International round-up: Cresswell makes full England debut
WHUFC.com
West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell made his full England debut as the Three
Lions secured a 1-0 win over Lithuania on Sunday. The 27-year-old, prior to
this match, had two England caps to his name but both of those outings came
from the bench. With England earning their spot at the 2018 World Cup in
Russia thanks to a win over Slovenia on Thursday, Gareth Southgate gave
Cresswell the chance to start his first international game against
Lithuania, with victory secured thanks to a first-half Harry Kane penalty.
Joe Hart, who played the full 90 minutes of Thursday's victory, was left on
the bench for this match as Stoke City's Jack Butland was instead given more
England experience.
The result gives England 26 points from their ten qualifying matches played
in Group F.
Elsewhere Sead Haksabanovic came off the bench as Montenegro fell to a 4-2
defeat against Poland, despite a battling effort to equalise by the away
side. Finishes from Krzysztof Mączyński and Kamil Grosicki had put the home
side ahead, with Montenegro bringing on Haksabanovic after 67 minutes. The
18-year-old was on the field as Nikola Vukčević and Stefan Mugoša fired the
team level at the Stadion Narodowy, before goals from Robert Lewandowski and
a Filip Stojković own-goal secured the win for Poland in the Group E
qualifier.
Loaned winger Robert Snodgrass made an impact for Scotland, firing his
international side's second goal home in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia.
Snodgrass, on loan at Aston Villa, was introduced on 79 minutes with the
Scots 2-1 down, and hooked in an effort from Darren Fletcher's free-kick
with three minutes to play. However the draw was not enough to earn Scotland
a play-off spot with Slovakia pipping Gordan Strachan's side to second in
Group F, behind England, meaning they won't be at next summer's World Cup.
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Sakho notches vital goal in Senegal win
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho marked his return to the international stage with a vital goal
in Senegal's 2-0 victory over Cape Verde Islands in Saturday's World Cup
qualifiers.
On his first international appearance in almost two years, Sakho broke the
deadlock with just eight minutes remaining to help the Lions of Teranga to
the three points which take them top of Group C in the African qualification
tournament. Cheikhou Kouyate also played the 90 minutes in Praia, as Senegal
moved within a victory of booking their place in Russia. Aliou Cisse's men
have two chances to claim the points they need, with a double header against
South Africa to come next month.
In Europe, Jose Fonte was an unused substitute as Portugal needed two second
half goals to see off Andorra. The visitors were forced to call upon
Cristiano Ronaldo from the bench with the scoresheet still blank at the
break, and the Real Madrid man delivered with the opening goal just after
the hour. AC Milan's Andre Silva added a second near the end, and now
Portugal know victory against Switzerland in Tuesday's final group game
would result in qualification.
Finally, Anthony Scully was also an unused substitute for Republic of
Ireland's U19s, who earned a thumping 5-0 win against Cyprus in Waterford to
give their hopes of progressing from the UEFA U19 Championship qualifying
round a boost. They face Serbia in their final Group 7 game on Tuesday.
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Anderson-James rocket caps five-star win over Swindon
WHUFC.com
Two goals from Paige Anderson-James, including a sensational long-ranged
finish, helped West Ham United Ladies get back to winning ways with a
deserved 5-0 defeat of Swindon Town. Dominant from the opening whistle, the
Hammers were two goals ahead at half-time as Hannah Wheeler and Molly Peters
scored after defensive lapses by the away side. Anderson-James made it three
from close range in the second period before stunning the Rush Green crowd
with a brilliant rocket from distance. Substitute Kelly Wealthall finished
the game with a composed run and finish, capping a fantastic showing by Greg
De Carnys's side. West Ham had Amber Stobbs back from injury for this match
and the No10 had the first two meaningful efforts of the game, striking
efforts from distance that went just over and was well saved, respectively.
It was Wheeler that opened the scoring for the Hammers on 18 minutes. A
Stobbs free-kick caused havoc in the Swindon area, from which the defender
gratefully stabbed home into an empty net. Peters made it two just after the
half hour mark. The striker's pace had caused Swindon problems already and
she once again got away from the defenders, latching on to a clever
long-ball by Chloe Burr and delightfully curling past the goalkeeper.
Debutant Rosie Kmita came close to making it three with a powerful strike
which rattled the bar, while Anderson-James created a number of
opportunities thanks to her impressive runs into space and pinpoint
crossing. The striker's performance was deserving of a goal and that's
exactly what Anderson-James got in the second period. The No12 found the net
with a low effort just after the hour to put the home team three goals ahead
and in complete control. The moment of the match came just a few minutes
later as Anderson-James turned with the ball from 25 yards, before
unleashing an unstoppable rocket which found the top corner, much to the
delight of the crowd at Rush Green. There was no time to celebrate
Anderson-James's brilliant finish though as the Hammers had their fifth only
moments later. Substitute Wealthall rounded the goalkeeper to tuck into an
empty net. Anderson-James came close to completing a second-half hat-trick
as another effort struck the woodwork, while Wealthall, Stobbs and Burr also
saw shots test Swindon before the end of the contest.
West Ham United Ladies: Rowlands; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Cooper,
Burr, R Kmita, Stobbs (M Kmita 82'); Anderson-James, Peters (Wealthall 55')
Subs not used: Chong,
Goals: Wheeler 18', Peters 34', Anderson-James 63' 75', Wealthall 79'
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Anderson-James 'gobsmacked' by Swindon super strike
WHUFC.com
Paige Anderson-James scored a sensational goal from distance in West Ham
United Ladies' 5-0 win over Swindon Town, an effort that left the striker
"gobsmacked" and "buzzing". Anderson-James scored two second-half goals to
help Greg De Carnys's side claim a much deserved 5-0 victory over Swindon,
but it was the forward's second effort that astounded the attending
supporters, her teammates and, by her own admission, herself at Rush Green.
Collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, Anderson-James turned and unleashed
a curling rocket that flew past the Swindon goalkeeper and into the top, far
corner of the net. The initial lack of a celebration seemed to suggest
Anderson-James's disbelief that her long-ranged shot had found the net,
something that the attacker has now confirmed. "I had to look twice," she
admitted to whufc.com when asked about her world-class goal: "I didn't
realise it had gone in until Amber [Stobbs] jumped on me and pushed me to
the floor. I'm so proud of it and I can't wait to watch it back, again and
again! "I was so shocked it went in. I was literally 100 per cent
gobsmacked. I'm just delighted with it."
Anderson-James's second goal of the match was the stand-out moment in a
terrific performance by the home side, who led 2-0 at the interval thanks to
efforts from Hannah Wheeler and Molly Peters. The striker's first of the
game – and West Ham's third – was a low finish inside the penalty area
before she netted her wonder-strike just a few minutes later. Kelly
Wealthall wrapped up a dominant win just after, tucking the ball into the
empty net after rounding the Swindon goalkeeper. Anderson-James added: "I am
absolutely buzzing! It's three points in the bag. The girls are thrilled. We
couldn't have wished for a better result, to be honest "I'm so happy with
how we played, how I played, my goals and the points."
The Ladies won't have long to savour this brilliant victory, however, as
they return to action on Wednesday evening against league leaders Charlton
Athletic, who continued their winning run on Sunday with a 1-0 win over
Crystal Palace. And Anderson-James says that she and her teammates are ready
for Wednesday's trip to The Valley already, insisting that Sunday's win will
serve only as further motivation to earn more points. "This is a major
confidence boost," Anderson-James said: "We're looking at the next game
already. Today was three points that we really deserved and now we just want
more. All we want is another three points on Wednesday now. "Right now,
everyone is happy. The coaches are happy, we're happy and the fans are
happy. But Wednesday is a quick turnaround and we have to be ready. We as
players are buzzing to play again so quickly after this result."
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Javier Hernandez insists he is happy at West Ham and not looking to leave
the club
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 08/10/17 8:55am
SSN
Javier Hernandez has dismissed claims he is unhappy at West Ham and wants to
leave the club in January. The Mexico forward has scored three goals for the
Hammers since his £16m summer switch from Bayer Leverkusen, but has often
been deployed on the left side of a front three by manager Slaven Bilic.
Reports in Spain emerged on Saturday suggesting Hernandez had already
indicated his desire to end his spell at the London Stadium and instructed
his agent to secure a move to either Sevilla or Valencia. But, in response
to those suggestions, the 29-year-old said via his official Twitter account:
"That's a lie! I'm very happy at West Ham!! #COYI." Hernandez, who scored
in Mexico's 3-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, has over
two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at West Ham. West Ham have
endured a mixed start to the season, despite the arrival of Hernandez at the
club, and currently sit in 15th place with seven points from as many
matches.
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West Ham hoping to beat Liverpool to signing of Anderlecht's £7million-rated
striker Lukasz Teodorczyk
The Polish front man was wanted at Anfield over the summer but the Hammers
now believe they can secure his services
The Mirror
BYFOOTBALL SPY
22:30, 7 OCT 2017
West Ham are ready to pounce for £7million-rated Polish striker Lukasz
Teodorczyk at Anderlecht – and beat Liverpool to his signature. The
26-year-old is a former Dynamo Kiev star who was linked with Anfield in the
summer after scoring 27 goals in Belgium. The deal never materialised, but
West Ham have been watching him closely – including sending scouts to the
Champions League clash against Celtic – and feel that the time could be ripe
to now make a bid. Anderlecht's resolve to keep the player has been lessened
by a poor Champions League campaign and a slow start to the season back
home. Reports in Belgium suggest they will listen to offers – with Italian
club Torino also interested.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, October 9
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