West Ham United's six-game unbeaten run came to an end at Chelsea on
Saturday afternoon with a solitary strike from Joe Cole all that separated
the sides.
Cole scored in the 76th minute to ensure Chelsea made it 70 games without
defeat at Stamford Bridge. Alan Curbishley's men, with Matthew Upson and
Danny Gabbidon imperious at the back, had competed well in the derby but
could not hold on. There were plenty of positives for the visitors, however,
with Scott Parker, in for Mark Noble, and Carlton Cole impressing on their
return to Chelsea.
The home side were the first to show. Frank Lampard smashed in a free-kick
that hit the wall on nine minutes, before Didier Drogba tried his luck from
distance. It was 21 minutes before the visitors got a real sniff of goal.
Nolberto Solano slid the ball through for Luis Boa Morte and Carlton Cole to
chase but goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, in for the injured Petr Cech, was able
to smother. Two minutes later, Matthew Etherington went into the book after
pulling back Juliano Belletti.
At the other end, Gabbidon and Upson were working overtime to deal with the
lively Drogba but Chelsea were finding it tough to create the opportunities
to test Robert Green. The first real chance for West Ham United came just
after the half-hour mark when Solano was given some space in the penalty
area but his lofted attempt just cleared the goal.
The Peruvian international then shot wide in the 35th minute as Curbishley's
men began to string several passes together for the first time in the
contest. However, the half was to finish in scrappy fashion with home
bookings for Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel. Boa Morte was the last to be
cautioned in the half, with the former Fulham man penalised for a foul on
Mikel.
It was Chelsea who began the second half in determined fashion but Upson was
on hand to throw himself at a Steve Sidwell shot within a minute of the
restart. Carlton Cole went close in the 51st minute, running on to a Hayden
Mullins pass but could not get his shot on target. Within a minute the ball
had switched to the other end where Joe Cole flashed in a low shot that just
went wide.
Belletti went into the book in the 56th minute for bringing down Etherington
as the noise from the Hammers travelling fans continued unabated. They
nearly had extra reason to sing when Solano just failed to connect with a
ball into the box, allowing Cudicini to claim. It was beginning to be end to
end stuff, with the tension rising as the temperature dropped.
As the hour mark came and went, Boa Morte was running at John Terry before
firing in a shot that was deflected into Cudicini's hands. At the other end,
Green twice had to get the ball away after Joe Cole's chipped ball into the
box. Carlton Cole then did brilliantly to dispossess Alex with the ball
eventually finding its way to Parker who could not get enough power into his
shot.
Sidwell made way for Shaun Wright-Phillips in the 66th minute before Lampard
was cautioned soon after a foul on Boa Morte. Terry had a chance in the 73rd
minute as Ljungberg entered the fray for Solano. Chelsea were in front two
minutes later when, after a lofted clearance from Cudicini was knocked on,
Joe Cole lashed in from the right of goal.
West Ham United kept going with Dean Ashton and Jonathan Spector on to try
and help salvage a point, with Matthew Etherington and Scott Parker making
way. Ashton had a free-kick chance in the 86th minute, with Terry booked for
dissent, but fired over. With Claude Makelele on for Joe Cole to shore
things up, that was to be as good as it got for Curbishley's men, who will
feel hard done by after a determined display had promised so much.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Sidwell (Wright-Phillips
66), Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 89).
Subs not used: Hilario, Shevchenko, Ben-Haim.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Ljungberg
74), Parker (Spector 79), Mullins, Etherington (Ashton 79), Boa Morte, Cole.
Subs not used: Wright, Collins.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
City challenge in FA Cup - WHUFC
Manchester City will travel to the Boleyn Ground on the weekend of 5-6
January
02.12.2007
West Ham United have been handed a FA Cup third-round tie at home to
Manchester City on the weekend of 5-6 January. The teams, who are due to
meet at the City of Manchester Stadium in the Barclays Premier League on
Sunday 20 January , played each other at the Boleyn Ground on the opening
day of this season. In that 11 August fixture, Sven-Goran Eriksson's men ran
out 2-0 winners. West Ham United, three-time winners of the famous
competition in 1964, 1975 and 1980, will also be hoping to surpass the
achievement of the 2005/06 run to the final, when they drew 3-3 with
Liverpool before losing out on penalties. That memorable occasion was
preceded by a March 2006 quarter-final trip to City that saw Dean Ashton
score twice in a 2-1 victory. Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Hayden
Mullins also featured. The only other FA Cup meeting between the two clubs
came in the 1997/98 fourth round at Maine Road when goals from Eyal Berkovic
and Steve Lomas either side of a Georgi Kinkladze effort ensured victory.
Sir Trevor Brooking, the hero of the 1980 showpiece, conducted Sunday's draw
from FA headquarters in central London. The ticket office selling dates are
provisionally set to be as follows:
# Season ticket holders - 9am Wednesday 5 December to 5pm Wednesday 12
December
# Club members - 9am Thursday 13 December
# General sale - 9am Tuesday 18 December
The draw in full
Preston North End v Scunthorpe United
Port Vale or Chasetown v Cardiff City
Colchester United v Peterborough United
Bolton Wanderers v Sheffield United
Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Mansfield Town
Northampton Town or Walsall v Millwall
Charlton Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
Watford v Crystal Palace
Luton Town or Nottingham Forest v Liverpool
Plymouth Argyle v Hull City
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Tranmere Rovers v Hereford United
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading
Burnley v Arsenal
Bristol City v Middlesbrough
Fulham v Bristol Rovers
Huddersfield Town v Birmingham City
Horsham or Swansea City v Havant & Waterlooville
Sunderland v Wigan Athletic
Oxford United or Southend United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Everton v Oldham Athletic
Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton v Leicester City
West Ham United v Manchester City
Ipswich Town v Portsmouth
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cambridge United
Barnsley v Blackpool
Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Newcastle United
Swindon Town v Burton Albion or Barnet
Norwich City v Bury
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs proud of performance - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley could find no fault with the commitment shown against
Chelsea
02.12.2007
Alan Curbishley paid tribute to both his players and the fans for the effort
shown at Stamford Bridge when his side lost by the narrowest of margins.
Just as the contest seemed to be heading for the 0-0 draw that would have
sent the travelling faithful home happy , Joe Cole dashed those hopes with a
well-taken goal in the 76th minute. Many, including the West Ham United
manager, felt the England midfielder might of strayed offside before taking
receipt of the ball but he was quick to add that "you have just to get on
with it".
Curbishley said: "If we had got out of here with a point most people would
have agreed that probably would have been a fair result. We came and did a
really good job defensively. That's why I was so disappointed with the goal
because defensively I thought we looked strong. We took a lot of positives
and the only disappointment is that we didn't really fashion that chance
that was going to test [Carlo] Cudicini."
The manager went with Carlton Cole in attack, with Matthew Etherington and
Luis Boa Morte joining him in a 4-3-3 formation whenever the away side were
able to get forward. Dean Ashton also entered the fray in the closing stages
as he continued his comeback. "Perhaps in the final third we didn't quite do
enough," the manager added. "Saying that I am delighted with the way they
have performed."
While it was a combative affair and the likes of fit-again Scott Parker,
Lucas Neill and Boa Morte felt the force of some strong challenges,
Curbishley acknowledged that "it was a local derby". He added: "We have got
no complaints. I have asked players to do a job for me and they have gone
and done it. I think the effort we put in deserved a bit more, I think the
effort the fans put in deserved a bit more."
On the goal, Curbishley said Carlton Cole believed he was impeded as he
tried to go past Alex and then, when the play switched to the other end, he
expected the impressive defence to clear the danger. "The way we have been
defending I couldn't quite see that happening," he said. "We are a little
bit disappointed with that but I think it needed someone to pull something
out to change the game and Joe Cole has got in there."
He refuted suggestions that his side, who remain in tenth place, had only
sought to defend against a high-flying team who had not lost in their
previous 69 home matches. "I came here to match up - to stop them dictating
the game which is what we did," Curbishley said. "Perhaps I didn't have
enough going the other way and that's the fact of it really.
"They are a top-four side, a Champions League side - all their players are
fit and raring to go. I think we have come here and done really well. I
don't think we will be the last team to come here and set their stall out.
We are a little bit disappointed we haven't taken anything from it because
we definitely deserved something from the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker pleased to be back - WHUFC
Scott Parker was disappointed to lose but the midfielder has reason to be
positive
02.12.2007
Scott Parker has spoken of his delight at returning to action for West Ham
United after impressing in a competitive encounter against Chelsea.
The 27-year-old midfielder was making his first start since suffering a knee
injury on his club league debut against Arsenal on 29 September but more
than held his own against the likes of Frank Lampard and Joe Cole in the 1-0
defeat. "It was good," he said. "Obviously I've been out for a long while.
It certainly felt like a long while as well. I'm really pleased to be back,
disappointed with the result but that's football.
"We were unlucky. First half for sure we put ourselves about and we got in
Chelsea's faces. We deserved to come in 0-0. I thought we did ourselves
justice in the second half. They got on top of us at times but a fair result
would have been a 0-0. That would have been well deserved but it wasn't to
be. So we move on to the next game."
Parker paid tribute to the defensive steel shown by Matthew Upson and Danny
Gabbidon who worked tirelessly throughout the contest to deal with Didier
Drogba and Salomon Kalou. They were only undone by Cole's late winner when
some felt the midfielder was offside. Parker said: "The two centre-backs
were brilliant. I think the whole team defended well as a unit and it was
touch and go for the goal but Joe Cole has put it away. It was disappointing
but we move on."
The travelling West Ham United fans were again in full voice at Stamford
Bridge on Saturday but there was silence when Parker, who played for Chelsea
between January 2004 and June 2005, went over following a strong challenge
by Mikel. Having seen his pre-season affected by injury and then suffering
that knee knock against Arsenal, it was a worrying few minutes before he
picked himself up and carried on.
Although substituted in the 79th minute, Parker felt the physical nature of
the game will stand him in good stead, having now featured in two successive
Premier League outings. "It was a good test for it," he said. "It was
probably the first real big tackle I've had on it, albeit I've been training
now for a couple of weeks. You probably don't get the same tempo and
ferocity in certain challenges like you do in games. It was pleasing to come
through the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stanislas shines for youths - WHUFC
Two goals for Junior Stanislas helped the Under-18s to a solid away win
01.12.2007
Ipswich Town Under-18s 0-2 West Ham United Under-18s
Junior Stanislas carried on where he left off from the reserves earlier this
week to score both goals in a comfortable Under-18s away win at Ipswich
Town.
The young attacker, who was recently called up to the England Under-19 squad
and scored twice in an 8-0 reserve win at Derby County on Monday, was
outstanding. His only disappointment was to miss a penalty that would have
seen him complete a hat-trick. Academy director Tony Carr said it was a
deserved win, praising Stanislas for his two second-half goals and
goalkeeper Marek Stech for a fine display that included a penalty save.
"It was a good performance, although it wasn't a flowing game," Carr said.
"We made it hard for them to beat us and that is the key. You sometimes have
to win matches just by working hard. Junior was fantastic - it was a shame
he missed from the spot but all in all it was a good away win. While Junior
got the goals, our other man of the match was Marek. He saved a penalty and
made some great stops."
It was a fairly quiet first half for both sides, with the hosts just having
the edge. West Ham United had a few half-chances, but it remained on level
terms at the break. In the second half, the visitors pushed forward and it
was not long before the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Stanislas,
only for the 17-year-old to send his shot over the bar.
Undeterred, Carr's young team continued their pressure on the Ipswich goal
and four minutes later, Stanislas made up for his penalty miss by firing in
from 25 yards with a swerving shot that crashed into the net via the
underside of the bar. The second goal was not long in coming. West Ham
United were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Stanislas was on
hand to double his, and the team's, advantage.
Ipswich were handed a lifeline when a handball decision was awarded against
Ryan O'Neill, but Stech guessed right and made a fantastic save. He followed
that with a couple more saves as Ipswich tried their luck, but the young
Czech keeper was in no mood to let the ball past him. At the other end,
Zavon Hines nearly made it three, beating the last defender before shooting
into the side-netting.
The hosts then hit the post later on but that was to be as good as it got.
Carr was delighted to see his side pick up good points on the road going
into the last few games before the Christmas break. "We have been through a
little rocky patch of late, so this sees us back on track. We have a few
matches before Christmas and then a cup game coming up, so the confidence
will be up again and we have made a good step forward."
West Ham United: Stech, O'Neill, Blackwell, N'Gala, Spence, Kearns (Brookes
80), Lee (Payne 75), Harvey, Hines, Hunt (Barrett 85), Stanislas
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies cup tie called off - WHUFC
Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie with Queen's Park Rangers was not played
02.12.2007
West Ham United Ladies will be involved in Monday's FA Cup fourth-round draw
although their third-round tie has yet to be played.
The fixture, a home tie against Queen's Park Rangers at Harlow Town FC, was
postponed because of a waterlogged pitch on Sunday, leaving Tony Marshall's
side with another free weekend. The match will be rearranged for 1pm on
Sunday 9 December.
Last weekend's league trip to Newquay was also called off, meaning the first
team have not played since a 12-0 home success against Reading Royals on 18
November. Return to whufc.com on Monday for all the news from the
fourth-round draw.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea 1-0 West Ham - BBC
By Phil McNulty
Joe Cole's late winner settled a scrappy encounter against former club West
Ham and kept Chelsea in touch with the Premier League pace-setters. Cole
raced on to Didier Drogba's header after 76 minutes and rounded West Ham
keeper Robert Green to score as the visitors appealed in vain for offside.
It was the decisive moment in an ill-tempered game littered with stoppages
at Stamford Bridge. Nolberto Solano came close for West Ham, but Chelsea
claimed the points. The first half was an utterly wretched affair,
characterised by petty fouls, heavy challenges and some obvious
score-settling on the part of players from both sides. What the game did not
have - until the goal - was genuine quality, apart from one curling effort
from Drogba that drifted just wide and a Solano lob that landed on top of
the Chelsea net. The ill-feeling started when Luis Boa Morte aimed a
needless kick at Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini - with England captain John
Terry almost inevitably getting involved in the ensuing fracas. Mikel Jon
Obi was then booked for a wild tackle on Scott Parker, and he was swiftly
joined by Salomon Kalou after he lunged at Boa Morte on the touchline. West
Ham's Parker was lucky not be cautioned by referee Howard Webb for a couple
of late challenges, while Boa Morte's persistent offending was finally
punished seconds before the break for a foul on Mikel. The second half had
to be better, and Chelsea almost made the perfect start when Wayne Bridge
played in Steve Sidwell, but his goal-bound drive was blocked by Matthew
Upson. West Ham were having success in keeping Chelsea at arm's length, and
carved out a chance of their own on the hour, but Boa Morte's shot was
partially blocked by Terry and Cudicini saved comfortably. As the game
opened up, West Ham keeper Robert Green did well to claw away Cole's cross
with Drogba waiting to pounce.
And it was Cole who finally broke the deadlock with 14 minutes left,
although West Ham were left complaining bitterly as Chelsea celebrated. West
Ham felt Cole was offside as he raced on to Drogba's header, but the flag
stayed down as he showed great composure to round Green and finish into the
top corner.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant:"It was not an easy game - West Ham defended
very well. "In the first half we played the game the way West Ham wanted us
to play, but in the second half we changed and played the way we wanted to.
"We didn't create many chances in the first-half, but once we scored we
might have got a couple more goals. We deserved to win."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley:If we keep going like that we will be OK.
We set out our stall - we had a plan - and it held us in good stead, but we
just didn't have enough to fashion that one chance. "I'm a bit disappointed.
I thought we deserved a draw as we had a great work ethic - there were
plenty of positives."
Chelsea: Cudicini, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Sidwell (Wright-Phillips
66), Obi, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 89).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Shevchenko, Ben-Haim.
Booked: Obi, Kalou, Belletti, Lampard, Terry.
Goals: Joe Cole 76.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Ljungberg 74),
Parker (Spector 79), Mullins, Etherington (Ashton 79), Boa Morte, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Collins.
Booked: Etherington, Solano, Boa Morte.
Att: 41,830
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers face Citeh test - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 2nd December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham will play Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup. The
Hammers will face in-form City at the Boleyn Ground on the weekend of 5/6
January 2008. The Hammers have never been beaten by Sven Goran Eriksson's
side in the FA Cup, having won the two previous meetings in 1998 and 2006. A
Steve Lomas winner was enough to see the Hammers through a televised 2-1
fourth round win at Maine Road back in January 1998; the other goals coming
from Eyal Berkovic and Kinkladze. More recently the Irons beat City by the
same scoreline in the 2005/06 quarter final at the City of Manchester
Stadium thanks to a Dean Ashton brace; Musampa notching City's consolation
goal that evening.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley: we deserved a point - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 1st December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has admitted that he was disappointed by today's defeat at
Chelsea. The Hammers went down to a 76th minute Joe Cole goal - later
proved to be offside - at Stamford Bridge today after matching their
title-chasing hosts for much of the game. And Curbishley confirmed that he
felt his side were unlucky to lose the game in such controversial
circumstances. "I thought it was offside at first view," he told BBC's Match
of the Day. "We're a little bit disappointed that they've won the first two
headers and put Joe Cole away. "I thought that we had got ourselves out of
it; George McCartney was putting pressure on Cole and Greenie did great but
he just managed to squeeze it in. Perhaps that was the difference on the
day, that Cole had something that was going to change the game. "We set our
stall out and came here with a plan to play against one of the better sides,
but we just didn't have enough to fashion that chance, or when we did get in
a decent position didn't have enough. "So I'm a bit disappointed; I think
we deserved a point but games are swung on vital moments and they got the
vital moment."
However Curbishley - who had seen his team suffer their first defeat away
from home since early October - had nothing but praise for their effort and
commitment. "We've got the work ethic, I don't think anyone can complain
about that today," he added. "When you come to a place like Chelsea you know
you've got to do certain things. "I can't ask for any more in terms of the
work rate and effort. Perhaps a little bit more composure in the final
third, perhaps one or two people wanting to get in the final third when
you're away from home. "But we'll take a lot of positives out of the game."
West Ham's desperate injury problems also appear to be reaching an end, with
Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg and Dean Ashton all making appearances
today. However Curbishley feels that the latter two are still far from fully
fit. "I think Dean [Ashton] probably needs another week; Freddie Ljungberg
as well," he said. "It's been well documented that we've had quite a few
injuries but great credit to the players that have been playing. There were
some really big performances there today. "So we're going to get on the bus
a bit disappointed - but if we keep going like that we'll be alright."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant: it was hard work - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 1st December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Chelsea manager Avram Grant admitted that his team had their work cut out
against West Ham in this lunchtime's Premier League clash. Chelsea took all
three points courtesy of a 76th minute goal by former Hammer Joe Cole in
today's early kick-off. But Grant admitted that his side were forced to dig
out the win against a resilient United team. Talking to the BBC's Match of
the Day, he said: "It was very hard work; West Ham defended well and
first-half we didn't create many chances. In the second half we were better,
and we deserved to win. "First-half I think we played how they wanted us to
play. They played very aggresively and we were a little bit nervous. "But in
the second half we played our game. We scored one goal and could have scored
two more."
On Cole's winning goal, which TV replays confirmed should have been ruled
out for offside, he added: "I haven't seen a replay and I am happy for the
three points. "I will go and eat something and drink something - and then I
will see the goal!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea 1 West Ham Utd 0 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 1st December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham suffered their first defeat on the road since the beginning of
October thanks to a contentious Joe Cole effort. An offside Cole was allowed
to play on after being sent clear by Salomon Kalou to notch the only goal of
the game with just fourteen minutes left on the clock. The Hammers went into
today's game having gone five games unbeaten in all competitions, and from
the start showed that they were to be no pushovers for a team seeking to
extend their unbeaten run at home to an astonishing 70 matches. The first 45
minutes of this somewhat-muted lunchtime kick-off was memorable only for the
amount of yellow cards shown by referee Howard Webb. The Yorkshire-based
official booked two Chelsea players and three Hammers during a half in which
United just about came out on top. The game began quietly, and Didier
Drogba's curling effort wide of Rob Green's left-hand post was the only shot
in the opening 20 minutes. Meanwhile West Ham had to wait until the 32nd
minute before their first effort on goal; Nobby Solano's deft lob dropping
on top of Carlo Cudicini's net. The Peruvian had a second chance to open the
scoring two minutes later when teed up by Luis Boa Morte on the edge of the
box. Unfortunately the former Newcastle man could only fire over the bar.
West Ham's final chance of the half came from a Solano free kick wide on the
right, but Matthew Upson - sporting the kind of beard Billy Bonds would have
been proud of - couldn't connect fully and saw his effort drift wide.
Chelsea's second - and final chance of the half came three minutes from the
break when a Frank Lampard corner was met by the head of Drogba at the far
post. However Rob Green was well placed to pluck the African's effort out of
the air.
The home side appeared to have received something of a roasting (nothing new
for the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard, of course) at half time as
they came out of the blocks the quicker in the second half. Matthew Upson
had to be alert to block a goalbound effort from Steve Sidwell just two
minutes into the second 45, whilst a minute later it was Danny Gabbidon who
was on hand to avert a dangerous cross from Joe Cole. Meanwhile referee Webb
showed no signs of refraining from hoisting his yellow card aloft at every
available oppourtunity by making Chelsea's Belletti the sixth man to receive
a caution on 54 minutes. West Ham's first chance of the second half came a
minute later when Nobby Solano missed possibly United's best chance of the
game when he failed to find the net with a close range header. With the home
crowd becoming increasingly restless the Hammers continued to take full
advantage of their lacklustre opponents and Luis Boa Morte went close again
with another effort on 62 minutes. However Rob Green was called on once
again less than 30 seconds later to pluck another dangerous cross from
former Hammer Cole out of the air. Undaunted, the Hammers worked their way
forward again - supported with every touch being cheered by a noisy away
following - and Scott Parker should have done better after some good work
between Matthew Etherington and Carlton Cole left him with an opening on the
edge of the box. New Chelsea boss Avram Grant had seen enough by this stage
and decided to ring the changes by introducing Shaun Wright-Phillips for the
disappointing Sidwell midway through the half.
However it made little difference to a West Ham side brimming with
confidence and they could have snatched a goal a minute later had Matthew
Etherington taken a chance instead of dithering on the ball inside the
Chelsea penalty box. The bouyant away fans were given further reason for
cheer on 70 minutes when Frank Lampard, the scourge of the East End became
the seventh player booked for a late challenge on Boa Morte. It was however
slightly disappointing that referee Webb decided to blow for the foul as
Hayden Mullins was racing away unguarded into the Chelsea half at the time.
With the game entering it's final 20 minutes Chelsea began to increase their
urgency, presumably finally waking up to the fact that if they were to win
the game they would have to start playing. John Terry was inches away from
opening the scoring on 72 when a Lampard effort took a wicked deflection
into the path of the errant England skipper; Rob Green's quick-thinking in
closing down the Chelsea captain had a major part in the ball flying wide of
his far post. With Nobby Solano visibly tiring after another fully-committed
performance Alan Curbishley made his first change of the day replacing the
Peruvian international with Freddie Ljungberg, making his first appearance
in a claret and blue shirt since West Ham's last away defeat at Aston Villa
on 6th October. THere was no obvious connection between the two events, but
less than two minutes later Chelsea were ahead - albeit in the most
controversial of circumstances. A Carlo Cudicini goal kick was nodded on by
Drogba to Kalou. The African nodded the ball behind the advancing United
defenders, and Joe Cole rounded Rob Green to give the home side a priceless
lead.
West Ham were incensed; they felt that Cole had been offside, but their
pleas were ignored by Webb who allowed the goal to stand. TV replays
confirmed that Cole was indeed in an offside when the ball was played; once
again, a major decision had gone the way of one of the 'big four'. The
'goal' appeared to take the stuffing out of the Hammers, and if anyone was
to score again it was more likely to be the home side who finally began to
look like a team capable of challenging for the title. Yet there was still
time for the Hammers to grab a more-than-deserved equaliser; sadly Dean
Ashton - on as a replacement for Matthew Etherington - spurned his side's
two final chances of the game. So West Ham suffer their first defeat in six
games, although they can take heart from a performance which, for much of
the game, saw them better a Chelsea side whom many still favour to win the
league title again this year.
Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Ljungberg
74), Parker (Spector 78), Mullins, Etherington (Ashton 79), Boa Morte,
C.Cole.
Subs not used: Wright, Collins.
Booked: Etherington (25), Solano (34), Boa Morte (45).
Chelsea: Cudicini, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Sidwell, Mikel, Lampard,
J.Cole (Makelele 89), Kalou, Drogba.
Subs not used: Hilario, Ben-Haim, Shevchenko.
Booked: Mikel (37), Kalou (41), Belletti (54), Lampard (70), Terry (85).
Goals: J.Cole (76).
Referee: Howard Webb.
Attendance: 41,830.
KUMB Man of the Match: Matthew Upson.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Drogba - Fan was stupid - SSN
Chelsea striker targeted by laser
Last updated: 2nd December 2007
Didier Drogba was unhappy with the actions of a 'stupid fan' during
Chelsea's 1-0 home win over West Ham United on Saturday. The Blues striker
had a green laser directed at his face and complained to the fourth official
about the first-half incident. He praised the vast majority of the West Ham
support, but was disappointed to be targeted by the laser. "It's difficult
as you see this green light," Drogba told Sky Sports. "This is a stupid fan
I think. "The rest of the West Ham fans were good. I think they supported
their team. "That's what we want to see in the stadium, not these kind of
things." Meanwhile, the result allowed Chelsea to move into second spot
behind Arsenal and Drogba is hoping to overhaul the current Premier League
leaders. The Ivorian added: "We are behind them. I think there's no luck in
this league, we are in the place we deserve to be. "There is still a long
way, so we have hope that there is some chance to go in front of them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole saves sorry Blues - SSN
Midfielder steers Chelsea to victory over West Ham
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 1st December 2007
Joe Cole returned to haunt his former side West Ham as he fired Chelsea to
victory at Stamford Bridge. Cole, who left the Hammers for Chelsea in 2003,
latched onto a Salomon Kalou header to skilfully round goalkeeper Robert
Green on 75 minutes to score the only goal of the game. In a scrappy first
half it was West Ham who had the best opportunity when Nolberto Solano snuck
in to lob Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, but the Peruvian's effort
drifted just over. The home crowd were evidently frustrated by their side's
lacklustre showing and after the interval Chelsea came out in an attacking
mood and West Ham were grateful for intelligent goalkeeping from Green to
deny Didier Drogba. Chelsea, though, then had the lead their second-half
performance deserved when Cole, who was debatably offside, fired into the
roof of the net and West Ham had no answer.
The first half was notable only for its free-kick count and referee Howard
Webb booked four players, Matthew Etherington and Luis Boa Morte for the
visitors and Chelsea duo John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou. Fourth official
Steve Tanner was also involved in an investigation when Drogba left the fray
midway through the half to complain about an incident that had occurred near
the West Ham fans in one corner of the pitch. It seemed the Ivory Coast
striker had been less than happy with a bright light being shined in his
eyes from the stands, with a laser pen the most likely 'weapon'. Free-kicks
and flare-ups greatly out-numbered the moments of creative play before
referee Webb brought an end to a bad-tempered first half. Frank Lampard and
Alex both fired early free-kicks into the wall and Kalou had been wasteful
with a drive from outside the box.
Drogba had come close with a curling effort which just cleared Green's
left-hand post and it was a while before the visitors responded. Solano
almost caught out the home side just after the half-hour mark with a clever
lob which ended on the roof of the net with Cudicini back-tracking. By then
Etherington had been booked for tugging back Juliano Belletti and Mikel was
then shown a yellow card for scything down West Ham's other ex-Chelsea man,
Scott Parker. Indeed, the Nigerian was lucky it was not a red. Kalou's foul
on Boa Morte earned him a booking before John Terry's header from a Lampard
corner forced Green into the half's only real save. There was still time
before the break for Boa Morte to be booked for a late tackle on Mikel.
There was a chance for Chelsea immediately after the restart but the
recalled Steve Sidwell saw his shot deflected behind off Matthew Upson. The
former Reading man tried again and met a Lampard corner with a thumping
header but it was far too high. Lampard and Joe Cole were also off target
with subsequent efforts but at least the game had at last taken off as a
spectacle. Belletti's error then let in Boa Morte. In came the shot but
Terry was able to take the sting off it to help Cudicini save. At the other
end Green had to palm away Joe Cole's cross and the goalkeeper was first to
the loose ball as Drogba prepared to shoot. West Ham were looking dangerous
as well though and Parker sent a curled effort at Cudicini before Chelsea
swapped Sidwell for Shaun Wright-Phillips in the 66th minute. The Hammers
made a change after Terry had fired across goal and narrowly wide, with
Freddie Ljungberg replacing Solano for the last 15 minutes. Joe Cole's
winner was just seconds away however with Drogba and then Kalou winning
headers and the England man rounding Green in style and firing high into the
empty net. The Hammers sent on striker Dean Ashton in search of an equaliser
but Chelsea were not to be denied.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs queries Cole call - SSN
Hammers boss frustrated by offside decision
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 1st December 2007
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley believes Joe Cole's winning strike should
not have been allowed in Chelsea's 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Cole rounded
Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green to score the only goal of the game at
Stamford Bridge after latching on to a Salomon Kalou header. And Curbishley
believes Cole, who left West Ham in 2003, was offside when he collected
Kalou's flick-on and that the goal should not have stood. "It (the offside
call) was tight. I think he (Cole) was perhaps slightly off and I have seen
it again," said Curbishley. "But it was the linesman's decision and we have
just got to get on with it. We just lost a bit of concentration. We lost the
first header and Matty Upson got attracted by the second one. "But it needed
someone to pull something out and Joe Cole did that."
The first half had been a hard-fought encounter, but Curbishley says that he
expected nothing less. "It was a local derby. There were some tackles, some
niggly ones in the first half especially, but we were probably on the end of
the two worst ones," Curbishley added. "I came here to match up, to stop
them dictating the game, which is what we did. But perhaps I didn't have
enough going the other way. "If we had got out of here with a point I think
most people would have agreed that was a fair result. "We did a really good
job defensively and that was why I was so disappointed with the goal. "We
didn't really fashion any chances to test their goalkeeper so in the final
third we didn't have enough but I'm delighted with the way we performed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea 1-0 West Ham - Soccernet
Joe Cole's late winner against former club West Ham allowed Chelsea to put
the pressure on their Premier League title rivals in the early kick-off at
Stamford Bridge. The 1-0 victory allowed the Blues to climb into second
place above Manchester City, who did not kick off until later in the
afternoon, and Manchester United, who are not in action until Monday. It
also reduced leaders Arsenal's advantage over their London rivals to two
points ahead of the Gunners' own evening kick-off. The first half was
notable only for its free-kick count and referee Howard Webb booking four
players - Matthew Etherington and Luis Boa Morte for the visitors and
Chelsea duo Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou. Fourth official Steve Tanner
was also involved in an investigation when Didier Drogba left the fray
midway through the half to complain about an incident that had occurred near
the West Ham fans in one corner of the pitch. It seemed the Ivory Coast
striker had been less than happy with a bright light being shined in his
eyes from the stands, with a laser pen the most likely 'weapon'. Free-kicks
and flare-ups greatly outnumbered the moments of creative play before
referee Webb brought an end to a bad-tempered first half. Frank Lampard and
Alex both fired early free-kicks into the wall and Kalou had been wasteful
with a drive from outside the box. Drogba had come close with a curling
effort which just cleared Robert Green's left-hand post and it was a while
before the visitors responded. Ex-Chelsea man Carlton Cole seemed harshly
caught offside and there was a flare-up when home goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini
fumbled a through-ball and was caught by Boa Morte. Nolberto Solano almost
caught out the home side just after the half-hour mark with a clever lob
which ended on the roof of the net with Cudicini back-tracking. By then
Etherington had been booked for tugging back Juliano Belletti and Mikel was
shown a yellow card for scything down West Ham's other ex-Chelsea man, Scott
Parker. Indeed, the Nigerian was lucky it was not a red. Kalou's foul on Boa
Morte earned him a booking before John Terry's header from a Lampard corner
forced Green into the half's only real save.
There was still time before the break for Boa Morte to be booked for a late
tackle on Mikel. There was a chance for Chelsea immediately after the
restart, but the recalled Steve Sidwell saw his shot deflected behind off
Matthew Upson. The former Reading man tried again when he met a Lampard
corner with a thumping header, but it was far too high. Lampard and Joe Cole
were also off target with subsequent efforts but at least the game had at
last taken off as a spectacle. Belletti was booked in the 55th minute for a
foul on Etherington, before Belletti's error let in Boa Morte. In came the
shot, but Terry was able to take the sting off it to help Cudicini save. At
the other end Green had to palm away Joe Cole's cross and the goalkeeper was
first to the loose ball as Drogba prepared to shoot. West Ham were looking
dangerous as well, though, and Parker sent a curled effort at Cudicini,
before Chelsea swapped Sidwell for Shaun Wright-Phillips in the 66th minute.
Lampard was next in the book, with Boa Morte again the man on the receiving
end, and the Hammers made a change after Terry had fired across goal and
narrowly wide, with Freddie Ljungberg replacing Solano for the last 15
minutes. Cole's winner was just seconds away, however, with Drogba and then
Kalou winning headers and the England man just avoiding stepping offside
before rounding Green in style and firing high into the empty net. The
Hammers sent on striker Dean Ashton in search of an equaliser, but Chelsea
were not to be denied. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admitted the Blues were
not at their best in today's 1-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge. In a
fiery encounter, it took Joe Cole's late strike to see off the battling
Hammers. 'It was a question of being patient and giving a bit more - I think
we were tired (after the Champions League),' Drogba said. 'It was difficult
to start and they came strongly in the game, they were sometimes on the
limit and we were a bit nervous but in the end we stayed calm and scored.'
Officials launched an investigation towards the end of the first half after
Drogba complained of a laser being shined into his eyes. 'You see this green
light, but this is a bit of fun I think,' he added on Sky Sports 1. 'The
rest of the West Ham fans were good, they supported their team and that is
what you want to see, not this.'
Drogba insisted the focus must now be on catching Premier League leaders
Arsenal after the Blues moved second. 'We are at the place we deserve to be,
we are behind them,' he said. 'I hope we have chances to go in front again.'
Manager Avram Grant said: ' It was not an easy game, West Ham defended very
well. We created enough chances to win and one of them we scored. 'It's very
important because we played very good football until now. It's important to
win and we deserved to win.' 'In the first half we had to be busy reacting
to their aggressive game, which we had been expecting, but in the second
half we played our game and went on to win. 'West Ham were lucky they got
only one yellow card in the first 20 to 25 minutes. They were very
aggressive and more aggressive than us.'
Curbishley, however, was convinced Cole was marginally offside before
slotting Chelsea's winner. He said: 'There were a couple of things. Carlton
Cole thinks he should perhaps have had a foul trying to take Alex on. And it
(the offside call) was tight. I think he (Joe Cole) was perhaps slightly off
and I have seen it again. 'But it was the linesman's decision and we have
just got to get on with it. We just lost a bit of concentration. We lost the
first header and Matty Upson got attracted by the second one. 'But it needed
someone to pull something out and Joe Cole did that.'
Curbishley also hit back at Grant's claims saying: 'It was a local derby.
There were some tackles, some niggly ones in the first half especially, but
we were probably on the end of the two worst ones.' But Curbishley insisted:
'I came here to match up to stop them dictating the game - which is what we
did. But perhaps I didn't have enough going the other way. 'If we had got
out of here with a point I think most people would have agreed that was a
fair result.
'We did a really good job defensively and that was why I was so disappointed
with the goal. 'We didn't really fashion any chances to test their
goalkeeper so in the final third we didn't have enough but I'm delighted
with the way we performed.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Chelsea Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sat Dec 1 2007
Chelsea 1 West Ham United 0
A single goal from Chelsea's Joe Cole was the difference between two sides
who are supposed to be so far apart in terms of quality.
Today, West Ham matched Chelsea for most of the game, but the hosts took
advantage of a bad decision from the linesman which allowed the former West
Ham midfielder Cole to score despite being offside when the ball was played.
I am not going to bleat on about that decision as it would be taking away
from a very good showing from our boys and some very good tactical decisions
from manager Alan Curbishley who seems to know what he is doing when we play
away from home.
Without a doubt this was the most hardworking performance we have put in
this season, and there were some super individual performances which we can
take a lot from.
The positives far outweigh the negatives and that is good enough for me. I
never thought I would be looking back on today's game with a sense of
frustration to how we actually managed to lose the game. I still believe if
we just had that one creative spark in our side (a Yossi, Di Canio type) we
may have actually got something out of the game.
There was only one change to the side which started against Tottenham last
Sunday and that saw Scott Parker come into centre midfield for Mark Noble.
On the bench Freddie Ljungberg finally returned to the fold after being out
with another mystery injury.
The first half would have been shocking to watch for the natural but from
purely a West Ham perspective, it was a joy to watch.
We played nasty, got stuck in, never let Chelsea have any time, and if we
didn't get the ball, we would get the man and although normally I do not
like this type of game, we had to implement it against a side who have
bundles of quality throughout their side.
Chelsea struggled to create chances due to the lack of space they were
given. A Lampard free kick was smashed into the wall and Chelsea's best
chance of the entire half came when Drogba found some room to send a curling
shot at goal but it went comfortably wide and didn't trouble Robert Green.
We looked handy on the counter attack and a ball from Solano nearly set Boa
Morte away but the Chelsea keeper Cudicini got there before the Portuguese
attacker.
Boa Morte was perfectly intitled to go for the ball but the Chelsea players
disagreed and surround him and the ref looking for some sort of retribution
for Boa Morte even thinking he could go for the ball.
Chelsea tried to bully our players but it never worked and we gave as good
as we got.
Despite all the flying tackles, the first booking actually came for Matthew
Etherington who was penalised for the slightest of tugs on right back
Belletti.
Our first attempt on goal came in a slick move involving Carlton Cole and
Solano, which ended with the Peruvian bursting in the area and trying a deft
lob over the keeper which Cudicini got back to and tipped over the bar.
Somehow a corner was not given.
A booking for Chelsea came after Mikel put in a disgusting challenge on
Scott Parker and by far the worst of the game. It is quite amazing that
Etherington gets booked for a slight tug, yet the same punishment is given
for a challenge like this one.
Chelsea didn't learn their lesson, and Kalou was also shown the card after
he too aimed a wild challenge at Boa Morte.
The West Ham fans were in full voice, mocking Chelsea at every attempt with
little reply from a set of supporters made up of tourists, kids, and cunts.
The remainder of the half was very stop start, which suited us as it gave us
time to regroup and make sure the Chelsea attack was nullified.
At half time, I said to myself that no matter what happens in the second
half we can take a lot out of that first half performance. Still, I couldn't
hid
The second half was a much more open affair which allowed both teams to show
their attacking qualities, albeit on limited occasions.
A superb block from Matthew Upson kept the score at 0-0 in the 51st minute
after a cross was pulled back by Bridge and found the unmarked Sidwell on
the edge of the area but his shot was charged down by Upson and the ball
went away for a corner.
Hayden Mullins picked up a loose ball in the centre and ran towards goal
playing Carlton Cole in, but the striker took a bad first touch and it
narrowed his angle and his shot went wide.
Etherington had failed to make much of an impact but he was starting to get
into his stride, and one run resulted in a poor challenge from Belletti
which saw the Chelsea man go into the book.
Our best chance of the game came from a free kick which was sent towards the
back post towards Upson who head across goal for Solano who seemed to take
his eye off the ball and he failed to make contact.
Another chance came our way when Boa Morte was set away one on one which
John Terry who fell on his backside as Boa Morte teased him with a few
skilful touches. Boa Morte unfortunately decided to take his shot early and
the keeper saved easily.
It was at this point where I (and I would suspect many others) though we
could actually nick the game as it was us who were looking the more
dangerous going forward.
Carlton Cole did fantastically to win the ball off Chelsea defender Alex,
and his pass found Scott Parker, who turned and tried to curl the ball into
the net but it didn't come off despite it being a clever idea.
Former West Ham player Frank Lampard was cautioned for a late tackle on Boa
Morte. We had a great chance to break away on the counter but the ref pulled
it back for the Lampard foul, a decision which baffled me at the time, and
it did seem as though the ref was starting to favour Chelsea in a number of
decisions.
Out of nothing Chelsea took the lead on the 75th minute from a route one
ball from Cudicini which was flicked on by Drogba to Joe Cole, who got into
the area, rounded Robert Green and finished well to give the hosts the lead.
Joe Cole celebrated as though it was the most important goal of his career,
and goes to show what a cunt he is, and how we continue to forget that he is
due as much stick as Lampard.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of us and we failed to really get going
again. A free kick was given about 25 yards out after Boa Morte had been
fouled by Mikel who had already been booked in the first half. I haven't
seen it again, but would love to know why John Terry was booked and Mikel
wasn't. Is it in the rules now that the captain can take the booking instead
of one of his team mates who is on the brink of being sent off?
The resulting free kick from Substitute Dean Ashton went high and wide, and
we didn't muster up another meaningful attack again, as Chelsea saw out the
remainder, and claimed all three points.
The effort we put in deserved to be rewarded and it is even more frustrating
with their goal being dubious. But nevertheless there are positives to be
taken from this performance and hopefully we will take them into the next
game.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Will be surprised at how little he was called into action against one of the
"big four". Made one good interception save in the second half from a Joe
Cole cross. He managed to claw the ball away twice, preventing Chelsea from
scoring. Claimed the ball in the air well, his kicking was on the whole
quite good, and he put in another solid performance.
Lucas Neill
Really tested by the pace and skill Chelsea possessed but stood up to the
test well and was at the forefront of the players who really go stuck in.
Matthew Upson
He has been getting better and better in recent weeks and that continued
today with a top draw performance. His all round defending was exemplary ,
with is tackling, heading, distribution, and awareness being at its peak.
Danny Gabbidon
The real Danny Gabbidon returns. Was superb alongside Upson today, and it
was the Welsh defender who had to deal with Drogba and he did brilliantly.
Had Drogba in his pocket for most of the game and this is the type of form
we want from Gabbidon.
George McCartney
Joe Cole may have scored the goal but his performance was largely quiet due
to the job McCartney did on him. What I like about McCartney is that he does
the simple thing and rarely puts his side in trouble. If in doubt, kick it
out and that is something McCartney implements in his game. Another solid,
dependable performance.
Nolberto Solano
I continue to enjoy his performances and think he is a terrific football
player and the type which I love to see. His technique even now is up there
with the best of them and it is a shame he no longer had any pace. Was our
only midfielder to really keep up with the attackers and on another day he
would have had himself two goals today.
Scott Parker
I think I have finally seen what we paid Newcastle for. Parker put in a
performance which we all want to see. He attacked, he ran with the ball, he
put in crunching tackles, he chased the opposition – he generally put in a
all round midfielders performance. There were a few times where his
awareness could be called into question but I believe that is just about the
lack of games he has played over the last 8 months. A real positive from
today.
Hayden Mullins
The unsung hero will probably be overlooked again today, but he put in a
display full of battle. He along with Green and McCartney are the first
names on the team sheet as far as I am concerned. Thought he was excellent
up against some tough players.
Matthew Etherington
The weak link in the side today, and I could see this in the first half. I
would have taken him off at half time and brought on Ashton and moved Boa
Morte to the left. The problem with Etherington is he just looked scared for
the majority of the game and seemed to have no confidence in his own ability
– which has always been his problem. I'll always say, if Etherington had a
bit of mental toughness, he could have played for England.
Luis Boa Morte
Among the hardest working performances I have seen from a West Ham player
over the last few season. Boa Morte worked his nuts off, going in for
challenges right, left and centre. Caused Chelsea constant concern, and was
a pain in the backside of their two centre halves.
Carlton Cole
Another assured performance from the one true Cole on the pitch today. Like
Boa Morte, he worked his socks off, and made it uneasy for the Chelsea
defenders. In the second half he looked even better, with his touch having
improved no end.
Subs Used
Freddie Ljungberg(on for Solano 74 mins)
Chelsea scored a minute after he came on. I don't remember him touching the
ball. Would presume he is injured again now.
Jonathan Spector (on for Parker 79 mins)
On for a tired Parker
Dean Ashton (on for Etherington 79 mins)
Apart from one free kick he didn't have time to get into the game.
Overall
A defeat against Chelsea is no disgrace, given the amount of money they have
spent and the players they have got.
Saying that, we will come out of this game thinking that we could have got a
point after 75 minutes of solid defending and neat counter attacking.
Blackburn are up next, and that will be no easy game as they have been doing
well this season, but if we put in the same amount of effort as we did
today, I have no doubts that we will come away with all three points.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mikel lucky as Joe Cole puts Chelsea second - Telegraph
By Patrick Barclay
Last Updated: 12:13am GMT 02/12/2007
Chelsea (0) 1 West Ham United (0) 0
Was this just an off-day for a good referee or yet another symptom of a more
general malaise? The question arises because Howard Webb, who was
understandably hailed as England's top official both before and after his
exemplary handing of the recent draw between Arsenal and Manchester United,
did little here but enhance the view that leniency, in the Premier League,
is going mad.
Webb finished up showing the yellow card to eight players, five from the
home side, but took too long to stamp proper authority on those who appeared
willing to do anything - with the possible exception of taking part in a
move of sustained elegance -to secure a result.
Although the excesses were principally their fault, Webb was responsible for
the most appalling miscarriage of justice when John Obi Mikel stayed on the
field in the 37th minute despite having scissor-tackled Scott Parker from
behind. A double red card it merited, yet Webb contented himself with
yellow: the punishment he had just meted out, correctly, to Matthew
Etherington for tugging a shirt and Nobby Solano, also correctly, for a
trip.
No wonder feuds continued. No wonder Parker, before being withdrawn towards
the end, launched a quite ridiculous challenge on his former clubmate Wayne
Bridge which missed; this time Webb chose to issue no sanction at all.
Coming on top of last weekend's eyebrow-raisers - or, in the case of the
knee-high assault by Reading's Steve Hunt at Manchester City,
stomach-turners - it was enough to make a visitor ask what you have to do to
incur a red card in this country (dive twice, I suppose).
Avram Grant, savouring the extension of his unbeaten run since becoming
Chelsea manager to 14 matches in all competitions, observed only that West
Ham were lucky not to have more cards against their names. Less predictably,
West Ham's Alan Curbishley neglected to dwell on the Mikel issue and
Chelsea's luck in having a full complement of men with which to secure
victory that keeps them up with the League's pacemakers. And so you will
have to take my word for it that such gladiatorial rubbish as characterised
the first half was no substitute for football.
In fairness to Grant and Chelsea, West Ham did defend very well - it was not
just a matter of vigour - for 75 minutes until a foray down Route One broke
their resistance. A long clearance by Carlo Cudicini was headed on, first by
Didier Drogba and then by Salomon Kalou, leaving the increasingly
influential Joe Cole to survive a suspicion of offside, veer wide of the
outrushing Robert Green, and smash a rising drive inside the near post.
Grant's team had been threatening, however, only since the resumption, which
saw Frank Lampard shoot off target and Green bravely deny both Drogba and
John Terry.
Once ahead, Chelsea relaxed and, after Drogba had nodded wide from a cross
by the substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole fed Mikel, who instantly
contrived a delightful flip over the defence for Kalou, who failed to bring
it down with only Green to beat, enabling the goalkeeper to collect. Nothing
in the match sent the spirits soaring like this piece of Mikel class: such
beauty, after that beast of a tackle earlier. There was, of course, no
explanation from Webb of why the young Nigerian was allowed to play on.
Maybe the referee was temporarily blinded by the laser pointer some nitwit
of a fan had been shining in Drogba's eyes; the Ivorian complained about it
halfway through the first half and stewards appeared to intervene
successfully.
It was, all in all, a particularly ugly 45 minutes and Terry did not
distinguish himself at the conclusion of a week in which Chelsea had been
charged with failing to control their players (for the second time this
season). After Cudicini, in trying to grasp a fine through pass from the
excellent Hayden Mullins, had let the ball slip, Luis Boa Morte swung a boot
quite legitimately yet was barged by the Chelsea and England captain as if
he had done something dangerous. Terry deserved a yellow card for that. Then
came Mikel's outrageous intervention with a worse tackle than that which
prompted his dismissal against Manchester United in September. You could
imagine the consternation in Chelsea's PR department, even before Terry was
belatedly cautioned for dissent in the closing stages. We are led to believe
they spent last week compiling a DVD of other teams' behaviour which
suggested they, Chelsea, were more sinned against than sinning. They will
not be updating it on this evidence.
Match summary
Mikel's artfully lofted ball to Salomon Kalou reminded us of the beautiful
game Roman Abramovich would like Avram Grant to bring to Stamford Bridge. If
only the Nigerian had the self-discipline to go with his talent.
Rating: 5/10
Man of the match
John Obi Mikel (Chelsea) 8
• Completed 93 per cent of passes
• Made five tackles
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Chelsea go second and straight into row over 'West Ham aggression' - Daily
Mail
By STEPHEN DAVIES - More by this author »
Last updated at 22:36pm on 1st December 2007
Joe Cole hit the winner against his former club to keep Chelsea's title
charge at full steam under Avram Grant. The team who were supposed to be in
disarray when Jose Mourinho was sacked in September are now unbeaten in more
than two months and have moved on to the coat-tails of leaders, Arsenal. But
Grant's new regime is proving just as good as his predecessor at losing
friends. Cole struck in the 76th minute with a goal hotly disputed by West
Ham boss Alan Curbishley,who clashed with Grant over accusations by the
Chelsea boss that West Ham played dirty. Of eight players booked, five were
from Chelsea, who are already on an FA charge for failing to control their
players at Derby last weekend. There was also a bizarre incident involving
striker Didier Drogba, who complained that a green laser gun light was being
shone at him from 'one stupid fan' at the West Ham end. Grant was delighted
that Chelsea, unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the League since February 2004,
picked up three precious points to move up to second place with a win
against a Hammers side he insisted were over-physical. 'In the first half we
had to be busy reacting to their aggressive game,which we had been
expecting, but in the second half we played our game and went on to win,'
said the Israeli. 'West Ham were lucky they got only one yellow card in the
first 20 to 25 minutes. They were very aggressive and more aggressive than
us.' Curbishley countered: 'It was a local derby.There were some tackles,
some niggly ones in the first half especially, but we were probably on the
end of the two worst ones.' He was even more incensed that the winning goal
stood. Cole, a one-time Upton Park hero until crossing the capital four
years ago, seemed offside before rounding Robert Green to score. Curbishley
said: 'I think he was perhaps slightly off and I've seen it again. But it
was the linesman's decision and we've just got to get on with it.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole fires up Chelsea's title ambitions
Paul Wilson at Stamford Bridge
Sunday December 2, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Inevitably this west-east London derby was a bad-tempered bearpit, and
inevitably it was won for Chelsea by a goal from a former West Ham player.
Joe Cole's well-taken second-half strike stretched Chelsea's unbeaten run to
14 games and enabled Frank Lampard to give a clenched-fist salute to the
noisy West Ham fans at the end. This was the first time Cole had scored
against his former club and Lampard had endured the barracking of the
travelling fans all afternoon, particularly when taking corners at the Shed
end.
Didier Drogba also complained to the fourth official midway through the
first half that a laser pointer was being shone in his eyes, something
cameras picked up, and stewards were sent into the crowd to investigate.
The West Ham fans might not care for Chelsea, but Alan Curbishley and his
team gave them a little too much respect. 'West Ham just came here to
defend,' said Avram Grant, a little harshly, but not unfairly. The visitors
created chances to win before Chelsea scored, but did not have the players
on the pitch to accept them.
Curbishley sent Dean Ashton and Freddie Ljungberg on only during the last
quarter of an hour, when West Ham had to chase the game, and while Carlton
Cole won his share of flicks and aerial challenges in the middle of the
pitch he never managed directly to threaten the Chelsea goal.
Grant has just said that Chelsea's priority this season will be the
Champions League, and it looked for the first hour as if his players
intended to take him at his word. A club with the resources at Chelsea's
disposal should not be ruling out the league before Christmas in any case,
particularly when the Champions League is about to go away for a couple of
months, and Grant might simply be trying to take pressure off his players.
Chelsea are still in touch with the leaders and have already been to Anfield
and Old Trafford. They visit Arsenal in a fortnight, then have all three of
their main rivals for the title at home in the new year. Chelsea will need
to up their game judging by this display, but make no mistake they still
have a chance of the title. 'If we'd got out of here with a point I think
most people would have thought it a fair result,' said Curbishley, rather
confirming he had pinned his hopes on a draw. 'We won't be the only team
this season coming here to play for a draw. Perhaps we didn't have enough in
the final third, but it feels like we had a point taken away from us.'
Grant complained West Ham had been over-aggressive in the first half, though
they were not the only ones. Referee Howard Webb's reputation for control
began to suffer as soon as he let the Chelsea and England captain John Terry
get away with administering his own justice when Luis Boa Morte legitimately
challenged for a loose ball Carlo Cudicini had spilled.
John Obi Mikel was lucky to get away with just a booking for attacking Scott
Parker's ankles, Salomon Kalou was cautioned for a foul on Boa Morte, and
when Boa Morte was booked, for an innocuous challenge on Mikel, it was only
after the Chelsea player had observed to the referee that his previous
tackle merited a card.
There was precious little football to talk about before the interval, though
the game opened out in the second half and became entertainingly end-to-end.
It took a block from Matthew Upson to prevent a Steve Sidwell shot reaching
its target, then after Joe Cole and Lampard had gone close, the former
miscued in front of goal when Sidwell's cross arrived at an awkward height.
West Ham's best chance fell to Nolberto Solano, which is bad enough news,
worse was the fact that it was a headed chance. Though neat and effective in
other aspects of play the Peruvian doesn't do headers, and when Upson set
him up by heading invitingly back across goal Solano wasted a good
opportunity and a great position by failing to make contact.
Boa Morte saw a shot saved shortly afterwards, but West Ham had had their
moment and it was time for Chelsea to have theirs. There was a suggestion of
offside when Kalou nodded the ball forward for Joe Cole, though it needed a
freeze-frame to confirm it so he probably deserves the benefit of the doubt.
He was just about level with Danny Gabbidon when Kalou diverted Drogba's
header into his path, and he didn't need asking twice to round Robert Green
and hold off George McCartney's challenge to score.
Chelsea could have had more, one particularly inventive pass from Mikel
deserved a better finish than the one Kalou was able to supply, though in a
scrappy game of eight bookings one goal was always likely to be enough.
'It was a question of being patient and giving a bit more - we were tired
[after the Champions League],' Drogba said. Of the laser incident, the
striker commented: 'You see this green light, but this is a bit of fun I
think. The rest of the West Ham fans were good, they supported their team
and that is what you want to see, not this.'
It was put to Grant that winning while not playing particularly well was the
mark of champions, but the Chelsea manager didn't seem to understand the
question. 'We played well, we could have had more goals,' he said.
Jose Mourinho he ain't, although that is hardly an exclusive. He still has
Mourinho's old team, though, and anyone unbeaten in 14 games, not to mention
the past 70 league games at home, should be in with a shout at the end of
the season.
Man of the match: John Obi Mikel
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea 1 West Ham Utd 0: Net king Cole nails Hammers - Observer
Chelsea march on under cheerless Grant as Curbishley pays for tactics
By Nick Townsend at Stamford Bridge
Published: 02 December 2007
Avram Grant, the antithesis of the flamboyant Jose Mourinho, could have been
discussing the funeral requirements of the recently bereaved as he reflected
on Chelsea's 70th home match without defeat, Joe Cole's winner against his
former club, eight cautions in total and victory which thrusts the club back
into title contention.
Asked if Chelsea could indeed be considered to be aspirants for the Premier
League again, the Israeli remarked stonily: "I told you from the beginning
that I prefer to make things work on the pitch – then to talk. You can work
that out for yourselves."
Those of us so richly rewarded with pearls of frequently outrageous wisdom
from the Portuguese, even after so mundane a confrontation as this, could
only lament how things have changed since the Special One departed. Yet, the
Blues fans will not object to that one iota as they witness their team
continue their discreet progress up the League under Mourinho's successor.
On a day when Didier Drogba, a persistent menace to the Hammers throughout,
complained to fourth official Steve Tanner about a "laser light" being shone
in his eyes from the West Ham contingent, there was precious little to
dazzle the crowd here. Even the West Ham manager, Alan Curbishley, while
lamenting not getting a draw "that most people would have felt was a fair
result" conceded that "we did not really fashion the chance that was going
to hurt Cudicini". He asserted that West Ham had arrived "to match up, stop
them dictating the game – and that's what we did. But perhaps I didn't have
enough going the other way." He can say that again.
There was Nobby Solano nipping in and almost deceiving Chelsea's rearguard
just after the half-hour with a clever lob which finished on the roof of the
net with Carlo Cudicini back-tracking. Luis Boa Morte had a sniff, but John
Terry was able to take the sting off the shot to aid his goalkeeper. In the
second half, Scott Parker dispatched a curled effort at Cudicini. And, well,
that was about it.
The Hammers will attribute their shortcomings, to an extent, to injuries,
with Craig Bellamy and Lee Bowyer among their absentees, but their followers
will have anticipated rather more than this against a team whose principal
target this season is said to be Champions' League glory.
Even the controversies were argued half-heartedly. First Joe Cole's
76th-minute goal. A booming clearance from Cudicini, was nodded on by Drogba
and Salomon Kalou's header allowed Cole, appearing possibly offside, to
round Robert Green and dispatch the winner high into the net. "It [the
offside call] was tight," said Curbishley. "I think he [Cole] was perhaps
slightly off. But it was the linesman's decision and we have just got to get
on with it."
Curbishley's counterpart became about as animated as he ever does, claiming
that West Ham had played "an aggressive game" especially in the opening
minutes. The managers had already engaged in some pre-match sparring
following Curbishley's opinion that officials' decisions favoured the big
teams.
That was the precursor to a first half spiced by some uncompromising
challenges. Referee Howard Webb dealt benignly with them; perhaps too
leniently in the case of Chelsea's John Obi Mikel, who was guilty of an ugly
lunge on former Chelsea man Parker. Apparently overlooking that particular
indiscretion, Grant insisted: "In the first half we had to be busy reacting
to their aggressive game, but in the second half we played our game and went
on to win." Curbishley retorted: "There were some tackles, some niggly ones
in the first half especially, but we were probably on the end of the two
worst ones."
Chelsea created some half-chances after the interval. Wayne Bridge's cross
lined up an invitation for Steve Sidwell, but the midfielder saw his attempt
deflected wide by Matthew Upson's challenge. Terry also went close before
Cole struck his splendid winner. It was one shining beam of illumination on
a grey day – other than that in Drogba's eyes.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Magnusson: a year in quotes - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 2nd December 2007
By: Graeme Howlett
It's now a year since Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and Eggert Magnusson's
Icelandic consortium took control of West Ham United FC.
Promising much, the new board's cash undoubtedly saved the club from
relegation in a dramatic 2006/07 season, and has helped to stabalise the
club this season. We take a look back at their first year in charge - in the
words of Eggert Magnusson.
November 2006
"I fully appreciate the personal responsibility that will come with becoming
chairman of West Ham in due course and pledge to the staff, the players and
the fans that I am here to serve and to do all that I can to deliver genuine
success on and off the field." - Magnusson on the day of the takeover
"As we move forward we must not forget the club's great traditions,
particularly in the training and development of young English players. I am
very committed to protecting and growing this part of the club's work." -
Magnusson moves to allay fears concerning the future of 'The Academy'
"We can now end the uncertainty of recent weeks and move forward into the
next phase of development of this great club, with Alan Pardew leading our
efforts on the pitch. I will be continuing talks with Alan on how he sees
the future on the playing side. This is very much his domain and he has my
full confidence and support." - Eggert Magnusson gives his full backing to
Alan Pardew
December 2006
"No way would I reach such an agreement. I think the club should have total
rights over their players; I am not happy with agents or consortiums owning
players. That's not the way to move forward. Now I can choose myself as
chairman how we go about that." - Magnusson blasts Terry Brown for the
Tevez/Mascherano deals
"As I see it they will be staying at West Ham United until the summer. There
is no way FIFA will allow them to play for a third club. Now everything has
settled at the club, I expect the players to show that they are world-class
players. I want to keep them until the summer - but after the summer, it is
not up to us." - Magnusson expresses his desire to hang on to the
Argentinians
"I am not worried about going down. The players and manager are far too
good. I realise the situation we are in at the moment, but I think we will
move out, sooner rather than later." - Magnusson speaks the words that
nobody wants to hear (although he is to eventually be proved spot on)
"I have told Alan, 'It is your team, it is not for me to tell you which
players to buy. You are going to be judged by how the team performs. It is
your throat that is going to be cut if you do not produce results in the
long run'." - a not-subtle-at-all Magnusson lays his cards on the table
"Alan has made an important contribution since joining as manager in
September 2003 but this season's results have been disappointing and have
left the Club in a very difficult position. The Chairman, Mr Eggert
Magnusson, and the Board have been concerned by the performances of recent
weeks and feel that it is the right time to make a change in the best
interests of the Club." - a 4-0 drubbing at Bolton spells the end for Pardew
"I am absolutely delighted that Alan Curbishley has agreed to join us. He is
a manager with a proven track record and a real love for this club. This is
indeed a great day for West Ham United and I'm sure that we now have the
right management team in place to take the club forward." - Magnusson lays
it on thick when introducing his new manager at the press conference
"I was really shocked after those games against Wigan and Bolton. It was not
the results but more the way the team was playing, the lack of motivation. I
took that decision, and it was very tough as it always is in matters like
this - but I did it in the best interests of this club, and that is the
result." - Magnusson on the sacking of Pardew
"We are never moving to Stratford with an athletics track - there has to be
terraces down to the ground. I have not seen a final design, but we are not
moving to Stratford unless it is on our terms, and a football ground." - the
Olympic Stadium move hits the rocks
January 2007
"I fully understand how disappointed and upset our supporters were by the
unacceptable performance at Reading, and I can only apologise on behalf of
the Club to those people who attended the match. We are offering free coach
travel to Aston Villa simply as a gesture to all supporters who spend so
much time and hard-earned money travelling around the country to follow the
Club." - a magnanimous Magnusson after the New Year's Day horror show
"We have not made an enquiry about Freddie Ljungberg. The English press have
been very busy linking us with players - but this is not true." - Magnusson
scoffs any interest in Ljungberg; six months later he joins West Ham
March 2007
"I am delighted to welcome Umbro to West Ham United as our new technical
partner. We have worked very hard to find the right brand to match our
ambition as a football club and believe that Umbro will provide the perfect
solution for all of our technical requirements." - Magnusson announces our
new kit manufacturers
"I see no threat there. I don't see that the Premier League has any case to
deduct points from West Ham. As I see it there are no problems with
registration of these two players. My lawyers tell me so and that is our
thinking. There are other problems, but at this stage I cannot speak
publicly because of the inquiry. I hope now that a decision may be a matter
of two weeks away." - Magnusson speaks on the 'Tevez problem' for the first
time
"Sometimes things happen very quickly, there are a lot of surprises in life.
A year ago I wasn't even thinking about being Chairman of West Ham. But
suddenly I heard that West Ham was for sale, and that some people were
trying to buy the club. I'm a fighter, I want to be a winner and I also
wanted to win this race." - Magnusson dons his gloves in his first exclusive
KUMB interview
"We need a bigger stadium. If we start getting good results then I think we
can fill a 60,000 stadium as Arsenal are doing every game now - we have the
fan base to do that. We need a stadium with more hospitality and the
possibility to sell more corporate seats, which a successful club needs. We
need that, but it's a mixture. We still need the people that are the core
supporters to be there but for sure, corporate seating and hospitality makes
extra money." - Magnusson chases the filthy lucre
"Give me at least five years, and from then on. From five to ten years
time." - Magnusson's Champions League promise
"The average salary of a West Ham supporter who comes to the games here is
second highest in the league - it's just below Chelsea, and I think it's
around £60,000 per year." - that controversial (and much misinterpreted)
quote from our exclusive KUMB interview
"I still think we can survive. We have said this for some time and the more
games we have lost, the chances are less. But I still think our side is far
too good, there are too many good players to go down." - Magnusson
reiterates his belief that relegation will be avoided
April 2007
"We are positive that we can secure the results we need in our final three
games to confirm our Premiership status. Everyone has been working hard. The
management, players and backroom staff are all feeling bright and looking
forward to facing the coming challenges as a close team." - Magnusson speaks
ahead of the vital trip to Wigan
"Since Alan was first appointed in December I've got to know him better as a
person as well as a manager. During the January transfer window we spent
virtually every single day together, and I came to understand just how
dedicated and focused Alan is to his job and it cemented my belief that I
had appointed the right man for this job." - Magnusson on Curbishley
"It has been a difficult week — and a very expensive one." - Magnusson's
reaction to the world-record £5.5m fine incurred as a result of transfer
irregularities regarding the transfer of Carlos Tevez
May 2007
"I don't know where we stand - this is something we need to discuss once the
season ends. But I wouldn't be surprised if there's interest from other
clubs. We'll have to see how things develop." - Magnusson on the possibility
of retaining the services of Tevez for a second season
"I can understand in a way how they feel - but I cannot understand them
going to the press every day saying this and that. If they are going to make
a legal challenge they should come out when they have decided to do so." -
an angry Eggert challenges the four Premier League clubs threatening legal
action to put their money where their mouth is
"I think it is now time to draw a line under this matter. The fine imposed
on us was very significant but we accept that mistakes were made and it is
now time to move on." - Magnusson decides not to appeal against the £5.5m
fine
"This is a wonderful moment for a great football club. We have shown that
this is a club with a great fighting spirit and a group of players who know
how to win. I pay tribute to Alan Curbishley, to the players, to all the
staff at the club and to the amazing fans. To have won seven out of the last
nine games is a genuine achievement and should not be forgotten." - a
reasonably happy Magnusson following the 1-0 win at Old Trafford which
guaranteed Premier league survival
"Some people have gone too far. I've been disappointed at how they have been
allowed to speak about my club after the judgement of the commission. I
don't want to say any more at the moment - but I might do later in the
summer." - Magnusson blasts (Wigan's) Dave Whelen and (Sheffield Utd's) Dave
McCabe for their campaign to have the Hammers relegated
"There will be a particular focus on Carlos and I want him to stay. A lot
will be written about his future but he is a West Ham player, registered
with and contracted to the club with three years remaining on a four-year
contract." - Magnusson gets our hopes up
June 2007
"It takes time to build a side to reach the top six - it does not happen
overnight. But we will do it within a few years." - Magnusson adjusts the
ambition goalposts
"We were so close to signing Darren and thought everything was in place to
conclude what would have been the biggest transfer in West Ham United's
history. Throughout the negotiations all the signs were positive. I feel let
down and disappointed but it is time to move on." - Magnusson shares his
disappointment at failing to land Darren Bent from Charlton for a deal worth
£18m; everyone else breathes a sigh of relief
"We are happy that this matter is finally closed and all parties can now
move on. The arbitration panel's decision is very clear and reflects what we
have believed all along. We have been preparing for next season in the
Premier League since the final whistle at Old Trafford in May and we will
continue to do so." - Magnusson on the Premier League arbitration panel's
decision to uphold the original verdict
July 2007
"Carlos Tevez is a registered West Ham United player, contracted to the Club
until June 2010. There is no agreement with West Ham United for him to leave
the Club and we expect him to return in time for next season's preparations.
No decision on his future can be reached without the agreement of West Ham
United." - Magnusson digs his heels in following speculation linking Tevez
with Man Utd
"Freddie is a player we like and have been watching for several months. We
are very confident we can finalise a deal." - Magnusson's about-turn on the
Arsenal winger
August 2007
"I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga
through agreement and common sense. All parties involved can now move on and
truly focus on the new season. I wish Carlos well; he is a fine player and I
am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football." - Magnusson
admits defeat in his battle to keep Tevez
"Even these last few months, where there has been so much pain with the
Tevez saga, there have been moments of joy. It has been a great time." -
Magnusson looks ahead to the new Premier League season
"It's no secret that our long-term ambition is to break into the top four.
It will not happen tomorrow, or the day after; it takes time. Give us at
least five years." - and thus the circle is completed
"I will not allow Sheffield United's attacks on West Ham United to go
unchallenged and I will take whatever action is appropriate to defend our
reputation including, if necessary, the commencement of our own legal claim
against Sheffield United." - Magnusson fires back after Sheffield United
threaten private legal action
September 2007
"We are set to relocate to a new ground. After having had discussions with
Ken Livingston we are now focusing on a area near the proposed Olympic
Stadium." - Magnusson on the proposed move to the existing Parcelforce site
"When we took over at the club last year it was never my intention of
running the club on a daily basis, 24 hours a day. I needed some time to
breath. It has been very busy but now I can concentrate on other things
regarding the future vision of the club." - Magnusson on his sideways move
to a non-executive role
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Upson: Green just like Seaman
tribalfootball.com - December 02, 2007
West Ham defender Matthew Upson has likened Robert Green to Arsenal legend
David Seaman. Green has been outstanding for West Ham this season and was
unlucky to miss out on the England squad which faced Croatia at Wembley. Now
West Ham star Matthew Upson, who played alongside Seaman at Arsenal, reckons
he is ready to stake a claim for the England jersey. Upson said: "Rob is
really performing to a top level. I have played in front of David Seaman a
few times and you can see there is a likeness there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea 1 West Ham United 0: Grant satisfied but Blues fail to sparkle -
Independent
By Sam Wallace
Published: 03 December 2007
When Lex Luthor goes into partnership with General Zod in Superman II, his
request in return for helping to defeat Superman is to be emperor of
Australia. He asks for it so nonchalantly – "I have a thing for ocean-front
property" – that he might as well be asking to borrow General Zod's
lawnmower. When Roman Abramovich made Avram Grant the Chelsea manager it
felt like a gift of relative proportions.
Except Grant did not have to defeat anybody, he just hung around at Chelsea
for a few months looking awkward, and soon enough Jose Mourinho was out and
one of the most sought-after jobs in world football was his. Even he seemed
to be embarrassed about his good fortune in those surreal early days but
increasingly not any more. The man who was promised the earth came out
fighting on Saturday when his team reached second place in the Premier
League with a thoroughly drab win over West Ham.
Armed with a slightly revised version of recent history, Grant, in his own
understated way, portrayed himself as the man who was launching the revival.
"Especially after nobody gave us a chance after what happened in the
beginning of the season," he said. "Nobody gave us a chance of being one of
the teams to finish at the top of the league.
"All of my life, I have been asked whether I have something to prove. I
don't have anything to prove to anyone. I just need to do my job."
The quibblers among us would point out that when Mourinho left Chelsea in
September they were not exactly experiencing relegation form – in fact they
were in fifth place. It is certainly laying in on a bit thick to say that no
one gave Chelsea a chance; more accurate to say that no one gave their new
coach a chance. He has now gone 14 games without defeat, a run which, with
respect to Sunderland who are at Stamford Bridge next, will probably become
15 on Saturday. Mourinho dropped seven points in six Premier League games
before he was pushed out; so far Grant has dropped the same amount over the
course of nine games.
In other words, no one is convinced just yet. Normal life continues at
Chelsea, they are still churning out the secret dossiers and DVDs over
grievances with referees and still moaning about the opposition. Grant
accused West Ham of being defensive on Saturday which just was not the case.
West Ham had a go and might even have scored if they had a better finisher
than Carlton Cole or the substitute Dean Ashton, who now has the physique of
a linebacker rather than a centre-forward. "West Ham played very, very
physically," Grant said. "I think they deserved more yellow cards than they
got."
To which Curbishley replied: "That's Avram Grant. He's got his own opinion.
He's been put in a position where he's got a big, big club on his hands. So,
perhaps he feels he has to make some big, big statements. I don't know. If
people think we were negative, I don't think so. Teams have come here and
got a real hiding and got nothing."
Of course, everyone is still waiting for Grant to come good on that promise
to turn Chelsea into English football's lovable entertainers playing in a
style so exhilarating that oxygen masks will be required at Stamford Bridge
to prevent home fans from hyperventilating with excitement. Had they
changed? Curbishley offered the following opinion.
"I just think that the big thing since Avram took over is that John Terry's
come back, Frank Lampard's come back, Drogba's on fire," he said. "I don't
know if they were all there when Jose had them. I think he [Grant] has come
in and done what Gary Megson's done [at Bolton]. I think he's just said:
'Get on with it. You're all good players.' I don't think he's changed too
much. He can't change the personnel because he can't do anything about that
at the moment. I think he's got a really good side and he's asked them to
get on with it."
What he was saying is that Grant has simply picked the players Mourinho
could not play because they were injured at the time. And, er, that's it.
Which is exactly the same conclusion that anyone currently watching Chelsea
would also come up with. Apart from marginalising Andrei Shevchenko even
more than Mourinho dared, Grant has played pretty much the same as before. A
4-1-4-1 formation. Nick a goal. Grind it out. And that much is true,
although no one at Chelsea dare say it. It is not so much a case of the
emperor's new clothes, rather plenty of his old clothes.
In all honesty, Chelsea are still about as interesting to watch as they were
under Mourinho. Sometimes you find yourself glancing down at the dugout
expecting to see the man himself still there, wearing the trademark brown
suede slip-ons and shouting at Joe Cole for giving the ball away. But
instead on Saturday, there was Grant, looking uncertain and worried before
Cole took the ball round Robert Green to finish from a difficult angle in
the 76th minute.
After Sunderland and Valencia, Chelsea play Arsenal and Liverpool in the
space of eight days later this month. Perhaps it will be in those games that
Grant shows us he is the maverick, devil-may-care attacking coach. Or
perhaps he will play it safe as he has done so far.
What he knows for sure is that he has all the time and financial support he
needs from an indulgent club owner to make this team play differently to the
way it did in the Mourinho years. It is the kind of employment terms most
Premier League managers can only dream of, and Grant will have only himself
to blame if it all goes pear-shaped.
Goal: J Cole (76) 1-0.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cudicini; Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge; Mikel; J Cole
(Makelele 89), Sidwell (Wright-Phillips 66), Lampard, Kalou; Drogba.
Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Ben Haim.
West Ham (4-4-1-1): Green; Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney; Solano
(Ljungberg 74), Mullins, Parker (Spector 79), Etherington (Ashton 79); Boa
Morte; Cole.
Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Collins.
Booked:Chelsea Mikel, Kalou, Belletti, Terry, Lampard West Ham Solano,
Etherington, Mullins.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorks).
Attendance: 41,830
Man of the match: J Cole
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