WHUFC.com
01.12.2008
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v West Ham United
Anfield
Monday 1 December 8pm
Referee: Peter Walton
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte
86), Parker, Mullins, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Davenport, Noble, Collison, Tristan, Di Michele
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Dossena, Benayoun, Gerrard,
Alonso, Riera (Babel 78), Kuyt, Keane (Ngog 66)
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Agger, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Insua.
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Goalless at Anfield
WHUFC.com
West Ham United came within an inch of taking all three points against
Liverpool on Monday
01.12.2008
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United
West Ham United climbed back up to 13th in the Premier League table after
grinding out a hard-fought goalless draw at Liverpool.
The Hammers produced a resolute, resilient display and could even have
stolen their first win at Anfield since September 1963 had Craig Bellamy's
25-yard special gone in instead of cannoning back off Jose Reina's left-hand
post. While the Reds unquestionably controlled the game for long periods,
United held firm to snatch what could be a vital point on Merseyside. And it
could have even been all three had former Liverpool striker Bellamy seen his
viciously swerving effort bounce in rather than behind the Spanish
goalkeeper and away to safety eight minutes before half-time.
Gianfranco Zola made one enforced change from the side that were victorious
at the Stadium of Light, bringing in Hayden Mullins for the injured Lee
Bowyer,who had a slight knock from the previous week. Diego Tristan and Mark
Noble were both fit enough for places on the bench.
For the opening half-hour, in particular, it appeared only a matter of time
before the title-chasing home side turned their dominance into an opening
goal.
Twice within the first nine minutes, referee Peter Walton correctly turned
down loud penalty appeals after Herita Ilunga had accidentally blocked
attempted crosses from former Hammer Yossi Benayoun and Dutchman Dirk Kuyt.
Next, James Collins had to be alert to clear Albert Riera's first-time shot
off the line after Robert Green had punched Steven Gerrard's cross into his
path. Then having seen Sami Hyypia nod Gerrard's corner on to the roof of
the net, Carlton Cole was on hand to hack the Finn's goalbound header clear.
Only 21 minutes had past and West Ham United were bending, but they did not
break.
Having been galvanised by Bellamy's thunderbolt, Zola's team were a more
effective attacking force after the interval. Mullins worked Reina with a
powerful low shot on the hour-mark, while Cole headed Bellamy's near-post
corner a yard the wrong side of the Spaniard's near post seven minutes
later.
Attacking The Kop, Liverpool continued to press for a winner but, just as
they had against Fulham in their previous home league game, the elusive goal
just would not arrive.
The closest they came was on 56 minutes when Green produced a world-class
save to deny former team-mate Benayoun.
The Israeli's rising first-time shot appeared destined for the top-corner
before the England goalkeeper flung out his right arm and diverted the ball
inches over the crossbar.
It was a breathtaking stop and the 28-year-old was at it again with just
three minutes remaining, brilliantly denying Kuyt with his legs.
There was still time for substitutes Luis Boa Morte and Ryan Babel to miss
half-chances to win the game for their respective sides, but Zola's men
clung on for a share of the spoils and earn themselves a thoroughly deserved
third consecutive clean sheet.
It is now 273 minutes since Green and his defenders have conceded a Premier
League goal and that statistic, combined with the point they brought home
from Anfield, will give them yet another huge confidence boost ahead of next
Monday's London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.
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Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Anfield
Liverpool moved to the Premier League summit after a draw with West Ham -
but they failed to produce a glittering advert for their title credentials
on a night of frustration at Anfield. Rafael Benitez's side needed only a
point to edge ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table after the Londoners'
home defeat against Arsenal.
It was duly achieved, but in unimpressive fashion in the face of a resilient
defensive display from Gianfranco Zola's side. Liverpool applied all the
early pressure, with James Collins clearing off the line from Albert Riera
early on and Carlton Cole doing the same from Sami Hyypia. Craig Bellamy
almost shocked Liverpool when he struck the post from long-range before the
interval, but it needed Robert Green's magnificent save from Yossi Benayoun
to keep West Ham on level terms after the break. West Ham have still not won
at Anfield for 45 years, but boss Zola will take great heart from a point
built on sound defensive organisation. Liverpool have the consolation of
heading the Premier League pace-setters after another below-par performance,
but they know they must produce better to maintain their position. They
predictably exerted all the early pressure and twice had penalty claims
turned down as they appealed for handball against Herita Ilunga. Collins
came to West Ham's rescue in the 13th minute, clearing off the line from
Riera after keeper Green punched away a cross from Steven Gerrard. And
Hyypia should have given Liverpool the lead three minutes later, heading
Gerrard's corner wastefully over the top when unmarked. Cole then repeated
Collins' defensive heroics when he cleared off the line from another Hyypia
header after Durk Kuyt had turned on another Gerrard corner.
Liverpool continued to exert total control, and Gerrard shot into the
side-netting after evading the attentions of Cole and Scott Parker. West Ham
had shown little ambition, but they broke the shackles to almost stun
Liverpool nine minutes before the break when Anfield old boy Bellamy
unleashed a 25-yard shot that hit the inside of the post with keeper Pepe
Reina well beaten. Liverpool had run out of steam as the half went on, with
Matthew Upson prominent as West Ham's rearguard action gathered confidence.
But they created one more chance just before the interval when Green was
forced to dive to clutch Kuyt's low header, although Upson appeared to be
pushed as they challenged for Xabi Alonso's corner. Green produced a
stunning save to deny former West Ham star Benayoun after 55 minutes, diving
high to his right to turn over a powerful rising drive after Collins
diverted Gerrard's cross into the Israel international's path. Robbie Keane
had endured another night of frustration, and he once again suffered the
indignity of being substituted when he was replaced by youngster David Ngog
with 25 minutes left. West Ham almost broke the deadlock seconds later when
Bellamy's corner was met at the near post by Cole, who could only direct his
header wide. Liverpool mounted a typical late surge, but Green was once
again defiant as he saved from Kuyt, while substitute Ryan Babel was just
off target from long range. The final whistle was met with a chorus of
jeers, evidence that while Liverpool may have gone top of the league, the
mood at Anfield is one of disappointment.
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Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Dossena, Benayoun, Gerrard,
Alonso, Riera (Babel 78), Kuyt, Keane (Ngog 66).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Agger, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Insua.
Booked: Alonso.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte 86),
Parker, Mullins, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Noble, Lastuvka, Tristan, Davenport, Collison, Di Michele.
Booked: Mullins.
Att: 41,169
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: West Ham's Robert Green 7.52 (on 90
minutes).
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Liverpool 0 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United won their first point at Anfield since February 1999 thanks
to a superb rearguard action in tonight's Premier League clash.
Gianfranco Zola's side were up against it from the start but held on to
record a third successive clean sheet and in turn extend their unbeaten run
to three games, thereby emulating Harry Redknapp's team of 1988/89 (who took
a point with a 2-2 draw).
The home side, who regained their position at the top of the Premier League
thanks to tonight's point - despite being rather ungraciously booed off the
pitch by their own supporters at the final whistle - enjoyed two thirds of
possession overall but failed to find a way through United's excellent back
four, marshalled by the equally impressive Robert Green. 21 shots to 7 in
Liverpool's favour gave a fair indication of how the game went but despite
the home team's domination, the Hammers also had their chances.
It's 45 years now since the Hammers last left the red half of Merseyside
with a win but had Lady Luck been a little more generous Zola's side could
have become the first to record a win since that day in September 1963.
Craig Bellamy's second half effort was inches away from breaking the
deadlock when it struck the wrong side of the post whilst Luis Boa Morte had
one of those 'Gavin Holligan moments' when he fired wide having been sent
clean through on goal as the game entered injury time. The Hammers were also
denied a 93rd minute opportunity when Carlton Cole, having been put through
on goal was ruled offside despite being a good two yards onside.
James Collins, that flame-haired behemoth of a centre half was again a lion
at the heart of the claret and blue defence, repeating his efforts from the
Stadium of Light last week. Ably assisted by England's Matthew Upson, the
pair threw themselves at everything that came their way. Good news for the
Hammers who have suffered defensively for some time.
Still Robert Green was called into action on several occasions; of his
numerous saves the second half fingertip stop from former Hammer Yossi
Benayoun's fierce volley was the pick of the bunch and made his recent
exclusion from the national squad an even stranger call.
But the whole team deserved credit on the night for their commitment and
dedication to protecting their goal whilst taking what few chances were to
fall to them. Craig Bellamy, returning to his one of his former stomping
grounds led the charge from the front, harrassing the Liverpool back line
whenever they held possession. Scott Parker and Hayden Mullins were equally
tigerish and proved constant thorns in the side of a Liverpool midfield not
used to being afforded as little time and space.
The point - a valuable one given West Ham's current precarious league
position and forthcoming fixture schedule - lifted United two places from
15th to 13th spot in the Premier League, passing Stoke City and Manchester
City. Next up is the visit of one of those teams chasing the Hammers hard -
16th placed Tottenham.
West Ham Utd: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte 86),
Parker, Mullins, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole.
Subs not used: Noble, Lastuvka, Tristan, Davenport, Collison, Di Michele.
Booked: Mullins (20).
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Dossena, Benayoun, Gerrard,
Alonso, Riera (Babel 78), Kuyt, Keane (N'Gog 66).
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Agger, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Insua, .
Booked: Alonso (54).
Referee: P.Walton.
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Reds go top despite draw
Hyypia close for Reds, Bellamy hits post for Hammers
Last updated: 1st December 2008
SSN
Match Facts
Man of the match: Difficult to pick one but Matthew Upson was key to West
Ham's third clean sheet in a row.
Moment of the match: Gerrard attempting to shoot with his left foot on the
edge of the box but completely missing the ball and falling over just about
summed up Liverpool's night.
Attempt of the match: Bellamy's terrific drive from 25 yards out in the
first half which smacked the inside of the post.
Save of the match: Robert Green tipping the ball over the bar from Yossi
Benayoun's powerful volley.
Talking point: Another missed chance for Liverpool to go three clear at the
top of the table - it's now two 0-0 draws in a row in the league.
Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League after being held to a
goalless draw by West Ham at Anfield on Monday night. The Reds could not
turn a domination of possession into goals, with veteran defender Sami
Hyypia going close with four chances in both halves, with Carlton Cole
clearing one effort off the line. Instead it was former Liverpool striker
Craig Bellamy who went closest to scoring when his long-range effort from
outside the box hit Pepe Reina's right post. In the second period, Robert
Green needed to pull off a great full stretch save to deny Yossi Benayoun,
while at the other end Cole went close before a long range Ryan Babel effort
was inches wide for the Reds in injury time. Liverpool had two early penalty
appeals turned down by referee Peter Walton when both Benayoun and then Dirk
Kuyt drove the ball at Herita Ilunga from close range. West Ham had looked
tentative from the start, with Scott Parker - playing despite a week of
illness - being caught in possession, while Julian Flaubert seemed unsure of
what to do when he got the ball. After 14 minutes Robert Green raced from
his line to punch away, but the ball fell to Albert Riera, whose shot was
blocked in the six-yard box by James Collins. The Liverpool pressure
increased and Mullins was booked after 19 minutes when he tripped Benayoun
in full flow. Two minutes later another header from Hyypia was kicked off
the line by Cole. West Ham's only shot until this point had been a weak
long-range effort from Faubert, scooped up by Reina.
Liverpool kept plugging away, showing the sort of patience in such
situations that boss Rafael Benitez called for after the 0-0 home draw with
Fulham nine days ago.
Steven Gerrard worked his way in from the right and fired into the
side-netting, before Craig Bellamy - on his return to Anfield after moving
to West Ham 17 months ago - almost broke the deadlock. Bellamy picked up
possession 30 yards out and unleashed a fine, swerving drive that crashed
against Reina's right-hand post and bounced across goal to safety. Then
Robert Green made a fine point-blank save from Kuyt's header following a
Xabi Alonso corner, two minutes from the break. Kuyt and Keane both saw
shots go wide as Liverpool opened the second period on the attack. But
Bellamy was still a danger for West Ham, and after running past Hyypia he
was body-checked by Alonso, the Spaniard being booked. Then after 56 minutes
Green produced a stunning save to turn over a Benayoun drive from 10 yards.
Parker shot weakly wide before Mullins drilled a low drive through a ruck of
players for Reina to save.
After 62 minutes Alonso volleyed fiercely over from a squared Gerrard
free-kick. And four minutes later the ineffective Keane was replaced by
French striker David Ngog. West Ham broke out of defence after 67 minutes,
winning a corner. And when Bellamy curled it towards the near post, Cole
headed inches wide. Then from a right-wing corner, Hyypia rose to head
narrowly over the bar. Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel for Riera after 78
minutes, with West Ham hanging on as the pressure mounted. Hyypia headed
just wide from a Gerrard corner, with the Kop behind Green's goal demanding
that Liverpool attack more. West Ham sent on Luis Boa Morte for Faubert with
six minutes of regulation time left. Green then produced another fine save
from a close-range Kuyt effort following Gerrard's deep cross. Bellamy and
Parker created a chance for Boa Morte on the break, but he sliced his effort
wide. Babel then broke to see a shot deflected over as West Ham held on for
a valuable point which moves them to 13th in the table.
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Zola happy with Hammers
Italian hails third successive clean sheet
Last updated: 2nd December 2008
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola came away from Liverpool pleased with his
point. The Hammers sealed an excellent goalless draw at Anfield and could
have even snatched victory. Zola's side have now gone three matches unbeaten
- a run which has seen his team record three clean sheets. "We played a very
good match, we had chances - as many as Liverpool - and we certainly
deserved a point," he said. "I am very pleased with my team performances of
late. It was another clean sheet and we knew that was something we had to
achieve. "We are working well as a group and we are starting to get the
results. "Our goalkeeper Robert Green was outstanding, but then so were
Matthew Upson and Craig Bellamy. "Robert is getting what he deserves for
working so hard. He is performing well and if he continues to play at this
level then he will certainly interest the England manager. "Now we must not
lose this momentum. We have Spurs next at home and that will be hard. But
things at last seem to be going our way. "As for Craig (Bellamy). Maybe he
felt that he had something to prove, and he produced an awesome performance.
I like him as a player not just because of what he does up front, but the
amount of work he puts in to help the midfield."
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Liverpool blow chance to lay down title marker
Andy Hunter at Anfield
The Guardian, Tuesday December 2 2008
Gianfranco Zola handed Chelsea a multitude of reasons to revere him as their
greatest ever player. Last night he gave them cause to toast his move into
management as West Ham restricted Liverpool's rise to the top at an
angst-ridden Anfield. Reaching the summit has rarely been greeted with such
bewilderment in these parts.
Looking down on Chelsea and Manchester United is the only view Liverpool
want this season and, as Rafael Benítez repeatedly said afterwards, the
league table makes pleasant reading today. But - there is always a but - it
should look much better. Benítez knew it, Liverpool's players knew it and
the boos that greeted the final whistle, swift yet audible, showed a
frustrated home support knew it, too. A second successive 0-0 draw at home
to mid-table opposition was not the response of championship contenders. For
the second league game in succession, Liverpool were left to reflect on an
opportunity wasted.
"We have one more point than Chelsea now so, if we can beat Blackburn at the
weekend, we will stay top of the table," said Benítez, spelling out the
facts. "Yes we are frustrated again, it is clear we deserved to win and some
people can be disappointed. We are disappointed. But we are also top of the
table and the fans will enjoy seeing the table tomorrow."
Liverpool were dominant last night and but for an inspired performance in
the West Ham goal from Robert Green they would have achieved their aim of
establishing a three-point lead over Chelsea. Yet this was a far more
satisfying evening for the genial Italian than the ambitious Spaniard who,
with George Gillett in attendance, called on Liverpool's joint-owners to
conclude talks on his contract extension as soon as possible. "I am waiting
for a communication," Benítez said. "Maybe we have to finish the
conversations now and just think about the football."
His contract had no bearing on this stalemate, however, and only two errant
offside decisions against Carlton Cole late on, plus a wild miss from the
substitute Luis Boa Morte, prevented Zola's plan of containment and counter
from working to perfection. The visitors' point was delivered around the
outstanding Green, Matthew Upson and James Collins, although a lack of
confidence in front of goal from Liverpool also contributed to the outcome.
Robbie Keane, substituted to his obvious disbelief for the 15th time in his
brief Liverpool career, was a notable but far from isolated culprit in the
absence of the injured Fernando Torres.
Benítez and Jamie Carragher had pleaded for patience from the crowd
following the frustration of being held to 0-0 by Fulham last month.
Liverpool also gave their backing to the family of Michael Shields last
night, the fan jailed for allegedly attacking a Bulgarian waiter after the
Champions League Final in 2005, as they campaign for his release before a
judicial review on Thursday. Once the Kop's mosaic of "Free Michael Now" had
come down, the siege of Green's goal began. But this was a night that would
stretch reserves of patience to the limit.
Cole cleared off the goal-line from Albert Riera, Sami Hyypia headed the
first of several invitations over the West Ham bar and saw a second header
blocked on the line by Cole again - all inside the opening 21 minutes.
Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt also missed good openings before the interval,
yet it was West Ham who came closer to a breakthrough when their former
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy beat José Reina from 25 yards only to see
his drive rebound off the inside of a post.
Until a pulsating finale, when Kuyt, Boa Morte, Ryan Babel and Cole traded
chances at will, the momentum flowed towards Green. One save from the former
Hammer Yossi Benayoun, to tip the Israeli's half volley at close range, was
sublime. "I've told Robert [Green] that, if he keeps performing like this,
he is going to be in the England team," said Zola, manager of a club that
had lost on their seven previous visits to Anfield. "He has taken some stick
this season but now he is getting what he deserves."
Benítez denied reports, however, that Michael Owen would be the January
solution to such frustrating nights. "I can guarantee we are not going for
Michael Owen," he said.
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Benitez - We should have won
Boss rues dropped points
Last updated: 2nd December 2008
SSN
Rafa Benitez insisted that his side should have beaten West Ham on Monday.
The Liverpool boss saw his side play-out their third goalless draw of the
season as The Hammers claimed a point at Anfield. But the Spaniard tactician
felt his side should have taken maximum spoils. "We clearly deserved to win.
From the beginning to the end we tried to win and that's why they had one or
two counter attacks in the second half. "The team played much better than
before and some players did too. "People can be disappointed and we are too,
but we are one point clear at the top. "We didn't play well against Fulham
but in this game we had plenty of possession, passed and moved the ball, and
had chances. "If you play badly, don't have chances and the other team is in
control, you can be worried - but we were much better.
"The crowd can be disappointed because they've seen a draw at home but if
they see the newspapers tomorrow they will see we are top. "We have one more
point than Chelsea now and if we can go to Blackburn and win we'll still be
top." Benitez took off Robbie Keane and he admits that the Irish striker was
frustrated."Robbie Keane, when he came off, was disappointed. But players
always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of
different solutions and David Ngog did well," he said.
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Red missed! Gerrard airshot sums up night of frustration for Liverpool
By JOHN EDWARDS
Last updated at 1:46 AM on 02nd December 2008
Daily Mail
Rafa Benitez urged disgruntled Liverpool followers to keep faith with his
new Barclays Premier League leaders after they were booed off at the end of
a second successive goalless draw at Anfield last night. Liverpool blew the
chance to open up a three-point gap at the top but still edged ahead of
Chelsea after West Ham followed in Fulham's footsteps by holding out for
0-0. Anfield frustration was summed up by Steven Gerrard's astounding
69th-minute airshot on the edge of the box when he was well placed to score.
Benitez admitted confidence was running low among some of his players but
still seemed exasperated at having to defend his team after they had moved
into pole position. 'Maybe the crowd can be disappointed after seeing us
only draw, but surely when they wake up in the morning and see we are top of
the League they will realise that is the important thing,' he said.'We did
not play well against Fulham, admittedly, but there was a big improvement
tonight.
'If you play badly and create no chances, and the other team are in control
throughout, then you have something to worry about. But that was not the
case. From the beginning to the end, we were trying to win and we deserved
to. Maybe there is a lack of confidence among some of the players, but we
need to keep going and creating chances and we will be fine. Things can
change from week to week, but one thing is certain at the moment. We are one
point ahead of Chelsea and that is something we should enjoy.' West Ham boss
Gianfranco Zola claimed Craig Bellamy could have increased Anfield
frustration after hitting the post in the first half.
'He was awesome and so unlucky with that effort,' said Zola. 'I like him
because not only is he a threat up front but he chases back to help the
midfield. Maybe he had something to prove after his time here. Liverpool
will be there at the end. They will be much better when Fernando Torres
returns.'
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Blues' loan move for Dyer?
02 December 2008 | 07:00
EADT24.com
DEREK DAVIS
KIERON Dyer could join Ipswich Town on loan from West Ham in January. Blues
boss Jim Magilton is understood to be willing to allow Dyer to complete his
rehabilitation from a long term injury with the Blues should the Hammers
want him to have a loan spell. Dyer was in the Ipswich Town directors' box
as a guest of Town's reserve team manager Chris Kiwomya on Saturday to watch
the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. Dyer is due to play in a specially
arranged behind closed doors friendly for West Ham as part of his come back
from a broken leg. Magilton rates the former Ipswich Town star, who won 33
caps for England, as the best player he ever played alongside and remains a
huge admirer. Dyer left the Blues in the summer of 1999 and spent eight
years at Newcastle before signing for West Ham in a £6m switch in 2007. But
he broke a leg in a Carling Cup match against Bristol Rovers and just when
he thought he was making a comeback he suffered another set back last
August. If a deal can be arranged to suit all three parties then Dyer could
rejoin his old club two days after his 30th birthday on December 29. Dyer
still lives in Ipswich and sponsors the Blues under-nines academy side. He
has previously sponsored an FA Youth Cup match and friendly games.
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Craig Bellamy wants Liverpool FC to win the title
Dec 1 2008 By Gareth Bicknell
Daily Post
Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy gave his support to the Reds' bid for
the Premier League title after his team frustrated West Ham in a 0-0 draw at
Anfield.
Wales captain Bellamy said: "I'd love to see Liverpool win every game for
the rest of the season apart from when we play them. I'm West Ham now. "We
tried to make it frustrating for them and also had decent opportunities.
"It's very difficult to get a result here because they have great players.
"But maybe we could have got a goal at the end."
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Liverpool top Premier League but stumble after display from West Ham's
Robert Green
Liverpool (0) 0 West Ham United (0) 0
Telegraph
By Henry Winter at Anfield
Last Updated: 7:28AM GMT 02 Dec 2008
Robert Green climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last summer, so he knows all about
awkward ascents. West Ham's outstanding keeper certainly ensured that
Liverpool's step on to the Premier League summit was a hugely painful affair
on Monday night. Green's save from Yossi Benayoun's point-blank volley
epitomised West Ham's nimble defiance.
Rafa Benitez's men still went top but all the talk was of two points
dropped, of a failure to exploit Chelsea's defeat by Arsenal and how
Manchester United had just enjoyed a fabulous long weekend. As Green pulled
off save after save, as James Collins and Matthew Upson made headers, blocks
and tackles, as Craig Bellamy buzzed around like an angry bee, waves of
sighs rolled down from the Kop.
Liverpool fans chanted briefly about being top of the league, but their
words lacked belief. Frustration was etched in every voice. This was a
disappointment, an opportunity lost, another home stalemate to follow those
against Stoke City and Fulham. For all their possession, Liverpool had made
only a point, although a far bigger point had been made about their reliance
on Fernando Torres, again hamstrung. "Torres gives them something
different,'' said Gianfranco Zola, West Ham's manager.
With Robbie Keane failing to lead the line with the razor-like sharpness of
Torres, Benitez kept switching his attackers as the game wore on,
introducing David Ngog and then Ryan Babel, but to no avail. None is in
Torres' class. With Liverpool bound to be linked to striking reinforcements
in the January transfer window, particularly if Torres' hamstrings keep
showing signs of vulnerability, Benitez was quick to scotch rumours of a bid
for a former poacher. "We are not going for Michael Owen,'' he stressed.
He added that there was "no news'' on his own contract talks even though the
club's co-owner, George Gillett, is in town and attended last night. Benitez
wanted the deal sorted out quickly. "We are waiting for communication,'' he
said, "maybe we have to finish conversations and just think about
football.'' Ouch.
He was in slightly prickly mood, although clearly not wanting to betray his
deep frustration over another failure to punish less-celebrated visitors.
"The crowd can be disappointed over a draw at home but if they look at the
papers they will see we are top,'' said Benitez and not since 2001 have
Liverpool been top of the Premier League on Dec 1.
Maintaining their position will be difficult unless they start converting
possession into goals. "It will be a very close title race between
Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and maybe Arsenal,'' said Zola, whose
popularity with Chelsea supporters will now rise even higher, if that is
possible for such a Blues legend.
If Zola has undoubtedly instilled the right work ethic in his team, and got
them fit, he was also grateful to Green. "He made some very good saves,'' he
said. "He looks very comfortable. He's had some stick but he works very
hard. I told him if he carries on like that he will be in the England team.
He knows Fabio Capello will do the right thing.''
As everyone from Gillett to Graham Gooch looked on, Green was not alone in
impressing for the visitors. His centre-halves, Upson and Collins, were
similarly terrific, throwing themselves in the way of every cross or shot.
Scott Parker sweated tirelessly in midfield while Bellamy kept the home
defence on their toes.
He was at his raging best on his old stamping ground, lecturing a linesman
and Liverpool players, and showing the determination Zola craved. He even
came closest to recording a historic victory, his shot hitting a post.
The last time West Ham had won at Anfield She Loves You was at No 1 and
Harold Macmillan was at No 10. Such fabled names as Martin Peters had been
on target back in September 1963 and one of the West Ham players charged
with repeating such a feat, Carlton Cole, seemed 10 years behind his time
for a while. After a shocking opening, Cole improved, went close with a
header, was unlucky with a couple of offsides but West Ham's main threat
came from Bellamy.
The theme of the evening was relentless Liverpool pressure punctuated by
occasional Bellamy breakaways. An old nemesis of West Ham's, Steven Gerrard,
roamed everywhere, often out to the right where he delivered some
threatening crosses. The man who broke Hammers hearts in the 2006 FA Cup
final created Liverpool's best chance of the half, hoisting across a ball
that Green punched out. Albert Riera drilled the ball back in but Collins
cleared off the line.
Still Liverpool came. Sami Hyypia headed over. Gerrard shot into the
side-netting. When Bellamy then hit that post, Anfield seethed with
uncertainty. The fans' concern transmitted itself to the players, who
redoubled their efforts. Dirk Kuyt saw shots blocked by Collins and Green.
The keeper's finest moment came when pushing over that Benayoun volley.
Liverpool summoned up every training-ground trick in an attempt to beat
Green. Gerrard varied the dead-ball chances, including cutting one free-kick
back to Xabi Alonso, whose volley blazed over. Liverpool's malaise began to
afflict Gerrard, who mis-kicked horribly.
"Attack, attack, attack,'' screamed the Kop as the clock ran down. "Defend,
defend, defend'' echoed in West Ham minds. Collins and Upson headed clear,
Green denied Kuyt as West Ham clung to a famous point.
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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez urges fans to enjoy Premier League top spot
Rafael Benitez told fans to enjoy Liverpool's position at the top of the
Premier League table after hearing his team booed off Anfield following the
0-0 draw with West Ham.
Telegraph
By Neil Johnston
Last Updated: 12:21AM GMT 02 Dec 2008
Despite replacing Chelsea at the summit, Liverpool's players were left under
no illusion what supporters thought after another goalless draw against
mid-table oppostion. Nine days after being held by Fulham at Anfield,
Benitez's side were forced to endure a night of pure frustration. Yet the
result was enough to send them one point clear at the top ahead of
Saturday's visit to struggling Blackburn. Benitez refused to dwell on the
negatives and instead opted to concentrate on the positives.
"Sometimes people are disappointed not to win, but sometimes you have to
enjoy, especially when you are top of the table. "If we had scored the first
goal we would have scored a lot of goals." Liverpool now boast four
successive clean sheets yet their failure to score for the second straight
Premier League match is a concern. With Fernando Torres recovering from
another hamstring injury, the Liverpool manager opted to pair Robbie Keane
with Dirk Kuyt in attack. Yet Keane remains stuck on two league goals since
his expensive move from Tottenham in the summer after another disappointing
performance by the Republic of Ireland forward. Asked whether he thought any
of his players were suffering from a lack of confidence, Benitez said:
"Maybe some players are but the team played much better than they did
against Fulham." West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola believes Liverpool will
remain serious title contenders despite dropping home points. "They will be
there until the end," said Zola, after West Ham ended a run of seven
straight league defeats at Anfield. "You have to take into account that it
is not easy to play after a Champions League match. I know what it's like
because I have experienced it. "Liverpool were also missing a very important
player in Torres. This is going to be a very close title race."
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ZOLA: ANFIELD STALEMATE MY BEST YET
Posted 02/12/08 08:06
Football365
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola claimed Monday's goalless draw at Liverpool
was the most impressive performance of his short spell as manager. The
Hammers chief, in charge for a dozen matches, has watched his team earn
three successive clean sheets in an unbeaten run that has dragged the side
away from the bottom three. And Zola hailed striker Craig Bellamy as
"awesome" on the Welshman's first return to Anfield since his £7.5m move to
east London 17 months ago. Zola said: "I am very pleased with my side, that
was the best term performance since I became manager. "And as for Craig, he
was awesome. Maybe he felt he had something to prove after leaving
Liverpool, and he covered every blade of grass. "I like what he does, not
only as a striker but the hard work he puts in helping the midfield." For
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, it was a case of more frustration and more
home points dropped, even if they did take over at the top of the Barclays
Premier League.
Co-owner George Gillett made a surprise visit to Anfield last night to see
Benitez's side move to the summit in place of Chelsea. Gillett was in
Liverpool, it is believed, for discussions with Benitez over the Spaniard's
proposed new contract. But both men were clearly disappointed with the draw
against West Ham, which means Liverpool have only a one point lead over
Chelsea at the top. Benitez insisted that he is still waiting for "more
communication" with the owners, while making it clear that he is not trying
to re-sign Michael Owen, despite speculation. Benitez said: "George Gillett
is here, but there is no news yet on the contract. We are waiting for
further communication, we do not have that yet. We will finish our
conversations soon and start thinking about football. On the disappointment
of dropping two more points - it was the third 0-0 draw against supposed
lesser teams at home this season following draws with Stoke and Fulham -
Benitez said: "It was frustrating and I felt we deserved to win. "We worked
from the beginning to the end trying to win. The aim was to play well, and
the team did just that, much better than before. "The fans will be
disappointed, we are disappointed, but we are at the top of the table. "We
had plenty of possession, we passed and moved the ball and had chances. If
you play badly, do not have chances and your opponents have control then you
can worry. That is not the case. "We were much better and West Ham had
chances only because we were attacking. "I understand the crowd are
disappointed after a home draw, but they can see we are top of the table.
"We will have Fernando Torres back soon, and I can assure everyone that
clearly we are not going for Michael Owen."
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Hammers Burst Rafa Title Charge
The Sun
By DAVID FACEY
Published: Today
RAFA BENITEZ refused to accept Liverpool had wasted a great chance to throw
down a title marker as they stumbled to another tame draw. His Reds were
booed off as they failed to capitalise on Chelsea's home defeat to Arsenal,
even though this point took the Kop back to the top of the Premier League.
West Ham fans were blowing bubbles as their side deservedly kept Liverpool
goalless to leave Anfield with a point — matching Stoke and Fulham. But boss
Benitez said: "The fans can be disappointed after a draw at home. But if
they ignore the headlines when they look at their newspapers and concentrate
on the league table instead, then they will be happy. "We can feel a little
disappointed too but we are back on top of the table and if we keep winning
games the other teams have to win everything. So it is a good position to be
in."
Benitez added: "It is frustrating because we clearly deserved to win. We
were trying to win it from the beginning to the end, and that is why they
had some counter-attacks But the team played much better than before. Some
players played better and that is a positive. "In the other games we drew we
did not play well. But this time we had plenty of possession and passed and
moved the ball well. "If we play bad and do not create any chances you can
be worried but that was not the case."
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola was all smiles as his side followed up their
1-0 win at Sunderland with another gutsy performance. He said: "That is
three clean sheets in a row now. "There were moments when I thought we could
win it but a draw was a fair result. We have to make sure we keep the
momentum, because it took a long time to get it."
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Bellamy: 'I'm West Ham now'
02.12.08 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy says his new club could have won the match
against Liverpool at Anfield but is happy to get a result against his former
club nonetheless. "I'd love to see Liverpool win every game for the rest of
the season apart from when we play them. I'm West Ham now," he said. "We
tried to make it frustrating for them and also had decent opportunities.
"It's very difficult to get a result here because they have great players.
"But maybe we could have got a goal at the end."
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Things starting to turn for West Ham – Upson
02.12.08 | Andrew Slevison
After holding league leaders Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield, West Ham
defender Matthew Upson believes things are starting to turn for the better
for Gianfranco Zola's Hammers. It was the club's third clean sheet in a row
which Upson said had much to do with the manager. "It's a massive result:
it's another clean sheet and perhaps at the end we could have nicked
something," Upson told Setanta sports 1. "He (Zola) stuck to his beliefs: he
had had a bit of pressure to change things. "He has got us more organised
and drilled and started to change things. "I'm very happy here at the
moment, the team are doing well, I've just got to take each game as it
comes."
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Dyer warms up for Christmas comeback with friendly runout
By Gordon Tynan
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
The West Ham United midfielder Kieron Dyer is aiming for a Christmas return
to action after 15 months out with a career-threatening injury. The
29-year-old broke his leg against Bristol Rovers in a Carling Cup tie in
August last year, less than a fortnight after joining the Hammers from
Newcastle, but is set to feature in a friendly this week.
Dyer has had three operations on the injury and, although he was close to
returning for the start of this season, he suffered a stress fracture in
training and was ruled out for another three months. West Ham have organised
a friendly behind closed doors this week especially for him and another
long-term injury victim, Jonathan Spector.
"It will be great to get that first game under my belt," Dyer said
yesterday. "I'm not going to say I'm going to be thrown straight back into
the first team. Ideally, I will have three or four preparation games and
then be ready, perhaps for the Christmas period. Every day I feel sharper
and I need to make up for lost time. My 30th birthday is coming up later
this month and some players start to look toward the end of their careers
when they reach that milestone. With the amount of football I've missed,
though, I feel I have a good five years still left in me."
Sebastian Giovinco will not be joining West Ham, according to his agent,
Andrea D'Amico. The Juventus attacking midfielder is a target of the London
club, with the Hammers' coach, Gianfranco Zola, showing an interest in
taking the 21-year-old on loan, having previously worked with him at Italy
Under-21 level.
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Liverpool 0 West Ham 0: Reds limp to the top - cheers for the cause but boos
at the whistle By Matt Lawton
Last updated at 4:32 AM on 02nd December 2008
Daily Mail
The political statement was well choreographed, the statement of intent less
so. Liverpool rose to the summit of the Barclays Premier League but their
journey there was nothing like as impressive as their campaign for the
release of Michael Shields. Their supporters let them know as much at the
sound of the final whistle. Never before, surely, has a team gone top to a
chorus of boos. The fans, it has to be said, need to take a share of the
responsibility for what amounted to another desperately disappointing draw.
A goalless, strangely soulless encounter to rival those here at Anfield
earlier this season with Stoke and Fulham. They were great when it came to
uniting behind the campaign to release Shields who was jailed three years
ago, wrongly they insist, for assaulting a waiter in Bulgaria. After the
players wore Free Michael Now T-shirts during the warm-up and Sue Johnston
delivered a rousing speech, the Kop followed the actress by delivering a
message in their own inimitable style.
But give it 20 minutes and no sign of a goal and anxiety spreads like a
virus, first in the stands and then on the pitch, with the same once-vocal
supporters watching in silence as their team wrestle with the pressure of
expectation. Clearly, and perhaps understandably, it comes from 18 years of
waiting for another League title. But the supporters need to relax and so do
the players, remembering first that it is December and secondly that their
rivals are dropping points, too. It is that failure to take advantage of a
defeat for Chelsea that will most frustrate Benitez this morning. West Ham
deserve some credit for securing a share of the points. In Robert Green and
Matthew Upson they possessed two outstanding Englishmen. And the result will
succeed only in cementing Gianfranco Zola's position as a darling of
Stamford Bridge. But Liverpool were so superior to their visitors,
technically as well as tactically, and they will reflect on this as another
opportunity missed. On a night when they should have gone three points
clear they managed only one, making that six points dropped — the same as
two defeats — in those three home games. If Benitez wants to point to the
absence of Fernando Torres, the results do not support the argument. He
missed those victories against Manchester United and Chelsea, too, and in
the five Premier League fixtures the Spaniard had missed prior to this one,
Liverpool actually won four of them. In Robbie Keane, though, they have a
player struggling to demonstrate why, at £20million, he cost almost as much
as Torres. Last night Craig Bellamy looked the sounder of the two
investments and Benitez
sold the Welshman to West Ham for less than a third of Keane's fee. Not once
did Keane even go close to taking advantage of the many chances created, for
the most part, by a certain Steven Gerrard. If Gerrard was keen to celebrate
10 years at Anfield in style, his colleagues did not quite match his
ambition. Sami Hyypia did well and went as close to scoring as anyone in
red, while Yossi Benayoun performed admirably against his former employers.
But there was a lack of urgency as much as a lack of confidence, not least
in the final third of the field.
If there were times when luck favoured West Ham — certainly in the way
Herita Ilunga used his arms in a way that somehow made them invisible to
Peter Walton but obvious to everyone else — Green and Upson excelled in
denying their hosts an important victory. Green was magnificent, producing
three saves, in particular, to deny Kuyt and Benayoun. Fabio Capello take
note. By the end of the first half, Liverpool had earned nine corners to
West Ham's none. Hyypia had a close-range header cleared off the line by
Carlton Cole and Green did brilliantly to deny Kuyt from a similar distance.
It was actually Bellamy who went closest of all in that opening 45 minutes,
with a 20-yard strike that rattled Pepe Reina's right-hand post before
bouncing tantalisingly across the face of Liverpool's goal. After the break
Liverpool continued to dominate, but Green offered more resistance. First
came the diving save that diverted a Benayoun shot over the crossbar, then
another display of his lightning-quick reactions to thwart Kuyt. Benitez
responded by removing Keane and then replacing Albert Riera, who is also
having difficulty impressing here at Anfield.
Liverpool have nudged their noses ahead of Chelsea and after the initial
reaction from the crowd to another goalless draw there was some
acknowledgement of that.
'Top of the league,' they cried. But you could almost sense the fear in
their voices.
Match factsLIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina 6; Arbeloa 6, Hyypia 7, Carragher 6,
Dossena 6; Benayoun 7, Alonso 6, Gerrard 6, Riera 6 (Babel 78mins); Kuyt 6,
Keane 4 (Ngog 66, 6).
Booked: Alonso.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 8; Neill 6, Collins 6, Upson 7, Ilunga 5; Faubert 5
(Boa Morte 85), Parker 5, Mullins 5, Behrami 5; Cole 5, Bellamy 7.
Booked: Mullins.
Man of the match: Robert Green.
Referee: Peter Walton.
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Miserable Liverpool held by West Ham
ViewLondon.co.uk
Liverpool missed a glorious opportunity to go three points clear at the top
of the Premier League table as they were held to a goalless draw by West Ham
at Anfield.
Having drawn at home with Fulham by the same scoreline last weekend, it was
another missed opportunity for Rafa Benitez's side which may prove costly as
the season progresses. Arsenal's win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday had
Liverpool the chance to put daylight between themselves and the chasing
pack, but they looked uninspired all evening against a resolute West Ham
side, who are showing signs of improvement under Gianfranco Zola. West Ham
had goalkeeper Robert Green to thank for their point as he made a string of
crucial saves to keep Liverpool at bay. It wasn't all one-way traffic,
however, and Craig Bellamy, returning to his former club, could have won the
game for the visitors but his long-range shortly before half-time came back
off the inside of the post with Pepe Reina beaten. Earlier Sami Hyypia had
gone close with two headers from set-pieces, while Albert Riera saw a
right-footed shot hacked clear by Hayden Mullins. Diry Kuyt then got on the
end of a Xabi Alonso pass but Green was equal to it, parrying the Dutchman's
header before gathering at the second attempt. Green made an important save
from Yossi Benayoun, another playing against his former club, at the start
of the second-half. Kuyt again found Green in his way when he shot from
close-range late on, before substitute Ryan Babel saw his 25-yard effort go
just over the top. In the absence of the injured Fernando Torres the home
side lacked ideas in attack, with Robbie Keane anonymous and Steven Gerrard
wasteful in possession. The draw does give Liverpool a one-point lead at the
top of the table but that is scant consolation for their supporters, who
booed the team off at the final whistle.
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