Alan Curbishley has spoken at length about the contribution of Scott Parker
24.12.2007
Scott Parker's welcome weekend winner was surely the clearest signal yet there is some refreshing light at the end of the tunnel for the three-times capped England midfielder.
Having paid Newcastle United a close-season £7m to bring his former Charlton Athletic starlet to the Boleyn Ground, Alan Curbishley could not be happier to see his No8 taking full control of the Hammers midfield. "Scott's been very frustrated since he arrived at the club," revealed the manager following the 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough that also saw a stunning equaliser from Dean Ashton
"Back in the summer, we knew exactly what type of player we wanted and we worked ever so hard to bring in people with Premier League and Champions League experience, who could be around for a few years."
"After losing the little triangle of Yossi Benayoun, Nigel Reo-Coker and Carlos Tevez, we wanted our signings to make an immediate impact and although we responded with Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy, Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer, unfortunately the injuries meant that it just never happened. We've taken some big hits.
"When I knew that Nigel Reo-Coker was going, I had no hesitation in going for Scotty and the chairman backed me but within a fortnight we'd lost him. And then when he returned, he got injured again but, fortunately, we're gradually getting players like him back to fitness. The same goes for Dean Ashton and, slowly, we're getting there.
"Meanwhile, people have stood up and they've come to the front and great credit has to go to all the players for picking up 25 points before the halfway mark of the season.
"Looking at our side there should be quite a few goals from midfield and I've asked Scotty to be a bit more offensive than he, perhaps, was up at Newcastle, where he had to be a bit more responsible," continued Curbishley, who saw Parker get off the mark for West Ham United on Saturday upon his return to the north-east.
"When he was coming through the ranks at Charlton he was an attacking midfielder, who scored his fair share of goals and when he was 18-years-old, he came and asked me how he could get into the first team. After loaning him out to Norwich City for a couple months, I told him that he would need to be a holding midfield player but we also knew he would still get goals.
"Now I've asked him to get into the box to try to pinch a few for us here at West Ham United, too. Claudio Ranieri signed him for Chelsea only for Jose Mourinho to come along and when Graeme Souness took him to Newcastle, another new manager with different ideas suddenly turned up there too.
"Scotty also picked up a few injuries, it never really went for him and he's had such a frustrating time but he's worked ever so hard recently and he deserved his goal against Middlesbrough."
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Specs in the centre of things - WHUFC
Jonathan Spector is hoping to play more at the heart of the West Ham United defence
24.12.2007
Every successful team needs it. Whether it is John O'Shea at Manchester United, Mathieu Flamini at Arsenal or even Michael Essien at Chelsea - versatility is vital.
As such, Jonathan Spector demonstrated again that he is crucial to West Ham United's progress this season with an outstanding display at the heart of the Hammers defence at Middlesbrough on Saturday. Playing alongside Matthew Upson, the American international was a commanding presence in the 2-1 comeback victory and will hope to shine again when Reading visit on Boxing Day.
"It was a fantastic win," the likeable 21-year-old, who was described as "absolutely outstanding" by his manager, said. "We didn't play as well as we could have done but we got the result. They're a good team. It's definitely an early Christmas present. It's not an easy place to come and play and the conditions also made it difficult but we held out and got the win."
The youngster known as Specs to his team-mates has been used in both full-back positions this season, as well as featuring in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role, but the weekend win at the Riverside saw his first deployment this campaign at centre-back. Despite that inexperience, he confessed it is where he perhaps sees himself settling down in future.
"I haven't played there all season. It's not easy playing in new positions but centre-back is probably my favourite. I've been given a chance to play there because of injuries. We have a lot of good players around in the squad and I think that helps raise everyone's game. I hope to get more first-team action but that's at the manager's discretion. I am hoping to cement my place in the team."
Spector is determined to make a name for himself as an established force at the Boleyn Ground, acknowledging that being moved around the team to suit the occasion "can be good and bad". He added: "Hopefully it will benefit me in the long run." On the evidence of his weekend showing, that will surely be the case - with West Ham United also reaping the rewards.
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Parker progress pleases Curbs - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley has spoken at length about the contribution of Scott Parker
23.12.2007
Scott Parker's welcome weekend winner was surely the clearest signal yet there is some refreshing light at the end of the tunnel for the three-times capped England midfielder.
Having paid Newcastle United a close-season £7m to bring his former Charlton Athletic starlet to the Boleyn Ground, Alan Curbishley could not be happier to see his No8 taking full control of the Hammers midfield. "Scott's been very frustrated since he arrived at the club," revealed the manager following the 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough that also saw a stunning equaliser from Dean Ashton
"Back in the summer, we knew exactly what type of player we wanted and we worked ever so hard to bring in people with Premier League and Champions League experience, who could be around for a few years."
"After losing the little triangle of Yossi Benayoun, Nigel Reo-Coker and Carlos Tevez, we wanted our signings to make an immediate impact and although we responded with Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy, Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer, unfortunately the injuries meant that it just never happened. We've taken some big hits.
"When I knew that Nigel Reo-Coker was going, I had no hesitation in going for Scotty and the chairman backed me but within a fortnight we'd lost him. And then when he returned, he got injured again but, fortunately, we're gradually getting players like him back to fitness. The same goes for Dean Ashton and, slowly, we're getting there.
"Meanwhile, people have stood up and they've come to the front and great credit has to go to all the players for picking up 25 points before the halfway mark of the season.
"Looking at our side there should be quite a few goals from midfield and I've asked Scotty to be a bit more offensive than he, perhaps, was up at Newcastle, where he had to be a bit more responsible," continued Curbishley, who saw Parker get off the mark for West Ham United on Saturday upon his return to the north-east.
"When he was coming through the ranks at Charlton he was an attacking midfielder, who scored his fair share of goals and when he was 18-years-old, he came and asked me how he could get into the first team. After loaning him out to Norwich City for a couple months, I told him that he would need to be a holding midfield player but we also knew he would still get goals.
"Now I've asked him to get into the box to try to pinch a few for us here at West Ham United, too. Claudio Ranieri signed him for Chelsea only for Jose Mourinho to come along and when Graeme Souness took him to Newcastle, another new manager with different ideas suddenly turned up there too.
"Scotty also picked up a few injuries, it never really went for him and he's had such a frustrating time but he's worked ever so hard recently and he deserved his goal against Middlesbrough."
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Ashton ready for Reading - WHUFC
A resurgent Dean Ashton is looking to go all out on Boxing Day
23.12.2007
Dean Ashton is expecting West Ham United to "really go at it at home" when they welcome Reading to the Boleyn Ground on Boxing Day.
"It is a concern to us that we are not picking up points when we should be," a buoyant Ashton told WHUTV, mindful the club have won 16 of their 25 points on the road this campaign and that it is now two goals for him from two away games. "The home form should dominate really. We will keep picking up points away and then really go at it home."
The 24-year-old striker scored a stunning equaliser just before the interval at Middlesbrough on Saturday before Scott Parker secured all three points for the visitors with a last-minute winner. He said: "To score just before half-time - that deflates their crowd and their players and lifts us. That showed in the second half and we put on a better performance and, in the end, got the win."
Ashton's fifth goal of the season from 14 games, of which only seven have been starts, was all the more satisfying - given that he was singled out by sections of the home support at the Riverside Stadium. "I feel very good," he said. "To play two 90 minutes in six days against Everton in six days and then another 90 minutes against Middlesbrough - I have proven I am more than fit enough.
"Obviously I want to improve the football side of things and put in better performances and score goals, which is important." As well as the personal gain, Ashton was also pleased for the team as a whole after two defeats by Everton last week in quick succession. "To lose twice to one team at home was difficult to take," he said.
"It is the best way to bounce back - to come to Middlesbrough and get a result." He added that there was particular determination to move away from the sides in the bottom of half of the table, although "to go anywhere in the Premier League and get the points is very good". With Reading the closest rivals in the table behind the Hammers, there is no better time to continue that upward trend than on Boxing Day.
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'An absolutely fantastic result' - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley was in no doubt about the magnitude of the latest away success
22.12.2007
After seeing his side secure their fifth away win of the season, Alan Curbishley is heading into the Christmas period filled with festive joy.
It took a total team effort as West Ham United finally sunk Middlesbrough despite going a goal down. "This is an absolutely fantastic result for us," enthused the Boleyn Ground boss after seeing strikes by Dean Ashton and Scott Parker secure the club's first victory on Teesside turf, after a 12-year, ten-match, wait to break their duck at the Riverside Stadium. "Once again, all of our players dug in for us and we pulled out the result with two great goals.
"Our injury problems are well-documented. Both George McCartney and Matthew Upson had fitness tests before the game, while I also had to ask Jonathan Spector to play at centre-half and he was absolutely outstanding. Before the game there was a bit of a rallying call from the captain, too, and we knew that we just had to go out there and get on with it.
"We've been asking people to do things for us and they've just gone and done them and I can't speak highly enough of the players, who have come in over the past six or seven weeks and have taken their opportunities. That's certainly made our squad even stronger.
"It was fantastic to come here and bounce back with a hard-fought win after our results against Everton because Middlesbrough came into the game off the back of two great results against Arsenal and Derby County," continued Curbishley, who saw top-scorer Ashton convert for the fifth time this season before Parker sealed the three precious points with his first strike for the club.
"Boro started off quite lively against us, too, and although they went in front, there wasn't too much in the game and, in the end, our two goals lifted it. They came from two players who have been chasing their fitness in the first-team. Scott had three games in six days last week and he just had to get through it, while Deano's been thrown in and told to get on with it, too, which is difficult.
"Last week, Everton beat us with some late goals in each half and, today, it was our turn to get some well-timed ones. Scott's had such a frustrating time but he's worked ever so hard to get back, he deserved his goal and let's hope that today is just the start of things to come.
"Dean Ashton has worked hard, too, and whenever anything pops down, you always hope that it'll fall to him. He's had a bit of criticism lately because the expectation levels are so high but he's physically fit and I thought that he looked a bit sharper today.
"After working like that he's now just got to get on with his next game," concluded Curbishley, who hopes his side can start to replicate their awayday form at the Boleyn Ground, starting with the Wednesday lunchtime visit of Steve Coppell's Reading. "We'll enjoy this tonight and, although we're going to be getting on the bus feeling absolutely delighted, we'll be so disappointed if we don't go and get a result on Boxing Day, now.
"Our away form may be better but let's hope we can do something in front of our own fans on Wednesday and follow up today's win with a home victory over Reading."
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Curbs praises goalscoring duo - WHUFC
Dean Ashton and Scott Parker earned special mention for their part in a 'massive win'
22.12.2007
Alan Curbishley hailed the contribution of Dean Ashton and Scott Parker after they scored the goals that helped take all three points from the Riverside Stadium.
The pair have been battling back to fitness after suffering from knee injuries, but underlined in the 2-1 win at Middlesbrough how they have grown in stature with every passing game for West Ham United. Ashton was making just his third start in attack since returning from his lay-off while Parker has only been getting up to speed in the heart of the Hammers midfield since the turn of the month.
"The two players that got goals for us have been chasing their fitness in the Premier League and it is really difficult," the manager told Sky Sports after seeing Ashton equalise just before half-time and Parker seal the win in the closing stages. "For both of them to get through the last couple of weeks and get the goals today gives us a big boost."
Curbishley added: "It is a massive result for us. Considering the disappointment we had last week with the two defeats to Everton. To come here and bounce straight back is fantastic. It is great credit to the players who have managed to get themselves on 25 points before Boxing Day. It is fantastic."
His opposite number was understandably downbeat and, having seen his side take the lead through David Wheater, expected more from the game. "A draw would have probably been fair," Gareth Southgate told Sky Sports. "They have done a good job on us away from home. We have been done by a sucker punch at the end. We didn't see either half through. It is a big disappointment because we have had a decent run."
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Middlesbrough 1-2 West Ham United FT - WHUFC
All the latest news from today's top-flight fixture at the Riverside Stadium
22.12.2007
Barclays Premier League
Middlesbrough v West Ham United
3pm
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate ,Wheater, Pogatetz, Johnson, Boateng (c), Arca, Downing, Tuncay, Aliadiere
Subs: Shawky, Huth, Turnbull, Cattermole, Lee
West Ham United: Green, Neill (c), Upson, Spector, McCartney, Solano, Mullins, Parker, Ljungberg, Camara, Ashton
Subs: Wright, Pantsil, Dailly, Noble, Ephraim
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Middlesbrough 1-2 West Ham - BBC
By Julian Shea
Scott Parker's first goal for West Ham snatched a late win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. David Wheater's tap-in put Boro ahead but Dean Ashton soon levelled with a low thumped shot just before the break. Only a fine full-stretch save by Mark Schwarzer kept out Nolberto Solano's second-half free-kick as West Ham began the second half strongly. Both sides went for the win but late on John Pantsil set up Parker, who kept a cool head to curl home the winner. Middlesbrough enjoyed the best of the early exchanges as West Ham struggled to impose themselves on the game, and in Tuncay Boro had the most creative and threatening player on the pitch. West Ham's first threat came when Henri Camara sprung the offside trap and forced keeper Schwarzer to come out and hack the ball clear, but it was a rare moment of serious threat at either end. A lacklustre first half looked likely to end goalless until a training ground move put Boro ahead. Jonathan Spector was panicked into conceding a free-kick when he fouled Jeremie Aliadiere wide on the right. Stuart Downing's free-kick to the far post was knocked back by Aliadiere into the path of defender Wheater, who tapped home. But it was only a short-lived lead, as Camara's lay-off from a long ball forward found Ashton on the edge of the box, and he buried the ball in the bottom corner. Schwarzer was called into action after the break as he kept out Solano's curling free-kick with a full-stretch save, but Boro's dangerous wingers Downing and Adam Johnson meant the home side always posed an attacking threat. Neither side ever really dominated the match but they both tried to take all three points. Ashton's physical presence was a constant worry to the Boro defence but when Camara limped off late on to be replaced by defender Pantsil, it looked like the visitors were happy with a draw.
But in the final minute, the replacement set up Parker, who controlled the ball well, dribbled through the defence and produced a composed finish to ensure West Ham's first win at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "When you're not at your best you have to try and take something from the game. I think they'd settled for a draw too, they took off a striker. "We need to see things through, and we got done by a sucker punch - we didn't defend well enough in the last couple of minutes of each half. "When you're not flowing you've got to grind it out - we've lost a point, we've not lost three because we never looked like taking them all."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: If anything pops down in the box and Dean Ashton's coming on to it, you expect it to hit the target and hit the target hard - if he connects you know you've got a chance. "And I've seen Scott do that before, hopefully we'll see a bit more of that from him now he's regained full fitness. "I'm immensely frustrated by the injuries and I think fans are frustrated but they must realise we've got to take the points where we can."
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate (Huth 63), Wheater, Pogatetz, Johnson (Cattermole 77), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere, Sanli. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Shawky, Lee.
Booked: Boateng, Arca.
Goals: Wheater 40.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, McCartney, Spector, Solano (Noble 76), Parker, Mullins, Ljungberg, Camara (Pantsil 85), Ashton. Subs Not Used: Wright, Dailly, Ephraim.
Booked: Parker, Solano.
Goals: Ashton 44, Parker 90.
Att: 26,007
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: West Ham's Dean Ashton 8.19 (on 90 minutes).
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Hey sucker - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 23rd December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Gareth Southgate has described Scott Parker's late winner as 'a sucker punch'. The Middlesbrough boss saw his side throw away an early advantage in the last minute courtesy of Parker's 89th minute winner. "We've had a decent run of games but we weren't quite as sharp today and we paid the price right at the end," he told the BBC's Match of the Day. "I think West Ham had settled for a point as well as they took a striker off - but we got done with a sucker punch. We didn't defend well enough in the last couple of minutes of each half. "We've lost a point but not three as we didn't look like getting all three. But we're desperately disappointed with what has happened at the end of the game." The defeat leaves 'Boro eight points behind the Hammers, just three clear of the relegation zone. West Ham however return to the top ten, going back above Newcastle - who face Derby at home later today - into tenth spot.
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Curbishley: we'll take the extra points - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 22nd December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley was understandably delighted at Scott Parker's last-gasp winner that turned one point into three at the Riverside this afternoon. The United boss, speaking to the BBC's Match of the Day after the game, admitted that he felt a draw would have been a fair result - but was more than happy to return to London with all three. "I felt it was heading for a draw but when you get the result, you ask any manager and they'll take it," he said. "We got beat last week by Everton when perhaps a draw was a fair result and we've got one today. But you take the points and hopefully we can push on now." Curbishley cited Dean Ashton's equalising goal - scored in the final minute of the first half - as the turning point in a tight game. But he also has special praise for match-winner Scott Parker, whose goal was his first in claret and blue. "For us to come in at half time all-square gave us something to go for," he said. "Dean Ashton's was a terrific strike; if anything pops up in the box and Dean's coming on to it you expect it to hit the target - and hard. I think he had to push Henri Camara out the way to get there first but if he connects, you know you've got a chance. "Scotty's goal was a [worthy] winning goal I think - it was a terrific goal and I hope there's more to come. I've seen him do that before, wriggle his way away from people in the box, and we want to see a bit more of that from him now he's regained full fitness."
The win was West Ham's fifth league win on the road already this season (the seventh in all competitions); a statistic that Curbishley is immensely proud of.
"I don't think we approach it differently but away from home we probably ask different questions," he said. "I think our fans are frustrated that we're winning away from home but not at home - but they must realise that we've got to take the points where we can. "It's a big game for us against Reading on Boxing Day. We return to Upton Park, can we follow it up and give everyone a real Christmas present? "But for us to be on 25 points before Boxing Day, I'm delighted."
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Middlesbrough 1 West Ham Utd 2 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 22nd December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
It's been a long time coming - but Scott Parker's first goal for the Hammers proved to be well worth the wait. The former Charlton and Chelsea midfielder, who joined West Ham for a cool £6m in the summer opened his account for the Irons with an 89th minute winner that earned the Hammers a fifth away win of the season - a tally that already betters that achieved in either of the last two seasons. Indeed, only Portsmouth have won more on their travels this season - which makes West Ham's tally of just two home league wins even more unfathomable. But on the road Curbishley's side are a different proposition altogether, and once again it was a smash and grab raid that earned all three points here at The Riverside. Just a week ago it was Everton who struck at the end of either half to take all three points at The Boleyn Ground. Today the roles were reversed as Dean Ashton and Scott Parker strikes at almost identical times knocked the (Christmas) stuffing out of Middlesbrough. Curbishley was once again down to the bare bones, and was forced to start with Henri Camara - without a goal in the last 12 months - up front due to injury (Bellamy and Zamora) and suspension (Cole). But it was the on-loan African whose sublime touch led to West Ham's first - a stunning effort from Dean Ashton which cancelled out David Wheater's opener. In truth, West Ham had looked at sixes and sevens for much of the opening 45 minutes and it was no surprise when Wheater opened the scoring after some lax defending from the Hammers five minutes ahead of the interval. A Downing free-kick was knocked back into the danger zone by former Hammer loanee Jeremie Aliadiere and Wheater had the easiest of chances to fire home into an empty net. Indeed, the Hammers had barely looked like scoring until a hopeful punt forward by Parker was brilliantly controlled by Camara on the edge of the box in the final minute of the half. Dean Ashton, perhaps mindful of his poor performances in the last two weeks reacted immediately, blasting the ball into Mark Schwarzer's bottom right-hand corner before Camara had time to think about what he was going to do next.
Clearly bouyed by the unlikely (and perhaps unmerited) equaliser, the Hammers were a much sterner outfit after the break. However chances were still few and far between - Nobby Solano's stunning 25-yard free-kick which was brilliantly tipped over by the alert Schwarzer being the exception - until Parker's late, late winner. Parker himself started the move, whilst (substitute) John Paintsil and Lucas Neill were both instrumental in him getting it back on the edge of the box. 'Boro claims of offside were (rightly) ignored by the referee's assistant and the former Charlton man stepped inside 'Boro goalscorer Wheater before placing a precision shot inside Schwarzer's far post. Three points, thank you very much. Last season the Hammers managed to take just one point from their Christmas programme (which ended in humiliation at Reading on New Year's Day). With both Arsenal and Manchester United to come next week, the home game against Reading - who themselves needed a last gasp winner to earn all three points today - on Boxing Day takes on added importance. The win means the Hammers rise above Newcastle once again to tenth spot in the table and just five points behind Everton in sixth spot. So could a late European charge be on the card? With the likes of Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer soon to return from injury - and the possibility of a new striker arriving next month - one can but hope.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Spector, Upson, Mullins, Parker, Ljungberg, Solano (Noble 76), Camara (Paintsil 85), Ashton.
Subs not used: Wright, Dailly, Ephraim.
Goals: Ashton (44), Parker (90).
Booked: Parker (33), Solano (55).
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Arca, Young, Woodgate (Huth 63), Pogatetz, Johnson (Cattermole 77), Boateng, Wheater, Downing, Aliadiere, Tuncay.
Subs not used: Shawky, Turnbull, Lee.
Goals: Wheater (40).
Booked: Boateng (31), Arca (67).
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Attendance: 26,007.
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Parker strike stuns Boro - SSN
Hammers come from behind to win 2-1
Last updated: 22nd December 2007
Scott Parker scored in the final minute to secure a 2-1 victory for West Ham over Middlesbrough at The Riverside. Middlesbrough controlled the first half and were rewarded in the 40th minute when David Wheater turned the ball home from close range. However, the sides went into the break on level terms thanks to Dean Ashton's superb strike from distance on 43 minutes, which shifted the momentum in West Ham's favour for the start of the second half. Boro almost held on to extend their unbeaten run to four games but Parker wriggled past Wheater and finished neatly to send West Ham into Christmas on a high. Adam Johnson's inclusion meant Stewart Downing began on the right of midfield and twice in the opening seconds his team-mates looked to release him down the flank. But it was Tuncay Sanli, brimming with confidence after three goals in as many games, who caused the first sign of danger, jinking neatly into the penalty box before earning an early corner. The hosts were soon on the attack again, Tuncay starting the move before nice work from Downing and George Boateng set up Aliadiere. The striker failed to force a save from Robert Green but the Hammers remained well behind the pace. Parker started to drag his team into the match as the half progressed, dictating play well from the centre, but there was little flair in the final third. Downing, trying hard to make things happen, dragged the ball back onto his left and lined up a shot midway through the first half but his shot ballooned high and wide. After 26 minutes both sides nearly found an opening. First Tuncay was denied by a clinical last-ditch tackle from Jonathan Spector before a swift counter-attack caught the home defence cold. Henri Camara hunted down the ball with a turn of pace but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer dashed from his line to clear. Wheater opened the scoring five minutes before the break, turning the ball into an empty net after Aliadiere nodded the ball cleverly across goal from a curling free-kick.
Ashton, virtually anonymous for the rest of the half, then produced a fine equaliser. The ball was lofted high and hopefully towards the Middlesbrough area when Camara stood firm to lay the ball into Ashton's path. With several red shirts in attendance, Ashton surged through to drive powerfully past Schwarzer and into the bottom left corner. In the second half, Julio Arca was penalised for a foul 30 yards from goal and Schwarzer was forced to make a wonderful save as Solano looked to dip the ball under the crossbar with a trademark free-kick. Johnson showed some nice footwork as he broke down the right 10 minutes into the second half but, after he left his marker for dead with a precise turn, Spector recovered to clear his cross. Ashton then showed another side to his game, foregoing brawn to dummy the Boro defence with some trickery of his own. But when the ball broke to Solano he fired low and wide. Emanuel Pogatetz was presented with a fine chance to secure the lead for Boro when Tuncay hooked a cross over from the right-hand side of the penalty box but his scuffed finish could not match the approach. Both teams' forwards were looking increasingly adrift and Lucas Neill was involved in a bust-up with Johnson as the pair let their frustrations boil over. Parker then won it in the finest of fashions, collecting the ball on his chest before using both feet to scythe into the danger area and curl the ball into the far corner.
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Curbs: A massive result - SSN
Hammers boss thrilled with win over Boro
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 22nd December 2007
Alan Curbishley was delighted with the performance of his West Ham side following the 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough. The Hammers fell behind but Dean Ashton equalised just before half-time and Scott Parker scored in the final minute to clinch all three points. West Ham had lost to Everton in the Carling Cup and the Premier League in their last two games, and Curbishley was thrilled to return to winning ways. "It is a massive result for us considering the disappointment we had last week with the two defeats to Everton," he told Sky Sports. "To come here and bounce straight back is fantastic and a great credit to the players. "It was going towards a draw in the second half but Scotty's got us a winner."
West Ham have struggled with injuries during the first half of the season and Curbishly insists it is a good achievement to be in mid-table at this stage. He explained: "The amount of injuries has been well documented, and it is great credit to the players to get to 25 points by Boxing Day. "I've never known anything like it but it has made the squad stronger because the players coming in have had to perform." Parker also expressed his satisfaction after scoring his first goal for the club. "It was very pleasing," said the midfielder, who joined from Newcastle in the summer. "They were on top for much of the first half and it was certainly a battle. The goals came at crucial times."
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Middlesboro' 1-2 West Ham: Parker pinches spoils - Soccernet
Dean Ashton enhanced his England credentials with a powerful first-half strike, but it was Scott Parker's memorable last-minute winner which ensured West Ham picked up a fortunate 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside. Ashton, with his fifth strike of the season in all competitions, and Parker provided the only moments of real quality in a scrappy Barclays Premier League match which Middlesbrough will feel aggrieved to have lost. David Wheater put the hosts ahead with just before half-time after a fine lay-off from Jeremie Aliadiere but, while they were sorely lacking in inspiration, their endeavour should have been enough to earn them at least a draw. The teams came into the match with contrasting fortunes, Boro having won their last three matches and West Ham reeling from consecutive defeats to Everton in the league and Carling Cup. Adam Johnson's inclusion meant Stewart Downing began on the right of midfield and twice in the opening seconds his team-mates looked to release him down the flank. But it was Tuncay Sanli, brimming with confidence after three goals in as many games, who caused the first sign of danger, jinking neatly into the penalty box before earning an early corner. Tuncay impressed again after seven minutes, dribbling past Nolberto Solano before a cheeky back-heel released Emanuel Pogatetz. His swerving cross was dealt with, but the hosts were soon on the attack again, Tuncay starting the move before nice work from Downing and George Boateng set up Aliadiere. The striker failed to force a save from Robert Green, but the Hammers remained well behind the pace. Parker started to drag his team into the match as the half progressed, dictating play well from the centre, but there was little flair in the final third. Downing, trying hard to make things happen, dragged the ball back onto his left and lined up a shot midway through the first half but his shot ballooned high and wide. After 26 minutes both sides nearly found an opening. First Tuncay was denied by a clinical last-ditch tackle from Jonathan Spector before a swift counter-attack caught the home defence cold. Henri Camara hunted down the ball with a turn of pace, but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer dashed from his line to clear. Boateng was booked on the half-hour mark after bundling over Freddie Ljungberg and Parker made an equally clumsy attempt moments later as things became scrappy. It was the unlikely figure of centre-half Jonathan Woodgate who lent proceedings a rare hint of finesse when he delicately lobbed a pass to Aliadiere, but Green was first to the ball. Woodgate's defensive partner, Wheater, then opened the scoring, turning the ball into an empty net after Aliadiere nodded the ball cleverly across goal from a curling free-kick. Ashton, virtually anonymous for the rest of the half, then produced a fine equaliser. The ball was lofted high and hopefully towards the Middlesbrough area when Camara stood firm to lay the ball into Ashton's path. With several red shirts in attendance, Ashton surged through to drive powerfully past Schwarzer and into the bottom left corner. Despite the flurry of activity which ended the first period, normal service was restored after the restart with both sides losing possession carelessly. Julio Arca, finding his feet slowly in his return to the senior side, made his first threatening run in the 50th minute, losing his marker to link up well with the advancing Luke Young.
Only a well-timed slide from Ljungberg prevented the attack going farther. Arca was then penalised for a foul 30 yards from goal and Schwarzer was forced to make a wonderful save as Solano looked to dip the ball under the crossbar with a trademark free-kick. Johnson showed some nice footwork as he broke down the right 10 minutes into the second half but, after he left his marker for dead with a precise turn, Spector recovered to dispatch his cross. Ashton then showed another side to his game, foregoing brawn to dummy the Boro defence with some trickery of his own. But when the ball broke to Solano he fired low and wide. Pogatetz was presented with a fine chance to secure the lead for Boro when Tuncay hooked a cross over from the right-hand side of the penalty box, but his scuffed finish could not match the approach. Robert Huth, on for Woodgate - who did not appear in any discomfort - gave the hosts another option and was soon trying his luck from distance. Both teams' forwards were looking increasingly adrift and Lucas Neill was involved in a bust-up with Johnson the pair let their frustrations boil over. Parker then won it in the finest of fashions, collecting the ball on his chest before using both feet to scythe into the danger area and curl the ball into the far corner.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley hailed the resilience of match-winning duo Scott Parker and Dean Ashton after they scored the goals which helped down Middlesbrough 2-1 at The Riverside. He said: 'There wasn't much in the game and what lifted it, I think were our two goals. 'They were two fantastic goals and they came from two players who have been chasing their fitness a bit. 'Some of the lads have had to get fit in the first team. Scotty was one of them and he had a tough time with three games in a week but he had to get through it. 'Dean was another one, we've had to throw him and say 'right, get fit in the first team.' It's very difficult when that happens.' It was a timely effort from Ashton, with many pundits tipping him to be a central figure in Fabio Capello's England set-up, but Curbishley was more concerned with decrying those who have questioned the striker's recent efforts. 'He's taken some criticism in the last few weeks and I think that is because of the expectation. He came back, he got a couple of goals (and then tailed off) but getting fitting while playing in the Premier League is so hard. 'Dean looked sharper today and I think that helped. The thing about Dean is that when he hits the ball he hits it so hard. 'When a ball drops you want it to drop to him.'
Boro boss Gareth Southgate was deflated after seeing his side's three-game winning streak - their best run of form since January - ended in the dying seconds. One of those victories came in a flowing match against title hopefuls Arsenal, while the players showed their appetite for a scrap by following that up with a 1-0 win over struggling Derby. Southgate believes neither aspect was present against the Hammers, though. 'We never hit the heights of recent weeks today,' he said. 'The quality was not as it was against Arsenal and the grit and determination was not as it was against Derby. 'We should have seen the game out and got a point. I don't think it was a lack of effort though. 'It's what separates teams at our level of the league - teams find it hard to produce week after week and that is why we are where we are. 'The big boys of this league can win when they don't play well.' That is something Southgate hopes his young side can do in the future but he admits there is currently still some learning for them to do at the end of matches. We're a bit naive perhaps. Yes, you want to win games but you still cannot commit everyone forward. 'In certain areas we have young players and they must learn how to win matches, or to see them out. It's a lesson they have to learn.'
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Vinny's Middlesbrough Report (now with MOTD Highlights) - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sun Dec 23 2007
Middlesbrough 1 West Ham United 2
Scott Parker's 90th minute goal secured all three points for a West Ham side that had to fight back from being a goal down.
This wasn't a pretty game and neither side could really say they played well, but when we needed that little bit of class in front of goal, Dean Ashton and Scott Parker provided and made it a very productive away day at the Riverside Stadium.
With our home form being poor was vital that we kept up the good away results and despite a whole host of injuries we did just that and now find ourselves on 25 points going into the Christmas period which is not bad for a side playing their sixth choice centre half and their fifth choice striker.
We had heard that there were another bunch of injuries going into this game and it was no surprise to see the team changed from the last match against Everton. In defence, Gabbidon, Collins and Ferdinand were all injured, and with Callum Davenport still on the sidelines, Jonathan Spector came in at centre half alongside Matthew Upson.
Midfield remained the same with neither Luis Boa Morte or Matthew Etherington returning, even to the sixteen. Up front saw Henri Camera come in for Carlton Cole who was another on the injury list.
With all the injuries, the substitutes bench saw Hogan Ephraim and Christian Dailly both named in the sixteen.
Boro' started the game very well and they really went at us from the off which saw our defence on the back foot. It did seem as though it was going to be a long afternoon as we could not get anywhere near the ball and Boro' were keeping up this frantic pace.
One time West Ham Loanee Jeremie Aliadiere saw his shot charged down by our defence who were flying into tackles and doing everything they could to prevent Boro' from scoring.
The pace of Downing on the wing was causing us a problems and his clever run ended with a shot which went way over the bar.
Middlesbrough began to lose their grip on the game and it was us who started to find to space and attack, with Boro' keeper Schwazer having to race off his line to deny Camera from getting there first.
Dean Ashton managed to set up Freddie Ljungberg but the shot was tipped around the post by the keeper. Moments later Hayden Mullins found half a yard to take a shot but it went way over the bar.
The game was extremely close (as many of our recent matches have been) but a lapse moment at the back would cost us a goal just before half time.
Boro' were awarded a free kick which Stewart Downing floated into the area, and with Robert Green looking lost and our defenders falling asleep, Aliadiere was allowed a free header across goal for David Wheater to tap in.
The Boro' fans celebrated and our support started to worry a little, but those worries were long forgotten only minutes after Boro's opener as we equalised in spectacular fashion.
George McCartney collected the ball on the left and played a ball into Henri Camera whose control was poor but the ball bobbled to Dean Ashton who hit a thunderous 25 yard shot which hit the back of the net to get us back on level terms.
Ashton had been largely anonymous up to that point but this confirmed what he gives to the team and that is the ability to score a goal at any moment.
It was a vital goal to get us back into the game as no one wants to be losing but I disagree with the comments I have been reading that Middlesbrough were in control of the first half. I can accept that they had a bit of possession and they forced the play at times but that is what I expect when West Ham are playing away from home as we usually play on the counter attack and this performance had been no different.
We took full control of the game in the second half and were the only team who looked likely to score.
Our first chance of the half came from a dead ball situation when a free kick was won. Nolberto Solano was the player who took it and his excellent shot was tipped over the bar by Schwazer.
We were attacking with more urgency and it was frustrating to see us fail with our final ball on many occasion when we had got into the final third with some excellent passing.
Mullins and Parker were taking over the game and Boro could not find a way through. Our defence were in a no nonsense mood and this left me feeling confident through the remainder of the second period.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Alan Curbishley introduced Mark Noble for the tiring Solano, and this seemed to give us a bit more edge going forward.
But despite being the better side in the second half we never created enough chances to really trouble Boro' and the game looked as though it was going to be a draw.
But as the 90th minute hit, a moment of magic occurred as subsistute Pantsil did well to play the ball to Lucas Neill who found Scott Parker in the area and the midfielder somehow skipped past the tackle of the defenders and finished superbly to send the travelling West Ham support absolutely mad.
Boro' piled forward, desperately trying to equalise but we defended well and saw out any danger and sealed the three points.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Still can't work out if he was at fault for the goal or not. He wasn't commanding enough in his area was my first thought but it didn't help that the masses of West Ham players could not pick up the run of just one Boro' player. Didn't have many other saves to make as Boro' failed to test him.
Lucas Neill
Thought he was woeful in the first half and was constantly beaten for pace and skill. As Boro' failed to get forwarded in the second period, Neill got better and when going forward he offered great support to Solano and then Noble. Got himself an assist for the winner also.
Matthew Upson
A rock at the back and is really proving his worth. Always seemed to be there to make the interception or tackle and although he does tend to play it safe on every occasion with regards to his clearances, he is showing that he was worth the money we paid for him.
Jonathan Spector
I don't think anyone has every questioned his willingness, and that really was enough to get him through this game today. He put himself in the way of everything and this was as brave a performance as you are going to see from a defender. Boro' were poor but Spector did what he had to do and as our sixth choice centre half this was a very good performance.
George McCartney
The Boro' winger Johnson got the better of him far too many times as McCartney put in a shaky defensive performance. When going forward (like Neill) he did do a good job and supported Ljungberg well.
Nolberto Solano
I love having this man in the side as I really think he offers so much. His passing ability is excellent and that's not to say that every pass he makes is excellent, but he makes so many passes. When he gets the ball you know is going to make a pass that could well open up the opposition defence and although it might not happen every time, it does happen on more than one occasion. He plays passes no other player in our side could play. He did well today and nearly scored from another excellent free kick.
Hayden Mullins
Had my frustrations with his performance at times as some of his passing was awful, and it came at times when we were in good attacking possession. But you cannot overlook his effort and the way he got stuck in, picking up the pieces and making the simple passes to start counter attacks. Does not warrant being dropped from the first team despite his haters.
Scott Parker
Since the Chelsea game I have been extremely impressed by Parker and he is really showing his worth with each game. He scored the winner today but that was not his only contribution as he ran the midfield in the second half and Boro' couldn't get near him with Boateng looking silly up against Parker.
Freddie Ljungberg
Better than recent showings simply because he got involved in the game. His passing was poor and he just cannot beat his man. He made good space for himself and was often the man to pass to which gave the defence a respite. Etherington and Boa Morte remain better options on the left wing. Maybe there is another position for Ljungberg but I am still yet to see him do anything that warrants his inclusion once other players are fit again.
Henri Camera
Poor when in possession but did put in a massive amount of effort and made it very difficult for the Boro' backline. Won many free kicks, and was not afraid to stand up against the dominating figure of Jonathan Woodgate. He is our fifth choice striker so this performance was satisfactory.
Dean Ashton
First and foremost he is a goal scorer and that is what he has done for us today. For a player to be pretty anonymous throughout but to score a goal like he did today is not a bad thing. I look at players at what they offer the side and Dean Ashton offers the most important thing – and that is goals. His strike is arguably our goal of the season and although he continues to look heavy and leggy, another ninety minutes can only help his fitness.
Subs Used
Mark Noble (on for Solano 75 mins)
On for the tiring Solano and did well enough and is unlucky not to be in the side at the moment but Mullins & Parker are playing very well at the moment.
John Pantsil (on for Camera 84 mins)
Had a massive part to play in our winner, and that contribution is good enough.
Overall
Our away form continues to impress and if we can get our home form on the same level then we will see a dramatic rise up the table. Of course this is easier said than done due to the way we play, but we must modify our game at home to ensure we gain maximum points.
Reading are up next and we have already beaten them this season in a 3-0 destruction at the Madjeski. They are a poor side, and even with injuries we still have enough to beat them and I expect us too.
We are not a fantastic side, we are not very good to watch, we will lose many more games this season and we will win quite a few too. We are a classic mid table side and with the injuries we have it is hard to expect anything more.
I have no doubt that I will continue to be frustrated by team and it will be hard to remind myself that we are not yet good enough to be much higher than we are, but results like today do go someway to make up for that.
Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas.
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Scott Parker's strike punishes Middlesbrough - telegraph
By Jonathan Wilson
Last Updated: 12:14am GMT 23/12/2007
Middlesbrough (1) 1 West Ham United (1) 2
The wrapping paper was pretty enough, but the box turned out to be empty. Not for the first time this season Middlesbrough flattered to deceive, and they were undone in the final minute as Scott Parker's first goal since his £7 million move from Newcastle earned West Ham their first Premier League win on Teesside.
"I don't think we ever hit the heights of the last couple of weeks," Boro manager Gareth Southgate said. "We started the game brightly but we didn't get the goal at the time we needed to. Ironically we scored our goal in the period when the game was more even. Then it was still a good opportunity for us, but we were second to too many things. Our quality wasn't as it was against Arsenal and our grit and determination weren't as they were against Derby. We were slightly off the pace and they've done a classic smash and grab on us."
After two impressive wins this was a significant step back. The gap from Middlesbrough to the relegation zone is only three points, and the upturn the victory over Arsenal seemed to have sparked now looks rather less convincing. This was back to the early part of the season when Boro were bright and enterprising but almost entirely without potency.
Tuncay Sanli, buoyed by his three recent goals, is much improved from the diffident figure of a month ago, but there is still a lack of menace about his pairing with Jeremie Aliadiere, for all the neatness of their combinations. That Lee Dong-Gook retains his place on the bench suggests just how short Boro are of attacking options.
Aliadiere did, admittedly, set up the opener for David Wheater, heading Stewart Downing's free-kick back across goal, but that was achieved with the contrivance of the West Ham defence, who seemed collectively to decide that the cross was drifting out of play.
"Jon Spector lost him," said Alan Curbishley, but the West Ham manager was quick to praise the American full-back for his performance in a less familiar central role.
Redemption, anyway, came within four minutes. Spector launched a long ball forward, this time Wheater misjudged it and Dean Ashton smashed a 20-yard drive into the bottom corner. "If the ball pops down, you'd like it to fall to him," Curbishley said.
"He's had a bit of criticism the last couple of weeks because the expectations are so high, but he's had to get fit in the Premier League and that's not easy." Parker, equally, has been forced into first-team action earlier than Curbishley would have liked because of injuries to other players. "I've asked Parker to be a bit more offensive than he was at Newcastle," his manager said.
With players set to return, West Ham appear upwardly mobile. For Middlesbrough, consistent only in their inconsistency, this could be an unsatisfying Christmas.
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Scott Parker back on track in attacking role - Telegraph
By Martin Smith
Last Updated: 2:35am GMT 24/12/2007
Middlesbrough (1) 1 West Ham United (1) 2
The satellite navigation system in Scott Parker's car would have told him the quickest route from Charlton Athletic to Upton Park is through the Blackwall Tunnel. It's six miles. Instead he took a wrong turning, ended up in west London at Chelsea, by which time the sat-nav was so confused it sent him onwards to Newcastle.
It is a metaphor for Parker's career. He was chugging along nicely in SE7 before being enticed away. It has taken nearly four years to become the prodigal son and return to the patient father-figure that is Alan Curbishley.
"Give or take a couple of miles, I'm back where I started my career: playing in a side managed by Alan Curbisley," Parker said. "He nurtured me as a young lad and brought me through at Charlton - he knows me and I know him."
Parker had to go another 266 miles, though, from east London to Middlesbrough, to become the attacking midfield player he should always have been. The winning goal at the Riverside, his first for West Ham, was maybe an epiphany for both player and manager.
Curbishley said: "When he was coming through the ranks at Charlton, he was an attacking midfielder who scored his share of goals. But at 18 he came to me and asked, 'How do I get into the first team? What do I have to do?'?" Charlton needed a holding midfield player and Parker's career took its first detour.
Luke Young, a team-mate at Charlton, now at Middlesbrough, said: "That's not really his position. He is a fine creative player and his display against us showed that. He can do amazing things on the ball. I just wish it hadn't been against us."
Parker was involved in a slightly messy, 90th-minute triangle with John Pantsil and Lucas Neill, who released him into the penalty area, where he drew a rash challenge from David Wheater before depositing the ball inside the far post.
Young said: "I know when he goes on a run like that, he is difficult to stop. There was a bit of naivety on our part because we could have brought him down before he got into the box, taken a yellow card and got a point out of the game."
Curbishley said: "It could be a new role for him now. Hayden Mullins is more of a 'sitter' [in the hole], so we're asking Scott to get into the box more. I'd like to think the stronger he gets, and more games under his belt, the more goals will come."
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Parker, whose six months at West Ham have been punctuated by injury, also played a role in the equaliser just before half-time. His punt through the middle was miscontrolled by Henri Camara, and Dean Ashton blasted home the loose ball.
Middlesbrough had gone ahead shortly before when Wheater bundled in Jeremie Aliadiere's lay-back from Stewart Downing's free-kick. However, for all Aliadiere's brightness up front, and Julio Arca's belligerent resistance to Parker in midfield, Middlesbrough were unable to break down West Ham. Then Parker finally found the direct route.
Man of the match
Jonathan Spector 7
• The American made seven tackles
• Also made 21 clearances for the Hammers
• 100 per cent pass completion in defensive third
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West Ham skipper Neill urges Capello to select Green
tribalfooball.com - December 22, 2007
West Ham United captain Lucas Neill has urged new England boss Fabio Capello to call-up Robert Green to his first squad. "He's been our Superman," said Neill. "He's worth his weight in gold and was a huge reason why we stayed up last season. When we went to the Emirates last season and became first team to beat Arsenal there he was amazing, and he has hasn't looked back. "The way Robert's playing he deserves to get noticed and deserves a chance to show what he can do for his country."
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Late Scott Parker strike brings festive cheers to the Hammers - The Times
Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 2George Caulkin at the Riverside Stadium
Alan Curbishley should not be offended if few members of his squad take him up on the offer of a festive handshake this week. It seems that every player he has touched during his 12 months as manager at West Ham United has fallen victim to injury, but if his treatment room still resembles a battle scene from Apocalypse Now, the manager's luck may finally be turning.
Nobody, in the immediate future, will mistake Curbishley for King Midas, but West Ham's 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough featured goals for Dean Ashton and Scott Parker, whose dominant statistics at Upton Park have been in medical reports. In terms of away form, sickness has dissipated; 16 points have quietly been hoarded this season.
Saturday began in familiar fashion – George McCartney and Matthew Upson underwent fitness tests – but hardship brought inspiration. "It's been the story of our season," Curbishley said. "People who thought their chances might be limited have played regularly, others have been chasing fitness in the team. We had a rallying call before the game, because we knew we had to go out and get on with it."
If the effect was far from spellbinding, complaints were absent from West Ham supporters, who launched into a rendition of Jingle Bells when Parker began a 90th-minute move on the right, collected a return pass from John Paintsil and scored with a right-foot shot. It was Parker's first goal for the club and his side's first league win on Teesside since 1990.
It was a boost for Parker's career, which stalled at Chelsea, tailed off at Newcastle United and is yet to recommence with any significance because of a lingering medial ligament problem. "When you've been out for so long, it doesn't get much better than a last-minute winner," Parker said.
"It's good to be back; this moment has been a long time coming. I'm back where I started in my career, playing in a side managed by Curbs. He nurtured me as a young lad and brought me through at Charlton."
Curbishley's list of absentees still stretches into double figures, but confidence should not be lacking for their match against Reading on Boxing Day. They demonstrated endurance when Middlesbrough took the lead through David Wheater, restoring parity on the brink of half-time when Ashton shot brilliantly from long range.
Gareth Southgate's side could not replicate the pummelling of Arsenal a fortnight ago and the concern for the manager must be that a small squad cannot easily be invigorated. Attacking reinforcements are needed, but Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe are unattainable. Rob Hulse, the Sheffield United striker, is a short-term target.
Middlesbrough (4-4-2): M Schwarzer 7 – L Young 6, J Woodgate 6 (sub: R Huth, 63min 5), D Wheater 6, E Pogatetz 6 – A Johnson 6 (sub: L Cattermole, 77), G Boateng 6, J Arca 7, S Downing 6 – Tuncay Sanli 6, J Aliadière 4. Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, M Shawky, Lee Dong Gook.Booked:Boateng, Arca.Next:Birmingham City (a).
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 6 – L Neill 6, J Spector 7, M Upson 7, G McCartney 6 – N Solano 7 (sub: M Noble, 76), H Mullins 5, S Parker 7, F Ljungberg 5 – D Ashton 6, H Camara 5 (sub: J Paintsil, 85). Substitutes not used: R Wright, C Dailly, H Ephraim. Booked: Parker, Solano. Next: Reading (h).
Referee M Atkinson
Attendance 26,007
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Middlesbrough 1 West Ham United 2: Parker's sense of adventure rewarded after his long wait - The Independent
By Michael Walker
Published: 24 December 2007
Scott Parker was one of those players named by Joey Barton during his "vicious" outburst at Newcastle United a few weeks ago. Parker, Barton said, was "eaten up" by the pressure of being a major signing at St James' Park and it is true that after Alan Shearer invested personal time on holiday in Portugal persuading Parker to leave Chelsea for Newcastle rather than Tottenham, the £6.5m move was unfulfilling for both parties.
Given the chance to re-join his former Charlton manager – indeed his first manager, Alan Curbishley, Parker leapt at it this summer. But when he landed at Upton Park it was with a bump.
Prior to Saturday Parker had played in only five Premier League games this season and he had not scored. Spectacularly, memorably, that was rectified in the last minute of a sometimes intriguing, sometimes slapdash affair that was decided by Parker's fleetness of foot inside the Middlesbrough area.
The 90th-minute goal came 364 days after his last in the League and Parker's relief was visible. "When you've been out for so long, and had a lot of disappointments, it doesn't get much better than scoring a last-minute winner," he said.
"It's good to be back. This moment has been a long time coming. I've had to be patient, I got injured in pre-season with a medial ligament problem and it just dragged on and on. The fans have had to wait until nearly Christmas for me to get off the mark, so I hope it was worth the wait."
Their reaction to a fifth away win said it was. Now 27, Parker is reunited with Curbishley more than a decade after the Lambeth-born midfielder signed professionally at The Valley.
"He nurtured me as a young lad and brought me through at Charlton," he said. "He knows me and I know him, which is not a bad thing. People say it never quite happened for me at Newcastle, but I had a good first year up there. I was a firm favourite and I was rewarded with their Player of the Season award.
"Then, after a good start last year, I got injured and for some reason it turned for me. It was a difficult time and, having been made captain, some of the stick was channelled through me. But I haven't got a bad word to say about Newcastle: things go wrong for people in all walks of life. I'm just happy to be back playing again."
Told "to sit" by Graeme Souness, Parker has been asked not to by Curbishley. After half-timeWest Ham were more adventurous. They had been struggling to cope with Middlesbrough's early vibrancy, though by the time David Wheater put Boro ahead in the 40th minute, the game was flat and even.
Wheater's goal had Boro thinking of a third straight win but Dean Ashton belted in an equaliser four minutes later and the game was locked until Parker broke in. Gareth Southgate looked as if he had endured Christmas Day already and with Mido out until next month he may bring in some forward physical presence in the shape of Sheffield United's Rob Hulse. Some might consider that as great a surprise as a Scott Parker goal.
Goals: Wheater (40) 1-0; Ashton (44) 1-1; Parker (90) 1-2.
Middlesbrough (4-4-2) Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate (Huth, 63) Wheater, Pogatetz; Downing, Boateng, Arca, Johnson (Cattermole, 77); Aliadière, Sanli. Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), Shawky, Dong Gook.
West Ham United (4-4-2) Green; Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney; Solano (Noble, 76) Mullins, Parker, Ljungberg; Camara (Pantsill, 86) Ashton. Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Dailly, Ephraim.
Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Booked: Middlesbrough Boateng, Arca; West Ham Parker, Solano.
Man of the match: Parker.
Attendance: 26,007.
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West Ham boss Curbishley demands Parker goals
tribalfooball.com - December 23, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is demanding Scott Parker become a regular scorer out of the Hammers' midfield. Curbishley was Parker's coach at Charlton before the midfielder secured a big-money move to Chelsea. But in a subsequent spell at Newcastle, he became known more for his defensive qualities than his prowess in the final third. Now Curbishley has called on Parker to use his fine solo effort against Middlesbrough - who went ahead through David Wheater after 40 minutes before Dean Ashton thundering drive levelled the scores four minutes later - as the springboard for a productive campaign.
"I've asked Parker to be, perhaps, a bit more offensive than he was at Newcastle," the Hammers boss revealed. "When I had him at Charlton, he could do a bit of both. At Newcastle, I feel he was a bit more responsible. "So I've asked him he can get a bit more into the box and a pinch us a goal. "Let's hope this is the start of something."
Curbishley's relationship with Parker was believed to have soured somewhat when he opted to leave The Valley for Stamford Bridge - a move that failed to work out for Parker - but there is now nothing but respect for the hard work the player has put in at Upton Park in the face of adversity. "It's been such a frustrating time for Scott, getting injured in the second week of pre-season then coming back, not being quite right and going out again," said Curbishley.
"He's worked ever so hard and he fully deserves what happened (against Boro)."
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West Ham agree groundshare with Tottenham
tribalfootball.com - December 23, 2007
West Ham United have agreed to host Tottenham at Upton Park for two years as White Hart Lane is redeveloped. The People says Spurs officials met West Ham to ask about the possibility of moving into Upton Park in 2009. The Hammers board has agreed to the idea in principal and told their London rivals to come back with a proposal. The deal could be worth up to £20million for West Ham, who hope to remain at Upton Park while they build a new stadium of their own, and then move into that new home at the end of their ground-share agreement with Spurs. Spurs will announce in the New Year whether they will move out of White Hart Lane and redevelop it, or move into a brand new stadium elsewhere.
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West Ham agree fee for Derby's Barnes
tribalfootball.com - December 23, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has clinched a deal for Derby County winger Giles Barnes. The Sun says Hammers agreed a deal for the England Under-21 star to sign next month. Alan Curbishley has been tracking Barnes, 19, for a year and had a £3.5m bid snubbed by Rams during the summer. But the West Ham boss has got his man after new chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson sanctioned an improved £5 million bid.
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West Ham sign £5m Derby winger - Soccerblog.com
12.24.2007 by Amaresh in Premiership
West Ham have finally won the £5million race to sign Derby winger Giles Barnes. Hammers agreed a deal for the England Under-21 star to sign next month.
Alan Curbishley has been tracking Barnes, 19, for a year and had a £3.5m bid snubbed by Rams during the summer. But the West Ham boss has got his man after new chairiman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson sanctioned an improved bid. Derby are reluctant to sell Barnes who is one of their best players and scored a stunning goal in yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle. But boss Paul Jewell needs cash to bolster his squad for what is likely to be a promotion campaign next season. Derby are watching Nigerian striker Patrick Ogunsoto, who plays for Belgium club Westerlo. Ogunsoto, 24, holds an EU passport â€" and Wigan, Middlesbrough Wolves and Charlton are also keen.
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Reds wait on Javier deal - ESS
Last Updated: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 08:31
Rafa Benitez would like to complete the Javier Mascherano move during the transfer window but is prepared to wait. Having signed on loan from West Ham a year ago, the Argentinian midfielder has a contract until the summer and although he would like to wrap up a deal said to be worth £17m as soon as possible, the Anfield chief says he is prepared to wait until the summer. "We're just waiting. I have confidence he will stay with us," said Benitez. "I really don't know (if he will sign in January). The situation is we are working together on a lot of issues, and we just have to wait. "But it's always better to get it done as soon as possible." Benitez is also thought to be very keen on adding a new centre-half to his ranks when the window opens in just over a week.
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Middlesbrough 1-2 West Ham - The Mirror
By Mike Walters 24/12/2007
Scott Parker's last-minute winner was the biggest sickener on Teesside since nutty professors voted Middlesbrough Britain's worst place to live.
Although Parker's first goal for West Ham took longer to arrive than a Garth Crooks question, its significance ran deeper than just settling this squabble between the barrow boys and Boro boys.
It reinforced Hammers manager Alan Curbishley's claim that he is still among the country's most dynamic midfielders when he makes late excursions into the box - and proved there is life after Nigel Reo-Coker at Upton Park.
Boro we can deal with in short measure. After seven points from their previous three games, including a memorable trample over Arsenal's egos, they ran out of steam faster than Thomas The Tank Engine during the coal strike.
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But while Gareth Southgate's men now face a crucial trip to Birmingham, which has all the makings of cold turkey on Boxing Day, Parker's reunion with Curbishley, the man who groomed him into a £10million midfielder at Charlton, is finally bearing fruit.
From misfit at Chelsea to missed opportunities at Newcastle and misadventure with England (tactical genius Steve McClaren's bungle in Zagreb), Parker's talent has been in danger of withering on the vine.
To his credit, however, he does not do sour grapes - and his cool finish was a throwback to the days when Parker was the hottest property on the south side of the Blackwall Tunnel.
He said: "When you've been out for so long and had a lot of disappointments, it doesn't get much better than scoring a last-minute winner.
"This moment has been a long time coming and I've had to be patient. I got injured in pre-season with a medial ligament problem and although I was supposed to be out for between four and six weeks, it just dragged on and on.
"It only added to the frustration that there were a couple of setbacks along the way, but the fans have had to wait until nearly Christmas for me to get off the mark and I hope it was worth the wait.
"Give or take a couple of miles, I'm back where I started in my career, playing in a side managed by Alan Curbishley. He nurtured me as a young lad and brought me through at Charlton - he knows me and I know him, which is not a bad thing.
"People say it never quite happened for me at Newcastle but I had a good first year up there, I was a firm favourite, and I was rewarded with their player-of-the-season award. Then, after a good start last year, I got injured and for some reason it turned for me. I can't put my finger on it but it was a difficult time and, having been made captain, some of the stick was channelled through me.
"But I haven't got a bad word to say about Newcastle: things go wrong for people in all walks of life and I'm just happy to be back playing again."
David Wheater bundled Boro ahead with their only shot on target, only for Dean Ashton - baited about his physique and parentage by home fans - to silence the Teesside weightwatchers with a superb equaliser.
And when Parker's twinkling feet delivered the late punchline, the Riverside emptied faster than a sauna after last night's curry.
Boro fullback Luke Young, once Parker's Charlton team-mate, groaned: "When Scotty goes on a run like that he's difficult to stop, and if anyone was going to score the winner it had to be him because he's such a class act.
"When he was at Newcastle they tried to use him in a holding role but that's not really his best position - he is a fine creative player, as his display against us proved."
Curbishley, the moan ranger whose weekly bleats about injuries or referees have camouflaged the steadying influence of his first 12 months in charge, echoed Young's observation.
He said: "If you look at Scott's career, Claudio Ranieri signed him for Chelsea only for a new manager (Jose Mourinho) to turn up with different ideas.
"Then at Newcastle he came in under Graeme Souness and another new manager (Glenn Roeder) turned up, perhaps with a brief to change things around.
"We are asking him to get into the box more and the more games he gets under his belt the stronger he will become. There will be more goals to come from him."
None of which is of any consolation to the good citizens of Middlesbrough as they come to terms with uncertain prospects for 2008 and that civic insult of deluded boffins who measure living standards on the back of a fag packet or a beermat. With respect, have these people been to Luton or Hull lately?
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer 7, Young 7, Woodgate 5 (Huth, 63, 5), Wheater 6, Pogatetz 6, Boateng 5, Arca 6, Downing 7, Johnson 6 (Cattermole, 77), Tuncay 5, Aliadiere 5.
West Ham: Green 6, Neill 5, Upson 8, Spector 7, McCartney 6, Ljungberg 6, Parker 7, Mullins 7, Solano 7 (Noble, 76), Ashton 7, Camara 4 (Pantsil, 86).
Attendance: 26,007
Man Of The Match: Upson
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