Viduka(2), N'Zogbia
Ashton
Barclays Premier League 23rd September 2007 Kick-off: 13:30
Venue: St James' Park Attendance: 50,104 Referee:Mike Riley
Two-goal Mark Viduka ended West Ham United's unbeaten five-game run with a
clinical first-half double that sent the Magpies flying over Alan
Curbishley's men in the Premier League table. And although ton-up Dean
Ashton had given Hammers' hope with the 100th goal of his career on the
half-hour mark, Charles N'Zogbia's 75th-minute strike finally sunk the
plucky visitors. Curbs had made two changes from the side that had so
comprehensively beaten Newcastle's neighbours, Middlesbrough, last weekend
as fit-again Anton Ferdinand replaced James Collins, while Carlton Cole came
in for injured former Tynesider, Craig Bellamy. In the absence of Nolberto
Solano, Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer, that meant that Lee Bowyer was the
only returning Magpie out of the five former St James's Park stars now on
the Upton Park roll-call. Unbeaten since the opening day of the season,
sixth-placed West Ham United may not have won on Tyneside since an Ian
Wright double and a Trevor Sinclair strike had earned them a 3-0 win back in
October 1998, but they had drawn their last two matches at St. James's Park.
And they certainly started confidently, too, when almost straight from the
kick-off Cole scooped an 18-yarder over Steve Harper's right-hand angle.
Following his ninth-placed side's dismal defeat at Derby County six days
earlier, Sam Allardyce had also made a couple of changes as Habib Beye was
handed a full debut at the expense of Steven Taylor, while Shola Ameobi was
replaced by Viduka. And despite that early scare, the Newcastle boss soon
saw the Magpies get off to a flier thanks to his fit-again Aussie striker.
The game had been preceded by a minute's poignant applause for 15-year-old
youth player, Jordan Thompson, who had tragically died last weekend but
within just two minutes of the kick-off, the St. James's Park crowd were
clapping in much happier circumstances after James Milner laid the ball back
to N'Zogbia and his left-wing cross into the six-yard box was nodded home at
the near post by the diving Viduka. Not surprisingly, that early Newcastle
opener left the visitors on the back foot but the Hammers gradually found
their feet and as the half-hour mark approached, the unlucky Mark Noble saw
his low 18-yarder expertly diverted aside by the outstretched right-palm of
Harper, who then bundled Cole's point-blank effort behind shortly
afterwards. And on 31 minutes, West Ham forced an equaliser, when Lucas
Neill's long-throw created mayhem in the Magpies' six-yard box and after a
scrappy rally of impromptu head tennis, Cole finally nodded the ball into
the path of Dean Ashton, who spun and claimed that century of league and cup
goals with a crisp eight-yard, left-foot shot to the left of Harper. But
just when it looked like Curbs was going to be going into his half-time
team-talk all square, he again saw his defence unlocked by the dangerous
N'Zogbia and Viduka combination, four minutes before the break. This time,
the flying French U-21 international got the better of the retreating Bowyer
before sending a deep, low centre beyond both Ferdinand and Matthew Upson
and, ghosting in at the far post, Viduka slid Newcastle back into an
interval lead.
Just after restart, both Hayden Mullins and Cole were booked for fouls on
Viduka and N'Zogbia respectively and, after the subdued Michael Owen hobbled
away to be replaced by Obafemi Martins, both David Rozehnal and Nicky Butt
went close with 25-yarders. As passions ran high, referee Mike Riley was
then forced to lecture both the marauding Noble and Butt after a midfield
skirmish and, on the hour, Hammers also introduced Freddie Ljungberg at the
expense of the unfortunate Mullins as the workmanlike Bowyer moved into
central midfield. And after Dean Ashton sent a low 25-yard free-kick into
Harper's midriff before agonisingly back-heading beyond the far post, Curbs
upped the stakes further when he replaced Cole with fresh-legged Henri
Camara. On 70 minutes, Bowyer latched onto Rozehnal's clearance but Harper
was equal to his low 15-yarder and, with West Ham desperately looking for
that elusive leveller, Allardyce sacrificed Viduka in favour of Spanish
defender Jose Enrique. But with a quarter-of-an-hour left, N'Zogbia
extinguished all hopes of a West Ham recovery when he picked out the
overlapping Martins with a perfect pass before racing into the six-yard box,
getting the better of Noble and bundling home the Nigerian's return to the
tangible relief of St James's Park.
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Newcastle 3-1 West Ham - BBC
By Owen Phillips
Mark Viduka scored twice to help Newcastle to a win which was marred by
another injury scare for Michael Owen. Viduka got in front of West Ham's
Anton Ferdinand to head the Magpies ahead from Charles N'Zogbia's superb
cross. Dean Ashton volleyed the Hammers level following Lucas Neill's long
throw but Viduka bundled in his second from close range after more good work
by N'Zogbia. Owen limped off with what looked like a recurrence of his groin
problem before N'Zgobia tapped in the third. Despite Viduka's double and
N'Zogbia's man-of-the-match display the talking point of an open and
entertaining game will once again be Owen's fitness. The England striker,
who hurt his groin in last Monday's defeat against Derby, was a surprise
inclusion in the starting line-up. The problem reared up again soon after
the break and he was once again forced off after 51 minutes. Newcastle had
settled any nerves they may have been feeling on the back of a depressing
defeat against the struggling Rams within two minutes. James Milner laid the
ball back to N'Zogbia who whipped in a cross from the left flank and Viduka
got in front of Ferdinand and crashed a near-post header past Robert Green
and into the bottom of the net. That goal should have provided the perfect
platform for Newcastle but it was the Hammers, who adopted a more direct
approach in the absence of the injured Craig Bellamy, who began to get on
top. Mark Noble was once again impressive in the heart of the Hammers
midfield and a typical driving run almost bought an equaliser but Steve
Harper tipped his fierce 20-yard strike away for a corner. A slip by Claudio
Cacapa then almost let Carlton Cole in and the warning signs were there for
the home side. And for a manager who built a reputation on being defensively
organised and maximising set-pieces, Sam Allardyce will have been furious
about the manner of West Ham's equaliser. Neill hurled in a long throw which
Ashton nodded up in the air and Cole showed excellent strength before
flicking the ball on to Ashton who had continued his run and volleyed in
from six yards.
The home side responded, Viduka was denied by a fabulous defensive header by
Ferdinand but within seconds the Australian restored the home lead. N'Zogbia
skipped his way down the left flank again and picked out Viduka and the
burly frontman bundled the ball home from six yards. The second half was
less eventful although both sides pressed forward. Owen's injury seemed to
hand West Ham the impetus and they had a couple of half-chances. First
Ashton sent a flick header just wide of the far post and Steve Harper made a
fabulous one-handed stop to deny Lee Bowyer a goal against his former club.
But Newcastle wrapped up the points with a quarter of an hour to go when
Obafemi Martins picked out N'Zogbia and the young Frenchman tapped the ball
in from close range. Martins missed a glorious chance to add a fourth late
on when he somehow shot wide after capitalising on a mistake by Matthew
Upson and rounding Green.
Newcastle assistant manager Nigel Pearson: "The most important thing was
getting the result. "At times we were a bit scrappy but we played well
enough to win the game. Generally we're very, very pleased. "The early goal
was a huge help and I'm pleased for Mark Viduka and there's more to come. It
takes time to settle but he looks like he is getting his confidence."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: "You can't defend like we did and expect
to get something from the game. You can't let in goals after two minutes -
otherwise you don't give yourself a chance. "We got back into it and were
the stronger side in the first half but more poor defending at the end left
us 2-1 down at half time. "Overall I feel we've done enough to take
something from the game. We played well to get back into it and it's
desperately disappointing.
"Our attitude to defending, especially stopping the cross, was poor today."
Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Cacapa (Taylor 78), Rozehnal, N'Zogbia, Smith,
Geremi, Butt, Milner, Owen (Martins 51), Viduka (Jose Enrique 73).
Subs Not Used: Given, Faye.
Booked: Geremi.
Goals: Viduka 2, 41, N'Zogbia 76.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, Ferdinand, McCartney, Bowyer, Noble, Mullins
(Ljungberg 62), Etherington (Spector 80), Cole (Camara 68), Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Collins.
Booked: Mullins, Cole, Bowyer.
Goals: Ashton 32.
Att: 50,104.
Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
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Newcastle Utd 3 West Ham Utd 1 - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 23rd September 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
The Hammers have been well beaten in this afternoon's Premier League clash
at St James' Park. The home side ran out comfortable 3-1 winners despite
rarely threatening the Hammers goal. Disappointingly the Hammers only had
themselves to blame for a first reversal in four, as they were on top for
much of the first half. Mark Viduka - a transfer target of Alan Curbishley's
earlier in the summer - opened the scoring for the home side after just two
minutes when he profited on a mistake by international colleague Lucas
Neill. But the Hammers responded well and deservedly drew level on 31
minutes after Dean Ashton swivelled expertly to fire home following a bout
of head tennis in the home side's penalty box. The home side regained the
lead five minutes before the break after Mark Viduka added a second from a
cross by Charles N'Zogbia, who had left Lee Bowyer trailing in his wake on
the left flank. Newcastle wrapped up the win fifteen minutes from time when
N'Zogbia - who has probably been Newcastle's best player on the park -
tapped home a third.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Ferdinand, Upson, Mullins
(Ljungberg 62), Noble, Bowyer, Etherington (Spector 80), Cole (Camara 68),
Ashton.
Subs not used: Wright, Collins.
Goals: Ashton (31).
Booked: Mullins (48), Cole (53), Bowyer (81).
Newcastle United: Harper, Beye, N'Zogbia, Capaca (Taylor 78), Rozehnal,
Geremi, Butt, Milner, Smith, Owen (Martins 51), Viduka (Enrique 73).
Subs not used: Given, Faye.
Goals: Viduka (2, 41), N'Zogbia (76).
Booked: Geremi (79).
Referee: M.Riley.
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Viduka brace fires Toon -SSN
Newcastle cruise to victory over Hammers
Last updated: 23rd September 2007
Newcastle bounced back from their shock defeat to Derby as they beat West
Ham 3-1 at St James' Park to climb into the top five. Mark Viduka gave The
Magpies a perfect start as he powerfully headed Charles N'Zogbia's left-wing
cross past Robert Green in only the second minute. West Ham levelled in the
32nd minute when Carlton Cole beat Claudio Cacapa in the air and Dean Ashton
capitalised with a sweet finish into the bottom right corner. Newcastle's
lead was restored four minutes before the break as Viduka bundled the ball
home from close range after a terrific run by N'Zogbia. Michael Owen was
withdrawn early in the second half after appearing to aggravate his groin
injury, before Newcastle pulled two goals clear through N'Zogbia after 76
minutes. West Ham battled hard in an attempt to get back into the game but
Newcastle's defence was considerably tighter than their own and they could
do little as they slipped to their first defeat since the opening day of the
season.
The visitors endured a disastrous start which had seen Viduka power home a
second-minute header from N'Zogbia's near-post cross, but for much of the
half, they were the better side. Allardyce's men lacked width on the right
with Alan Smith sitting in-field and Habib Beye getting forward from
full-back only fleetingly. That left Viduka and Owen isolated, and the
Hammers prospered with Mark Noble forcing a fine one-handed save from Steve
Harper. On 32 minutes, West Ham's strike duo combined to beat Harper, Cole
climbing well to flick on Lucas Neill's long throw for Ashton to fire into
the bottom corner.
Owen, whose fitness has been the subject of an intense debate all week, was
a largely peripheral figure, although he almost opened the door for Viduka
once again six minutes before the break after running on to Nicky Butt's
ball over the top. The striker looked up before sending in an inviting
cross, and it took a good block by Anton Ferdinand to keep out the
Australian's header.
However, there was nothing Ferdinand, or anyone else for that matter, could
do to deny Viduka four minutes before the break as he provided further
evidence of the wisdom of Sam Allardyce's summer swoop for him. Once again,
it was N'Zogbia who created the opening, bursting past former Magpie, Lee
Bowyer, from David Rozehnal's clearance before crossing to the far post for
the former Middlesbrough front man to bundle home his second goal of the
game and his third in a black and white shirt. N'Zogbia wasted a 47th-minute
free-kick in a promising position after Owen had shown a rare burst of pace
to round George McCartney, but was felled in the process. That proved to be
Owen's last contribution of any note and he was replaced by Obafemi Martins
four minutes later with the England international worryingly heading
straight down the tunnel. Rozehnal almost caught keeper Green on his heels
with a left-foot drive from distance on 53 minutes, and Butt tested the
keeper with an equally well-struck effort two minutes later. But referee
Mike Riley had to stop the game two minutes later after Noble reacted
furiously to a robust challenge by Butt.
Harper saved well from Ashton's 64th-minute free-kick, which bounced
dangerously in front of him, and Ashton flicked a header wide as West Ham
rallied, but the home side were defending with greater resilience than they
had before the break. However, Harper had to be at his best once again in
the 72nd minute when Bowyer latched on to Rozehnal's weak header and forced
a fine save low to the keeper's right. But N'Zogbia made sure of the points
with 14 minutes remaining when he fed Martins on the left and then met his
cross to make it 3-1, and the Nigerian should have added his name to the
score sheet three minutes from time, but fired wide after rounding Green.
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Curbishley slams defending - SSN
West Ham boss disappointed with loss
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 23rd September 2007
Alan Curbishley blasted West Ham's defensive performance following the 3-1
defeat to Newcastle. The Hammers have been in fine form on their travels
this season but fell behind in only the second minute when Mark Viduka
headed home Charles N'Zogbia's cross. Dean Ashton equalised and there were a
number of other chances for West Ham in an open first half. But Newcastle
regained the lead through Viduka and clinched the points when N'Zogbia found
the target midway through the second half. Curbishley was disappointed that
his side had not salvaged a draw but admitted it was a poor display at the
back. "We didn't do enough defending, but we think we've lost at least a
point here," Curbishley told Sky Sports. We can't afford to go 1-0 down
after two minutes away from home. "We got ourselves back in the game and I
thought we looked the stronger side, until another poor bit of defending at
the end of the first half. "We're desperately disappointed because 3-1 was a
bit harsh but if you defend the way we did you're not going to pick anything
up."
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Newcastle 3-1 West Ham - Soccernet
Mark Viduka announced his arrival on Tyneside with a first-half double as
Newcastle saw off West Ham 3-1. The Australian got his side off to the
perfect start with a second-minute bullet header, and then converted Charles
N'Zogbia's cross four minutes before half-time. In the meantime, Dean Ashton
had dragged the visitors back into it with his second goal in as many games
since his return from injury, and the Hammers could count themselves
unfortunate to go in behind at the break after pinning their hosts back for
long periods. Keeper Steve Harper had to produce excellent one-handed saves
to deny first Mark Noble and then former team-mate Lee Bowyer, but the
Magpies dominated the second half and were rewarded when N'Zogbia slotted
home their third goal after 76 minutes. The win was just what manager Sam
Allardyce needed after an insipid display in defeat at Derby on Monday
evening, and the fact that it came courtesy of a less than fluent
performance will not spoil his enjoyment of an important result. The home
side had taken to the pitch for the warm-up wearing tee-shirts bearing the
slogan ``Rock Steady'', a message of solidarity with troubled bank Northern
Rock, the club's shirt sponsor. Allardyce could have been forgiven as he
headed for the dressing room at half-time for wishing the same could have
been said of his defence. In an intensely uncomfortable 45 minutes, David
Rozehnal and Claudio Cacapa, the latest recruits in the seemingly endless
quest to stem the tide of goals which has blighted Newcastle for so long,
were given the sternest of examinations by Carlton Cole and Ashton. It was
no surprise when the pair combined on 32 minutes to beat Harper, Cole
climbing well to flick on Lucas Neill's long throw for Ashton to fire into
the bottom corner. The goal came as the visitors recovered from a disastrous
start which had seen Viduka power home a second-minute header from
N'Zogbia's near-post cross, and for much of the half, they were the better
side.
Allardyce's men lacked width on the right with Alan Smith sitting in-field
and Habib Beye getting forward from full-back only fleetingly. That left
Viduka and Michael Owen isolated, and the Hammers prospered with Noble
forcing a fine one-handed save from Harper. Owen, whose fitness has been the
subject of an intense debate all week, was a largely peripheral figure,
although he almost opened the door for Viduka once again six minutes before
the break after running on to Nicky Butt's ball over the top. The striker
looked up before sending in an inviting cross, and it took a good block by
Anton Ferdinand to keep out the Australian's header. However, there was
nothing Ferdinand, or anyone else for that matter, could do to deny Viduka
four minutes before the break as he provided further evidence of the wisdom
of Allardyce's summer swoop for him. Once again, it was N'Zogbia who created
the opening, bursting past former Magpie Bowyer from Rozehnal's clearance
before crossing to the far post for the former Middlesbrough front man to
bundle home his second goal of the game and his third in a black and white
shirt. N'Zogbia wasted a 47th-minute free-kick in a promising position after
Owen had shown a rare burst of pace to round George McCartney, but was
felled in the process. That proved to be Owen's last contribution of any
note and he was replaced by Obafemi Martins four minutes later with the
England international worryingly heading straight down the tunnel. Rozehnal
almost caught keeper Robert Green on his heels with a left-foot drive from
distance on 53 minutes, and Butt tested the keeper with an equally
well-struck effort two minutes later. But referee Mike Riley had to stop the
game two minutes later after Noble reacted furiously to a robust challenge
by Nicky Butt. Harper saved well from Ashton's 64th-minute free-kick, which
bounced dangerously in front of him, and Ashton flicked a header wide as
West Ham rallied, but the home side were defending with greater resilience
than they had before the break.
However, Harper had to be at his best once again in the 72nd minute when
Bowyer latched on to Rozehnal's weak header and forced a fine save low to
the keeper's right. But N'Zogbia made sure of the points with 14 minutes
remaining when he fed Martins on the left and then met his cross to make it
3-1, and the Nigerian should have added his name to the scoresheet three
minutes from time, but fired wide after rounding Green.
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Vinny's Newcastle Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Mon Sep 24 2007
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 1
""We're desperately disappointed because 3-1 was a bit harsh but if you
defend the way we did you're not going to pick anything up."
Those words from Alan Curbishley perfectly sum up today's defeat at St
James' Park, where a decent first half performance was let down by defensive
errors which in the end was our downfall. We failed to get going in the
second period and a lacklustre showing resulted in Newcastle getting the
killer third goal.
Two changes were made to the side which beat Middlesbrough 3-0 last weekend.
In defence James Collins was dropped to the bench in favour of the returning
Anton Ferdinand, this despite the team keeping a clean sheet last weekend.
The other change was made in the striking department with Carlton Cole
replacing the injured Craig Bellamy who was still out despite reports that
he would return.
All that talk of having so many ex-Newcastle players seem to mean little as
only one actually took part in this encounter – that being Lee Bowyer.
As the game kicked off we could have had a goal within thirty seconds as a
long ball towards the Newcastle area was poorly cleared by goal keeper Steve
Harper and it went straight to Lee Bowyer who was unfortunate that his first
touch was not better because if it was I am sure he would have had the
technique to lob the keeper who was well off his line. As Bowyer was closed
down the ball bounced through to Carlton Cole who cut inside the defender
and hit a curling left foot shot at goal, but it rose and went over the bar
as we signalled our intentions straight from the off.
But those intentions would mean little as Newcastle took the lead on the two
minute mark.
Usually when I am shocked by a goal it is because it is a fantastic strike
from far out, but Newcastle's first wasn't like that at all – but it still
shocked me as when I was watching it I really didn't think there was much
danger.
Milner received the ball on the left hand side and managed to knock the ball
back for N'Zogbia who got hit left foot around the ball and put in a nice
cross which went towards Mark Viduka. It looked as though Ferdinand was
close enough to him to deal with the ball but somehow Viduka managed to
stretch out and get his head to the ball and it flew past Robert Green.
Obviously it was a bad start and it would be a test of character to see how
would react to going behind so early on.
We started to see more of the ball and although it took us a while we
eventually settled and were looking the better side. It was clear to see
that the long ball was our game plan and I am usually strongly opposed to
this type game plan, but Newcastle struggled to compete with Ashton and to
an extent Cole in the air.
It took us about twenty five minutes to get our first shot on target but it
was one which we nearly equalised from. A good passage of play led to Mark
Noble receiving the ball just outside the area and the youngster hit a good
low shot at goal which was brilliantly saved by Harper and out for a corner.
Moments later a mix up in the Newcastle defence gave Carlton Cole a half
chance but the keeper was on it quickly and it went out for another corner.
From that resulting corner the ball was met by Matthew Upson but he seemed
to go for his header to early and it went over the bar when on another
occasion it may have gone in.
The mood had changed and there was a little more about our play and the
pressure was mounting. I got the feeling that it wouldn't be long until we
got a goal and thankfully my feeling was correct.
A long throw from Lucas Neill caused mayhem in the Newcastle area as Ashton
went up with the defender. The ball was then excellently flicked back to
Ashton by Cole and Ashton brilliantly adjusted his body shape and volleyed
past Harper to equalise.
Of course it doesn't matter who scores just as long as West Ham are getting
goals but I like many others could not hide their delight for Ashton who was
scoring his second goal in as many games. We all know how good this guy can
be and this is exactly what we want to see him do.
As Newcastle kicked off we still had that air of danger surrounding our play
and I was really looking towards winning this one with Newcastle being
pretty poor.
But chances didn't come and although the remainder of the half was not what
I would call awful we still lack that cutting edge.
To make things worse, shortly before half time we would fall behind once
again and the same man would be our tormentor.
A short pass from a Newcastle defender was closed down by Ashton but
Rozehnal got to the ball first by hoofing the ball towards our area. And
this is where the problem began as N'Zogbia chased the ball he had Lee
Bowyer a few yards in front of him but Bowyer's lack of pace really showed
and the Newcastle left back beat him to the ball, cut inside and rolled it
across for the unmarked Viduka to easily finish.
It was hard to believe at half time that we were losing a game that we
should have at least been on level terms in. Newcastle looked every bit as
poor as they did against Derby but in Mark Viduka they had that something
extra and so far it had given them the edge.
We had to hope that the second half would see us up the tempo and play our
fast counter attack football. But it was never to be.
The second half was very niggily and there were many fouls and quite a
number of bookings. Hayden Mullins (who had been involved in a couple of
incidents in the first half with Alan Smith) received a yellow card for a
poor foul and in similar fashion Carlton Cole was booked for a wild swipe
after being caught in possession.
A gust of wind then blew over St James' Park and Michael Owen was caught in
the eye of the storm. He hobbled off and was replaced by Martins.
The game was void of any real chances and we were struggling to do anything
with the possession we saw.
More tackles flew in and somehow Nicky Butt did not get a booking after a
two footed lunge on Mark Noble. The youngster was incensed by this tackle
and the two squared up with Butt looking worried as Noble got right in his
face.
Mullins was taken off and replaced by Freddie Ljungberg around the hour
mark. Ljungberg went to the right hand side with Bowyer moving into the
middle.
This change coincided with a mini resurgence from our boys and we a few half
chances. The first came from a free kick from about 30 yards which Dean
Ashton fired at goal. If anything the shot was hit too well, and even though
it bounced just in front of Harper he was equal too it.
A free kick from a similar area was this time played into the box where Dean
Ashton tried a back flicked header which went agonizingly wide. It was a
great piece of quick thinking from a player who was looking as though his
best form was coming back.
Our best chance of the second half came in this period when a ball into the
area towards the sub Camera (who had replaced Cole) and the defender
Rozehnal made a clearance to the edge of the area but only as far as Lee
Bowyer who met the ball on the half volley by Harper again made a good save
to deny him.
Unfortunately that would be it for us as Newcastle again out of nothing,
broke and scored a goal which should have been defended better.
N'Zogbia started and finished the move. He played a good pass through to
Martins who managed to get the ball across for N'Zogbia to tap in after
getting ahead of Noble. Upson and Ferdinand were nowhere to be seen.
Newcastle had a wonderful chance to extend their lead even further when
Upson took his eye off the ball and set Martins away (much like the home
game last season when Gabbidon did the same) and he rounded Robert Green but
then missed an open goal.
The third goal was enough to kill the game completely and the game fizzled
out and Newcastle saw out the remainder with ease.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Nothing he could do about any of the goals with them all coming from very
close range.
Lucas Neill
Had a bit of a tough time during this one. He gave the ball away quite a few
times and seemed to go missing from his right back slot at times which was
to our detriment. I think we expect a little more from our captain.
Matthew Upson
It's a shame that he has no pace because if he did he might be a very good
defender instead of a pretty average one. So far this season it is clear
that when up against pace he looks poor – when defending against players
with no pace he looks pretty good. Today, along with Ferdinand he just kept
getting caught too many times and beaten to the ball far too easily.
Anton Ferdinand
Continues to put in inconsistent performances. For periods in the game he
will look calm and assured but then his distribution will let him down or he
will get caught in possession after dallying on the ball. I still think he
is the best defender at the club and has the potential to go all the way -
but I doubt he ever will get there.
George McCartney
Good solid performance from McCartney and bar far our best defender
throughout the ninety minutes. Got forward well and was our only threat on
the left as Etherington remained static throughout. Made a few good runs but
often took too long to get the ball into the midfield or attack, but overall
a good display.
Lee Bowyer
Much more involved than he was earlier in the season. Obviously his lack of
pace cost us the second goal. He had a head start on N'Zogbia but still
managed to get beaten. His off the ball stuff was very good, and he was
often up with play and in the box waiting for a chance to come his was –
there was one instance was Cole completely ignored him when if he had of
looked up he would have found him in acres of space. Had our best chance of
the second half and although I still think we need better than Bowyer his
display today was adequate.
Hayden Mullins
Had to have an extra edge about his game today as it was a real battle with
Alan Smith and Nicky Butt in the centre of midfield. Had a few scuffles with
Smith in the first half, and was booked in the second. Failed to really get
hold of the game but if you think back, very little went past him and
Newcastle's play was often forced out wide even when they were trying to
play through the middle. The question is did Mullins do enough to keep
Parker from starting next weekend?
Mark Noble
Like Mullins he too had to really battle against two tough opponents. He got
stuck in and showed a bit of skill too. Was very unlucky not to score in the
first half when his well struck shot was saved well by Harper. Continues to
flourish.
Matthew Etherington
His form so far this season has been impressive but today he was anonymous
and never in the game at all. Was static throughout and failed to make any
telling runs against a right back making his debut for the home side.
Hopefully this was just a blip.
Carlton Cole
It is clear to anyone who has watched Carlton Cole that he isn't good enough
and it is shocking that we have to resort to a player who is not premiership
material. Saying that I can only review him on this performance which was
full of energy and effort. His touch was very inconsistent – one moment he
would have a classy first touch, the next it would be shocking. Failed to
attack the ball enough for my liking and often waiting for the ball to
bounce or fall to him. Obviously he made the goal and that is three assists
in two games so not all bad.
Dean Ashton
Very impressed with him today. Despite a few times when he wanted to long on
the ball, Ashton looked every bit the centre forward that we have been
craving for. Strong, good in the air and has brilliant technique. Took his
goal well and that two in two. There is more to come.
Subs Used
Freddie Ljungberg (on for Mullins 62 mins)
Failed to make any real impact in the time he was on the pitch. Will be
itching to start and I expect to see him play the 90 minutes against
Plymouth.
Henri Camera (on for Cole 68 mins)
Like Ljungberg he found it very difficult to get into the game and with
Newcastle scoring the third and decisive goal not long after he came on the
game was void of chances.
Jonathan Spector (on for Etherington 80 mins)
I don't understand why he came on.
Overall
This result is not exactly shocking as this is where West Ham are at the
moment. We will win a couple of games and then lose a couple – it is what
mid table sides do, and we are a mid table side who in time will hopefully
be able to push on further up the table.
Defensively we look frail and this is a position that has not been mentioned
by the masses as the focus has been on midfield and forward positions.
We played some decent football in the first half and that was cause to be
positive – but when our creative players (Etherington and Noble) were not
able to get into the game we had no other options to change our style of
play and try something different. This is what Bellamy gives us, and
Ljungberg will in time.
Plymouth are up next in the cup and hopefully a few other players will get
their chance to show us what they can do.
Don't get too down about this result – we are going to lose a few this
season.
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Newcastle's Michael Owen faces operation - Telegraph
By Rob Stewart
Last Updated: 2:49am BST 24/09/2007
Newcastle United (2) 3 West Ham United (1) 1
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce last night admitted for the first time he
was worried that Michael Owen would need surgery to tackle a groin problem
that is jeopardising his chances of leading England's attack in next month's
Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Ominously for club and country, the £17 million striker departed a game
early for the second successive time after seemingly aggravating a
troublesome groin, and today he will undergo further scans, with Allardyce
ready to call for immediate surgery.
Such action would seem likely to keep Owen out of England's crunch matches
with Estonia and Russia on Oct 13 and 17. Allardyce has already ruled him
out of tomorrow's Carling Cup tie at Arsenal. "I'm worried he asked to come
off because he felt it, whereas it was me who took him off against Derby.
Although the midweek scan was clear, there's a persistent area causing him a
problem so we'll have to look deeper into that.
"I look after Michael's interests more than anybody else's; he's our most
expensive asset so you must address the injury straight away. It must not go
on any longer than need be."
Allardyce added: "For me, England don't come into the equation. If he needs
an operation he'll have it straight away. It's still a tightening of the
groin area [rather than a hernia] so we'll have to get a specialist report
now, not just a scan. If it needs to be surgery then we will find the best
in the world. When we find the best in the world they recover quicker."
Owen's unfortunate plight overshadowed an impressive display by Mark Viduka
that brought him his second and third Newcastle goals which moved them into
fifth place.
advertisementHe brilliantly put Newcastle in command with a diving header in
the second minute, beating Anton Ferdinand to Charles N'Zogbia's curling
near-post cross.
Steve Harper, preferred in goal to Shay Given, repaid Allardyce's faith with
an excellent save to keep out Mark Noble's 20-yarder as West Ham gained the
upper hand against a side stymied by lack of width and midfield creativity.
After Harper denied Carlton Cole with a point-blank save, the powerful Dean
Ashton bolstered his England chances by volleying past Harper in the 32nd
minute for his second goal in consecutive games. The peroxide blond was head
and shoulders above opposing defenders, holding off David Rozehnal to win
Lucas Neill's long throw, then reacting quickest to volley the ball beyond
Harper from six yards after Cole had won the next aerial challenge.
His good work was undone four minutes before half-time as West Ham's defence
was caught out again when Rozehnal's clearance fell kindly to N'Zogbia, who
darted forward, beating Lee Bowyer before finding the unmarked Viduka who
restored Newcastle's lead with a close-range finish.
A hitherto subdued Owen left the field in the 51st minute following a George
McCartney challenge that left him grimacing.
Freddie Ljungberg replaced Hayden Mullins to invigorate the Hammers and the
Swede's introduction almost yielded an equaliser, but Harper expertly turned
away Bowyer's volley following a move initiated by the former Arsenal
player.
N'Zogbia, though, delivered a telling blow in the 76th minute, taking
advantage of sizeable defensive shortcomings to guide home a low cross from
substitute Obafemi Martins as West Ham meekly slumped to their first defeat
since the season's opening day.
"Overall, the scoreline was harsh, but defending cost us," West Ham manager
Alan Curbishley said. "We could have, should have, got something and if we'd
applied ourselves better we would have. We lost 3-1 but I can't remember
Robert Green having to make a save, so it's disappointing."
• West Ham have moved a step closer to building a 60,000-seat stadium. The
London Development Agency have granted the club exclusive negotiating rights
on a 32-acre area of land near West Ham station.
Negotiations are moving towards agreement on securing the land and the club
are optimistic of playing in the stadium by 2011.
Man of the match
Charles N'Zogbia (Newcastle)
Scored with only shot on target
Created two goals for Mark Viduka
Made four chances overall
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Newcastle Utd 3 West Ham 1 - the Sun
By STEVE BRENNER
September 24, 2007
WHEN Mark Viduka is in the mood no one can stop him. And boy was he in the
mood yesterday. The Aussie's deadly double was just what the Toon missed in
their dismal defeat at Derby last Monday.And with Michael Owen's fitness
problems refusing to go away, Vid's best show for Newcastle could not have
come at a better time. Even that was eclipsed by Charles N'Zogbia though,
who made two goals and bagged the other. The Frenchman was the only
midfielder to provide some cutting edge in a Newcastle display which was
deadly effective but short on quality. Toon chief Allardyce was delighted
though and said: "It was a terrific response from the players and I am very
contented. "We got a great start but started to fade a little bit and look a
little bit scared. "There is a lot to work on but to win against one of the
Premier League's in-form teams is very pleasing." Newcastle got off to a
perfect start after two minutes. N'Zogbia curled in a cracking centre and
Viduka sent a bullet header past Hammers keeper Rob Green. But Alan
Curbishley's men have started the season solidly and, slowly but surely,
they crept back into the clash. The lively Mark Noble got things rolling
when his surging run and shot was expertly tipped away by Steve Harper.
Then on 32 minutes, Dean Ashton pounced to shoot West Ham level. Lucas
Neill's throw was flicked on by Carlton Cole and Ashton did not need any
invitation to slam the ball past Harper into the far corner. No wonder West
Ham were so desperate to get the big man back after a year out with a broken
ankle. He was a real handful, not giving the Toon backline a moment's peace.
England boss Steve McClaren take note. With Emile Heskey crocked, Ashton
could find himself back in action for the Three Lions for the upcoming
clashes with Estonia and Russia. England could do worse. The Toon were
starting to go back to their bad old ways but then, out of nothing, Viduka
pounced to bag his second four minutes before the break. N'Zogbia showed his
potential again, ripping down the left and holding off a flimsy challenge
before sliding the ball across the area for Vid to bundle home. It was a
perfect time to score and Allardyce would have told his men to keep their
foot on the gas. But just six minutes after the restart, the Toon chief
played it safe and withdrew Owen from the firing line. The England ace had
barely featured and seemed to land awkwardly after a challenge.
The fact Newcastle's dire lack of creativity in the centre of midfield
failed to provide him with any service did not help his cause. But Owen just
did not look mobile yesterday. Perhaps he needs to go under the knife and
sort out his hernia problem. He hardly got a sniff as Viduka stole the show
and slouched down the tunnel an unhappy man. That gave Oba Martins his
chance but it was Nicky Butt and David Rozehnal who came closest to
extending the home side's lead.
Hammers were not out of it though, Ashton flicking a header inches wide.
And, with 19 minutes left, Harper produced a brilliant stop from Lee
Bowyer's 18-yard drive to justify Allardyce's decision to keep Shay Given on
the bench. Allardyce played it safe again by swapping Viduka for full-back
Jose Enrique. That allowed Alan Smith to finally play in his rightful
position up front. The former Manchester United man can talk about being Mr
Versatile until the cows come home but the truth is he is not a winger. And
Smith instantly showed his class in the final third when his lay-off fed
Martins, who set up N'Zogbia to tap home with 14 minutes left. It was a
welcome return to winning ways but, as always on Tyneside, there is a dark
cloud. The Michael Owen injury soap opera has just made an unwelcome return.
STAR MAN - Charles N'Zogbia (Newcastle)
NEWCASTLE: Harper 8, Beye 7, Cacapa 5 (Taylor 6), Rozehnal 8, N'Zogbia 9,
Smith 5, Butt 7, Geremi 7, Milner 7, Owen 4 (Martins 7), Viduka 8 (Enrique
6). Subs not used: Given, Faye. Booked: Geremi.
WEST HAM: Green 6, Neill 5, Ferdinand 4, Upson 6, McCartney 5, Noble 7,
Bowyer 5, Mullins 4 (Ljungberg 4), Etherington 5 (Spector 4), Cole 5 (Camara
5), Ashton 8. Subs not used: Wright, Collins. Booked: Mullins, Cole, Bowyer.
REF: M Riley 5
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton's not ready for Euro's - The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
By Simon Bird 24/09/2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has refused to demand an immediate England
recall for goalscorer Dean Ashton. The talented striker continued his
impressive comeback from a broken ankle with another bustling display
against Newcastle and he netted in the 31st minute. England boss Steve
McClaren is in desperate need of striking reinforcements in time for
England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia next month. Emile
Heskey has a broken metatarsal and Michael Owen is a major doubt having
limped off during yesterday's clash at St James' Park. But despite Ashton,
who was denied his first cap for his country last year when he broke his
ankle during England training, looking the part now, Curbishley is urging
caution. He said: "We have got to handle Dean very carefully, in a similar
way to how Newcastle have handled Michael Owen. The difference is Dean has
not had any setbacks yet. "Dean has been out for a year and a month and
while he is slowly getting stronger and sharper anything can happen in the
next few weeks. "He's just happy to be playing again. We haven't really
discussed whether he's ready for England because he still needs more
football." West Ham fought their way back into yesterday's game but were
seriously let down by their leaky defence and Curbishley said: "The
scoreline was a bit harsh on us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle United 3 West Ham 1: Owen concern takes edge off Newcastle's joy -
The Independent
By Michael Walker
Published: 24 September 2007
Michael Owen will have a scan today to discover whether he requires surgery
to correct his stubborn groin injury, a development that will concern the
England manager, Steve McClaren, as much as Newcastle's Sam Allardyce.
A grimacing Owen walked off slowly six minutes into the second half and
Allardyce said afterwards that he was "worried" about his striker's pain.
Owen is out of Newcastle's Carling Cup tie at Arsenal tomorrow and, with
England's European Championship qualifier against Estonia at Wembley 19 days
away, the striker is now a significant doubt for that.
"We'll know tomorrow on Michael," Allardyce said, "he still has a groin
problem we've to look at a little deeper. It's persistent and so we'll have
it scanned again and get another specialist opinion.
"He is still feeling a tightening in the groin area. We'll have to get a
specialist's report now, not just a scan regarding that situation. But he's
definitely out of Tuesday. I'm worried that he had to come off today because
he felt it, whereas it was me who took him off at Derby [last Monday]."
Allardyce said "if it needs surgery" Newcastle will find "the best in the
world" to perform the operation.
Surgery this week, for example, would leave Owen with three weeks to recover
before England's second game of the Euro 2008 qualifying double-header, in
Moscow against Russia – on an artificial pitch.
Allardyce is not unpatriotic, but Newcastle come before England. "We'll look
after Michael Owen's interests first, and the club's – he is the most
expensive asset. For me England does not come into the equation. If he needs
an operation, he will have it straight away."
Speculation about Owen overshadowed a result that lifted Newcastle to fifth
in the table, one that Allardyce described as "very satisfying". It also put
what is possibly an equally bad injury to Claudio Cacapa in the shade.
Owen's presence on the pitch also meant that, just as when Wigan came here
three weeks ago, the opposition's English centre-forward drew a sudden
fascination. Then it was Emile Heskey, yesterday it was Dean Ashton.
The 23-year-old missed the whole of last season having broken his ankle in
an England training session and has only played five times this term. Yet he
scored West Ham's equaliser with a tidy finish and led the line with power
and subtlety. Whether that makes him ready for a first England cap is
another matter.
"In the last international break we gave him two reserve games," the West
Ham manager, Alan Curbishley, said of Ashton, revealing just how far he was
from England contention then. "But two weeks is a long time. We'll wait and
see."
Ashton will need more support than he received in the second half here, that
is certain. Admittedly, Curbishley lost former Newcastle players Craig
Bellamy and Scott Parker to injury on Saturday, but that did not explain
some flat-footed defending that allowed Mark Viduka to score his first
Newcastle goal at St James' Park.
Lucas Neill and Anton Ferdinand were the culprits. Neill gave the ball away
in the second minute and it came to the impressive Charles N'Zogbia. The
young Frenchman bent in a fast cross that Viduka eyed gleefully. Ferdinand
looked at it statically and the big Australian dived across the defender to
place a flicked header just inside Robert Green's right post.
A bitty game played in a sometimes noiseless stadium then unfolded. With
Mark Noble prominent, West Ham nibbled their way back and there was no
surprise when Ashton equalised on 32 minutes. With Carlton Cole bustling his
way around the Newcastle penalty area, Ashton got on the end of a Neill
throw-in to beat Steve Harper comfortably.
That suggested a contest, yet less than 10 minutes later Viduka had his
second, again N'Zogbia supplying the cross after breezing past Lee Bowyer.
After the interval, Owen limped off and Ashton was close with a backward
flick. But Harper made a 72nd-minute save from Bowyer and four minutes later
N'Zogbia slid in to meet a centre from Owen's replacement, Obafemi Martins.
The Nigerian then missed an open goal to make it 4-1. But no matter,
Newcastle got the 1-0 defeat at Derby out of their system. Now, once again,
it is all about Michael's.
Goals: Viduka (2) 1-0; Ashton (32) 1-1; Viduka (41) 2-1; N'Zogbia (76) 3-1.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Harper; Beye, Rozehnal, Cacapa (Taylor, 78)
N'Zogbia; Smith, Geremi, Butt, Milner; Viduka (Enrique, 73) Owen (Martins,
51). Substi-tutes not used: Given (gk), Faye.
West Ham United (4-4-2) Green; Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney; Bowyer,
Noble, Mullins (Ljungberg, 62) Etherington (Spector, 80); Cole (Camara, 68)
Ashton. Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Collins.
Referee: M Riley (West Yorkshire).
Booked: Newcastle Geremi; West Ham Mullins, Cole, Bowyer.
Man of the match: N'Zogbia.
Attendance: 50,104.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss keen to protect Ashton
tribalfooball.com - September 23, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists Dean Ashton is still some way from
full fitness, despite his impressive showing at Newcastle. Ashton scored the
Hammers' lone goal in the 3-1 defeat and Curbishley said: "He needs some
more football, he needs as much as he can get. "If you had seen Dean three
weeks ago at Reading and last week against Middlesbrough and now today, he
is slowly getting stronger and stronger." Asked what he would tell Steve
McClaren if he inquired about Ashton, Curbishley said: "I would just say to
him he has been out a year and a bit. "Steve McClaren has been to our games
and he has seen Dean. "They have been watching all the games and they will
have seen Dean has slowly got stronger and sharper. "We will have to see.
Two weeks is a long time. Anything can happen."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Curbishley: Ferguson wouldn't last today
tribalfooball.com - September 23, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley claims "short-termism" in football means the
likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and himself are now a dying breed. Before taking
over at West Ham in December 2006, Curbishley had been in charge at Charlton
for 15 years, with Ferguson at Manchester United for almost 21 years. "You
will not see many managers getting into double figures, in terms of years
spent at the same club, these days," said Curbishley. "What is happening is
short-termism, brought on by the fact that everything is so pressurised.
"There are different expectation levels, and people coming into football
clubs who have not owned them before, or been chairmen of them
before."Perhaps they do not understand the history so much, and it is all
about now. "Managers have grasped that, and realised that we have to be
successful straight away. "When I first came to the club, I said I had two
briefs. "The first was a short-term one, which was to keep us in the Premier
League last season, and the second was a long- term one, which was to build
something at the club. "We are working on the second one at the moment."
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