WHUFC.com
The manager was frustrated but in the end content with a 2-2 draw away at
Crystal Palace
01.10.2011
Sam Allardyce paid tribute to the resilience of his team away at Crystal
Palace but rueful about two pieces of "shocking defending" that denied valid
hopes of a victory.
The Hammers twice had to come from behind for a 2-2 draw after lapses at the
back allowed Palace to score through Darren Ambrose and Glenn Murray. The
visitors were always the better side and played the best football in
stifling temperatures that belied the October date. Kevin Nolan had levelled
in the first half following the best move of the game before a late headed
equaliser from substitute John Carew earned an away point. Carew could even
have won it at the death with a flicked header that just went wide. On a
scorching day in south London, West Ham had arrived unbeaten on their
travels but Palace were on a high themselves after a 3-1 midweek win at
Brighton and Hove Albion. If Big Sam knew they would be in for a tricky
test, he did not legislate for his team allowing two goals in the manner
they did, both of which left debutant Manuel Almunia with no chance. He
said: "It was shocking defending today on two occasions, which stopped us
winning the game. Just two sloppy pieces of defending has gifted the
opposition two goals and made life very difficult for us on what was a very
accomplished performance other than that."
Although dismayed at those mistakes, the manager was pleased with the way
the team coped with being without Rob Green (knee), Joey O'Brien
(hamstring), Winston Reid (hamstring), Matt Taylor (calf) and Mark Noble
(toe). "What pleases me is we had to make a lot of changes via injury and
play players who were stepping in for the first time and for them to produce
a performance like that is really encouraging for me. These lads can only
get better here on in. "We have 18 points from the first phase, the first
ten matches. It is two points behind what we wanted but I expect we will
make that up if we continue to grow as we showed today. "The full squad is
coming into play. It produced a great performance if not the right result.
It gives us all confidence to go on and perhaps achieve 20, 22 or more
points from the next ten games."
The Hammers had several other good opportunities aside from that late chance
for a Carew winner, with Nolan particularly profligate after doing the hard
part well to find space in the area. It all bodes well for the coming
matches, according to Allardyce, even if frustration was the over-riding
emotion as he departed Selhurst Park.
"I was pleased with the amount of chances we created and we would like to
take those performances into Upton Park. The unfortunate thing for us was
that we've never looked like conceding two goals away from home this season
and certainly not the way we gave them away today. "The spirit of the team
and the quality of the team made sure we didn't lose it in the end which was
very important. "It is a disappointing week in only taking four points out
of three games but overall we are sitting pretty comfortably to move
forward. Now having tested the squad, I am getting more and more confident
that people can drop out and others can come in and deliver a performance as
good as the lads they've replaced."
On Almunia, Allardyce said the Spaniard coped well with being thrown in
after just one training session with his new team-mates following his loan
from Arsenal on Friday. Green will be out for six weeks having undergone a
knee op. "Manny is going to go home bemused because he hasn't had a save to
make and has had to pick the ball out of the net twice. I don't think he
could have stopped either goal because it was such bad defending. Other than
that I can't remember him having to make a save. "His distribution looks
good, he is confident and happy to be joining us, even if it is a big step
down for him from Arsenal and the Champions League. We are pleased to have
him."
The final word was reserved for Papa Bouba Diop, with the manager full of
superlatives for his first appearance in the claret and blue. "Wow," he
said. "I was expecting I would have to give him oxygen after 60 minutes in
today's heat but he was masterful in front of the back four and setting us
off on more and more attacks. As the game went on, I was really pleased."
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U18s remain unbeaten
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s secured a 2-2 FA Premier Academy League draw at
Portsmouth on Saturday
01.10.2011
West Ham United's Under-18s extended their unbeaten start to the FA Premier
Academy League season with a 2-2 draw at Portsmouth. The Hammers, who have
not lost any of their opening seven fixtures, went ahead through Dominic
Vose early on, then conceded twice before Blair Turgott netted a late
equaliser. Academy Director Tony Carr admitted his team created more than
enough opportunities to win the game, only to be forced to settle for their
second successive draw.
"We are a little bit disappointed with the result overall because we had a
lot of the game but didn't take our chances," said Carr. "We went 1-0 up
after 25 minutes when Dominic latched on to a good pass from Taylor Miles
and beat a defender before side-footing past the goalkeeper. "Kieran Sadlier
had two chances and Blair had a very good chance but they went begging, the
Portsmouth were awarded a very soft penalty when one of their players just
ran into Kenzer Lee. "We had a made five or ten minutes and they managed to
get another goal to go in 2-1 up at half-time. "We came out in the second
half and dominated the game and got our reward when Blair scored with about
15 minutes remaining. Dominic did well down the right-hand side before
passing to Blair, who drove a lot shot across the goalkeeper. "We created a
lot of opportunities, but it was not like the opening games of the season
when we scored goals for fun. The quality in our finishing was not there.
"Obviously we're disappointed we didn't win, but we were missing a few
players - Jake Young and Matthias Fanimo didn't play - and some of the boys
are also playing development squad matches in midweek."
The Hammers youngsters return to action next Saturday, when Ipswich Town are
the visitors to Little Heath for an 11am kick-off. Parking and admission are
both free of charge.
West Ham United U18s: Larkins, Siafa, Shaw (Chambers), Potts, K.Lee,
Turgott, Miles, Powell (Hurley), Vose, Sadlier, E.Lee
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Crystal Palace 2 - 2 West Ham
BBc.co.uk
Page last updated at 16:49 GMT, Saturday, 1 October 2011 17:49 UK
West Ham preserved their unbeaten away record thanks to a late leveller from
John Carew at Selhurst Park. The Hammers twice came from behind to secure a
2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, who were ahead after just six minutes. Darren
Ambrose opened the scoring with his second goal in a week, but Kevin Nolan
equalised 10 minutes later. Glenn Murray restored the lead for Dougie
Freedman's side just after the restart, only for Carew to grab a point with
10 minutes remaining. Manuel Almunia was making his debut in goal for the
visitors but he could do nothing to prevent Ambrose opening the scoring, the
former Charlton man firing home from six yards out after being teed up by
Jonathan Williams. But Nolan restored parity when George McCartney's cross
was only cleared as far as Carlton Cole, who headed back across goal for
Nolan to fire in his third of the season. Nolan should have done better with
two more chances before the break - and he was made to pay just after the
break when Murray, who himself had spurned a glorious first-half chance,
beat Almunia from 15 yards after Wilfried Zaha set him up. Palace looked to
be holding out for all three points until Carew struck, heading McCartney's
cross past Julien Speroni for his first goal for the club. The point keeps
Sam Allardyce's side in fourth place but four points behind the leaders
Southampton, who won 4-0 at home to Watford.
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Crystal Palace 2 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 1st October 2011
By: Staff Writer
John Carew's first goal for West Ham earned his new club a share of the
spoils at Selhurst Park this afternoon. The Norwegian striker popped up at
the far post to nod home George McCartney's cross with just ten minutes of
normal time remaining to earn Sam Allardyce's side a point from a game in
which they once again looked far from convincing. The Hammers - who were
forced to come from behind twice in order to take a point - yet again
enjoyed plenty of possession, with the home side content to sit back and
attack West Ham's far from convincing defence on the break. However there
was little quality from the Irons in the final third of the pitch, with
Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, who was linked with a move to West Ham
during the summer, rarely called upon to make a save.
Manager Sam Allardyce rang the changes before the game, making four changes
to the team that were beaten by Ipswich in midweek. Manuel Almunia and Papa
Bouba Diop came in to make their Hammers debuts, whilst Jack Collison and
Julien Faubert came in for Sam Baldock and Joey O'Brien respectively. United
found themselvs behind after just six minutes when Palace's Darren Ambrose
grabbed his third goal of the season, tapping in from close range after
being found unmarked at new boy Almunia's far post by Jonathan Williams.
Fortunately for West Ham - who largely controlled the first half - captain
Nolan was on hand to convert a George McCartney cross to the far post, which
the Liverpudlian volleyed home from close range.
Palace started the second half as brightly as they did the first and were
back ahead just seven minutes into the half. Once again questions will be
asked of West Ham's defence, who allowed Glenn Murray to turn on the edge of
the box before finding his spot - even if Almunia perhaps could have done
better with the shot.
Sam Allardyce - whose 442 experiment lasted little more than 20 minutes
against Ipswich last Tuesday evening - threw caution to the wind with 20
minutes remaining by bringing on Sam Baldock and John Carew. And it was the
latter who rose highest to meet George McCartney's cross - his second assist
of the day - which he nodded home beyond the despaiting dive of Palace
'keeper Speroni. Although substitute Jermaine Easter almost snatched the
points for the home side in the fourth minute of added-on time with an
audacious effort, both teams will be reasonably happy with a point each.
That point keeps West Ham in fourth spot in the Championship, albeit four
points behind leaders Southampton - who thrashed Watford 4-0 at St Mary's
this afternoon.
However today's result will have done little to dispel concerns over
United's recent form, which has seen them take just five points from their
last four games - far from the form required to challenge for automatic
promotion.
Crystal Palace 2 West Ham Utd 2: match facts
West Ham Utd: Almunia, Faubert, McCartney, Tomkins, Faye, Bouba Diop,
Lansbury, Nolan, Bentley (Sears 88), Collison (Carew 68), Cole (Baldock 68).
Subs not used: Boffin, Demel.
Goals: Nolan (16), Carew (80).
Booked: McCartney (88).
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Williams (Scannell 66), Wright, McCarthy, Gardner,
Parr, Ambrose (Ramage 70), Jedinak, Moxey, Murray, Zaha (Easter 84).
Subs not used: Price, Tunchev.
Goals: Ambrose (6), Murray (52).
Booked: Easter (90+3).
Referee: Kevin Wright.
Assistants: Nick Kinseley and Mark Pottage.
Fourth Official: Ian Rathbone.
Attendance: 20,074.
KUMB.com Man of the Match: George McCartney.
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Hammers go global
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 1st October 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's International Academy continues to seek the very best
young players from around the world to bring to Upton Park. The
international set-up now enjoys partnerships with a whole host of clubs
worldwide and has begun to see the fruits of its labour with the emergence
of Dylan Tombides (ex-Stirling Lions FC, Australia) and Sebatian Lletget
(ex-Sporting Santa Clara, USA), both of whom have been close to a first team
debut in recent months. The Academy boasts links with more than 25 clubs and
organisations across the globe - mostly in the USA - with the youngsters
regularly receiving coaching from experts in the field such as West Ham
United's Academy Director Tony Carr and coach Paul Heffer, who played for
the Irons briefly in the late 1960s. Speaking about the American set-up
recently, Carr said: "The game is global now. Everybody knows the Premier
League and English football. We thought we musn't bury our heads in the sand
at West Ham and just say 'we're only going to look for local boys'. "We're
trying to spread our wings a little bit and develop relationships with clubs
in the US in the hope that we can spread the word of West Ham United and
what it means in terms of its coaching and welfare of children. "Maybe we
might find a player on our way and bring him over to the UK. We're sitting
here at Santa Clara in San Jose and we've got a young pro who started his
career here, Sebatian Lletget. He's now at West Ham as a young professional,
so it can happen."
WHUFC International Academy: Partner clubs/associations
Australia
Stirling Lions Soccer Club (Balcatta, Western Australia)
Canada
Erin Mills Soccer Club (Mississauga, Ontario)
Caribbean
Bermuda Football Association
Future Sports Club (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
Mexico
Sport Concepts S.A. de C.V. (Mexico City; Monterrey; Torreon; Veracruz)
United States
Alpharetta United (Alpharetta, Georgia)
Arsenal Football Club (Oakdale, Pennsylvania)
Barca FC (Temecula, California)
Blues (Roseville, California)
Cape Fear Soccer (Wilmington, North Carolina)
Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (Greenville, South Carolina)
Central Jackson Soccer Organisation (Jackson, Mississippi)
Challenger FC (Medina/Avon, Ohio)
Darlington School Academies (Rome, Georgia)
Euro Soccer Club (Chicago, Illinois)
FC Alliance (Knoxville, Tennessee)
GACS SParta Soccer (Norcross, Goergia)
International School of Indiana (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Keystone Athletic (Sciota, Pennsylvania)
Long Island Rough Riders (Long Island, New York)
Miglietti Soccer Academy (Los Angeles, California))
Minnesota Thunder Academy (Plymouth, Minnesota)
Newport Mesa Soccer Club (Costa Mesa, California)
Northern Virginia FC (Springfield, Fairfax County, Virginia)
Port St. Lucie Soccer Club (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
Premier UK Soccer (Youngsville, North Carolina)
Princeton Soccer Association (Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey)
Pure FC (St. Augustine, Florida)
Rio Vista (Montgomery, Nebraska)
Schulz Academy (Boca Raton, Florida)
Sporting Santa Clara (Santa Clara, California)
Super 9 Soccer (Rochester, New York)
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Allardyce bemoans gifted goals
Hammers boss unhappy with how Eagles scored
Last Updated: October 1, 2011 7:08pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce bemoaned two gifted goals after West Ham twice came from
behind to draw at Crystal Palace. Darren Ambrose and Glenn Murray twice gave
the Eagles the lead only for the Hammers to hit back through Kevin Nolan and
John Carew, with his first goal for the club. Ambrose was allowed to prod
the ball past on-loan Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia after West Ham failed to
deal with a long goal-kick, and Murray swept home from the edge of the area
from Wilfried Zaha's cross. "It was shocking defending," said Allardyce. "We
gifted the opposition two goals and that made life very difficult, in what
was otherwise a very good performance. "But we had to make a lot of changes
due to injuries and to produce a performance like that is encouraging."
Close range
Nolan turned in his third goal of the season from close range and Carew, on
as a second-half substitute, headed in George McCartney's cross 10 minutes
from time.
The Hammers remain in fourth place despite picking up just one point from
their last two games. "We've got 18 points from our first 10 games, which is
two behind what I wanted but I expect we will make that up if we continue to
play like that," added Allardyce. "It was disappointing to take only four
points from three games this week but we are sitting quite comfortably."
Freedman pleased
Palace boss Dougie Freedman was on the bench the last time these sides met,
in the 2004 play-off final which the Eagles won. "I thought it was a fair
result," he said.
"It was two teams playing very different styles. "One or two of my players
went into the game as young boys and came out as men. They are a powerful,
experienced side who knock the ball long and you have to stand up against
them, and we did."
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Carew earns Irons draw at Palace
Last updated: 1st October 2011
SSN
John Carew's late leveller preserved West Ham's unbeaten away record as they
twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Crystal Palace. Darren Ambrose
followed up his first goal of the season in the midweek win at Brighton by
putting the Eagles ahead on six minutes following woeful West Ham defending.
Julian Speroni's long punt forward was flicked on by Glenn Murray and
Jonathan Williamsunselfishly set up Ambrose to side-foot past Manuel Almunia
from six-yards. The visitors hit back immediately and Carlton Cole dragged a
shot wide before Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan restored parity on 16 minutes.
George McCartney's left-wing cross was only partially cleared and Cole
headed back across goal for Nolan to head home unmarked from close range for
his third West Ham goal. Nolan could have added to his tally but headed
straight into the arms of Speroni moments before the interval and then
blasted Henri Lansbury's cut-back wastefully over from the edge of the box.
Murray then squandered a glorious opportunity to put the home side back in
front at the other end. Talented teenager Wilfried Zaha dragged two West Ham
defenders out wide and sent in a low cross that was flicked on by Williams
but Murray bobbled his finish wide of Almunia's goal from six-yards. Dougie
Freedman's side began the second period strongly and Murray atoned for his
late first-half miss by putting Palace back in front seven minutes after the
restart. Zaha was again involved as he flicked the ball square to striker
Murray and the former Brighton man beat Almunia with a composed finish into
the bottom right-hand corner from 15-yards for his third goal of the season.
Sam Allardyce sent on strikers Sam Baldock and Carew with just over 20
minutes to go and the latter levelled the contest for a second time 10
minutes before full-time. McCartney sent in another left-wing cross and the
towering Norwegian rose to cushion a header past Speroni from close range
for his first West Ham goal since switching to Upton Park from Aston Villa
in the summer. Palace looked to take the lead for a third time and Paddy
McCarthy headed down at the other end but Murray could only scoop over .
Eagles substitute Jermaine Easter then fired an ambitious 25-yard effort
wide in the final minute as both sides were forced to settle for a point.
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Big Sam keen on Tevez deal
Hammers boss keen on striker's return
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
October 1, 2011 6:27pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has admitted his interest in bringing Carlos
Tevez back to the club. The Hammers are believed to have had a loan enquiry
rebuffed by Manchester City for Tevez. Tevez has been suspended by City for
two weeks with Roberto Mancini claiming the Argentine will never play for
him again after his apparent refusal to go on as a substitute at Bayern
Munich in midweek. Tevez enjoyed a successful spell at West Ham in 2007 and
Allardyce has left the door open for a move back to Upton Park, insisting he
would have no fear of handling the controversial striker.
World-class
"If he would like to join us and the chairman would like to pay for him then
yes, why wouldn't you want a top-class player like that?" said Allardyce.
"I've worked with some world-class players in my time, they win you games
when you least expect it. "With a goal record like his why wouldn't you want
him? "I've had worse than him. I've had some bad ones in my time. Just keep
playing him, that's the answer."
Inter interest
Meanwhile, Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has hinted Inter Milan could make a
move for the South American. Tevez was linked with a move to Inter in the
summer in a possible swap deal with Wesley Sneijder and Joorabchian believes
the deal could be resurrected. "I know that Inter Milan have offered to
Manchester City Sneijder in exchange for Tevez and that there was serious
talks between the two clubs to try to define the deal," Joorabchian told De
Telegraaf. "But with the arrival of Samir Nasri it looks like City still
have too many players in midfield."
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Crystal Palace 2-2 West Ham: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 21:50 01/10/11 By Steve Stammers
The Mirror
His best days may now be behind him, but John Carew showed he retains the
aerial threat that once made him the scourge of defences all over Europe.
Just when Crystal Palace looked set for a win earned through sweat and
endeavour, the former Valencia, Roma, Lyon and Aston Villa striker, on as a
sub, headed a crucial equaliser from Kevin Nolan's cross to prevent a second
loss in four days for Sam Allardyce's promotion hopefuls. Allardyce wants to
give the Hammers faithful even more cheer by bringing Carlos Tevez back to
Upton Park. He said: "He wouldn't be a problem to me. I have handled a lot
worse than him in my career. "Why wouldn't you want him? If the chairman
agrees to pay his wages and if he wants to join us, then I would love him
here. "Players like him have the ability to win you games and when you need
a goal, they produce it. His goal record is tremendous."
It is now up to West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan to make a
second enquiry for the Argentinian after their initial approach was
rejected. West Ham's somewhat tentative early approach had been punished
with a Palace goal after six minutes. A long clearance was headed on by
Jonathan Williams to present Darren Ambrose with the most simple of chances.
Manuel Almunia, who is on loan from Arsenal, was given no chance. But the
strike shook West Ham out of their lethargy and in the 16th minute they were
level. The Hammers had been able to make capital from the forward forages of
their full-backs George McCartney and Julien Faubert. It was from such a
strategy that the equaliser came. McCartney crossed from the left, Carlton
Cole leapt high at the far post to head the ball back across goal and there
was Nolan to score from close range. Gradually West Ham established
ascendancy. Faubert's pace, allied to David Bentley's sublime touch and
Henri Lansbury's eye for a pass, allowed them to capitalise on Palace's
stretched left flank and by half-time they should have been ahead. On the
stroke of half-time a rare Palace appearance in the West Ham penalty area
left Glenn Murray with a chance from six yards that he put wide. But there
was no reprieve seven minutes into the second half courtesy of a flash of
real skill from Palace teenager Wilfried Zaha. The 19-year-old produced a
pinpoint cross from the left that found Murray at the edge of the area who
tucked his shot past Almunia. But in the 80th minute, substitute Carew
headed home the equaliser from Nolan's wicked, swerving cross. Palace boss
Dougie Freedman was on the bench the last time these sides met, in the 2004
play-off final which the Eagles won. "I thought it was a fair result," he
said. "It was two teams playing very different styles. "One or two of my
players went into the game as young boys and came out as men. They are a
powerful, experienced side who knock the ball long and you have to stand up
against them, and we did."
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Allardyce: I still want Carlos Tevez on loan
Published 18:06 01/10/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce watched his West Ham side salvage a point from a 2-2 draw at
Crystal Palace today - and then left the door wide open for Carlos Tevez to
rejoin the club. Argentinian striker Tevez has been suspended by Manchester
City and told he will never play for them again after his apparent refusal
to go on as a substitute at Bayern Munich on Tuesday. West Ham's initial
enquiry about a loan deal for the player who saved them from relegation in
2007 was given short shrift this week. But Allardyce today insisted he would
love to sign Tevez and claimed his alleged disruptive influence holds no
fears. "If he would like to join us and the chairman would like to pay for
him then yes, why wouldn't you want a top-class player like that?" said the
Hammers boss. "I've worked with some world-class players in my time, they
win you games when you least expect it. "With a goal record like his why
wouldn't you want him? "I've had worse than him. I've had some bad ones in
my time. Just keep playing him, that's the answer."
West Ham could certainly do with the spark the return of Tevez would provide
after they snatched a late point at Selhurst Park. Palace were leading twice
through Darren Ambrose and Glenn Murray only for the Hammers to hit back
through Kevin Nolan and John Carew, with his first goal for the club.
Ambrose was allowed to prod the ball past on-loan Arsenal keeper Manuel
Almunia after West Ham failed to deal with a long goal-kick, and Murray
swept home from the edge of the area from Wilfried Zaha's cross. "It was
shocking defending," added Allardyce. "We gifted the opposition two goals
and that made life very difficult, in what was otherwise a very good
performance. "But we had to make a lot of changes due to injuries and to
produce a performance like that is encouraging."
Nolan turned in his third goal of the season from close range and Carew, on
as a second-half substitute, headed in George McCartney's cross 10 minutes
from time.
The Hammers remain in fourth place despite picking up just one point from
their last two games. "We've got 18 points from our first 10 games, which is
two behind what I wanted but I expect we will make that up if we continue to
play like that," claimed Allardyce. "It was disappointing to take only four
points from three games this week but we are sitting quite comfortably."
Palace boss Dougie Freedman was on the bench the last time these sides met,
in the 2004 play-off final which the Eagles won. "I thought it was a fair
result," he said.
It was two teams playing very different styles. "One or two of my players
went into the game as young boys and came out as men. They are a powerful,
experienced side who knock the ball long and you have to stand up against
them, and we did."
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CRYSTAL PALACE 2 WEST HAM UNITED 2: SAM ALLARDYCE WOULD JUMP AT CHANCE TO
SIGN CARLOS TEVES
Daily Express
John Carew used his head to spare West Ham's blushes 10 minutes after coming
on
Sunday October 2,2011
By Sunday Express Reporter
CARLOS TEVEZ was last night offered an escape route back to West Ham.
Manager Sam Allardyce admitted he would leap at the chance to sign the
maverick Argentinian, who was a cult hero at Upton Park when he first came
to this country. "If he wants to come to us and the chairman is prepared to
put up the money, yes I'd like him. Who wouldn't? "I've had some great
players in my time and some of them a lot worse than him, believe me!"
Allardyce made his surprise – perhaps tongue in cheek – offer just when he
looked more in need of defenders yesterday. Big Sam blasted his defence for
what he described as two shocking blunders that gifted Palace their goals
and a point. "It was shocking defending and that stopped us winning the
match," he said. In the end big John Carew used his head to spare the
Hammers' blushes 10 minutes after coming on as second-half substitute. The
much-travelled Norwegian rose head and shoulders above anyone else to glance
home George McCartney's cross and grab the Hammers a point when they looked
in danger of defeat. Palace will probably feel a bit aggrieved about that
after Darren Ambrose and Glen Murray cashed in on West Ham's defensive
blunders to put them in the driving seat and young Jonathon Williams caught
the eye in Palace's midfield. But McCartney would have felt the same after
setting up West Ham's first-half equaliser from Kevin Nolan and inspiring a
Hammers fightback that deserved what it got.
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Carew rises above Tevez talk to answer call
Crystal Palace 2 West Ham United 2
By Conrad Leach at Selhurst Park
Sunday, 2 October 2011
The Independent
West Ham inquired about taking Carlos Tevez on loan this week, although
Manchester City's response to letting their disgraced Argentina striker
leave for east London was "unprintable" according to Karren Brady, the
Hammers' chief executive.
Whether it was a genuine move to bring Tevez back to Upton Park or just
grandstanding, it goes without saying that West Ham could have done with
someone of his quality. With 10 minutes to go of this derby they were
losing, before John Carew, who had a run-in with his last manager, equalised
with a glancing header. Note to Tevez – Carew's goal showed the value of
saying "yes" when asked to come off the substitute's bench. It was the
Norway forward's first strike since joining from Aston Villa, where he fell
out with Gérard Houllier.
Sam Allardyce, the Hammers' manager, also has previous in making outlandish
bids for South Americans. Remember his attempt, when he was at Bolton, to
bring in Rivaldo? That also came to nothing. But Allardyce did have
something to say about Tevez. "We'll have him if he wants to join and the
chairman wants to pay for him." At £250,000 a week, that was presumably a
short-lived conversation between David Gold and his counterpart at
Eastlands. Yet West Ham did have one new Spanish-speaking loanee to show
off. But it was only Manuel Almunia, in from Arsenal, who was a touch slow
to get down to Glenn Murray's strike from the edge of the box.
Almunia, who is emergency cover for the injured Robert Green, conceded his
first goal after only six minutes. Despite their preferred method of playing
neat passing football, Palace went the long route and were rewarded. A high
clearance from inside their half fell for Jonathan Williams and he deftly
touched to Darren Ambrose, who tapped in from six yards. Ten minutes later,
West Ham equalised from their first genuine foray. George McCartney's cross
went to Carlton Cole, who headed back across goal to Kevin Nolan, and the
midfielder was unmarked five yards out.
Palace re-took the lead, seven minutes into the second half. Wilfried Zaha,
Palace's last teenage sensation before Williams, 17, turned up, beat two
players and found Murray, on the edge of the area.
But Dougie Freedman, the Palace manager, was happy with a point despite
twice taking the lead. He said: "It was a fair result, with our guile
against their power. Some of my players came into this game as boys and
finished it as men."
Crystal Palace (4-4-1-1): Speroni; Parr, McCarthy, Gardner, Moxey; Zaha
(Easter, 84), Jedinak, Wright, Ambrose (Ramage, 70); Williams (Scannell,
66); Murray.
West Ham (4-1-4-1): Almunia; Faubert, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney; Diop;
Bentley (Sears, 88), Lansbury, Nolan, Collison (Carew, 68); Cole (Baldock,
68).
Referee Kevin Wright.
Man of the match Williams (Crystal Palace).
Match rating 6/10.
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West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce worried by defence following draw at
Crystal Palace
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was anything but impressed with the quality
of his side's defending during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff8:58PM BST 01 Oct 20111
Palace led twice, through Darren Ambrose and Glenn Murray, although West Ham
salvaged a point with goals from Kevin Nolan and John Carew, his first for
the club.
Ambrose prodded the ball past on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia
after West Ham failed to deal with a goal-kick, and Murray scored from the
edge of the area. "It was shocking defending," said Allardyce. "We gifted
the opposition two goals and that made life very difficult, in what was
otherwise a very good performance." Carew's header ensures that West Ham
remain fourth and Allardyce said: "We've got 18 points from our first 10
games, which is two behind what I wanted but I expect we will make that up
if we continue to play like that." Dean Saunders collected his seventh point
from three matches in charge of Doncaster Rovers with a 2-1 victory at
Peterborough and immediately paid tribute to his predecessor, Sean
O'Driscoll. "The previous manager did a brilliant job," Saunders said. "He
took the club forward and I imagine every fan will always be grateful for
what he achieved. "But sometimes in this game players can become complacent
and the voice of the manager can go in one ear and out of the other."
Bristol City, thrashed 5-0 by Blackpool, replace Doncaster at the foot of
the table.
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