Regular updates from the Carling Cup fourth-round tie at the Ricoh Arena
30.10.2007
Coventry City 1-2 West Ham United - Full-time
Coventry City: Marshall, Osbourne, Turner, De Zeeuw, Hall, McNamee, Tabb,
Doyle (c), Best, Gray, Mifsud
Subs: Simpson, Ward, Cairo, Thornton, Kyle
West Ham United: Wright, Neill (c), Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer,
Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole
Subs: Green, Spector, Gabbidon, Pantsil, Reid
Live updates
90min - Goal - Cole finds himself free on goal and holds his nerve to score
beyond Marshall.
90min - Upson does well to block a goalbound shot from Mifsud. Neither side
seems content for extra time.
90min - Etherington bursts down the left. He fires in a ball across the box
but no one can get to the back post to meet it. Three minutes of added time
will be played.
87min - Coventry are applying late pressure. A short corner comes to nothing
and the visitors can regroup.
84min - Danny Gabbidon comes on to replace Ferdinand ,who limps away
clutching his hamstring.
81min - Ferdinand is down for treatment. The players come to the side of the
pitch for some late instruction before the closing stages.
76min - Both teams are going for it. The ball falls to the feet of McCartney
on the right of goal but his left-foot shot flashes wide.
71min - GOAL - Luis Boa Morte scores after his left-foot shot is deflected
beyond Marshall.
70min - Best is off to be replaced by Kevin Kyle. West Ham United have 20
minutes to rescue their cup dream.
68min - GOAL - Osbourne's cross into the box sees Tabb connect with a diving
header at the back post to score beyond Wright.
63min - Spector goes into the book for a foul. The atmosphere is hotting up
as both sides sense the chance for victory.
61min - Mifsud had the ball in the net but it is offside. Mark Noble goes
off to be replaced by John Pantsil on his first appearance of the season.
58min - Cole rises highest to meet an Etherington corner but his header
flies wide.
55min - A terrific move by Curbishley's men sees Spector through and with a
chance on goal, only for the offside flag to be raised. There are 23,968
fans at the Ricoh Arena tonight, with nearly 4,500 visiting supporters.
53min - Both sides have stepped up their attacking intent. Etherington in
particular is seeing a lot of the ball. Leon Best then gets a half-chance at
the other end but cannot keep his shot down.
49min - Tabb gets free on the right of goal but McCartney does well to put
him off his shot. A swift counter sees the visitors win a corner.
Etherington finds Bowyer on the edge of the box but the shot goes over high
and wide.
47min - Cole goes down when running through towards goal but the referee
sees nothing wrong.
46min - A change with Jonathan Spector on for Mullins. The US international
goes straight into the central midfield role. For Coventry, Robbie Simpson
is introduced for Julian Gray.
Half-time - A competitive first half is brought to a close by Rob Styles,
having played two minutes of added time. Coventry have more than held their
own, particularly on the break, and Curbishley will expect better after the
interval.
43min - Bowyer is fouled by Isaac Osbourne. It is a good chance to put
pressure on the Coventry defence but Noble's free-kick 25 yards to the left
of goal comes to nothing when Cole is penalised for a foul.
41min - Hall surges forward for Coventry but Neill reads the danger well and
wins back possession.
40min - A swift counterattack by Curbishley's side but the move breaks down
when Etherington is well placed on the left wing.
33min - Boa Morte races away on goal from Ben Turner. He appears to have
been fouled but the referee waves away the appeal. Lucas Neill is booked
seconds later for dissent.
29min - The tireless Noble has a swing at McCartney's ball into the box but
cannot send it goalwards. Straight up the other end where Ferdinand concedes
a corner, which Cole then clears for another from the other side. As Bubbles
rings out again, the visitors ride out the danger.
23min - Chances at either end. First Noble just fails to get to a McCartney
low cross into the six-yard box before Mifsud leads the charge at the other
end. The attack breaks down when Marcus Hall loops a shot over from a
corner.
20min - Neill finds Cole in the box but the striker cannot get any power or
direction on the header.
16min - George McCartney is shown a yellow card for a foul on Michael Mifsud
as the Malta striker broke free on the right-wing. Coventry cannot make the
free-kick count although another set-piece is awarded for a foul by Hayden
Mullins. From that, Julian Gray tests Wright with a header but the No21
makes a comfortable save.
12min - Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte are both upended. From the resulting
central set-piece, 25 yards out, Mark Noble fires over the crossbar.
9min - Arjan De Zeeuw heads wide from a free-kick. It was never troubling
Richard Wright.
6min - Neither side has settled yet, with possession switching back and
forth. Matthew Upson has tried to find Cole with a couple of raking passes
but they have come to nothing.
1min - Luis Boa Morte and Mark Noble get us under way. The early signs are
that Boa Morte will support Carlton Cole in attack in a 4-4-2 formation.
Kick-off
7.44pm - Lucas Neill leads out the visitors, wearing the change strip of
white shirts, claret shorts and claret socks. Coventry are in their
traditional all sky-blue kit.
7.37pm - The players have returned down the tunnel. Only the West Ham United
substitutes remain warming-up in front of the massed ranks of more than
4,000 travelling fans.
7.23pm - Coventry manager Iain Dowie is out on the pitch with the Coventry
players. Among them is Elliott Ward, a substitute tonight after passing a
late fitness test, who reserved special mention for his former club in the
matchday programme. "West Ham is a great club and they like to play football
in the right way," he said. "I loved playing there."
7.12pm - The team are out on the pitch warming up on a clear but mild
evening at the Ricoh Arena. Alan Curbishley has stuck with seven of the side
that drew 0-0 at Portsmouth on Saturday. The changes are Richard Wright in
for Robert Green, Anton Ferdinand for Danny Gabbidon, Lee Boywer for
Nolberto Solano and Matthew Etherington for Craig Bellamy. Solano, like
Henri Camara, is cup-tied.
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Cole the hero at Coventry - WHUFC
Carlton Cole's last-gasp winner has sent West Ham United into the last eight
of the Carling Cup
30.10.2007
Coventry City 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United have become the first team through to the Carling Cup
quarter-finals after coming from behind to win at Coventry City.
Carlton Cole's winner deep into added time earned the visitors a dramatic
victory after a deflected shot by Luis Boa Morte had earlier cancelled out
Jay Tabb's headed opener in a thrilling finale at the Ricoh Arena. Cole
found himself through on goal with time running out and kept his nerve to
score in front of the 4,500-strong travelling contingent. Defeat was hard on
the home side, who gave their all in a competitive encounter.
Alan Curbishley made four changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Portsmouth
on Saturday evening. Richard Wright replaced Robert Green in goal, Anton
Ferdinand came in for Danny Gabbidon, Lee Boywer deputised for the cup-tied
Nolberto Solano and Matthew Etherington stepped in for Craig Bellamy, with
Boa Morte moving up front alongside Cole. Solano, like Henri Camara, was
cup-tied.
Coventry were the first to have a real opportunity. Ferdinand fouled Tabb
nine minutes in and, from the resulting free-kick, Arjan De Zeeuw headed
wide of Wright's goal. Three minutes later, the visitors had a set-piece
chance of their own after both Bowyer and Boa Morte were upended. Mark Noble
took the responsibility but sent his shot high over Andy Marshall's goal.
That led to a bright passage of play with Hayden Mullins involved in some
good build-up before getting on the end of an Etherington cross, but he
could not direct his header on target. Iain Dowie's hosts were a constant
threat, not least Michael Mifsud, with McCartney going into the book for a
foul as the Malta striker broke free before Upson also saw the forward trick
his way past him.
Boa Morte was not enjoying as much room at the other end although he did
break free of defender Ben Turner just after the half-hour. The Portuguese
striker went down but the appeals for a foul were waved away. Lucas Neill
was booked for dissent and the rest of the half slipped away in a series of
half-chances and sporadic bursts forward.
Both managers made changes at half-time with Jonathan Spector on in a
central midfield role for Mullins who had a knee knock and Robbie Simpson
replacing Julian Gray for the home side. Tabb soon had the first clear sight
on goal of the half but was hurried off the ball before Etherington found
Bowyer from a corner at the other end, but the resulting shot went high and
wide. The visitors were getting closer though as Cole rose to head goalwards
but he failed to trouble Marshall.
On the hour, Mifsud had the ball in the net but it was given for offside.
Curbishley decided to make his second change of the night with John Pantsil
on for Mark Noble, who had a groin problem. Despite the dropping temperature
on a chilly but clear night, the intensity was increasing on the pitch as
both sides sensed victory. Mifsud remained a menace, sending a shot over
although it never troubled Wright.
After a tense first 68 minutes, the game burst into life when Tabb stole in
behind the visiting defence to break the deadlock. The goal stunned the
visitors but they were to be behind for only three minutes before Boa Morte
pounced on a clearance and scored with a shot that was deflected by Marcus
Hall past Marshall. Relieved to be back in it, West Ham United searched for
a winner with McCartney and the tireless Etherington both seeing shots flash
just wide as the match entered its closing stages.
As Coventry also applied pressure of their own, Ferdinand limped off
clutching his hamstring to be replaced by Gabbidon. Neither side appeared
content to settle for extra time though and, when the ball broke free in
front of goal after a Ben Turner error, Cole stayed cool to convert and send
West Ham United into the last eight.
Coventry City: Marshall, Osbourne, Turner, De Zeeuw, Hall, McNamee, Tabb,
Doyle (c), Best (Kyle 70), Gray (Simpson 46), Mifsud
Subs not used: Ward, Cairo, Thornton
West Ham United: Wright, Neill (c), Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson,
McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins (Spector 46), Noble (Pantsil 61), Etherington,
Boa Morte, Cole
Subs not used: Green, Reid
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Curbishley cheered by Cole clincher - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley has spoken of his delight at Carlton Cole's match-winner on
Tuesday
30.10.2007
Alan Curbishley paid tribute to Carlton Cole after his match-winning
contribution at Coventry City on Tuesday night.
The West Ham United manager admitted his team had not been at their best in
winning 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena but took plenty of positives from his
towering striker's display - and the fact that a place in the last eight of
the competition had been secured. The 23-year-old Cole has now scored two in
three games and will again lead the line on the return to league action
against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
"Coley's worked ever so hard and deserved his goal," Curbishley said. "I
hope it gives him more confidence because we play next at Upton Park and I
hope he carries on. He has had to wait for his chance and he is now grabbing
it." The last-gasp winner was the club's second in a row in the competition,
with Dean Ashton having secured a 1-0 victory against Plymouth Argyle in the
dying seconds.
Tonight, the manager, who played Luis Boa Morte just behind Cole and saw him
conjure up the equaliser, believed his young forward was profiting from the
absence of others. "He finds it easier to play up there on his own,"
Curbishley added. "It is there for him, he understands what he has got to
do. He just needs to make sure he doesn't go missing and switch off in
games.
"He has got all the attributes but perhaps he has never been given a run and
got that match fitness. So we may see something different from him now. He
is there, he has got a chance. It is there for him to grab." Looking forward
to the quarter-finals, and although mindful of the fact his team have
"attacked the competition", Curbishley added "we know we have got to play
better than that in the next round".
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Coventry 1-2 West Ham - BBC
West Ham left it late before earning a place in the last eight of the
Carling Cup with a goal from Carlton Cole. Coventry played the match at a
fast pace and deservedly took the lead when Jay Tabb stole in at the back
post to nod in Isaac Osbourne's flighted pass. But West Ham were level
within three minutes when Marcus Hall deflected Luis Boa Morte's shot into
his own net. And the visitors snatched victory in the third minute of added
time when Cole pounced on a Ben Turner mistake. It was a cruel end for the
centre-back and Coventry, who took the game to their Premier League
opponents from the first moment and played much the better football. The
lively Tabb and Michael Mifsud set the tempo and both had chances which
flashed wide, as did striker Leon Best. The Hammers failed to muster a
single effort on target in the first half, when they were aggrieved that
Turner escaped punishment after tangling with Boa Morte outside the box and
Cole in it. To make matters worse, Hayden Mullins did not reappear for the
second 45 because of a knee injury and Anton Ferdinand failed to see out the
match because of a hamstring problem. The Hammers conjured a chance when
Cole headed wide from a Matthew Etherington corner before Tabb showed him
how to do it, nodding in Osbourne's delightful forward ball on 68 minutes.
The home fans at the Ricoh Arena were in raptures, but West Ham were given a
lifeline when Boa Morte pounced on Arjen de Zeeuw's weak clearing header.
George McCartney soon wasted a good opportunity for the Hammers, lashing
into the side-netting, before Etherington fired a free-kick well wide. But
with extra-time looming Cole struck to break home hearts with a clean finish
from the edge of the area after Turner's error in judging a long ball
forward.
Coventry boss Iain Dowie on an alleged handball in the build-up to West
Ham's late winner:"I do not want to bemoan the referee's decision but yes
there was a handball. I'm sure Rob Styles will ring me to say he's got it
wrong. "I am very proud of the players. They could not have done anything
more. "Obviously, it is very galling to lose in that way. There will be a
few broken hearts in our dressing room."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley:"Coley's worked ever so hard and deserved his
goal. "I hope it gives him more confidence because we play next at Upton
Park and I hope he carries on. "He has had to wait for his chance and he is
now grabbing it. He is there, he has got a chance."
Coventry: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle, Osbourne,
Gray (Simpson 46), Mifsud, Best (Kyle 70).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Cairo, Thornton.
Booked: Osbourne.
Goals: Tabb 68.
West Ham: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson, McCartney, Bowyer,
Noble (Pantsil 61), Mullins (Spector 46), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Green, Reid.
Booked: McCartney, Neill, Spector.
Goals: Hall 71 og, Cole 90.
Att: 23,968
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
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Cole-denballs - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 30th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Match-winner Carlton Cole has praised his team mates following the 2-1 win
against Coventry tonight. Cole, whose 94th minute strike sent the Hammers
through to the Carling Cup quarter finals will no doubt grab tomorrow
morning's headlines, yet he was happy to extol the virtues of what was
essentially a second-string United side. "The boys worked so hard," he told
Sky Sports. "We knew we were going to come to Coventry and get a difficult
game. "But they dug in right until the end and I think we deserved that
goal."
The goal - Cole's second in three games - was taken with some aplomb, and
was more than worthy of winning a tight game. "I didn't think about it," he
said. "I tried to do what was natural and put it in the bottom corner
because the goalkeeper showed me a lot of the goal. "We're through to the
quarter-finals - that's all that counts."
With news earlier today that Craig Bellamy is set to miss the next month
through injury Cole could prove vital to extending United's three-match
unbeaten run.
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So who do we want? - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 30th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham could be part of an all-Premier League Carling Cup quarter final
line-up should results tomorrow night go to form. The Hammers - who became
the first team through to the quarter finals courtesy of tonight's 2-1 win
at Coventry - could be joined by seven other Premier League teams in this
weekend's draw. Of the remaining seven fixtures to be played in the fourth
round, all feature at least one Premier League side - with two of those
being all-Premier League clashes (Bolton v Manchester City and Portsmouth v
Blackburn). Should results tomorrow night go to form, the line-up for the
quarter final draw could see West Ham pitted against Manchester City,
Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton, Blackburn, Arsenal and Tottenham. The last time
United reached this stage of the competition was the 1999/2000 season, when
Aston Villa won a replayed game - due to the Hammers fiedling an ineligible
player (Mannygate) in the initial fixture - 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground.
Wednesday's Carling Cup fourth round fixtures
Bolton v Manchester City
Chelsea v Leicester
Liverpool v Cardiff
Luton v Everton
Portsmouth v Blackburn
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Tottenham v Blackpool
West Ham United - recent Carling Cup history
06/07 3rd Round: Chesterfield (a) 1-2
05/06 3rd Round: Bolton (a) 0-1
04/05 3rd Round: Chelsea (a) 0-1
03/04 3rd Round: Tottenham (a) 0-1 aet
02/03 3rd Round: Oldham (h) 0-1
01/02 2nd Round: Reading (a) 0-0 (5-6 pens)
00/01 4th Round: Sheffield Wednesday (h) 1-2
99/00 Quarter Final: Aston Villa (h) 1-3 aet
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Coventry City 1 West Ham United 2 - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 30th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United are through to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup thanks
to an injury time winner from Carlton Cole.
The big striker - playing the lone role up front this evening due to a
succession of injuries - held his nerve to win the game for the Hammers
after being put clean through on goal in the fourth minute of injury time.
However twenty minutes prior to Cole's strike United were in dire straights
after Jay Tabb had given the Championship outfit the lead. A simple ball
over the top on 68 minutes caught the Hammers rearguard flat-footed and Tabb
stole through on the far side - unchallenged - to nod home.
West Ham - who had rarely threatened the Coventry goal - looked at that
stage as if they were about to add another lower league name to a long list
of embarrassing Cup defeats. But vitally, Luis Boa Morte restored parity
just four minutes later when his controlled strike took a wicked deflection
via the foot of City's Ben Turner, giving Andy Marshall no chance.
Alan Curbishley had gone into the game with just one fit striker - Carlton
Cole - at his disposal. But yet again Cole - as he did against Portsmouth
last weekend - led the line superbly, and his winning goal was the icing on
the cake of another solid performance.
Elsewhere the ever-improving George McCartney produced yet another
impressive performance, whilst the rejuvenated Matthew Etherington - through
whom most of United's best chances came - caused the City defence problems
all night with a series of probing runs on the left flank.
Despite their divisional advantage the Hammers started the game slowly, and
had to wait until the 11th minute before creating a meaningful effort on
goal; Mark Noble's 25-yard free-kick fizzing narrowly over the bar.
At the other end Coventry failed to profit from the lions' share of
possession, and just one real opportunity - a crisp drive across goal that
narrowly evaded Richard Wright's far post on 22 minutes - was created in the
opening 45.
The first half ended in controversy after Luis Boa Morte was hauled down
when clean through on goal. Most onlookers were expecting a red card for the
errant City defender yet none were more surprised than Boa Morte himself
when HE was penalised by referee Rob Styles. For what, we can but wonder.
The second half started off as the first had ended, but it wasn't until the
68th minute that the deadlock was broken by Tabb. That goal sparked what had
until that point been something of a drab affair, and within five minutes
Boa Morte had levelled the scores.
Thereafter both sides spurned a number of opportunities to go ahead;
substitute Kyle completely mis-kicked six yards from goal with just Richard
Wright to beat, whilst at the other end George McCartney fluffed a sitter,
blasting into the side netting after profitting from a loose ball in the
box.
But then up stepped Carlton Cole to send the Hammers - somewhat
fortuitously, it could be said - into the quarter finals. Richard Wright's
clearance was met by the head of Boa Morte, and Cole - who moments earlier
was inches from meeting a Matthew Etherington drive across the six yard box
- dashed through to meet the flick on.
After brushing off a defender - fairly, despite the protestations of the
Coventry bench - the former Chelsea man regained his conposure before cooly
slotting the ball beyond Marshall. For a player said to suffer with
confidence problems, this was some finish in the circumstances.
So despite a less than convincing performance the Hammers are through to the
quarter finals for the first time in six years. Who they meet will be
decided this coming weekend.
West Ham United: Wright, Neill, McCartney, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson,
Mullins (Spector 46), Noble (Paintsil 61), Bowyer, Etherington, Boa Morte,
Cole.
Subs not used: Green, Reid.
Booked: McCartney (16), Neill (34), Spector (63).
Goals: Boa Morte (71), Cole (90+4).
Coventry City: Marshall, McNamee, Turner, Hall, De Zeeuw, Tabb, Doyle,
Osbourne, Gray (Simpson 46), Best (Kyle 70), Mifsud.
Subs not used: Cairo, Ward, Thornton.
Booked: Osbourne (62).
Goals: Tabb (68).
Referee: Rob Styles.
Attendance: 23,968.
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Cole fires Hammers through - SSN
Last-gasp winner ends Coventry's cup dreams
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 30th October 2007
Carlton Cole grabbed an injury-time winner for West Ham as they ended
Coventry's Carling Cup dreams. The Hammers were second best for long periods
and only really came to life after they fell behind to Jay Tabb's 68th
minute header, with Luis Boa Morte levelling with a deflected effort three
minutes later. And with the game heading for extra time, a long ball out of
the Hammers defence was flicked on by Boa Morte with Cole muscling his way
beyond Ben Turner and rolling the ball beyond Andy Marshall. Coventry, who
saw off Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last round, matched their
Premier League opponents for much of the fourth round tie at the Ricoh Arena
but it is the Hammers who are in the hat for the quarter-finals. The game
started slowly, and Mark Noble drove a free-kick over the bar in a rare West
Ham attack before George McCartney was booked after blatant tug on Michael
Mifsud after he had been played in by Michael Doyle. Leon Best was released
down the right side of the penalty area and he twisted away from Anton
Ferdinand before drilling a low shot across goal which Richard Wright did
well to tip past the post.
Escape
Coventry had an escape in the 33rd minute when Turner fluffed an attempted
clearance, giving Boa Morte a clear run on goal and as the defender
attempted to get back on terms the pair tumbled to the floor, only for
referee Rob Styles to wave play on. Lucas Neill was then cautioned by Styles
as he voiced his opinion to the referee, who again gave Turner the benefit
of the doubt 10 minutes later. This time it was Cole who ended up on the
floor after a tangle with Turner on the edge of the six yard box, with
Styles this time ruling the West Ham forward had been guilty of an offence.
Coventry had another chance to take the lead at the start of the second half
when Best played in Tabb, but his strike was deflected over by McCartney,
before Mifsud did find the back of the net with a neat finish after a deep
cross into the box, but he had already been flagged offside.
Lead
The home side finally took a deserved lead in the 68th minute when Osbourne
clipped the ball into the box and the Hammers defence allowed both Tabb and
Mifsud in at the far post with the former getting to the ball first and
heading beyond Wright. West Ham responded immediately and when the Sky
Blues' backline only half-cleared a free-kick it allowed Boa Morte a shot on
goal which took a double deflection off Kevin Kyle and Marcus Hall before
looping beyond Andy Marshall. With six minutes remaining the Hammers
suffered an injury blow as Ferdinand limped out of the action with what
appeared to be a hamstring injury, Daniel Gabbidon coming on in his place.
There were chances at both ends in the dying seconds, with Matthew
Etherington driving across the face of goal and Wright fumbled under
pressure but Kyle was penalised for a push before Cole's late winner.
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Curbs: Hammers rode luck - SSN
Dowie salutes brave Coventry
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 30th October 2007
Alan Curbishley admitted his West Ham side were second best after sneaking
through 2-1 against Coventry in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Carlton
Cole grabbed an injury-time winner after Luis Boa Morte's deflected effort
had cancelled out Jay Tabb's headed opener. The Championship side, who saw
off Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last round, were on top for
long periods but it is the Hammers who are in the hat for the
quarter-finals.
Better side
Curbishley told Sky Sports News: "Coventry were the better side, we all know
that. We didn't win a header, we hardly won a tackle, people were running
off us, and then when we did get the ball back we found it very difficult to
keep it.
"All the things that we were hoping to do to Coventry, they did to us. Great
credit to them, they played exceptionally well. "We got a bit of luck, but
you get so many knocks in this game, you take it. We've got through, and
we'll look forward to see who we get in the next round."
Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie felt Coventry should have been awarded a free-kick
for handball in the build up to West Ham's winner, but was keen to praise
his side for their impressive performance.
Huge performance
He told Sky Sports News: "Let's concentrate on an absolutely huge
performance in terms of effort, desire and good football. We should be
talking about how well these players have represented Coventry tonight. "I
don't want to talk about the referee's decision. He got it wrong, we all get
things wrong. I'm sure he'll have a look at it and ring me and tell me he's
got it wrong. "For periods we looked a very, very good side. But for a
whisker of an offside decision we may have had a second goal ourselves. It
was a wonderful goal we scored and they got a touch of fortune with their
first goal. "But that happens in life. Sometimes you don't get what you
deserve, and that's the case tonight."
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Cole hails battling Hammers - SSN
Striker grabs late goal to sink Coventry
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 30th October 2007
West Ham striker Carlton Cole saluted his team-mates for their battling
performance as he grabbed a late winner to sink Coventry. Cole struck in the
third minute of added time at the Ricoh Arena to end The Sky Blues' Carling
Cup adventure and book Alan Curbishley's side a spot in the quarter-finals.
Coventry, who defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last round,
more than matched their Premier League opponents with Jay Tabb heading them
into the lead only for Luis Boa Morte to level with a deflected effort. Cole
then became the hero for the visitors as he muscled his way past Ben Turner
and coolly slotted the ball beyond Andy Marshall.
Natural
He told Sky Sports: "I didn't think about it. I tried to do what was natural
and put it in the bottom corner because the goalkeeper showed me a lot of
the goal. "The boys worked so hard. We knew we were going to come to
Coventry and get a difficult game. The boys dug in right until the end and I
think we deserved that goal." Despite being second best to the Championship
side for long periods, Cole was just happy to see the Hammers progress. He
said: "I don't really care, as long as we're through to the quarter-finals,
that's all that counts."
Support
And the former Chelsea forward has pledged to give his all for the club,
even if he does not always have the full backing of the fans. Cole added:
"I'm here to play football and I'm going to give 100 per cent whenever I
play. "Whether they are on my back, whether the fans support me, I'm always
going to give 100 per cent for my manager and for my team."
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Coventry 1-2 West Ham United - Soccernet
Cole clinches quarter-final berth
Cash-strapped Coventry had their Carling Cup dreams cruelly ended as Carlton
Cole's injury-time winner for West Ham gave the Premier League side a 2-1
win. Beset by financial problems and takeover talk, Coventry needed a win to
maintain some kind of feelgood factor generated by their stunning success at
Manchester United last month. And it appeared they would get it too when Jay
Tabb exposed some woeful West Ham defending to nod Iain Dowie's men into a
second-half lead. But, after Luis Boa Morte's deflected effort had pulled
West Ham level, the visitors continued to push forward and with referee Rob
Styles about to confirm extra-time, Cole held off Arjen de Zeeuw on the edge
of the Coventry box, then kept his nerve to stroke home the winner.
It was the England under-21 forward's second goal of the campaign and, after
saving their top flight skins so unexpectedly last term, kept the East
Enders on course for a second cup final appearance in three years. If Sir
Alex Ferguson was watching at home on TV, he could at least content himself
with the knowledge that his youngsters, so badly exposed to his utter
disbelief, fared no worse that a vastly more experienced Hammers defence
when faced with the pace and trickery of Michael Mifsud. The Malta
international goaded George McCartney into one early booking and the only
surprise in a largely sterile opening period was that he failed to isolate
the full-back often enough to cause him some real problems.
Leon Best and Julian Gray did their best to provide Mifsud with some
support, although the nearest Coventry came to breaking the deadlock was
through skipper Michael Doyle's fizzing drive, which flashed past Isaac
Osbourne before he could stick out a boot to divert it in. Having named what
was, in the absence of injured trio Dean Ashton, Scott Parker and Craig
Bellamy, whose non-participation with an abdominal injury was probably a
blessing on this occasion given the frosty reception he would have received,
his strongest line-up, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had every right to be
disappointed.
Disjointed for long periods and lacking in firepower, the visitors rarely
made their Premier League class tell. In fact, their only notable attacking
move saw Boa Morte charge onto Lee Bowyer's pass, only to fall under the
physical presence of Ben Turner. At first glance it looked a clear foul and
an automatic sending off. Styles felt otherwise and to the consternation of
Hammers skipper Lucas Neill, who was booked for his extensive protests,
amazingly ruled Turner was the one being fouled.
With Jonathan Spector introduced for Hayden Mullins, the visitors improved
after the break. Cole rose highest to meet Matthew Etherington's corner and
while the England Under-21 striker could not keep his glancing header on
target, it at least provided a signal of intent. Unfortunately for
Curbishley and his men, their intent had turned into nothing tangible before
their defensive frailties were exposed by Tabb. Curbishley had every right
to be disappointed, not just with his side's failure to clear with an
initial set piece but the shambolic nature of an offside ploy which allowed
Tabb a free run at Osbourne's far-post cross. Had Coventry been able to hold
their advantage for any length of time, the Hammers might well have
panicked. Instead, the visitors benefited from a large slice of good fortune
as both Marcus Hall and Turner stuck out a boot to block Boa Morte's 15-yard
half-volley and succeeded only in deflecting it past an unsuspecting Andy
Marshall.
The Hammers chances of forcing a victory without the need for extra-time
looked to have been ended by the loss of Anton Ferdinand with what appeared
to be a serious hamstring injury. But Coventry reckoned without Cole, who
had the Hammers fans blowing their familiar bubbles by keeping them on track
for Wembley.
Alan Curbishley has admitted Carlton Cole's career has 'got a bit lost' but
the West Ham boss was happy his £2million striker at least found the net to
send his team through to the Carling Cup quarter-finals. Coventry,
conquerors of Manchester United in the previous round, seemed set to make it
two Premier League scalps on the trot when Jay Tabb nodded them into a
precious lead midway through the second half. However the Hammers,
struggling against a mounting injury list, clawed their way back onto level
terms within four minutes thanks to Luis Boa Morte's deflected shot and
then, with the tie seemingly set for extra-time Cole popped up to finish
Coventry off. 'Carlton has had a difficult time and he needs to be given a
run of games,' said Curbishley of the former Chelsea forward. 'He has got a
bit lost over the last couple of years but he's now grabbing his chance. 'I
hope to give Carlton a few games and the goals will give him a bit more
confidence.'
Victory was about all Curbishley could take out of a dreadfully
disappointing performance. However, the Hammers boss knows his side are
having to cope with massive injury problems at present. Indeed, Cole might
only regard himself as fifth choice striker, behind the likes of Dean
Ashton, Craig Bellamy, Henri Camara and Bobby Zamora. Yet the former Chelsea
player is the only one left standing at present. 'I think he finds it easier
to play up front on his own,' said Curbishley. 'Carlton has all the
attributes you need but maybe he just needs to make sure he doesn't go
missing and switch off.'
Curbishley confirmed that both Anton Ferdinand and Hayden Mullins had
suffered hamstring and knee injuries, only adding to the Hammers' fitness
woes ahead of Sunday's Premier League encounter with struggling Bolton.
Ferdinand seems highly unlikely to be involved given the difficulty he was
having even walking as he made his way out of the stadium. 'I'm a bit down
about the performance but I will take the result,' said Curbishley, who
admitted his side were outplayed for long periods. 'It was our worst
performance of the season, which makes it easy to explain how the game
panned out. 'We never looked at it at all. I was just hoping we would
fashion something out and thankfully we did because I wasn't looking forward
to extra time.'
For Coventry boss Iain Dowie, defeat was a bitter pill to swallow during a
traumatic period which has seen the Sky Blues' financial troubles laid bare
for all to see. While takeover talk continues to swirl round the magnificent
Ricoh Arena, which played host to its biggest attendance of the season,
Dowie is left to pick up his shattered players.
Defeat was made only harder to bear by the knowledge that referee Rob Styles
missed a clear handball by Johnathan Spector, the start of the build up to
West Ham's winner. 'I do not want to bemoan the referee's decision but yes
it was handball,' said Dowie. 'I am sure Rob Styles will ring me to say he
has got it wrong when he sees it. 'I am very proud of the players. They
could not have done anything more. 'Obviously, it is very galling to lose in
that way. There are bound to be a few broken hearts in our dressing room so
it is my job to mend them.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole sinks Coventry at the death - Telegraph
By Martin Smith
Last Updated: 12:32am GMT 31/10/2007
Coventry City (0) 1 West Ham United (0) 2
Coventry City's attempt to add West Ham's name to that of Manchester United
as Premiership scalps taken in this season's Carling Cup was ended in the
third minute of added time last night. Coventry had appeared to be on their
way to causing a second consecutive surprise, after the 2-0 win at Old
Trafford last month, when Jay Tabb put them ahead midway through the second
half.
However, with the quarter-finals beckoning West Ham were level within two
minutes, when Luis Boa Morte's shot was deflected into the net off Marcus
Hall. Then, with less than 25 seconds to play, Carlton Cole capitalised on
Ben Turner's error and tucked the ball into the net.
That win against United five weeks ago was the highlight of an otherwise
depressing start to the season for Coventry, on and off the pitch. When an
American consortium pulled out of takeover plans, the club were left in a
parlous position, transfer activity frozen by the Football League and the
prospect of going into administration by Christmas a real possibility.
To add to that, three successive defeats, ended by a slender victory against
Colchester at the weekend, had pushed them down the Championship from
play-off contenders to mid-table scramblers.
However, there were ongoing negotiations with an investment company
yesterday afternoon, which look promising, and a sizeable crowd in the Ricoh
Arena in the evening. There was a buzz in the air for once.
Coventry also had Michael Mifsud, who scored both goals at Old Trafford,
after also getting two in the previous round against Carlisle, in elusive
and mischievous form up front. He drew fouls in and around the area from
George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand, and a cross from the Maltese was met
by Julian Gray's forehead, though the ball flew straight at Richard Wright.
On another occasion, Mifsud tricked his way around Matthew Upson, but his
shot was charged down by Ferdinand. Leon Best, his strike partner, then
turned McCartney inside out and drove the ball across the face of goal.
West Ham were grateful just to get the ball out of their penalty area,
though they pieced together a one-touch crossfield move that gave McCartney
space to overlap down the left, Ben Turner just keeping out Mark Noble from
the low centre.
When Turner wrestled Boa Morte to the ground as the midfielder-cum-forward
squirmed out of his reach, it appeared Coventry might be reduced to 10 men
and West Ham given a great opportunity on the edge of the area. Neither
referee Rob Styles nor his assistant saw it as a foul, though, and Lucas
Neill was booked for his vociferous complaint.
Mifsud and Best continued to torment at the start of the second half, both
blazing over the bar from good positions, but West Ham's range was also
beginning to improve. The slight shift in the balance of play was almost
confirmed when Cole flashed a header wide from Matthew Etherington's corner.
West Ham's ascendancy did not last long, and with 69 minutes gone Coventry
took the lead. West Ham had struggled to get the ball clear, handing it
straight to Isaac Osbourne 40 yards out. His cross was floated behind the
West Ham defence for Jay went to head home.
The euphoria inside the stadium lasted little more than two minutes when Boa
Morte collected a loose clearance and his shot from 20 yards was deflected
by Hall past Andy Marshall. That set up a frantic last 20 minutes, and it
was West Ham who became the first team into the quarter-finals.
Match details
Coventry City: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle,
Osbourne, Gray (Simpson 46), Mifsud, Best (Kyle 70).
Subs: Ward, Cairo, Thornton.
Booked: Osbourne.
Goals: Tabb 68.
West Ham United: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson, McCartney,
Bowyer, Noble (Pantsil 61), Mullins (Spector 46), Etherington, Boa Morte,
Cole.
Subs: Green, Reid.
Booked: McCartney, Neill, Spector.
Goals: Hall 71 og, Cole 90.
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Late Cole winner breaks Coventry hearts - Telegraph
By Steve Wilson and agencies
Last Updated: 10:05pm GMT 30/10/2007
Coventry City 1 (0) West Ham United 2 (0)
Carlton Cole scored an injury time winner as West Ham United made hard work
of overcoming Coventry City at the Rioch Arena. With the game heading for
extra-time, Cole showed power and poise to nervelessly slide the ball home
after out-muscling his marker on the edge of the box when competing for a
long ball over the top. Iain Dowie's side had competed on an equal footing
all night and even played the better of what football was on offer in a
scrappy match but it is West Ham who become the first side to book a place
in the last eight of the competition. Coventry had taken the lead on 66
minutes when Jay Tabb rose to meet a cross from Isaac Osbourne but West Ham
were level inside five minutes. Confusion in the Coventry box came after
some sustained pressure and the luckless Marcus Hall put through his own
goal after Luis Boa Morte scuffed his shot. The hosts carved out the best of
what few chances were on offer in a first-half that offered little in the
way of entertainment. Coventry captain Michael Doyle sent an angled drive
wide when he might have asked more of Richard Wright in the West Ham goal
and Michael Mifsud, who scored twice when the Championship side knocked out
Manchester United in the previous round, was a constant threat.
The major talking point of the half came when Ben Turner appeared to bring
down Boa Morte barring a direct route to goal. The Coventry defender was as
relieved as the West Ham bench were incensed to see referee Rob Styles rule
in the home side's favour. However, it counted for nothing thanks to Cole's
late intervention and Alan Curbishley will be a relieved man leaving with a
victory and the possibility of a Wembley final now just three games away.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Coventry 1-2 West Ham - The Mirror
CARLING CUP 4TH ROUND: Coventry 1 West Ham Utd 2 Cole fires Hammers into
last eight
James Nursey 31/10/2007
West Ham barged their way into the Carling Cup quarterfinals last night when
Carlton Cole scored a dramatic winner in injury-time. With the clock ticking
into the 94th minute, Cole outmuscled Marcus Hall to a through pass and kept
his cool to thread in a low shot. Iain Dowie's Sky Blues had memorably
defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford in the previous round and
looked on course for another notable scalp. Tiny Sky Blues' midfielder Jay
Tabb headed the Championship side into a 67thminute lead with an effort from
Isaac Osbourne's cross. But the advantage only lasted four minutes as
Coventry defender Hall deflected Luis Boa Morte's left-foot shot past his
own keeper for an unlucky own goal. And injury-hit West Ham, missing a raft
of crocked stars including England trio Scott Parker, Dean Ashton and Kieron
Dyer, were grateful not to be dumped out in 90 minutes. There was more
trouble for them when Anton Ferdinand limped off after 84 minutes with what
looked suspiciously like a pulled hamstring. Coventry's build-up to the tie
was dominated by their escalating financial woes with a board meeting before
kick-off to discuss potential investors.
Dowie's side attempted to lift the gloom though with a hightempo start and
defender Arjan de Zeeuw sent an early header wide. The Hammers responded
with a Mark Noble free-kick from 30 yards which whistled just over Andy
Marshall's bar in the 11th minute. Yet the Sky Blues continued to pose the
greater threat and fullback George Mc-Cartney was fortunate to escape with a
booking for a foul on danger man Michael Mifsud four minutes later. Maltese
striker Mifsud, who has eight goals already this season, was a real menace
and his pace troubled the visitors' defence enormously.
But it was West Ham who felt aggrieved in the 33rd minute - with some
justification - as Portuguese ace Boa Morte appeared to be brought down by
rookie defender Ben Turner when clean through, only for referee Rob Styles
to wave play on. Styles infuriated the visitors further when he gave a
free-kick against Cole in the home box just before halftime after the
striker went down seeking a spot-kick. Both managers made changes at the
break with Coventry's Robbie Simpson replacing the injured Julian Gray while
West Ham's Jonathan Spector was introduced for Hayden Mullins. But the
second half continued in a similar theme with Cole going down in the box
again at another unsuccessful penalty appeal. And Tabb fired over before
former Southampton hitman Best lashed a left-foot shot too high.
Coventry: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle, Osbourne,
Gray (Simpson, 45), Mifsud, Best (Kyle, 70).
West Ham: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon, 84), Upson, McCartney, Bowyer,
Noble (Pantsil, 60), Mullins (Spector, 45), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole.
53% POSSESSION 47%
3 SHOTS ON TARGET 2
4 SHOTS OFF TARGET 8
3 OFFSIDES 4
7 CORNERS 4
22 FOULS 15
1 YELLOW CARDS 3
0 RED CARDS 0
ATTENDANCE: 23,968
Man Of The Match: Cole
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report Sky Blues v West Ham (LC4). - Gary Mabbutt's Knee Online
By Smiles
Date: 31/10/2007
Sky Blues 1-2 West Ham. Gutted! Alan Curbishley wins the Cup battle of the
ex-Charlton managers as the Valliant Sky Blues have their hearts broken,
with the last kick of the game as the Hammers march on into the Qtr Finals.
City's League Cup run comes to an end in controversial circumstances as a
debateable handball decision in the run up to the winning goal deep in
injury time, robs the Sky Blues of a chance to progress into the quarter
finals. A cracking game, well attended, (time for a new abacus most felt),
with a cracking & passionate, good natured, atmosphere sees The Sky Blues
fall at the last hurdle in a match where they were at least as good as, if
not more, than their Premiership opposition.
Tues 30th October 2007
Ricoh Arena
Att: 23,968 (Re-count required!)
Coventry City FC 1-2 West Ham United FC
Jay Tabb (68) Marcus Hall (OG) (71), Carlton Cole (90+3)
A case of what might have been for the Sky Blues on the pitch as destiny
calls, (with the possibility of the same?) off it. West Ham win their first
League Cup game in Coventry in four attempts by the slimmest margin to break
Sky Blue hearts. A desperately disappointing result as Sky Blues fans
around the County, (& globe) await the outcome of a board meeting that will
shape the clubs immediate future.
PRE MATCH
A little like a Popes' election the Sky Blue faithful await the puff a smoke
from the Ricohs' chimney to determine the outcome of the board meeting of
Coventry City holdings Ltd, that was called yesterday to consider the
rumoured £30m offer that has been accepted by other parties with an interest
in buying CCFC.
A statement on the club website, at the time of writing read: "The Board of
Coventry City (Holdings) met today (Tuesday), to give further consideration
to proposals made by interested parties for the future of the football club.
The Board is confident a transaction can be completed and will make a
further announcement as soon as it is able".
Meanwhile Tim Flowers is confident the Sky Blues can stave off the threat of
administration and turn around their dire financial situation.
Flowers said: "There's been rumour and counter-rumour. It doesn't bother us.
The powers that be will get round a table and thrash it out, I'm sure. When
they do, this club I'm sure will go from strength to strength."
TEAM CHANGES
The only change to the starting 11 that played against Colchester at the
weekend was the introduction of Jay Tabb for Kevin Kyle. As Iain Dowie went
for the 4-3-3 attacking option that did so well at Old Trafford in the last
round with Best, Gray & Mifsud upfront to start.
Dele Adebola missed out with a thigh strain, as Elliot Ward passes his and
joins the bench & as Dimi drops out of the squad as Dowie reverts to a
single keeper tactic Kevin Thornton comes into the squad of 16.
THE GAME: 1st Half
The big game atmosphere hit The Ricoh on Tuesday night with one of the
biggest walk ups I've seen for a while. Supporters from both sides left it a
little late with a large number of fans left outside as the game kicked off
& were still taking their seats as much as ten minutes after kick-off. No
way was there just 537 more supporters in the stadium, (even although 5,000
free tickets were given away on Saturday), just how these figures are
derived at caused some debate….
In a scrappy opening period in the first 6 minutes neither side really
tested each other out either offence or defensively as neither side created
any clear cut chances, with the bulk of possession being held by the Sky
Blues in the West ham half.
In the tenth minute the first real chance of the game came as Styles awarded
West ham a free-kick just outside the Sky Blues box to the right of the D as
the Hammers skied it well above Marshall's bar.
Four minutes later after City wasted a dead ball themselves as Doyle's
corner came to nothing and equally a free kick conceded by Doyle came to
nothing for The Hammers with a poorly taken effort being dispatched back up
the pitch to Mifsud who was tripped from behind by McCartney, who appeared
to be the last man, & was lucky to escape with just a yellow card from
referee Styles as the atmosphere upped another notch.
As the ball was played in across to the City right from a much more
promising City free-kick Styles spotted another infringement & this time the
dead ball was delivered to Gary whose header was collected by Hammers keeper
Richard Wright.
In the 19th minute a Cole header was so far wide of the mark, and not
followed up by any Hammer forward player, Marshall was able to jog to his
left outside the box well infront of the dead-ball line to collect & jog
back into his box to take a goal kick.
On 22 there was a taste of things to come as a brilliant ball through the
middle was collected by the nippy Mifsud who collected the ball cleanly &
dispatched a shot which went for a City corner. The Malteaser's turn of pace
was uncomfortably uncontained by the Hammers defence that struggled to
contain the live wire for most of the game.
As the ball came in from the quickly taken corner on City's right a low shot
across the the box from best was turned away by Wright for a second City
corner for Hall to stab a shot over the bar as another City chance went
begging in an engaging first 25 minutes.
Close to the half-hour Mifsud gained another City corner off a West ham
defender was taken by Doyle, (who after Osbourne's effort on Saturday was
taking the majority of corners on both sides of the field), was met by
Turner whose effort found another Hammers defender in a scrappy, but
effective, rearguard action for yet another City corner as the Sky Blues
pushed forward with conviction taking the game to the Premiership side. This
time the kick was taken by Osbourne and delivered high across the box,
harmlessly dropping out of play to Wrights left hand post, missing any kind
of final touch.
On 34 minutes a fluent passing move between Mifsud, Best & Tabb resulted in
two shots on the Hammers goal & equally two shouts for handball by the SBA
that were waved away by Styles before turner was lucky to have a challenge
on the edge of the Sky Blue box again denied for a spot kick to the Hammers
by the official who was feeling the venom of both sets of enraged
supporters. So enraged was Neill by that decision he was pulled up a full 30
seconds later by Styles to be cautioned by the official for dissent.
4 minutes later and another perfect long ball pass straight to Mifsud was
followed up with a lovely ball to Best whose shot was saved with relative
ease by Wright. As the Hammers keeper dispatched the ball back up field
quickly the bounce deceived the City defence & when the scrambled ball
entered the box there more shouts for a Hammers penalty by the bubble
blowers that were further infuriated as Styles awarded a free-kick to City
who at times were living on the edge of their wits & nerves of some of the
officials decision.
Marcus hall was having a particular fine half getting well forward in
attacking positions as Styles found 2 minutes extra time as City created
another late chance for Mifsud and City were unlucky to go in goal-less at
the break, but also fortunate not to have been the victimns of a couple of
decisions by the official that could have easily gone in favour of the
visitors as a pulsating game finishing even at the break.
Half Time
Sky Blues 0 - 0 West Ham
The Sky Blues made a change at the break with Simpson replacing Gray & West
Ham bought on Spector for Mullins.
2nd Half
A minute into the 2nd half and The hammers were at their penalty claiming
best again as Cole, optimistically it must be said, tried to shake Styles
out of his slumber, but to the officials credit there was nothing to give,
so he didn't!
Two minutes later Tabb received the ball right of the box 7 deftly flicked
the ball over Wright just a foot or less over the bar as City showed they
were prepared to mix it too in the 2nd period.
With 48 minutes gone an Etherington corner was blasted over by Bowyer, who
received his fair share of stick from the SBA, from 25-yards out. After a
manic opening five minutes where the Hammers showed their intent to take the
game to City, the home side were equal to anything the Londoners could throw
at us, the building pressure was almost awarded as a Hammers chance was
pulled back for offside even although as the game carried on Marshall was
able to save with his legs, as the, rather debatable, gate was announced
over the PA which was received with shouts of 'we've got more fans than you'
from East London faithful.
Another Etherington corner on 57 was received by Cole who put his header
wide of the mark to the relief of the City defence.
Five minutes over the hour mark and the first controversial decision of the
night for City robbed them, and the game, of the opening goal as Mifsud did
find the back of the net with a neat finish after a deep cross into the box,
but he had already been flagged offside in a tight decision as play was
pulled back, before Osbourne was booked for an innocuous offence & Styles
delivered his last card of the night for Jonathan Spector before Best was
pulled up for handball on 68.
A minute later Etherington's cross was deflected off McNamee and caught by
Marshall in a delightfully passionate game of ebb & flow football in which
City had contained the hammers to a single first half opportunity.
With just under twenty minutes to go The Tesco stand belted out a version of
LAST as Mifsud received an Osbourne ass to the right of the box before
slotting another shot just over Wrights bar as the tide started to turn in
City's favour.
A minute later and City were ahead for real as another Osbourne ball in the
left of midfield floated to the back post and any one of Simpson, Doyle and
Tabb could have had a crack but it fell to the pocket rocket to dip & steer
the ball into the back of the net as The Ricoh went mental!
Dowie decided that fresh feet were required as Mifsud started to tire &
replaced Best with Kyle on 70, as the City forward left the field to
generous applause, but that joy was to dissipate very quickly as the Hammers
found an equaliser just 3 minutes after City had gone ahead. West Ham
responded immediately and when the Sky Blues' backline only half-cleared a
free-kick it allowed Boa Morte a shot on goal which took a double deflection
off Kevin Kyle and Marcus Hall before looping beyond Andy Marshall as The
Hammers fans took the piss with their own version of Chelsea Dagger.
With the game reaching a grand finale with both teams battening down the
hatches as the final 15 became a more cautious affair as the game drifted
edgily towards extra time. In the 80th minute West ham dumped a fruitless
free kick away from Marshall's right hand post as City gasped for the
relative safety of the extra time period.
The Hammers made their last change with 5 minutes of normal time remaining
as Ferdinand was replaced by Gabbidon as the Londoners injury count mounted.
In the dying minutes City produced a corner with some good passing play
between Osbourne, Kyle & Mifsud, who looked very tired towards the end,
perhaps the introduction of Thornton at this point would have been useful,
but as it was all the Sky Blue effort was to go to waste as a highly
controversial end to the game loomed.
The tension in the stadium was tangibly rising as a Doyle shot from a Mifsud
1-2 was wasted in the last minute a long Wright goal kick was collected by
Etherington, whose cross evaded everyone on the pitch as the clock ticked
down & Mr Styles announced three minutes of extra time that would break so
many Sky Blue hearts.
A long ball out of the Hammers defence was flicked collected by Spector with
the clear use of his hand passed on by Boa Morte with Cole muscling his way
beyond Ben Turner, who unfortunately fell, as the West Ham forward rolled
the ball beyond the exposed Andy Marshall.
The crest fallen SBA had little time for the game to conclude as the Sky
blues lacked the time to respond as The Hammers fans went into the night
extremely fortunate to be in the next round. However the score will be the
telling statistic at the end of the game in which City were clearly the
better side for long periods.
POST MATCH & QUOTES
Iain Dowie: "I am very proud of the players. They could not have done
anything more. "Obviously, it is very galling to lose in that way. There
will be a few broken hearts in our dressing room." "I do not want to bemoan
the referee's decision, (on the handball in the run up to the winning goal),
but yes there was a handball. I'm sure Rob Styles will ring me to say he's
got it wrong. Alan Curbishley: "Coventry were the better side, we all know
that, but we got a bit of luck! Coley's worked ever so hard and deserved his
goal. "I hope it gives him more confidence because we play next at Upton
Park and I hope he carries on. He has had to wait for his chance and he is
now grabbing it. He is there, he has got a chance."
HOW THEY LINED UP
Sky Blues: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle, Osbourne,
Gray (Simpson 46), Mifsud, Best (Kyle 70).
Subs not used: Ward, Cairo, Thornton.
Booked: Osbourne.
Goal: Tabb 68.
West Ham: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson, McCartney, Bowyer,
Noble (Pantsil 61), Mullins (Spector 46), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Green, Reid.
Booked: McCartney, Neill, Spector.
Goals: Hall 71 og, Cole 90.
Att: 23,968, (ahem).
Ref:Rob Styles (Hampshire). 5/10.
MoM: Mifsud.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole delivers cruel late blow to fiery Coventry
Stuart James at the Ricoh Arena
Wednesday October 31, 2007
The Guardian
The League Cup offered Coventry City no respite last night. The Championship
club are plagued by financial ills and faced with the threat of
administration, but the hope that a place in the quarter-finals would have
provided was snatched from their grasp when Carlton Cole pilfered an
injury-time goal to grant West Ham a place in the last eight. The old adage
that football can be a cruel game could not have seemed more appropriate.
Iain Dowie might be a West Ham fan but despair was understandably etched
across the Coventry manager's face when Ben Turner allowed Cole to pick his
pocket before steering a shot beyond Andy Marshall with only seconds
remaining. There was no time for Coventry to respond although the standing
ovation that greeted the final whistle was indicative of the belligerent
performance that had gone before. Coventry had been magnificent.
So impressive were the home side that it was difficult to distinguish which
club belonged in the Premier League, although their failure to hold on to
Jay Tabb's 68th- minute lead proved crucial. Within three minutes West Ham
seized a lifeline as Luis Boa Morte's left-footed volley ricocheted off
Marcus Hall and past Marshall. They duly rescued a result from a listless
and lacklustre display.
Victory came at a cost as Anton Ferdinand, Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins
picked up injuries, although Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, might
deem those a price worth paying given his side can now scent a trip to
Wembley. Nothing had looked less likely for long periods as Coventry's
endeavour took the game to West Ham and left Curbishley either shaking his
head in disgust or turning his back on the action.
"I think when you get a team playing as well as they could, which was
Coventry, and us putting in our worst performance of the season it's easy to
explain why the game panned out like that," said Curbishley. "I'll have to
have a good think about it on the way home and I hope the players do, too.
I'm a bit down but I'll take the result. But obviously we have got to play
better than that in the next round."
Coventry would struggle to improve on their display. Michael Mifsud, who had
scored the goals that accounted for Manchester United in the previous round,
was an effervescent presence in attack, while the midfield quartet behind
covered so much ground that Curbishley was forced to withdraw Boa Morte from
his striking role alongside Cole. The change had little effect, though, as
Coventry continued to attack with zest.
That approach brought belated reward when Tabb headed home Isaac Osbourne's
flighted pass before Kevin Kyle and then Hall touched Boa Morte's shot into
the Coventry net. The television replays which showed Jonathan Spector
handling the ball in the lead-up to Cole's late goal gave Coventry further
reason to feel aggrieved. Dowie admitted Rob Styles, the referee, "got it
wrong" but he remained magnanimous in defeat.
"It's absolutely galling to lose in the manner that we lost but that will be
a great learning curve for young Ben," he said. "It was a very positive
display against an excellent side and we more than coped with them. I
thought at times we were very much in the ascendancy, although we didn't
quite have that final ball. Sometimes you don't get what you deserve. But
it's a day to be proud of your players."
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Carlton Cole shows signs of improvement - The Times
Portsmouth 0 West Ham 0Tom Dart at Fratton Park
"Carlton Cole should be shot. Worst player to ever wear the West Ham
colours" - Never Say Die, Oct 6
"Carlton Cole deserves full praise for producing a performance like he did
today despite the treatment he has been given. If we give him some real
support, we might just find we have a real player on our hands" –
clawhammer, Saturday
Carlton Cole tries the patience of West Ham United fans, but he is also
trying his hardest. For the critics on internet messageboards such as these
and those in the stands who have jeered him, trying is not enough. Cole
knows it and it torments him.
"They have been on my back," the striker said. "I got booed a lot. It hurts.
It's in my hands to try to get them on my side. I know when I get on I try
my utmost. In the past, I've never been match fit and I'm trying to do
something special. And if it didn't work out I got stick. But I'm trying to
establish myself as a proper player."
Cole, nearly 24, began his career at Chelsea and scored in only his second
match, in April 2002. But he went on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers,
Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa before signing permanently for West Ham in
the summer of 2006. Since then he has made only 12 appearances.
"I've had people around me off the pitch. I train well," he said. "I have
got a sports psychologist. He is with me every day. He talks to me; he does
a lot – mental things you don't think about as a footballer. Some people
have it naturally, some don't."
Given a chance because of his club's injury problems, Cole scored against
Sunderland last week and impressed against Portsmouth on Saturday, hitting
the bar and leading the line with effort and strength.
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, needs Cole, especially because Craig
Bellamy has a chronic abdominal strain, which led Curbishley to substitute
him at half-time at Fratton Park on Saturday. The forward may also have
suffered from a sore throat.
Danny Gabbidon's handball in the dying seconds gave Portsmouth the chance to
pinch a win. Feeling confident, Benjani Mwaruwari took the ball from Niko
Kranjcar, the nominated penalty-taker. Tony Adams, the Portsmouth assistant
manager, said that he thought Sulley Muntari was going to take it because
he'd scored one against Reading the week before, but this time Robert Green
saved.
More fuel for the "Green for England" campaign? Not for Harry Redknapp, the
Portsmouth manager. "If Russia win in Israel, we might as well play Ray
Clemence in goal," he said.
Portsmouth (4-5-1): D James 6 – G Johnson 7, S Campbell 5, S Distin 6, H
Hreidarsson 6 – J Utaka 6 (sub: Kanu, 77min), P Bouba Diop 6, P Mendes 5, S
Muntari 6, N Kranjcar 6 – B Mwaruwari 5. Substitutes not used: J Ashdown,
Lauren, M Taylor, N Pamarot. Booked:Bouba Diop, Hreidarsson. Next: Newcastle
United (a).
West Ham United (4-3-3): R Green 8 – L Neill 7, D Gabbidon 4, M Upson 6, G
McCartney 7 – N Solano 5 (sub: J Spector, 78), H Mullins 6, M Noble 5 – C
Bellamy 4 (sub: M Etherington, 46 5), C Cole 8 (sub: A Ferdinand, 89), L Boa
Morte 5. Substitutes not used: R Wright, H Camara. Booked: Bellamy, Cole,
Noble, Solano. Next: Bolton Wanderers (h).
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