Daily WHUFC News - 23rd December 2012

Big Sam rues 'bizarre' second half
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was left frustrated after seeing his side lose to Everton and
Carlton Cole controversially sent-off
22.12.2012

Sam Allardyce cut a frustrated figure after watching his West Ham United
side lose 2-1 to Everton in their final home Barclays Premier League fixture
of 2012.
The Hammers looked set to end the year at the Boleyn Ground on a high when
Carlton Cole's superb finish sent them in a goal to the good at half-time.
However, Victor Anichebe's equaliser was quickly followed by the
controversial sending-off of Cole and a fortuitous winning goal scored by
Steven Pienaar.
There was still time for Kevin Nolan to miss a late opportunity to equalise
and for Everton's Darron Gibson to see red for catching Mark Noble, leading
Big Sam to label the second half 'bizarre' and lament what might have been.
The manager also confirmed that he intends to appeal against Cole's
dismissal.

"We could say it is our fault that we lost the game because of the one Kevin
missed at the end, unfortunately, because that would have been a massive
bonus for us. We fought and battled to the end, with ten men, so to get a
golden chance like that and have it fall to our leading goalscorer, I
thought 'Go on Kev make it a pleasant day for us in the end' but
unfortunately the shot just went wide of the post instead of going into the
net. "It would have been too late for Everton to have come back [and score a
winner] even with eleven men against ten. Then we had the referee sending
one of their players off after he had sent Carlton Cole off, so it ended up
being a bizarre second half after what was a fantastic first half. We scored
a goal and defended as well as we did, but in the end it has all gone
pear-shaped. "We could look at ourselves and say it's all our fault, and
that's fair enough, but unfortunately the majority of it isn't because at
one-one the referee sent Carlton Cole off. We were all aghast and the whole
stadium was shocked by the fact that it was a red card. "We're all shocked
because of the incident after 32 minutes when Anichebe has done almost
exactly the same thing Carlton has done on James Collins and nothing has
happened. When you see that sort of thing happening in the same game by the
referee, it's very disappointing indeed. "We have to take it on the chin and
move on because there is nothing we can do about the result. The most
disappointing thing is that if our appeal doesn't work then we will miss
Carlton for the Reading match and he's playing very, very well at the minute
and he scored a fantastic goal."

Concentrating on the football, Big Sam praised his players for their
work-rate and effort against a very good Everton side. With just 16 fit
senior players - two of whom have recently returned to training after long
periods out injured in Jack Collison and Alou Diarra - available, the
manager said it was always going to be a challenge to halt the Toffees.
"Kevin could have got us a point with that chance at the end and that would
have ended it as being a good day for us under the circumstances. Even
Modibo Maiga could have scored just after he came on when Carlton Cole
passed him the ball but unfortunately the deflection went wide of the post -
and even then the referee gave a goal kick and not a corner. "It was a
strange second half and if you look at how their second goal was stumbled
and bumbled in rather than created by the opposition was again
disappointing. I can't blame the lads because they are giving their all.
"Gary O'Neil had to play even though he was not 100 per cent. He came off in
training on Friday but then we lost Guy Demel with the vomiting virus on
Saturday so he had to go out on the field. He couldn't hold out so we had to
change him and we didn't have any other option but to go 4-4-2 and, in the
end, that wasn't the main cause of why we lost. "People should not forget
that, even though they were on the bench, they [Collison and Diarra] are not
fit to play football. They are not there because they are fit enough to play
in our first team - they are there because of the desperate measures we have
to resort to. Jack has not kicked a ball apart from 45 minutes in a
Development Squad game last week and Alou DIarra has not played a
competitive game since injuring his thigh three months ago.
"These players are not able or ready to start in our first team, so we have
to get them fit as quick as we can, as well as all the others because if we
continue with the injury list we have, we will pay a heavy price. We paid a
heavy price on Saturday because, had we had a full squad, we might not have
got 2-0 up or maybe taken advantage of having a full squad. "I give the lad
full credit for their efforts but we need variation and options. Without
those it becomes difficult, but it was a brilliant effort by the players."

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West Ham 1 Everton 2
22 December 2012
Last updated at 17:24
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer, BBC Sport at Upton Park

Everton came from behind to beat West Ham United and move back into fourth
place as both sides ended with 10 men at Upton Park. Carlton Cole gave West
Ham an early lead but was then shown a hotly-contested red card for a high
challenge on Leighton Baines after the interval. Victor Anichebe had already
headed Everton level after 64 minutes and they cashed in on West Ham's
numerical disadvantage when Steven Pienaar scrambled in what proved to be
the winner shortly after Cole was sent off. Everton came from behind to win
for the fourth time in the Premier League this season. Only Manchester
United, who have done it seven times, have achieved this more. Everton had
opportunities to increase their lead but Kevin Nolan squandered a late
opportunity to equalise for West Ham as they attempted to overcome the
handicap of Cole's dismissal to earn a point. Darron Gibson was also sent
off in stoppage time by referee Anthony Taylor after a collision with Mark
Noble that had to be met with similar punishment to Cole - leaving both
managers unhappy at the final whistle. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will
feel his side suffered an injustice, but Everton counterpart David Moyes
will view this as a vital three points as they continue to battle at the top
end of the table. Everton were missing Marouane Fellaini, who started a
three-game suspension after headbutting Stoke's Ryan Shawcross, but still
started brightly.

Sylvain Distin should have done better than head down and over the top from
Baines's free-kick - then Everton saw a goal ruled out in contentious
circumstances. The diminutive figure of Leon Osman rose to head in a corner
from Baines but, much to Everton's obvious fury, the celebrations were
halted by a linesman's flag. It looked like Anichebe had been penalised for
impeding goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen but Anichebe would counter but saying
he was simply standing his ground. Everton's frustration deepened as Cole
gave West Ham the lead soon after, escaping John Heitinga far too easily and
shooting low past Tim Howard. The Merseysiders emerged with far more intent
after the break and Nikica Jelavic should have equalised when the ball broke
to him eight yards out after a penalty area scramble but the Croat could
only shoot straight at Jaaskelainen. Everton's pressure was mounting,
however, and they restored parity when Anichebe got a glancing touch on to
Pienaar's cross to leave Jaaskelainen helpless.

If Everton thought they had been harshly treated by Osman's disallowed goal,
West Ham were left nursing an equal sense of injustice when Cole was sent
off in the 66th minute. The striker's foot was raised in a challenge with
Baines and he caught the England defender, but there was still surprise when
referee Taylor produced the red card. And to make matters worse for West
Ham, Everton were soon in front as Pienaar scrambled in a finish at the near
post after Osman had made inroads into the penalty area. Jelavic's assured
finishing took had deserted him in a poor personal performance and he could
only find the sidenetting when presented with a chance to wrap up Everton's
victory. Nolan was West Ham's main danger in the closing stages and twice
had opportunities to equalise, once with a shot that was deflected inches
wide then when he uncharacteristically off target when clean through.

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West Ham and Everton to appeal against Cole and Gibson red cards
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer, BBC Sport

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce and Everton counterpart David Moyes will both
appeal against red cards given to Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson. Cole and
Gibson were shown straight red cards for respective high challenges on
Leighton Baines and Mark Noble in Everton's 2-1 victory at Upton Park. Moyes
said: "I didn't think either were red cards and we'll appeal. I'll have a
word with Sam about appealing as well." And Allardyce added: "It had a
massive effect but we will appeal immediately."

Cole and Gibson are both facing three-match suspensions - leaving both
managers angry and ready to contest the decisions by referee Anthony Taylor.
After Cole had given West Ham an early lead, Everton came from behind to win
with second-half goals from Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar and move into
fourth place in the Premier League. Taylor sent Cole off three minutes after
Anichebe's second-half equaliser and Gibson's dismissal came in injury time
when he tackled Noble. Allardyce felt Cole's red card cost his team the
match and demanded greater consistency from officials. He said: "If you
compare Carlton's tackle on Leighton Baines to the one Victor Anichebe did
on James Collins in the 32nd minute, it was slightly different but exactly
the same type of challenge and yet one went without a booking or a talking
to and the other was a straight red. "I didn't think Gibson's was a red card
either. In Carlton's case you are looking at a player who has put his foot
up and you say 'has he meant to do it? Has he done it on purpose?' "His eyes
are completely focused on the ball when Leighton has come in from the blind
side. "It was how quick the referee got the red card out. He couldn't wait.
He didn't deliberate over it."

Moyes believes both players have a good case for their bans to be overturned
and said: "I don't think you can put the word 'frivolous' next to this. It's
worth the appeal and it's not a stupid appeal. "I thought it was a case of
two players honestly going for the ball." Everton's victory moved them up
into fourth place and Moyes believes his team can sustain their challenge
for a Champions League spot. He added: "We've started well but we're bobbing
in and out. We've got some big teams around us and if we can finish in a
European spot it would be great. "If we don't we'll keep going but the
players have been excellent. "We just about deserved the win. It's a really
tough place to come and Sam's got his team playing well but some of our play
was great."

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West Ham Utd 1-2 Everton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd December 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham slipped to a second successive home Premier League defeat - before
placing the blame for it squarely at the feet of calamity referee Anthony
Taylor.
The inexperienced match official incurred the wrath of the Boleyn Ground
crowd when he inexplicably dismissed Carlton Cole midway through the second
half of the game, which was evenly poised at 1-1 at the time, for raising a
foot that accidentally caught stooping Everton defender Leighton Baines. The
visitors took advantage of the extra man by grabbing a second goal shortly
after Cole's departure - a goal that won them all three points - but they
too finished the match with only ten men after Taylor compounded his earlier
gaff by making an equally poor decision when dismissing Everton's Darron
Gibson for an almost identical offence. That decision gave rise to what must
have been the first ever example of an opponent's dismissal being booed by
the home fans - with Gibson himself given a sympathetic round of applause by
United supporters who made no secret of their anger by universally chanting
"you're not fit to referee" at Taylor.

The 34-year-old Manchester-born referee - who also oversaw West Ham's 3-0
win against Fulham earlier in the season, a match that passed with no
controversy - had a diabolical game, making a series of poor calls. But it
was the two sending offs that he will be most remembered for - neither of
which warranted a booking, let alone a red card.

Taylor had already upset Everton boss David Moyes early on in the first half
when he ruled out what appeared to be a perfectly good goal by the
outstanding Leon Osman on the advice of his linesman, who spotted an
infringement that few others - if any - saw.

And Moyes had even more reason to be annoyed when he saw his team fall a
goal behind just two minutes later when Carlton Cole created an opening for
himself inside the box before firing home from some 15 yards out.

Everton, who had looked the stronger side in the opening exchanges of the
second half grabbed an equaliser on 64 minutes when Victor Anichebe rose to
head home Steven Pienaar's probing delivery. It was the first time West Ham
had conceded a header all season.

From that moment on the game descended into farce once Cole had been given
his marching orders two minutes after Everton had levelled the scores.

Climbing to reach a ball in Everton's penalty box, Cole's raised foot -
which was above waist height but hardly dangerous - came into contact with
Baines, who was stopping to reach the ball. With no hesitation, referee
Taylor reached for his pocket and, to the shock of everyone else inside the
ground, pulled out a red card.

Shellshocked by that decision, West Ham panicked - and paid for it by
conceding what proved to be the winning goal. Osman, who had tormented West
Ham all afternoon weaved his way into the box before the ball eventually
sprang to Pienaar, who poked it over the line.

Despite an unimpressive second half showing the Hammers still had the chance
to redeem themselves when Kevin Nolan found himself with just goalkeeper Tim
Howard to beat - but under pressure, the captain could only find the side
netting.

But there was still time for referee Taylor to make more headlines when he
dismissed Everton's Gibson for a similar challenge to that which saw Cole
sent off. It was the mark of a weak official that he felt he had to even
scores - and yet another appalling decision as Gibson's challenge was
perhaps a foul at worst.

No doubt both managers will appeal against the red cards that ruined the
match as a spectacle - and if both fail to be rescinded there is something
seriously wrong at the FA. However that will be little consolation for Sam
Allardyce who has now seen his side throw away a winning position in
successive matches at home.

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Moyes on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd December 2012
By: Staff Writer No.2

Everton boss David Moyes is as bemused as the rest of us as a woefully
sub-standard refereeing performance is the main topic of conversation in the
post-match press conference, which, as ever, we bring you in full....

David is that confusing for you this afternoon? Because you've probably got
your views on the referee, you came away with three points. It's hard to
know where to start!...

I don't know what order you want to put it in but if you talk about the play
I thought we played well. Really well. I found it difficult to say anything
at half time I thought we played that well in the first half. The only thing
we didn't have was maybe that cutting edge at the end of it. Creating more
opportunities or shots on target.I would put it that way. I thought our play
was terrific, the players were magic and I thought it was the same in the
second half. Were we gonna win the game? I wasn't sure it wasn't going to be
one of those days when it doesn't work.

Er, I think that's the football isn't it! (laughter).

Did you have an interesting chat with the referee on the way down to the
tunnel there?

Yeah. I thought none of them were sending-offs. I think that after the first
one he's probably thought that if there's another foot raised high he was
gonna have to do the same. I said that I thought that wasn't the way he
should referee. That if you get one it doesn't mean that you do the other
one.

I've got to say that I was really annoyed by the goal in the first half. I
think we scored a pretty good goal. Osman scores a great header and I think
it's stopped. Kevin Nolan blocks a goalkeeper better than anybody does so
for us to get given a foul [against us] by a linesman who is 60 yards away
that was tough to take in the first half.

We had a situation in the last match with Fellaini and Shawcross, all the
grappling in the box. It's almost as if we need new guidance as to what is a
red card and what's not now?

I think "grappling" and the challenges today are not connected. I thought
the two challenges today were players relatively honestly going for the
ball. Yeah may be a bit dangerously high with the boot up. But I think of
anybody who plays football, I don't think many would see them as red cards
here in England.

How about Anichebe, he's been given for a block on Jaaskaleinen?

The other two were wrong but I can't see how a linesman can give a decision
along there when the referee is 15 yards away and the linesman's, what 50
yards from it? I thought that was harsh on us.

David that's the 9th time this season you've come from behind to win or
draw. What does that say about the character of the players?

I think the players have bags of character. If you're gonnae play at West
Ham at ANY tine I've known - certainly one of Big Sam's teams - you're going
to have to show it. I think for most of the game we did do. I was actually
stunned when we went a goal behind. It came a bit out of the blue.

Was the second goal Pienaar's?

I think so. I've asked Ossie [Leon Osman] and he says that when he cut it
back it rattles off Pienaar and Pienaar get's it in. I've not asked Pienaar
yet.

I've got to say this whether you ask it or not. I thought that ever if there
was an England player today it was Osman. I thought he was top notch today.
Every time he got it he turned on the ball, he dribbled past people. Osman
was exceptional and if he plays like that he'll have more than one cap I'm
telling you. Pienaar? - yes the two of them were excellent but Ossie was on
a level today with most things that he's done. He should have had a goal and
he made the second with his little bit down the side of the box. I thought
he deserved an extra mention for how good he's been.

I think that we know the answer David but why did you think that neither
[sending off] were red cards?

I just thought it was two players going honestly for the ball. Leighton
Baines' reaction. Never flinched just got up and moved on. I think it's a
free kick. Darron Gibson gave a free-kick away - I don't know if it's Noble
that he catches. I think everyone would agree. The ball bounced up a bit
high. I just think that they both weren't red cards.

Will you appeal?

I will appeal it. I'll have a word with Sam as well. I don't think you can
put the word "frivolous" next to that appeal. I think you'd say there's a
genuine reason why you could appeal that. You don't want to go and appeal
and find you've got an extra game on it but i don't think you can put the
word frivolous next to that appeal. I don't know what you think but I don't
think so.

Overall? You're back in the top 4 now...

We're bobbing in and out at the moment. The most important thing is to get
the points on the board. We've been playing like that most of the season and
maybe just not seen our good play turned into goals. We got two in the end
today thankfully. It was tough but we got there in the end.

Heitinga was having a hard time. were you tempted to maybe put Jagielka in
there?

I was yeah. Johnny had quite a tough day. But Seamus Coleman had a hamstring
in training. I thoughy I night have needed Jagielka's pace against Jarvis.
In the main that proved to be right. I thought I'd take that chance and move
Jagielka - who I think has been outstanding at centre half this season.

Thanks - happy Christmas!

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Everton come from behind to beat West Ham 2-1
Last Updated: December 22, 2012 9:01pm
SSN

Second-half goals from Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar saw Everton beat
West Ham 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground to go fourth in the Premier League. But
referee Anthony Taylor was the pantomime villain in this match before
Christmas as two needless red cards spoilt the game. Taylor all but handed
the Toffees three points after controversially deciding Carlton Cole had
left his foot in on Leighton Baines midway through the second half. The
official evened up the red-card count in stoppage-time, finding Darron
Gibson guilty of a similar offence on Mark Noble.

Best of the match

Man of the match: Steven Pienaar. The South African scored the winner and
provided the goal assist for the equaliser.
Goal of the match: Carlton Cole. The West Ham striker cut inside Johnny
Heitinga before cracking in a low drive from the edge of the box.
Moment of the match: Cole's controversial sending-off - it swung the
momentum to Everton and they capitalised.
Talking point: Referee Anthony Taylor. He brandished two needless red cards
which spoilt his game at Upton Park.

Earlier, Sylvain Distin missed a sitter to put the Toffees ahead from a
free-kick from Baines, but the unmarked defender nodded it into the ground
and over the crossbar. Baines produced another special three minutes later
for Leon Osman's disallowed goal, his corner headed home by one of the
smallest players on the pitch but ruled out seemingly for Anichebe's block
on Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Everton players were furious and their ire only
increased when Cole fired West Ham in front soon afterwards, the striker
cutting inside the recalled Johnny Heitinga far too easily before cracking
in a low drive from the edge of the box on 14 minutes.

At the other end, Everton continued to probe, prompting West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce to replace Gary O'Neil with Modibo Maiga just before the hour
mark, a move that almost paid off immediately when the Malian scuffed
Cole's cross wide. And that was when it all went horribly wrong for the
hosts. Maiga got himself booked for pushing Pienaar over in the 64th minute
and, from the resultant free-kick, the ball was worked left to the South
African, whose cross was glanced home brilliantly by Anichebe. Three minutes
later, Taylor made the call that swung the game. Cole hung his leg out in a
bid to control a dropping ball and definitely made contact with Baines but
it looked anything but a reckless lunge. To Cole's horror, Taylor thought
otherwise, brandishing a straight red card.
The momentum was all with Everton and they completed their comeback six
minutes later, Osman's cross inadvertently played against Pienaar by Kevin
Nolan before trickling into the net. There were chances at either end before
Gibson then saw red in stoppage time for an almost identical challenge to
Cole's on Noble, although this one was slightly less debatable.

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West Ham defender Winston Reid in talks over a new deal
Last Updated: December 22, 2012 11:40am
SSN

Winston Reid has insisted that he has never considered leaving West Ham
United as talks begin over a contract extension for the defender. Reid has
turned in a number of impressive performances to help the Hammers establish
themselves in mid-table in their first season back in the Premier League. A
number of clubs are understood to be tracking the New Zealand international,
leading to speculation that he could move on from Upton Park. However, the
24-year-old has made it clear that he has no plans to go anywhere and is
hoping to sign a new deal with West Ham. "We are talking," he said in the
Daily Star. "There's an option in there for both parties to take another two
years at the end of the season. "I've always wanted to stay here. I enjoy
being here."

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Furious Sam Allardyce lays into referee Anthony Taylor for sending off
Carlton Cole in West Ham's loss to Everton
Last Updated: December 22, 2012 8:50pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce accused referee Anthony Taylor of being trigger-happy after
West Ham's Carlton Cole was sent off in the 2-1 home defeat by Everton. The
visitors also saw Darron Gibson get his marching orders late on in
Saturday's Premier League clash at Upton Park, with both decisions looking
soft. Cole, who scored the opening goal, was sent off for a foul on Leighton
Baines, with Allardyce moaning: "It is how quickly the referee got the red
card out. He couldn't wait, he didn't deliberate over the decision or
anything. "There is nothing much we can do about the result but we can
appeal the decision and hopefully we can get Carlton down to a yellow card
and get him off."

Allardyce revealed he had a chat with Taylor afterwards, saying: "I spoke to
the ref but that is between me and him. "We will go through the channels of
'reporting' that the system has in place and I will take that up and pursue
it quite vigorously. "If he is not getting the right feedback or coaching
and is told it was OK and 'carry on', then we have got a big problem. "When
you are looking for consistency from referees, you look for consistency in
the same game he is reffing and we didn't get that today and that had a
massive effect on the result. "We have to, unfortunately, take that on the
chin and the punishment is twofold for us."

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Christmas cards
West Ham 1 Everton 2
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 22nd December 2012

SAM ALLARDYCE and David Moyes have joined forces against controversial ref
Anthony Taylor. Both bosses will appeal the sendings-off which overshadowed
Everton's first away win since September. Hammers striker Carlton Cole and
Toffees midfielder Darron Gibson received straight red cards for dangerous
play. And furious West Ham chief Allardyce rapped: "It's difficult to take.
"We suffer at the hands of these decisions. It's how quick he got his cards
out, he couldn't wait. "I'd like to know what the referees' coaches or
whoever think about what happened today and what is the right way forward
for Taylor. "I'll pursue that quite vigorously to see what answers they give
me. "He has a difficult job but if he's not getting the right feedback and
is just told 'well done, carry on', then we've got a real problem."

Everton boss Moyes was also angry at Gibson's injury-time red card. The Scot
met with Allardyce in his office after the game to formulate a plan of
action with the FA. Moyes said: "The ref probably thought because he had
given one red card for a tackle like that he had to give another one.
"Neither of them were sendings-off." The FA will be expected to deal with
the appeals tomorrow. Everton play Wigan on Boxing Day and hope to have
Gibson available. West Ham do not play until Saturday at Reading.

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West Ham 1 Everton 2
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 22nd December 2012

SAM ALLARDYCE can moan about the ref all he likes. But the long and the
short of it is that West Ham's big 'uns giants were duffed up by two little
'uns. Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman are 5ft 7in and 5ft 8in respectively.
Yet they scared the life out of physically the Premier League's biggest
squad. Everton are back in the top four thanks to their pint-sized pair —
and the fact that West Ham had their heads in the clouds and failed to see
off the danger under their feet. David Moyes was left cooing over his tiny
terrors. He said: "Leon Osman — if ever there was an England player, that
was him out there today. He was top notch. He turned on the ball and
dribbled past people. He and Steven were excellent but Osman was on a
different level. "Our football was magic today. Even in the first half. So
much so that at half-time I couldn't really think of much to change. "All we
were lacking were shots on target and goals scored. My players showed great
character to come back the way they did because you need it to do so against
one of Big Sam's teams."

The inconsistencies of a referee play a big part in the outcome of matches.
But the Hammers had been warned Everton's mighty midgets were in ruthless
mood. Just 12 minutes into the game, Osman was able to out-jump West Ham's
strapping defence and head home from full-back Leighton Baines' corner.
Yet the goal was disallowed in the first moment of controversy as Victor
Anichebe was spotted grabbing Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen on the line.
It was a let-off for Allardyce and an early warning which his players did
little to heed. And all thoughts of the trouble to come was dispelled when
Carlton Cole put West Ham ahead just two minutes later. Even Big Sam
admitted it was a big plus and a break he did not quite expect. But it was a
class finish and a shame that West Ham's wholehearted centre forward would
later leave the action early through a straight red card. Mark Noble
dribbled through the centre circle and picked out Matt Taylor with a short
pass.

Taylor turned and fed Cole and the big man rounded Johnny Heitinga and shot
low into the net from the edge of the box. But it only served to inspire
Everton's diminutive double act. Pienaar had a 20-yarder well saved on the
stroke of half-time with Osman's technical skills a constant threat.
Everton's set-pieces were dangerous and after the break they returned
resurgent as West Ham wobbled. Anichebe equalised 20 minutes into the second
half. Pienaar floated in a delicate cross from the left and the big man
flicked it on with his head from six yards with Jaaskelainen stranded.
Cole's harsh sending off in the 67th minute was the big talking point and it
was unfair. But it also gave Allardyce an easy get-out by blaming ref
Anthony Taylor for everything that went on afterwards. Cole's foot was
coming down when it made contact with left-back Baines' arm. Both managers
described the incident as two players "honestly" going for the ball. And
they had a point. But seven minutes later Everton hit the winner and the red
card was nothing to do with it. Osman was allowed to dance to the byline in
West Ham's area, dragging three opposition players with him. Cleverly, he
spotted Pienaar advancing and cut the ball back for his team-mate to tap it
in from six yards. That was poor defending and Cole would not have been
involved had he been on the pitch — he would have been waiting for the
breakaway so it was irrelevant. West Ham also had chances to get an
equaliser — but fluffed them.

Sub Modibo Maiga dithered over a golden opportunity and Kevin Nolan poorly
placed a shot with the goal gaping in the closing seconds. Darron Gibson's
injury-time sending off for a high foot on Hammers Mark Noble made sure
everyone could have a pop at Mr Taylor as he left. Merry Christmas.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, Collins, Reid, O'Brien (Spence 81), Noble,
O'Neil (Maiga 58), Taylor, Nolan, Jarvis (Collison 88), Cole Subs Not Used:
Spiegel, Diarra, Moncur, Lletget.
Sent Off: Cole (66).
Booked: Maiga.
Goals: Cole 14.
Everton: Howard, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Gibson, Neville
(Naismith 85), Pienaar (Oviedo 88), Jelavic, Anichebe (Duffy 90) Subs Not
Used: Mucha, Hitzlsperger, Barkley, Vellios.
Sent Off: Gibson (90).
Goals: Anichebe 64, Pienaar 73.
Att: 35,005
Ref: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).

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Momo's great escape: Harry Redknapp plans to use escape clause to seal Diame
signing
The Mirror
23 Dec 2012 00:57

QPR boss Harry Redknapp is ready to move for West Ham's Momo Diame and
exploit a £3.5m 'escape clause' in his deal, The People can exclusively
reveal.
Redknapp is a big admirer of the Senegalese midfielder who has been a huge
hit for Sam Allardyce's side since joining from Wigan on a free last summer.
Diame can move from the Hammers if a club meets the trigger figure in his
deal – and West Ham's money men have yet to sort out a new contract with
him.
Diame was snapped up by West Ham in the summer when his Latics contract
expired and his agents insisted on a £3.5m ­buy-out clause in his deal.
Redknapp is keen to step in and take Diame, but is waiting for news about
his ­fitness after he suffered a hamstring injury. The tough-tackling player
was initially ruled out until March after tearing his ­hamstring in the home
­defeat to Liverpool earlier this month. However, his camp now say the
injury could be healed within three weeks. Redknapp is unlikely to ­commit
until the picture ­becomes clearer but Diame is on his wish list – and owner
Tony Fernandes is set to back him with cash. Diame is happy at West Ham but
the contract ­situation could leave him leave for a knockdown fee.

If Diame leaves, Allardyce will step up his ­interest in ­midfielder Liam
Trotter from the Hammers' bitter rivals Millwall. Hammers' boss Sam
Allardyce has been impressed with the £2m-rated ­powerhouse who has been
instrumental as the Lions ­challenge for a play-off place in the
Championship. Allardyce would face stiff competition for Trotter who has
also been tracked by Everton and Southampton. Saints boss Nigel Adkins knows
Trotter well after signing him on loan from Ipswich for previous club
Scunthorpe.

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Allardicey: West Ham could let Big Sam go despite lofty league position
The Mirror
22 Dec 2012 22:30
Laurence Griffiths

Doubts have emerged over the future of West Ham boss Sam Allardyce. Despite
leading the club to promotion to the Premier League and enjoying an
impressive first half of the season, Allardyce will enter the New Year
uncertain of his long-term position. Allardyce has just six months remaining
on his West Ham contract and is yet to start formal talks about a new deal.
West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have told Allardyce that no
­decisions are likely to be made until the club have secured their Premier
League status for next season. But a Hammers source told Sunday Mirror
Sport: "There are certainly no guarantees that Sam will be offered a new
contract at the moment. "It is already clear that the club are going to
assess their options and there is a real fear Sam's contract ­situation
could be allowed to drag on." Even though he has done a wonderful job at
Upton Park, Allardyce has not been fully embraced by the club's fans. If his
contract is not renewed, Gold and Sullivan would most likely look for a more
popular replacement. Former players Paolo Di Canio, who is manager at
Swindon, and Charlton boss Chris Powell would both be in the frame.

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Reffing hell! West Ham bemoan controversial dismissal as Everton seal
comeback win at Upton Park
The Mirror
22 Dec 2012 17:37
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United
1-2
Everton

A match of high controversy at Upton Park ended with two red cards, further
proof of Everton's potential to push for a Champions League place and a
reality check for West Ham. Hammers manager Sam Allardyce could point to the
somewhat baffling dismissal of Carlton Cole in the 66th minute as a major
turning point in the game. But in truth, Everton looked a transformed outfit
in the second half, had equalised and looked the more likely to go on and
win. True, the red card shown by referee Anthony Taylor to the West Ham
goalscorer helped their cause, but the momentum of Everton's game looked
more ­threatening leading up to the dismissal and they made the numerical
advantage count after Cole left the pitch. And although they trailed at
half-time, Everton were aggrieved that they were not at least on level
terms. Referee Taylor and his ­officials made their initial impact of any
importance in the 12th minute. A corner from Leighton Baines found the head
of the influential Leon Osman and Jussi Jaaskelainen was ­comprehensively
beaten. But up went a flag and ­Taylor ruled out the effort for a foul on
the Finnish goalkeeper. Everton were non-plussed. "How the linesman can give
that from his position and the referee not see anything wrong fifteen yards
away, I don't know," said Everton manager David Moyes. Within two minutes,
­Everton paid for that ­decision. Matt Taylor found Cole at the edge of the
area and he shrugged off John Heitinga – not for the first time, by the way
– and drove the ball past Tim Howard into the net. A Darron Gibson free-kick
was tipped over by Jaaskelainen five minutes from the break and Moyes
admitted: "Some of our football was magic today, but at times we lacked the
cutting edge." Not in the second half they didn't. Inspired by Osman and the
foraging runs of Baines, ­Everton took a vice-like grip on the game. If
Nikicia Jelavic had been in any kind of form in front of goal, Everton would
have been level before they did score through Victor Anichebe in the 64th
minute. Steven Pienaar was the ­architect with a cross that was delicately
glided home by the Nigerian. Allardyce had already responded to Everton's
superiority by ­replacing Gary O'Neil with Modibo Maiga to provide ­another
outlet. But the partnership ­survived only seven minutes as Cole went in
high, but not ­maliciously on Baines. Referee Taylor showed a straight red
and Allardyce was furious. "Anichebe made a similar ­challenge on James
Collins in the 32nd minute and yet ­nothing for him, not even a talking to
never mind a yellow card," he said. "What you want is consistency from a
referee and we didn't get that." The winning goal was a scrappy one, after
what was an intricate build-up. Osman – who else – squared the ball, and
though Pienaar got an involuntary touch, the ball went in off a combination
of Kevin Nolan and keeper Jaaskelainen. But the South ­African will claim
it. Jelavic could have made the game safe but found the side-netting and it
was ref Taylor who provided West Ham with an equaliser – although not the
one they wanted. In added time, Gibson went in high on Mark Noble and out
came the red card. "I don't think either was a red card," said Moyes, but he
at least had the consolation of three points to soften the blow. No such
luck for Allardyce.

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Tug of war: Inter Milan battle West Ham for Arsenal striker Chamakh
The Mirror
22 Dec 2012 12:42

Inter Milan will challenge West Ham for the signature of unwanted Arsenal
striker Marouane Chamakh, according to the Metro. The Morocco international
is surplus to requirements at the Emirates and has been told he can leave in
the January transfer window. The 28-year-old started his Arsenal career
brightly before fading and is now considered a figure of fun by many Gunners
fans. Chamakh has held talks with West Ham over a potential loan move to
Upton Park - in a deal that would see Arsenal pay a cut of the striker's
£65,000-a-week wages , according to the Daily Mail. However, Serie A side
Inter have now entered the chase after being recommended the player by his
agent. Chamakh is understood to prefer a return to France with his former
club Bordeaux interested - although they are refusing to pay Arsenal's
£3million valuation of a player who left them for free and would struggle to
play his wages. The striker has made just two appearances for Arsenal this
season, both in the Capital One Cup, and he has two goals to his name.
Meanwhile, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce also wants ex-Chelsea star Salomon
Kalou on loan, although he faces competition from QPR for the Ivory Coast
forward.

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