Baggies win tastes great for Sam
WHUFC.com
West Ham United started December in fine fashion with a 2-1 comeback win at
West Bromwich Albion
03.12.2014
Any victory over West Bromwich Albion would be sweet for a Wolverhampton
Wanderers fan, but Tuesday's 1-0 victory at The Hawthorns must have tasted
extra special for West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce. In April, West Ham
left West Brom looking over their shoulders nervously at the Barclays
Premier League relegation zone following a meek 1-0 surrender. In the
Smethwick End, a section of the Claret and Blue Army voiced their
displeasure at the performance of Sam Allardyce's team. Fast forward eight
months and Big Sam was back in his native Black Country leading the Hammers
to another impressive victory - their seventh in 14 league games this term -
and strengthening their position in the top five. As the travelling fans
jubilantly sang 'Barcelona, we're coming for you!' and 'We're going to win
the league!', the manager hailed the confidence of his players to recover
from a goal down to win this time around. "I've got a lot of disappointed
lads who are trying to get into the team and they're finding it difficult,
but they've got to stay hungry," Big Sam told West Ham TV. "When injuries
have come they've stepped into the team and been hungry enough to do their
job and that happened again here, wth Kevin Nolan stepping in, Enner
Valencia getting back and Winston Reid back from suspension. "We had no Mark
Noble, Alex Song and Diafra Sakho, but we've got players who have come on
the field and tried to make us better than we were before. "They're all
desperate to get on the pitch and keep this run going and show what they can
do. "We've used a huge amount of players already this season and we're still
winning games of football, which is great."
As they did at Everton in their previous away fixture, West Ham started
slowly, falling behind to Craig Dawson's tenth-minute header from a Graham
Dorrans free-kick. Just as Big Sam was discussing scrapping his 4-4-1-1
formation with assistant Neil McDonald and first-team coach Ian Hendon, the
Hammers rediscovered their passing rhythm and started creating chance after
chance. Kevin Nolan was denied an acrobatic equaliser by Ben Foster, but the
captain made no mistake on 35 minutes when he turned home after Andy
Carroll's own overhead kick was blocked by the Baggies goalkeeper. And it
got even better for the Big Sam and his players in the third minute of added
time when Cheikhou Kouyate forced Foster to push the ball aside for a
corner. Stewart Downing delivered to the far post and James Tomkins rose
above Dawson to power his header past Foster.
In the second half, the manager did change his system, bringing on a third
centre-half in James Collins and sending on fit-again speed merchant Enner
Valencia for Carroll in a bid to play on the counter-attack. The tactics
worked thanks to a resilient defensive display and a number of important
saves from Adrian. "It was a very strange game, because we made a
disappointing start, like we did at Everton and never got fired up and into
our passing game until we went a goal down again," a proud Big Sam observed.
"The odds are very poor against a team that goes a goal down away from home
to come back and win, because it doesn't happen very often. "The way we took
control of the game from when they scored to when we got the ultimate
winning goal right on the stroke of half-time was a fantastic piece of
turnaround play in a game. "I have all the stats written up on the board at
half-time - how many crosses we've put in, how many set plays we've had, how
many shots on goal we've had - and we'd had a staggering seven shots on
target and five more off-target in the first half. "That shows that, if
anything, we should have been more than 2-1 up and our poor finishing meant
we probably should have had more. "Certainly Andy Carroll's overhead kick
made the first goal with his technique and Kevin was on hand and he knows
how to sniff those out and score, which is very important for us. "Then, of
course, James Tomkins' header off the corner right on half-time killed West
Brom off, I think, even though they put up a spirited fight after half-time.
We looked a little fatigued after Saturday so we decided to sure it up and
the lads did a fantastic job doing that in the end. "The game changed in
many ways and we changed with it and, finally, we've won it and have 24
points from 14 points which is a fantastic total.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom 1 West Ham 2
2 December 2014
Last updated at 22:38
By Mike Whalley
BBC Sport
West Ham centre-back James Tomkins' first goal in two years sent struggling
West Brom to a fourth straight defeat. Craig Dawson ended Albion's
323-minute Premier League goal drought when he glanced in Graham Dorrans'
free-kick. But Kevin Nolan nodded in to equalise after keeper Ben Foster had
pushed out Andy Carroll's overhead kick. And Tomkins increased the pressure
on West Brom boss Alan Irvine by heading in Stewart Downing's corner in
first-half stoppage time. Victory strengthened West Ham's grip on fifth
place, and the jubilant fans greeted the final whistle with chants of:
"We're going to win the league."
By contrast, West Brom are slipping towards the relegation zone, having
managed just one home league win all season. It was another setback for
Irvine, who said he was hurt by criticism from Albion's fans after
Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal. The West Brom head coach's
decision to recall Victor Anichebe paid early dividends when the former
Everton striker won the free-kick that put the home side in front. After
Anichebe was pulled down by Tomkins, Dawson escaped his marker to glance in
Dorrans' left-wing delivery from six yards - Albion's first goal in four
matches. But, having wobbled in the opening 15 minutes, West Ham took
control and were deservedly in front by half-time. Kevin Nolan and Cheikhou
Kouyate had already been denied by keeper Ben Foster in a goalmouth scramble
before the visitors found an equaliser. Tomkins headed Downing's free-kick
across goal, and Carroll met Dawson's clearance with an overhead kick that
Foster pushed out, with Nolan nodding in the rebound from two yards. Albion
captain Chris Brunt hobbled off in first-half stoppage time, and as the home
side reorganised, Tomkins headed in from Downing's corner to make it 2-1.
West Brom managed 23 attempts on goal (including blocked efforts) against
West Ham - more than they have managed in any other Premier League game in
2014 The home side had the better of the second half, and Dawson should have
equalised soon after the break, driving wide from 15 yards. But West Brom's
pressure could not produce an equaliser, despite Anichebe's best efforts.
The striker escaped Winston Reid to fire in an effort from a tight angle
that Adrian beat out at the near post, then nearly equalised in the closing
minutes with a shot on the turn, but the West Ham keeper blocked with his
legs.
West Brom head coach Alan Irvine: "We were very much on the front foot. Then
we made a couple of mistakes and everyone got nervous. But I've never known
a second half as one-sided as that. "We'll try to reinforce the positives as
much as possible. You can't dwell too long on the negatives, and you can't
keep criticising people when they need support to help them."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a tremendous recovery after we went
1-0 down. It was a great, great away win for us.
"If we can have a good Christmas, then we'll have a look at what we can
achieve over the second half of the season. I'm hoping we'll get Mark Noble
and Alex Song back from injury for the weekend, and that wil give me the
selection headache I want."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd December 2014
By: Staff Writer
It wasn't pretty and the purists won't be happy - but another three
priceless points keep Big Sam's happy Hammers in the hunt for Europe.
A triumph for substance over style for the second time in 72 hours saw West
Ham surge back towards the top of the table as goals from Kevin Nolan and
James Tomkins countered Craig Dawson's early opener. Just three points
behind second-placed Manchester City, it has been West Ham's best start to a
Premier League season - and never before have the Irons enjoyed a +6 goal
difference at this stage of the campaign.
That they do can be attributed to a steely resolve the club had perhaps
lacked during its entire history prior to Sam Allarydce's arrival in east
London some three-and-a-half years ago.
In the end it was two set pieces that did for a Baggies side already bereft
of confidence. But West Ham's best work was done at the other end of the
field, where goalkeeper Adrian stood firm when called upon whilst his
defence threw themselves into last-ditch challenges with scant regard for
personal safety in order to deny wave after wave of Albion attacks.
West Brom, backed by a boisterous Hawthorns crowd threw everything including
the kitchen sink at West Ham in a frantic opening ten minutes and got their
reward from the most simple of set pieces. Graham Dorrans, a former Hammers
target swung in a free kick and Dawson nodded home, unopposed to give Alan
Irvine's side a dream start.
It was the kick start Allardyce's side needed and a reply eventually came
seven minutes ahead of the break. This time it was West Ham to profit from a
set piece when Kevin Nolan, restored to the starting line-up in the centre
of midfield nodded home from close range after Andy Carroll's acrobatic free
kick had been cleared off the line.
Yet the Hammers were not done; with a minimum of two minutes additional time
indicated by the fourth official - and 47:20 on the clock - James Tomkins
rose to meet a Stewart Downing corner to send West Ham into the break with a
goal advantage.
Tomkins' goal was to be the last shot West Ham were to have in the game,
whereas Albion created 11 shots at goal in the second period without really
testing Adrian - until five minutes from time, when the Spanish stopper made
an instinctive save with his feet from Victor Anichebe from point-blank
range.
By that stage Albion's best chance of the game had come and gone when Dawson
found himself with a free shot at goal earlier on in the half. Faced with
virtually the entire goal to aim at, the defender dragged his shot wide of
the post from just eight yards; with it went the Baggies' hopes.
The win lifts West Ham back into fifth place in the Premier League and above
Swansea, who provide the opposition for West Ham's next league fixture this
weekend in what promises to be a truly intriguing battle between two teams
enjoying unexpectedly positive seasons.
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan (c), Tomkins, Kouyate, Carroll
(Valencia 65), Zarate (Cole 78), Downing, Jenkinson, Amalfitano (Collins
65).
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, O'Brien, Demel.
Goals: Nolan (35), Tomkins (45+2).
Booked: Tomkins (18).
Possession: 41%.
Shots on/off Target: 11 (10/1).
Number of Passes (Long Passes): 350 (74).
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Wisdom, Baird (Ideye 83), Lescott, Gardner
(Varela 65), Anichebe, Brunt (Mulumbu 45), Dorrans, Berahino, Dawson,
Sessegnon.
Subs not used: Myhill, Gamboa, McAuley, Samaras.
Goals: Dawson (10).
Booked: Brunt (34), Sessegnon (70).
Possession: 59%.
Shots on/off Target: 23 (14/9).
Number of Passes (Long Passes): 318 (87).
Attendance: 23,975
Referee: Mike Jones (6).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham take all three points from West Brom
Last Updated: 02/12/14 11:24pm
SSN
West Ham continued their impressive start to the season at the expense of
West Brom with a comfortable 2-1 win at The Hawthorns. The defeat pushes the
Baggies further into the mire, and heaps the pressure on boss Alan Irvine.
The home side had taken the lead just 10 minutes into the game through Craig
Dawson; and it seemed to knock the confident Hammers who started the day in
fifth. James Tomkins' nightmare start was compounded when he was beaten for
pace by the recalled Victor Anichebe, and Dawson evaded the visiting defence
to head home. But West Brom could not maintain their lively start and the
Londoners grew into the game with captain Kevin Nolan getting more involved
alongside striker Andy Carroll.
It wasn't long before they levelled and it was through that man Nolan. Just
after the half an hour mark, Ben Foster parried Carroll's bicycle-kick and
Nolan headed home. Then on the stroke of half-time, Tomkins redeemed himself
to give the Irons the lead, powering in a header from Stewart Downing's
corner. Irvine clearly gave his men a talking to as they pushed forward to
get an equaliser. Anichebe and England starlet Saido Berahino both had
half-chances but failed to trouble Adrian sufficiently.
By the end of the game, the home side had four strikers on the pitch
including Silvestre Varela who gave Carl Jenkinson a challenge as he sent
some probing balls into the box, but Tomkins, Winston Reid and substitute
James Collins held firm. The home side eventually made the Londoners'
goalkeeper work as Anichebe got himself into some good space but his
snapshot was well saved. It looked like they may get a point when the ball
fell kindly to Dorrans on the edge of the penalty area. He could only direct
his shot wide of the post before the final chance of the game fell to
first-half scorer, Dawson, but his volley was well blocked as the Hammers
held on.
MATCH RATINGS
West Brom: Foster (6), Wisdom (5), Lescott (6), Dawson (6), Baird (5),
Gardner (4), Brunt (6), Dorrans (6), Berahino (6), Sessegnon (5), Anichebe
(6).
Subs: Mulumbu (5), Varela (6), Ideye (4).
West Ham: Adrian (7), Jenkinson (6), Tomkins (7), Reid (7), Cresswell (7),
Kouyate (6), Nolan (8), Amalfitano (6), Downing (7), Zarate (6), Carroll
(7).
Subs: Collins (5), Cole (5), Valencia (5).
Man of the Match: Kevin Nolan
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Tomkins regrets overreacting to Kevin Mirallas push
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's James Tomkins has said he regrets trying to get Kevin Mirallas
sent off by overreacting to a push from the Everton midfielder.
Tomkins, 25, fell to the turf clutching his face after being shoved in the
chest by Mirallas during a heated match which Everton won 2-1.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce described Tomkins' actions as "silly". And
Tomkins said: "I wouldn't want to do anything like that again. I've taken
plenty of stick about it." Although Mirallas admitted pushing Tomkins was
"stupid", the 27-year-old Belgian criticised the Englishman for not setting
a better example. In telling the Evening Standard he would never play-act
again, Tomkins said he was thankful Mirallas was not sent off. "As a player,
I'm against what I did and I wouldn't have wanted it to happen to me," he
said. "At the time I probably did want to get him sent off but, looking at
it now, I shouldn't have done it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell is Europe's finest
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Aaron Cresswell has been named in the European team of the week by Spanish
daily AS. The 24-year-old full back scored the only goal in West Ham's
narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Boleyn on Saturday to cap another
promising performance. And that particular achievement has been recognised
by AS, who name a European XI each week consisting of players from outside
La Liga. Cresswell is one of five players from the Premier League to be
included in this week's selection; the others being Jason Shackell
(Burnley), Charlie Austin (QPR), Robin Van Persie (Man Utd) and Santi
Cazorla (Arsenal). Also included in the team from outside of England are
Ralf Fährmann (Schalke), Dutch international Nick Viergever (Ajax), Stergos
Marinos (Charleroi), Xavi Alonso (Bayern Munich) and Levekusen winger Karim
Bellarabi.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce warns against complacency after West Brom win
Last Updated: 03/12/14 12:07am
SSN
Sam Allardyce has warned against complacency after West Ham recovered from a
goal down to secure a 2-1 victory against West Brom at The Hawthorns. The
Hammers consolidated their place in fifth in the Premier League after
first-half goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins cancelled out Craig
Dawson's opener for the home side. Allardyce, who raised a smile as the
travelling support sang "We're going to win the league" after the final
whistle, believes his side can challenge for the European places but wants
his players to stay focused as they get set to embark on a hectic festive
season. Sam Allardyce has told his players to remain focussed after their
2-1 win away at West Brom. He told Sky Sports News HQ: "We're on form for it
[Europe] at the moment and if we can keep that form up yes, but like I said
we won't move our predictions on until mid or the end of January once we've
got Christmas out the way. "We don't want these lads to get over-confident
or get carried away and we want to make sure they look after themselves in
between now and Sunday. "If we can have a good Christmas, it hasn't been
like that for the last two seasons, steer clear of injuries and keep the
players coming back then who knows what we can achieve in the second-half of
the season."
West Ham's win means the East Londoners have suffered just one defeat in
their last eight league matches and against West Brom it was the visitors'
defence which shone. The Baggies, who had four strikers on the pitch towards
the end of the game, piled the pressure on in the second-half but the
Londoners held firm with Allardyce, who hopes to have Mark Noble, Alex Song
and Diafra Sakho back in the squad to face Swansea on Sunday, delighted with
his side's determination. "I haven't played a game away from home and had
five attempts on target and five off target in one half so I think that
shows how much we dominated after going a goal down," he said. "It became
very scrappy second-half and then for us it becomes a case of keeping the
back door shut and we did just that. "It wasn't very pretty at times but we
dug it out and it's a huge three points away from home at West Brom."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham are gonna win the league!' quips boss Sam Allardyce as they go 5th
in the table
Dec 02, 2014 23:56 By Neil Rowlands
Hammers manager praises the strength of his squad after 2-1 comeback win at
West Brom makes it 5 wins and 2 draws in their last 8 league matches
The Mirror
James Tomkins had West Ham in dreamland and left boss Sam Allardyce joking
that they can win the league. The Hammers are off to their best Premier
League start, challenging for a Champions League spot after moving up to
fifth with Tuesday's 2-1 win at West Brom, and Allardyce is delighted with
their form. "We're gonna win the league!" he quipped post-match. "For us to
have 24 points at this stage of the season is one hell of a total based on
where we were this time last year when we were almost in the bottom three.
"Our strength in depth is what is paying off for us at the moment. We had to
make changes to the team again, some by fatigue and some by injury, and we
used the squad to its maximum. In the end we have pulled off another
victory. "We had seven shots on target and five off target by half-time - we
generally don't get that in a whole game away from home. "I think [last
month's loss at] Everton was 17 attempts with three on target, but this was
seven attempts on goal by half-time, which shows we were in dominant mood.
"The second half was somewhat disappointing because we did not carry it on,
but I was still very happy with the victory. "
Allardyce' triumphant return to his native Black Country was in contrast to
eight months ago when Hammers fans called for his head after losing for a
fourth straight time. "What happened before is in the past," he said. "The
game moves on very quickly. "For us now, our summer months of hard work in
terms of recruitment and what we did in pre-season is still paying off for
us." Defender Tomkins, a laughing stock in the game last week after a
shocking piece of play-acting against Everton, went from zero to hero as he
scored the West Ham winner.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Agony but happy Sam only cares about the points
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 2, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce – quite rightly – adopted a "never mind the quality look at
the points" attitude in a quick post-match analysis.
The boss watched his team complete a win over the second of his former
clubs this evening and was delighted. Newcaste beaten, Albion beaten but in
a game which had most of us biting our finger nails down to the quick. But a
beaming Sam declared afterwards: "It was a tremendous recovery after we went
1-0 down. It was a great, great away win for us. "If we can have a good
Christmas, then we'll have a look at what we can achieve over the second
half of the season. I'm hoping we'll get Mark Noble and Alex Song back from
injury for the weekend, and that wil give me the selection headache I want."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
VERDICT: A team caught between two cultures
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 2, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Match verdict
BY HUGH SOUTHON
You have to be a cracking side to play that badly and win! Well so they say
Come on now, let's take the positives from a game that started in shocking
style, picked up sufficiently for us to seal the points and then slid
downhill so badly, you began to wonder if there was a bottom. Along the way
we discovered that Sam Allardyce will have no compunction on removing anyone
from the action, including the club's record signing Andy Carroll, and that
Alex Song is needed back like yesterday. It was a night when the nerves of
tough men were shredded and when you were forced to smile as the Irons
faithful sang: "We're gonna win the league."
Kevin Nolan demonstrated too that he still has a habit of turning up when
most badly needed for the first goal and James Tomkins will be forgiven some
pretty awful defending by scoring the winner. There was much to complain
about – particularly defensively – but the simple truth is that at the end
of it all I can't be bothered to do so and will only let a long gasp of
relief and declare: "Well done boys."
There were moments of quality but these were far outweighed by the
monumental weaknesses of both teams on the night and I was grateful that
most of the opposition movement was in front of our defence rather than
through it. No way will I complain about Valencia's input after a spell out
through injury but there is clearly a problem when AC is up top on his own.
You could almost hear the thought process of the player – "do we lump it to
him or play it through." This was a team caught at times between two
cultures. The answer is clear – we play it through. it's the only way, It's
put us where we are. There can be no turning back nor do I think there will
be with Valencia returned and Diafra Sakho no more than 90 or 180 minutes
away. It's now more a case of where Andy Carroll fits into all of this. I'm
beginning to think the answer is: WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY! Highly, highly
interesting days ahead"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
Wednesday, December 3
Tuesday, December 2
Daily WHUFC News - 2nd December 2014
Preview - West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
All you need to know about the Hammers' trip to the Hawthorns this Tuesday
01.12.2014
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
THE HAWTHORNS
TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 8PM
REFEREE: MIKE JONES
In brief
West Ham United travel to the Black Country to face West Bromwich Albion as
the Hammers look to build on their 1-0 win over Newcastle United from
Saturday.
The Baggies, who sit in 15th in the Premier League table on 13 points, are
looking to end a run of three straight defeats following Saturday's 1-0 loss
to Arsenal.
Sam Allardyce's men are ten places higher, sitting in fifth with 21 points.
The victory over Newcastle was the Hammers' sixth of the season, while they
also picked up their third clean sheet.
West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring
Works in West Bromwich.
They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in 1882, winning an
impressive 26-0 and going on to win the Staffordshire Senior Cup, their
first trophy, the next season.
West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in
1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.
The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other
honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in
1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66.
More recently, they have established themselves as a Premier League club
after being promoted back to the top flight in 2010.
Team news
West Ham United
Enner Valencia is back in the squad after returning to training on Monday.
The striker has been in good form so far this season. His return gives
Allardyce options up front with Andy Carroll completing his second
consecutive 90 minutes of the season with Mauro Zarate and Carlton Cole also
available.
Diafra Sakho and Alex Song are still out, but Winston Reid returns following
a suspension.
West Bromwich Albion
James Morrison could return on Tuesday evening after missing the Arsenal
game through illness. Sebastien Pocognoli is also unlikely to feature after
picking up a knock at the weekend.
The Baggies will be without Jonas Olsson through a shin injury.
Referee
Tuesday's referee is Mike Jones. This is Jones' first West Ham assignment of
the season, but last year he was in charge as the Hammers lost 3-1 away to
Manchester United.
The Assistant Referees are Jake Collin and Richard West, while Roger East is
the Fourth Official.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 8
Yellow cards shown: 22
Red cards shown: 2
Penalties awarded: 1
One to watch
West Ham United
Following a resolute performance on Saturday which saw the Hammers claim
their third clean sheet of the season, James Tomkins will be hoping to put
another solid performance in on Tuesday.
The dominating centre-back has been in good form recently as he and his
defensive colleagues limited Newcastle's strike-force to just one shot on
target.
West Bromwich Albion
Explosive striker Saido Berahino has been in great form for West Brom this
season having already netted eight goals.
The 21-year-old's exploits have been widely praised as he was given his
first senior England call up by Roy Hodgson.
However, Berahino has not scored in five games and will be looking to get
back on the scoresheet sooner rather than later.
Tickets
Tickets are now sold out. Tickets for the Hammers' next home game with
Swansea City on Sunday are available here.
Travel
For all the information of how to get to the Hawthorns, click here.
Weather
Tuesday evening is set to be a cold one as temperature at kick off is
forecast to be a chilly 3C (37F) with temperatures dropping throughout the
match.
Last meeting
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
26 April 2014
Saido Berahino scored the only goal of the game, as he converted current
West Ham midfielder Morgan Amalfitano's cross to give Pepe Mel his first
home win as West Brom manager.
Andy Carroll, among others, had several chances to equalise yet the Hammers
could not find a way past Ben Foster.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Reid (Morrison 47), Olsson, Dawson, Jones,
Brunt, Dorrans, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Sessegnon (Anichebe 81), Berahino
(Yacob 89)
Subs not used: Myhill, Lugano, Vydra, Thievy
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins (Collins 33), Demel,
Nolan, Jarvis (C Cole 79), Noble, Diame, Downing (J Cole 67), Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Nocerino, Vaz Te
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
The manager speaks to the press ahead of Tuesday's trip to West Bromwich
Albion
01.12.2014
Sam Allardyce is hoping to welcome Enner Valencia back from injury when West
Ham United travel to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
The Ecuador striker has been absent since the international break, but
returned to training on Monday to boost the manager's options.
He answered questions on team news, his targets and more in his pre-match
press conference.
What's the team news for tomorrow?
SA: "We've got a little bit of fatigue still from Saturday's game. We got
one or two knocks and bruises but we they should be fine. The biggest doubt
is Mark Noble who had another kick on his calf which he played through
against Newcastle. "Enner Valencia is back in the squad and he'll be
training with is today. Winston Reid comes back from suspension. Both
Newcastle and ourselves produced one of the highest energy stats of the
season. It was a huge game for both clubs, the energy we expended
demonstrated that. We have a very positive, confident mood in the camp at
the moment which is always good. I think it helps because players don't feel
quite as tired when they win."
Andy Carroll is very early into his recovery, do you think he is ready to
play two 90 minutes in such a short space?
SA: "It would only be his third 90 minutes in six months so we'll have to
consider that as well. We don't want to overstretch him too early and risk
another injury."
Do you have any timescale for when Diafra Sakho might be back
SA: "He won't be far away. It's a disappointment as he's been out for a
while as he was in such good form. If all goes well he could be back to face
Swansea on Sunday."
You're back up to fifth in the table, have you revised your targets for the
season?
SA: "No not yet, it's still too early. I think we'll evaluate the season as
a whole after January and see where we are. We have a massive few weeks and
months ahead of us and it'll be a big test. This week we have nine points on
offer, we've got three of them already, so it's a huge week for us. The win
on Saturday was massive considering who we were playing and the run they
were on."
Has the impact Aaron Cresswell had surprised you? And do you think Roy
Hodgson should be looking at him?
SA: "I think he should forget about England for now. He's made great
progress so far, but he's only just arrived. He's done fantastically well
and he's been available for every league game so far. Hopefully he'll
continue this run. His contribution has been excellent and he's capped it
off with a goal on Saturday. People might call it lucky that the pass fell
to him but if you look at his run, that's not an accident. He's taken the
chance to drive forward, from a deep position, a run you expect a forward to
make. The goal came at a very important time and obviously won us the game."
Has Cresswell surpassed your expectations when you bought him?
SA: "When a player takes a step up a level you can never quite know how
he'll cope. Sometimes it takes a while but the great start we've had has
helped. We're a third of the way through the season and that has helped as
well. Overall he has done fantastically."
With Carl Jenkinson on the other side, you've got two good, young players.
After the game he said you've encouraged both of them to get as further
forward as possible?
SA: "It's a very important area of the game nowadays. A lot of opportunities
to score come from these areas now. If you have two athletic full backs like
we do, with brilliant physical output than that is a great asset to have. At
the same time I've been very satisfied with their defensive qualities.
There's far too many full backs who aren't as good as defending as those two
are. They've been fantastic for us and if we keep a clean sheet tomorrow I
believe we will win."
With Valencia coming back you've got several attacking options to choose
from?
SA: "To have Enner back, with is pace is a great option for us. He's an
exciting player and I think we have yet to see the best of him."
Mark Noble became the club's leading Premier League appearance holder, did
the club do anything to mark it and how important has he been to the club?
SA: "We haven't had an awful lot of time to celebrate it but all the players
have congratulated him, I certainly have too. For Mark, at only 27, he can
go on to play a lot more games. There aren't many one club players around
now."
You've identified the main threat as Saido Berahino, how good do you think
he is?
SA: "I think him, Harry Kane and Charlie Austin have been the breakthrough
England players this season. He's a good player and he'll be a threat, but
it's only the start of his career, if he dedicates himself then I don't see
why he couldn't develop into a fantastic player."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark's a record breaker
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was delighted to reach a significant landmark with a victory on
Saturday
01.12.2014
Mark Noble spoke of his pride at becoming West Ham United's all-time leading
Premier League appearance maker after captaining his team to a 1-0 victory
over Newcastle United on Saturday, The Boleyn Ground clash was the 205th top
flight game of Noble's Hammers career, taking him past Steve Potts' Premier
League mark. The personal milestone made the Magpies match special enough,
but victory was more important for the No16. He said: "I'm 205 not out.
That's a lot of Premier League appearances and it is a great feat. I want to
improve on it and play as many as I can. To follow in the footsteps of Steve
Potts, who is a legend here, is a very nice feeling. "We have been
performing well in the last few weeks and we played Villa and hit everything
other than the back of the net. Saturday was a scrappy game but in the end
we showed our quality. We could have finished them off more thoroughly
towards the end but we got the vital goal and that's the main thing. To get
three points is all that matters."
Aaron Cresswell's second half goal on Saturday ended a run of six
consecutive wins for the Magpies so Noble was thrilled to down a team in
such good form. He continued: "Newcastle have been on an unbelievable run
and Pards has done a fantastic job there after being under so much pressure.
"I was thinking the night before the game, would I rather Newcastle came
into this match having lost four in a row, or having won six? Probably I'd
go for the latter. They were a point above us in fifth and maybe a little
bit of complacency can step in. We capitalised on that but credit to
Newcastle, who played well, but they couldn't break us down. "They are a
good team. We were out in New Zealand with them on pre-season and you could
see they have got good players. They looked a top team then and even though
they had a couple of their players missing they will do well this season.
"I'm buzzing for their manager because he started my career off here by
putting me in the first team and it was nice to break the record with him
here as the opposing manager."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers pair hold Brazil
WHUFC.com
Reece Oxford and Jahmal Hector-Ingram featured in England U17s' 2-2 draw
with Brazil
01.12.2014
West Ham United youngsters Reece Oxford and Jahmal Hector-Ingram helped
England U17s snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with Brazil at the Nike
International Tournament on Sunday. Centre-back Oxford captained the Young
Lions, while forward Hector-Ingram appeared as a late substitute as England
snatched a last-minute equaliser in Sarasota, Florida. A rollercoaster game
saw Oxford blaze a chance over the crossbar before John Peacock's side took
the lead two minutes before half-time thanks to Leicester City's Layton
Ndukwu. However, it all looked to be going wrong for England when Liverpool
full-back Trent Arnold was sent-off with eight minutes to go. Brazil took
full advantage by scoring twice in the space of four minutes through Leo Dos
Santos and Evander Ferreira. Peacock threw on Hector-Ingram in search of an
unlikely equaliser and was rewarded in the final minute when a corner was
laid back to Liverpool midfielder Adam Phillips, who curled an unstoppable
shot into the top corner. England, who lost 3-1 to hosts the United States
in their opening match on Friday, play their third and final match against
Australia on Tuesday. Oxford and Hector-Ingram will hope to feature when
England continue their UEFA European U17 Championship qualifying campaign
with the Elite Round, which will take place in the spring.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
Four West Ham United loanees were in action last weekend
01.12.2014
Jamie Harney made his senior league debut for Colchester United as they lost
6-0 to MK Dons. The 18-year-old came on in the 72nd minute, replacing Rhys
Healey with the U's 5-0 down.
Sean Maguire played the full game in Accrington Stanley's 3-2 home defeat by
Exeter City. Goals from Liam Sercombe, Tom Nichols and Matt Grimes secured
the win despite Stanley rallying in the second half through John
O'Sullivan's 25-yard drive and Shay McCartan's goal.
Diego Poyet played 76 minutes for Huddersfield Town in their 1-0 defeat by
Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. The midfielder was replaced by
Joe Lolley shortly after Craig Davies' fifth goal of the season secured Neil
Lennon's side the three points.
Modibo Maiga played the first 62 minutes as FC Metz lost 2-0 to Lens. Maiga
was replaced by Juan Falcon shortly before Alharbi El Jadeyaoui and Benjamin
Bourigeaud scored.
Ravel Morrison did not feature in Cardiff City's first away win of the
season in a 1-0 away win at Watford. Striker Adam Le Fondre netted in the
twelfth minute to take the Bluebirds to eighth in the table on 29 points.
Raphael Spiegel did not feature in Barnet's 3-1 win over Macclesfield Town.
Goals from Andy Yiadom, John Akinde and Curtis Weston kept Barnet on top of
the Vanarama Conference with 49 points from 24 games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Little leads ladies to victory
WHUFC.com
Stacey Little scored in the West Ham United Ladies 3-1 win over Leafield
Athletic
01.12.2014
West Ham United Ladies recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Leafield Athletic
to progress into the next round of the FA Women's Premier League Plate. The
visitors started strongly as Charlotte Hughes proved difficult to handle as
she had several chances early on. However the Hammers grew into the match as
Kelley Blanchflower's effort was denied by a fantastic save from Athletic
goalkeeper Hannah Tromans.
Leafield continued to press for the opener as Donna Hawkins and Leigh
Dugmore both went close. With time running out in the first half, Stacey
Little scored for the Hammers as she timed her run to perfection to head
home from close range. The goal gave the hosts confidence as they started to
control the second half. Lily Mellors had a great opportunity to double
their lead, however her shot went just wide when she was one-on-one with
goalkeeper Tromans. With five minutes left to play, Sarah McCrea scored her
ninth goal of the season to make it 2-0 when she cut in from the left and
shot fiercely into the corner. Debutant midfielder Jade Smith sealed the
victory just two minutes later as she headed McCrea's cross into the net.
With the result beyond doubt, there was just time for Leigh Dugmore to score
a late consolation goal as her composed finish rounded off a superb flowing
move. The win sees the Ladies progress to the next stage of the League
Plate.
West Ham United Ladies: Runnacles, King, Bottom, Bowers, Baxter, Revell,
McCrea, Little (c), Kinsman, Mellors, Blanchflower
Subs: Smith, Masters, Locke.
The Ladies' last fixture before Christmas is away to Charlton Athletic on
Sunday 14 December, kick off 2pm.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mediawatch - Monday 1 December
WHUFC.com
Cresswell and Carroll take centre-stage in today's media digest
01.12.2014
Mediawatch - Monday 1 December
Match-winner Aaron Cresswell is the main main when it comes to press
coverage of West Ham United on 1 December. The left-back, who bagged his
first goal for the Club in Saturday's 1-0 success against Barclays Premier
League, earns praise from manager Sam Allardyce in the Daily Telegraph,
where he is labelled Mr Dependable. The same article also makes mention of
Big Sam's claim that this is the 'second best' club side he has ever
managed, behind the star-sprinkled team he managed in his final three
seasons at Bolton Wanderers between 2004-07. The same comment is covered by
Daily Star.
Continuing the positive theme, Andy Carroll is quoted in the Daily Express
and The Times saying he is 'feeling fresh' and hoping to get back to his
best as soon as possible.
Off the pitch, there is coverage in the Daily Mail of the manager's comments
about the injury suffered by Diafra Sakho while on international duty with
Senegal.
Continuing the international theme, West Ham's outstanding 15-year-old
centre-back Reece Oxford captained England U17s to a 2-2 draw with Brazil in
Sarasota, Florida on Sunday - a match covered by the FA's official website.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom v West Ham
KO 20:00
1 December 2014
Last updated at 11:09
By Alistair Bruce-Ball
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Tuesday, 2 December
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (0) & SUBSTITUTIONS (0)
TEAM NEWS
West Brom will check on the fitness of Sebastien Pocognoli after he suffered
a dead leg in the defeat against Arsenal.
Midfielder James Morrison has been struggling with both illness and a knee
injury and will also be assessed.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble will have a fitness test on a calf problem
ahead of the trip to the Hawthorns.
Defender Winston Reid is available again after sitting out the match against
Newcastle with a one-match suspension.
MATCH PREVIEW
Some West Brom fans have clearly lost faith in their manager Alan Irvine.
Lawro's prediction "West Brom have lost their last three games and not
scored in any of them. Their home form is poor, with one win in seven games
at The Hawthorns this season, but their lack of goals concerns me more." As
the Baggies slipped to a third successive Premier League defeat on Saturday
some sang "you don't know what you're doing" as Irvine replaced Stephane
Sessegnon with Georgios Samaras and his team rather belatedly started to
take the game to Arsenal. Too late. Saido Berahino did hit the bar with a
header, but the defeat means West Brom have still only won one league game
at the Hawthorns this season. But more worryingly, that run stretches to
just three wins in 21 league games at home since last November. One of those
wins came against Sam Allardyce's West Ham in April, and it was crucial in
keeping West Brom in the top-flight. That day it was West Ham fans getting
stuck into their manager and calling for Allardyce to be sacked. O ye of
little faith - he has now lead the club to its best-ever start to a Premier
League season, and they sit fifth in the table after the 1-0 win over
Newcastle. There's no resting on laurels for Allardyce though. "At the
moment we are achieving above expectations but it's vital, going into
December, that we sustain things. Historically December and January have
been difficult months for us in recent years," he said. December is also
going to be a crucial month for Irvine and West Brom. They've drawn a blank
in defeats against Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal. Their only goal in their
last four games in the Premier League was an own goal in the 1-0 win at
Leicester. After the game against West Ham they face the three teams
immediately below them in the table - Aston Villa, Hull and QPR - and they
desperately need Berahino to rediscover his scoring touch.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Five out of the last seven meetings between these sides have ended in draws.
West Brom won this fixture last season with Saido Berahino scoring the only
goal. It was the Baggies' only home win under Pepe Mel.
The Baggies are unbeaten in four meetings with West Ham at the Hawthorns
(W2, D2).
West Brom
West Brom have gone four games without a victory at home and they have won
just three of their last 21 Premier League home games.
Their only victory in seven league games was against Leicester on 1
November.
It is now four games since a West Brom player scored in the Premier League -
their only goal in that time was Esteban Cambiasso's own goal.
Saido Berahino scored in both league matches against West Ham last season.
West Ham
West Ham's win over Newcastle was their first in four games; however they
have only suffered one defeat in their last seven league games (W4, D2).
Their tally of 21 points from 13 matches is their best-ever start to Premier
League season.
The Hammers' last seven Premier League goals have been scored by seven
different players.
They have scored in all six of their away league matches this season.
Sam Allardyce's side haven't kept a clean sheet away from Upton Park in 12
matches.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce tells Cresswell 'forget about England'
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has told young full back Aaron Cresswell to ignore rumours
linking him with a full international debut. 24-year-old Cresswell, who
joined West Ham from Ipswich during the summer is knocking on Roy Hodgson's
door having enjoyed a solid start to his first ever season in the Premier
League. However Allardyce, speaking this morning ahead of tomorrow's trip to
West Bromwich Albion has advised the full back to concentrate instead on his
club career - for now. "He's made great progress so far, but he's only just
arrived," Allardyce, addressing the media at Chadwell Heath, said. "He's
done fantastically well and he's been available for every league game so
far. Hopefully he'll continue this run. "When a player steps up a level you
never quite know how he'll cope. Sometimes it takes a while, but the great
start we've had has helped. We're a third of the way through the season and
that has helped as well. Overall he has done fantastically. "His
contribution has been excellent and he's capped it off with a goal on
Saturday. People might call it lucky that the pass fell to him but if you
look at his run, that's not an accident. The goal came at a very important
time and obviously won us the game."
Allardyce was also effusive in his praise of Cresswell's fellow full back,
Carl Jenkinson. Like Cresswell, the on-loan Arsenal defender has settled
into life at West Ham with consummate ease as Allardyce admitted he values
both players highly. "It's a very important area of the game nowadays," he
affirmed. "If you have two athletic full backs like we do, with brilliant
physical output than that is a great asset to have. "At the same time I've
been very satisfied with their defensive qualities. There's far too many
full backs who aren't as good as defending as those two are. They've been
fantastic for us and if we keep a clean sheet tomorrow, I believe we will
win."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former Hammer snubs Blades
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Academy youngster Eoin Wearen has rejected overtures from Sheffield
United to sign for League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers. Now
22, the midfielder - who spent four years with Tony Carr at Chadwell Heath -
moves from Bohemians, whom he joined earlier this year having left West Ham
last summer. Rovers boss Owen Heary told sligorovers.com: "He is a very
talented player. He signed when he was young for West Ham and was there for
four or five years so there is obviously a reason why he was there.
"Unfortunately he got injured so he came back last year with Bohs through
the latter end of the season so I think people seen how good he was.
Sheffield United wanted him to come over, so I was delighted to persuade him
to come here."
Wearen added: "It was an easy decision to sign for Sligo Rovers. It's been a
couple of months since the season finished, I've weighed up all my options
and looked at the things that are available to me. "I came down and met with
Owen last week. I saw what Sligo Rovers have to offer with the facilities
and heard a lot of great things about the club and the people down here, so
it was a very easy decision in the end.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho and Valencia return for Baggies trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce could have his first choice strike force back for tomorrow
night's trip to The Hawthorns. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have proved a
huge success since arriving in England during the summer transfer window,
although both have missed the last two games against Everton and Newcastle.
However the pair are set to return when Allardyce and his squad travel to
the Midlands for the clash with struggling West Bromwich Albion. Despite
rumours to the contrary, Sakho - who has missed three of West Ham's last
four games - was close to being fit enough to take part in Saturday's defeat
of Newcastle. However following a late fitness test at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday morning ahead of the Newcastle meeting, it was decided to give him
extra recovery period. Meanwhile Valencia, who sustained a knock during
training a fortnight ago is also poised to make his comeback having trained
at Chadwell Heath with the rest of the squad this morning. Alex Song - who,
like Valencia, picked up a knock in training recently - is also close to
regaining full fitness, although the Cameroon midfielder may have to wait
for the visit of Swansea this weekend before considering a return to action.
However Allardyce's squad is further boosted by the return of Winston Reid,
who missed Saturday's win over Newcastle through suspension having collected
five bookings this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to investigate circumstances of injury to Diafra Sakho
Last Updated: 01/12/14 4:43pm
SSN
West Ham are investigating the circumstances of the back injury suffered by
Diafra Sakho while playing for Senegal. Manager Sam Allardyce refused to go
into any detail surrounding the incident but says the injury did not occur
'while playing or training'. Sakho, who has scored seven goals in nine games
for West Ham this season, has missed his side's last two games through
injury. "I'm not legally qualified to make a comment any further than he
didn't get injured when playing or training," said Allardyce. "But obviously
from an internal point of view the club will deal with how it happened, why
it happened and what we are going to do about it." "I can't medically go
into any detail in a legal point of view other than the injury occurred not
by playing or training." When asked whether the injury was a result of
'mistreatment' from the Senegal staff, Allardyce, speaking ahead of
Tuesday's trip to West Brom, said: "I've not said that.
"You've said that not me. I can't medically go into any detail in a legal
point of view other than the injury occurred not by playing or training."
Sakho is likely to feature heavily for Senegal during the Africa Cup of
Nations which starts on January 17, and Allardyce has suggested medical
staff from the club could follow the player out there. On the possibility of
sending his own medical personal to the tournament he said: "I think we
would like to, but of course it's manpower in terms of what you can put
together to send out to look after the players. "It's obviously a difficult
thing to do. If I had my choice we would like to do it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AGENT SPEND SHOWS AMBITION
By Sean Whetstone 1 Dec 2014 at 20:01
West Ham Till I Die
On Friday each Premier League club were required to publish their spend on
agent fees for the last 12 months. West Ham figures reveal that the Hammers
spend to agents soared to £6,380,339.31. This included three loan signings
in January and nine arrivals during the summer. This is an increase of over
50% on the £4,169,134.09 paid to agents in the 2012/2013 period.
The Hammers rank sixth in the table of agent fess in the Premier League this
year up from 9th place last year. We are only surpassed by Chelsea,
Liverpool, Manchester City, Spurs, and Manchester United who spent more than
us on agents. It brings the Hammers spend on agents over the last five years
to nearly £24 million.
1st: Chelsea – £16,771,328
2nd: Liverpool – £14,308,444
3rd: Manchester City – £12,811,946
4th: Tottenham Hotspur – £10,983,011
5th: Manchester United – £7,975,556
6th: West Ham United – £6,380,339
7th: Everton – £5,753,269
8th: Sunderland – £5,276,674
9th: Arsenal – £4,293,407
10th: Stoke City – £3,986,850
11th: Newcastle United – £3,876,250
12th: Swansea City – £3,784,090
13th: West Bromwich Albion – £3,493,745
14th: Queens Park Rangers – £3,242,668
15th: Southampton – £2,766,444
16th: Aston Villa – £2,577,866
17th: Hull City – £2,459,010
18th: Crystal Palace – £2,200,797
19th: Leicester City – £1,608,418
20th: Burnley – £711,024
While this might seem a lot of money I am guessing both David Sullivan and
Karren Brady would not spent a penny more than is necessary and this is
regarded as a necessary evil in the modern game. You could conclude that
spending over £6m in agent fees to rank in the top six of spenders shows
ambition to join the top six in the league. Time will tell whether this
strategy pays off!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Aaron Cresswell admits his first Premier League goal was a 'dream
come true'
Nov 30, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Full-back who hit the winner against Newcastle was let go by Liverpool as a
kid and reached the top flight via six seasons in League 1 and the
Championship
The Mirror
Aaron Cresswell admitted to living a boyhood dream after his winner helped
steer West Ham back towards a European slot. The 24-year-old defender,
described as 'Mr Dependable' by boss Sam Allardyce, was ecstatic after
sweeping into the bottom corner. A seasoned striker would have been proud of
the finish, which came as Cheikhou Kouyate's mis-kicked drive trickled into
his path 11 minutes after the break.
Cresswell said: "It's what I've dreamt of since I was a little boy. Cheikhou
has gone to shoot and it's held up for me and I've just tapped it in from
six yards out. I'll take them all day. "As a defender, it was nice to keep
the clean sheet. To then to pop up and score is what dreams are made of."
West Ham have done some cracking business over the summer to put together
the squad that is clearly taking them to the next level.
Alex Song, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have all shown themselves to be
stellar signings with key roles to play in the Irons' resurgence. You have
to wonder, however, just how on earth West Ham managed to land Cresswell –
virtually unchallenged – from Ipswich for only £2million. Ever since
arriving at the club the left-back has looked as though he has been a Hammer
all his life. His goal lifted West Ham up into fifth – six places above
Liverpool, the club that released him as a youngster. Allardyce said: "Kevin
Nolan had the same. He got discarded by Liverpool and went to Bolton. We all
know what he achieved in the Premier League over the last 10 years. "Aaron
has had a slow process building the base of his career. I think it was Paul
Jewell who saw him at Tranmere and took him to Ipswich. That gave him the
platform to gain more experience. "Now, when I talk about injuries his
game record is better than anyone at the club. He played three seasons for
Ipswich at 40-plus games. He did the same for Tranmere. "We only have 38
games in the Premier League. But he is Mr Dependable, not only in terms of
his performances but his reliability. He's definitely one of them with the
performances to go with it. "It's a great start for him – scoring the winner
– and I'm sure he's loving every minute of it. He's loving the euphoria that
comes around this level of football. "We're not thinking any more that we
don't have enough players in the lower leagues able to make the step up, so
we end up scooting off abroad. "None more so than me – I've done all that
before. But certainly the basis for me in this team is British players.
Picking up the likes of Aaron is great from the point of view that we have a
nice mixture of talent."
Cresswell's goal ended Newcastle's attempt to rack up seven wins in a row
for the first time since Kevin Keegan's serial thrillers 19 years ago. It
also showed just how much strength in depth Allardyce has at his disposal.
Song, Valencia and Sakho were all missing but West Ham were still vastly
superior to Alan Pardew's men. Allardyce added: "This is my second best
squad. The first one was during the last three years at Bolton. That was
littered with outstanding world class talent. "Djorkaeff, Hierro, Okocha,
Anelka, Campo. And then Gary Speed, Nolan scoring goals. Stelios won Euro
2004 with Greece while with us. But this one has the potential. "We've
signed lots of young players with ambition. The rest of the squad who have
accepted these players have got better as well. James Tomkins was
outstanding. They really have raised their level."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Don't lose all those plaudits Mr Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Nigel Kahn carries the undisputed title of 'Mr Controversy' and we always
welcome his pieces at ClaretandHugh knowing he's likely to kick up a storm.
Here Nige examines the Newcastle victory and not unnaturally puts his
microscope ov er some worrying signs as he sees them. Welcome back Nige!
The win against Newcastle was welcome! The players worked hard, and 'Lady
Luck' smiled on them via the goal. Whilst not being worried when seeing the
team sheet I did feel Allardyce's tactics in playing one up front was a step
back towards last season Big Sam has received many plaudits for the way we
have played since this season, and key to that is he has played with two up
.
I was surprised that against Everton, where he had the perfect opportunity
to revert to his bad old ways, with the injury list as it was, and an away
game where a point would have been a good result … but he didn't. Fair play
to him I thought, perhaps he's was becoming a changing man.
Yet with a home game and remembering the great impact Zarate made when
arriving as a Goodison sub, surely the Newcastle game was one for him and
Zarate to combine.
Time after time attacking moves broke down or slowed down due to Carroll
dropping deep to win headers yet with no one to flick it on to, I just don't
get why Sam sent that team out in that way!
Let's not kid ourselves about the victory. The goal was as fortunate as they
come and we didn't create much else until the last minutes when the Geordies
were pressing for an equaliser in a match where both sides looked fairly
even.
Sam has the fans backing at the moment and with another run of games against
teams that are there for the taking let's hope he doesn't repeat the
Newcastle selection errors or an excellent scenario may erode – starting at
the Hawthorns.
Carroll's return hasn't seen us start launching it so far but you can see it
creeping back in to our play and we know how fruitless that is as there is
no one to capitalise on the flick ons.
Neither Downing, Jarvis, nor Amalfitano are clinical finishers so how they
all got to start beats me, particularly as Zarate knows exactly where the
goal is. Our play changed at a stroke when he arrived.
I hope it was just an experiment and It won't reappear, but if he continues
with just Carroll then Allardyce may just lose some of the fans he regained.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate move fears as Italians move in
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh has established that £5-£6 million rated Mauro Zarate could be
ready to seek a move – perhaps as early as January – if he doesn't get more
game time. The Argentine striker is becoming increasingly frustrated at his
limited cameo appearances and wants the chance to impress the manager. Club
insiders are aware of the player's feelings and hope that he can be
accommodated into the team regularly as – "at the very least an impact sub."
And one very well placed source told us: "Unless he gets game time, like
any player he could be looking for a move – perhaps even in January .
"He's under a watertight contract with no escape clauses and we hope
against hope he can be kept happy one way or another. "But he's a top
professional and wants to play. Goes without saying. It's hard to hold on to
a player should he become really unhappy. "We all know he's a highly
talented operator but he appears to be having a difficult time establishing
himself in the regular first team thinking. "There's a possibility of course
that should we collect more and more points by Christmas and get safer he
may get his chances in an even more adventurous formation. If not we could
see difficulties."
The club has a £5-£6 million valuation on the player and we have had it on
solid authority that several top clubs in Italy are keen.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho to see medical expert but Irons may gamble
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce's suggestion that Diafra Sakho could be included in the squad
for Sunday's game against Swansea rests in the lap of the medical expert who
gave the original diagnosis on the striker. The manager claimed at his
morning press conference: "He won't be far away. It's a disappointment as
he's been out for a while as he was in such good form. If all goes well he
could be back to face Swansea on Sunday." ClaretandHugh has discovered in
the meantime that the "if all goes well" is a reference to the fact that he
has to go back to the "expert" who just a week ago ruled him out for between
four to six weeks. We were told: "He might be on the bench and play 30
minutes, he's DESPERATE to play and is running again. "But he will see the
expert who reckoned a week ago it would be out for four to six weeks, so his
judgement might impact on our decision. However, we may have to gamble a
bit. "Alex Song could/should be back for Swansea, but you never know and
with Valencia , he may play some minutes tomorrow night."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
WHUFC.com
All you need to know about the Hammers' trip to the Hawthorns this Tuesday
01.12.2014
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
THE HAWTHORNS
TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 8PM
REFEREE: MIKE JONES
In brief
West Ham United travel to the Black Country to face West Bromwich Albion as
the Hammers look to build on their 1-0 win over Newcastle United from
Saturday.
The Baggies, who sit in 15th in the Premier League table on 13 points, are
looking to end a run of three straight defeats following Saturday's 1-0 loss
to Arsenal.
Sam Allardyce's men are ten places higher, sitting in fifth with 21 points.
The victory over Newcastle was the Hammers' sixth of the season, while they
also picked up their third clean sheet.
West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring
Works in West Bromwich.
They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in 1882, winning an
impressive 26-0 and going on to win the Staffordshire Senior Cup, their
first trophy, the next season.
West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in
1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.
The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other
honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in
1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66.
More recently, they have established themselves as a Premier League club
after being promoted back to the top flight in 2010.
Team news
West Ham United
Enner Valencia is back in the squad after returning to training on Monday.
The striker has been in good form so far this season. His return gives
Allardyce options up front with Andy Carroll completing his second
consecutive 90 minutes of the season with Mauro Zarate and Carlton Cole also
available.
Diafra Sakho and Alex Song are still out, but Winston Reid returns following
a suspension.
West Bromwich Albion
James Morrison could return on Tuesday evening after missing the Arsenal
game through illness. Sebastien Pocognoli is also unlikely to feature after
picking up a knock at the weekend.
The Baggies will be without Jonas Olsson through a shin injury.
Referee
Tuesday's referee is Mike Jones. This is Jones' first West Ham assignment of
the season, but last year he was in charge as the Hammers lost 3-1 away to
Manchester United.
The Assistant Referees are Jake Collin and Richard West, while Roger East is
the Fourth Official.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 8
Yellow cards shown: 22
Red cards shown: 2
Penalties awarded: 1
One to watch
West Ham United
Following a resolute performance on Saturday which saw the Hammers claim
their third clean sheet of the season, James Tomkins will be hoping to put
another solid performance in on Tuesday.
The dominating centre-back has been in good form recently as he and his
defensive colleagues limited Newcastle's strike-force to just one shot on
target.
West Bromwich Albion
Explosive striker Saido Berahino has been in great form for West Brom this
season having already netted eight goals.
The 21-year-old's exploits have been widely praised as he was given his
first senior England call up by Roy Hodgson.
However, Berahino has not scored in five games and will be looking to get
back on the scoresheet sooner rather than later.
Tickets
Tickets are now sold out. Tickets for the Hammers' next home game with
Swansea City on Sunday are available here.
Travel
For all the information of how to get to the Hawthorns, click here.
Weather
Tuesday evening is set to be a cold one as temperature at kick off is
forecast to be a chilly 3C (37F) with temperatures dropping throughout the
match.
Last meeting
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
26 April 2014
Saido Berahino scored the only goal of the game, as he converted current
West Ham midfielder Morgan Amalfitano's cross to give Pepe Mel his first
home win as West Brom manager.
Andy Carroll, among others, had several chances to equalise yet the Hammers
could not find a way past Ben Foster.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Reid (Morrison 47), Olsson, Dawson, Jones,
Brunt, Dorrans, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Sessegnon (Anichebe 81), Berahino
(Yacob 89)
Subs not used: Myhill, Lugano, Vydra, Thievy
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins (Collins 33), Demel,
Nolan, Jarvis (C Cole 79), Noble, Diame, Downing (J Cole 67), Carroll
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Nocerino, Vaz Te
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
The manager speaks to the press ahead of Tuesday's trip to West Bromwich
Albion
01.12.2014
Sam Allardyce is hoping to welcome Enner Valencia back from injury when West
Ham United travel to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
The Ecuador striker has been absent since the international break, but
returned to training on Monday to boost the manager's options.
He answered questions on team news, his targets and more in his pre-match
press conference.
What's the team news for tomorrow?
SA: "We've got a little bit of fatigue still from Saturday's game. We got
one or two knocks and bruises but we they should be fine. The biggest doubt
is Mark Noble who had another kick on his calf which he played through
against Newcastle. "Enner Valencia is back in the squad and he'll be
training with is today. Winston Reid comes back from suspension. Both
Newcastle and ourselves produced one of the highest energy stats of the
season. It was a huge game for both clubs, the energy we expended
demonstrated that. We have a very positive, confident mood in the camp at
the moment which is always good. I think it helps because players don't feel
quite as tired when they win."
Andy Carroll is very early into his recovery, do you think he is ready to
play two 90 minutes in such a short space?
SA: "It would only be his third 90 minutes in six months so we'll have to
consider that as well. We don't want to overstretch him too early and risk
another injury."
Do you have any timescale for when Diafra Sakho might be back
SA: "He won't be far away. It's a disappointment as he's been out for a
while as he was in such good form. If all goes well he could be back to face
Swansea on Sunday."
You're back up to fifth in the table, have you revised your targets for the
season?
SA: "No not yet, it's still too early. I think we'll evaluate the season as
a whole after January and see where we are. We have a massive few weeks and
months ahead of us and it'll be a big test. This week we have nine points on
offer, we've got three of them already, so it's a huge week for us. The win
on Saturday was massive considering who we were playing and the run they
were on."
Has the impact Aaron Cresswell had surprised you? And do you think Roy
Hodgson should be looking at him?
SA: "I think he should forget about England for now. He's made great
progress so far, but he's only just arrived. He's done fantastically well
and he's been available for every league game so far. Hopefully he'll
continue this run. His contribution has been excellent and he's capped it
off with a goal on Saturday. People might call it lucky that the pass fell
to him but if you look at his run, that's not an accident. He's taken the
chance to drive forward, from a deep position, a run you expect a forward to
make. The goal came at a very important time and obviously won us the game."
Has Cresswell surpassed your expectations when you bought him?
SA: "When a player takes a step up a level you can never quite know how
he'll cope. Sometimes it takes a while but the great start we've had has
helped. We're a third of the way through the season and that has helped as
well. Overall he has done fantastically."
With Carl Jenkinson on the other side, you've got two good, young players.
After the game he said you've encouraged both of them to get as further
forward as possible?
SA: "It's a very important area of the game nowadays. A lot of opportunities
to score come from these areas now. If you have two athletic full backs like
we do, with brilliant physical output than that is a great asset to have. At
the same time I've been very satisfied with their defensive qualities.
There's far too many full backs who aren't as good as defending as those two
are. They've been fantastic for us and if we keep a clean sheet tomorrow I
believe we will win."
With Valencia coming back you've got several attacking options to choose
from?
SA: "To have Enner back, with is pace is a great option for us. He's an
exciting player and I think we have yet to see the best of him."
Mark Noble became the club's leading Premier League appearance holder, did
the club do anything to mark it and how important has he been to the club?
SA: "We haven't had an awful lot of time to celebrate it but all the players
have congratulated him, I certainly have too. For Mark, at only 27, he can
go on to play a lot more games. There aren't many one club players around
now."
You've identified the main threat as Saido Berahino, how good do you think
he is?
SA: "I think him, Harry Kane and Charlie Austin have been the breakthrough
England players this season. He's a good player and he'll be a threat, but
it's only the start of his career, if he dedicates himself then I don't see
why he couldn't develop into a fantastic player."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark's a record breaker
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was delighted to reach a significant landmark with a victory on
Saturday
01.12.2014
Mark Noble spoke of his pride at becoming West Ham United's all-time leading
Premier League appearance maker after captaining his team to a 1-0 victory
over Newcastle United on Saturday, The Boleyn Ground clash was the 205th top
flight game of Noble's Hammers career, taking him past Steve Potts' Premier
League mark. The personal milestone made the Magpies match special enough,
but victory was more important for the No16. He said: "I'm 205 not out.
That's a lot of Premier League appearances and it is a great feat. I want to
improve on it and play as many as I can. To follow in the footsteps of Steve
Potts, who is a legend here, is a very nice feeling. "We have been
performing well in the last few weeks and we played Villa and hit everything
other than the back of the net. Saturday was a scrappy game but in the end
we showed our quality. We could have finished them off more thoroughly
towards the end but we got the vital goal and that's the main thing. To get
three points is all that matters."
Aaron Cresswell's second half goal on Saturday ended a run of six
consecutive wins for the Magpies so Noble was thrilled to down a team in
such good form. He continued: "Newcastle have been on an unbelievable run
and Pards has done a fantastic job there after being under so much pressure.
"I was thinking the night before the game, would I rather Newcastle came
into this match having lost four in a row, or having won six? Probably I'd
go for the latter. They were a point above us in fifth and maybe a little
bit of complacency can step in. We capitalised on that but credit to
Newcastle, who played well, but they couldn't break us down. "They are a
good team. We were out in New Zealand with them on pre-season and you could
see they have got good players. They looked a top team then and even though
they had a couple of their players missing they will do well this season.
"I'm buzzing for their manager because he started my career off here by
putting me in the first team and it was nice to break the record with him
here as the opposing manager."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers pair hold Brazil
WHUFC.com
Reece Oxford and Jahmal Hector-Ingram featured in England U17s' 2-2 draw
with Brazil
01.12.2014
West Ham United youngsters Reece Oxford and Jahmal Hector-Ingram helped
England U17s snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with Brazil at the Nike
International Tournament on Sunday. Centre-back Oxford captained the Young
Lions, while forward Hector-Ingram appeared as a late substitute as England
snatched a last-minute equaliser in Sarasota, Florida. A rollercoaster game
saw Oxford blaze a chance over the crossbar before John Peacock's side took
the lead two minutes before half-time thanks to Leicester City's Layton
Ndukwu. However, it all looked to be going wrong for England when Liverpool
full-back Trent Arnold was sent-off with eight minutes to go. Brazil took
full advantage by scoring twice in the space of four minutes through Leo Dos
Santos and Evander Ferreira. Peacock threw on Hector-Ingram in search of an
unlikely equaliser and was rewarded in the final minute when a corner was
laid back to Liverpool midfielder Adam Phillips, who curled an unstoppable
shot into the top corner. England, who lost 3-1 to hosts the United States
in their opening match on Friday, play their third and final match against
Australia on Tuesday. Oxford and Hector-Ingram will hope to feature when
England continue their UEFA European U17 Championship qualifying campaign
with the Elite Round, which will take place in the spring.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
Four West Ham United loanees were in action last weekend
01.12.2014
Jamie Harney made his senior league debut for Colchester United as they lost
6-0 to MK Dons. The 18-year-old came on in the 72nd minute, replacing Rhys
Healey with the U's 5-0 down.
Sean Maguire played the full game in Accrington Stanley's 3-2 home defeat by
Exeter City. Goals from Liam Sercombe, Tom Nichols and Matt Grimes secured
the win despite Stanley rallying in the second half through John
O'Sullivan's 25-yard drive and Shay McCartan's goal.
Diego Poyet played 76 minutes for Huddersfield Town in their 1-0 defeat by
Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. The midfielder was replaced by
Joe Lolley shortly after Craig Davies' fifth goal of the season secured Neil
Lennon's side the three points.
Modibo Maiga played the first 62 minutes as FC Metz lost 2-0 to Lens. Maiga
was replaced by Juan Falcon shortly before Alharbi El Jadeyaoui and Benjamin
Bourigeaud scored.
Ravel Morrison did not feature in Cardiff City's first away win of the
season in a 1-0 away win at Watford. Striker Adam Le Fondre netted in the
twelfth minute to take the Bluebirds to eighth in the table on 29 points.
Raphael Spiegel did not feature in Barnet's 3-1 win over Macclesfield Town.
Goals from Andy Yiadom, John Akinde and Curtis Weston kept Barnet on top of
the Vanarama Conference with 49 points from 24 games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Little leads ladies to victory
WHUFC.com
Stacey Little scored in the West Ham United Ladies 3-1 win over Leafield
Athletic
01.12.2014
West Ham United Ladies recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Leafield Athletic
to progress into the next round of the FA Women's Premier League Plate. The
visitors started strongly as Charlotte Hughes proved difficult to handle as
she had several chances early on. However the Hammers grew into the match as
Kelley Blanchflower's effort was denied by a fantastic save from Athletic
goalkeeper Hannah Tromans.
Leafield continued to press for the opener as Donna Hawkins and Leigh
Dugmore both went close. With time running out in the first half, Stacey
Little scored for the Hammers as she timed her run to perfection to head
home from close range. The goal gave the hosts confidence as they started to
control the second half. Lily Mellors had a great opportunity to double
their lead, however her shot went just wide when she was one-on-one with
goalkeeper Tromans. With five minutes left to play, Sarah McCrea scored her
ninth goal of the season to make it 2-0 when she cut in from the left and
shot fiercely into the corner. Debutant midfielder Jade Smith sealed the
victory just two minutes later as she headed McCrea's cross into the net.
With the result beyond doubt, there was just time for Leigh Dugmore to score
a late consolation goal as her composed finish rounded off a superb flowing
move. The win sees the Ladies progress to the next stage of the League
Plate.
West Ham United Ladies: Runnacles, King, Bottom, Bowers, Baxter, Revell,
McCrea, Little (c), Kinsman, Mellors, Blanchflower
Subs: Smith, Masters, Locke.
The Ladies' last fixture before Christmas is away to Charlton Athletic on
Sunday 14 December, kick off 2pm.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mediawatch - Monday 1 December
WHUFC.com
Cresswell and Carroll take centre-stage in today's media digest
01.12.2014
Mediawatch - Monday 1 December
Match-winner Aaron Cresswell is the main main when it comes to press
coverage of West Ham United on 1 December. The left-back, who bagged his
first goal for the Club in Saturday's 1-0 success against Barclays Premier
League, earns praise from manager Sam Allardyce in the Daily Telegraph,
where he is labelled Mr Dependable. The same article also makes mention of
Big Sam's claim that this is the 'second best' club side he has ever
managed, behind the star-sprinkled team he managed in his final three
seasons at Bolton Wanderers between 2004-07. The same comment is covered by
Daily Star.
Continuing the positive theme, Andy Carroll is quoted in the Daily Express
and The Times saying he is 'feeling fresh' and hoping to get back to his
best as soon as possible.
Off the pitch, there is coverage in the Daily Mail of the manager's comments
about the injury suffered by Diafra Sakho while on international duty with
Senegal.
Continuing the international theme, West Ham's outstanding 15-year-old
centre-back Reece Oxford captained England U17s to a 2-2 draw with Brazil in
Sarasota, Florida on Sunday - a match covered by the FA's official website.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom v West Ham
KO 20:00
1 December 2014
Last updated at 11:09
By Alistair Bruce-Ball
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Tuesday, 2 December
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (0) & SUBSTITUTIONS (0)
TEAM NEWS
West Brom will check on the fitness of Sebastien Pocognoli after he suffered
a dead leg in the defeat against Arsenal.
Midfielder James Morrison has been struggling with both illness and a knee
injury and will also be assessed.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble will have a fitness test on a calf problem
ahead of the trip to the Hawthorns.
Defender Winston Reid is available again after sitting out the match against
Newcastle with a one-match suspension.
MATCH PREVIEW
Some West Brom fans have clearly lost faith in their manager Alan Irvine.
Lawro's prediction "West Brom have lost their last three games and not
scored in any of them. Their home form is poor, with one win in seven games
at The Hawthorns this season, but their lack of goals concerns me more." As
the Baggies slipped to a third successive Premier League defeat on Saturday
some sang "you don't know what you're doing" as Irvine replaced Stephane
Sessegnon with Georgios Samaras and his team rather belatedly started to
take the game to Arsenal. Too late. Saido Berahino did hit the bar with a
header, but the defeat means West Brom have still only won one league game
at the Hawthorns this season. But more worryingly, that run stretches to
just three wins in 21 league games at home since last November. One of those
wins came against Sam Allardyce's West Ham in April, and it was crucial in
keeping West Brom in the top-flight. That day it was West Ham fans getting
stuck into their manager and calling for Allardyce to be sacked. O ye of
little faith - he has now lead the club to its best-ever start to a Premier
League season, and they sit fifth in the table after the 1-0 win over
Newcastle. There's no resting on laurels for Allardyce though. "At the
moment we are achieving above expectations but it's vital, going into
December, that we sustain things. Historically December and January have
been difficult months for us in recent years," he said. December is also
going to be a crucial month for Irvine and West Brom. They've drawn a blank
in defeats against Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal. Their only goal in their
last four games in the Premier League was an own goal in the 1-0 win at
Leicester. After the game against West Ham they face the three teams
immediately below them in the table - Aston Villa, Hull and QPR - and they
desperately need Berahino to rediscover his scoring touch.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Five out of the last seven meetings between these sides have ended in draws.
West Brom won this fixture last season with Saido Berahino scoring the only
goal. It was the Baggies' only home win under Pepe Mel.
The Baggies are unbeaten in four meetings with West Ham at the Hawthorns
(W2, D2).
West Brom
West Brom have gone four games without a victory at home and they have won
just three of their last 21 Premier League home games.
Their only victory in seven league games was against Leicester on 1
November.
It is now four games since a West Brom player scored in the Premier League -
their only goal in that time was Esteban Cambiasso's own goal.
Saido Berahino scored in both league matches against West Ham last season.
West Ham
West Ham's win over Newcastle was their first in four games; however they
have only suffered one defeat in their last seven league games (W4, D2).
Their tally of 21 points from 13 matches is their best-ever start to Premier
League season.
The Hammers' last seven Premier League goals have been scored by seven
different players.
They have scored in all six of their away league matches this season.
Sam Allardyce's side haven't kept a clean sheet away from Upton Park in 12
matches.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce tells Cresswell 'forget about England'
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has told young full back Aaron Cresswell to ignore rumours
linking him with a full international debut. 24-year-old Cresswell, who
joined West Ham from Ipswich during the summer is knocking on Roy Hodgson's
door having enjoyed a solid start to his first ever season in the Premier
League. However Allardyce, speaking this morning ahead of tomorrow's trip to
West Bromwich Albion has advised the full back to concentrate instead on his
club career - for now. "He's made great progress so far, but he's only just
arrived," Allardyce, addressing the media at Chadwell Heath, said. "He's
done fantastically well and he's been available for every league game so
far. Hopefully he'll continue this run. "When a player steps up a level you
never quite know how he'll cope. Sometimes it takes a while, but the great
start we've had has helped. We're a third of the way through the season and
that has helped as well. Overall he has done fantastically. "His
contribution has been excellent and he's capped it off with a goal on
Saturday. People might call it lucky that the pass fell to him but if you
look at his run, that's not an accident. The goal came at a very important
time and obviously won us the game."
Allardyce was also effusive in his praise of Cresswell's fellow full back,
Carl Jenkinson. Like Cresswell, the on-loan Arsenal defender has settled
into life at West Ham with consummate ease as Allardyce admitted he values
both players highly. "It's a very important area of the game nowadays," he
affirmed. "If you have two athletic full backs like we do, with brilliant
physical output than that is a great asset to have. "At the same time I've
been very satisfied with their defensive qualities. There's far too many
full backs who aren't as good as defending as those two are. They've been
fantastic for us and if we keep a clean sheet tomorrow, I believe we will
win."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former Hammer snubs Blades
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Academy youngster Eoin Wearen has rejected overtures from Sheffield
United to sign for League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers. Now
22, the midfielder - who spent four years with Tony Carr at Chadwell Heath -
moves from Bohemians, whom he joined earlier this year having left West Ham
last summer. Rovers boss Owen Heary told sligorovers.com: "He is a very
talented player. He signed when he was young for West Ham and was there for
four or five years so there is obviously a reason why he was there.
"Unfortunately he got injured so he came back last year with Bohs through
the latter end of the season so I think people seen how good he was.
Sheffield United wanted him to come over, so I was delighted to persuade him
to come here."
Wearen added: "It was an easy decision to sign for Sligo Rovers. It's been a
couple of months since the season finished, I've weighed up all my options
and looked at the things that are available to me. "I came down and met with
Owen last week. I saw what Sligo Rovers have to offer with the facilities
and heard a lot of great things about the club and the people down here, so
it was a very easy decision in the end.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho and Valencia return for Baggies trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce could have his first choice strike force back for tomorrow
night's trip to The Hawthorns. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have proved a
huge success since arriving in England during the summer transfer window,
although both have missed the last two games against Everton and Newcastle.
However the pair are set to return when Allardyce and his squad travel to
the Midlands for the clash with struggling West Bromwich Albion. Despite
rumours to the contrary, Sakho - who has missed three of West Ham's last
four games - was close to being fit enough to take part in Saturday's defeat
of Newcastle. However following a late fitness test at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday morning ahead of the Newcastle meeting, it was decided to give him
extra recovery period. Meanwhile Valencia, who sustained a knock during
training a fortnight ago is also poised to make his comeback having trained
at Chadwell Heath with the rest of the squad this morning. Alex Song - who,
like Valencia, picked up a knock in training recently - is also close to
regaining full fitness, although the Cameroon midfielder may have to wait
for the visit of Swansea this weekend before considering a return to action.
However Allardyce's squad is further boosted by the return of Winston Reid,
who missed Saturday's win over Newcastle through suspension having collected
five bookings this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to investigate circumstances of injury to Diafra Sakho
Last Updated: 01/12/14 4:43pm
SSN
West Ham are investigating the circumstances of the back injury suffered by
Diafra Sakho while playing for Senegal. Manager Sam Allardyce refused to go
into any detail surrounding the incident but says the injury did not occur
'while playing or training'. Sakho, who has scored seven goals in nine games
for West Ham this season, has missed his side's last two games through
injury. "I'm not legally qualified to make a comment any further than he
didn't get injured when playing or training," said Allardyce. "But obviously
from an internal point of view the club will deal with how it happened, why
it happened and what we are going to do about it." "I can't medically go
into any detail in a legal point of view other than the injury occurred not
by playing or training." When asked whether the injury was a result of
'mistreatment' from the Senegal staff, Allardyce, speaking ahead of
Tuesday's trip to West Brom, said: "I've not said that.
"You've said that not me. I can't medically go into any detail in a legal
point of view other than the injury occurred not by playing or training."
Sakho is likely to feature heavily for Senegal during the Africa Cup of
Nations which starts on January 17, and Allardyce has suggested medical
staff from the club could follow the player out there. On the possibility of
sending his own medical personal to the tournament he said: "I think we
would like to, but of course it's manpower in terms of what you can put
together to send out to look after the players. "It's obviously a difficult
thing to do. If I had my choice we would like to do it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AGENT SPEND SHOWS AMBITION
By Sean Whetstone 1 Dec 2014 at 20:01
West Ham Till I Die
On Friday each Premier League club were required to publish their spend on
agent fees for the last 12 months. West Ham figures reveal that the Hammers
spend to agents soared to £6,380,339.31. This included three loan signings
in January and nine arrivals during the summer. This is an increase of over
50% on the £4,169,134.09 paid to agents in the 2012/2013 period.
The Hammers rank sixth in the table of agent fess in the Premier League this
year up from 9th place last year. We are only surpassed by Chelsea,
Liverpool, Manchester City, Spurs, and Manchester United who spent more than
us on agents. It brings the Hammers spend on agents over the last five years
to nearly £24 million.
1st: Chelsea – £16,771,328
2nd: Liverpool – £14,308,444
3rd: Manchester City – £12,811,946
4th: Tottenham Hotspur – £10,983,011
5th: Manchester United – £7,975,556
6th: West Ham United – £6,380,339
7th: Everton – £5,753,269
8th: Sunderland – £5,276,674
9th: Arsenal – £4,293,407
10th: Stoke City – £3,986,850
11th: Newcastle United – £3,876,250
12th: Swansea City – £3,784,090
13th: West Bromwich Albion – £3,493,745
14th: Queens Park Rangers – £3,242,668
15th: Southampton – £2,766,444
16th: Aston Villa – £2,577,866
17th: Hull City – £2,459,010
18th: Crystal Palace – £2,200,797
19th: Leicester City – £1,608,418
20th: Burnley – £711,024
While this might seem a lot of money I am guessing both David Sullivan and
Karren Brady would not spent a penny more than is necessary and this is
regarded as a necessary evil in the modern game. You could conclude that
spending over £6m in agent fees to rank in the top six of spenders shows
ambition to join the top six in the league. Time will tell whether this
strategy pays off!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Aaron Cresswell admits his first Premier League goal was a 'dream
come true'
Nov 30, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Full-back who hit the winner against Newcastle was let go by Liverpool as a
kid and reached the top flight via six seasons in League 1 and the
Championship
The Mirror
Aaron Cresswell admitted to living a boyhood dream after his winner helped
steer West Ham back towards a European slot. The 24-year-old defender,
described as 'Mr Dependable' by boss Sam Allardyce, was ecstatic after
sweeping into the bottom corner. A seasoned striker would have been proud of
the finish, which came as Cheikhou Kouyate's mis-kicked drive trickled into
his path 11 minutes after the break.
Cresswell said: "It's what I've dreamt of since I was a little boy. Cheikhou
has gone to shoot and it's held up for me and I've just tapped it in from
six yards out. I'll take them all day. "As a defender, it was nice to keep
the clean sheet. To then to pop up and score is what dreams are made of."
West Ham have done some cracking business over the summer to put together
the squad that is clearly taking them to the next level.
Alex Song, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have all shown themselves to be
stellar signings with key roles to play in the Irons' resurgence. You have
to wonder, however, just how on earth West Ham managed to land Cresswell –
virtually unchallenged – from Ipswich for only £2million. Ever since
arriving at the club the left-back has looked as though he has been a Hammer
all his life. His goal lifted West Ham up into fifth – six places above
Liverpool, the club that released him as a youngster. Allardyce said: "Kevin
Nolan had the same. He got discarded by Liverpool and went to Bolton. We all
know what he achieved in the Premier League over the last 10 years. "Aaron
has had a slow process building the base of his career. I think it was Paul
Jewell who saw him at Tranmere and took him to Ipswich. That gave him the
platform to gain more experience. "Now, when I talk about injuries his
game record is better than anyone at the club. He played three seasons for
Ipswich at 40-plus games. He did the same for Tranmere. "We only have 38
games in the Premier League. But he is Mr Dependable, not only in terms of
his performances but his reliability. He's definitely one of them with the
performances to go with it. "It's a great start for him – scoring the winner
– and I'm sure he's loving every minute of it. He's loving the euphoria that
comes around this level of football. "We're not thinking any more that we
don't have enough players in the lower leagues able to make the step up, so
we end up scooting off abroad. "None more so than me – I've done all that
before. But certainly the basis for me in this team is British players.
Picking up the likes of Aaron is great from the point of view that we have a
nice mixture of talent."
Cresswell's goal ended Newcastle's attempt to rack up seven wins in a row
for the first time since Kevin Keegan's serial thrillers 19 years ago. It
also showed just how much strength in depth Allardyce has at his disposal.
Song, Valencia and Sakho were all missing but West Ham were still vastly
superior to Alan Pardew's men. Allardyce added: "This is my second best
squad. The first one was during the last three years at Bolton. That was
littered with outstanding world class talent. "Djorkaeff, Hierro, Okocha,
Anelka, Campo. And then Gary Speed, Nolan scoring goals. Stelios won Euro
2004 with Greece while with us. But this one has the potential. "We've
signed lots of young players with ambition. The rest of the squad who have
accepted these players have got better as well. James Tomkins was
outstanding. They really have raised their level."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Don't lose all those plaudits Mr Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Nigel Kahn carries the undisputed title of 'Mr Controversy' and we always
welcome his pieces at ClaretandHugh knowing he's likely to kick up a storm.
Here Nige examines the Newcastle victory and not unnaturally puts his
microscope ov er some worrying signs as he sees them. Welcome back Nige!
The win against Newcastle was welcome! The players worked hard, and 'Lady
Luck' smiled on them via the goal. Whilst not being worried when seeing the
team sheet I did feel Allardyce's tactics in playing one up front was a step
back towards last season Big Sam has received many plaudits for the way we
have played since this season, and key to that is he has played with two up
.
I was surprised that against Everton, where he had the perfect opportunity
to revert to his bad old ways, with the injury list as it was, and an away
game where a point would have been a good result … but he didn't. Fair play
to him I thought, perhaps he's was becoming a changing man.
Yet with a home game and remembering the great impact Zarate made when
arriving as a Goodison sub, surely the Newcastle game was one for him and
Zarate to combine.
Time after time attacking moves broke down or slowed down due to Carroll
dropping deep to win headers yet with no one to flick it on to, I just don't
get why Sam sent that team out in that way!
Let's not kid ourselves about the victory. The goal was as fortunate as they
come and we didn't create much else until the last minutes when the Geordies
were pressing for an equaliser in a match where both sides looked fairly
even.
Sam has the fans backing at the moment and with another run of games against
teams that are there for the taking let's hope he doesn't repeat the
Newcastle selection errors or an excellent scenario may erode – starting at
the Hawthorns.
Carroll's return hasn't seen us start launching it so far but you can see it
creeping back in to our play and we know how fruitless that is as there is
no one to capitalise on the flick ons.
Neither Downing, Jarvis, nor Amalfitano are clinical finishers so how they
all got to start beats me, particularly as Zarate knows exactly where the
goal is. Our play changed at a stroke when he arrived.
I hope it was just an experiment and It won't reappear, but if he continues
with just Carroll then Allardyce may just lose some of the fans he regained.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate move fears as Italians move in
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh has established that £5-£6 million rated Mauro Zarate could be
ready to seek a move – perhaps as early as January – if he doesn't get more
game time. The Argentine striker is becoming increasingly frustrated at his
limited cameo appearances and wants the chance to impress the manager. Club
insiders are aware of the player's feelings and hope that he can be
accommodated into the team regularly as – "at the very least an impact sub."
And one very well placed source told us: "Unless he gets game time, like
any player he could be looking for a move – perhaps even in January .
"He's under a watertight contract with no escape clauses and we hope
against hope he can be kept happy one way or another. "But he's a top
professional and wants to play. Goes without saying. It's hard to hold on to
a player should he become really unhappy. "We all know he's a highly
talented operator but he appears to be having a difficult time establishing
himself in the regular first team thinking. "There's a possibility of course
that should we collect more and more points by Christmas and get safer he
may get his chances in an even more adventurous formation. If not we could
see difficulties."
The club has a £5-£6 million valuation on the player and we have had it on
solid authority that several top clubs in Italy are keen.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho to see medical expert but Irons may gamble
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce's suggestion that Diafra Sakho could be included in the squad
for Sunday's game against Swansea rests in the lap of the medical expert who
gave the original diagnosis on the striker. The manager claimed at his
morning press conference: "He won't be far away. It's a disappointment as
he's been out for a while as he was in such good form. If all goes well he
could be back to face Swansea on Sunday." ClaretandHugh has discovered in
the meantime that the "if all goes well" is a reference to the fact that he
has to go back to the "expert" who just a week ago ruled him out for between
four to six weeks. We were told: "He might be on the bench and play 30
minutes, he's DESPERATE to play and is running again. "But he will see the
expert who reckoned a week ago it would be out for four to six weeks, so his
judgement might impact on our decision. However, we may have to gamble a
bit. "Alex Song could/should be back for Swansea, but you never know and
with Valencia , he may play some minutes tomorrow night."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
Monday, December 1
Daily WHUFC News - 1st December 2014
Jenkinson's joy at 'fantastic win'
WHUFc.com
Carl Jenkinson was thrilled to keep it clean in Saturday's 1-0 win over
ten-man Newcastle United
30.11.2014
Carl Jenkinson believes Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League win over
Newcastle United came at the perfect time, with West Ham United desperate to
get back on track sooner rather than later. Another clean sheet, a second
in succession at the Boleyn Ground, laid the foundation for a first win in
four, as fellow full-back Aaron Cresswell stole in to bag his first West Ham
goal and three points. Victory lifts the Hammers up to fifth ahead of
Tuesday's visit to West Bromwich Albion and while three points are always
welcome, Jenkinson insists this was a particularly timely triumph.
"It's great, it was a really hard-fought victory and we needed it to be
honest," he told West Ham TV. "We needed to get back on track and needed
three points, so it's a fantastic win and just what we needed right now. In
game's like this, it doesn't matter how you do it. It's fantastic that we've
kept a clean sheet as well and we've scored a great goal, so a great day all
round. "It wasn't easy, especially first half. You could see they were a
side full of confidence and they've got some good players. So it was never
going to be easy and we rode the storm. We stopped them creating too much,
which was good and it was lovely to get a clean sheet. That's always nice
for the defenders and the goalkeeper, so a massive win."
Even in Winston Reid's absence, Jenkinson and company looked assured at the
back and the Arsenal loanee says consistency of personnel is aiding the
Hammers' cause no end. He continued: "We're getting to know each other
really well as a back five, as such. It's not just the defenders, actually.
The midfield have really been putting in an effort and tracking runners,
they're just as important as the defenders. It's been a real team effort and
I think defensively we've been really good the last few games."
As for West Ham's winner, the 22-year-old could hardly speak highly enough
of Cresswell, whose brilliant finish belied a 14-month wait for a league
goal, after netting in 4-4 draw in October 2013. "It's fantastic and it's
great that he anticipated," he confirmed. "Obviously Cheikhou's had a shot
and skewed it into Aaron's path. It's fantastic, great instincts to be able
to read that and to get in behind and obviously it was a really cool finish.
Fantastic for Aaron, fantastic for the team and it was just what we needed."
The Hammers now head to the West Midlands with a spring in their step, but
Jenkinson is not underestimating the job at hand, adamant that he and his
colleagues will have to be at the peak of their powers to make it two wins
in four days. "It's all about just recovering properly now, we've got a
couple of days. Saturday's game took a lot out of the boys, so we need to
rest up, do the right things and be ready for Tuesday, because it's another
very important game. "We're going to have to be on the top of our game if
we're going to go there and get a result. But the way we're playing at the
moment and the confidence we've got in the side, we're more than capable of
doing it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pardew on... West Ham United United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 29th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
It was an unhappy homecoming for the man who once said he had "unfinished
business" at West Ham. But good news perhaps for the team behind
sackpardew.com. Regardless, read Alan 'Pards' Pardew's full, post-match
press conference exclusively here on KUMB...
Tight game, Alan?
Yeah. It was. I said to the team that we probably let ourselves down in the
period leading up to their goal, in that we didn't create the great moment
we needed to get a goal. We got in some really good positions in the first
half and didn't quite find the pass or the bit of quality that we have found
in recent weeks.
The goal was very disappointing as we'd defended absolutely superbly against
a team that put you under a lot of pressure with a lot of high balls. We'd
dealt with most of that and it was a mis-hit shot that's just fallen nicely
for them. You kind of sensed that one goal today was going to be very
important for both teams.
Have you got any arguments about the sending off?
Not really, no. I think Moussa [Sissoko] was frustrated that he hasn't got
the free kick in the box, or felt that he hadn't fouled him. I think he just
lost his mind for a little bit there and kicked the ball away, then
literally the next incident was a minute after.
It's not like Moussa, he's been outstanding for us. He has to learn from
that of course but he isn't a malicious player. I've seen it on the replay,
it doesn't look too good actually but he's not like that and I'm sure he
will apologise to Andy [Carroll] after.
Is that why you shook his hand after, because you considered it to be
uncharacteristic of him?
A little bit, yeah. I don't ... I didn't really see the incident on the Andy
Carroll one, if I'm honest, too well from where I was sitting but i just
wanted to show to him that it happens occasionally. He's been absolutely
superb for us and you can trust me in the room that he is a proper, honest
person.
The run comes to an end but lots of positives to take from that?
Well, it's one of those things that you don't want to come to an end. We'd
like to have perhaps made more opportunities today than we did but the
application of the players, the character of the team and the balance of the
team was good. We had to make changes again today, we lost our goalie;
Cheick Tiote's had to come in and wasn't really fully up to speed but I
thought both of them did very well.
That's been key to our run; we've looked in the squad and everybody has come
to the plate and delivered for us. Unfortunately today, we've come up short.
There wasn't a lot betwwen the teams today?
There was some good, professional battles going on. Both Mark Noble and Jack
[Colbeck] were outstanding for their teams and there was a lot of good stuff
going on, but not a lot of goal action. We've been really tight, not giving
any team too much freedom and the game only really opened up for the first
time when we went down to ten men.
That's been key to our success, a real conservative approach in terms of how
we defend.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A VIEW FROM THE DIRECTORS' BOX
By Iain Dale 30 Nov 2014 at 17:03
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday was a very different match-day experience from my normal one. Let
me tell you why. Back in early October Global radio, which owns LBC, where I
present a Drivetime show, held a charity day for their new charity MAKE SOME
NOISE. It raised £1.2 million. I did an auction on my show and it raised a
magnificent £3,900. It was a day out at West Ham with me, hospitality in the
Billy Bonds Lounge, seats in the Directors' Box and a chance to meet Karren
Brady, David Sullivan and several players. The two lucky winners chose the
Newcastle match.
However, a match day wouldn't be a proper match day if I didn't pay my
ritual visit to Ken's Cafe. I had had an email from a lady whose husband was
celebrating his 69th birthday yesterday and was flying over from Spain for
the match to meet his son who was flying in from Brazil. They are listeners
of my LBC show and read this blog so she asked if I could meet up with them.
Well, how could I refuse! So we met at Ken's and had a good old chinwag.
But it was soon time to meet Hope and Matt, the winners of the auction, at
the ticket office. I don't know why I was expecting someone older, but they
were both in their twenties. Hope turned out to be a Palace fan but she had
bought it for her partner who is a diehard Hammer. We then proceeded to go
up to the Billy Bonds lounge for a few drinks before Jill, the club's
Operations Manager came to collect us for a pitchside visit prior to the
game. It was soon time to take our seats in the front row of the Directors'
Box. I'm pretty sure they are the seats where Sir Trevor normally sits. I
had a good laugh waving down to Jo and Paul who were in the seats below
where I normally sit. I almost experienced an Andrew Mitchell moment…
It's quite curious sitting up there. The view, it has to be said, is
magnificent, but you feel curiously detached from the action. It's that much
further away and so much higher than my normal view. We were sat six feet
away from the injured Enner Valencia, who had an entourage of four or five
people who jabbered away throughout the match in Spanish. Shame I don't know
a word of the language. I also got a curious kick out of having a better
seat than Russell Brand, who was a bit further away in the second row.
Half time came and we went back to the Billy Bonds Lounge, where we all had
our pictures taken with Enner Valencia. I felt like a bit of a fan boy and
didn't quite know what to say to him except 'good luck'. A bit pathetic
really. I wasn't sure how much English he spoke. Well that's my excuse and I
am sticking to it! Russell Brand was there too, so Hope got her pic taken
with him. I'm not his greatest fan, so I didn't. It would have felt a bit
hypocritical. Anyway, by the time all that took place we thought we'd better
go out for the second half, which we gathered had already started. It was a
bit embarrassing to note as we squeezed by an understandably unimpressed
Karren Brady that seven minutes had already been played. Honestly, the prawn
sandwich brigade. Don'tcha hate 'em?
After the game we were taken by Jill to the Chairman's Lounge and we had
five minutes or so with David Sullivan, who was very chatty and made us feel
very welcome. We then met Karren Brady before we went down to the tunnel
where we met Adrian and Teddy Sheringham, who was dressed in biker's
leathers. I had a quick word with Ian 'Moose' Abrahams from talkSport – a
very nice guy – before being introduced to Big Sam as he was about to go
into the dressing room. Sam was very cheerful and wanted to know all about
Make Some Noise. We had a quick word about how brilliant Aaron Cresswell is
and a few other things besides, and then it was all over.
Thanks so much to Jill Moore for making it all happen and to David Sullivan
for donating the auction prize in the first place, and for also making a
private donation himself to the cause. If you'd like to donate you can do so
HERE
Just a quick word about the match. What a massive result. It wasn't the best
of games but I think Alan Pardew was stretching it a bit to say they matched
us throughout the game. Statistics don't lie. We had far more shots and
corners than them, even if they shaded possession 53-47. I thought we were
very solidly defensively, with Collins and Tomkins outstanding, although
perhaps not quite so outstanding as Aaron Cresswell, who was my man of the
match, and would have been even if he hadn't scored that great goal. Noble
was everywhere and Kouyate was very busy. I was a bit disappointed by Jarvis
and to a lesser extent Downing and Amalfitano but I thought Andy Carroll put
in a really good shift even if he didn't really ever threaten the goal.
All in all, a great day. And we're fifth.
And when I got home I learned my favourite band, Mango Groove, have
announced a concert in London on March 7th. Happy days!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maiga pay-off deal on cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will make another move to pay up Modibo Maiga should his loan club
Metz decide they don't want him to stay at the end of the season. Like Alou
Diarra before him – who accepted a pay off deal – there is obviously no way
back to the club for the centre forward who has one season left on his Irons
deal at the end of this campaign. ClaretandHugh understands that the £40k a
week player was made an offer at the end of last season before Metz took him
on loan which would have been worth around £2 million to him had he decided
to accept.
And shoud Metz not go ahead with a permanent move the Irons are likely to
offer the 27 year old a pay-off fee in the region of £800,000 but will go no
higher than £1 million. A source said: "Whether he accepts or not is
dependent on how much confidence he has in finding another club but Metz may
well offer a deal." Carlton Cole is likely to be allowed to move on in the
summer as the club look to make room in the wage budget for new players.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG: "Albion game ideal timing for Carroll"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold believes two games in four days is "perfect" for Andy Carroll as
he continues his return to full match fitness at West Brom on Tuesday
evening. He said: "The lads will only be in involved in light training and I
think another 90 minutes will suit him down to the ground at this stage.
"He's getting stronger all the time and could be a real handful against the
Baggies. He needs match action and this has come well for him."
Meanwhile, manager Sam Allardyce has to make a decision on whether to
restore Winston Reid to the heart of defence against Albion although he has
the option of playing him in a three with James Tomkins and James Collins.
He also needs to decide whether Mauro Zarate will get a place alongside
Carroll which would presumably see him replacing Matt Jarvis.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valencia on way back
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Injured Enner Valencia is set to return to the squad for Sunday's match
against Swansea. And with Alex Song also likely to join the lads for the
clash against the Welsh outfit, that will leave just Diafra Sakho on the
injured list – albeit for another month. Sources inside the Boleyn have
revealed to ClaretandHugh that the Ecuador international is now very much on
the mend and although Tuesday evening's clash against West Brom will come
too soon for him, a return against Swansea looks "very likely."
One insider said: "He and Songy look on for the game but there's real fury
still over the Saho injury – it was unforgivable. There's no chance of the
club getting any compensation at all." There was a rumour circulating last
night that Sakho's could be back well in advance of the speculated four
weeks but manager Sam Allardyce has regularly maintained he has no chance of
returning within four weeks.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SHUT UP MIRALLES – Let the Tomkins thing go
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Everton's Kevin Miralles has chosen to gob off about James Tomkins ahead of
his team's clash with Spurs this afternoon ! A week on it seems, he can't
let it go and takes the moral high ground by claiming that our central
defender set a terrible example for kids.
One answer to that: "Do you think that by reminding them – as you pursue an
easy headline and attract some attention to yourself – is a good idea then
mate?" He rants on about "going out there to be the best role model you can
– not just for the fans but for the millions of children watching the game
at home."
That last week's game wasn't on TV and that his rather unnecessary words may
attract pictures of the event in The Sun – thus reminding those "millions of
kids" about the event – doesn't appear to occur to him.
It isn't until the twelfth paragraph of the story that he apologises for his
own part in the events that stirred up the storm and fails to mention that
Irons boss Sam Allardyce sorted things out with HIS player very sharply
after the match. We note he has absolutely nothing to say about the
activities of James McCarthy who produced a shocking challenge on Morgan
Amolfitano or of any other Everton-induced incidents. The whole affair
ceased to be any of Miralles' business the minute it was over so three
words seem a lot more appropriate than his many – JUST SHUT UP!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan's verdict on a big win
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's welcome win over Newcastle brought back the feelgood feeling to
Upton Park after the team had failed to win since October.
And the much needed victory was particularly welcomed by David Sullivan
after – like us all – suffering through the injury crisis.
We now face West Brom on Tuesday evening and Swansea on Sunday with no
reason to believe that six points aren't their for the taking and hopefully
with at the very least Alex Song on the way back. Sullivan was delighted
with the victory declaring that at last we received the luck that has been
missing from previous outings. The co-chairman – speaking to ClaretandHugh –
said: " I didn't think we were as good as we were against Everton and Villa,
but we had that bit if luck we didn't have in those games. "It' was a
fabulous win for us and four wins wins and a draw in the last 5 home games
is great for our supporters."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
WHUFc.com
Carl Jenkinson was thrilled to keep it clean in Saturday's 1-0 win over
ten-man Newcastle United
30.11.2014
Carl Jenkinson believes Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League win over
Newcastle United came at the perfect time, with West Ham United desperate to
get back on track sooner rather than later. Another clean sheet, a second
in succession at the Boleyn Ground, laid the foundation for a first win in
four, as fellow full-back Aaron Cresswell stole in to bag his first West Ham
goal and three points. Victory lifts the Hammers up to fifth ahead of
Tuesday's visit to West Bromwich Albion and while three points are always
welcome, Jenkinson insists this was a particularly timely triumph.
"It's great, it was a really hard-fought victory and we needed it to be
honest," he told West Ham TV. "We needed to get back on track and needed
three points, so it's a fantastic win and just what we needed right now. In
game's like this, it doesn't matter how you do it. It's fantastic that we've
kept a clean sheet as well and we've scored a great goal, so a great day all
round. "It wasn't easy, especially first half. You could see they were a
side full of confidence and they've got some good players. So it was never
going to be easy and we rode the storm. We stopped them creating too much,
which was good and it was lovely to get a clean sheet. That's always nice
for the defenders and the goalkeeper, so a massive win."
Even in Winston Reid's absence, Jenkinson and company looked assured at the
back and the Arsenal loanee says consistency of personnel is aiding the
Hammers' cause no end. He continued: "We're getting to know each other
really well as a back five, as such. It's not just the defenders, actually.
The midfield have really been putting in an effort and tracking runners,
they're just as important as the defenders. It's been a real team effort and
I think defensively we've been really good the last few games."
As for West Ham's winner, the 22-year-old could hardly speak highly enough
of Cresswell, whose brilliant finish belied a 14-month wait for a league
goal, after netting in 4-4 draw in October 2013. "It's fantastic and it's
great that he anticipated," he confirmed. "Obviously Cheikhou's had a shot
and skewed it into Aaron's path. It's fantastic, great instincts to be able
to read that and to get in behind and obviously it was a really cool finish.
Fantastic for Aaron, fantastic for the team and it was just what we needed."
The Hammers now head to the West Midlands with a spring in their step, but
Jenkinson is not underestimating the job at hand, adamant that he and his
colleagues will have to be at the peak of their powers to make it two wins
in four days. "It's all about just recovering properly now, we've got a
couple of days. Saturday's game took a lot out of the boys, so we need to
rest up, do the right things and be ready for Tuesday, because it's another
very important game. "We're going to have to be on the top of our game if
we're going to go there and get a result. But the way we're playing at the
moment and the confidence we've got in the side, we're more than capable of
doing it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pardew on... West Ham United United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 29th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
It was an unhappy homecoming for the man who once said he had "unfinished
business" at West Ham. But good news perhaps for the team behind
sackpardew.com. Regardless, read Alan 'Pards' Pardew's full, post-match
press conference exclusively here on KUMB...
Tight game, Alan?
Yeah. It was. I said to the team that we probably let ourselves down in the
period leading up to their goal, in that we didn't create the great moment
we needed to get a goal. We got in some really good positions in the first
half and didn't quite find the pass or the bit of quality that we have found
in recent weeks.
The goal was very disappointing as we'd defended absolutely superbly against
a team that put you under a lot of pressure with a lot of high balls. We'd
dealt with most of that and it was a mis-hit shot that's just fallen nicely
for them. You kind of sensed that one goal today was going to be very
important for both teams.
Have you got any arguments about the sending off?
Not really, no. I think Moussa [Sissoko] was frustrated that he hasn't got
the free kick in the box, or felt that he hadn't fouled him. I think he just
lost his mind for a little bit there and kicked the ball away, then
literally the next incident was a minute after.
It's not like Moussa, he's been outstanding for us. He has to learn from
that of course but he isn't a malicious player. I've seen it on the replay,
it doesn't look too good actually but he's not like that and I'm sure he
will apologise to Andy [Carroll] after.
Is that why you shook his hand after, because you considered it to be
uncharacteristic of him?
A little bit, yeah. I don't ... I didn't really see the incident on the Andy
Carroll one, if I'm honest, too well from where I was sitting but i just
wanted to show to him that it happens occasionally. He's been absolutely
superb for us and you can trust me in the room that he is a proper, honest
person.
The run comes to an end but lots of positives to take from that?
Well, it's one of those things that you don't want to come to an end. We'd
like to have perhaps made more opportunities today than we did but the
application of the players, the character of the team and the balance of the
team was good. We had to make changes again today, we lost our goalie;
Cheick Tiote's had to come in and wasn't really fully up to speed but I
thought both of them did very well.
That's been key to our run; we've looked in the squad and everybody has come
to the plate and delivered for us. Unfortunately today, we've come up short.
There wasn't a lot betwwen the teams today?
There was some good, professional battles going on. Both Mark Noble and Jack
[Colbeck] were outstanding for their teams and there was a lot of good stuff
going on, but not a lot of goal action. We've been really tight, not giving
any team too much freedom and the game only really opened up for the first
time when we went down to ten men.
That's been key to our success, a real conservative approach in terms of how
we defend.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A VIEW FROM THE DIRECTORS' BOX
By Iain Dale 30 Nov 2014 at 17:03
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday was a very different match-day experience from my normal one. Let
me tell you why. Back in early October Global radio, which owns LBC, where I
present a Drivetime show, held a charity day for their new charity MAKE SOME
NOISE. It raised £1.2 million. I did an auction on my show and it raised a
magnificent £3,900. It was a day out at West Ham with me, hospitality in the
Billy Bonds Lounge, seats in the Directors' Box and a chance to meet Karren
Brady, David Sullivan and several players. The two lucky winners chose the
Newcastle match.
However, a match day wouldn't be a proper match day if I didn't pay my
ritual visit to Ken's Cafe. I had had an email from a lady whose husband was
celebrating his 69th birthday yesterday and was flying over from Spain for
the match to meet his son who was flying in from Brazil. They are listeners
of my LBC show and read this blog so she asked if I could meet up with them.
Well, how could I refuse! So we met at Ken's and had a good old chinwag.
But it was soon time to meet Hope and Matt, the winners of the auction, at
the ticket office. I don't know why I was expecting someone older, but they
were both in their twenties. Hope turned out to be a Palace fan but she had
bought it for her partner who is a diehard Hammer. We then proceeded to go
up to the Billy Bonds lounge for a few drinks before Jill, the club's
Operations Manager came to collect us for a pitchside visit prior to the
game. It was soon time to take our seats in the front row of the Directors'
Box. I'm pretty sure they are the seats where Sir Trevor normally sits. I
had a good laugh waving down to Jo and Paul who were in the seats below
where I normally sit. I almost experienced an Andrew Mitchell moment…
It's quite curious sitting up there. The view, it has to be said, is
magnificent, but you feel curiously detached from the action. It's that much
further away and so much higher than my normal view. We were sat six feet
away from the injured Enner Valencia, who had an entourage of four or five
people who jabbered away throughout the match in Spanish. Shame I don't know
a word of the language. I also got a curious kick out of having a better
seat than Russell Brand, who was a bit further away in the second row.
Half time came and we went back to the Billy Bonds Lounge, where we all had
our pictures taken with Enner Valencia. I felt like a bit of a fan boy and
didn't quite know what to say to him except 'good luck'. A bit pathetic
really. I wasn't sure how much English he spoke. Well that's my excuse and I
am sticking to it! Russell Brand was there too, so Hope got her pic taken
with him. I'm not his greatest fan, so I didn't. It would have felt a bit
hypocritical. Anyway, by the time all that took place we thought we'd better
go out for the second half, which we gathered had already started. It was a
bit embarrassing to note as we squeezed by an understandably unimpressed
Karren Brady that seven minutes had already been played. Honestly, the prawn
sandwich brigade. Don'tcha hate 'em?
After the game we were taken by Jill to the Chairman's Lounge and we had
five minutes or so with David Sullivan, who was very chatty and made us feel
very welcome. We then met Karren Brady before we went down to the tunnel
where we met Adrian and Teddy Sheringham, who was dressed in biker's
leathers. I had a quick word with Ian 'Moose' Abrahams from talkSport – a
very nice guy – before being introduced to Big Sam as he was about to go
into the dressing room. Sam was very cheerful and wanted to know all about
Make Some Noise. We had a quick word about how brilliant Aaron Cresswell is
and a few other things besides, and then it was all over.
Thanks so much to Jill Moore for making it all happen and to David Sullivan
for donating the auction prize in the first place, and for also making a
private donation himself to the cause. If you'd like to donate you can do so
HERE
Just a quick word about the match. What a massive result. It wasn't the best
of games but I think Alan Pardew was stretching it a bit to say they matched
us throughout the game. Statistics don't lie. We had far more shots and
corners than them, even if they shaded possession 53-47. I thought we were
very solidly defensively, with Collins and Tomkins outstanding, although
perhaps not quite so outstanding as Aaron Cresswell, who was my man of the
match, and would have been even if he hadn't scored that great goal. Noble
was everywhere and Kouyate was very busy. I was a bit disappointed by Jarvis
and to a lesser extent Downing and Amalfitano but I thought Andy Carroll put
in a really good shift even if he didn't really ever threaten the goal.
All in all, a great day. And we're fifth.
And when I got home I learned my favourite band, Mango Groove, have
announced a concert in London on March 7th. Happy days!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maiga pay-off deal on cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will make another move to pay up Modibo Maiga should his loan club
Metz decide they don't want him to stay at the end of the season. Like Alou
Diarra before him – who accepted a pay off deal – there is obviously no way
back to the club for the centre forward who has one season left on his Irons
deal at the end of this campaign. ClaretandHugh understands that the £40k a
week player was made an offer at the end of last season before Metz took him
on loan which would have been worth around £2 million to him had he decided
to accept.
And shoud Metz not go ahead with a permanent move the Irons are likely to
offer the 27 year old a pay-off fee in the region of £800,000 but will go no
higher than £1 million. A source said: "Whether he accepts or not is
dependent on how much confidence he has in finding another club but Metz may
well offer a deal." Carlton Cole is likely to be allowed to move on in the
summer as the club look to make room in the wage budget for new players.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG: "Albion game ideal timing for Carroll"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold believes two games in four days is "perfect" for Andy Carroll as
he continues his return to full match fitness at West Brom on Tuesday
evening. He said: "The lads will only be in involved in light training and I
think another 90 minutes will suit him down to the ground at this stage.
"He's getting stronger all the time and could be a real handful against the
Baggies. He needs match action and this has come well for him."
Meanwhile, manager Sam Allardyce has to make a decision on whether to
restore Winston Reid to the heart of defence against Albion although he has
the option of playing him in a three with James Tomkins and James Collins.
He also needs to decide whether Mauro Zarate will get a place alongside
Carroll which would presumably see him replacing Matt Jarvis.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valencia on way back
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Injured Enner Valencia is set to return to the squad for Sunday's match
against Swansea. And with Alex Song also likely to join the lads for the
clash against the Welsh outfit, that will leave just Diafra Sakho on the
injured list – albeit for another month. Sources inside the Boleyn have
revealed to ClaretandHugh that the Ecuador international is now very much on
the mend and although Tuesday evening's clash against West Brom will come
too soon for him, a return against Swansea looks "very likely."
One insider said: "He and Songy look on for the game but there's real fury
still over the Saho injury – it was unforgivable. There's no chance of the
club getting any compensation at all." There was a rumour circulating last
night that Sakho's could be back well in advance of the speculated four
weeks but manager Sam Allardyce has regularly maintained he has no chance of
returning within four weeks.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SHUT UP MIRALLES – Let the Tomkins thing go
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Everton's Kevin Miralles has chosen to gob off about James Tomkins ahead of
his team's clash with Spurs this afternoon ! A week on it seems, he can't
let it go and takes the moral high ground by claiming that our central
defender set a terrible example for kids.
One answer to that: "Do you think that by reminding them – as you pursue an
easy headline and attract some attention to yourself – is a good idea then
mate?" He rants on about "going out there to be the best role model you can
– not just for the fans but for the millions of children watching the game
at home."
That last week's game wasn't on TV and that his rather unnecessary words may
attract pictures of the event in The Sun – thus reminding those "millions of
kids" about the event – doesn't appear to occur to him.
It isn't until the twelfth paragraph of the story that he apologises for his
own part in the events that stirred up the storm and fails to mention that
Irons boss Sam Allardyce sorted things out with HIS player very sharply
after the match. We note he has absolutely nothing to say about the
activities of James McCarthy who produced a shocking challenge on Morgan
Amolfitano or of any other Everton-induced incidents. The whole affair
ceased to be any of Miralles' business the minute it was over so three
words seem a lot more appropriate than his many – JUST SHUT UP!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan's verdict on a big win
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's welcome win over Newcastle brought back the feelgood feeling to
Upton Park after the team had failed to win since October.
And the much needed victory was particularly welcomed by David Sullivan
after – like us all – suffering through the injury crisis.
We now face West Brom on Tuesday evening and Swansea on Sunday with no
reason to believe that six points aren't their for the taking and hopefully
with at the very least Alex Song on the way back. Sullivan was delighted
with the victory declaring that at last we received the luck that has been
missing from previous outings. The co-chairman – speaking to ClaretandHugh –
said: " I didn't think we were as good as we were against Everton and Villa,
but we had that bit if luck we didn't have in those games. "It' was a
fabulous win for us and four wins wins and a draw in the last 5 home games
is great for our supporters."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
Sunday, November 30
Daily WHUFC News - 30th November 2014
Hammers battle past ten-man Toon
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell's first West Ham United goal earns his side all three points
against Newcastle United
29.11.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-0 Newcastle United
West Ham United returned to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League on
Saturday, as Aaron Cresswell's first goal for the Club proved sufficient to
see the Hammers past high-flying Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground. On
the back of five successive league wins, Alan Pardew's men were always
likely to prove a stern test and so it proved in a competitive if uneventful
opening 45 in east London. But the game turned on a slice of good fortune
and a fabulous finish in the 56th minute, as Cheikhou Kouyate's scuffed
strike fell for Cresswell in the box, whose first-time finish in front of
the Bobby Moore Stand was unerring. Moussa Sissoko lost his head late on to
earn two cautions in a matter of seconds and leave his side a man light, as
Sam Allardyce's men stood strong to secure a first win in four and climb
back up to fifth.
Following their respective injuries on international duty, Stewart Downing
and Cheikhou Kouyate returned to the fold, though Saturday's clash came too
soon for Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Alex Song. With Winston Reid
suspended, Matt Jarvis was handed his first start of the campaign, while
Andy Carroll again led the line for the Hammers. Mark Noble, meanwhile,
shook off the knock that forced him off prematurely at Goodison Park to take
his place in the XI and in doing so surpass Steve Potts' Club record of 204
Premier League appearances.
It was the visitors, however, who were first into their stride and went
close inside three minutes. Ayoze Perez controlled Yoan Gouffran's centre,
but thankfully dragged his effort wide of Adrian's goal. At the other end,
Carroll's flick-on sent Jarvis in the clear and after he had squared to
Downing, Rob Elliot was called into action to gather the England man's low
drive. With quarter-of-an-hour gone, Massadio Haidara's left-wing cross
caused alarm in the Hammers box, but the alert Aaron Cresswell was on hand
to snuff out the danger. Kouyate then led the charge on the break, but
slipped at the vital minute and so sliced his attempted cross into the away
fans stationed in the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand.
Forward the Toon came again, this time through Sissoko. He fed Perez and as
the Spaniard looked to engineer the space for a shot, James Tomkins stuck
out a boot and stopped the No.17 in his tracks. The Spaniard was involved
again soon after, applying a deft touch to Sammy Ameobi's left-wing cross,
only to see his clever effort career into the side netting. With three
first-half minutes still to play, Carroll rifled a shot into Williamson and
though West Ham appeals were vociferous, referee Mike Dean was unmoved. So
goalless at the break in a game that regularly threatened to burst into
life, but never quite did.
Downing was straight back into his running after the interval and having
collected from Kouyate, cut inside onto his weaker right foot and blazed
over the angle from 20 yards. Jack Colback had a go too, but his effort
sailed into the crowd as well. Visiting 'keeper Elliot was soon breathing a
sigh of relief as he came flying off his line to punch a James Collins
free-kick away, missed it altogether and watched it drift wide of the near
post. Their escape was short-lived, however, with Cresswell soon celebrating
his first goal in Claret and Blue. Downing rolled it across the box to
Kouyate, whose scuffed effort fell perfectly into the path of the full-back.
Having continued his run from deep, Cresswell finished with aplomb, steering
past Elliot with the outside of his boot.
In reply, Haidara's long-range effort from a free-kick was wayward, before
Sissoko's minute of madness saw the midfielder depart the scene early. The
No.7 was firstly carded before booting the ball away in disgust and then
seconds later received a second caution for an ill-advised challenge on
Carroll.
With Newcastle now, by necessity, pushing men forward, West Ham had several
an opening to land the killer blow. Downing, for one, broke free down the
left, but his ball across the face was tucked behind before Carroll could
get there at the far post. Zarate tried his luck from the edge of the box
and was denied a second goal in as many weeks by a flying stop from Elliot.
From the resulting corner, Tomkins' header looked to be heading in, only to
cannon in to substitute Kevin Nolan on the line and out of harm's way.
Downing also had a chance late on to settle it, but from an acute angle he
dragged his effort wide as West Ham would have to endure a nervy four
minutes of stoppage time to see out a sixth league win of the campaign.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Tomkins, Collins, Noble (c),
Kouyate (Nolan 85), Downing, Amalfitano, Jarvis (Zarate 70), Carroll
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Vaz Te, Cole
Goal: Cresswell 56
Booked: Noble, Amalfitano, Zarate
Newcastle United: Elliott, Janmaat (Taylor 74), Haidara, Williamson,
Dummett, Colback, Tiote (c) (Cisse 63), Gouffran (Cabella 63), Sissoko,
Ameobi, Ayoze
Subs: Alnwick, Anita, Riviere, Armstrong
Booked: Williamson, Colback, Sissoko
Sent off: Sissoko
Referee: Mike Dean
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell - 'It's a dream come true'
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell sealed a dream day on Saturday by scoring the winner against
Newcastle United
29.11.2014
Scoring the winner in a Barclays Premier League game meant Aaron Cresswell
fulfilled a boyhood dream on Saturday. The 24-year-old full back popped up
in the Newcastle United box to convert Cheikhou Kouyate's mis-hit shot,
ending the Magpies' six-game winning streak and sending the Hammers back up
to fifth in the table. The victory was West Ham's first in four games and
Cresswell was delighted to get back to winning ways. He explained: "It's
what I've dreamt of since I was a little boy, scoring a goal in the Premier
League, and thankfully Cheik's shot-cum-pass has fallen to me today and I've
put it in the net. "I just carried my run on, and I think Cheik's gone for
the shot but luckily it fell for me. I tapped it in and I couldn't be any
happier. "We had a look at the Villa game and we deserved to win that one
but couldn't score, then we had a tough one at Everton, where maybe we could
have taken something from it. "So to get back to winning ways on Saturday
was great. We've got another tough game at West Brom on Tuesday and we'll be
looking to bring three points back from there."
As well as his goal, Cresswell also had a clean sheet to celebrate and the
former Ipswich Town man wants more of the same at West Bromwich Albion on
Tuesday. He added: "It was a good day all round. As a defender you can't ask
for much more than a clean sheet. "We got that and if you can get an assist
or goal as well then great. I've scored my first goal in the Premier League
and I'm very proud of that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam hails 'outstanding' Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted to see Aaron Cresswell secure a valuable victory
over Newcastle United
29.11.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed match-winner Aaron Cresswell following West Ham
United's valuable 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Newcastle United
on Saturday. The left-back continued his outstanding start to life in a
Hammers shirt by capping a fine individual display with a smartly-taken goal
eleven minutes after half-time. Cresswell, who has not missed a minute of
West Ham's opening 13 league matches since his summer move from Ipswich
Town, ran onto Cheikhou Kouyate's mis-hit shot to slot the ball confidently
beyond goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
"He was outstanding," Big Sam confirmed. "The natural progression on his
career meant it looked like it would always be the case that he would play
in the Premier League. The fact he is an ever-present is always nice and his
record tells us we'll get 40 games out of him every year. "Aaron has shown
our front lads how to score because it was a brilliant finish. He continued
a run when he must have thought he had no hope of getting it, because it was
a mis-hit shot, but he took it brilliantly."
West Ham produced a professional display to end Newcastle's five-match
winning run and extend their own unbeaten run at the Boleyn Ground to five
matches. A fourth home win of the campaign lifted Big Sam's side back into
fifth place ahead of Tuesday's trip to West Bromwich Albion. The manager is
hoping his players can build on Saturday's success as they embark on a busy
December that will see them play no fewer than six league matches. "We got
better as the game went on. You've got to remember that Newcastle were the
in-form team in the Premier League and arrived on the best run of victories
in the division, including Chelsea. "We knew it was going to be a difficult
game. In the first half, you could see Newcastle's confidence and we found
it difficult to get our passing game going and create any of the sort of
chances we expect to at home. "I said to the players that we should work on
the clean sheet scenario and that when a chance came along we would score
it. It came to the unlikeliest person on the field, but the most important
thing was the quality of the finish, when you get these opportunities. "When
they went down to ten men, we should have got to two or three and avoided
the nervousness, but their 'keeper made a couple of saves and we wasted a
couple of chances and we didn't make it easier for ourselves. It's an
outstanding victory for us against Newcastle."
Big Sam welcomed Stewart Downing and Kouyate back from injury, while Mark
Noble shrugged off a knock to his Achilles to make a record-breaking 205th
Premier League appearance for the Club. The boss was delighted to see the
midfielder break Steve Potts' record and paid tribute to the Academy
graduate's consistency and unerring commitment to the Club he has supported
his whole life. "It's rare today - you see it at Man United, Steven Gerrard
at Liverpool and John Terry at Chelsea, but such loyalty is few and far
between, so it's a fantastic achievement for a lad who dreamed of playing
for West Ham when he was at school. "Coming through the ranks, playing for
his local club, being an ever-present and showing such a level of
consistency is fantastic for a lad who is not that old, either. Who knows
where he will end up in his career in terms of how many games he plays for
West Ham."
Looking ahead to Tuesday's trip to The Hawthorns, Big Sam warned his players
that nothing will come easy against West Brom, who will be eager to bounce
back from their 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal on Saturday. "I watched that game
on telly because it was the lunchtime kick-off with great interest and saw
an Arsenal side go there and not look in too much danger, apart from when
West Brom went gung-ho with four players up front and played from back to
front very quickly. "So, containing Saido Berahino has been the main focus
for every team playing against them and I think that'll be our focus on
Tuesday night, because he has scored more goals than everybody else. "If we
get that right and show the defensive solidity we seem to be showing, then
our creative players can take the game to West Brom whenever they get the
opportunity. "West Brom have only won one home game this season, so their
fans are starved of victory at the moment and we have got to pray on what
might be a little lack of confidence. If we can keep the ball and move it
around like we did on Saturday, then we might be able to make the West Brom
fans a little nervous."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s seal dramatic comeback victory
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' youngsters scored three late goals to secure a 4-2 victory over
West Bromwich Albion
29.11.2014
West Ham United scored three goals in three amazing minutes to overcome West
Bromwich Albion 4-2 in the Barclays U18 Premier League on Saturday. The
Baggies went ahead early on at Little Heath when George Cater punished the
Hammers for not clearing the ball inside their own penalty area, before
Bermudian-born attacker Djair Parfitt-Williams drew the hosts level. As the
Hammers looked to push ahead, Tyler Roberts looked to have stolen the points
for the visitors. However, three goals in as many minutes from Emmanual
Onariase, Kieran Bailey and Decarrey Sheriff secured a dramatic victory for
West Ham. U18s manager Steve Potts made four changes to the starting XI that
lost 4-3 away at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Clarke Bogard was replaced
by Sam Howes in goal, Alex Pike made way for Onariase, while Marcus Browne
and Bailey were dropped to the bench. Josh Pask started in the middle of
midfield alongside Academy regular Noha Sylvestre and Jordan Brown returned
from injury to start up front. After four defeats in their previous five
fixtures ahead of the meeting with the Baggies, Potts' men soon found
themselves behind when Carter took advantage of the home defence failing to
clear their lines by stabbing the ball past Howes. The home side came back
into the game and they began to pressure the visitors. Pask smashed a shot
off the crossbar as the Hammers chased the equalizer before half-time.
After the break, the hosts kept up the pressure and had a handful of chances
on goal, but Oscar Borg, Parfitt-Williams and Jerry Amoo were finding it
impossible to beat Albion goalkeeper Ethan Ross. They did find the
breakthrough, however, and it was Parfitt-Williams who finished into the
corner of the net from 12 yards after receiving the ball inside the penalty
area from Amoo. Within ten minutes of pulling themselves level, however,
West Ham were punished for a defensive mistake. As the ball was crossed into
Roberts in the penalty area, the Hammers allowed the 16-year-old time and
space to turn and bury his shot low into the corner of the net. That goal
set the stage for an amazing climax. West Ham equalised just two minutes
later when Onariase ran unmarked meet Borg's right-wing corner and make it
2-2.
As the visitors investigated where they went wrong in conceding the
equaliser, West Ham took advantage and pushed in front just a minute later.
The ball was worked down the left wing at speed by the Hammers, with a low
cross being met and finished by Bailey at the near post.
If that goal was not enough to shock the Midlands side, West Ham scored a
fourth goal a minute later, when Sheriff finished well from inside the
penalty area. Saturday's result takes the Hammers back into the top four in
the Barclays U18 Premier League Southern Division, with 22 points from 14
games.
Potts' side travel to Southampton U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round on
Tuesday 9 December for their final fixture of 2014. Kick off at St.Mary's is
at 7pm.
U18s: Howes, Akinola, Burke (Sheriff), Onariase, Neufville, Sylvestre, Pask
(M.Browne), Amoo, Borg, J.Brown (Bailey), Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Ware, Elsom
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 Newcastle 0
29 November 2014
Last updated at 17:52
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport
Aaron Cresswell scored his first Premier League goal as West Ham moved up to
fifth in the table with victory over 10-man Newcastle.
The former Ipswich defender's 56th-minute strike ended the Magpies' run of
five successive league wins and handed the Hammers their first in four.
Newcastle finished with 10 men when captain Moussa Sissoko was shown two
yellows in the space of 46 seconds. Their best chances fell to Ayoze Perez
whose two efforts went a foot wide. Both those shots were in the first half
which was a drab spectacle. The players were guilty of repeatedly losing
possession and some awful shooting, with the Magpies marginally the more
creative in attack. Spain Under-21 striker Perez looked the most likely to
make a breakthrough in the first period, firing a shot that went a foot wide
and a backheel flick that found the side-netting. As for West Ham, they were
relying on their ex-Newcastle man Andy Carroll to trouble the Newcastle
backline but, bar a hopeful shout for a penalty, when his shot hit the arm
of Mike Williamson, he was well-marshalled. So it came as a surprise in the
56th minute when a defender popped up to open the scoring. Full-back
Cresswell took the chance to break forward and was positioned perfectly when
Cheikhou Kouyate's shot fell into his path. The Liverpool-born full-back
steadied himself and poked in past Rob Elliot.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew brought on Remy Cabella and Papiss Cisse as
they searched for an equaliser, but moments after making the changes his
attacking options were reduced when his skipper lost his cool. Sissoko, who
has been a leader by example for the Magpies this season, was shown his
first yellow when he kicked the ball away and less than a minute later he
was shown a second card for his late challenge on Carroll. Despite going a
man down, Newcastle pushed for an equaliser and even sent keeper Elliot up
for a late corner. They were almost left to rue that decision when
substitute Mauro Zarate broke forward on the counter, but then failed to
find the finish with the keeper only just back in his goal. The miss did not
matter as West Ham held and got back on the winning trail.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We have to say it was a fantastic finish
from Aaron Cresswell. It was fortuitous he got in that position. He's a
full-back and carried on his run into the box. It was always going to be a
1-0. "We get back on the winning trail going into December. Newcastle are an
in-form side. It's massive win for us."
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: "I'm disappointed the six-game winning run
has come to an end - at some point it had to. "It was a tight game - they
had a major break on the goal. It probably decided the game. We tried to
push the best we could. "He [Moussa Sissoko] needs to learn - it was a
minute of madness. He's usually such a controlled player. I thought we were
pretty good right up until the goal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Newcastle United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 29th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
There may not be any champers on the menu at Chateau Allardyce tonight but
Big Sam was nonetheless in high spirits after his team ground out a 1-0 win
over in-form Newcastle. Read his full, post-match press conference
exclusively here on KUMB...
Champagne out tonight, Sam? As opposed to the red wine?
Ha! I think it's a massive victory for us today. The opposition came here
today with the best run of results in the Premier League recently, even
better than Chelsea. That's saying something considering how Chelsea are
going this season, but they're on a fantastic run of victories that has
brought them up [the table] and above us before we started today's game.
Our game plan was obviously to try and win the game but I always thought it
was going to be a tight match - and that ended up being the case. For me, it
was telling the players: "Do not concede the first goal, because the way
Newcastle are playing at this moment in time you will find it hugely
difficult to get back in the game if you do".
Whilst it was a little scrappy in the first half we got better in the second
and I have to give Aaron Cresswell a huge amount of praise for the quality
of his finish. He showed our more attacking and creative players how to put
the ball in the back of the net today which was really pleasing, because
while he was quite lucky to get the chance - from a mis-hit shot - he never
gave up on it and his quality of finishing was fantastic.
I felt we should have gone on and won the game more comfortably when they
went down to ten men, but a couple of good saves and a couple of bad misses
meant we were pretty nervous at the end. To get the victory to go fifth and
up to 21 points is huge for us and a huge push going into a very quick game
at West Brom on Tuesday and then Swansea next week. We've started off with
three points in what could be a massive week for us all, playing three games
in seven or eight days.
How's the injury situation?
Well hopefully no injuries today, which is very important but I don't know
about Valencia, Sakho or Song just yet. Saying that, I hope nobody wakes up
tomorrow morning and finds they've got a problem. We're keeping the squad
together to go off to West Brom now and try to continue this undefeated run
again, so we'll see how we go there.
Certainly Valencia, Sakho and Songy are reasonably close - whether they're
close enough for Tuesday I don't know, but certainly if not Tuesday then I
think most of them will be back for Swansea.
Tomkins had an outstanding game, I thought?
Yes he did. He covered up an awful lot and made some very good
interceptions. He read the game very well today. We have the added bonus
that Winston Reid has now overcome his suspension. Coping with missing
players is hugely difficult against the most in-form team in the Premier
League at the minute; winning shows the strength and depth of our squad and
is paying dividends, up to now.
Andy [Carroll]; no goals, but quite influential?
Yes. He's getting better and better, as is his match fitness the more games
he plays. I'll have to assess him for tomorrow and Monday to know whether
he's got the capability or the energy to play at West Brom. When you're only
two games into your pre-season - which is what Andy is - the last thing I
want to do is risk playing him whilst he's fatigued, not recovered in time
and risking another injury. Even though Andy will disagree! That will be
determined by me and the staff on Monday or Tuesday morning. Let's hope we
can go to West Brom and finish this week undefeated.
Do you worry sometimes about him throwing himself into tackles?
I do, yes. It does concern me that he has no fear. Sometimes having no fear,
or not sensing danger could ultimately end up with him injuring himself
rather than somebody else injuring him. With a little bit more experience
perhaps he'll sense that a little bit more but he does throw himself at
everything, doesn't he!
A quick word on Mark Noble; a record number of Premier League games for West
Ham?
Only 26, isn't he. A marvellous achievement, outstanding credit to Nobes.
It's rare today that a man dedicates himself to one club as he has done.
You've see it with Liverpool and Steven Gerrard, at Man United and John
Terry at Chelsea, but the way players move round and change clubs today make
it a massive bonus for West Ham and a massive achievement for Mark.
I can't remember the last time West Ham had 21 points before Christmas; just
how far do you think this team can go? Is this above expectations?
At the moment we're above expectations but we realised those levels a few
weeks ago here when we beat Liverpool and we beat Man City. My challenge to
the players was to sustain that level [of performance]. It's hard to get
there; it's even harder to stay there. Today's victory gives us an
opportunity, going into December, to see if we can sustain it.
If we can sustain it through December and into January then we can
reschedule where we think we should or might finish if we continue. So we'll
wait until then. Historically, December and January have been difficult
months for us over the last two seasons. We've started a hectic period today
with a victory and three points, so let's hope we achieve a lot more points
than we have done in the last couple of seasons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce welcomes hard-fought win over Newcastle
Last Updated: 29/11/14 8:06pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted that West Ham enjoyed a slice of fortune during their
1-0 win over Newcastle at Upton Park. The Hammers moved up to fifth in the
Premier League after Aaron Cresswell's first goal for the club secured the
points against Newcastle, who had Moussa Sissoko sent-off in the
second-half. Cheikhou Kouyate's miskick had fallen perfectly for the
full-back in the build-up, but Allardyce felt his side earned their luck
after a run of three games without a victory. "We have to say it's a
fantastic finish from Aaron Cresswell, but rather fortuitous that he got in
that position," he told Sky Sports. "You wouldn't expect your full-back to
think this maybe comes to me when he's running into the box, so we give him
all the credit for the anticipation that he's shown. But it was a wonderful,
wonderful finish. "I think it was always looking like a one-nil today apart
from when Newcastle went down to 10-men and then we had several chances to
kill the game off and you've always got that little bit of anxiety that any
slip when you are 1-0 up may cost you, even against 10 men. "It was a
fantastic victory for us and I think that in the end the victory was more
important, because we have played much better than that. The 1-0 was well
received by everybody today."
West Ham, without summer recruits Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, still
managed to succumb an in-form Newcastle side and Allardyce was grateful for
the points ahead of a hectic festive schedule. He said: "Getting back on the
winning trail, if we are at this stage at the season, going into December
and certainly with the injuries that we've got at the moment, you've got to
overcome and overcoming it is by making sure the team that goes out there
gets a result. "When you consider that Newcastle are the in-form team in the
Premier League, six wins on the trot, it's a massive, massive victory for
us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aaron Cresswell seals West Ham win over Newcastle at Upton Park
Last Updated: 29/11/14 7:16pm
SSN
Aaron Cresswell scored a second-half winner as West Ham continued their
unexpected push for a top-four position with a 1-0 home win over Newcastle.
The Hammers full-back scored his first goal for the club, lifting them into
fifth in the Premier League table, and Moussa Sissoko's late dismissal
capped off a frustrating afternoon for Newcastle at Upton Park on Saturday.
Newcastle started with a confident swagger after six straight wins and Ayoze
Perez nearly snatched an opener, spinning and shooting past the far post
after he was teed up by Yoan Gouffran. Andy Carroll, facing his former club,
gave a glimpse of his aerial power with a flick-on and Stewart Downing's low
drive tested Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
West Ham were settling well, starting to show the slicker brand of football
which has propelled them up the table. But Cheikhou Kouyate spoiled a
sweeping counter attack with a horribly sliced cross. Starved of possession,
Newcastle were reliant on Perez for much of their attacking threat. The
Spaniard was denied by a timely tackle from James Tomkins, but then fired
into the side netting from a tight angle.
West Ham appealed passionately for a penalty just before the break, with
Carroll convinced that Mike Williamson had blocked the ball with his arm,
but referee Mike Dean was unmoved. Downing sent a rising shot over the bar
during a frantic start to the second period, while Newcastle's Jack Colback
was equally wayward, ballooning the ball into the crowd. But it was the
Hammers who took the lead soon afterwards in scruffy fashion. A mishit shot
from Kouyate bounced perfectly into the path of Cresswell (56), who steered
his shot into the bottom corner.
Newcastle searched for an instant response and Adrian smothered a near post
shot from the lively Perez. But an uphill task for the Magpies was made to
appear even steeper when Sissoko (76) was sent-off. The French midfielder
earned a second yellow with a crunching challenge on Carroll. West Ham
were unable to take advantage in the dying minutes as Downing's low cross
drifted across the box, while substitute Mauro Zarate was crowded out after
bursting clear.
Soccer Saturday reaction - Matt Le Tissier
A draw would have been a fair result. Neither of the sides dominated for
great periods of time. Neither of them created a load of chances. The goal
was a bit of a fluke as well. Kouyate hit a shot so badly it trickled past
the Newcastle defence, it fell into Creswell's path and he finished it well.
It wasn't a game of great quality and it was probably appropriate that a
goal that wasn't of great quality settled it.
Williamson and Dummett played Carroll very well and kept him quiet. Anything
that came into the box, they were very tight on him and didn't allow him any
free headers at goal. They marshalled him pretty well and he was
ineffective. As for Moussa Sissoko's red card, he got two yellows in about
a minute. The first was for kicking the ball away, which was a little silly
and seconds later he appears to scrape his studs down Carroll's shin and
push him in the chest. The ref thought that was worthy of a second yellow
and he was off. I like the look of Perez. His movement is good up front,
he's always showing for the ball, he's always lively and he caused a few
problems for the West Ham defence. He's going to be a very good footballer.
Newcastle didn't look like a team that had won six on the bounce, though.
PLAYER RATINGS
West Ham: Adrian (6), Jenkinson (6), Collins (6), Tomkins (7), Cresswell
(8), Noble (6), Kouyate (6), Amalfitano (6), Downing (7), Jarvis (6),
Carroll (7)
Used subs: Nolan (6), Zarate (6)
Newcastle: Elliot (6), Janmaat (6), Williamson (6), Dummett (5), Haidara
(6), Tiote (6), Colback (6), Gouffran (6), Sissoko (6), Ameobi (5), Perez
(7)
Used subs: Cisse (6), Cabella (5), Taylor (5)
Man of the match: Aaron Cresswell
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 1, NEWCASTLE 0. LUCKIER THAN GOOD?
By David Hautzig 29 Nov 2014 at 19:05
West Ham Till I Die
Writing these reports has taught me a few things not only about my
relationship with our club, but about how many irrational dislikes I have
for other clubs. Today, for example, brought one Alan Pardew back to Upton
Park. Or as a few of my mates call him, That P@#*k Pards. You can probably
guess the middle word if you give yourself a minute or so. It's not a view
shared by many. In fact, I have read many an article hoping for his return
to West Ham. I don't understand why. It's not like his record with us,
Charlton, Southampton and now Newcastle is anything to do somersaults over.
Player and staff unrest, fall outs with chairmen, and the rumours about
his….uhhhh….various relationships.
No thank you.
Having said that, you have to give credit where credit is due. Lazarus would
be proud of Pards resurrection this season. Five straight league wins, with
a draw against Swansea before that, has given Newcastle 16 out of a possible
18 points. When I studied our fixtures leading up to Christmas a few weeks
ago I saw this as a game against a team struggling near the drop zone. Now
it's a game battling for some extra games next season.
As for us, the injury crisis that took us by surprise last week got a little
better. Kouyate, Downing and Noble were all in the starting eleven, but
Valencia, Song and Sakho were still out. Then yesterday we got word that
Sakho was basically mugged by the physio for Senegal and may out for at
least a month. Yet for me the biggest surprise was the player that started
on the bench, Zarate. If there was one lesson learned last week it was that
Zarate should have been the one partnered up front with Carroll. Sam,
however, didn't get the memo and for reasons I could not get my head around
Jarvis got a start instead. Jacob Steinberg tweeted that Downing would be
out wide to play to Carroll's strengths. Enter the wormhole and travel back
in time to lobbing it in to one up front.
Ayoze Perez has been on fire for Newcastle during their terrific run of
form, and in the opening minutes we saw why. First he cut between Tomkins
and Collins after receiving the ball from Gouffran but his shot went wide.
Then Sissoko fed a nice through ball for him, but his foul on Tomkins
stopped play. Minutes later, the Sissoko to Perez party was on again. This
time Kouyate was there to clear. Three chances from the same pair in the
first five minutes did not put me at ease to watch the game.
West Ham looked like they started the game in the eighth minute when Jarvis
chased down a flick on from Carroll. Jarvis passed to an oncoming Downing
whose shot was straight at Rob Elliot. That was the only bright moment of
the first ten minutes, and I use that term lightly. Despite a lineup that
looked like it was set up to play to Carroll's supposed strengths, the big
man looked lonely. The support he needed was not there. In any form. Not in
crosses, not in players there to run on to his flicks.
Meaning, no Zarate.
In the 13th minute, Carroll did have someone run into a space to collect a
ball off of his head. That someone was Downing. But when Downing tried to
return the favor with a cross into the box, nobody was there to cash in. A
few minutes later Kouyate and Amalfitano tried to get in on the sort of
action when the Frenchman laid a good ball for Kouyate to run onto down the
right. His cross was blocked by Gouffran and it eventually ended up as a
goal kick. A minute later Cresswell made a run down the left to get on the
end of a ball from Downing but his cross was blocked by Sissoko. There was a
bit of hope that West Ham would start to assert itself on the game.
Mike Williamson became the first player to go into Mike Dean's little black
book when he caught Jarvis with something that would have looked better on a
dance floor than a football pitch. A sneaky little back heel as Jarvis tried
to go past him. Not the booking we will all look back on, but noteworthy for
how odd it was.
The 24th minute crystallized why we miss our injured strike tandem. Kouyate
won the ball at midfield on pure power and fed Jarvis down the left. That is
when Valencia and Sakho would be darting in and around the box like ants
when you disturb their colony. Try to step on em, and all you get is dust.
But Jarvis had nobody to pick out, nor did anybody try to get onto the end
of his cross. It made the whole thing pointless, other than wasting time if
you are trying to play for a nil-nil draw. In fact, neither team did all
that much with the ball in the first thirty minutes. There were more errant
passes than accurate ones, and I wondered if the first team to simply
control the ball for a minute or so would score first.
One trait that will never go un-noticed or unappreciated by West Ham
supporters is tenacity. If you put in a shift, if you work your socks off,
we will never turn on you. If today was the last game ever for James Tomkins
and Ginge, they would be immortalized. They both made so many world-class
defensive plays that try as I will to include them all I will likely miss
some. The first came in the 33rd minute when Sissoko and Perez combined
again on a dangerous counter attack. Tomkins snuffed out what looked like a
1-0 Newcastle lead in the making with a great block on Perez. A few minutes
later, after Noble fouled Sissoko and gave up a free kick in a dangerous
area, Tomkins got his head on both the ball into the box and Carroll's
outstretched foot. A bit of treatment and he was back to work.
Perez continued his strong performance in the 38th minute when Ameobi fed
the ball to him close to Adrian. If he had a better angle the ball could
have caused problems, but his cheeky shot off the back of his foot went into
the side netting. The next seven minutes plus one minute of added time were
barely noteworthy, and it was nil-nil at halftime.
When I watch games to do these reports, I jot down notes on scrap paper and
then do my best to construct decent sentences out of them afterwards. So
little happened in the first half that I only used two pieces of paper as
opposed to my normal four or five. The unfortunate fact was that with Andy
Carroll playing alone, all we looked like was a slightly better version of
last year's team. To think that this formation can score more than a goal
per game with any regularity is….wait for it…..deluded. Would Sam diagnose
himself the way he tried to diagnose all of us a few years ago and put
Zarate on? I hoped so, with Jarvis coming off despite the fact that he
hadn't played that badly. Maybe even better than Amalfitano in the first
half. But given the choice I'd rather have the Frenchman.
The second half did not start with the substitution most us were hoping for,
but at least it started with West Ham on the attack. Kouyate started a
counter after some nervy moments in our own end and passed to Carroll. AC
finally saw a pass of his end up on a teammate by the name of Stuart Downing
on the left. When Downing put the ball on his right foot to cut inside,
hopes of a shot on target rose. Then they were dashed when his shot went
over the crossbar.
James Tomkins continued his co-Man Of The Match day in the 50th minute when
he used the basic footballing principle of positioning when he forced Perez
to lose the ball over the touchline for a goal kick. Nothing spectacular.
Just excellent. A minute later West Ham were on the break when Collins
cleared another Perez chance to Noble, who found Cresswell streaking down
the left. Maybe it was youthful exuberance, but whatever it was made him
hoof the ball into the crowd instead of finding a teammate in the box. He's
still learning, and a great student overall so all was forgiven.
Rob Elliot hadn't done much wrong as Tim Krul's stand in to this point. In
the 54th minute, however, he showed how a split second of indecision by a
keeper can cause problems. Elliot couldn't handle a long ball into the box,
and the ball was inched away from any West Ham player doing nothing more
than toe poking it in for a 1-0 lead. Two corners followed, both with
Carroll being out jumped, and Newcastle were left unscathed.
There is a cliché in American sport. "I'd rather be lucky than good". It's
been attributed to Vernon Louis "Lefty" Gomez, who played baseball for the
Yankees in the 1930's. When the ball came to Downing on the left, I was
talking to my mate Jon. We both could not understand why Sam was being so
stubborn in not putting Zarate in. "We won't score unless he does" I said.
Just then, Kouyate got the ball from Downing at the edge of the area and
attempted a shot. He missed. But the ball rolled slowly onto the path of an
onrushing Cresswell, who showed the composure of a seasoned striker to put
it behind Elliot.
West Ham 1, Newcastle 0.
It could have been 1-1 two minutes later when Williamson and Perez (yeah,
him again) combined. Perez drove his shot right at Adrian, and with
teammates running around the box he may have been better suited to try and
find one. Thankfully for us, he didn't.
The 63rd minute saw Newcastle make two changes. Tiote made way for Cisse,
and Cabella replaced Gouffran. The TV cameras showed Pards having a word
with Perez, seemingly telling him to play farther back now that Cisse was
on. So it isn't only Sam that tells his most effective and creative player
to move away from the goal. That's kind of comforting.
Still no Zarate, but Amalfitano made a case for himself being the one to
come off if and when a change was made with a bad cross and a giveaway in
Newcastle's area. On the counter, Noble brought down Cabella and gave up a
free kick. Oh god. How many times have we seen a free kick given up by
Noble, even when it isn't his fault, which leads to a goal. Were we going to
see the latest edition of the script we all know? Luckily for West Ham,
Haidara's shot from the free kick went wide.
In the 70th minute, just like last week at Everton, the clubs official
Twitter account announced that Zarate was ready to come on. I got the
feeling that it was more than just information. It was the person in charge
of those Tweets joining in on the call for such a creative force. Within
seconds, Zarate forced a corner when he passed to Jenkinson. The Arsenal
loanee saw his cross blocked out by Ameobi, but the question that I wanted
answered was why it took so long to get Zarate on? A minute later, a ball
into Carroll was headed into space which Zarate was running to. He didn't
get on the end of it, but at least he tried. Please tell me you saw that,
Sam. Twice fooled, shame on you.
The 75th minute saw the most eventful thirty seconds of the match, and one
of the more brainless displays by a professional footballer this season.
First, with Newcastle attacking in numbers, Jenkinson played Sissoko
perfectly to stop his progress. For that effort, he got a push in the back.
And for that, Sissoko saw yellow. Thirty seconds later, a reckless challenge
on Carroll in midfield earned him an upgrade from Yellow to Red. If Sam were
his manager, he'd have been on his way to Siberia by now.
After being butchered last week, Amalfitano might have decided the best form
of self defense is to attack. So he took Haidara down from behind and got
booked. This is where some good ol fashioned West Ham paranoia crept in. Ten
men, huh? Didn't go so well against Spurs. Hull last year was no fun,
either. Is this the crazy reason why we give up the equalizer?
The whole idea behind signing Zarate was to give Carroll a partner up front
who was anything but like for like. We saw glimpses of that in the final ten
minutes. First, Zarate fed a through ball for a running Carroll but it was
just a bit heavy and went out for a goal kick. Then they got in each other's
way when they both went for a ball in midfield, allowing Newcastle to
counter. Nothing happened. Then Zarate led another counter with a pass to
Downing, whose cross was deflected out for a corner by Haidara. It was
inches away from 2-0 a minute later when Jenkinson found Zarate on the left,
who cut to the center and drilled a beautiful shot towards the top corner of
the net. In his finest moment of the day, Elliot made a finger tip save to
rob the Argentine-Chilean.
Nolan came on for Kouyate in the 85th minute in what could only have been
based on Kouyate running out of fuel. Not that Nolan has any fuel to begin
with.
Ameobi broke forward in the 89th minute, and despite being down to ten men
Newcastle looked dangerous on this attack. My heart skipped a beat before
Collins came to the rescue and took the ball away just outside the box.
In the second minute of the four added on, Zarate and Downing came close to
making it 2-0. Zarate fed a rushing Downing on the left. Elliot came out to
meet him, and Downing aimed for the far post. In real time it looked very,
very close. On replay, it only looked kind of close. Still, who started it?
The man named Mauro.
A final corner in the dying seconds of injury time gave the Toon army a
reason to stand, but Collins and Tomkins told them to sit back down because
the game was over.
Final score. West Ham 1, Newcastle 0.
We should all be happy for the three points. Considering our strong start to
the season, two draws and a loss from our last three games felt like a
letdown. Add the injuries and Newcastle's fantastic form coming in, a loss
would not have surprised anybody. So a mini crisis has thankfully been
averted.
Or has it?
I'm not trying to bring us down here, but for the second consecutive game
our most influential player was left on the bench at the start of the game.
Why? When asked, I'm sure Sam will give not only an explanation as to why
but also an explanation as to how he was 100% correct to do it. If he does
do that, he will be alone in that thinking. It took great defending and a
lucky bounce to get us the three points today. On another day, we may not be
so lucky. And we have the players to avoid what we saw for long stretches of
the game. I know it. You know it.
I only hope Sam knows it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-0 Newcastle: Hammers return to winning ways thanks to Aaron
Cresswell strike
The Mirror
Aaron Cresswell's first goal for West Ham ended ten-man Newcastle's winning
streak. The 24-year-old left-back, bought for just £2million in the summer -
pounced 11 minutes after half time to end his club's run of three games
without a win. The effort wrecked Newcastle's bid to equal a seven-match
sequence of victories in all competitions last achieved 19 years ago under
Kevin Keegan. Cresswell pounced as Cheikou Kouyate miscued an attempted
drive from just outside the Magpies' box. The ball trickled beyond the
despairing lunge of midfielder Cheick Tiote and Cresswell swept it home for
his first West Ham goal and the 14th of his career. The effort, and the
three points, were well deserved for West Ham. The overall quality of the
match, however, was poor. Newcastle were toothless and showed little
ambition until they fell behind. A difficult afternoon for Alan Pardew's men
was worsened in the second half by the dismissal of Mo Sissoko for two
yellow cards within 60 seconds. His first, in the 75th minute, was for
dissent. Sissoko angrily kicked the ball away in frustration at a decision
not going his way. His second was for a foul on Andy Carroll under the nose
of referee Mike Dean. West Ham had chances to increase their advantage even
further but substitute Mauro Zarate had a curling effort parried by reserve
Toon keeper Rob Elliot and Stewart Downing fired a diagonal late effort
wide.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell's first West Ham United goal earns his side all three points
against Newcastle United
29.11.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-0 Newcastle United
West Ham United returned to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League on
Saturday, as Aaron Cresswell's first goal for the Club proved sufficient to
see the Hammers past high-flying Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground. On
the back of five successive league wins, Alan Pardew's men were always
likely to prove a stern test and so it proved in a competitive if uneventful
opening 45 in east London. But the game turned on a slice of good fortune
and a fabulous finish in the 56th minute, as Cheikhou Kouyate's scuffed
strike fell for Cresswell in the box, whose first-time finish in front of
the Bobby Moore Stand was unerring. Moussa Sissoko lost his head late on to
earn two cautions in a matter of seconds and leave his side a man light, as
Sam Allardyce's men stood strong to secure a first win in four and climb
back up to fifth.
Following their respective injuries on international duty, Stewart Downing
and Cheikhou Kouyate returned to the fold, though Saturday's clash came too
soon for Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Alex Song. With Winston Reid
suspended, Matt Jarvis was handed his first start of the campaign, while
Andy Carroll again led the line for the Hammers. Mark Noble, meanwhile,
shook off the knock that forced him off prematurely at Goodison Park to take
his place in the XI and in doing so surpass Steve Potts' Club record of 204
Premier League appearances.
It was the visitors, however, who were first into their stride and went
close inside three minutes. Ayoze Perez controlled Yoan Gouffran's centre,
but thankfully dragged his effort wide of Adrian's goal. At the other end,
Carroll's flick-on sent Jarvis in the clear and after he had squared to
Downing, Rob Elliot was called into action to gather the England man's low
drive. With quarter-of-an-hour gone, Massadio Haidara's left-wing cross
caused alarm in the Hammers box, but the alert Aaron Cresswell was on hand
to snuff out the danger. Kouyate then led the charge on the break, but
slipped at the vital minute and so sliced his attempted cross into the away
fans stationed in the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand.
Forward the Toon came again, this time through Sissoko. He fed Perez and as
the Spaniard looked to engineer the space for a shot, James Tomkins stuck
out a boot and stopped the No.17 in his tracks. The Spaniard was involved
again soon after, applying a deft touch to Sammy Ameobi's left-wing cross,
only to see his clever effort career into the side netting. With three
first-half minutes still to play, Carroll rifled a shot into Williamson and
though West Ham appeals were vociferous, referee Mike Dean was unmoved. So
goalless at the break in a game that regularly threatened to burst into
life, but never quite did.
Downing was straight back into his running after the interval and having
collected from Kouyate, cut inside onto his weaker right foot and blazed
over the angle from 20 yards. Jack Colback had a go too, but his effort
sailed into the crowd as well. Visiting 'keeper Elliot was soon breathing a
sigh of relief as he came flying off his line to punch a James Collins
free-kick away, missed it altogether and watched it drift wide of the near
post. Their escape was short-lived, however, with Cresswell soon celebrating
his first goal in Claret and Blue. Downing rolled it across the box to
Kouyate, whose scuffed effort fell perfectly into the path of the full-back.
Having continued his run from deep, Cresswell finished with aplomb, steering
past Elliot with the outside of his boot.
In reply, Haidara's long-range effort from a free-kick was wayward, before
Sissoko's minute of madness saw the midfielder depart the scene early. The
No.7 was firstly carded before booting the ball away in disgust and then
seconds later received a second caution for an ill-advised challenge on
Carroll.
With Newcastle now, by necessity, pushing men forward, West Ham had several
an opening to land the killer blow. Downing, for one, broke free down the
left, but his ball across the face was tucked behind before Carroll could
get there at the far post. Zarate tried his luck from the edge of the box
and was denied a second goal in as many weeks by a flying stop from Elliot.
From the resulting corner, Tomkins' header looked to be heading in, only to
cannon in to substitute Kevin Nolan on the line and out of harm's way.
Downing also had a chance late on to settle it, but from an acute angle he
dragged his effort wide as West Ham would have to endure a nervy four
minutes of stoppage time to see out a sixth league win of the campaign.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Tomkins, Collins, Noble (c),
Kouyate (Nolan 85), Downing, Amalfitano, Jarvis (Zarate 70), Carroll
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Vaz Te, Cole
Goal: Cresswell 56
Booked: Noble, Amalfitano, Zarate
Newcastle United: Elliott, Janmaat (Taylor 74), Haidara, Williamson,
Dummett, Colback, Tiote (c) (Cisse 63), Gouffran (Cabella 63), Sissoko,
Ameobi, Ayoze
Subs: Alnwick, Anita, Riviere, Armstrong
Booked: Williamson, Colback, Sissoko
Sent off: Sissoko
Referee: Mike Dean
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell - 'It's a dream come true'
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell sealed a dream day on Saturday by scoring the winner against
Newcastle United
29.11.2014
Scoring the winner in a Barclays Premier League game meant Aaron Cresswell
fulfilled a boyhood dream on Saturday. The 24-year-old full back popped up
in the Newcastle United box to convert Cheikhou Kouyate's mis-hit shot,
ending the Magpies' six-game winning streak and sending the Hammers back up
to fifth in the table. The victory was West Ham's first in four games and
Cresswell was delighted to get back to winning ways. He explained: "It's
what I've dreamt of since I was a little boy, scoring a goal in the Premier
League, and thankfully Cheik's shot-cum-pass has fallen to me today and I've
put it in the net. "I just carried my run on, and I think Cheik's gone for
the shot but luckily it fell for me. I tapped it in and I couldn't be any
happier. "We had a look at the Villa game and we deserved to win that one
but couldn't score, then we had a tough one at Everton, where maybe we could
have taken something from it. "So to get back to winning ways on Saturday
was great. We've got another tough game at West Brom on Tuesday and we'll be
looking to bring three points back from there."
As well as his goal, Cresswell also had a clean sheet to celebrate and the
former Ipswich Town man wants more of the same at West Bromwich Albion on
Tuesday. He added: "It was a good day all round. As a defender you can't ask
for much more than a clean sheet. "We got that and if you can get an assist
or goal as well then great. I've scored my first goal in the Premier League
and I'm very proud of that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam hails 'outstanding' Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted to see Aaron Cresswell secure a valuable victory
over Newcastle United
29.11.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed match-winner Aaron Cresswell following West Ham
United's valuable 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Newcastle United
on Saturday. The left-back continued his outstanding start to life in a
Hammers shirt by capping a fine individual display with a smartly-taken goal
eleven minutes after half-time. Cresswell, who has not missed a minute of
West Ham's opening 13 league matches since his summer move from Ipswich
Town, ran onto Cheikhou Kouyate's mis-hit shot to slot the ball confidently
beyond goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
"He was outstanding," Big Sam confirmed. "The natural progression on his
career meant it looked like it would always be the case that he would play
in the Premier League. The fact he is an ever-present is always nice and his
record tells us we'll get 40 games out of him every year. "Aaron has shown
our front lads how to score because it was a brilliant finish. He continued
a run when he must have thought he had no hope of getting it, because it was
a mis-hit shot, but he took it brilliantly."
West Ham produced a professional display to end Newcastle's five-match
winning run and extend their own unbeaten run at the Boleyn Ground to five
matches. A fourth home win of the campaign lifted Big Sam's side back into
fifth place ahead of Tuesday's trip to West Bromwich Albion. The manager is
hoping his players can build on Saturday's success as they embark on a busy
December that will see them play no fewer than six league matches. "We got
better as the game went on. You've got to remember that Newcastle were the
in-form team in the Premier League and arrived on the best run of victories
in the division, including Chelsea. "We knew it was going to be a difficult
game. In the first half, you could see Newcastle's confidence and we found
it difficult to get our passing game going and create any of the sort of
chances we expect to at home. "I said to the players that we should work on
the clean sheet scenario and that when a chance came along we would score
it. It came to the unlikeliest person on the field, but the most important
thing was the quality of the finish, when you get these opportunities. "When
they went down to ten men, we should have got to two or three and avoided
the nervousness, but their 'keeper made a couple of saves and we wasted a
couple of chances and we didn't make it easier for ourselves. It's an
outstanding victory for us against Newcastle."
Big Sam welcomed Stewart Downing and Kouyate back from injury, while Mark
Noble shrugged off a knock to his Achilles to make a record-breaking 205th
Premier League appearance for the Club. The boss was delighted to see the
midfielder break Steve Potts' record and paid tribute to the Academy
graduate's consistency and unerring commitment to the Club he has supported
his whole life. "It's rare today - you see it at Man United, Steven Gerrard
at Liverpool and John Terry at Chelsea, but such loyalty is few and far
between, so it's a fantastic achievement for a lad who dreamed of playing
for West Ham when he was at school. "Coming through the ranks, playing for
his local club, being an ever-present and showing such a level of
consistency is fantastic for a lad who is not that old, either. Who knows
where he will end up in his career in terms of how many games he plays for
West Ham."
Looking ahead to Tuesday's trip to The Hawthorns, Big Sam warned his players
that nothing will come easy against West Brom, who will be eager to bounce
back from their 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal on Saturday. "I watched that game
on telly because it was the lunchtime kick-off with great interest and saw
an Arsenal side go there and not look in too much danger, apart from when
West Brom went gung-ho with four players up front and played from back to
front very quickly. "So, containing Saido Berahino has been the main focus
for every team playing against them and I think that'll be our focus on
Tuesday night, because he has scored more goals than everybody else. "If we
get that right and show the defensive solidity we seem to be showing, then
our creative players can take the game to West Brom whenever they get the
opportunity. "West Brom have only won one home game this season, so their
fans are starved of victory at the moment and we have got to pray on what
might be a little lack of confidence. If we can keep the ball and move it
around like we did on Saturday, then we might be able to make the West Brom
fans a little nervous."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s seal dramatic comeback victory
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' youngsters scored three late goals to secure a 4-2 victory over
West Bromwich Albion
29.11.2014
West Ham United scored three goals in three amazing minutes to overcome West
Bromwich Albion 4-2 in the Barclays U18 Premier League on Saturday. The
Baggies went ahead early on at Little Heath when George Cater punished the
Hammers for not clearing the ball inside their own penalty area, before
Bermudian-born attacker Djair Parfitt-Williams drew the hosts level. As the
Hammers looked to push ahead, Tyler Roberts looked to have stolen the points
for the visitors. However, three goals in as many minutes from Emmanual
Onariase, Kieran Bailey and Decarrey Sheriff secured a dramatic victory for
West Ham. U18s manager Steve Potts made four changes to the starting XI that
lost 4-3 away at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Clarke Bogard was replaced
by Sam Howes in goal, Alex Pike made way for Onariase, while Marcus Browne
and Bailey were dropped to the bench. Josh Pask started in the middle of
midfield alongside Academy regular Noha Sylvestre and Jordan Brown returned
from injury to start up front. After four defeats in their previous five
fixtures ahead of the meeting with the Baggies, Potts' men soon found
themselves behind when Carter took advantage of the home defence failing to
clear their lines by stabbing the ball past Howes. The home side came back
into the game and they began to pressure the visitors. Pask smashed a shot
off the crossbar as the Hammers chased the equalizer before half-time.
After the break, the hosts kept up the pressure and had a handful of chances
on goal, but Oscar Borg, Parfitt-Williams and Jerry Amoo were finding it
impossible to beat Albion goalkeeper Ethan Ross. They did find the
breakthrough, however, and it was Parfitt-Williams who finished into the
corner of the net from 12 yards after receiving the ball inside the penalty
area from Amoo. Within ten minutes of pulling themselves level, however,
West Ham were punished for a defensive mistake. As the ball was crossed into
Roberts in the penalty area, the Hammers allowed the 16-year-old time and
space to turn and bury his shot low into the corner of the net. That goal
set the stage for an amazing climax. West Ham equalised just two minutes
later when Onariase ran unmarked meet Borg's right-wing corner and make it
2-2.
As the visitors investigated where they went wrong in conceding the
equaliser, West Ham took advantage and pushed in front just a minute later.
The ball was worked down the left wing at speed by the Hammers, with a low
cross being met and finished by Bailey at the near post.
If that goal was not enough to shock the Midlands side, West Ham scored a
fourth goal a minute later, when Sheriff finished well from inside the
penalty area. Saturday's result takes the Hammers back into the top four in
the Barclays U18 Premier League Southern Division, with 22 points from 14
games.
Potts' side travel to Southampton U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round on
Tuesday 9 December for their final fixture of 2014. Kick off at St.Mary's is
at 7pm.
U18s: Howes, Akinola, Burke (Sheriff), Onariase, Neufville, Sylvestre, Pask
(M.Browne), Amoo, Borg, J.Brown (Bailey), Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Ware, Elsom
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 Newcastle 0
29 November 2014
Last updated at 17:52
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport
Aaron Cresswell scored his first Premier League goal as West Ham moved up to
fifth in the table with victory over 10-man Newcastle.
The former Ipswich defender's 56th-minute strike ended the Magpies' run of
five successive league wins and handed the Hammers their first in four.
Newcastle finished with 10 men when captain Moussa Sissoko was shown two
yellows in the space of 46 seconds. Their best chances fell to Ayoze Perez
whose two efforts went a foot wide. Both those shots were in the first half
which was a drab spectacle. The players were guilty of repeatedly losing
possession and some awful shooting, with the Magpies marginally the more
creative in attack. Spain Under-21 striker Perez looked the most likely to
make a breakthrough in the first period, firing a shot that went a foot wide
and a backheel flick that found the side-netting. As for West Ham, they were
relying on their ex-Newcastle man Andy Carroll to trouble the Newcastle
backline but, bar a hopeful shout for a penalty, when his shot hit the arm
of Mike Williamson, he was well-marshalled. So it came as a surprise in the
56th minute when a defender popped up to open the scoring. Full-back
Cresswell took the chance to break forward and was positioned perfectly when
Cheikhou Kouyate's shot fell into his path. The Liverpool-born full-back
steadied himself and poked in past Rob Elliot.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew brought on Remy Cabella and Papiss Cisse as
they searched for an equaliser, but moments after making the changes his
attacking options were reduced when his skipper lost his cool. Sissoko, who
has been a leader by example for the Magpies this season, was shown his
first yellow when he kicked the ball away and less than a minute later he
was shown a second card for his late challenge on Carroll. Despite going a
man down, Newcastle pushed for an equaliser and even sent keeper Elliot up
for a late corner. They were almost left to rue that decision when
substitute Mauro Zarate broke forward on the counter, but then failed to
find the finish with the keeper only just back in his goal. The miss did not
matter as West Ham held and got back on the winning trail.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We have to say it was a fantastic finish
from Aaron Cresswell. It was fortuitous he got in that position. He's a
full-back and carried on his run into the box. It was always going to be a
1-0. "We get back on the winning trail going into December. Newcastle are an
in-form side. It's massive win for us."
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: "I'm disappointed the six-game winning run
has come to an end - at some point it had to. "It was a tight game - they
had a major break on the goal. It probably decided the game. We tried to
push the best we could. "He [Moussa Sissoko] needs to learn - it was a
minute of madness. He's usually such a controlled player. I thought we were
pretty good right up until the goal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Newcastle United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 29th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
There may not be any champers on the menu at Chateau Allardyce tonight but
Big Sam was nonetheless in high spirits after his team ground out a 1-0 win
over in-form Newcastle. Read his full, post-match press conference
exclusively here on KUMB...
Champagne out tonight, Sam? As opposed to the red wine?
Ha! I think it's a massive victory for us today. The opposition came here
today with the best run of results in the Premier League recently, even
better than Chelsea. That's saying something considering how Chelsea are
going this season, but they're on a fantastic run of victories that has
brought them up [the table] and above us before we started today's game.
Our game plan was obviously to try and win the game but I always thought it
was going to be a tight match - and that ended up being the case. For me, it
was telling the players: "Do not concede the first goal, because the way
Newcastle are playing at this moment in time you will find it hugely
difficult to get back in the game if you do".
Whilst it was a little scrappy in the first half we got better in the second
and I have to give Aaron Cresswell a huge amount of praise for the quality
of his finish. He showed our more attacking and creative players how to put
the ball in the back of the net today which was really pleasing, because
while he was quite lucky to get the chance - from a mis-hit shot - he never
gave up on it and his quality of finishing was fantastic.
I felt we should have gone on and won the game more comfortably when they
went down to ten men, but a couple of good saves and a couple of bad misses
meant we were pretty nervous at the end. To get the victory to go fifth and
up to 21 points is huge for us and a huge push going into a very quick game
at West Brom on Tuesday and then Swansea next week. We've started off with
three points in what could be a massive week for us all, playing three games
in seven or eight days.
How's the injury situation?
Well hopefully no injuries today, which is very important but I don't know
about Valencia, Sakho or Song just yet. Saying that, I hope nobody wakes up
tomorrow morning and finds they've got a problem. We're keeping the squad
together to go off to West Brom now and try to continue this undefeated run
again, so we'll see how we go there.
Certainly Valencia, Sakho and Songy are reasonably close - whether they're
close enough for Tuesday I don't know, but certainly if not Tuesday then I
think most of them will be back for Swansea.
Tomkins had an outstanding game, I thought?
Yes he did. He covered up an awful lot and made some very good
interceptions. He read the game very well today. We have the added bonus
that Winston Reid has now overcome his suspension. Coping with missing
players is hugely difficult against the most in-form team in the Premier
League at the minute; winning shows the strength and depth of our squad and
is paying dividends, up to now.
Andy [Carroll]; no goals, but quite influential?
Yes. He's getting better and better, as is his match fitness the more games
he plays. I'll have to assess him for tomorrow and Monday to know whether
he's got the capability or the energy to play at West Brom. When you're only
two games into your pre-season - which is what Andy is - the last thing I
want to do is risk playing him whilst he's fatigued, not recovered in time
and risking another injury. Even though Andy will disagree! That will be
determined by me and the staff on Monday or Tuesday morning. Let's hope we
can go to West Brom and finish this week undefeated.
Do you worry sometimes about him throwing himself into tackles?
I do, yes. It does concern me that he has no fear. Sometimes having no fear,
or not sensing danger could ultimately end up with him injuring himself
rather than somebody else injuring him. With a little bit more experience
perhaps he'll sense that a little bit more but he does throw himself at
everything, doesn't he!
A quick word on Mark Noble; a record number of Premier League games for West
Ham?
Only 26, isn't he. A marvellous achievement, outstanding credit to Nobes.
It's rare today that a man dedicates himself to one club as he has done.
You've see it with Liverpool and Steven Gerrard, at Man United and John
Terry at Chelsea, but the way players move round and change clubs today make
it a massive bonus for West Ham and a massive achievement for Mark.
I can't remember the last time West Ham had 21 points before Christmas; just
how far do you think this team can go? Is this above expectations?
At the moment we're above expectations but we realised those levels a few
weeks ago here when we beat Liverpool and we beat Man City. My challenge to
the players was to sustain that level [of performance]. It's hard to get
there; it's even harder to stay there. Today's victory gives us an
opportunity, going into December, to see if we can sustain it.
If we can sustain it through December and into January then we can
reschedule where we think we should or might finish if we continue. So we'll
wait until then. Historically, December and January have been difficult
months for us over the last two seasons. We've started a hectic period today
with a victory and three points, so let's hope we achieve a lot more points
than we have done in the last couple of seasons.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce welcomes hard-fought win over Newcastle
Last Updated: 29/11/14 8:06pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted that West Ham enjoyed a slice of fortune during their
1-0 win over Newcastle at Upton Park. The Hammers moved up to fifth in the
Premier League after Aaron Cresswell's first goal for the club secured the
points against Newcastle, who had Moussa Sissoko sent-off in the
second-half. Cheikhou Kouyate's miskick had fallen perfectly for the
full-back in the build-up, but Allardyce felt his side earned their luck
after a run of three games without a victory. "We have to say it's a
fantastic finish from Aaron Cresswell, but rather fortuitous that he got in
that position," he told Sky Sports. "You wouldn't expect your full-back to
think this maybe comes to me when he's running into the box, so we give him
all the credit for the anticipation that he's shown. But it was a wonderful,
wonderful finish. "I think it was always looking like a one-nil today apart
from when Newcastle went down to 10-men and then we had several chances to
kill the game off and you've always got that little bit of anxiety that any
slip when you are 1-0 up may cost you, even against 10 men. "It was a
fantastic victory for us and I think that in the end the victory was more
important, because we have played much better than that. The 1-0 was well
received by everybody today."
West Ham, without summer recruits Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, still
managed to succumb an in-form Newcastle side and Allardyce was grateful for
the points ahead of a hectic festive schedule. He said: "Getting back on the
winning trail, if we are at this stage at the season, going into December
and certainly with the injuries that we've got at the moment, you've got to
overcome and overcoming it is by making sure the team that goes out there
gets a result. "When you consider that Newcastle are the in-form team in the
Premier League, six wins on the trot, it's a massive, massive victory for
us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aaron Cresswell seals West Ham win over Newcastle at Upton Park
Last Updated: 29/11/14 7:16pm
SSN
Aaron Cresswell scored a second-half winner as West Ham continued their
unexpected push for a top-four position with a 1-0 home win over Newcastle.
The Hammers full-back scored his first goal for the club, lifting them into
fifth in the Premier League table, and Moussa Sissoko's late dismissal
capped off a frustrating afternoon for Newcastle at Upton Park on Saturday.
Newcastle started with a confident swagger after six straight wins and Ayoze
Perez nearly snatched an opener, spinning and shooting past the far post
after he was teed up by Yoan Gouffran. Andy Carroll, facing his former club,
gave a glimpse of his aerial power with a flick-on and Stewart Downing's low
drive tested Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
West Ham were settling well, starting to show the slicker brand of football
which has propelled them up the table. But Cheikhou Kouyate spoiled a
sweeping counter attack with a horribly sliced cross. Starved of possession,
Newcastle were reliant on Perez for much of their attacking threat. The
Spaniard was denied by a timely tackle from James Tomkins, but then fired
into the side netting from a tight angle.
West Ham appealed passionately for a penalty just before the break, with
Carroll convinced that Mike Williamson had blocked the ball with his arm,
but referee Mike Dean was unmoved. Downing sent a rising shot over the bar
during a frantic start to the second period, while Newcastle's Jack Colback
was equally wayward, ballooning the ball into the crowd. But it was the
Hammers who took the lead soon afterwards in scruffy fashion. A mishit shot
from Kouyate bounced perfectly into the path of Cresswell (56), who steered
his shot into the bottom corner.
Newcastle searched for an instant response and Adrian smothered a near post
shot from the lively Perez. But an uphill task for the Magpies was made to
appear even steeper when Sissoko (76) was sent-off. The French midfielder
earned a second yellow with a crunching challenge on Carroll. West Ham
were unable to take advantage in the dying minutes as Downing's low cross
drifted across the box, while substitute Mauro Zarate was crowded out after
bursting clear.
Soccer Saturday reaction - Matt Le Tissier
A draw would have been a fair result. Neither of the sides dominated for
great periods of time. Neither of them created a load of chances. The goal
was a bit of a fluke as well. Kouyate hit a shot so badly it trickled past
the Newcastle defence, it fell into Creswell's path and he finished it well.
It wasn't a game of great quality and it was probably appropriate that a
goal that wasn't of great quality settled it.
Williamson and Dummett played Carroll very well and kept him quiet. Anything
that came into the box, they were very tight on him and didn't allow him any
free headers at goal. They marshalled him pretty well and he was
ineffective. As for Moussa Sissoko's red card, he got two yellows in about
a minute. The first was for kicking the ball away, which was a little silly
and seconds later he appears to scrape his studs down Carroll's shin and
push him in the chest. The ref thought that was worthy of a second yellow
and he was off. I like the look of Perez. His movement is good up front,
he's always showing for the ball, he's always lively and he caused a few
problems for the West Ham defence. He's going to be a very good footballer.
Newcastle didn't look like a team that had won six on the bounce, though.
PLAYER RATINGS
West Ham: Adrian (6), Jenkinson (6), Collins (6), Tomkins (7), Cresswell
(8), Noble (6), Kouyate (6), Amalfitano (6), Downing (7), Jarvis (6),
Carroll (7)
Used subs: Nolan (6), Zarate (6)
Newcastle: Elliot (6), Janmaat (6), Williamson (6), Dummett (5), Haidara
(6), Tiote (6), Colback (6), Gouffran (6), Sissoko (6), Ameobi (5), Perez
(7)
Used subs: Cisse (6), Cabella (5), Taylor (5)
Man of the match: Aaron Cresswell
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 1, NEWCASTLE 0. LUCKIER THAN GOOD?
By David Hautzig 29 Nov 2014 at 19:05
West Ham Till I Die
Writing these reports has taught me a few things not only about my
relationship with our club, but about how many irrational dislikes I have
for other clubs. Today, for example, brought one Alan Pardew back to Upton
Park. Or as a few of my mates call him, That P@#*k Pards. You can probably
guess the middle word if you give yourself a minute or so. It's not a view
shared by many. In fact, I have read many an article hoping for his return
to West Ham. I don't understand why. It's not like his record with us,
Charlton, Southampton and now Newcastle is anything to do somersaults over.
Player and staff unrest, fall outs with chairmen, and the rumours about
his….uhhhh….various relationships.
No thank you.
Having said that, you have to give credit where credit is due. Lazarus would
be proud of Pards resurrection this season. Five straight league wins, with
a draw against Swansea before that, has given Newcastle 16 out of a possible
18 points. When I studied our fixtures leading up to Christmas a few weeks
ago I saw this as a game against a team struggling near the drop zone. Now
it's a game battling for some extra games next season.
As for us, the injury crisis that took us by surprise last week got a little
better. Kouyate, Downing and Noble were all in the starting eleven, but
Valencia, Song and Sakho were still out. Then yesterday we got word that
Sakho was basically mugged by the physio for Senegal and may out for at
least a month. Yet for me the biggest surprise was the player that started
on the bench, Zarate. If there was one lesson learned last week it was that
Zarate should have been the one partnered up front with Carroll. Sam,
however, didn't get the memo and for reasons I could not get my head around
Jarvis got a start instead. Jacob Steinberg tweeted that Downing would be
out wide to play to Carroll's strengths. Enter the wormhole and travel back
in time to lobbing it in to one up front.
Ayoze Perez has been on fire for Newcastle during their terrific run of
form, and in the opening minutes we saw why. First he cut between Tomkins
and Collins after receiving the ball from Gouffran but his shot went wide.
Then Sissoko fed a nice through ball for him, but his foul on Tomkins
stopped play. Minutes later, the Sissoko to Perez party was on again. This
time Kouyate was there to clear. Three chances from the same pair in the
first five minutes did not put me at ease to watch the game.
West Ham looked like they started the game in the eighth minute when Jarvis
chased down a flick on from Carroll. Jarvis passed to an oncoming Downing
whose shot was straight at Rob Elliot. That was the only bright moment of
the first ten minutes, and I use that term lightly. Despite a lineup that
looked like it was set up to play to Carroll's supposed strengths, the big
man looked lonely. The support he needed was not there. In any form. Not in
crosses, not in players there to run on to his flicks.
Meaning, no Zarate.
In the 13th minute, Carroll did have someone run into a space to collect a
ball off of his head. That someone was Downing. But when Downing tried to
return the favor with a cross into the box, nobody was there to cash in. A
few minutes later Kouyate and Amalfitano tried to get in on the sort of
action when the Frenchman laid a good ball for Kouyate to run onto down the
right. His cross was blocked by Gouffran and it eventually ended up as a
goal kick. A minute later Cresswell made a run down the left to get on the
end of a ball from Downing but his cross was blocked by Sissoko. There was a
bit of hope that West Ham would start to assert itself on the game.
Mike Williamson became the first player to go into Mike Dean's little black
book when he caught Jarvis with something that would have looked better on a
dance floor than a football pitch. A sneaky little back heel as Jarvis tried
to go past him. Not the booking we will all look back on, but noteworthy for
how odd it was.
The 24th minute crystallized why we miss our injured strike tandem. Kouyate
won the ball at midfield on pure power and fed Jarvis down the left. That is
when Valencia and Sakho would be darting in and around the box like ants
when you disturb their colony. Try to step on em, and all you get is dust.
But Jarvis had nobody to pick out, nor did anybody try to get onto the end
of his cross. It made the whole thing pointless, other than wasting time if
you are trying to play for a nil-nil draw. In fact, neither team did all
that much with the ball in the first thirty minutes. There were more errant
passes than accurate ones, and I wondered if the first team to simply
control the ball for a minute or so would score first.
One trait that will never go un-noticed or unappreciated by West Ham
supporters is tenacity. If you put in a shift, if you work your socks off,
we will never turn on you. If today was the last game ever for James Tomkins
and Ginge, they would be immortalized. They both made so many world-class
defensive plays that try as I will to include them all I will likely miss
some. The first came in the 33rd minute when Sissoko and Perez combined
again on a dangerous counter attack. Tomkins snuffed out what looked like a
1-0 Newcastle lead in the making with a great block on Perez. A few minutes
later, after Noble fouled Sissoko and gave up a free kick in a dangerous
area, Tomkins got his head on both the ball into the box and Carroll's
outstretched foot. A bit of treatment and he was back to work.
Perez continued his strong performance in the 38th minute when Ameobi fed
the ball to him close to Adrian. If he had a better angle the ball could
have caused problems, but his cheeky shot off the back of his foot went into
the side netting. The next seven minutes plus one minute of added time were
barely noteworthy, and it was nil-nil at halftime.
When I watch games to do these reports, I jot down notes on scrap paper and
then do my best to construct decent sentences out of them afterwards. So
little happened in the first half that I only used two pieces of paper as
opposed to my normal four or five. The unfortunate fact was that with Andy
Carroll playing alone, all we looked like was a slightly better version of
last year's team. To think that this formation can score more than a goal
per game with any regularity is….wait for it…..deluded. Would Sam diagnose
himself the way he tried to diagnose all of us a few years ago and put
Zarate on? I hoped so, with Jarvis coming off despite the fact that he
hadn't played that badly. Maybe even better than Amalfitano in the first
half. But given the choice I'd rather have the Frenchman.
The second half did not start with the substitution most us were hoping for,
but at least it started with West Ham on the attack. Kouyate started a
counter after some nervy moments in our own end and passed to Carroll. AC
finally saw a pass of his end up on a teammate by the name of Stuart Downing
on the left. When Downing put the ball on his right foot to cut inside,
hopes of a shot on target rose. Then they were dashed when his shot went
over the crossbar.
James Tomkins continued his co-Man Of The Match day in the 50th minute when
he used the basic footballing principle of positioning when he forced Perez
to lose the ball over the touchline for a goal kick. Nothing spectacular.
Just excellent. A minute later West Ham were on the break when Collins
cleared another Perez chance to Noble, who found Cresswell streaking down
the left. Maybe it was youthful exuberance, but whatever it was made him
hoof the ball into the crowd instead of finding a teammate in the box. He's
still learning, and a great student overall so all was forgiven.
Rob Elliot hadn't done much wrong as Tim Krul's stand in to this point. In
the 54th minute, however, he showed how a split second of indecision by a
keeper can cause problems. Elliot couldn't handle a long ball into the box,
and the ball was inched away from any West Ham player doing nothing more
than toe poking it in for a 1-0 lead. Two corners followed, both with
Carroll being out jumped, and Newcastle were left unscathed.
There is a cliché in American sport. "I'd rather be lucky than good". It's
been attributed to Vernon Louis "Lefty" Gomez, who played baseball for the
Yankees in the 1930's. When the ball came to Downing on the left, I was
talking to my mate Jon. We both could not understand why Sam was being so
stubborn in not putting Zarate in. "We won't score unless he does" I said.
Just then, Kouyate got the ball from Downing at the edge of the area and
attempted a shot. He missed. But the ball rolled slowly onto the path of an
onrushing Cresswell, who showed the composure of a seasoned striker to put
it behind Elliot.
West Ham 1, Newcastle 0.
It could have been 1-1 two minutes later when Williamson and Perez (yeah,
him again) combined. Perez drove his shot right at Adrian, and with
teammates running around the box he may have been better suited to try and
find one. Thankfully for us, he didn't.
The 63rd minute saw Newcastle make two changes. Tiote made way for Cisse,
and Cabella replaced Gouffran. The TV cameras showed Pards having a word
with Perez, seemingly telling him to play farther back now that Cisse was
on. So it isn't only Sam that tells his most effective and creative player
to move away from the goal. That's kind of comforting.
Still no Zarate, but Amalfitano made a case for himself being the one to
come off if and when a change was made with a bad cross and a giveaway in
Newcastle's area. On the counter, Noble brought down Cabella and gave up a
free kick. Oh god. How many times have we seen a free kick given up by
Noble, even when it isn't his fault, which leads to a goal. Were we going to
see the latest edition of the script we all know? Luckily for West Ham,
Haidara's shot from the free kick went wide.
In the 70th minute, just like last week at Everton, the clubs official
Twitter account announced that Zarate was ready to come on. I got the
feeling that it was more than just information. It was the person in charge
of those Tweets joining in on the call for such a creative force. Within
seconds, Zarate forced a corner when he passed to Jenkinson. The Arsenal
loanee saw his cross blocked out by Ameobi, but the question that I wanted
answered was why it took so long to get Zarate on? A minute later, a ball
into Carroll was headed into space which Zarate was running to. He didn't
get on the end of it, but at least he tried. Please tell me you saw that,
Sam. Twice fooled, shame on you.
The 75th minute saw the most eventful thirty seconds of the match, and one
of the more brainless displays by a professional footballer this season.
First, with Newcastle attacking in numbers, Jenkinson played Sissoko
perfectly to stop his progress. For that effort, he got a push in the back.
And for that, Sissoko saw yellow. Thirty seconds later, a reckless challenge
on Carroll in midfield earned him an upgrade from Yellow to Red. If Sam were
his manager, he'd have been on his way to Siberia by now.
After being butchered last week, Amalfitano might have decided the best form
of self defense is to attack. So he took Haidara down from behind and got
booked. This is where some good ol fashioned West Ham paranoia crept in. Ten
men, huh? Didn't go so well against Spurs. Hull last year was no fun,
either. Is this the crazy reason why we give up the equalizer?
The whole idea behind signing Zarate was to give Carroll a partner up front
who was anything but like for like. We saw glimpses of that in the final ten
minutes. First, Zarate fed a through ball for a running Carroll but it was
just a bit heavy and went out for a goal kick. Then they got in each other's
way when they both went for a ball in midfield, allowing Newcastle to
counter. Nothing happened. Then Zarate led another counter with a pass to
Downing, whose cross was deflected out for a corner by Haidara. It was
inches away from 2-0 a minute later when Jenkinson found Zarate on the left,
who cut to the center and drilled a beautiful shot towards the top corner of
the net. In his finest moment of the day, Elliot made a finger tip save to
rob the Argentine-Chilean.
Nolan came on for Kouyate in the 85th minute in what could only have been
based on Kouyate running out of fuel. Not that Nolan has any fuel to begin
with.
Ameobi broke forward in the 89th minute, and despite being down to ten men
Newcastle looked dangerous on this attack. My heart skipped a beat before
Collins came to the rescue and took the ball away just outside the box.
In the second minute of the four added on, Zarate and Downing came close to
making it 2-0. Zarate fed a rushing Downing on the left. Elliot came out to
meet him, and Downing aimed for the far post. In real time it looked very,
very close. On replay, it only looked kind of close. Still, who started it?
The man named Mauro.
A final corner in the dying seconds of injury time gave the Toon army a
reason to stand, but Collins and Tomkins told them to sit back down because
the game was over.
Final score. West Ham 1, Newcastle 0.
We should all be happy for the three points. Considering our strong start to
the season, two draws and a loss from our last three games felt like a
letdown. Add the injuries and Newcastle's fantastic form coming in, a loss
would not have surprised anybody. So a mini crisis has thankfully been
averted.
Or has it?
I'm not trying to bring us down here, but for the second consecutive game
our most influential player was left on the bench at the start of the game.
Why? When asked, I'm sure Sam will give not only an explanation as to why
but also an explanation as to how he was 100% correct to do it. If he does
do that, he will be alone in that thinking. It took great defending and a
lucky bounce to get us the three points today. On another day, we may not be
so lucky. And we have the players to avoid what we saw for long stretches of
the game. I know it. You know it.
I only hope Sam knows it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-0 Newcastle: Hammers return to winning ways thanks to Aaron
Cresswell strike
The Mirror
Aaron Cresswell's first goal for West Ham ended ten-man Newcastle's winning
streak. The 24-year-old left-back, bought for just £2million in the summer -
pounced 11 minutes after half time to end his club's run of three games
without a win. The effort wrecked Newcastle's bid to equal a seven-match
sequence of victories in all competitions last achieved 19 years ago under
Kevin Keegan. Cresswell pounced as Cheikou Kouyate miscued an attempted
drive from just outside the Magpies' box. The ball trickled beyond the
despairing lunge of midfielder Cheick Tiote and Cresswell swept it home for
his first West Ham goal and the 14th of his career. The effort, and the
three points, were well deserved for West Ham. The overall quality of the
match, however, was poor. Newcastle were toothless and showed little
ambition until they fell behind. A difficult afternoon for Alan Pardew's men
was worsened in the second half by the dismissal of Mo Sissoko for two
yellow cards within 60 seconds. His first, in the 75th minute, was for
dissent. Sissoko angrily kicked the ball away in frustration at a decision
not going his way. His second was for a foul on Andy Carroll under the nose
of referee Mike Dean. West Ham had chances to increase their advantage even
further but substitute Mauro Zarate had a curling effort parried by reserve
Toon keeper Rob Elliot and Stewart Downing fired a diagonal late effort
wide.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
