ham into
the last 16 of the Carling Cup. Obinna, a summer on-loan capture from Inter
Milan, scored his first Hammers goal, as did Frederic Piquionne in an
inspirational 2-1 victory for the Londoners against a below-par Sunderland
side. Manager Avram Grant, back in the dugout following his absence from
last Saturday's league clash at Stoke as he observed the Jewish holy day of
Yom Kippur, watched his side deliver a gutsy display. West Ham may be
faltering in the league and were given little chance of success for the long
trek to the North-east but their second-half performance made them worthy
winners, taking their place in Saturday's draw. Pacific Islander Piquionne
and Nigeria World Cup forward Obinna especially caught the eye and although
Sunderland enjoyed the better chances before the break, after half-time the
Hammers delivered, by a distance, their best performance of the season. They
chalked up their first win on the road since last season's opening-day 2-0
Premier League success at Wolves. West Ham fielded seven changes from the
side which drew encouragingly at Stoke and those fringe first-team players
who came in clearly felt they had a point to prove.
"We wanted to play with style and we have made progress," said Grant. "I am
delighted. We have played well in recent weeks without any reward and that
has been very frustrating, so it was important to come to the Stadium of
Light, a very difficult place to play, and show we were the better team.
"It was the same sort of performance that we gave against Chelsea, but this
time we got what our effort deserved. "After so many games taking zero
points, it is good for the players to see they can win matches if they keep
trying. It is good for their confidence. "I am very optimistic about the
future and the vision for this club, although we have a long season ahead of
us. "The front two played well together and both deserved their goals, but
the players behind them backed them up superbly. Scott Parker gave
everything for the team, just like he did at Stoke, and Pablo Barrera was
also very difficult to handle."
Sunderland bossed the opening exchanges but Asamoah Gyan missed an open
goal, teed up by Darren Bent, while Kieran Richardson, Cristian Riveros and
Danny Welbeck all went close. But once West Ham took the lead, they always
looked the superior side. Piquionne was released by a superb Obinna pass in
the 35th minute and the France striker rounded Simon Mignolet to f inish in
style. Four minutes before half-time, however, Ghana forward Gyan powered
home the equaliser from a corner, his second Sunderland goal in just three
games since completing a £13million move from Rennes three weeks ago. After
the break, the Hammers squeezed the life out of their opponents and
deservedly went ahead again a minute before the hour. Mexico winger Barrera
left Richardson for dead down the right and picked out Obinna deep inside
the Sunderland box and his team-mate did the rest, easily beating Mignolet
with an accurate and composed finish. Mignolet saved brilliantly to deny
substitute Carlton Cole, while at the other end Phil Bardsley fired inches
wide and Steed Malbranque saw his close-range drive parried away by keeper
Marek Stech. That was Sunderland's last real goalscoring opportunity as the
Hammers defence held firm resolutely. Grant will be hoping that this
eye-catching win can kick-start their season with a London derby looming
against Tottenham on Saturday. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: "We were
flat from the first whistle. I wanted to see if we could follow up the
result and performance against Arsenal, but we didn't. "I thought we would
fly into the match but the game against Arsenal has clearly taken a lot out
of them. Some of them have run the equivalent of the Great North Run last
Saturday and maybe I should have made more changes. "West Ham were the
better team on the night and we were well beaten. It is not going to be my
year in the Carling Cup. "We have now got three centre-backs missing with
injuries and Gyan and Richardson have taken knocks as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland Boss Steve Bruce Concedes West Ham Were The Better Team In League
Cup Encounter
Steve Bruce admitted he had no complaints after Sunderland were knocked out
of the League Cup third round 2-1 by West Ham...
By Michael Landon
Sep 22, 2010 12:13:00 AM
Goal.com
Steve Bruce admitted he had no complaints after Sunderland were knocked out
of the League Cup third round 2-1 by West Ham inside the Stadium of Light on
Tuesday night. Goals either side of half time from Frederic Piquionne and
Victor Obinna secured the Hammers' first away victory for exactly 401 days.
Asamoah Gyan pulled one back on his full debut but Sunderland couldn't find
the equaliser despite some late pressure. And Bruce admitted The Black Cats
were beaten fair and square by a Hammers side who picked up their first
victory of the season. "It was disappointing all round. We looked flat from
the moment we started," he told reporters. "Our edge wasn't with us and we
paid the price for it. In management you look and think 'could I have
freshened it up a bit more?'" "I picked a team which I thought was strong
enough but we were lethargic and not at it. That was disappointing. "I
thought the goal might have given us a lift but if we're being honest the
better side won tonight. We have no gripes about that."
And Bruce admitted his players failed to take the intensity of their
previous game into this tie. "We struggled to get near them to get
possession of the ball, something we did exceptionally well against Arsenal.
"Still we had chances to score. We had two at the death which on another day
might have allowed us to get back into it. "If we're being honest, the
better side won."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant delighted with Cech in West Ham Cup win
22.09.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Marek Cech won praise from manager Avram Grant
after their Carling Cup win over Sunderland. The 20-year-old was in solid
form, making one outstanding late save from Steed Malbranque to maintain the
visitors' slender advantage. Grant told whufc.com: "He is a good player.
Ruud [Boffin] is also a very good goalkeeper, as is Peter [Kurucz] who is
now injured. We have very good young goalkeepers and it's part of our vision
about the club. Firstly because of the financial situation, but also because
we want to give opportunities to young, hungry players who want to develop
the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brescia president Corioni beams: Did West Ham dump new Baggio?
22.09.10 | tribalfootball.com
Brescia president Gino Corioni has no problem likening Alessandro Diamanti
to Roberto Baggio. Former Juventus and AC Milan star Baggio played out his
final years with Brescia. And on former West Ham United midfielder Diamanti,
Corioni enthused to calciomercato.com: "As far as technical quality, the
comparison is there, but this comparison must be proven over time.
"Technically Diamanti is an extraordinary player. I'm not saying that he is
worth a Baggio, because he will never have the same career, Baggio between
18 and 26 years has done extraordinary things and joined us afterwards,
while Diamanti is 27 years old and has been playing at high levels only for
a couple of years. "He himself told me that, up to 25 years, he considered
football only as fun and not as a profession. In any case, I wonder if over
the next six months to a year Diamanti will approach even closer the level
of Baggio."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Please donate to my sisters Kenyan Cycle ride for Women v Cancer
http://www.justgiving.com/sandhy-cycles-kenya
Posts
