Lanzini thanks West Ham fans for support this season
WHUFC.com
Two-goal hero Manuel Lanzini has thanked the West Ham United fans for their
incredible support throughout the 2017/18 season. Lanzini scored two
excellent goals for the Hammers in Sunday's finale, taking his tally to five
in the Premier League for the campaign, as the Irons saw off Everton 3-1 at
London Stadium.
The Argentinian expertly tucked home from the edge of the area with his left
foot in the first half to put West Ham ahead, before curling home an
exquisite finish to secure the three points for the Irons.
The 25-year-old was given a standing ovation by West Ham supporters when he
was substituted in the second period, and Lanzini has personally expressed
his gratitude to the fans for their continued encouragement. "I always say
that the West Ham fans are amazing," Lanzini told WHUTV. "All season they
have followed us at every Stadium and for this has been really good for us.
I want to say thank you to them. "I am really happy because we've finished
like this. We deserve this. It was a long season – sometimes good and
sometimes not good – but we finished good. This is good for us and good for
the people, for all of us."
Lanzini's two goals saw the midfielder named the Betway Man of the Match in
Sunday's finale, but the South American has praised the quality of the
passes into him for the goals, with Cheikhou Kouyate setting him up for the
first finish. Lanzini added: "I think the finishes were good because the
passes to me were good, and then I tried to do what I could with them."
The No10 has also offered praise for manager David Moyes. The Scotsman
joined the Hammers in November, with the Club in the relegation zone, and
has guided the team to a 13th placed finish and 42 points, with the Irons
collecting seven points in their last three matches. "He's a good coach and
a good person. He's done a good job and we will stay in the Premier League,
and that's down to his good work. But first he's a good person as well."
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Noble: Sunday was just a brilliant way to finish the season
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble thanked the Claret and Blue Army for sticking with him and his
West Ham United teammates until the very end of a tough season. The Hammers
signed off the 2017/18 campaign with seven points from their final matches
to climb to 13th in the Premier League table, having at one stage sat in the
bottom three with just 14 points from the first 17 top-flight matches. The
finale came on Sunday, when two outstanding goals from Manuel Lanzini and a
rocket from Marko Arnautovic secured an emphatic 3-1 win over Everton amid a
feelgood atmosphere at London Stadium. "Brilliant, the way we played from
start to finish," said the skipper, reflecting on the victory. "They came on
strong at the start of the second half, but with our quality going forward,
we put the game to bed.
"We definitely should have been two or three up in the first half. With my
chance, I thought I was offside but I should just have worried about
finishing it. But it's just a brilliant way to finish the season. The season
we've had has been tough, but I can finally go on holiday and enjoy myself."
"We've got special players. We were in a bad position because we didn't show
that. I honestly think we can really compete with the best when we play that
way and we've proven it this season in some of the games. "It happens every
year that I look at the table after we've finished and I see we are five or
six points off the top eight or nine. When you see the games we've chucked
away and the points we've lost this season, it could have been us, but
that's football for us. The last few weeks, the training ground has been
fantastic. It's been a good place to play football."
Noble was grateful to the tens of thousands of supporters who stayed after
the final whistle to show their appreciation to the players who, in turn,
thanked the fans for their loyal support throughout a challenging campaign.
"I'm just really happy for everyone. Thank you to everyone who stayed behind
and clapped the boys because we played at Leicester away last week and we
saw there weren't many people left. There were loads left for us and it was
fantastic for them to stay and clap the boys."
Noble, his wife and two children, as well as every player and their family,
will now enjoy some well-earned time off before returning for pre-season
training in early July. The No16, for one, is relishing the opportunity to
recharge his batteries before embarking on his 15th season as a first-team
player. "There are a few big, big decisions to be made over the summer but
that's the last thing on my mind at the minute. I can't wait to go on
holiday with my family and enjoy the time off and come back raring to go
next season."
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Sir Trevor: My final West Ham game was an amazing and emotional experience
WHUFC.com
Sir Trevor Brooking brought down the curtain on his illustrious West Ham
United career on 14 May 1984. The gifted midfielder pulled on a Claret and
Blue shirt for the 643rd and final time as the Hammers hosted Everton at the
Boleyn Ground. However, unlike the season just ended, West Ham failed to
rise to the occasion, losing 1-0 to complete a disappointing end to the
1983/84 campaign which had begun with five consecutive First Division wins
but end with John Lyall's side losing four of their last six matches to slip
to ninth in the table. The last game of the season might have ended in
defeat, but it was still an occasion to celebrate the career of Brooking,
who had scored 102 goals across 17 seasons as a first-team player. Then 35,
the five-time Hammer of the Year had made just one appearance in the 1982/83
season – on the final day against Arsenal – after undergoing successful
surgery to rectify a longstanding groin injury.
However, he had returned, pain-free, for the start of the 1983/84 campaign
and started 35 of West Ham's 42 First Division matches, scoring what turned
out to be his final goal in a New Year's Eve win over Tottenham Hotspur,
five League Cup ties and three FA Cup matches. The penultimate game of
Brooking's career came on Saturday 12 May, when Nottingham Forest were the
visitors to Upton Park. Despite West Ham taking the lead, Forest fought back
to win, but it was still an unforgettable occasion for the Barking-born
playmaker. "There was a surprise for me before the match when the Forest
manager Brian Clough made a presentation to me on the pitch – a cut-glass
bowl to mark the end of my career," Brooking wrote in his autobiography My
Life in Football. "It was a nice gesture. "An even bigger surprise followed
when my six-year-old son Warren walked out as our match-day mascot. I had no
idea he'd been selected for the job."
A little more than 48 hours later, the Hammers were beaten again by FA Cup
finalists Everton, angering manager Lyall, Brooking recalled. "John Lyall
was furious in the dressing room afterwards. He launched into us and accused
us of complacency and missing a great opportunity," he wrote. "He said we
should have finished in the top four, instead of which we let it slip in the
last weeks of the season. He was probably right." Having received a dressing
down, Brooking began to get changed out of his kit for the final time, but
then there was a knock on the door from Chairman Len Cearns. "He looked at
John, then he looked at me. 'Sorry John," he said, 'but the crowd won't go
home until Trevor goes out and says goodbye'. So I put my gear back on and
went onto the pitch amid great cheering.
"I ran around the pitch, waving to the crowd and picking up the scarves they
threw at me. It was an amazing and emotional experience, but what surprised
me more than anything was that it seemed virtually everyone in the stadium
had stayed behind to bid their farewells. "Quite unforgettable. I was
lapping it up while the rest of my teammates were getting a rollicking from
the manager!"
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Alese and England progress to Euro semi-finals
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender Ajibola Alese progressed to the UEFA U17 European
Championship semi-finals on Sunday as his England side were 2-0 winners over
Norway in the last eight of the tournament. The teenage centre-back, who
broke into the Hammers' U23 side this season, has played the Young Lions'
last two matches in the campaign and will be hoping to help his team – the
competition's hosts – claim silverware this summer. Also with a spot in the
semis already booked are Italy – who England beat 2-1 in the group stages –
and Belgium, while the winner of Monday night's Republic of Ireland vs.
Holland tie will also join them. Either side of the 2-1 victory over the
Italians was an opening contest win against Israel and a 1-0 defeat to
Switzerland. Upon securing a spot in the last four, 17-year-old Alese told
whufc.com: "The whole team are really excited for the semi-finals. There is
a sense of confidence within us, now. "I think we were mostly in control
against Norway and we scored an early goal, which confirmed our dominance in
the game. "Overall in the tournament so far, we've played really well. We've
show resilience to come back from losing positions and we've shown that we
can play good football against good oppositions."
Bobby Duncan – cousin of former Three Lions senior team captain and current
Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard – got England off to a good start in
their first knockout-round game before Arsenal's Xavier Amaechi put the
result beyond doubt. Though Alese was left out as England secured their
qualification to the quarters with two wins from as many games, the defender
has been pleased with his performances since coming into the side and is
hoping to continue his good form. "I think I played well in the game against
Switzerland," he explained, "and we were unlucky to lose. In the quarters,
it was a different kind of game but it was difficult. "We all have
confidence, the whole team, that on our day we can beat most teams. If we
face Italy again, they will be looking for revenge though so we have to be
ready and play even better. "For me personally, if I was able to cap off
this season with a medal, it would be nice after the campaign I've had. "We
are playing as hosts and the support is amazing, so hopefully we can do
that. Every tackle, every piece of skill, good play or goal is cheered very
loudly. "It's great to have thousands of people cheering you on, wanting you
to win so hopefully we can keep going and win twice more."
The two semi-final fixtures will both take place on Thursday 17 May, with
the final scheduled three days later on Sunday.
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West Ham to enter transfer window manager-less
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to enter the transfer window without a manager as the Board
ponder who to appoint as the club's next full time head coach. David Moyes'
short-term contract expired last night just a matter of hours after he
guided the Hammers to a respectable 13th-place finish in the Premier League,
with the club apparently no closer to announcing their new choice. And
whilst the Scot remains in the running to continue the job he began last
November, West Ham have revealed that they may not have a man in place until
the beginning of next month - which happens to coincide with the season
ticket renewal deadline. The 2018 summer transfer window opens this Thursday
(17 May) as a result of the decision to move the deadline forward to 9
August - 48 hours ahead of the start of the 2018/19 Premier League campaign
(on Saturday 11 August).
The leading candidates to follow Moyes in the West Ham hotseat are as
follows...
Manuel Pellegrini (64, Hebei Chinese Fortune)
The Chilean cut his managerial teeth in South America with clubs such as San
Lorenzo and River Plate before trying his luck in Europe with Villareal,
Real Madrid and Malaga. In 2013 he arrived in England and won the Premier
League with Manchester City in his first season. He has been in China since
2016.
Paulo Fonseca (45, Shakhtar Donetsk)
The former Portuguese central defender has been coaching since retiring as a
pro at the age of just 32. Having led relative minnows Pacos de Ferreira to
the Champions League, he was hired by Porto -but fired before the season was
out with the Dragões in third place in the league. Successful spells at
Pacos (again) and Braga led to Fonseca moving abroad for the first time to
manage Shakhtar in 2016, since when he has won the domestic double and taken
the Ukrainians to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Rafa Benitez (58, Newcastle Utd)
One of the most well-known faces in the Premier League, Benitez worked at
Liverpool and Chelsea before moving to Newcastle where he is adored by the
fans having led the Magpies to instant promotion from the Championship and a
top ten Premier League finish. Wanted by West Ham when Sam Allardyce left,
West Ham's Board were unsuccessful but hope once more to lure the former
defender - who has also enjoyed spells with the likes of Real Madrid, Inter
and Napoli - to east London.
Unai Emery (46, Paris St Germain)
Emery has alerady confirmed that he will be leaving Paris this summer, which
will no doubt have been music to the ears of West Ham's Board who are not
know for paying compensation for managerial staff. However Arsenal are
likely to have first dibs on the Spaniard, who spent much of his playing
career in the Spanish second division.
David Moyes (55, out of contract)
Moyes exceeded all expectations at West Ham having succeeded Slaven Bilic at
the tail end of 2017 by steering the Hammers clear of relegation and into a
13th-place finish, largely as a result of taking seven points from United's
final three matches. An experienced Premier League manager, he is the safe
choice should the Board choose to go British.
A number of other names have been linked with the vacancy in recent days,
including Ronald Koeman, Carlo Ancelotti and Marcelo Bielsa.
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David Moyes: West Ham manager could be set to leave
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport
David Moyes could be set to leave West Ham despite guiding the club to
Premier League survival. The Scot met senior Hammers figures on Monday and
while a final decision on his future is yet to be made, the indications are
the two sides will go their separate ways. Moyes took over at West Ham in
November with the club in the relegation zone. But the former Manchester
United manager has experienced difficulty getting to grips with the club. He
has complained about the amount of leaks to the media and also had to deal
with the aftermath of the events of 10 March, when fans ran onto the pitch
during a home defeat by Burnley and children went to the Clarets dug-out for
safety following widespread protests against the club's hierarchy. Moyes is
credited with getting the best out of £25m forward Marko Arnautovic.
Although the Hammers flirted with relegation after a run of two wins in 12
Premier League games, seven points out of the last nine allowed the club to
finish in 13th spot, nine points in front of the drop zone.
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No role for Moyes as interview process begins
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 14th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's desire to sign a big name manager means that David Moyes is
unlikely to be offered a full time role at the club. The 55-year-old Scot,
who led the Hammers to 13th spot in the Premier League last season met with
the Board earlier today in order to hold discussions with view to landing a
permanent role at the club. However it is reported that Moyes was told he is
unlikely to be offered the position on a permanent basis, despite having met
all the targets set of him last season. Representatives of West Ham have
also met with at least one other candidate today, as the Board seek to
secure the club's 16th full-time manager. Rafa Benitez, whose future at
Newcastle United remains in doubt, and former Manchester City title-winning
boss Manuel Pellegrini remain the club's leading contenders to replace
Moyes.
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Bilic, Moyes, Hugill, protests & Carroll - West Ham's 2017/18 Premier League
season rewind
The 2017/18 campaign was quite the rollercoaster for the Hammers - when has
it ever been different though?
By Sam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
11:35, 14 MAY 2018UPDATED11:37, 14 MAY 2018
After 38 games, ten months, two managers and a flirtation with relegation,
West Ham ended the 2017/18 Premier League in fine style on Sunday afternoon
as they breezed past Everton 3-1 at the London Stadium. The final 13th place
finish may well paper over the cracks somewhat, it's only two places below
where the club ended last term, but the battle against the drop this season
was very real and only avoided after beating Leicester City a little more
than a week ago.
Back in August 2017, there was cause for optimism. West Ham had signed Marko
Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez and Joe Hart - Premier League proven players -
and the deadwood had also been binned that had underperformed the season
before. But the warning signs were there from early at the start of this
season. If you can stomach it, let's take a look back at the campaign and
the good points, as well as the bad.
The first three away games
Thanks to the London Stadium being used for the World Athletics
Championships last summer, West Ham had to play their first three games of
the season on the road at Manchester United, Southampton and Newcastle. West
Ham lost all three and Slaven Bilic offered his resignation after the 3-0
drubbing at St James' Park, which was declined by the Hammers co-owners and
the Croat stayed on. The warning signs were already alarming as Bilic's side
shipped ten goals in those three games and scored just two goals of their
own.
Declan Rice had a confidence hit after Bilic subbed him at half time against
the Toon following a mistake, Marko Arnautovic had thudded an elbow into the
face of Saints defender Jack Stephens and was banned for three games - it
wasn't an ideal start.
The first home win
West Ham comfortably beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 at the London Stadium in
their first game back at home on September 11 but would only win one more
game in Stratford before November 4. Bilic was on the ropes, especially
after a 3-0 thumping at home by newly-promoted Brighton on October 20.
Then there was the horrible final minute at Selhurst Park as Michaul Antonio
crossed into the box for no-one rather than keeping hold of the ball in
injury time, Crystal Palace broke and Wilf Zaha scored a very late equaliser
in a 2-2 draw. We can't forget the 3-2 win over Spurs Wembley in the Carabao
Cup though, that was fun.
The end of Slaven Bilic
With only wins against Huddersfield and Swansea City in the Premier League
to his name, Liverpool arrived in east London for Saturday evening football
on November 4 and duly romped to a 4-1 win.
Two days later, it was curtains for Bilic as the Hammers had slumped into
the relegation zone. Karren Brady was dispatched to Rush Green on the Monday
morning and told the Croatian to pack his bags after two and a half years at
the helm. It should have been done sooner but the owners had no choice and
like that, Bilic was out.
The beginning of Moyes
It didn't take long for West Ham to appoint David Moyes as manager until the
end of the season to replace Bilic and the Scotsman was bullish in his first
interview after being handed the job. "If you don't run, you won't play,"
was the quote that stuck out. Not that he got off to a good start. West Ham
lost the three of their first four games under Moyes, including that 4-0
whacking at Everton but it was the 2-1 loss to Man City that, weirdly,
started a revivial.
The revival of Marko Arnautovic
December 9 2017 should be a day that sticks out for West Ham fans as it was
the game that Moyes unleashed Marko Arnautovic as a centre forward. The
Austrian had been like a £25m club-record bust up until his mazy run and
super finish past Thibaut Courtois that earned the Hammers a precious 1-0
win over Chelsea at the London Stadium, their first under Moyes and just
their third of the season in the league. Arnautovic would go on to score ten
more goals between then and the end of the season. That also started a run
of three clean sheets in the league, culminating in the 3-0 victory at Stoke
City. The Boxing Day game at Bournemouth will stick out in the memory for
the hugely controversial late equaliser by Callum Wilson who was offside and
also handballed it but referee Bobby Madley overruled his linesman to award
the goal. At the end of 2017, West Ham were one place above the relegation
zone in 17th.
January...
As always, West Ham were linked with a lot of players who didn't arrive -
Leander Dendoncker, Islam Slimani, Ibrahim Amadou, William Carvalho (again),
Fedor Smolov to name but a few - and in came Joao Mario on loan and Jordan
Hugill. The latter has played 22 minutes of Premier League football since
then. Also in January, the revelations came to light of alleged racist
remarks made my former head of recruitment Tony Henry and after a very swift
investigation, Henry was fired in disgrace. The Hammers played eight games
in January across all competitions and only lost one of them - the 2-1 FA
Cup reverse against Wigan. There was a 4-1 victory over Huddersfield in
there, a 1-1 draw with Spurs when Pedro Obiang scored the goal of the season
and a 2-1 victory against West Brom.
The protests
By the time March arrived, Swansea had dispatched West Ham 4-1 at the
Liberty Stadium and Moyes' side were only three points off the drop zone in
14th. Burnley were the visitors to the London Stadium up next. We all
remember what happened. Ashley Barnes put the visitors ahead and the fans
had enough, revolted and threw their ire in the direction of the West Ham
co-owners. Four pitch invasions later, West Ham had lost 3-0, their third
defeat in a row and had fallen to 16th in the table. New security was
introduced for the remainder of the season but the seething feeling in the
stands was very evident, though a 3-0 win over Southampton the game after
helped hugely.
Back-to-back 4-1 defeats, Andy Carroll and seven points from nine
Moyes side were trounced by Arsenal and Man City in April and it culminated
in Andy Carroll and Moyes having a bust-up at Rush Green after the latter
failed to give the former some game time against City.
May was a different story though as West Ham went unbeaten, picked up seven
points from the final nine available and ended the season in 13th. The 2-0
win at Leicester effectively sealed their Premier League place, getting a
point against Man Utd was a bonus and they played Everton of the park on the
final day.
It was not the easiest of seasons but David Moyes, aided by his backroom
team of Alan Irvine, Stuart Pearce and Billy McKinlay, did what they had to
do. It wasn't pretty, it was borderline tough to watch at times, but the
Hammers will be a Premier League team next season.
Now, let's never go through that kind of season again....
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West Ham owners make huge promise to supporters ahead of summer overhaul at
the London Stadium
David Sullivan and David Gold have taken to the matchday programme to
outline their plans for this summer
By Sam Inkersole
West Ham Correspondent
07:52, 14 MAY 2018
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have promised to "leave no
stone unturned" this summer in order to have a successful 2018/19 campaign
after a two seasons of struggle at the London Stadium. Ahead of the final
day meeting with Everton on Sunday afternoon, the Hammers could finish tenth
in the table if they beat the Toffees and other results go in their favour
and that in turn will bring an extra £14m in prize money. A tenth-placed
finish certainly won't gloss over what has been a real struggle in E20 this
season as West Ham secured survival just last weekend with a 2-0 win over
Leicester City and followed that up with a 0-0 draw against Manchester
United on Thursday. David Moyes contract as manager will expire in the next
few days and he is expected to have a meeting to discuss his future with the
Hammers board next week while football.london understands the likes of Unai
Emery, Marco Silva, Manuel Pellegrini and Paulo Fonseca are on the clubs
wishlist as a new manager if they cho
Gold and Sullivan penned a joint article in the matchday programme for the
Everton game and have reflected on what has been a tough campaign but also
informed us all of their plans for this summer - loosely. The owners said:
"One thing that hasn't wavered is our desire and ambition for West Ham to be
successful. Along with every other member of staff here, everything we do is
aimed at trying to improve the experience we offer our supporters. "However,
we know that, ultimately, for the vast majority of our supporters, what
matters most is a strong team, playing good football and regularly winning
matches. "This summer, we will leave no stone unturned in making sure that
everything is in place to give our management and playing staff the best
chance possible of success next year."
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Dean Ashton explains why he expects David Moyes to leave Hammers
Play Video
Moyes' contract officially expired at midnight on Sunday
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Monday, May 14, 2018
Dean Ashton has told talkSPORT he expects David Moyes to leave West Ham now
the Premier League season is over. Moyes guided the Hammers to top flight
safety following his appointment as Slaven Bilic's successor in early
November. The Scot stabilised a club that had serious relegation worries,
winning nine and drawing 10 of the 31 matches played under his guidance.
However, he was never truly accepted by the West Ham support, and many have
called for him to be dismissed at the end of the season. His contract with
the London Stadium club actually expired at midnight on Sunday, so he is
officially out of a job, and there has been no statement from the club
clarifying his position. This is the reason Ashton, the former West Ham
striker, believes Moyes will be replaced as manager this summer. Speaking to
Monday's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Ashton said: "I think the fact we've
not heard anything yet makes me think he will definitely leave and they'll
bring somebody new in. "I think he's done a really good job. He was brought
in to keep them safe - it's as simple as that. "He's not been brought in to
bring in fantastic football to watch, he's been brought in to keep them up -
and that's what he has done. "I'm still not sure the supporters have taken
to him, but you can see - especially yesterday - there's a real base there.
"[There are] some great attacking players, but I think they need a few more
defenders and they certainly need two or three midfield players, for me.
"But you can see there's a nucleus of players there, where, whoever it is -
David Moyes or a new manager - who comes in, they've got great attacking
flair and if they can be shored up at the back and in midfield there's no
reason why they can't have a great season next year."
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David Moyes uncertain on future at London Stadium despite 'really enjoying'
time with Hammers
By Billy Hawkins - @bhawkinsss
Monday, May 14, 2018
TalkSport
David Moyes really enjoyed his time in charge of West Ham but he remains
uncertain on his future at the London Stadium. The Scot's tenure as manager
of the east London club officially ended at midnight on Sunday, and there
has been no confirmation as to whether he will extend his stay into the
2018/19 campaign.
The former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland manager was appointed
in November as successor to Slaven Bilic, with West Ham facing the serious
threat of relegation after a disastrous start to the season.
Moyes guided West Ham to victory in eight of the 27 Premier League matches
played under his guidance, including a 3-1 defeat of his old club Everton on
the final day that secured them a 13th place finish. Still, fans have never
truly got onside with David Gold and David Sullivan's decision to hire Moyes
as West Ham manager, and there have been more calls for him to leave this
summer than stay. And speaking to talkSPORT, Moyes admitted he will wait to
see what happens regarding his future at the London Stadium. "I've really
enjoyed West Ham," Moyes told Jim White. "Ever since I came everybody made
us really welcome, and we sort of got on with the job. "We tried to be
upfront and honest with everything which we've seen and what we think needs
to be done, and we'll do the same in the future. "We'll see what happens.
"The backroom staff are great lads, whether we want to see each other much
more after the way we've been… but we've had a great time together. "Stuart
Pearce, Alan Irvine and Billy McKinlay have made my job a lot easier and I
think because they've all been managers in their time they all know what
it's like, and everything we've had to do they helped muck in with all the
jobs. "There's so much going on at football clubs now and the experience
they've given me has really helped. They've been good."
Discussing the victory over Everton, which could have been Moyes last game
in charge of West Ham, he continued: "It was great. The players played
really well yesterday and overall the performance was as good as we have had
probably this season. The players knew it was to try and finish higher up
the league and we did that in the end."
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David Moyes waits to hear from West Ham owners as he bids to convince them
he should stay
KEN DYER
ES Sport
David Moyes is waiting for the opportunity to convince West Ham he remains
the right man to take the club forward. Moyes' short-term deal expired at
midnight, so West Ham are effectively without a manager until the club's
owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, come to a decision. It is understood
the board will not be rushed and it could be 10 days or more before they
decide their next step. Former Manchester City manager Manuel Pelligrini,
currently in charge of Chinese Super League team Hebei Fortune, has been
linked with the job, along with Rafa Benitez, Marco Silva and Sean Dyche.
Moyes, though, believes he has a strong case for a longer deal, after
completing the job he was given in November, when West Ham were in the
bottom three, by keeping the club in the Premier League. After flirting with
relegation for much of the season, West Ham finished 13th and the Scot knows
that significant investment in the playing squad is essential during the
summer if the club are to make progress. "I don't know anyone who could make
that big a difference in six months," said Moyes. "Even Pep Guardiola took
time to get his team right. "You need longer. Everybody always thinks there
is something better out there and I would say, more often than not, it's
proved wrong. When I came, it was said the players didn't run around but you
looked at that performance against Everton and go 'wow', the running with
the ball and how good they were without it. "What would influence me? Good
performances like that mean there is something on which to build here."
On a potential meeting with the club's owners, Moyes said: "We're no further
forward. We'll meet and talk next week, although we've not arranged the
day."
He also had a message for Gold and Sullivan, when he told them: "You've had
plenty of time to see if what is going on here is right but if you don't
then it's not a problem because I'll have options myself." He added: "It's
not us challenging each other, though. I've had really good relations with
the board since I've been here. I speak regularly with them.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's free-flowing final performance gives David Moyes hope for next
season, whether he stays or not
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport
David Moyes says West Ham's performance in the final game of the season gave
him the sense there's a foundation to build on at London Stadium. The
Hammers signed off on a turbulent season with an encouraging, free-flowing
3-1 win over the Scotsman's former club Everton, as a fine brace from Manuel
Lanzini and an 11th goal of the season for Marko Arnautovic secured a 13th
placed finish. Moyes, whose contract officially ran out at midnight on
Sunday, joined the club in the relegation zone and has saved the club while
dealing with a shoddy defence, boardroom issues and a culture of
ill-discipline within the squad. Despite that, questions still remain over
his future, and he'll sit down for talks with owners David Sullivan and
David Gold this week. However, if he was in any doubt as what could be
achieved next season, the 55-year-old admitted he was given hope by the
final showing of the season. "I tell you what – the improvement in the
players I would say, when I came in they said they didn't run around, you'd
look at today and say 'wow'," Moyes said. "Running around without the ball,
good with the ball.
"So, will it influence me? Yeah, I think when you get good performances it
makes you think 'Hey, there's something to build on here.'"
After taking criticism from the stands over his team selections and style of
play, Moyes feels the attacking display against the Toffees was one of their
best this season. "It came very close, how good the performance was," he
added. "I thought we played really well with the ball. There were signs
against Leicester, signs against Manchester United. "The players are
improving. When I go back to when I took over, and how I was trying to get
results by hook or by crook, it certainly looks much more structured. "We've
got a very good way of playing. They were very good the players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Next West Ham manager odds: Will David Moyes stay at London Stadium?
STANDARD SPORT
ES Sport
West Ham have a vital summer ahead if they are to avoid another season of
turmoil at London Stadium. There is plenty to decide over the coming weeks,
with contracts expiring and loan deals coming to an end. However, first and
foremost, they must find a manager. The Hammers are, technically, currently
without a first team manager, with David Moyes' contract having expired at
midnight following the final game of the season against his former club
Everton. The Scotsman, who arrived in November, replaced Slaven Bilic with
the east Londoners dropping into the bottom three on the eve of his
appointment. Having dealt with problems on the pitch, in the dressing room
and in the stands, securing a 13th placed finish is a job well done for the
55-year-old. However, despite his relative success over the last six months,
there is still some division over the future of Moyes and his coaching
staff, all of whom also had a contract to the end of this season. Some fans
are pining for a more ambitious appointment, while there remain questions
both from Moyes' side and at boardroom level as to how his proposed changes
would sit over the coming season. Standard Sport runs you through the
frontrunners to be in charge at London Stadium come August…
Next West Ham manager Betfair odds
David Moyes 1/3
Ronald Koeman 4/1
Carlo Ancelotti 6/1
Marcelo Bielsa 8/1
Sean Dyche 8/1
Manuel Pellegrini 10/1
Eddie Howe 14/1
Rafa Benitez 16/1
David Wanger 16/1
Unai Emery 20/1
Rui Faria 20/1
Luis Enrique 25/1
Massimiliano Allegri 25/1
Leonardo Jardim 33/1
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WEST HAM 3, EVERTON 1. LOVE THAT REAR VIEW MIRROR.
By David Hautzig 13 May 2018 at 17:37
WTID
This is supposed to be fun, isn't it? Not a weekly argument over who should
manage, who should play, who's a supporter and who isn't. So as we all
waited for today's finale, which could be a finale on so many fronts, I'd be
hard pressed to believe anybody isn't thrilled this interminable, poisoned
season is finally in the rear view mirror.
It's so rare that West Ham do anything noteworthy in the opening minute of a
match….at least on the pitch….that one could be forgiven for not being
settled when Lanzini was fed in the box 45 seconds into the match. Had he
not slipped at the last moment he might have had a real chance to give the
home side an early lead.
West Ham looked energetic yet calm in the opening ten minutes. Masuaku set
up Arnautovic in the area but his shot was blocked by Jagielka. Seconds
after that, Arnautovic turned into the supplier when he rolled a pass to
Noble in the box. The captain was six yards out when he sent a hard, low
shot that four times out of five would have been a goal. But today was the
fifth time I guess because Pickford got a hand to it for a fine save.
It's hard to ignore a simple fact of life this season. When Masuaku played
and played well, we were a decent outfit. When he missed six matches due to
his overactive salivary gland, we were abject. So when Funes Mori scissor
tackled him from behind in the 15th minute, which forced him off, the only
saving grace was that it was the last match of the season. Everton must
practice scissor tackles when they prepare to play us.
West Ham came inches away, maybe even one single inch, from taking the lead
in the 27th minute when Lanzini sent a through ball from near the center
circle that found Mario in full stride. The Inter Milan loanee had
Arnautovic in the box but decided to let a low shot go and it almost found
the far corner but rolled just wide.
Ogbonna has had a truly fine season for us. But in the 31st minute he should
have had to hang his head from making a mistake that led to an opening goal
by Niasse. Ogbonna tried to head a Sam Special away and just made a mess of
it. Niasse jumped on the error and was in alone on Adrian. But the on again,
off again West Ham number one made a very good save with his leg and won a
meal, not just a drink, from his central defender.
It's rare a mistake by a West Ham player turns out benefitting West Ham. But
in the 39th minute, Mario tried to find Arnautovic with a pass near the top
of the Everton eighteen yard box. He just missed that pass, but then again
so did about four Everton players. The ball rolled into the path of Lanzini,
who took a few more steps into the box and fired a low shot past Pickford
and into the back of the net.
West Ham 1
Everton 0
There is one thing about my second favorite sport, ice hockey, I
occasionally long for in football. A few minutes after the Lanzini goal,
Arnautovic tried to chase down a long ball. Pickford gathered it up before
Arnie could get there. The England keeper decided to greet the West Ham
frontman with a knee in the thigh. Intentionally. In hockey, I can all but
guarantee that at some point later in the game Pickford would have paid for
that. At worse, a two minute penalty would have ensued for the player
exacting justice. In football the punishments are far more serious.
Rightfully. But I would have loved to see someone skate through Pickford's
crease with a high elbow as a little reminder not to pull that s*#t again.
Halftime
West Ham 1
Everton 0
Everton came out for the second half with more energy, not to mention an
extra body in midfield due to a tactical change, and caused the home side to
fall back on their heels. While we waited for Moyes to adjust, which
prompted visions of the Vogons in Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, Everton
won a corner and kept West Ham in their own end.
By all accounts, Michael Keane has had a good season for the Toffees. But in
the span of a couple of minutes he made two mistakes that led to two
opportunities for West Ham. First he gave up a corner when his attempted
clearance went the wrong direction, and then a minute later he was called
for a foul on Kouyate at the edge of the Everton penalty area. Cresswell
took both set pieces, and neither amounted to much. But at least the action
was on their end of the pitch for a little bit.
What makes a great goal? Stunning bits of skill have delivered West Ham fans
that goal by DiCanio, that free kick by Tevez, and recent blasts by Obiang
and Noble. But in the 64th minute, I'd argue we saw a goal of equal
greatness. Just for different reasons. The way Arnautovic went around Keane
like the English defender wasn't even there. The way the shot was right at
Pickford….almost on a line to his forehead….yet he couldn't even fathom how
to stop it. Maybe I'm overstating it. But I was awestruck by that
Arniestrike.
West Ham 2
Everton 0
Everton almost got back into the match in the 73rd minute when Niasse got on
the end of a long ball on the right side of penalty area. His blast went off
Adrian's hands and off the post for a corner. Moments later, Everton won a
second corner and this time they capitalized. Declan Rice tried to clear the
area, but his header went back into the danger area and after an initial
attempt was blocked Niasse did very well to split the West Ham defense with
a little flick to himself and his shot from point blank range gave Adrian no
chance.
West Ham 2
Everton 1
The Hammers came back reasonably strong after the Everton goal. First,
Arnautovic tried to feed Mario inside the Everton penalty area but Keane got
a foot in and sent it out for a corner. The home side won a second corner
seconds later but again Mario didn't find a teammate in the box.
Remember what I said above about Arnautovic's goal? Well, I won't wax as
poetic but in the 82nd minute we were treated to another wonderful bit of
football. Zabaleta sent a long, cross field pass for Lanzini to run onto.
The man they call The Jewel gathered the ball and took a few steps towards
the edge of the area. Then, he let loose with a curling right footed shot
that Pickford got a hand to. Not that it mattered. The Everton keeper should
be thankful he didn't lose a finger as the ball flew into the back of the
net.
West Ham 3
Everton 1
Everton might have made the final minutes as nervy as a meaningless game can
be in the 85th minute when Walcott went in on Adrian alone on the right side
of the box, but the West Ham keeper made a good stop with his right foot.
The ball flew into the air and landed at the feet of Niasse on the left side
of the box. His shot bounced off the turf and headed towards goal but Adrian
made a diving stop to his left and pushed the ball out for a corner.
You cannot buy class. Nor can it be overstated. In my world, the way I try
to raise my two kids, the same can be said for kindness. When James Collins
was announced as a sub, I thought it was a class move by Moyes. It has been
widely reported that not only has the club not offered him a new deal, they
haven't even had the courtesy to tell him they won't. Total radio silence.
When Noble embraced Ginge and handed him the Captains Armband, I was
overcome by the moment. It was one of the classiest, kindest, most Captain
like moments I have seen in my many years on this orb watching men and women
play games.
Final Score
West Ham 3
Everton 1
42 points. 13th place. Considering how precarious our position was eight
days ago it doesn't look so awful. But of course it was. Fans turning on
fans, the Burnley game, the shambolic play at times, the behavior and words
of the board at times. Yet I believe the ethos and the heart of the club
will always prevail because those things don't reside in Stratford or with
the board. They live within the supporters. Millions of them. So regardless
of who our manager is, or which players come or go, it will always be West
Ham United. The club I inexplicably latched onto about 25 years ago.
Have a good summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THUMBS UP TO MOYES
By Tony Hanna 14 May 2018 at 07:16
WTID
Last week I was each way on my opinion of whether West Ham should continue
with David Moyes beyond this season. I am at the point now where I really
hope he gets a new contract. When he was appointed I am sure most of us
would have taken 13th and 42 points in a heartbeat? The football we played
against Everton on the weekend was delightful and the way Arnie, Lanzini and
Mario linked together was hopefully a taster of what is to come next season.
But on reflection the advantage Moyes holds now is that he knows the players
inside out. He knows what the team can do and what it can't. He knows where
we need to improve and he knows who is surplus to requirements. Get a new
manager in now and he won't know any of this until he has got games under
his belt and the likelihood will be that our summer transfer budget will be
spent on hopefully the best players we can buy in our budget, but without
the knowledge of who we really need to get the best out of the team. So it
is a thumbs up for David Moyes from me. Personally, I would keep Adrian as
number one next season. To get a top keeper will be expensive and I just
don't see the need when the money is best spent elsewhere. The central
defensive midfield role is the top priority and I would also like to see
Mario signed on a permanent deal or at least for an extended year-long loan.
As for signings, one of the first ones I would try and get done is Craig
Dawson from West Brom. He is a quality defender who can play full back or as
a central defender.
Back in mid-November when David Moyes became manager I asked in my article
for your predicted finishing positions in the league. We were currently 18th
in the table. Forty seven of you had a crack and there were five people who
correctly predicted 13th. They were; Heedsy, Iron Mike, Milk Man, Dave
Innots and Rob who had a cheeky double chance 13th/14th tip. There were a
few including myself that missed by one; the others were hammermolder,
Hammertime Mikey, Tom, IronFish, Daz and Paul Smith. Peter Jameson was the
only one who had us getting relegated which is remarkable considering our
plight at the time so I am sure he is very pleased to get the wooden spoon!
Thanks to all for having a go.
So, it is goodbye to West Brom, Stoke and Swansea. At the beginning of the
season I doubt many would have predicted that trio in its entirety getting
relegated, especially with Brighton and Huddersfield in the frame. Which
leads me to reconfirm one of my strong view points on relegation matters. I
wrote an article a few years ago titled "Is three up, three down fair?" I
followed that up this season with a similar piece. Last week I wrote an
article "Survival in the League of Fourteen." For those who missed it that
article focused on how the PL has now become two divisions in one. An elite
group of six with a separate division of fourteen clubs who are basically
playing with a singular goal of avoiding the drop. When I started going to
football in the 1960's there were 22 clubs in the top flight, a league we
fondly remember as the old first division. Every season two teams were
relegated (9%) and the top two from the 2nd division took their place. The
1960's through to 1980 was an era where up to fourteen teams every season
had some slither of a chance of winning the title when the competition
started. In the 23 seasons from 1958 to 1981 there were no fewer than 13
different Champions. I saw Manchester United, Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester
City all relegated. Forward to today and we now have twenty teams, a
reduction of two, yet an increase up to three teams who will be replaced
each season. With the elite six having no chance of being relegated that
effectively means three from fourteen (21.4%) will drop – quite an increase
from 9%. But when you get a season like this one when none of the clubs that
were promoted last season have been relegated and none of last seasons
relegated teams are promoted back, it effectively means in just two seasons
that SIX of the fourteen bottom dwellers (42.8%) have changed. Middlesbrough
could alter that stat if they are promoted through the play offs but I hope
you see where I am going here? The effect relegation has on clubs is awful.
Already we have clubs and forum sites looking at the lists of players at
Stoke, Swansea and West Brom to see what players will be easy pickings. This
whole scenario is only making this league of fourteen more unstable and the
top six are loving it. Their financial stability and growth means they will
grow even more powerful at the expense of the others whilst this system is
in place.
The transfer news is very thin on the ground at present and I would imagine
the decision on David Moyes tenure at the club will play a significant part
on any early dealings. Here are some early odds that I am sure will
fluctuate over the next week or so.
Manuel Lanzini is 1-2 (66%) to remain at West Ham with Liverpool at 5/2
(28%) for his signature. Looks like this could be a bit of re-run of the
winter window, hopefully with the same result.
Joe Hart his future seems as up in the air as it was before he signed his
loan deal with the Hammers last year. Celtic are 3/1 (25%) favourites and we
are second favourites at 6/1 (14%) which just goes to show I think the
bookies are just guessing as much as Joe is at present.
Craig Dawson is 14/1 (6.67%) to join the Hammers with Newcastle and Celtic
the early favourites to sign a player who I think would be a great
acquisition for our club.
Marouane Fellaini is 7/1 (12.5%) to become a West Ham player although the
way the market is framed I think the bookies have as much of a clue about
where he will end up as they do Joe Hart.
Shaqiri has a number of clubs showing interest after Stokes relegation and
Everton currently lead the pack. West Ham are quoted at 6/1 (14%).
Elsewhere Spurs at 5/4 (44%) are leading the chase for Alfie Mawson and our
January interest in him seems to have waned. Antoine Griezmann looks
Barcelona bound and Liverpool are strong favourites to sign Jack Butland and
Nabil Fekir. Burnley lead a pack of clubs for West Broms Jay Rodriguez
whilst Leicester's Riyad Mahrez could end up at either Man City or Chelsea.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 15
Monday, May 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th May 2018
Lanzini & Arnautovic secure final day win over Everton
WHUFC.com
Two goals from Manuel Lanzini and a thumping strike by Marko Arnautovic
secured an eye-catching 3-1 win for West Ham against Everton on the final
day of the season. In a brilliant afternoon of football at London Stadium
Lanzini opened the scoring with a low effort in the first period.
Arnautovic netted his eleventh Premier League goal of the season with a
rocket-like strike just after an hour to double the Hammers' advantage. A
late push from Everton saw Sam Allardyce's side get a goal back through
Oumar Niasse, but the Irons would make it three as the Argentinian wizard
netted his second with a curling goal. And the result means West Ham United
finish the campaign in 13th, ending the season on 42 points. Ten minutes
into the contest and West Ham saw two chances test the Toffees. Marko
Arnautovic saw an effort blocked by Michael Keane, before Mark Noble - on
his 400th start for the Club - was played in by the Austrian. However, the
skipper's effort, which looked destined for the bottom corner, was saved by
Jordan Pickford. The Irons would lose Arthur Masuaku to an early injury
set-back, with Edimilson Fernandes coming on in his place, before Joao Mario
came close to opening the scoring with a low, left-footed strike that was
just wide of the post.
Adrian had to quickly react after Angelo Ogbonna misjudged the flight of a
long ball, smartly saving with his feet, and the stop proved vital as the
Hammers netted the first goal of the game just a few minutes later.
Cheikhou Kouyate looked to play in Arnautovic but the No7 left the ball,
allowing Lanzini to run onto the pass. The Argentinian struck first time
from the edge of the area, beating Pickford and sending elation through the
home support at London Stadium.
The Hammers doubled their advantage just after the hour mark as Arnautovic
showed just why the supporters voted him Hammer of the Year. The 29-year-old
netted his eleventh Premier League finish of the season after turning
Michael Keane and striking a rocket from outside the box, which Pickford
just could not react to. The Austrian had shown his best throughout the
entire contest, and looked like he had doubled his personal tally just
moments later, but his headed effort was ruled out for offside. Everton
would strike the post through Niasse before pulling a goal back via the
striker, who smashed into the net after a scramble from a corner with 15
minutes to go. It looked like Pablo Zabaleta would restore the Hammers'
two-goal cushion with his first finish of the season, but the Argentinian's
side-footed volley was skewered wide. But the Irons would not be denied
another goal as Lanzini superbly curled in from just inside the penalty area
to score his second of the game and ensure a thrilling result for West Ham
on the final day of the season. There was still time for West Ham fans to
show appreciation to a Club icon in James Collins, who came on in the 88th
minute to a rapturous standing ovation from the fantastic home fans, with
Noble handing the captain's armband to the Welsh defender.
West Ham United: Adrian; Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Collins 88'); Zabaleta,
Noble (c), Kouyate, Masuaku (Fernandes 21'); Joao Mario, Lanzini (Obiang
86'), Arnautovic
Subs: Hart, Evra, Carroll, Chicharito
Goals: Lanzini 39', Arnautovic 63'
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Funes Mori (Klaassen 46'), Jagielka,
Baines, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies (Bolasie 83'), Niasse, Tosun (Walcott
61')
Subs: Robles, Martina, Kenny, Holgate
Goal: Niasse 75'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: It was a great performance to beat Everton
WHUFC.com
David Moyes was thrilled with his West Ham United side after they signed off
the 2017/18 season in style with a 3-1 victory over Everton on Sunday. Two
goals from Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic's eleventh of the season set
the seal in a dominant performance from the hosts, which had the boss
purring at his team's attacking play. The three-point haul lifted West Ham
to a finishing position of 13th in the Premier League table, leaving Moyes
to reflect on a strong recovery from the position he inherited in the
autumn. "What a great performance," he beamed. "It was a good game, we
really enjoyed it. We played well and I enjoyed watching it. We scored good
goals. "[All three] were great strikes, but our play all day was really
good. In recent weeks our form has been very good - our football has
improved and players are getting better. "It came very close to our best
performance of the season and I thought we played very well with the ball.
We had signs of that at Leicester, we had signs at Manchester United, and
when I look back to when we first came in and were trying to get results by
hook or by crook, today looks much more structured and we've got a way of
playing. We were very good today. "When we came in we were in the bottom
three and we've ended 13th, so I'd have taken that all day long, that's for
sure."
Marko Arnautovic's upturn in form since Moyes' appointment has gone a long
way to helping the Hammers climb the table, and after he took his final
tally to 11 goals and six assists - all registered in his last 20
appearances - the manager was full of praise for his forward. He added:
"Marko has been brilliant. I know the quality of centre halves they have,
Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane, and I can tell you he was up against really
good players. "At the moment he is looking a real handful. The bit of play
we had when Nobes nearly scored early on was terrific, and I thought Joao
Mario and Lanzini were always a threat on the break too."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arnautovic: Everton win means we can go into the summer with a good feeling
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic did not want the 2017/18 season to end. A goal and assist
against Everton on Sunday brought his tally to eleven scored and six made
from just 20 Premier League games - a run of form which has played a major
role in moving the Hammers up from the drop zone to 13th in the Premier
League table.
Arnautovic's tireless work up front earned him the Hammer of the Year award
in his debut campaign with the Club and his wish is to pick up from where he
left off when the next season gets underway. "I'm really pleased," he said.
"We completely dominated the game and deserved the three points. We're very
happy with the performance and to win the last game of the season, it means
we can go into the summer with a good feeling. "Before this week we had the
pressure on us, because we were still in the relegation battle, but when we
secured our position against Leicester, we had a better feeling. "When you
have pressure it is always hard to play, but we have done well in our last
three games and we are very happy to take seven points from them. "Being
voted Player of the Season by the fans was great. I'm very pleased for them,
and I want to thank all my teammates, the whole club and the fans for being
there for me. I hope I can continue to score goals, playing the way I'm
playing now.
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Hammers crowned Bermuda International Cup champions
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy were crowned Bermuda International Football
Festival champions as they were 5-3 winners in the final contest against the
Azores.
With both sides going into the all-important clash unbeaten throughout their
group stage matches, a sizeable crowd was in a attendance to watch what
promised to be an intriguing final. And the game began in the worst possible
fashion for the U17s, with the east Londoners conceding within five minutes.
But not to be deterred, the Hammers got into their stride and equalised with
a powerful Bernardo Rosa shot which levelled the scores at 1-1. Those in
Claret and Blue then began to dominate possession and Anouar El Mhassani was
able to latch onto a superb through ball and put his side ahead after
rounding the goalkeeper. West Ham were then forced to withstand some intense
pressure before the break, but could not hold up. From a corner kick, it was
2-2. After the restart, the game failed to settle down and more goals were
inevitable. West Ham again took the lead when Rosa grabbed his second of the
game, rocketing an unbelievable shot into the net from 30 yards out. With 20
minutes remaining, the tie swung another way as the Azores levelled for 3-3.
Again, it was a set-piece that undid West Ham.
Into the final five minutes, a strong challenge on Jamal Baptiste saw the
Azores' centre-forward red-carded, all the encouragement the Hammers needed
to go on and take the game to their opponents. Within minutes, an opening
landed at the feet of Sebastian Nebula who coolly took the ball with his
first touch and volleyed past the keeper with his second for 4-3. Azores
pushed forward searching for the equaliser but with Louie Watson
intercepting the ball in midfield and sliding the ball through the open
defence to Manny Longelo, West Ham were two goals to the good as the
attacker rounded the Keeper and superbly put the ball in the bottom corner.
After lifting the trophy, proud Academy Director Terry Westley said: "The
trip has been a great learning experience for this young team. We've
experienced a hostile environment, a physical encounter, coming back from
set-backs and then having courage to continue to play in an attractive and
entertaining style to win the first Bermudian International Cup is
fantastic. "Great credit goes to the players for keeping their composure and
showing their technical ability against a much older Azores team. "I'd also
like to thank the staff who were here with us; Billy Lepine, Ben Male,
Hayden Gale and Jake Hurst, who deserve great credit for the way they have
worked with the players throughout this trip. "It's bee a great experience
for all and one we are extremely grateful to Clyde Best and the
organisational committee of this inaugural International Cup for."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 3-1 Everton
By Greg O'Keeffe
BBC Sport
13 May
Manuel Lanzini's brace took his goal tally for the season to five and they
were his first goals since scoring twice at Huddersfield on 13 January West
Ham moved up two places in the Premier League table to finish 13th after a
Manuel Lanzini-inspired win over Everton in what could be the final game in
charge for both managers.
Striker Marko Arnautovic's thumping second-half goal added to playmaker
Lanzini's opener before the break and David Moyes' men ended a turbulent
campaign on a high when the Argentine curled a third past Jordan Pickford
near the end. Everton, who pulled one back through Oumar Niasse, finished
eighth after ninth-placed Leicester's defeat but some supporters chanted for
manager Sam Allardyce to be sacked, as out-of-contract Moyes will also
reflect on his next step. West Ham goalkeeper Adrian made late saves to deny
Niasse and Everton substitute Theo Walcott.
Moyes, who hinted his preference was to stay, said: "Everybody always thinks
the grass is greener and there's something better out there. I would say
more often than not I bet you it's proved wrong. "We've shown we're trying
to improve. I don't know if anybody can come and make that big a difference
in six months. Even Pep Guardiola took a bit of time to get his team right.
"I'd think you'd need to give a bit longer. But every manager now is in
transit. I don't think there is a long period."
Echoing that air of uncertainty - Allardyce gave a curt response to
questions on his future. He said: "I can't quite say confident after all the
rumours I'm reading in the paper. Generally there's no smoke without fire.
We'll wait and see when we meet up."
West Ham defender James Collins, who is yet to sign a new deal and is out of
contract in the summer, received a standing ovation when he replaced Aaron
Cresswell near the end and wept at the final whistle, suggesting his 10
years of service over two spells may be coming to an end. And the Hammers'
supporters cheered the players as they made their lap of appreciation around
the London Stadium pitch in the sunshine, a markedly more upbeat atmosphere
than at times this season.
Star man Arnie shines
Seven points from the last three games and another impressive showing from
Arnautovic ensured the Hammers signed off the campaign with a smile. The
Austrian forward was referred to as the "star man" by team-mate Cresswell
afterwards and Moyes believes changing his role from the wing to up front
was a turning point in their season. "Maybe he wasn't doing as much and
tracking back on the wing," said the Scot before Sunday's win. "He's been a
sensation up front, he's been playing as well as most strikers." The man
they call 'Arnie' brushed past the visiting defence with ease to smash the
second goal of the game past Pickford and led the line strongly throughout
while also making five key passes. Moyes' ability to get the best out of a
player who underwhelmed initially after joining from Stoke last summer
certainly helped West Ham remain in the top flight. Arnautovic scored 11
goals and applied himself consistently as the club pulled away from danger
to secure survival last weekend.
Moyes could not add further clarity on his future after the final whistle
but even if he departs, he can reflect on a job well done in his brief reign
since taking over from Slaven Bilic in November. A change in manager
ultimately ensured Premier League survival for both of these clubs, but fan
unrest continues. Some Evertonians have been unhappy with Allardyce's reign
in recent weeks, and those dissenters will not have been appeased with this
result. The former England boss started with a back three, bringing
Argentina international Ramiro Funes Mori into his line-up next to Phil
Jagielka and Michael Keane. It didn't work, however, as Lanzini scored an
impressive opener and Arnautovic was allowed to turn and run at goal too
easily in the build-up to his strike. Despite changing to a back four in the
second half, which brought Everton back into the contest for a while, they
still conceded to Lanzini again when he got ahead of Seamus Coleman and
curled a shot into the top corner. Allardyce will point to key saves by
Adrian which denied his men but supporters in the away end booed his
decision to take off striker Cenk Tosun in the second half, with the Turk
also visibly unhappy after receiving precious little service throughout.
Despite having more shots on target than the hosts, Everton came away with
nothing. "Overall we managed to seal eighth spot and a few more coffers in
the pot for the club," said Allardyce, who will meet the club's owner Farhad
Moshiri in the next few days.
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)
West Ham manager David Moyes said: "I can't say (about the future) because I
am no further forward. We will meet and talk next week, we haven't arranged
a date or a time. "What will influence me? When you get good performances.
It makes you feel 'hey, there's something to build on here'."
Everton manager Sam Allardyce, speaking to BBC Sport: "It is disappointing
to lose the game when the chances we missed were better than the chances
they scored with. "But then you have to credit Adrian for being absolutely
outstanding with three top-class saves. "All three should have gone in -
that's where the difference was. I am pleased with the second half, not so
pleased with the first half."
Moyes retains upper hand over Allardyce - the stats
David Moyes has won eight of his last nine meetings with Sam Allardyce in
the competition (L1), including each of his last six in a row.
Allardyce has lost four of his last five final-day games (D1), with his last
win coming with the Hammers against Reading in May 2013.
Allardyce lost his 200th Premier League game, becoming only the second
manager to do so (after Harry Redknapp, 238 defeats).
West Ham's 13th-place finish is their lowest since 2013-14 when they also
finished 13th.
Everton have won just one of their last 15 away Premier League games in
London (D6 L8), winning 1-0 at Crystal Palace in January 2017.
Manuel Lanzini has been directly involved in 11 Premier League goals this
season (five goals, six assists), his best figures in an English top-flight
campaign.
After failing to register a goal involvement in his first 11 Premier League
games for West Ham, Marko Arnautovic scored 11 and assisted six in his
following 20 appearances.
Arnautovic has scored 11 Premier League goals this season, the most by a
West Ham player in a single top-flight campaign since Bobby Zamora in
2006-07 (also 11).
Oumar Niasse netted eight goals in the Premier League for Everton in 2017-18
- double his tally from his previous two top-flight campaigns (4).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I'm free from midnight, jokes Moyes
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes was in high spirits during this afternoon's press conference -
as he joked about being out of work by midnight. Having secured seven points
out of nine from West Ham's final three games of the 2017/18 season and
engineered a 13th-place finish, Moyes - who is unlikely to be offered an
extended contract - has every right to be pleased with his efforts. And as
he spoke to the media for possibly the final time as West Ham's manager, he
was in fine form - despite facing the prospect of being unemployed again by
tomorrow morning. "I think [my contract expires] at midnight!" joked Moyes
when asked when his temporary contract is up. "So I'll take my suit off and
undo my tie a little bit at midnight. I'll be back on the streets by
tomorrow! "I have other options, but I've had a really good relationship
with the Board since I've been here. I speak regularly with them and from
that point of view I'd like to change things - but maybe not everybody's
happy with change."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-1 Everton: Manuel Lanzini scores twice as Hammers end with a
flourish
By Ben Grounds
Last Updated: 13/05/18 6:14pm
SSN
Manuel Lanzini scored twice as West Ham deservedly beat Everton 3-1 at the
London Stadium to seal a first home league win over their opponents since
April 2007. Sam Allardyce endured an unhappy afternoon against his former
employees as Lanzini gave the hosts a deserved lead (39) before Marko
Arnautovic's swerving shot doubled the hosts' advantage (63). Oumar Niasse
pulled a goal back with a close-range finish (74), but Lanzini capped a
scintillating display with a brilliant strike past Jordan Pickford via the
post (82). The Hammers finish in 13th place while the Toffees remained in
eighth spot on the final day of the Premier League season.
Man of the match: Manuel Lanzini
Attention will now turn to the respective futures of David Moyes and
Allardyce, who praised Lanzini after a standout performance, but his side
were second best during a tired display in the capital. Mark Noble was
denied early on as Pickford produced a brilliant save low to his left after,
before Niasse pounced on a mistake by Angelo Ogbonna to force Adrian into a
smart stop with his legs. iasse's miss proved costly as seven minutes later,
West Ham were in front. There was an element of good fortune about the goal
as Cheikhou Kouyate's intended pass for Arnautovic ran through for Lanzini
to stroke his shot low to the right of Pickford's dive.
Everton began the game by playing three at the back, and duly changed to a
more familiar formation at the interval with Ramiro Funes Mori withdrawn,
but they only marginally improved before West Ham extended their lead.
Edimilson Fernandes, an early substitute for the injured Arthur Masuaku, fed
Arnautovic and the former Stoke City forward rolled Michael Keane before
unleashing a venomous shot from 25 yards that moved in the air on its way
past Pickford. Everton responded as Adrian tipped a powerful shot from
Niasse onto a post, and from the resulting corner the Senegalese forward was
rewarded for his endeavour, taking down Morgan Schneiderlin's header to fire
in from five yards out. But any hopes they had of salvaging something were
ended in fine style by Lanzini as he picked up Pablo Zabaleta's pass, cut
inside Seamus Coleman on the left and bent a superb right-foot shot that
curled beyond the outstretched Pickford and in off the post.
England watch
Aaron Cresswell: There remains an outside chance that Aaron Cresswell could
be named at least as one of Gareth Southgate's standy options given his
versatility and concerns over Danny Rose's fitness, and he produced another
assured display. He wouldn't let anyone down if he made the plane, but there
appears stronger options when everyone is fit.
Jordan Pickford: One of Everton's better performers again, Pickford could do
very little about West Ham's first and third goals but he may feel slightly
at fault for Arnautovic's goal, with the dipping shot flying past him. He
made a brilliant stop from Noble with the scores level, and he looks set for
the No 1 jersey.
Michael Keane: Any faint hopes the former Burnley defender may have had of
making a late dash for Russia were surely ended here after he was tormented
all afternoon, in particular by Arnautovic.
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini
The Argentine was at it from the first whistle as he combined brilliantly
with Arnautovic to stretch Everton on a day they were punished for
experimenting with three at the back. Two defenders were dragged towards
Arnautovic as Lanzini fired in the opener, and the diminutive midfielder
ended the contest in typical fashion, finding the top corner with a
brilliant strike. The 25-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged season, but
this was a timely reminder of the difference he makes to this West Ham team
when he's on song. Lanzini has been directly involved in 11 Premier League
goals this season (five goals, six assists), his best ever figures in an
English top-flight campaign.
Opta stats
David Moyes has won eight of his last nine meetings with Sam Allardyce in
the competition (L1), including each of his last six in a row.
Sam Allardyce has lost four of his last five final day games (D1), with his
last win coming with the Hammers against Reading in May 2013.
Everton have won just one of their last 15 away Premier League games in
London (D6 L8), winning 1-0 at Crystal Palace in January 2017
After failing to register a goal involvement in his first 11 Premier League
games for West Ham, Marko Arnautovic has scored 11 and assisted six in his
following 20 appearances.
Arnautovic has scored 11 Premier League goals this season, the most by a
West Ham player in a single top-flight campaign since Bobby Zamora in
2006-07 (also 11).
Oumar Niasse netted eight goals in the Premier League for Everton in 2017-18
- double his tally from his previous two top-flight campaigns (4).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Marko Arnautovic's was 'unplayable' says West Ham boss David Moyes
Last Updated: 13/05/18 7:33pm
SSN
David Moyes hailed Marko Arnautovic's performance as 'unplayable' after West
Ham ended their season on a high with a 3-1 win over Everton at the London
Stadium. Arnautovic was named the club's player of the year due to the
quality of his performances during his debut season and he was influential
once more against Everton. The Austrian was involved in West Ham's first
goal scored by Manuel Lanzini and then got on the scoresheet himself with a
brilliant strike just beyond the hour mark. A second goal from Lanzini late
on restored West Ham's two-goal advantage after Oumar Niasse had struck for
Everton to ensure that West Ham won the game and finished 13th in the table.
West Ham United manager David Moyes was full of praise for the way his side
beat Everton 3-1 at the London Stadium in the Premier League. peaking
post-match, Moyes said: "What a great performance. It was a good game, the
players enjoyed it, I enjoyed watching it and we scored good goals," he
said. "Our play all day was really good, in recent weeks our form has been
really good, our football has improved, the players have got better, so
that's good. "Look at times he [Arnautovic] can be unplayable. He had other
opportunities, he was in on the keeper. When we came in we were in the
bottom three and we've ended up in 13th so I would have taken that all day
long, that's for sure."
West Ham's season reached a nadir in March when a 3-0 home defeat to Burnley
was marred by pitch invasions and protests in the stands. The club's
decision to head to Miami for a five-day warm weather training camp a few
days later was criticised by some but Moyes insisted that it was the turning
point in their season.
"Sometimes you've got to pat yourselves on the back because others don't! If
you'd have given me this at the start and a performance like we gave today
I'd be delighted," he said. "I think for me the decision to go to Miami was
a massive turnaround for us, I think we've only lost two games since we came
back. "It showed the togetherness and that the players were making the right
decisions and right choices, sometimes you've got to trust the managers and
let them get on with it.
"I'll speak with the club, things haven't changed over the next few days and
whatnot we'll have the chance to speak but everything is the same as it
was."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 2017/18 Premier League season review
Last Updated: 13/05/18 6:07pm
SSN
West Ham finished the 2017/18 Premier League season in 14th place.
Read on for our review of their campaign, complete with the views of Soccer
Saturday pundit Phil Thompson.
Finishing position: 13th (-2)
Total points: 42 (-3)
FA Cup: Fourth round
Carabao Cup: Quarter-finals
Top scorer: Marko Arnautovic (11)
West Ham's second season in the Olympic Stadium was even more turbulent than
their first. Expectations were raised by the summer signings of Marko
Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez and Joe Hart, but a dreadful start to the
campaign cost Slaven Bilic his job in November. Many supporters were
unimpressed when David Moyes was chosen to succeed him, and while results
did pick up in December, tempers spilled over when back-to-back 4-1 defeats
to Liverpool and Swansea were followed by a 3-0 reverse at home to Burnley.
The ugly scenes at the Olympic Stadium that day summed up the mood at the
club, but West Ham rallied in the remaining months of the season to avoid
relegation and move up to 13th place. It's a long way short of what was
expected when they left Upton Park behind, but it represents a job well done
by Moyes.
Best day of 2017/18
The 1-0 win over London rivals Chelsea in December, when Arnautovic's goal
gave West Ham fans something to savour.
Worst day of 2017/18
The 3-0 loss at home to Burnley was the nadir. Angry supporters invaded the
pitch and forced co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan to flee the
directors' box.
Managerial review
I think David Moyes should be in there with the top manager performances of
the season because of the emotional battles in that job, putting out fires
all over the place with fans, owners and players. He's had to use all of his
experience to keep them in the Premier League and prevent a potential
implosion.
Player of the year
I was shocked at how inept and disinterested Marko Arnautovic looked at the
start of the season. I covered the game against Southampton where he got
sent off for elbowing a centre-half. To have turned it around and become
such a key figure, a little like Wilfried Zaha at Palace, is really
impressive. Keeping David Moyes should be imperative to bringing stability
back to club and avoiding another relegation battle.
Phil Thompson
2018/19 prospects
I think they will have learnt from this season. Keeping David Moyes should
be imperative to bringing stability back to club and avoiding another
relegation battle.
Sky Bet relegation odds for 2018/19: 5/1
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Two goals from Manuel Lanzini and a thumping strike by Marko Arnautovic
secured an eye-catching 3-1 win for West Ham against Everton on the final
day of the season. In a brilliant afternoon of football at London Stadium
Lanzini opened the scoring with a low effort in the first period.
Arnautovic netted his eleventh Premier League goal of the season with a
rocket-like strike just after an hour to double the Hammers' advantage. A
late push from Everton saw Sam Allardyce's side get a goal back through
Oumar Niasse, but the Irons would make it three as the Argentinian wizard
netted his second with a curling goal. And the result means West Ham United
finish the campaign in 13th, ending the season on 42 points. Ten minutes
into the contest and West Ham saw two chances test the Toffees. Marko
Arnautovic saw an effort blocked by Michael Keane, before Mark Noble - on
his 400th start for the Club - was played in by the Austrian. However, the
skipper's effort, which looked destined for the bottom corner, was saved by
Jordan Pickford. The Irons would lose Arthur Masuaku to an early injury
set-back, with Edimilson Fernandes coming on in his place, before Joao Mario
came close to opening the scoring with a low, left-footed strike that was
just wide of the post.
Adrian had to quickly react after Angelo Ogbonna misjudged the flight of a
long ball, smartly saving with his feet, and the stop proved vital as the
Hammers netted the first goal of the game just a few minutes later.
Cheikhou Kouyate looked to play in Arnautovic but the No7 left the ball,
allowing Lanzini to run onto the pass. The Argentinian struck first time
from the edge of the area, beating Pickford and sending elation through the
home support at London Stadium.
The Hammers doubled their advantage just after the hour mark as Arnautovic
showed just why the supporters voted him Hammer of the Year. The 29-year-old
netted his eleventh Premier League finish of the season after turning
Michael Keane and striking a rocket from outside the box, which Pickford
just could not react to. The Austrian had shown his best throughout the
entire contest, and looked like he had doubled his personal tally just
moments later, but his headed effort was ruled out for offside. Everton
would strike the post through Niasse before pulling a goal back via the
striker, who smashed into the net after a scramble from a corner with 15
minutes to go. It looked like Pablo Zabaleta would restore the Hammers'
two-goal cushion with his first finish of the season, but the Argentinian's
side-footed volley was skewered wide. But the Irons would not be denied
another goal as Lanzini superbly curled in from just inside the penalty area
to score his second of the game and ensure a thrilling result for West Ham
on the final day of the season. There was still time for West Ham fans to
show appreciation to a Club icon in James Collins, who came on in the 88th
minute to a rapturous standing ovation from the fantastic home fans, with
Noble handing the captain's armband to the Welsh defender.
West Ham United: Adrian; Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Collins 88'); Zabaleta,
Noble (c), Kouyate, Masuaku (Fernandes 21'); Joao Mario, Lanzini (Obiang
86'), Arnautovic
Subs: Hart, Evra, Carroll, Chicharito
Goals: Lanzini 39', Arnautovic 63'
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Funes Mori (Klaassen 46'), Jagielka,
Baines, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies (Bolasie 83'), Niasse, Tosun (Walcott
61')
Subs: Robles, Martina, Kenny, Holgate
Goal: Niasse 75'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: It was a great performance to beat Everton
WHUFC.com
David Moyes was thrilled with his West Ham United side after they signed off
the 2017/18 season in style with a 3-1 victory over Everton on Sunday. Two
goals from Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic's eleventh of the season set
the seal in a dominant performance from the hosts, which had the boss
purring at his team's attacking play. The three-point haul lifted West Ham
to a finishing position of 13th in the Premier League table, leaving Moyes
to reflect on a strong recovery from the position he inherited in the
autumn. "What a great performance," he beamed. "It was a good game, we
really enjoyed it. We played well and I enjoyed watching it. We scored good
goals. "[All three] were great strikes, but our play all day was really
good. In recent weeks our form has been very good - our football has
improved and players are getting better. "It came very close to our best
performance of the season and I thought we played very well with the ball.
We had signs of that at Leicester, we had signs at Manchester United, and
when I look back to when we first came in and were trying to get results by
hook or by crook, today looks much more structured and we've got a way of
playing. We were very good today. "When we came in we were in the bottom
three and we've ended 13th, so I'd have taken that all day long, that's for
sure."
Marko Arnautovic's upturn in form since Moyes' appointment has gone a long
way to helping the Hammers climb the table, and after he took his final
tally to 11 goals and six assists - all registered in his last 20
appearances - the manager was full of praise for his forward. He added:
"Marko has been brilliant. I know the quality of centre halves they have,
Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane, and I can tell you he was up against really
good players. "At the moment he is looking a real handful. The bit of play
we had when Nobes nearly scored early on was terrific, and I thought Joao
Mario and Lanzini were always a threat on the break too."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arnautovic: Everton win means we can go into the summer with a good feeling
WHUFC.com
Marko Arnautovic did not want the 2017/18 season to end. A goal and assist
against Everton on Sunday brought his tally to eleven scored and six made
from just 20 Premier League games - a run of form which has played a major
role in moving the Hammers up from the drop zone to 13th in the Premier
League table.
Arnautovic's tireless work up front earned him the Hammer of the Year award
in his debut campaign with the Club and his wish is to pick up from where he
left off when the next season gets underway. "I'm really pleased," he said.
"We completely dominated the game and deserved the three points. We're very
happy with the performance and to win the last game of the season, it means
we can go into the summer with a good feeling. "Before this week we had the
pressure on us, because we were still in the relegation battle, but when we
secured our position against Leicester, we had a better feeling. "When you
have pressure it is always hard to play, but we have done well in our last
three games and we are very happy to take seven points from them. "Being
voted Player of the Season by the fans was great. I'm very pleased for them,
and I want to thank all my teammates, the whole club and the fans for being
there for me. I hope I can continue to score goals, playing the way I'm
playing now.
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Hammers crowned Bermuda International Cup champions
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy were crowned Bermuda International Football
Festival champions as they were 5-3 winners in the final contest against the
Azores.
With both sides going into the all-important clash unbeaten throughout their
group stage matches, a sizeable crowd was in a attendance to watch what
promised to be an intriguing final. And the game began in the worst possible
fashion for the U17s, with the east Londoners conceding within five minutes.
But not to be deterred, the Hammers got into their stride and equalised with
a powerful Bernardo Rosa shot which levelled the scores at 1-1. Those in
Claret and Blue then began to dominate possession and Anouar El Mhassani was
able to latch onto a superb through ball and put his side ahead after
rounding the goalkeeper. West Ham were then forced to withstand some intense
pressure before the break, but could not hold up. From a corner kick, it was
2-2. After the restart, the game failed to settle down and more goals were
inevitable. West Ham again took the lead when Rosa grabbed his second of the
game, rocketing an unbelievable shot into the net from 30 yards out. With 20
minutes remaining, the tie swung another way as the Azores levelled for 3-3.
Again, it was a set-piece that undid West Ham.
Into the final five minutes, a strong challenge on Jamal Baptiste saw the
Azores' centre-forward red-carded, all the encouragement the Hammers needed
to go on and take the game to their opponents. Within minutes, an opening
landed at the feet of Sebastian Nebula who coolly took the ball with his
first touch and volleyed past the keeper with his second for 4-3. Azores
pushed forward searching for the equaliser but with Louie Watson
intercepting the ball in midfield and sliding the ball through the open
defence to Manny Longelo, West Ham were two goals to the good as the
attacker rounded the Keeper and superbly put the ball in the bottom corner.
After lifting the trophy, proud Academy Director Terry Westley said: "The
trip has been a great learning experience for this young team. We've
experienced a hostile environment, a physical encounter, coming back from
set-backs and then having courage to continue to play in an attractive and
entertaining style to win the first Bermudian International Cup is
fantastic. "Great credit goes to the players for keeping their composure and
showing their technical ability against a much older Azores team. "I'd also
like to thank the staff who were here with us; Billy Lepine, Ben Male,
Hayden Gale and Jake Hurst, who deserve great credit for the way they have
worked with the players throughout this trip. "It's bee a great experience
for all and one we are extremely grateful to Clyde Best and the
organisational committee of this inaugural International Cup for."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 3-1 Everton
By Greg O'Keeffe
BBC Sport
13 May
Manuel Lanzini's brace took his goal tally for the season to five and they
were his first goals since scoring twice at Huddersfield on 13 January West
Ham moved up two places in the Premier League table to finish 13th after a
Manuel Lanzini-inspired win over Everton in what could be the final game in
charge for both managers.
Striker Marko Arnautovic's thumping second-half goal added to playmaker
Lanzini's opener before the break and David Moyes' men ended a turbulent
campaign on a high when the Argentine curled a third past Jordan Pickford
near the end. Everton, who pulled one back through Oumar Niasse, finished
eighth after ninth-placed Leicester's defeat but some supporters chanted for
manager Sam Allardyce to be sacked, as out-of-contract Moyes will also
reflect on his next step. West Ham goalkeeper Adrian made late saves to deny
Niasse and Everton substitute Theo Walcott.
Moyes, who hinted his preference was to stay, said: "Everybody always thinks
the grass is greener and there's something better out there. I would say
more often than not I bet you it's proved wrong. "We've shown we're trying
to improve. I don't know if anybody can come and make that big a difference
in six months. Even Pep Guardiola took a bit of time to get his team right.
"I'd think you'd need to give a bit longer. But every manager now is in
transit. I don't think there is a long period."
Echoing that air of uncertainty - Allardyce gave a curt response to
questions on his future. He said: "I can't quite say confident after all the
rumours I'm reading in the paper. Generally there's no smoke without fire.
We'll wait and see when we meet up."
West Ham defender James Collins, who is yet to sign a new deal and is out of
contract in the summer, received a standing ovation when he replaced Aaron
Cresswell near the end and wept at the final whistle, suggesting his 10
years of service over two spells may be coming to an end. And the Hammers'
supporters cheered the players as they made their lap of appreciation around
the London Stadium pitch in the sunshine, a markedly more upbeat atmosphere
than at times this season.
Star man Arnie shines
Seven points from the last three games and another impressive showing from
Arnautovic ensured the Hammers signed off the campaign with a smile. The
Austrian forward was referred to as the "star man" by team-mate Cresswell
afterwards and Moyes believes changing his role from the wing to up front
was a turning point in their season. "Maybe he wasn't doing as much and
tracking back on the wing," said the Scot before Sunday's win. "He's been a
sensation up front, he's been playing as well as most strikers." The man
they call 'Arnie' brushed past the visiting defence with ease to smash the
second goal of the game past Pickford and led the line strongly throughout
while also making five key passes. Moyes' ability to get the best out of a
player who underwhelmed initially after joining from Stoke last summer
certainly helped West Ham remain in the top flight. Arnautovic scored 11
goals and applied himself consistently as the club pulled away from danger
to secure survival last weekend.
Moyes could not add further clarity on his future after the final whistle
but even if he departs, he can reflect on a job well done in his brief reign
since taking over from Slaven Bilic in November. A change in manager
ultimately ensured Premier League survival for both of these clubs, but fan
unrest continues. Some Evertonians have been unhappy with Allardyce's reign
in recent weeks, and those dissenters will not have been appeased with this
result. The former England boss started with a back three, bringing
Argentina international Ramiro Funes Mori into his line-up next to Phil
Jagielka and Michael Keane. It didn't work, however, as Lanzini scored an
impressive opener and Arnautovic was allowed to turn and run at goal too
easily in the build-up to his strike. Despite changing to a back four in the
second half, which brought Everton back into the contest for a while, they
still conceded to Lanzini again when he got ahead of Seamus Coleman and
curled a shot into the top corner. Allardyce will point to key saves by
Adrian which denied his men but supporters in the away end booed his
decision to take off striker Cenk Tosun in the second half, with the Turk
also visibly unhappy after receiving precious little service throughout.
Despite having more shots on target than the hosts, Everton came away with
nothing. "Overall we managed to seal eighth spot and a few more coffers in
the pot for the club," said Allardyce, who will meet the club's owner Farhad
Moshiri in the next few days.
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)
West Ham manager David Moyes said: "I can't say (about the future) because I
am no further forward. We will meet and talk next week, we haven't arranged
a date or a time. "What will influence me? When you get good performances.
It makes you feel 'hey, there's something to build on here'."
Everton manager Sam Allardyce, speaking to BBC Sport: "It is disappointing
to lose the game when the chances we missed were better than the chances
they scored with. "But then you have to credit Adrian for being absolutely
outstanding with three top-class saves. "All three should have gone in -
that's where the difference was. I am pleased with the second half, not so
pleased with the first half."
Moyes retains upper hand over Allardyce - the stats
David Moyes has won eight of his last nine meetings with Sam Allardyce in
the competition (L1), including each of his last six in a row.
Allardyce has lost four of his last five final-day games (D1), with his last
win coming with the Hammers against Reading in May 2013.
Allardyce lost his 200th Premier League game, becoming only the second
manager to do so (after Harry Redknapp, 238 defeats).
West Ham's 13th-place finish is their lowest since 2013-14 when they also
finished 13th.
Everton have won just one of their last 15 away Premier League games in
London (D6 L8), winning 1-0 at Crystal Palace in January 2017.
Manuel Lanzini has been directly involved in 11 Premier League goals this
season (five goals, six assists), his best figures in an English top-flight
campaign.
After failing to register a goal involvement in his first 11 Premier League
games for West Ham, Marko Arnautovic scored 11 and assisted six in his
following 20 appearances.
Arnautovic has scored 11 Premier League goals this season, the most by a
West Ham player in a single top-flight campaign since Bobby Zamora in
2006-07 (also 11).
Oumar Niasse netted eight goals in the Premier League for Everton in 2017-18
- double his tally from his previous two top-flight campaigns (4).
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I'm free from midnight, jokes Moyes
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes was in high spirits during this afternoon's press conference -
as he joked about being out of work by midnight. Having secured seven points
out of nine from West Ham's final three games of the 2017/18 season and
engineered a 13th-place finish, Moyes - who is unlikely to be offered an
extended contract - has every right to be pleased with his efforts. And as
he spoke to the media for possibly the final time as West Ham's manager, he
was in fine form - despite facing the prospect of being unemployed again by
tomorrow morning. "I think [my contract expires] at midnight!" joked Moyes
when asked when his temporary contract is up. "So I'll take my suit off and
undo my tie a little bit at midnight. I'll be back on the streets by
tomorrow! "I have other options, but I've had a really good relationship
with the Board since I've been here. I speak regularly with them and from
that point of view I'd like to change things - but maybe not everybody's
happy with change."
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West Ham 3-1 Everton: Manuel Lanzini scores twice as Hammers end with a
flourish
By Ben Grounds
Last Updated: 13/05/18 6:14pm
SSN
Manuel Lanzini scored twice as West Ham deservedly beat Everton 3-1 at the
London Stadium to seal a first home league win over their opponents since
April 2007. Sam Allardyce endured an unhappy afternoon against his former
employees as Lanzini gave the hosts a deserved lead (39) before Marko
Arnautovic's swerving shot doubled the hosts' advantage (63). Oumar Niasse
pulled a goal back with a close-range finish (74), but Lanzini capped a
scintillating display with a brilliant strike past Jordan Pickford via the
post (82). The Hammers finish in 13th place while the Toffees remained in
eighth spot on the final day of the Premier League season.
Man of the match: Manuel Lanzini
Attention will now turn to the respective futures of David Moyes and
Allardyce, who praised Lanzini after a standout performance, but his side
were second best during a tired display in the capital. Mark Noble was
denied early on as Pickford produced a brilliant save low to his left after,
before Niasse pounced on a mistake by Angelo Ogbonna to force Adrian into a
smart stop with his legs. iasse's miss proved costly as seven minutes later,
West Ham were in front. There was an element of good fortune about the goal
as Cheikhou Kouyate's intended pass for Arnautovic ran through for Lanzini
to stroke his shot low to the right of Pickford's dive.
Everton began the game by playing three at the back, and duly changed to a
more familiar formation at the interval with Ramiro Funes Mori withdrawn,
but they only marginally improved before West Ham extended their lead.
Edimilson Fernandes, an early substitute for the injured Arthur Masuaku, fed
Arnautovic and the former Stoke City forward rolled Michael Keane before
unleashing a venomous shot from 25 yards that moved in the air on its way
past Pickford. Everton responded as Adrian tipped a powerful shot from
Niasse onto a post, and from the resulting corner the Senegalese forward was
rewarded for his endeavour, taking down Morgan Schneiderlin's header to fire
in from five yards out. But any hopes they had of salvaging something were
ended in fine style by Lanzini as he picked up Pablo Zabaleta's pass, cut
inside Seamus Coleman on the left and bent a superb right-foot shot that
curled beyond the outstretched Pickford and in off the post.
England watch
Aaron Cresswell: There remains an outside chance that Aaron Cresswell could
be named at least as one of Gareth Southgate's standy options given his
versatility and concerns over Danny Rose's fitness, and he produced another
assured display. He wouldn't let anyone down if he made the plane, but there
appears stronger options when everyone is fit.
Jordan Pickford: One of Everton's better performers again, Pickford could do
very little about West Ham's first and third goals but he may feel slightly
at fault for Arnautovic's goal, with the dipping shot flying past him. He
made a brilliant stop from Noble with the scores level, and he looks set for
the No 1 jersey.
Michael Keane: Any faint hopes the former Burnley defender may have had of
making a late dash for Russia were surely ended here after he was tormented
all afternoon, in particular by Arnautovic.
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini
The Argentine was at it from the first whistle as he combined brilliantly
with Arnautovic to stretch Everton on a day they were punished for
experimenting with three at the back. Two defenders were dragged towards
Arnautovic as Lanzini fired in the opener, and the diminutive midfielder
ended the contest in typical fashion, finding the top corner with a
brilliant strike. The 25-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged season, but
this was a timely reminder of the difference he makes to this West Ham team
when he's on song. Lanzini has been directly involved in 11 Premier League
goals this season (five goals, six assists), his best ever figures in an
English top-flight campaign.
Opta stats
David Moyes has won eight of his last nine meetings with Sam Allardyce in
the competition (L1), including each of his last six in a row.
Sam Allardyce has lost four of his last five final day games (D1), with his
last win coming with the Hammers against Reading in May 2013.
Everton have won just one of their last 15 away Premier League games in
London (D6 L8), winning 1-0 at Crystal Palace in January 2017
After failing to register a goal involvement in his first 11 Premier League
games for West Ham, Marko Arnautovic has scored 11 and assisted six in his
following 20 appearances.
Arnautovic has scored 11 Premier League goals this season, the most by a
West Ham player in a single top-flight campaign since Bobby Zamora in
2006-07 (also 11).
Oumar Niasse netted eight goals in the Premier League for Everton in 2017-18
- double his tally from his previous two top-flight campaigns (4).
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Marko Arnautovic's was 'unplayable' says West Ham boss David Moyes
Last Updated: 13/05/18 7:33pm
SSN
David Moyes hailed Marko Arnautovic's performance as 'unplayable' after West
Ham ended their season on a high with a 3-1 win over Everton at the London
Stadium. Arnautovic was named the club's player of the year due to the
quality of his performances during his debut season and he was influential
once more against Everton. The Austrian was involved in West Ham's first
goal scored by Manuel Lanzini and then got on the scoresheet himself with a
brilliant strike just beyond the hour mark. A second goal from Lanzini late
on restored West Ham's two-goal advantage after Oumar Niasse had struck for
Everton to ensure that West Ham won the game and finished 13th in the table.
West Ham United manager David Moyes was full of praise for the way his side
beat Everton 3-1 at the London Stadium in the Premier League. peaking
post-match, Moyes said: "What a great performance. It was a good game, the
players enjoyed it, I enjoyed watching it and we scored good goals," he
said. "Our play all day was really good, in recent weeks our form has been
really good, our football has improved, the players have got better, so
that's good. "Look at times he [Arnautovic] can be unplayable. He had other
opportunities, he was in on the keeper. When we came in we were in the
bottom three and we've ended up in 13th so I would have taken that all day
long, that's for sure."
West Ham's season reached a nadir in March when a 3-0 home defeat to Burnley
was marred by pitch invasions and protests in the stands. The club's
decision to head to Miami for a five-day warm weather training camp a few
days later was criticised by some but Moyes insisted that it was the turning
point in their season.
"Sometimes you've got to pat yourselves on the back because others don't! If
you'd have given me this at the start and a performance like we gave today
I'd be delighted," he said. "I think for me the decision to go to Miami was
a massive turnaround for us, I think we've only lost two games since we came
back. "It showed the togetherness and that the players were making the right
decisions and right choices, sometimes you've got to trust the managers and
let them get on with it.
"I'll speak with the club, things haven't changed over the next few days and
whatnot we'll have the chance to speak but everything is the same as it
was."
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West Ham United 2017/18 Premier League season review
Last Updated: 13/05/18 6:07pm
SSN
West Ham finished the 2017/18 Premier League season in 14th place.
Read on for our review of their campaign, complete with the views of Soccer
Saturday pundit Phil Thompson.
Finishing position: 13th (-2)
Total points: 42 (-3)
FA Cup: Fourth round
Carabao Cup: Quarter-finals
Top scorer: Marko Arnautovic (11)
West Ham's second season in the Olympic Stadium was even more turbulent than
their first. Expectations were raised by the summer signings of Marko
Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez and Joe Hart, but a dreadful start to the
campaign cost Slaven Bilic his job in November. Many supporters were
unimpressed when David Moyes was chosen to succeed him, and while results
did pick up in December, tempers spilled over when back-to-back 4-1 defeats
to Liverpool and Swansea were followed by a 3-0 reverse at home to Burnley.
The ugly scenes at the Olympic Stadium that day summed up the mood at the
club, but West Ham rallied in the remaining months of the season to avoid
relegation and move up to 13th place. It's a long way short of what was
expected when they left Upton Park behind, but it represents a job well done
by Moyes.
Best day of 2017/18
The 1-0 win over London rivals Chelsea in December, when Arnautovic's goal
gave West Ham fans something to savour.
Worst day of 2017/18
The 3-0 loss at home to Burnley was the nadir. Angry supporters invaded the
pitch and forced co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan to flee the
directors' box.
Managerial review
I think David Moyes should be in there with the top manager performances of
the season because of the emotional battles in that job, putting out fires
all over the place with fans, owners and players. He's had to use all of his
experience to keep them in the Premier League and prevent a potential
implosion.
Player of the year
I was shocked at how inept and disinterested Marko Arnautovic looked at the
start of the season. I covered the game against Southampton where he got
sent off for elbowing a centre-half. To have turned it around and become
such a key figure, a little like Wilfried Zaha at Palace, is really
impressive. Keeping David Moyes should be imperative to bringing stability
back to club and avoiding another relegation battle.
Phil Thompson
2018/19 prospects
I think they will have learnt from this season. Keeping David Moyes should
be imperative to bringing stability back to club and avoiding another
relegation battle.
Sky Bet relegation odds for 2018/19: 5/1
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th May 2018
Rice: We more than held our own against world class players
WHUFC.com
2017/18 has been a steep learning curve for Declan Rice, but the 19-year-old defender passed another test with flying colours on Thursday night by helping the Hammers to a creditable 0-0 draw against Manchester United.
Rice has now made 25 Premier League appearances in a breakthrough campaign and he was delighted to come out on top in a tussle with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.
The Red Devils' front three could find no way through against a Hammers backline who were keeping a second consecutive Premier League clean sheet for the first time in 2018.
West Ham's defensive solidity meant Rice could wear a broad smile as he left the London Stadium pitch on Thursday, able to tick off another useful experience.
"I think they've got some unbelievable players," he explained. "When you look at the team before the game and you see you're up against Sanchez, Lingard, Pogba, you know you're in for a tough night.
"I knew what I was up against, I analysed it, and we knew we had to come out with a clean sheet. It's another point and a good night all round.
"We have an understanding at the back and I think it's because we all get on so well. Off the pitch, me, Zab, Angelo, Cress, Arthur, they're all good lads. We talk to each other every day, we're always in meetings together analysing and we're ending the season strongly."
There is still one experience for Rice to come to round the season off as the Hammers entertain Everton on Sunday, and with the pressure of trying to secure Premier League safety off, he is convinced the team can go out and enjoy themselves.
He added: "To know we were safe at the weekend was a real relief and we could go out there on Thursday and enjoy it. Picking up another point was good, we've got Everton on Sunday now and we want to end strongly."
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Moyes: Finishing in the top half is a big incentive to beat Everton
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says the possibility of finishing in the Premier League's top ten is a 'big incentive' to defeat his former club Everton on Sunday.
West Ham United need to beat the Blues and hope five other results go their way to climb into the top half, but with Newcastle United facing Chelsea, Crystal Palace hosting resurgent West Bromwich Albion, AFC Bournemouth at Burnley, Watford at Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Liverpool, it is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Amazingly, with just one game to play, the Hammers could finish anywhere between tenth and 17th in the table, with a prospective extra £14million in prize money available should things go their way.
"Finishing in the top half is a big incentive, but the biggest thing for me and the real job was to ensure we remained a Premier League club, and we've got that job done," said Moyes.
"We're not celebrating staying up, but at times you do have to look at it as a good achievement from the position we were in.
"Also, when you look at the clubs who have gone down this year, as I don't think many people would have predicted the clubs who have gone down."
For Moyes, too, the prospect of managing against the club where he spent eleven seasons between 2002 and 2013, achieving nine top-eight finishes, and against one of his closest friends in the game, former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, are added motivation to finish the 2017/18 campaign on a winning note.
Moyes holds the upper hand over Big Sam historically, winning 12 of their 21 managerial clashes – the most victories he has over any single opposing manager – and losing just six.
"It's definitely still special for me Everton has always been a big game, so it'll be a big day, with Sam coming back here too, for both of us.
"In the years gone by, we've sat in opposite dugouts, not in this stadium, obviously, but in other stadiums."
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Noble: We can still finish this tough season on a high
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble believes West Ham United can end the season on a high when they host Everton on Sunday.
The Hammers could yet finish in the top ten should they beat the Blues at London Stadium and results elsewhere go their way.
Having won at Leicester City last weekend and more than held their own against Manchester United on home turf on Thursday evening, victory over Sam Allardyce's side will see West Ham go into the summer in a more positive frame of mind than they might have done following heavy defeats by Manchester City and Arsenal a few weeks ago.
"Our last two results have been very good, beating Leicester away and then drawing with Man U at home – four points, two clean sheets, safe in the Premier League with another home game to come," Noble observed.
"All in all, at the end of a ridiculously tough season, physically and mentally, to come away safe and potentially mid-table weirdly makes it OK. The feeling is it hasn't been a good season, but the league table might yet say it's been an OK season.
"Our target at the start of the season was to finish in the top half but, with all the stuff that has gone on this year, I'm proud of how we've come through it, particularly as a number of our players haven't been used to this sort of pressure. We've stuck at it and got safe."
On a lighter note, Noble also revealed that his son Lenny was none too impressed with his on-pitch altercation with Paul Pogba on Thursday evening.
The flashpoint occurred when Manchester United's France midfielder kicked out at the No16 near the end of a physical, hard-fought goalless draw, and Noble did not take the foul lying down.
Both players were booked for their part in the incident, but moments later enjoyed a light-hearted embrace at the final whistle.
The captain made light of the clash after the game, before revealing that Pogba is also one of his son's favourite players!
"The funny thing is that my son Lenny asked me if he could walk out with me before the game as he really wanted to see Pogba, then when I came out of the dressing room after the game, Lenny was having a photo with him, so I know where his loyalties lie!"
"I am one of Pogba's biggest fans. He gets more criticism than he deserves. He's at one of the biggest clubs in the world and is under a lot of pressure, but sometimes I think we should embrace players like that when they're in the Premier League, rather than criticise them.
"You can tell he really wants to do well and he's a top, top player. I just wanted to get close to him and tell him how good he is!
"At the end I wished him the best of luck in the FA Cup final and at the World Cup in the summer."
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Academy side complete Zurich tournament
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy finished their FIFA Youth Cup Blue Stars tournament campaign in sixth place on Thursday after a tough fifth-sixth play-off against Espanyol saw them defeated 2-0.
Having beaten hosts FC Blue Stars 3-0 before going down by the same scoreline on Wednesday to Dynamo Zagreb, the Hammers put themselves in a good position to finish high up in their Group B on Thursday.
First, they took on FC Zurich – playing in their own city – and put in a stellar performance to win 1-0.
The Hammers began the game on the front foot, and had their first meaningful attempt on goal when Joe Powell curled a free-kick over the bar after Vashon Neufville's speedy run towards goal was ended with a foul.
Some good play soon after from Nathan Holland and Sead Haksabanovic gave Domingos Quina the chance to shoot, but his effort was blocked.
West Ham continued to threaten in the first half, but Holland could only head narrowly over before Haksabanovic forced the keeper into a good save, meaning the sides went in at the break goalless.
ZurichInto the second half, it was clear a moment of quality wasting to be the deciding factor, and the Hammers got just that when Alfie Lewis slotted the ball through for Holland to calmly score and break the deadlock.
Holland continued to be a threat for West Ham, but the midfield trio of Conor Coventy, Lewis and Quina made sure it was three points for those in Claret and Blue.
And so it was into the final Group B match against SC Braga with the Hammers looking to finish in the top two.
And the early signs looked positive against the Portuguese outfit. Quina dictated the play, and Holland struck narrowly past the point early on.
But Braga took the lead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time when the Hammers failed to defend a corner, leading to a close-range tap-in to make it 1-0.
Early in the second half, Neufville had a penalty appeal turned down and Quina came close with a free-kick, before sub Korrey Henry forced a low save.
And in the closing minutes, Rosaire Longelo played Holland in down the left but his low effort flashed inches wide and the side could not quite find an equaliser as the game finished 1-0.
A third-place finish in the five-man group meant West Ham were to contest a fifth-sixth play-off against Spanish outfit Espanyol.
Early chances again came and went, as Holland had a low shot saved and Henry's long-range strike was batted away.
Espanyol took the lead after a cross from right was controlled in the box by a forward, who found the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
In the second half, Haksabanovic injected some energy into the attack and Henry was a handful, but as West Ham pushed for an equaliser, Espanyol broke and the striker slotted past keeper Rihards Matrevics after finding himself one-on-one.
And so the Hammers finished in sixth place overall, with their earlier opponents Dynamo Zagreb defeating Young Boys 2-0 in the final to take home the trophy.
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Five-star Hammers thrash Bermuda Select side
WHUFC.com
A five-star West Ham United U17 side were 5-1 winners over a Bermuda Select XI on Thursday in their second fixture at the Bermuda International Football Festival.
The east Londoners, who picked up a 1-1 draw in their opener against the country's U19s, took on the home outfit made up of the best young players in the top two Bermuda FA leagues.
The young Hammers started very well, playing on the front foot and attacking from the start. The early breakthrough came after a clever one-two from Bernardo Rosa and Evan Khouri, with the latter finishing superbly well on the volley to put the Hammers into the lead.
West Ham continued to dominate the game with the midfield players Bernardo Rosa, Louie Watson, Sebastian Nebyla, Evan Khouri and Jay Mingi, and it was no surprise when we went further ahead when again Evan Khouri landed on a lose ball to slot past the advancing keeper.
Early in the second half, the Hammers were again celebrating when Bermuda defender Seth Somner was caught in possession, allowing the impressive Emmanuel longelo to steam in on goal and sweep the ball home from close range.
Bernardo Rosa, playing as a withdrawn striker, extended West Ham's lead on the hour mark, crashing home a bouncing ball beyond substitute goalkeeper Shaquille Trott.
Summer signing Anouar El Mhassani missed a good opportunity for the Hammers soon after, forcing a fine save from Trott, while at the other end, Donovan Thompson, a second half introduction, saw an effort blocked and Jahiem Iris dragged a shot wide.
West Ham added a fifth when sub Kyle McGeachy effort took a wicked deflection off Somner before ballooning over the outstretched arms of Trott.
Bermuda Select pulled a goal back when Calin Maybury powered home a free-kick late on.
The Hammers will now prepare for a final group match against the Azores, heading into the fixture with a strong chance of qualification for the tournament's final having picked up four points already.
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West Ham United v Everton
SUN 13 MAY 2018PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: London Stadium
BBc.co.uk
TEAM NEWS
West Ham forward Jordan Hugill could make his first start since joining the club in January, with Javier Hernandez still nursing a knee injury.
Pedro Obiang and James Collins might be involved after spells on the sidelines.
Everton's Wayne Rooney has a knee problem and will not be risked but Theo Walcott could return from a calf issue.
Defender Mason Holgate, who has not played since mid-March because of an ankle injury, is in contention for a place in the squad.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
John Roder: "West Ham and Everton will surely want to consign this season to the history books.
"It's been an unsatisfactory and sometimes turbulent campaign, with both clubs changing managers in an attempt to make progress.
"Injury has denied Wayne Rooney the chance to make a possible Premier League farewell before a move to MLS in the United States, while David Moyes may be in charge of West Ham for the final time.
"Everton will finish in the top 10, while West Ham only secured their Premier League place last weekend. The end-of-season report for both clubs probably is 'could and should do better'."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager David Moyes on his future: "We'll have a chat next week and we'll see [whether I stay].
"It's been a tough job but a really good job. I've really enjoyed it and the players have worked hard when we came in; we had to get them in order a little bit and get them playing a bit better, and I think we've done that. It's a big achievement for us."
Everton manager Sam Allardyce on Wayne Rooney's future: "My understanding of the situation is there seems to have been some negotiation somewhere along the line.
"I don't get involved in anything with regards transfers so all I know is there appears to be interest from DC United. Where that lies and where Wayne lies with it I can't tell you at the moment."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Both men have done what was asked of them by keeping their sides up after being appointed in mid-season and, while David Moyes will get a say in his future, it could be that Everton decide that Sam Allardyce is surplus to requirements.
In terms of the game, I am going for Moyes to come out on top against his former club.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have won just one of the last 19 Premier League meetings: 3-2 at Goodison Park in March 2016.
Everton are unbeaten in nine away league games against the Hammers dating back to April 2007.
The Toffees have won 24 Premier League games against West Ham, more than they have against any other side.
West Ham United
They are aiming to avoid becoming the first team to lose more than 10 top-flight matches by at least a three-goal margin in a single season since West Brom in 1985-86.
David Moyes has lost all five of his Premier League games against his former club by an aggregate score of 0-12.
However, the Scotsman has won seven of his last eight league meetings with Sam Allardyce.
Marko Arnautovic has scored 10 league goals this season. Bobby Zamora was the last West Ham player to score 11 goals in a single Premier League season back in 2006-07.
Everton
After a run of five consecutive away defeats, Everton are unbeaten in their last three. They've not won back-to-back top-flight away games since September 2016.
The Toffees have won their final match in 52 different top-flight seasons, three more than any other side.
Only against Newcastle (15) has Wayne Rooney scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (14) - including a hat-trick against the Hammers in November.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 28%
Probability of home win: 42% Probability of away win: 30%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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Marko Arnautovic's form and a fan protest kept West Ham up, says David Moyes
BBC.co.uk
A fan protest and the form of Marko Arnautovic were the turning points as West Ham secured Premier League survival this season, says David Moyes.
Supporters invaded the pitch during a 3-0 home defeat by Burnley in March.
Meanwhile, Moyes replaced Slaven Bilic as boss in November, moving Arnautovic into a centre-forward position and seeing him score 10 times since.
"He's been a sensation up front, he's been playing as well as most strikers," Moyes told The Friday Football Social.
"Maybe he wasn't doing as much and not tracking back on the wing. Him going up front made a big difference."
The 29-year-old Austria international had predominantly been playing out wide since arriving from Stoke in the summer.
"The team think Marko has been the outstanding factor," added Moyes. "He's a big threat to whatever centre-half he is up against.
"Whoever he's up against he looks as if he can beat them, outrun them, he is stronger than them.
"At Stoke his technical abilities weren't in question. His attitude and commitment, at times you would look and think 'is he really interested?'. But he looks a different man up front, it's given him a bit of freedom, maybe not the responsibility of playing wide.
"It's made a big difference to the team."
'Risk for me taking West Ham job'
During the defeat by Burnley, at least two fans went onto the pitch after the visitors took the lead - with one approaching Hammers captain Mark Noble.
Another ran on with a corner flag shortly after Burnley scored their second, with further incursions after the Clarets struck a late third.
It was a third successive loss for Moyes' side and one that left them three points above the relegation zone. They have now climbed to 15th, securing Premier League football for next season.
"The other point was the game against Burnley when the supporters ran on the pitch," said Moyes.
"We went away afterwards as a group and we got a bit of criticism at the time, it may be the bravest thing I've done - the players pulled together and since we came back we picked up some really good points."
The 55-year-old Scot replaced Bilic with West Ham sitting 18th in the table, and says it was he who was taking a risk by going for the job.
"When we took over, we were on nine points in the bottom three," added the former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss.
"People might have thought it was a risk for West Ham to take David Moyes - but I didn't think it was. It was a risk for me to take a job in the bottom three."
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So hard to say sorry?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2018
By: Paul Walker
I've come round to thinking that David Moyes deserves an apology for the way he has been treated at our club.
In the week since we avoided relegation thanks to arguably our best away display of the season at Leicester, the torrent of abuse from the Twitter toads has continued unabated, to the point when you start to think you must be the only soul on the planet who thinks Moyes has done a half-decent job.
Not brilliant, not stunning flowing football, but he has just put a cheque for around £120m into David Sullivan's back pocket, and you would still think he is the most disliked man around, not a hint of thanks, of gratitude or relief that we are not on the point of financial meltdown.
David Gold, we know because he did it in front of a half dozen journalists in the tunnel at Leicester, sought out Moyes and congratulated him on the job well done. Since then nothing. Not a word on the official website from Sullivan. He doesn't have to give him a job, just say thanks because the world would be a much different place now had we followed Stoke and West Brom into the abyss.
When you have as much time to waste as I do now, you read every word from fans' forums and bloggers' websites, and in the end it gets on top of you. I started, tentatively this week, to answer back a bit.
Not a lot, because that just opens you up to a tirade of abuse yourself. But I soon realised that I had just scratched the surface, because out of the woodwork came plenty of folk who agreed that Moyes was not the anti-Christ he was being portrayed as .By the end of just one day I had fielded hundreds of posts in a similar vein.
No he is not Pep Guardiola, not the purveyor of brilliant football. But then he hasn't spent £400m in two transfer windows. So it's not likely to be the Beautiful Game at our place, is it?
But then when he arrived in November he wasn't told to change the world, just save us from the drop. Nine points then and in the bottom three, few thought he could do it. But with two games left we were safe.
But he still grates on many, and I can see why. Too defensive, too bland, too negative. No flair. Old school, the game had passed him by, we kept being told.
But by whom? The abuse was all over my phone before I even got home on Saturday. I worked out between Birmingham and Wolverhampton on the train that we were safe when Everton's equaliser went in. It did take many a few more hours, even days, to work out that Southampton and Swansea were playing each other and one of them could not get above us.
I celebrated with one of those overpriced warm gin and tonics in a can that trains serve up, but still the Moyes out, sack (Mark) Noble, brigade were at it. How many of them had seen the match remains to be ascertained.
These days our lives seem to be ruled by the mob, the ones with 50-word vocabularies of words that they can't spell. And, it seems, our Board are listening to them, being swayed by their decisions.
Now we can argue all those points fairly, but he was not told he had to stride the touchline in Pep's beautifully co-ordinated designer gear.
Not for him shopping at Oi Poloi, the trendy Manchester shop that flogs Pep all that Stone Island stuff (with the infamous badge taken off, naturally, sorry ICF) or the Dsqquqared shop where Manchester City players have accounts. (Go, on, you're impressed I know all this, aren't you?…I just have a son who does!)
Moyes looks like he has been dressed at Man at C&A. He never has been sharp or trendy, just not in his nature, maybe if he had Pep's money and team he would try.
The point being is he doesn't. He took over a dysfunctional, disinterested, unworkable squad, unbalanced, frequently injured and just not good enough. He was a bit shop-soiled himself, confidence battered, and he needed the job and his confidence back. Somehow he has got us to this stage.
Yes, he can sometimes look indecisive, but he has been trying to knock into shape a disorganised rabble who are capable of listening and producing a solid performance one game but forgetting everything they have been told the next. "Where did that come from?" Moyes once pronounced. Nobody knows, but the players made Moyes look bad. West Ham then were unfit and ill-disciplined, but he's taken on Michail Antonio and then Andy Carroll.
And no, I am not that bothered by all the talk about style and tactics. Any manager can coach whatever system you want given the right tools. Big Sam had Gary Speed, Nicholas Anelka and Jay Jay Okocha at Bolton and they were very entertaining then.
The Board, we heard were impressed by this and his hard work, scouting diligence and organisation for a potential new season. Someone had seemingly told him that if he saved us there would be a new contract.
That may have been only verbal, and Moyes will get £1m-plus for keeping us up. Small change from £120m, though. And a few weeks ago after the Chelsea away draw, the club were happy for the belief there was going to be a two-year contract for Moyes to gather credibility.
But then, of course, Moyes has had to endure the briefings from inside the club against him, as well as the shocking leaking of information from the training ground. The Board, we are told, have got the hump about this and have taken it as a slight on them. Good. If the cap fits, my old fella used to say, wear it.
It got so bad that experienced and respected journo Jacob Steinberg, a West Ham fan, from the Guardian was on Twitter slamming the "disingenuous PR campaign against Moyes" from inside the club, branding it "truly pathetic".
And he's right. Someone seemed to be testing the ground, searching for fans' opinions. And all this was coming ahead of the crucial Leicester game. You couldn't make it up sometimes… well, you don't have to at West Ham, such is the culture of such behaviour.
Whatever decision our board now make, I would plead with them to take no account of fans' polls, twitter campaigns, social media in any form. You should know more about this job than any of us do, you have had two decades doing it.
Fans are entitled to their opinions. Even when they are ill-informed. That's just the nature of football. But you should know more. If you have to make a decision fans don't like, so be it.
I bet Arsenal are not holding polls and twitter debates with their fans about Arsene Wenger's replacement, and I doubt Roman Abramovic gives the old boys from the Headhunters a call when he is replacing a manager. But of course Sullivan did ring the ICF for help, so anything is possible I suppose.
The point of issue this week is that Moyes has been blamed for the January transfer window shambles. Good grief. Now he took over on November 7, that's just 55 days before the window opened.
He was not given any real cash to spend, but saw three strikers, Toni Martinez (on loan), Diafra Sakho (£8m) and Andre Ayew (£18m) sold from under his feet in the last few days of the window.
With peanuts to spend he saw the Islam Slimani deal collapse overnight because of her Ladyship's daft column, and he had to find a body from somewhere at the last minute to make up numbers. Searching in the Championship was all he could manage, hence the arrival of Jordan Hugill.
A week before the window shut, Arthur Masuaku managed to get himself banned for six games and we didn't have a hint of a left back cover in the club. Patrice Evra was about all that was available. And then we sold Jose Fonte outside the window because Sullivan no doubt felt that £5m was the best he could get, and then Winston Reid and James Collins got injured, again.
And this is all Moyes' fault? Maybe someone could tell us exactly how much he had to spend and what deals had collapsed because he was dithering. But to blame him for January is a disgrace.
So now we have a new scenario. The transfer window opens on May 17 and closes on August 7, that's a few days before the Premier League season starts on August 11. Eighty-odd days to dismantle one squad of failures and buy new blood.
And the club still do not have a new head of recruitment (or whatever it's called), they lack scouting staff, an idea of what can be spent and any progress on the raft of improvements they have promised various fans' group. Not a day to lose then, as Tony Gale pointed out, straight-faced on Sky this week.
But, of course, there's a list of managerial names we are looking at. Some are laughable, hugely expensive and would want £150m to spend minimum. Next level managers that are beyond us financial, certainly in wages.
There's a group that will be gambles, however you look at it. Alan Sugar used to call the foreign hopefuls 'Carlos Kickaballs.' I suppose we are looking at a list of 'Mario Coachaballs' now are we? Sean Dyche will want to stay at Burnley now he is entrenched and in Europe, Eddie Howe has looked out of his comfort zone when he leaves Bournemouth. A real gamble that.
There's Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham, a good shout maybe. But there's no Premier League experience for this product of Jordi Cruyff's coaching school in Israel, where his famous father's football beliefs are being taught.
Slavisa took Watford into the top flight, but never stayed. Then we have another former Watford man, Marco Silva, who took Hull down. He got the hump when he was tapped up by Everton and not allowed to leave. A gamble? Too right.
So unless Sullivan and Gold can pull a glittering rabbit from the hat in the next week or so, they may be left with Moyes.
But then Moyes knows his worth again now. He is held in far higher esteem in the football world, in particular the coaching and managerial world, than he seemingly is at West Ham. They never doubted his knowledge, experience or talent but wanted to see whether he had lost his nerve or not.
The way he breezed into Stratford and stamped authority of our rabble soon dispelled that. Now he has other offers waiting. One is at Stoke.
Interestingly, Steinberg alluded to this in his article this week. It, I say a little smugly, confirms an article I wrote on KUMB a few months back when I said that Moyes had been approached by a northern club.
That information came from a friend and former international I had a chance meeting with on a railway platform. I decided not to name the club then, but it was true and they are still very interested.
But Moyes has now cleverly put the ball back in the court of our Board, asking what their ambition is and how much money they are prepared to give him to carry out the detailed transfer plans he and Alan Irvine have already got in place.
Any potential new manager would ask the same thing of our leaders. So it's down to them. Will you spend big to give a manager the chance to compete for a top eight position, or will you carry on with the same discredited policy you have in place now, and having said you will change the whole thing from top to bottom.
Up to you Mr. Sullivan. If you want another season of discontent then keep going the way you are. If you want a steady hand to run the show, then Moyes looks about the best available. But don't take too long, time is ticking. And you still haven't said thank you.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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West Ham v Everton preview: Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott to be assessed
Last Updated: 11/05/18 11:56am
SSN
Everton will assess the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott ahead of their trip to West Ham on the final day of the Premier League season.
Rooney (calf) and Walcott (knee) missed last weekend's draw at home to Southampton but could be in line for a recall, and the former could be making his final Toffees appearance after he was linked with a move to MLS side DC United.
But manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that Rooney has not yet asked to leave the club, saying: "My understanding is there seems to have been some negotiation along the line but as for clarity as to whether Wayne is staying or going we'll see later on.
"I'm comfortable with any player who wants to leave but let's get this clear. Wayne Rooney has not asked to leave and neither has Wayne Rooney had a confrontation with me. We have not been in any difficult situations with me. We are two adults and we talk."
West Ham manager David Moyes will be coming up against his former side on Sunday. The Scot has lost all five of his Premier League games against Everton since he left by an aggregate score of 12-0.
Team news
Gylfi Sigurdsson has still not recovered from a knee operation two months ago and will not feature for Everton but Mason Holgate, who has not played since mid-March because of an ankle injury, could be included in the squad.
West Ham could still be without Javier Hernandez for their final Premier League game of the season. The Mexico striker has missed the last two games with a knee problem and is likely to be absent again, with manager Moyes keen to give January signing Jordan Hugill a run-out.
Hernandez is the only fitness concern for the Hammers boss, who could bring Pedro Obiang and James Collins back into his squad after their own respective spells on the sidelines.
Opta stats
West Ham have won just one of their last 19 Premier League meetings with Everton (D6 L12), winning 3-2 at Goodison Park in March 2016.
Indeed, Everton are unbeaten in their last nine away league games against the Hammers (W6 D3) since a 1-0 loss in April 2007.
After a run of five consecutive away defeats, Everton are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games on the road (W2 D1). They've not won back-to-back top-flight away games since September 2016, which included a 3-0 win at David Moyes' Sunderland.
Everton have won their final match in 52 different top-flight seasons, three more than any other side.
However, the Scotsman has won seven of his last eight meetings with Sam Allardyce in the competition (L1), including each of his last five in a row.
Only against Newcastle (15) has Wayne Rooney scored more Premier League goals than he has vs West Ham (14), with the veteran netting his first Everton hat-trick in the reverse fixture in November.
Everton have won just one of their last 14 away Premier League games in London (D6 L7), winning 1-0 at Crystal Palace in January 2017, who were managed at the time by Sam Allardyce.
Merson's predictions
It depends what teams the managers put out but when I was playing for nothing on the final game of the season, I went out there and expressed myself.
They've picked up a bit recently, West Ham, and Everton aren't going to score a load of goals away from home. There's still some grumbling against the manager too. Narrow home win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
2017/18 has been a steep learning curve for Declan Rice, but the 19-year-old defender passed another test with flying colours on Thursday night by helping the Hammers to a creditable 0-0 draw against Manchester United.
Rice has now made 25 Premier League appearances in a breakthrough campaign and he was delighted to come out on top in a tussle with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.
The Red Devils' front three could find no way through against a Hammers backline who were keeping a second consecutive Premier League clean sheet for the first time in 2018.
West Ham's defensive solidity meant Rice could wear a broad smile as he left the London Stadium pitch on Thursday, able to tick off another useful experience.
"I think they've got some unbelievable players," he explained. "When you look at the team before the game and you see you're up against Sanchez, Lingard, Pogba, you know you're in for a tough night.
"I knew what I was up against, I analysed it, and we knew we had to come out with a clean sheet. It's another point and a good night all round.
"We have an understanding at the back and I think it's because we all get on so well. Off the pitch, me, Zab, Angelo, Cress, Arthur, they're all good lads. We talk to each other every day, we're always in meetings together analysing and we're ending the season strongly."
There is still one experience for Rice to come to round the season off as the Hammers entertain Everton on Sunday, and with the pressure of trying to secure Premier League safety off, he is convinced the team can go out and enjoy themselves.
He added: "To know we were safe at the weekend was a real relief and we could go out there on Thursday and enjoy it. Picking up another point was good, we've got Everton on Sunday now and we want to end strongly."
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Moyes: Finishing in the top half is a big incentive to beat Everton
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says the possibility of finishing in the Premier League's top ten is a 'big incentive' to defeat his former club Everton on Sunday.
West Ham United need to beat the Blues and hope five other results go their way to climb into the top half, but with Newcastle United facing Chelsea, Crystal Palace hosting resurgent West Bromwich Albion, AFC Bournemouth at Burnley, Watford at Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Liverpool, it is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Amazingly, with just one game to play, the Hammers could finish anywhere between tenth and 17th in the table, with a prospective extra £14million in prize money available should things go their way.
"Finishing in the top half is a big incentive, but the biggest thing for me and the real job was to ensure we remained a Premier League club, and we've got that job done," said Moyes.
"We're not celebrating staying up, but at times you do have to look at it as a good achievement from the position we were in.
"Also, when you look at the clubs who have gone down this year, as I don't think many people would have predicted the clubs who have gone down."
For Moyes, too, the prospect of managing against the club where he spent eleven seasons between 2002 and 2013, achieving nine top-eight finishes, and against one of his closest friends in the game, former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, are added motivation to finish the 2017/18 campaign on a winning note.
Moyes holds the upper hand over Big Sam historically, winning 12 of their 21 managerial clashes – the most victories he has over any single opposing manager – and losing just six.
"It's definitely still special for me Everton has always been a big game, so it'll be a big day, with Sam coming back here too, for both of us.
"In the years gone by, we've sat in opposite dugouts, not in this stadium, obviously, but in other stadiums."
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Noble: We can still finish this tough season on a high
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble believes West Ham United can end the season on a high when they host Everton on Sunday.
The Hammers could yet finish in the top ten should they beat the Blues at London Stadium and results elsewhere go their way.
Having won at Leicester City last weekend and more than held their own against Manchester United on home turf on Thursday evening, victory over Sam Allardyce's side will see West Ham go into the summer in a more positive frame of mind than they might have done following heavy defeats by Manchester City and Arsenal a few weeks ago.
"Our last two results have been very good, beating Leicester away and then drawing with Man U at home – four points, two clean sheets, safe in the Premier League with another home game to come," Noble observed.
"All in all, at the end of a ridiculously tough season, physically and mentally, to come away safe and potentially mid-table weirdly makes it OK. The feeling is it hasn't been a good season, but the league table might yet say it's been an OK season.
"Our target at the start of the season was to finish in the top half but, with all the stuff that has gone on this year, I'm proud of how we've come through it, particularly as a number of our players haven't been used to this sort of pressure. We've stuck at it and got safe."
On a lighter note, Noble also revealed that his son Lenny was none too impressed with his on-pitch altercation with Paul Pogba on Thursday evening.
The flashpoint occurred when Manchester United's France midfielder kicked out at the No16 near the end of a physical, hard-fought goalless draw, and Noble did not take the foul lying down.
Both players were booked for their part in the incident, but moments later enjoyed a light-hearted embrace at the final whistle.
The captain made light of the clash after the game, before revealing that Pogba is also one of his son's favourite players!
"The funny thing is that my son Lenny asked me if he could walk out with me before the game as he really wanted to see Pogba, then when I came out of the dressing room after the game, Lenny was having a photo with him, so I know where his loyalties lie!"
"I am one of Pogba's biggest fans. He gets more criticism than he deserves. He's at one of the biggest clubs in the world and is under a lot of pressure, but sometimes I think we should embrace players like that when they're in the Premier League, rather than criticise them.
"You can tell he really wants to do well and he's a top, top player. I just wanted to get close to him and tell him how good he is!
"At the end I wished him the best of luck in the FA Cup final and at the World Cup in the summer."
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Academy side complete Zurich tournament
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy finished their FIFA Youth Cup Blue Stars tournament campaign in sixth place on Thursday after a tough fifth-sixth play-off against Espanyol saw them defeated 2-0.
Having beaten hosts FC Blue Stars 3-0 before going down by the same scoreline on Wednesday to Dynamo Zagreb, the Hammers put themselves in a good position to finish high up in their Group B on Thursday.
First, they took on FC Zurich – playing in their own city – and put in a stellar performance to win 1-0.
The Hammers began the game on the front foot, and had their first meaningful attempt on goal when Joe Powell curled a free-kick over the bar after Vashon Neufville's speedy run towards goal was ended with a foul.
Some good play soon after from Nathan Holland and Sead Haksabanovic gave Domingos Quina the chance to shoot, but his effort was blocked.
West Ham continued to threaten in the first half, but Holland could only head narrowly over before Haksabanovic forced the keeper into a good save, meaning the sides went in at the break goalless.
ZurichInto the second half, it was clear a moment of quality wasting to be the deciding factor, and the Hammers got just that when Alfie Lewis slotted the ball through for Holland to calmly score and break the deadlock.
Holland continued to be a threat for West Ham, but the midfield trio of Conor Coventy, Lewis and Quina made sure it was three points for those in Claret and Blue.
And so it was into the final Group B match against SC Braga with the Hammers looking to finish in the top two.
And the early signs looked positive against the Portuguese outfit. Quina dictated the play, and Holland struck narrowly past the point early on.
But Braga took the lead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time when the Hammers failed to defend a corner, leading to a close-range tap-in to make it 1-0.
Early in the second half, Neufville had a penalty appeal turned down and Quina came close with a free-kick, before sub Korrey Henry forced a low save.
And in the closing minutes, Rosaire Longelo played Holland in down the left but his low effort flashed inches wide and the side could not quite find an equaliser as the game finished 1-0.
A third-place finish in the five-man group meant West Ham were to contest a fifth-sixth play-off against Spanish outfit Espanyol.
Early chances again came and went, as Holland had a low shot saved and Henry's long-range strike was batted away.
Espanyol took the lead after a cross from right was controlled in the box by a forward, who found the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
In the second half, Haksabanovic injected some energy into the attack and Henry was a handful, but as West Ham pushed for an equaliser, Espanyol broke and the striker slotted past keeper Rihards Matrevics after finding himself one-on-one.
And so the Hammers finished in sixth place overall, with their earlier opponents Dynamo Zagreb defeating Young Boys 2-0 in the final to take home the trophy.
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Five-star Hammers thrash Bermuda Select side
WHUFC.com
A five-star West Ham United U17 side were 5-1 winners over a Bermuda Select XI on Thursday in their second fixture at the Bermuda International Football Festival.
The east Londoners, who picked up a 1-1 draw in their opener against the country's U19s, took on the home outfit made up of the best young players in the top two Bermuda FA leagues.
The young Hammers started very well, playing on the front foot and attacking from the start. The early breakthrough came after a clever one-two from Bernardo Rosa and Evan Khouri, with the latter finishing superbly well on the volley to put the Hammers into the lead.
West Ham continued to dominate the game with the midfield players Bernardo Rosa, Louie Watson, Sebastian Nebyla, Evan Khouri and Jay Mingi, and it was no surprise when we went further ahead when again Evan Khouri landed on a lose ball to slot past the advancing keeper.
Early in the second half, the Hammers were again celebrating when Bermuda defender Seth Somner was caught in possession, allowing the impressive Emmanuel longelo to steam in on goal and sweep the ball home from close range.
Bernardo Rosa, playing as a withdrawn striker, extended West Ham's lead on the hour mark, crashing home a bouncing ball beyond substitute goalkeeper Shaquille Trott.
Summer signing Anouar El Mhassani missed a good opportunity for the Hammers soon after, forcing a fine save from Trott, while at the other end, Donovan Thompson, a second half introduction, saw an effort blocked and Jahiem Iris dragged a shot wide.
West Ham added a fifth when sub Kyle McGeachy effort took a wicked deflection off Somner before ballooning over the outstretched arms of Trott.
Bermuda Select pulled a goal back when Calin Maybury powered home a free-kick late on.
The Hammers will now prepare for a final group match against the Azores, heading into the fixture with a strong chance of qualification for the tournament's final having picked up four points already.
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West Ham United v Everton
SUN 13 MAY 2018PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00
Venue: London Stadium
BBc.co.uk
TEAM NEWS
West Ham forward Jordan Hugill could make his first start since joining the club in January, with Javier Hernandez still nursing a knee injury.
Pedro Obiang and James Collins might be involved after spells on the sidelines.
Everton's Wayne Rooney has a knee problem and will not be risked but Theo Walcott could return from a calf issue.
Defender Mason Holgate, who has not played since mid-March because of an ankle injury, is in contention for a place in the squad.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
John Roder: "West Ham and Everton will surely want to consign this season to the history books.
"It's been an unsatisfactory and sometimes turbulent campaign, with both clubs changing managers in an attempt to make progress.
"Injury has denied Wayne Rooney the chance to make a possible Premier League farewell before a move to MLS in the United States, while David Moyes may be in charge of West Ham for the final time.
"Everton will finish in the top 10, while West Ham only secured their Premier League place last weekend. The end-of-season report for both clubs probably is 'could and should do better'."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager David Moyes on his future: "We'll have a chat next week and we'll see [whether I stay].
"It's been a tough job but a really good job. I've really enjoyed it and the players have worked hard when we came in; we had to get them in order a little bit and get them playing a bit better, and I think we've done that. It's a big achievement for us."
Everton manager Sam Allardyce on Wayne Rooney's future: "My understanding of the situation is there seems to have been some negotiation somewhere along the line.
"I don't get involved in anything with regards transfers so all I know is there appears to be interest from DC United. Where that lies and where Wayne lies with it I can't tell you at the moment."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Both men have done what was asked of them by keeping their sides up after being appointed in mid-season and, while David Moyes will get a say in his future, it could be that Everton decide that Sam Allardyce is surplus to requirements.
In terms of the game, I am going for Moyes to come out on top against his former club.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have won just one of the last 19 Premier League meetings: 3-2 at Goodison Park in March 2016.
Everton are unbeaten in nine away league games against the Hammers dating back to April 2007.
The Toffees have won 24 Premier League games against West Ham, more than they have against any other side.
West Ham United
They are aiming to avoid becoming the first team to lose more than 10 top-flight matches by at least a three-goal margin in a single season since West Brom in 1985-86.
David Moyes has lost all five of his Premier League games against his former club by an aggregate score of 0-12.
However, the Scotsman has won seven of his last eight league meetings with Sam Allardyce.
Marko Arnautovic has scored 10 league goals this season. Bobby Zamora was the last West Ham player to score 11 goals in a single Premier League season back in 2006-07.
Everton
After a run of five consecutive away defeats, Everton are unbeaten in their last three. They've not won back-to-back top-flight away games since September 2016.
The Toffees have won their final match in 52 different top-flight seasons, three more than any other side.
Only against Newcastle (15) has Wayne Rooney scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (14) - including a hat-trick against the Hammers in November.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 28%
Probability of home win: 42% Probability of away win: 30%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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Marko Arnautovic's form and a fan protest kept West Ham up, says David Moyes
BBC.co.uk
A fan protest and the form of Marko Arnautovic were the turning points as West Ham secured Premier League survival this season, says David Moyes.
Supporters invaded the pitch during a 3-0 home defeat by Burnley in March.
Meanwhile, Moyes replaced Slaven Bilic as boss in November, moving Arnautovic into a centre-forward position and seeing him score 10 times since.
"He's been a sensation up front, he's been playing as well as most strikers," Moyes told The Friday Football Social.
"Maybe he wasn't doing as much and not tracking back on the wing. Him going up front made a big difference."
The 29-year-old Austria international had predominantly been playing out wide since arriving from Stoke in the summer.
"The team think Marko has been the outstanding factor," added Moyes. "He's a big threat to whatever centre-half he is up against.
"Whoever he's up against he looks as if he can beat them, outrun them, he is stronger than them.
"At Stoke his technical abilities weren't in question. His attitude and commitment, at times you would look and think 'is he really interested?'. But he looks a different man up front, it's given him a bit of freedom, maybe not the responsibility of playing wide.
"It's made a big difference to the team."
'Risk for me taking West Ham job'
During the defeat by Burnley, at least two fans went onto the pitch after the visitors took the lead - with one approaching Hammers captain Mark Noble.
Another ran on with a corner flag shortly after Burnley scored their second, with further incursions after the Clarets struck a late third.
It was a third successive loss for Moyes' side and one that left them three points above the relegation zone. They have now climbed to 15th, securing Premier League football for next season.
"The other point was the game against Burnley when the supporters ran on the pitch," said Moyes.
"We went away afterwards as a group and we got a bit of criticism at the time, it may be the bravest thing I've done - the players pulled together and since we came back we picked up some really good points."
The 55-year-old Scot replaced Bilic with West Ham sitting 18th in the table, and says it was he who was taking a risk by going for the job.
"When we took over, we were on nine points in the bottom three," added the former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss.
"People might have thought it was a risk for West Ham to take David Moyes - but I didn't think it was. It was a risk for me to take a job in the bottom three."
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So hard to say sorry?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2018
By: Paul Walker
I've come round to thinking that David Moyes deserves an apology for the way he has been treated at our club.
In the week since we avoided relegation thanks to arguably our best away display of the season at Leicester, the torrent of abuse from the Twitter toads has continued unabated, to the point when you start to think you must be the only soul on the planet who thinks Moyes has done a half-decent job.
Not brilliant, not stunning flowing football, but he has just put a cheque for around £120m into David Sullivan's back pocket, and you would still think he is the most disliked man around, not a hint of thanks, of gratitude or relief that we are not on the point of financial meltdown.
David Gold, we know because he did it in front of a half dozen journalists in the tunnel at Leicester, sought out Moyes and congratulated him on the job well done. Since then nothing. Not a word on the official website from Sullivan. He doesn't have to give him a job, just say thanks because the world would be a much different place now had we followed Stoke and West Brom into the abyss.
When you have as much time to waste as I do now, you read every word from fans' forums and bloggers' websites, and in the end it gets on top of you. I started, tentatively this week, to answer back a bit.
Not a lot, because that just opens you up to a tirade of abuse yourself. But I soon realised that I had just scratched the surface, because out of the woodwork came plenty of folk who agreed that Moyes was not the anti-Christ he was being portrayed as .By the end of just one day I had fielded hundreds of posts in a similar vein.
No he is not Pep Guardiola, not the purveyor of brilliant football. But then he hasn't spent £400m in two transfer windows. So it's not likely to be the Beautiful Game at our place, is it?
But then when he arrived in November he wasn't told to change the world, just save us from the drop. Nine points then and in the bottom three, few thought he could do it. But with two games left we were safe.
But he still grates on many, and I can see why. Too defensive, too bland, too negative. No flair. Old school, the game had passed him by, we kept being told.
But by whom? The abuse was all over my phone before I even got home on Saturday. I worked out between Birmingham and Wolverhampton on the train that we were safe when Everton's equaliser went in. It did take many a few more hours, even days, to work out that Southampton and Swansea were playing each other and one of them could not get above us.
I celebrated with one of those overpriced warm gin and tonics in a can that trains serve up, but still the Moyes out, sack (Mark) Noble, brigade were at it. How many of them had seen the match remains to be ascertained.
These days our lives seem to be ruled by the mob, the ones with 50-word vocabularies of words that they can't spell. And, it seems, our Board are listening to them, being swayed by their decisions.
Now we can argue all those points fairly, but he was not told he had to stride the touchline in Pep's beautifully co-ordinated designer gear.
Not for him shopping at Oi Poloi, the trendy Manchester shop that flogs Pep all that Stone Island stuff (with the infamous badge taken off, naturally, sorry ICF) or the Dsqquqared shop where Manchester City players have accounts. (Go, on, you're impressed I know all this, aren't you?…I just have a son who does!)
Moyes looks like he has been dressed at Man at C&A. He never has been sharp or trendy, just not in his nature, maybe if he had Pep's money and team he would try.
The point being is he doesn't. He took over a dysfunctional, disinterested, unworkable squad, unbalanced, frequently injured and just not good enough. He was a bit shop-soiled himself, confidence battered, and he needed the job and his confidence back. Somehow he has got us to this stage.
Yes, he can sometimes look indecisive, but he has been trying to knock into shape a disorganised rabble who are capable of listening and producing a solid performance one game but forgetting everything they have been told the next. "Where did that come from?" Moyes once pronounced. Nobody knows, but the players made Moyes look bad. West Ham then were unfit and ill-disciplined, but he's taken on Michail Antonio and then Andy Carroll.
And no, I am not that bothered by all the talk about style and tactics. Any manager can coach whatever system you want given the right tools. Big Sam had Gary Speed, Nicholas Anelka and Jay Jay Okocha at Bolton and they were very entertaining then.
The Board, we heard were impressed by this and his hard work, scouting diligence and organisation for a potential new season. Someone had seemingly told him that if he saved us there would be a new contract.
That may have been only verbal, and Moyes will get £1m-plus for keeping us up. Small change from £120m, though. And a few weeks ago after the Chelsea away draw, the club were happy for the belief there was going to be a two-year contract for Moyes to gather credibility.
But then, of course, Moyes has had to endure the briefings from inside the club against him, as well as the shocking leaking of information from the training ground. The Board, we are told, have got the hump about this and have taken it as a slight on them. Good. If the cap fits, my old fella used to say, wear it.
It got so bad that experienced and respected journo Jacob Steinberg, a West Ham fan, from the Guardian was on Twitter slamming the "disingenuous PR campaign against Moyes" from inside the club, branding it "truly pathetic".
And he's right. Someone seemed to be testing the ground, searching for fans' opinions. And all this was coming ahead of the crucial Leicester game. You couldn't make it up sometimes… well, you don't have to at West Ham, such is the culture of such behaviour.
Whatever decision our board now make, I would plead with them to take no account of fans' polls, twitter campaigns, social media in any form. You should know more about this job than any of us do, you have had two decades doing it.
Fans are entitled to their opinions. Even when they are ill-informed. That's just the nature of football. But you should know more. If you have to make a decision fans don't like, so be it.
I bet Arsenal are not holding polls and twitter debates with their fans about Arsene Wenger's replacement, and I doubt Roman Abramovic gives the old boys from the Headhunters a call when he is replacing a manager. But of course Sullivan did ring the ICF for help, so anything is possible I suppose.
The point of issue this week is that Moyes has been blamed for the January transfer window shambles. Good grief. Now he took over on November 7, that's just 55 days before the window opened.
He was not given any real cash to spend, but saw three strikers, Toni Martinez (on loan), Diafra Sakho (£8m) and Andre Ayew (£18m) sold from under his feet in the last few days of the window.
With peanuts to spend he saw the Islam Slimani deal collapse overnight because of her Ladyship's daft column, and he had to find a body from somewhere at the last minute to make up numbers. Searching in the Championship was all he could manage, hence the arrival of Jordan Hugill.
A week before the window shut, Arthur Masuaku managed to get himself banned for six games and we didn't have a hint of a left back cover in the club. Patrice Evra was about all that was available. And then we sold Jose Fonte outside the window because Sullivan no doubt felt that £5m was the best he could get, and then Winston Reid and James Collins got injured, again.
And this is all Moyes' fault? Maybe someone could tell us exactly how much he had to spend and what deals had collapsed because he was dithering. But to blame him for January is a disgrace.
So now we have a new scenario. The transfer window opens on May 17 and closes on August 7, that's a few days before the Premier League season starts on August 11. Eighty-odd days to dismantle one squad of failures and buy new blood.
And the club still do not have a new head of recruitment (or whatever it's called), they lack scouting staff, an idea of what can be spent and any progress on the raft of improvements they have promised various fans' group. Not a day to lose then, as Tony Gale pointed out, straight-faced on Sky this week.
But, of course, there's a list of managerial names we are looking at. Some are laughable, hugely expensive and would want £150m to spend minimum. Next level managers that are beyond us financial, certainly in wages.
There's a group that will be gambles, however you look at it. Alan Sugar used to call the foreign hopefuls 'Carlos Kickaballs.' I suppose we are looking at a list of 'Mario Coachaballs' now are we? Sean Dyche will want to stay at Burnley now he is entrenched and in Europe, Eddie Howe has looked out of his comfort zone when he leaves Bournemouth. A real gamble that.
There's Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham, a good shout maybe. But there's no Premier League experience for this product of Jordi Cruyff's coaching school in Israel, where his famous father's football beliefs are being taught.
Slavisa took Watford into the top flight, but never stayed. Then we have another former Watford man, Marco Silva, who took Hull down. He got the hump when he was tapped up by Everton and not allowed to leave. A gamble? Too right.
So unless Sullivan and Gold can pull a glittering rabbit from the hat in the next week or so, they may be left with Moyes.
But then Moyes knows his worth again now. He is held in far higher esteem in the football world, in particular the coaching and managerial world, than he seemingly is at West Ham. They never doubted his knowledge, experience or talent but wanted to see whether he had lost his nerve or not.
The way he breezed into Stratford and stamped authority of our rabble soon dispelled that. Now he has other offers waiting. One is at Stoke.
Interestingly, Steinberg alluded to this in his article this week. It, I say a little smugly, confirms an article I wrote on KUMB a few months back when I said that Moyes had been approached by a northern club.
That information came from a friend and former international I had a chance meeting with on a railway platform. I decided not to name the club then, but it was true and they are still very interested.
But Moyes has now cleverly put the ball back in the court of our Board, asking what their ambition is and how much money they are prepared to give him to carry out the detailed transfer plans he and Alan Irvine have already got in place.
Any potential new manager would ask the same thing of our leaders. So it's down to them. Will you spend big to give a manager the chance to compete for a top eight position, or will you carry on with the same discredited policy you have in place now, and having said you will change the whole thing from top to bottom.
Up to you Mr. Sullivan. If you want another season of discontent then keep going the way you are. If you want a steady hand to run the show, then Moyes looks about the best available. But don't take too long, time is ticking. And you still haven't said thank you.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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West Ham v Everton preview: Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott to be assessed
Last Updated: 11/05/18 11:56am
SSN
Everton will assess the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott ahead of their trip to West Ham on the final day of the Premier League season.
Rooney (calf) and Walcott (knee) missed last weekend's draw at home to Southampton but could be in line for a recall, and the former could be making his final Toffees appearance after he was linked with a move to MLS side DC United.
But manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that Rooney has not yet asked to leave the club, saying: "My understanding is there seems to have been some negotiation along the line but as for clarity as to whether Wayne is staying or going we'll see later on.
"I'm comfortable with any player who wants to leave but let's get this clear. Wayne Rooney has not asked to leave and neither has Wayne Rooney had a confrontation with me. We have not been in any difficult situations with me. We are two adults and we talk."
West Ham manager David Moyes will be coming up against his former side on Sunday. The Scot has lost all five of his Premier League games against Everton since he left by an aggregate score of 12-0.
Team news
Gylfi Sigurdsson has still not recovered from a knee operation two months ago and will not feature for Everton but Mason Holgate, who has not played since mid-March because of an ankle injury, could be included in the squad.
West Ham could still be without Javier Hernandez for their final Premier League game of the season. The Mexico striker has missed the last two games with a knee problem and is likely to be absent again, with manager Moyes keen to give January signing Jordan Hugill a run-out.
Hernandez is the only fitness concern for the Hammers boss, who could bring Pedro Obiang and James Collins back into his squad after their own respective spells on the sidelines.
Opta stats
West Ham have won just one of their last 19 Premier League meetings with Everton (D6 L12), winning 3-2 at Goodison Park in March 2016.
Indeed, Everton are unbeaten in their last nine away league games against the Hammers (W6 D3) since a 1-0 loss in April 2007.
After a run of five consecutive away defeats, Everton are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games on the road (W2 D1). They've not won back-to-back top-flight away games since September 2016, which included a 3-0 win at David Moyes' Sunderland.
Everton have won their final match in 52 different top-flight seasons, three more than any other side.
However, the Scotsman has won seven of his last eight meetings with Sam Allardyce in the competition (L1), including each of his last five in a row.
Only against Newcastle (15) has Wayne Rooney scored more Premier League goals than he has vs West Ham (14), with the veteran netting his first Everton hat-trick in the reverse fixture in November.
Everton have won just one of their last 14 away Premier League games in London (D6 L7), winning 1-0 at Crystal Palace in January 2017, who were managed at the time by Sam Allardyce.
Merson's predictions
It depends what teams the managers put out but when I was playing for nothing on the final game of the season, I went out there and expressed myself.
They've picked up a bit recently, West Ham, and Everton aren't going to score a load of goals away from home. There's still some grumbling against the manager too. Narrow home win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0
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