Nolberto Solano was the match-winner for West Ham United as they moved up to
ninth with a fine victory
23.02.2008
Fulham 0-1 West Ham United
A last-gasp goal from Nolberto Solano settled a competitive encounter at
Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
Before kick-off, both teams united to honour Bobby Moore, who died 15 years
ago this weekend. West Ham United knew they needed a win to kick-start their
charge for the European places while Fulham, in 19th place, were in need of
precious points to aid their fight for survival. After a closely-fought hour
of play, substitute Solano brought much-needed invention to the visitors'
attack and struck the decisive blow with a close-range finish on 87 minutes.
On a chilly afternoon in west London, Alan Curbishley had given Carlton Cole
the nod to play the lone strikers' role while Fulham employed similar 4-5-1
tactics with the fit again Brian McBride as the figurehead. It was the
supporting players who initially looked most lively, with Luis Boa Morte
underlining his intent with a first-minute challenge on Leon Andreasen.
For Fulham, Clint Dempsey and Jimmy Bullard were buzzing around and in the
seventh minute they produced the first shot. From Bullard's pass, Dempsey
ran at Lucas Neill before letting fly. Anton Ferdinand was alive to it and
managed to block before the ball ran to Paul Konchesky who shot into Robert
Green's hands.
In the 12th minute, Cole connected first time with Mark Noble's early cross
and Antti Niemi produced a smart stop. The match became scrappy after that
with Freddie Ljungberg twice upended in quick succession. The second foul
led to a Mark Noble free-kick in a central position. The midfielder flashed
his 30-yarder under the wall but Niemi was alert enough to save.
Cole then went close again in the 19th minute after Boa Morte did well under
pressure from Brede Hangeland. The striker was just about to let fly when
Konchesky intercepted. A minute later, Cole smashed a fierce shot on the
turn that just cleared Niemi's crossbar. At the other end, Bullard and
Dempsey remained a threat without worrying Green too much.
Midway through the half, Julien Faubert and Faubert swapped flanks as
Curbishley's men looked to find a way through a strong home defence. On 27
minutes, Boa Morte sent in a back header that just looped over the crossbar.
The former Fulham man was growing in confidence and a moment of sublime
close control saw a bemused Andreasen booked for a late challenge.
Fulham ended the half strongly with Kamara unleashing a stinging effort in
the 37th minute that Matthew Upson did well to block before McBride's first
sight of goal finished with a low shot into Green's body. Dempsey then got a
chance to shoot just before half-time but Ferdinand was able to clear.
There was a stop-start feel to the early stages of the second half as Kamara
and Bullard both tried their luck only for Ferdinand and then Ljungberg to
get in the way of their goalbound shots. Noble then required lengthy
treatment after being hit in the face by a stray McBride boot. Fulham were
going for it with Hangeland just heading over the bar from Konchesky's
corner.
As the hour approached, the game opened up. Noble fed Faubert away down the
right and his cross looked menacing before Niemi came to claim with relative
ease. On 60 minutes, Noble played a delightful one-two with Faubert inside
the penalty area but his shot was just off target. Two minutes later,
Ljungberg shot low into Niemi's hands after more bright play from Noble.
The tiring Faubert, making his first start, went off to be replaced by
Solano on 63 minutes and he was to take instant control of the visitors'
attack. Two minutes later, Noble fed Cole with a superb crossfie
ld pass. The No12's shot was deflected off target before Mullins blasted
wide from the resulting corner. Dempsey got a chance on the counterattack
but his shot was weak.
A great chance fell to Cole in the 73rd minute from Ljungberg's cross but
the move was all about a stunning slide-rule pass from Solano. When the ball
came to Cole on the edge of the six-yard box he did well with his header but
Niemi made a good save. Roy Hodgson had seen enough and, with 15 minutes to
play, Dempsey went off to be replaced by fellow US striker Eddie Johnson,
making his debut.
Fulham were boosted by the change and within 30 seconds, Andreasen was
allowed to shoot but McCartney was able to get a block in. On 79 minutes,
Hughes nearly caught out Niemi with a stray backpass but the home side
frantically scrambled the ball away. With ten minutes to play, Dean Ashton
came on for Cole as Curbishley also looked for the winner.
Fittingly for a team fighting for top-flight survival and with only one win
in 16 matches, Fulham were going all out and nearly had the breakthrough
when Johnson blazed over when well placed to the right of goal. Bullard
should also have done better in the 86th minute after being slipped through
on goal with Green doing brilliantly to save.
A goal was coming but it was to come up the other end courtesy of the
inspirational Solano. Neill chipped into the penalty area for Boa Morte. The
former Fulham man controlled the ball on his chest before it ran into the
path of Solano, who was able to hook into the net just before Niemi could
get there. Andreasen was then sent off for protesting the manner of the goal
and, despite five minutes of added time, West Ham United were able to hold
firm for the victory.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Faubert (Solano
63), Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg (Spector 90), Boa Morte, Cole (Ashton 80)
Subs not used: Wright, Pantsil
Fulham: Niemi, Stalteri, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Andreasen, Bullard,
Murphy, Kamara, Dempsey (Johnson 75), McBride
Subs not used: Keller, Bocanegra, Smertin, Nevland
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby pointing the way forward - WHUFC
Nolberto Solano is optimistic that West Ham United can stay on track despite
three tough fixtures coming up
24.02.2008
Nolberto Solano is expecting West Ham United to keep on pushing up the
Barclays Premier League table after a match-winning performance at Fulham.
The Peruvian international is working his way back to full fitness after
picking up a hamstring injury on 29 December in the 2-1 home win against
Manchester United. With Saturday's game at Craven Cottage seemingly destined
to finish goalless, Solano came off the bench for Julien Faubert just after
the hour mark and promptly added his inventive play and precise passing to
the Hammers attack.
His hunger was underlined by the way he ghosted beyond Danny Murphy in the
87th minute to latch on to Luis Boa Morte's chested pass. As Antti Niemi
came out to claim the ball, Solano got there just before the Finnish
goalkeeper to hook the ball goalwards. It then ricocheted off Niemi, hit
Solano on the elbow and then trickled over the line. For Solano, there was
no controversy despite Fulham protests that he had kicked the ball out of
Niemi's hands and then used his elbow illegally.
"It was 50-50," Solano told WHUTV. "I tried to win the ball and the keeper
came out to me. The bounce came back to me and hit my elbow and went in, but
it wasn't intentional. We got the luck there. The most important thing was
to take three points. We didn't play a great game but we knew before we came
here it would be very tough. We nicked three points and that was very
important for us as we are trying to qualify for the European places."
That continental qualification ambition will be put to the test with the
next three games in the space of seven days. A busy schedule starts with
Chelsea at home on Saturday before the trips to Liverpool and Tottenham on
the following Wednesday and Sunday respectively. Solano added: "It is still
on and hopefully we can get another result against Chelsea. We will try to
win."
The experienced 33-year-old, who now has three goals from 13 games this
season, is eager to play a full role in those three games and for the rest
of the campaign. "I am feeling fit. I am better. It is important that I can
play and help the team to win. We are looking to keep pushing up the table.
It will be very tough in the next three games but hopefully we can do it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Youngsters keep winning habit - WHUFC
Tom Harvey and Freddie Sears continued the Under-18s fine away form at
Crystal Palace this weekend
24.02.2008
Crystal Palace Under-18s 0-2 West Ham United Under-18s
Tony Carr's Academy side made it five wins from six unbeaten games as they
ran out worthy winners at Crystal Palace thanks to Tom Harvey and Freddie
Sears.
A polished defensive performance in front of Adam Street helped frustrate
the home side before the visitors won it with two late goals. Harvey struck
with 15 minutes left following a good cross from Anthony Edgar and the
result was never in doubt from that point. Sears made the game safe five
minutes from time with a superb finish barely eight minutes after coming on
as substitute.
Carr was thrilled with his team's performance, particularly as he rested
centre-back Bondz N'Gala completely and left Sears on the bench until late
in the game after both performed well for the reserves on Wednesday. He was
also aware that Kevin Keen's team have another game on Monday night at
Tottenham Hotspur and that several of his squad may get another chance to
shine at that level.
The first half saw West Ham United limit their hosts to few opportunities to
test Street, who had come into the game feeling unwell but was able to
complete the 90 minutes. The Hammers had a few half-chances of their own in
a match that was also affected by blustery conditions. After the break, the
visitors - who have won 2-0 and 1-0 at Arsenal and Southampton respectively
in their last two away games - stepped up a gear.
They finally got the breakthrough they deserved when midfielder Harvey hit
his second goal in five matches. Then it was all about Sears. The prolific
forward had been on for eight minutes when Josh Payne, playing in midfield
rather than his usual centre-back position, slid the ball through. That set
Sears away and he quickly brushed aside the defender in his way before
getting through one on one with the goalkeeper. With little difficulty,
Sears rounded him and shot into the net for his 21st goal of the season at
U18 level from just 17 matches.
West Ham United: Street, O'Neill, Spence, Brookes, Fitzgerald (Miller 80),
Edgar, Harvey, Payne, Lee, Stanislas (Kearns 80), Hunt (Sears 78),
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley hails team spirit - WHUFC
Once again, Alan Curbishley's West Ham United kept going until late in the
day to secure a key victory
23.02.2008
Alan Curbishley paid tribute to the work ethic in his team as West Ham
United returned to winning ways at Fulham on Saturday.
Nolberto Solano will rightly take the headlines for the winning goal that
capped a superb display in the last half-an-hour of a fiercely contested
London derby that seemed destined for a goalless draw. However, the manager
was keen to commend his entire squad for the way they ground out the victory
and moved to within four points of the teams occupying seventh and eighth
place.
"I am delighted with that the team have done," he said of a 1-0 victory that
means the club have 40 points. "The players have done fantastically well.
They have got themselves to where they are with 12 games to go." Curbishley
admitted in the week that he had asked for more going forward but as is
typical in a capital contest when so much is at stake, chances were at a
premium.
"We want to be expansive like everybody else. The players that have been
playing have dug in all season. I have asked them to play out of position,
give it their lot every week. Great credit goes to them. Perhaps it should
not be taken for granted. It was a tough game which we knew it was going to
be. Fulham have made a couple of changes and it has given them a bit of a
lift. It was a tight game and if it was going to be settled it was going to
be by one goal.
"There was not a lot of goalscoring opportunities. We had a couple of them
and they did too. I think when you are down the bottom it does go against
you somewhat. I am delighted with our result." The manager's satisfaction
was furthered by Julien Faubert coming through an hour after his first start
for the club before making way for the majestic Solano to grab hold of the
game.
Elsewhere in the team, Robert Green underlined his England credentials in
front of Fabio Capello with a timely stop to deny Jimmy Bullard just two
minutes before the winner. "I can't forget Greeny's save when he was one on
one with [Jimmy] Bullard," Curbishley claimed, before adding words of praise
for Luis Boa Morte who was back in the starting eleven at his former club.
"I brought Boa Morte back in to play in the hole and he done his bit."
Another to get an honourable mention was Freddie Ljungberg who "has been
playing ever so well" - particularly as the manager had seen Matthew
Etherington and Lee Bowyer sit out training during the week. "I had to
change it around and put people out of position a little bit," he said.
"Ljungberg went into three or four different positions during the game,
which is not ideal but that is where we are at the moment. We are delighted
with Freddie that he has got himself in fine shape."
Acknowledging as well that Mark Noble had dominated in a packed midfield,
Curbishley said the 4-5-1 system he went for with Carlton Cole as the lone
striker was a major factor in allowing the youngster to shine. "When you
change the shape and the system like we have done, it suits certain people.
When you play one down the middle, it doesn't suit the other centre-forward
left out but then it might suit the three midfield players who end up
playing to their strengths."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bobby Moore remembered - WHUFC
Although 15 years have passed since his death, Bobby Moore's legacy lives on
forever with West Ham United
22.02.2008
Fifteen years ago, on 24 February 1993, football fans in England and across
the world united to mourn the tragic death of Bobby Moore at the age of just
51.
Instinctively, thousands of them made their way to the Boleyn Ground to pay
their respects and leave claret and blue tributes ranging from shirts and
scarves to flags and flowers. It was not just West Ham United fans either.
Rightly regarded as one of the all-time greats, Moore stood for everything
that was right about the game and his passing compelled supporters of other
clubs to offer condolences.
In his remarkable career, the legendary Barking-born defender served West
Ham United to distinction between 1958 and 1974 before a three-year stint
with Fulham. Moore helped the east London club to FA Cup and European Cup
Winners' Cup glory as well as winning 108 England caps and lifting the World
Cup trophy in the 1966 final at Wembley. That led to Royal recognition with
his OBE in 1967.
His achievements will never be forgotten. Indeed, visitors to the Boleyn
Ground cannot miss the Bobby Moore Stand built in 1993 which serves as
permanent recognition. Then there is the blue plaque in his honour outside
and the statue on the corner of Green Street. Much more than all of those
things, however, is the unseen legacy in the heart of every fan - that
unstinting expectation of football played the right way by those who
understand what it means to wear the shirt.
Moore's name also lives on with the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research,
set up by his widow Stephanie to raise money in his memory. The bowel cancer
that claimed his life is the third most common type of the disease in the UK
after breast and lung cancer. Around 100 people in this country are
diagnosed every day. The Bobby Moore Fund is one of West Ham United's two
chosen charities this season.
Bobby Moore was the essence of West Ham United. A local boy made good who
walked with the best on a global stage but always in a down to earth manner
that never belied his roots. His is the standard by which all others are
judged.
Bobby Moore - 12 April 1941 - 24 February 1993
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'He was an immaculate man' - WHUFC
Tony Gale recalls his personal memories of Bobby Moore in an exclusive
interview with WHUTV
23.02.2008
On a weekend where Bobby Moore is rightly in the hearts and minds of many,
West Ham United favourite Tony Gale talks about his personal memories.
To me, Bobby Moore was footballing royalty. I had the pleasure of succeeding
him at Fulham. I then succeeded him later on when I moved to West Ham and
then after that, believe it or not, I succeeded him at Capital Gold radio
where he used to work when he finished his footballing days. I consider
myself very honoured.
In my early days at Fulham, I was an apprentice to George Best, Rodney Marsh
and Bobby. Bobby didn't really say a lot. He was a quiet type of chap, he
had a great sense of humour, but you just had to watch the way he conducted
himself in training, the way he was and the way he played.
I tried to emulate him - I didn't get anywhere near him I might add - but he
was for me the best footballing defender alongside Franz Beckenbauer ever.
The way he used to play the ball out of the back with the outside and the
inside of his right foot. He could also use his left foot to no mean effect
as well. And when he set up attacks, he set them away with some great
slide-rule passes.
He was a great reader of the game. I always call the Bobby Moore position
that spot just at the near post where he used to cut balls out from wingers.
Later on, people have said John Terry has invented that position but, make
no mistake about it, Bobby Moore was the man who did it first.
He was a guy if you watched him in training you couldn't fail to pick little
things up from him. After training for instance, he was the only one out of
all the professionals who used to fold his training kit up afterwards.
Everybody else used to fling dirty kit into the middle of the floor and we
used to have it to pick it up as apprentices but Bobby's was folded up.
And then of course he went home in his yellow Jaguar that he had at Fulham,
I was privileged to be dropped off a couple of times on the way because
Bobby had to travel through Pimlico where I lived to get through to the East
End. When he did drop me off at the shops around where my mum and dad lived,
I always made a point of taking my time getting out of the car so everyone
knew that it was Bobby Moore dropping me off.
Part of my incentive in signing as an apprentice at Fulham was to go and
watch the 1975 FA Cup final against West Ham, where I would eventually end
up. Of course, the West Ham players and the West Ham fans all had that
respect for Bobby. West Ham ran out victors of course as everybody knows
through two Alan Taylor goals and were deserved winners on the day.
I remember going to the Fulham banquet afterwards and all the West Ham
players turned up from their banquet to come and have a drink with Bobby
Moore. I thought that just spoke volumes for what the man was about. Five or
six of the West Ham lads come away from their own celebrations to see the
great Bobby. I was about 15 at the time and me and my dad were just standing
there in awe of the great man. It was a fabulous night.
He was an immaculate man in every sense of the word. I don't think he ever
let himself down in front of people yet he was still one of the lads. You
knew where to draw the line with Bobby, especially as a young lad talking to
him in the dressing room. You always had the impression that he was
listening to everyone, he was always watching people. He was a great reader
of people as well as the game of football. For West Ham United, Fulham and
England, he was simply the best.
Tony Gale
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moore memories live on - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley, Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson are all aware of what the
legendary No6 did for the club
23.02.2008
Alan Curbishley has spoken of his memories of Bobby Moore as West Ham United
mark 15 years this weekend since the club legend passed away.
"We are obviously going to try and honour him as much as we can," said
Curbishley before adding that his players would all wear black armbands at
Fulham to respect the memory of a man who was capped 108 times by England
and lifted the 1966 World Cup. "It is quite right for someone of his stature
to be remembered. I am sure he will get the response that he should get on
Saturday."
The manager recalled his first introduction to Moore coming when Ron
Greenwood invited him as a promising teenager to join in pre-season training
during the summer months. "That was a fantastic memory for me," Curbishley
said, adding with a smile that he particularly remembered training in later
years out in the Essex countryside. "I soon became aware he know most parts
of Epping Forest - he knew a short-cut or two as we were running around."
West Ham United captain Lucas Neill has been particularly keen to ensure the
squad are aware of the importance of this weekend's anniversary. The
right-back will lead the team out at Craven Cottage, fittingly the club
where Moore moved upon leaving the Boleyn Ground in 1974, and is personally
mindful of the responsibility of wearing the West Ham United armband. "Even
now it makes me tingle," he said.
"It is a great honour and you mention Bobby Moore and to put your name on a
list with great names such as that is truly remarkable. I don't see it as an
achievement - I see it as a privilege or an honour. It surprises me when I
am leading out a talented squad in a big club. It is very humbling and very
rewarding."
England defender Matthew Upson is also a proud man, having had the privilege
this season of wearing the No6 shirt that Moore made his own during his
illustrious career. "It's a big honour," he said. "Sometimes I do sit at
home and think about it and I get a little buzz because it's a big honour. I
didn't actually specifically ask for it. I was given it and it's a real
honour to wear that shirt."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham 0-1 West Ham - BBC
By Sarah Holt
A late goal from Nolberto Solano gave West Ham a narrow win and put pressure
on relegation-threatened Fulham. The Hammers were frustrated in the first
half as Carlton Cole saw a volley saved and another skim the bar, while Luis
Boa Morte also went wide. Fulham worked hard but West Ham's firm defence
kept out Brian McBride's volley and Diomansky Kamara's effort. Solano then
bundled the ball in, to the fury of Fulham, who had Leon Andreasen sent off
for his protests for handball. As Fulham keeper Antti Niemi came to meet
Solano, the ball seemed to go in off the Peruvian's elbow. The home side's
frustration was understandable as, despite a spirited display, they could
not prevent yet another late home defeat and remain mired in the relegation
zone. England manager Fabio Capello was in the stands at Craven Cottage, and
if he did not stay for the dramatic conclusion it would be hard to guess
whether he saw anything to spark his interest. In the first half, Cole saw
three scoring opportunities go begging. First, the striker's dipping shot
was saved by Niemi. Then Boa Morte, under pressure from Brede Hangeland, put
Cole clear through, but his right-footed shot was diverted to safety by Paul
Konchesky. Cole conjured another chance, meeting Julien Faubert's cross in
the air and firing the ball towards the goal, only for it to clip over the
bar.
Boa Morte wasted another decent chance for the visitors when his header from
close range looped over the woodwork. Jimmy Bullard and Clint Dempsey worked
effortlessly to turn the tide and push Fulham forward. Bullard's ball out of
defence found American Dempsey, whose shot was blocked by Anton Ferdinand.
Konchesky smacked the loose ball towards goal but Robert Green pounced on it
to keep Fulham at bay. Fulham went close again when skipper McBride,
returning to the side after rupturing his knee cap in August, hit his volley
straight at Green; and just before half-time, Dempsey also volleyed wide. It
looked as though Fulham might finally get a bit of luck when Kamara found
himself in space in the box, only for his shot to be blocked by Ferdinand.
West Ham's defence has been impressive this season and even when it looked
as though Ferdinand had handled the ball, Fulham's penalty appeals were
waved away. The Hammers cranked up the pressure and Mark Noble was unlucky
to see his clever one-two with Faubert fizzle out as he put his shot wide.
Cole was also in the mix but his left-footed shot was battered away by Aaron
Hughes and then, when he was unmarked again, he could do no better than head
the ball into Niemi's arms. Dempsey then missed Fulham's best chance of the
match when through on goal but he could only loft the ball into Green's
arms. And an excellent save from Green denied Bullard and Fulham again, as
the keeper got down well to collect his cross. The match was settled soon
afterwards when Solano, in typical fashion, broke clear of the defence and
somehow poked the ball beyond Niemi.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson: "I'm sad when you play like that but you come away
with nothing and concede a goal like that. "Solano's studs were in (Fulham
keeper) Antti Niemi's face and have cut his shoulder to, so it's very
unlucky. "It was a clear foul and the goal should have been disallowed. We
had worked hard for the point and it was unfortunate that it was taken
away."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley: "From my angle Nobby got a clean connection
but then they are saying it might have been his elbow. "It was difficult for
the referee to see but if it has been our little bit of luck then we'll take
it. "It was always going to be a tight game and we had to keep going so I'm
pleased with the result."
Fulham: Niemi, Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Andreasen, Bullard,
Murphy, Dempsey (Johnson 76), McBride, Kamara.
Subs Not Used: Keller, Bocanegra, Smertin, Nevland.
Sent Off: Andreasen (88).
Booked: Murphy, Hangeland, Andreasen.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg (Spector 90),
Mullins, Faubert (Solano 63), Noble, Boa Morte, Cole (Ashton 80).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Pantsil.
Goals: Solano 87.
Att: 25,280
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: West Ham's Carlton Cole 7.38 (on 90
minutes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Solano: it's on - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 25th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Nobby Solano has declared that European qualification is still a very real
possibility - despite a punishing forthcoming schedule. The Hammers face
Chelsea (h), Liverpool (a) and Tottenham (a) within the space of seven days
next week in games that will go some way to deciding whether the Hammers
will be in contntion for a European spot come May. But Saturday's match
winner feels that despite the arduous task ahead, qualification is still
very much on the cards. "Hopefully we can get another result against
Chelsea," he told whufc.com. "We will try to win. "We are looking to keep
pushing up the table. It will be very tough in the next three games but
hopefully we can do it."
United's hopes of qualifying for Europe were dented by Tottenham's Carling
Cup win over Chelsea yesterday which means that Spurs take one of the
available European slots which would have gone to the team finishing seventh
in the league had Chelsea won. WIth Blackburn also winning yesterday the
Hammers slip back to tenth, still seven points behind sixth-placed Aston
Villa (albeit with a game in hand). West Ham beat Fulham on Saturday thanks
to Solano's 87th minute winner, which was shrouded in controversy. However
the Peruvian international insisted that referee Howard Webb's decision to
allow the goal to stand was a correct one. "It was 50/50," he added. "I
tried to win the ball as the keeper came out to me. "The ball hit my elbow
but it wasn't intentional; we got the luck there. The most important thing
was to take the points. "We didn't play a great game but we nicked three
points and that was very important for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s march on - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 24th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Goals from Tom Harvey and Fred Sears kept West Ham United's Academy Group A
title chances alive as they continued their good run of form against Crystal
Palace at Beckenham. The young Hammers spent much of the game under the cosh
against a battling Palace side, fresh from a 2-1 win over title favourites
Arsenal last weekend. But two late goals won the game for the Hammers, who
remain unbeaten in 2008. TOm Harvey broke the deadlock with just 15 minutes
to play, before substitute Sears put the game beyond the home side four
minutes from time after cooly rounding the Palace 'keeper.
West Ham United: Street, O'Neill, Spence, Brookes, Fitzgerald (Miller 80),
Edgar, Harvey, Payne, Lee, Stanislas (Kearns 80), Hunt (Sears 78).
Goals: Harvey (75), Sears (86).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham 0 West Ham Utd 1 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 23rd February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Nobby Solano is the toast of the East End tonight after his last-gasp effort
secured all three points in this afternoon's London derby at Craven Cottage.
The Peruvian substitute popped up to score the winning goal three minutes
from time - despite Fulham claims that it should have been disallowed for a
foul on 'keeper Anti Niemi.
The defeat - which leaves the Cottagers staring relegation squarely in the
face - was perhaps a touch harsh on the home side, even though the Hammers
had produced the better chances overall.
But as the Hammers found out last season, when you're struggling at the
bottom luck too often fails to go your way - and so it was today when
Solano's goal was allowed to stand despite TV evidence suggesting that it
could have been ruled out for at least two separate infringements.
Alan Curbishley had sent his side out in the familiar 4-5-1 away formation,
which meant there was no starting place for Dean Ashton who was yet again
left to kick his heels on the bench. In for his first start of the season
was winger Julien Faubert, whilst Luis Boa Morte returned to the side to
face the club for whom he made more than 250 appearances before joining the
Hammers a year ago.
A bright opening saw the first chance of the game fall to former Hammer Paul
Konchesky, although the Hammers soon took control and began to create
numerous chances - the best of which fell to Carlton Cole on 18 minutes.
Once again Konchesky was involved as his last-ditch interception saw Cole's
goalbound effort spin away for a corner rather than the opening goal.
Cole was involved again three minutes later when a fierce effort from the
edge of the box fizzed inches over Niemi's bar, although the returning Boa
Morte was somewhat better positioned to score on 27 minutes when a free
header inside the six yard box flew tamely over.
By the time Brian McBride had Fulham's next chance the home side had had
three players yellow-carded - Murphy, Hangeland and, most critically given
later events, Andreasen. It was a measure of how difficult the home side
were finding the game - although as was the case in United's last two
outings, Curbishley's side just couldn't provide the necessary cutting edge
to make their multitude of opportunities count.
The first half ended with two good Fulham chances, the most notable of which
saw Anton Ferdinand's outstretched boot divert Clint Dempsey's goalbound
effort off the goal line. The second 45 began as the first had ended, with
Fulham enjoying a good spell of pressure and making a series of hand-ball
claims (which the travelling Hammers fans amusingly ridiculed later in the
game by shouting 'hand-ball' every time a Fulham player touched it).
Centre-half Hangeland then missed Fulham's best chance of the game on 51
minutes by heading over the bar following a mistake by Rob Green. That miss
seemed to spur the Hammers back into action, none more so than Mark Noble -
who had been anonymous before the break - who began to find his feet and was
involved in West Ham's best moves over the next 20 minutes.
On the hour mark a great one-two between Noble and Ljungberg saw the former
fire narrowly wide of Niemi goal, with the keeper seemingly beaten. Two
minutes later great vision from the youngster set up the Swede for an effort
before he found Carlton Cole with a similarly exquisite pass on 64 minutes;
Cole again spurning the chance.
Curbishley decided to ring the changes with Nobby Solano replacing the
disappointing Faubert, who had contributed little in his first Premier
League start. However West Ham were instantly on the back foot as Clint
Dempsey wasted a good chance when put through before Rob Green
uncharacteristically gifted the opponents another chance two minutes later
by dropping a simple catch (although a good follow-up save made amends for
the initial blunder).
On 73 minutes Carlton Cole looked to have thrown away West Ham's best chance
of taking all three points by tamely nodding a free header straight at Niemi
after being gifted the opportunity by Freddie Ljungberg. Minutes later the
hard-working (but ultimately impotent) striker was replaced by Dean Ashton,
although the like-for-like substitution simply wasn't enough for the
travelling fans who left Alan Curbishley in no doubt of their feelings
regarding his conservative tactics by breaking into a chorus of 'too f*cking
negative' before trying to take charge themselves by willing the Hammers to
'attack, attack, attack'.
Conversely it was Fulham who enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, and Rob
Green - who was being watched by England boss Fabio Capello and goalkeeping
coach Ray Clemence - redeemed himself somewhat for earlier errors by making
a great save with an outstretched palm from Jimmy Bullard's point blank
shot.
Then, with three minutes remaining a deep cross from Lucas Neill was flicked
on by the hard-working Luis Boa Morte; 'keeper Niemi dallied for a split
second and that was enough for Nobby Solano to steal in and poke the ball
goalwards with an outstretched toe. Despite the best efforts of two Fulham
defenders the ball trickled over the line - and the game was won.
Fulham claimed an infringement but their calls were ignored by the referee
and his officials. TV replays showed that Niemi could claim to having both
hands on the ball prior to Solano's touch, whilst a subsequent boot in the
mush could also have resulted in the goal being disallowed - as could the
fact that it was actually Solano's elbow which had the final, decisive
touch. Fulham's Andreasen was so incensed that his appeals were considered
too robust by referee Webb, and the Dane was duly sent off for dissent
having already been booked in the first half.
Five minutes of injury time were added on but a disjointed and dejected
Fulham never looked like saving what would have been a vital point and it
was the Hammers who recorded a sixth away win of the season. For Fulham it
was a 14th Premier League defeat which surely signals the beginning of the
end of their run in the top flight.
The win lifts the Hammers up to ninth place in the Premier League at the
expense of Blackburn and keeps alive their faint hopes of qualifying for
Europe come May.
However Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Manchester City must be overtaken yet
for that to happen - and despite today's somewhat fortuitous win the four
point deficit will still prove a tough hurdle for Curbishley's side to
overcome, especially as their next fixture is against title-chasers Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham game switched - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 22nd February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's trip to White Hart Lane has been moved due to Tottenham's
continued involvement in the UEFA Cup. The fixture, originally scheduled for
Saturday 8th March has been switched to Sunday 9th March; kick off at 3pm.
Tottenham face PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie on
Thursday 6th March. The two sides drew 1-1 at The Boleyn Ground earlier in
the season; Rob Green being the hero of the day for saving a last minute
Jermain Defoe penalty.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hodgson slams goal decision - SSN
Fulham boss aggrieved by controversial winner
By Ben Collins Last updated: 23rd February 2008
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was dismayed by Howard Webb's decision to let
Nolberto Solano's late goal stand as the Cottagers suffered a 1-0 home
defeat by West Ham. Hammers substitute Solano bundled the ball past Fulham
goalkeeper Antti Niemi with just three minutes remaining but the goal was
shrouded in controversy. The Peruvian midfielder put in a firm challenge on
Niemi, with the ball creeping in off Solano's arm, and the goal stood
despite the home side's protests, which saw Leon Andreasen sent off for the
Cottagers. Hodgson felt the goal should have been disallowed and believes
Webb will agree once he reviews the incident. "I thought it was rather harsh
and I can't say anything other than that I'm very disappointed with the
referee's decision," said Hodgson. "I think that when people see it again
they'll justify my comments that the goal should have been disallowed. "[The
handball] exacerbates the situation because I thought the foul should have
been when he went in with his studs up in Antti Niemi's face."
Although Hodgson accepts Andreasen should not have confronted Webb, he was
pleased to see how much the decision meant to his players, with defeat
leaving Fulham four points adrift of safety heading into next week's home
clash against Manchester United. West Ham created the better opportunities
but Fulham had chances of their own to snatch the points late on, with
Robert Green denying Jimmy Bullard moments before Solano's winner, and
Hodgson felt they were worthy of at least a draw. "To some extent it's a
mark of the commitment of our players that they are so incensed and
disappointed not to get the result from the game which they deserved," he
said. "I think we'd have been pretty disappointed not to have won it and
probably have been berating ourselves for the chances we missed. "Every
point you get's a positive and every defeat's a negative so we've got to see
it as a negative and we've got to get ourselves back on track. "We've got to
put this behind us, start preparing for another big game next week, and hope
that one of these days we'll perhaps play less well and sneak a result
because at the moment we really aren't getting very much value for the work
the players are putting in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs grateful for late luck - SSN
Controversial winner pleases Hammers boss
By Ben Collins Last updated: 23rd February 2008
Alan Curbishley admits West Ham were fortunate to be awarded a late winner
at Fulham - but the Hammers boss felt they were due some luck. Substitute
Nolberto Solano gave the Hammers a 1-0 win after bundling the ball past
Antti Niemi with just three minutes remaining, but the goal was shrouded in
controversy. The Peruvian midfielder put in a firm challenge on the Fulham
goalkeeper, with the ball creeping in off Solano's arm, and the goal stood
despite the home side's protests, which saw Leon Andreasen sent off for the
Cottagers. Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was aggrieved by the decision but
Curbishley was more philosophical having conceded a harsh penalty in their
1-1 draw with Birmingham last time out. "It's swings and roundabouts, and
when it goes for us we're delighted with it, and when it doesn't, it'll even
itself out," he said. "We got that little bit of luck near the end but I
think we've been unlucky in recent weeks. "I think most people would agree
that penalty we conceded against Birmingham was a bit soft but it bounced
for us today.
"Nobby's gone in to challenge Antti Niemi and it looked from where I was
that he got a clean connection on it. "Then they're saying it might have
come off his elbow before it went in, but sometimes you get that little bit
of luck."
Although West Ham created the better opportunities, Fulham had chances of
their own to snatch the points late on with Robert Green denying Jimmy
Bullard moments before Solano's winner. The Hammers have been ravaged by
injuries this season but their latest three points have boosted their hopes
of clinching European qualification. "We had some decent chances and didn't
take them, and Fulham created one or two as well, so I think it was always
going to be settled by a single goal," Curbishley added. "I think the
players have got to take fantastic credit for what they've done this season.
"We've had tremendous problems with people pulling out and they've dug in
every week. "We do need to be a bit more expansive, create a few more
chances and make sure we take them, but for the most part, I'm delighted
with what they're doing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobbled by Solano - SSN
Last updated: 23rd February 2008
Fulham 0-1 West Ham
Soccer Saturday analysis
Paul Merson felt Fulham were well and truly Nobbled as West Ham took the
derby spoils with a controversial winner at Craven Cottage. The home side
were incensed by Howard Webb's decision to let Nolberto Solano's 87th-minute
strike stand, even though he appeared to nudge the ball out of Anti Niemi's
hands. Replays showed the ball eventually went in off the Peruvian's arm and
a furious Leon Andreasen was shown a second yellow card as he led the
protests. Merson had little sympathy for the Norwegian, but did admit that
Fulham had every right to feel aggrieved. "For me the keeper wasn't brave
enough though," he told Soccer Saturday. "He has got it in his hands but the
momentum of Solano when he slides in with him, has hit it out of his hands,
it's bounced off the goalie, hit Solano on the arm and gone in. "As it goes
into his hands, he hits him at exactly the same time. Nine times out of 10 -
and probably 99 times out of a 10 - it's a free-kick. Especially when you're
at home as well."
There was little to choose between the two sides in an engrossing, if not
overly-entertaining derby, and West Ham rarely threatened until their late
slice of luck. But even with Brian McBride back to lead the line, Merson
felt Fulham's failure to take their chances was every bit as crucial as
Solan's goal. "A couple of minutes before that we saw the fine line between
success and failure because Jimmy Bullard was through one-on-one with Robert
Green but he made a great save. If that goes in, they've won the game," he
said. "They had chances Fulham, some very good chances. There was nothing
between the two teams; one's second bottom and the other's mid-table but
there was nothing between them. "And if Fulham had won 1-0, we'd be sat here
saying exactly the same thing, so they've got to put their chances away.
They're not one of those free-flowing teams Fulham, who are going to make
nine or 10 chances a game. They made at least three good chances, but they
never hit the target. "Fulham have got to count themselves unlucky but if it
had ended 0-0, I've got to say that would still have been a shocking result
for them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers snatch late win
Fulham aggrieved by controversial winner
By Ben Collins Last updated: 23rd February 2008
Nolbert Solano scored a controversial late winner to hand West Ham a 1-0
victory at Fulham and leave their London rivals four points adrift of
safety. The Peruvian midfielder came on early in the second half and broke
the deadlock with just three minutes remaining after bundling the ball past
Antti Niemi.
Solano put in a firm challenge on the Fulham goalkeeper and the ball crept
in off Solano's arm but the goal stood despite the home side's protests,
which saw Leon Andreasen sent off for the Cottagers. Although West Ham
created the better opportunities, Fulham had chances of their own to snatch
the points late on, with Robert Green denying Jimmy Bullard moments before
Solano's winner.
It is the 15th anniversary this weekend of Bobby Moore passing away and
supporters stood for a minute's applause as a tribute ahead of the clash.
Fabio Capello was in the crowd but there was very little for the England
boss to get excited about in a dreary first half where there was little in
the way of flowing football. Ray Clemence was next to Capello, yet England
hopeful Robert Green was barely threatened in goal for West Ham until after
the break.
He did have to deal with an early shot across his goal from former Hammers
defender Paul Konchesky on the edge of the area - but after that the
visitors had the better of a poor opening 45 minutes. It was Carlton Cole,
the lone striker for West Ham, that looked most threatening early on as he
met Mark Noble's cross with a first-time volley in the opening exchanges but
Niemi saved the effort. The former Chelsea striker also skimmed the crossbar
with a volley from the edge of the area after latching onto a flick by
Julien Faubert. Danny Murphy had been snapping away in midfield and
eventually earned a yellow card from Howard Webb when he caught Fredrik
Ljungberg late and from behind. Brede Hangeland also earned a caution for
his high tackle on Luis Boa Morte - but only after advantage was played and
Cole raced through, with Konchesky back to clear. The Hammers should have
taken the lead when Boa Morte was given a free header yards from goal in the
27th minute. He was granted enough time to control the ball but looped his
effort onto the crossbar instead. Andreasen also earned a booking from Webb
as Fulham struggled to impose themselves on the game. Brian McBride did fire
a volley straight at Green, but clear-cut chances for the hosts were proving
difficult to create.
There was a slight improvement from the hosts at the start of the second
half and they had a couple of penalty shouts turned down for handball. The
first came when Diomansy Kamara took advantage of a dummy from Jimmy Bullard
and cannoned his shot off Anton Ferdinand, the second was a more hopeful
shout when Bullard's effort struck Ljungberg. From the corner, Hangeland
lobbed a header onto the roof of the net. West Ham looked to have weathered
the hosts' lively start to the second period and Noble side-footed wide from
the edge of the area after exchanging passes with Faubert, who was then
taken off for Solano. Aaron Hughes also had to be alert to block Cole when
he was found by Noble and headed towards goal, while Clint Dempsey struck
straight at Green at the other end when sent through. Green dropped a
free-kick with 20 minutes remaining but he and Lucas Neill were down sharply
to block McBride's rebound before Cole had a free header for the visitors
but put it straight at Niemi. Niemi was almost embarrassed before the end
when Hughes surprised him with a back pass - but the controversial winner
came in the 87th minute and Andreasen was dismissed following his
complaints.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham 0-1 West Ham - Soccernet
Nolberto Albino Todco Solano (87)
Nolberto Solano grabbed a controversial late winner for West Ham against
Fulham on the day Bobby Moore was honoured by his former clubs at Craven
Cottage. It is the 15th anniversary this weekend of Moore passing away and
supporters stood for a minute's applause as a tribute ahead of the Premier
League clash, which was settled by Solano's 87th-minute winner that appeared
to come off his arm after challenging goalkeeper Antti Niemi. Prior to that
goal, the only one of the game, it was not a fitting match to honour
England's World Cup hero. The fixture list somehow put Moore's two teams
together and another statistic was that West Ham had not lost in a league
match at Fulham since 1966, the year Moore lifted the World Cup. They did
not look likely to lose their record against their London rivals either,
shading a match low on quality. It leaves Fulham in deep relegation trouble,
while West Ham can look towards European qualification. Fabio Capello was in
the crowd, but there was very little for the England boss to get excited
about in a dreary first half, where there was little in the way of flowing
football. Ray Clemence was next to Capello, yet England hopeful Robert Green
was barely threatened in goal for West Ham until after the break. He did
have to deal with an early shot across his goal from former Hammers defender
Paul Konchesky on the edge of the area - but after that the visitors had the
better of a poor opening 45 minutes.
At least Capello could look at the determination of Englishman Jimmy
Bullard, although the midfielder had little support around him as he looked
to attack.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was able to welcome skipper Brian McBride back for
his first start after a serious knee injury, but the American striker looked
off the pace. It was Carlton Cole, the lone striker for West Ham, that
looked most threatening early on. He met Mark Noble's cross with a
first-time volley in the opening exchanges, but Niemi saved the effort. The
former Chelsea striker also skimmed the crossbar with a volley from the edge
of the area after latching onto a flick by Julien Faubert, the Frenchman who
was making his first start for West Ham. Danny Murphy had been snapping away
in midfield and eventually earned a yellow card from Howard Webb when he
caught Fredrik Ljungberg late and from behind. Brede Hangeland also earned a
caution for his high tackle on Luis Boa Morte - but only after advantage was
played and Cole raced through, with Konchesky back to clear. The Hammers
should have taken the lead when Boa Morte was given a free header yards from
goal in the 27th minute. He was granted enough time to control the ball but
looped his effort onto the crossbar instead. Leon Andreasen also earned a
booking from Webb as Fulham struggled to impose themselves on the game.
McBride did fire a volley straight at Green, but clear-cut chances for the
hosts were proving difficult to create. There was a slight improvement from
the hosts at the start of the second half and they had a couple of penalty
shouts turned down for handball. The first came when Diomansy Kamara took
advantage of a dummy from Bullard and cannoned his shot off Anton Ferdinand,
the second was a more hopeful shout when Bullard's effort struck Ljungberg.
From the corner, Hangeland lobbed a header onto the roof of the net. West
Ham looked to have weathered the hosts' lively start to the second period
and Noble side-footed wide from the edge of the area after exchanging passes
with Faubert. Faubert was then taken off for Solano. Aaron Hughes also had
to be alert to block Cole when he was found by Noble and headed towards
goal, while Clint Dempsey struck straight at Green at the other end when
sent through. Green dropped a free-kick with 20 minutes remaining, but he
and Lucas Neill were down sharply to block McBride's rebound. Cole had a
free header for the visitors but put it straight at Niemi. Niemi was almost
embarrassed before the end when Hughes surprised him with a back pass - but
the winner came in the 87th minute. Solano raced through and appeared to
kick the ball out of Niemi's hands, with the ball ricocheting off the
winger's arm and going in. Andreasen was dismissed following his complaints.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson revealed that Antti Niemi suffered a cut to his
shoulder when Nolberto Solano bundled in a controversial late winner for
West Ham at Craven Cottage. Solano struck in the 87th minute but could have
been penalised for three separate offences as he scored the goal that
settled the Premier League clash. The Peruvian appeared to kick the ball out
of Niemi's hands before following through and kicking the goalkeeper, then
the ball ricocheted in off his arm. 'I've seen it on the television,' said
Hodgson. 'I can say nothing else. It was a clear foul and the goal should
have been disallowed. 'You are not supposed to do these things these days.
'When you go two studs up in the goalkeepers face and cut him on the
shoulder in the bargain, you are very unlucky if the referee says it was
goal. 'It was a very sad way to lose a point. My opinion is that the team
was good value for a point.' Fulham did create some chances, starting with
Paul Konchesky's shot across the face of the goal that Robert Green saved,
but the visitors shaded it.
Carlton Cole created problems as a lone striker and he or Luis Boa Morte
could have given Alan Curbishley's men a half-time lead. Diomansy Kamara had
a penalty shout turned down when his effort struck Anton Ferdinand, then
Clint Dempsey wasted a chance when he ran straight through but got no power
on his shot. Green also saved from Jimmy Bullard when the midfielder had a
one-on-one opportunity. 'We have to keep going,' Hodgson added. 'The
performance today was one they can take credit for but when you have zero
points from it doesn't help. 'I thought it was an even game but to win games
you have to take your chances and we didn't do that.' Leon Andreasen was
dismissed for two bookings, the second coming when he was protesting
Solano's goal. 'If we don't protest things like that it shows you have no
interest in winning matches,' Hodgson said. 'I can't justify it but I can
understand the frustration and that it boils over.'
Curbishley did not get a clear view of the winner, adding: 'From where I am
it looks like he got a clean connection, but I don't know.' The Hammers boss
was delighted with the points, with his side edging towards European
qualification and also getting players back from injury. 'Both teams were
matched up in similar shapes and there weren't many goalmouth incidents,' he
added. 'When you're down the bottom it does against you somewhat. 'We had to
keep going and we are pleased with the result.' Curbishley also felt his
system suited the likes of Mark Noble, Cole and Boa Morte. 'When you change
the shape it suits some people, like the three midfielders who play to their
strengths,' he added. 'I brought Luis Boa Morte to play in the whole and
he's done his bit.
'We've had injuries all season and the players have done fantastic. 'We want
to be expansive but the players that have been fit have dug in all season.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Fulham Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sun Feb 24 2008
Fulham 0 West Ham United 1
Nobby Solano's controversial goal late in the second half was enough to see
off a struggling Fulham side and take West Ham to 40 points.
Most who would have witnessed our performance would not say that we deserved
the win and some may even be unhappy with our display with the issue of our
negative football being a hot topic amongst the fans.
I thought this was exactly the same performance we have seen in our last two
games against Wigan and Birmingham, with luck on our side this time around.
Alan Curbishley made a few changes to the side which could only draw at
Upton Park with Birmingham. In midfield there was a return for Mark Noble
who replaced Lee Bowyer who was out. Julien Faubert made his full debut for
the club and he took his place on the right wing, with Freddie Ljungberg
going to the left hand side with Matthew Etherington also out with injury.
The other change was up front with Luis Boa Morte returning from the
wilderness to place Dean Ashton who was dropped to the bench.
Before the match kicked off there was a minute's applause which was for
Bobby Moore as it was the anniversary of his death. It was fitting that it
was West Ham against Fulham, and both sets of supporters paid their respects
to the great man.
The first half was a very dull affair with both sides cancelling each other
out. The opening fifteen minutes produced so little with both sides trying
to feel each other out. The trouble was, this was way the game continued
with only tame shots finding there way to goal.
We were slightly the better side with Ljungberg looking sharp and having to
be constantly fouled by Fulham players which saw a couple of booking come
their way.
Carlton Cole was also causing the Fulham backline problems with his strength
and pace and it was Cole who had our first decent attempt on goal when Mark
Noble played a cross into the area and Cole met it on the volley but Niemi
made a smart stop to deny him.
A free kick was won about 30 yards out which Mark Noble took and his low
shot went under the wall but straight into the arms of Niemi.
Cole had arguably our best opportunity of the first half when he was played
through by Boa Morte (who had been clattered by the defender in the
process). Cole was into the area with the goal at his mercy but he took far
too long to get his shot off and Konchesky was able to get a block in and it
went away for a corner.
Cole was yet again involved moments later when he hit a fierce striker at
goal from just outside the area which went just over the bar in a very good
effort.
Ljungberg and Faubert were trying to mix things but swapping flanks, but
this didn't do much for our attacking play which got worse at the half wore
on, and it was Fulham who were starting to find their feet.
Another half chance did come our way when a free kick was played in and
nodded down for an unmarked Boa Morte to back header over the bar from four
yards out.
After the boring first half we all hoped we would take the game by the
scruff of the neck and really start to press Fulham but the opening moments
were very poor and it took us some time to get going.
But when Mark Noble started to get a grip on the game we started to play
some nice football and had a few chances. The first fell to Noble who played
a nice one two with Faubert and hit an early shot which went just wide.
More bright play from Noble saw Ljungberg played in but his shot was weak
and straight at the keeper.
Faubert was replaced by Solano and this change would be the one which would
see us over that finish line.
Noble was again involved as we hit Fulham on the counter attack and his pass
set Cole through and the striker hit a shot which was well blocked by the
Fulham defence.
Solano showed his class with a stunning pass which cut Fulham open and
although Ljungberg failed to take his shot early, he checked back and put in
a cross for the unmarked Cole to head straight at the keeper from just a few
yards out. He had to score and it was a bad miss from Cole.
Fulham were starting to create a few more chances and Dempsey had their best
chance when he was sent through but his attempted lifted shot over Green was
easily saved.
Green had to make another save moments later when Fulham broke with
Andreasen and he slipped in Bullard but he could not lift his shot over
Green who charged the ball down.
Time was running out and it was looking as though another disappointing
result was coming our way but out of nothing we found that goal.
Lucas Neill played a cross into the box which Boa Morte chested down into
the path of Solano who went in with the keeper and it seemed to bounce off
him and into the back of the net. From looking at the replays it did seem as
though it came off Solano's arm but I really couldn't care less.
Fulham protested furiously and Andreasen was shown a second yellow and was
sent off. Most couldn't work out what had gone on as we were still
celebrating.
Despite there being five minutes of stoppage time we saw the game out with
relative ease and picked up all three points.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Was not the most busy of days but he still made a few smart saves which kept
Fulham out. His kicking at times was poor and he did make a couple of poor
decisions when coming out to claim the ball from corners.
Lucas Neill
Comfortable for the most part but still prone to that lack of concentration
or misplaced pass. This display was better than what I have seen in recent
weeks but he still needs to improve.
Anton Ferdinand
Another assured display from Ferdinand who has been excellent in recent
weeks. He looks comfortable on the ball and his reading of the game is
getting better. There were a couple of dodgy clearances but that doesn't
take away from another solid display.
Matthew Upson
His partnership at the back with Ferdinand has been one of the highlights of
the season and in front of the England manager he will be pleased with
showing. I McBride would have given him more of a test in the air but Fulham
could not find the right passes.
George McCartney
Defended well and with the left wing vacant for the majority of the game he
exploited the space in front of him and got forward well. Put in some decent
crosses and continues to be consistently good.
Julien Faubert
This was his first start and he needs more time to have an impact on
proceedings. He looks fast and strong but on and off the ball he didn't show
much to get excited about. Pleased when he was taken off, simply because
Solano adds more to the team at this moment in time.
Hayden Mullins
Got on with his job efficiently and worked hard throughout the game. Got his
foot in numerous times and put in a typical Mullins performance. He is there
to do a job and he does it well.
Mark Noble
Was at the heart of many of our moves and although he was quiet in the first
half, he was excellent in the second showing some real class at times.
Freddie Ljungberg
Looked much more dangerous when he came over to the right wing and although
things didn't fall for him at times, he kept working hard and any past
thoughts about him not putting in effort have been eradicated from my mind
because he really is looking up for the battle and is also showing some good
form.
Luis Boa Morte
Much better than in some of his recent performances but it was still
frustrating at times. I do not like his attitude and I find him very
difficult to take to, but I can give him some credit for his performance as
he did show some touches of class and he did put in the effort. His body
language may be one of arrogance but he will be pleased enough with is
assist.
Carlton Cole
This game sums up Carlton Cole really well - he is full of effort, he causes
the opposition lots of problems, he is involved in most of our chances, he
gets into good position and he never hides - but he also doesn't score. He
should have had at least two goals today and the claim that Cole will never
be a goal scorer continues not to be challenged.
Subs Used
Nolberto Solano (on for Faubert 63 mins)
Made the difference and shows that he is our only real class player. Can
pick out passes that no one else can and of course he scored the winner.
Needs to be back in that starting line up.
Dean Ashton (on for Cole 80 mins)
On for the tiring Cole, and didn't have any chances on goal but held the
ball up well in injury time to see out the victory.
Jonathan Spector (on for Ljungberg 90 mins)
On to see out the injury time.
Overall
A lot of West Ham fans seem to be debating whether they want exciting
football or victories. You could argue that we want both but that seems very
unlikely.
We have now hit the 40 point mark and whichever what you look at it, we have
improved from last season and Alan Curbishley will feel like he has done a
good job.
We missed the opportunity this month to fire ourselves up the table (wins at
Wigan and against Birmingham would have seen us in 6th place now), and our
next three games are going to be extremely hard and no matter how much I
want to be positive, it does seem unlikely that we will pick up too many
points in the coming weeks.
Of course, we did it against Manchester United and Liverpool so it is not
impossible to suggest that we could well beat Chelsea.
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Solano hands out cruel punishment to Fulham
Will Buckley at Craven Cottage
Sunday February 24, 2008
The Observer
The Duke of Edinburgh is probably to blame. Last week Fulham chairman
Mohamed Fayed was outlining his conspiracy theories, and he had more grist
for his mill during a London derby that was as dull as it was bleak. The
desperately mediocre contest was decided by substitute Nolberto Solano's
elbow, an intervention that Howard Webb failed to spot, and one that meant
Fulham's grim run of having only won once since 4 November continued.
'When you are down the bottom, it does go against you somewhat,' said West
Ham manager Alan Curbishley. 'It was a tight game.'
'There's been a foul and the goal should have been disallowed,' said Roy
Hodgson. 'He went in with two feet up in the goalkeeper's face. We have to
keep going. The performance was reasonably satisfying. It was an even game
but I don't think we deserved to lose it.'
Before the game began, there was a minute's applause for Bobby Moore on the
eve of the 15th anniversary of his death. The players wore black armbands.
West Ham, their fans in fine voice, dominated from the start with Carlton
Cole to the fore. Three times he was denied as he showed his strength and
athleticism. It was frantic stuff with the ball zipping back and forth at
great pace but to little effect. Luis Boa Morte had the best chance, the
ball falling to him four yards out with his back to goal, but his header
lacked power and direction.
Fulham huffed and puffed but produced nothing. Paul Konchesky had a weak
shot saved by Robert Green early in the half, and a weaker one from Brian
McBride came in towards the end of the half. Their fans' desperation was
evident in the incidents that would bring them to their feet. A non-penalty,
a non-foul, a non-throw. There were conspiracies everywhere and referee
Webb, as far as the home fans were concerned, was at the heart of them.
The second half continued in the same vein. A Diomansy Kamara shot hit Anton
Ferdinand in the area - 'Penalty!' they screamed. A Bullard shot was
diverted - 'Penalty!' they screamed again.
West Ham came back, Mark Noble pushing a shot just wide and a fine ball from
him found Cole, who was stopped by a good tackle from Aaron Hughes.
The game opened up. A Kamara pass released the clunky Clint Dempsey but
one-on-one with the keeper he shot tamely at Green.
At the other end, Boa Morte should have done better when given a free header
on the six-yard line. Next, a very strong back-pass from Hughes very nearly
confounded Antti Niemi.
Fulham made a brave late effort. Leon Andreasen put Bullard through and
Green had to save well. And then the contentious goal. Lucas Neill crossed,
Boa Morte chested back and a sprawling Solano elbowed the ball past a
flailing Niemi. A rubbish, probably illegal goal. Andreasen was sent off for
banging on about its lack of aesthetic merit. 'If you don't protest things
like that, it shows you have no interest in winning matches,' said Hodgson.
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Alan Curbishley urges Fulham to reproduce his team's run - the Times
Sometimes it pays to be a manager and Alan Curbishley has some
straightforward advice for Fulham if they want to repeat West Ham United's
dramatic escape from relegation last season: begin a run of victories,
starting tomorrow when the teams meet at Craven Cottage.
West Ham were five points from safety at the same stage of the last
campaign, but ended the season by climbing from ten points adrift, as they
were with nine games left, to exit the relegation zone after the penultimate
match. Similarities extend to both clubs; changing managers in mid-season
and spending relatively heavily in the January transfer window.
"We know what they are going through," Curbishley said. "We went through a
similar thing last season. We know what they are up against. [My advice is]
win another six games - that is what you have to do. You can get out of the
relegation zone with a good result but then drop back in again in the next
game. You need a run."
Curbishley has been bitterly disappointed by his team picking up just one
point from each of Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City in the past two
matches, but maybe not as irritated as some fans who booed at the final
whistle. They expect a brand of attacking football synonymous with their
tradition, and the team has not scored more than once in each of the past
five matches.
Even Curbishley has admitted that Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole have perhaps
not been compatible as a strike force because they tend to occupy the same
positions on he pitch. "We fizzled out against Birmingham, we were poor," he
said. "My big complaint after the game was that with 25 minutes to go, a bit
of panic set in and it was one touch and bang. I was disappointed with it.
The back five have done great. One of the things that we spoke about this
week is that the mid-field and forwards need to start contributing."
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Fulham 0 West Ham United 1: Solano joy leads to Fulham fury - The
Independent
Nick Townsend at Craven Cottage
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Now this may have been worthy of a conspiracy theory. If Fulham chairman
Mohamed Al-Fayed believes someone in high places doesn't want his Fulham
team to retain their Premier League status you could offer him some sympathy
on this count.
Quite why England's top referee Howard Webb allowed substitute Nolberto
Solano's late winner for West Ham is not easy to comprehend. The versatile
Peruvian had darted into the area in pursuit of a ball forward chipped in by
Hammers' captain Lucas Neill and chested on by Luis Boa Morte, and, as
goalkeeper Antti Niemi advanced, raised his foot to touch the ball past him.
It appeared that Solano was guilty of dangerous play; not to mention that
the ball finally found the net via the scorer's arm, although that appeared
an involuntary act. However, the goal stood as Fulham protested
vociferously; in the case of Leon Andreasen too strongly. The Danish
midfielder was dismissed for a second caution.
"It was a clear foul, and should have been disallowed," insisted Fulham
manager Roy Hodgson. "When you go up with two studs in the goalkeeper's
face, and catch him on the shoulder, then you're very lucky if the referee
awards the goal." He added, of Andreasen's sending-off: "If you don't
protest like that, you've got no interest in winning the game and getting
points. I can't justify it, but I can understand all my players'
frustration."
It means that Fulham have still not defeated their fellow Londoners at home
in the League since just after Bobby Moore had led England to the country's
only World Cup triumph. On a day when the 15th anniversary of the death of
the England captain, who played for both clubs, was remembered, Hodgson's
men exhibited little evidence that they would expunge that wretched
statistic from their records. However, in fairness, the Hammers could not
have complained if their hosts had claimed a point as Fulham sought
inspiration from West Ham's feat of avoiding relegation last season.
Hodgson has acted radically in his attempt to secure Fulham's survival. Only
two outfield Fulham players were in the side defeated in the reverse fixture
six weeks ago. However, two of those that did not figure that day were
midfielder Jimmy Bullard and captain and striker Brian McBride, and their
return to fitness at least offers the supporters some cause for optimism.
Yesterday, though, McBride never possessed his potency of old and his
performance summed up Fulham's dearth of quality once they approach their
opponents' area.
Carlton Cole was deployed as a lone striker for West Ham, and went close on
three occasions in an uninspiring first half in which Fulham were
comfortably held by the visitors' rearguard, with Matthew Upson, being
watched by England manager Fabio Capello, and Anton Ferdinand well in
control. Fulham had a couple of penalty appeals for hand ball rightly
rejected by Webb after the interval before central defender Brede Hangeland
sent a looping header narrowly over the visitors bar.
Yet, if Fulham sensed that West Ham, with only a slim chance of Europe to
play for, were there for the taking they were mistaken. Such an attitude was
not in Mark Noble's mind as his quality threatened to open up the home
defence. His one-two with Julien Faubert was neatly executed but Noble
placed his effort wide of the post. Then Noble released Cole with a fine
pass, but Aaron Hughes dashed over to cover.
In the final minutes Bullard was denied by West Ham's goalkeeper Robert
Green. Then Solano struck, conclusively, controversially. Next week:
Manchester United here. It doesn't get any easier.
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Fulham 0 West Ham United 1: Upson's defiance honours No 6 shirt - The
Independent
Evan Fanning
Monday, 25 February 2008
The last time Fulham emerged victorious from a league encounter with West
Ham, Bobby Moore was not only captain of the Upton Park outfit but also of
the recently-crowned world champions. On Saturday, Craven Cottage
acknowledged the 15th anniversary of Moore's death with a minute's applause
before Saturday's game. The crowd then saw the current incumbent of the
famous West Ham No 6 shirt, Matthew Upson, help keep Fulham - Moore's only
other English club - at bay before Nolberto Solano scored a controversial
late winner for the visitors.
"It's been a great honour ever since the manager gave the shirt to me,"
Upson said after the win which keeps his side in touch with the Uefa Cup
positions. "I was aware Bobby wore that number when he was here. It's great
to wear that shirt."
Along with Everton, West Ham have the best defensive record outside the top
four, and Upson's assured performance at the heart of their back four must
have impressed watching England manager Fabio Capello, who gave him his
seventh cap against Switzerland earlier this month, and has no desire to
relinquish his position for next month's friendly against France, despite
the return to fitness of John Terry. "I'll do whatever it takes to stay in
the side," Upson said. "The pressure is on because the competition among
centre-halves is so strong."
Upson was not the only potential England player who would have caught
Capello's eye. Ahead of him, Mark Noble was involved in everything good from
West Ham, while goalkeeper Robert Green made a crucial save from Jimmy
Bullard moments before Solano's disputed winner.
Solano latched on to a Luis Boa Morte chest-down before challenging Antti
Niemi when the Fulham goalkeeper appeared to have both hands on the ball.
Then the Peruvian's final touch which sent the ball over the line was with
his elbow.
"What's the point?" was Fulham manager Roy Hodgson's response when asked if
had he spoken to referee Howard Webb about his decision to allow the goal.
"Will he change the result, will he go back on his decision, and will he
take away the goal? It's a pointless exercise."
Unfortunately for Hodgson, Danish midfielder Leon Andreasen thought
otherwise and received a second yellow card for his protest.
"Things are not going in the direction we want because we have failed to
climb out of the relegation zone," Hodgson reflected. "In fact we sink
deeper. I can't say I'm calm and happy about that. I'm trying to be honest
and give an honest app-raisal of our team's performance. I will do my
grieving in private."
Goals: Solano (87) 0-1.
Fulham (4-5-1): Niemi; Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Kamara.
Andreasen, Bullard, Murphy, Dempsey (Johnson, 76), McBride. Substitutes not
used: Keller (gk), Bocanegra, Smertin, Nevland.
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney; Faubert
(Solano, 63), Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg (Spector, 90), Boa Morte, Cole
(Ashton, 80). Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Pantsil.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
Booked: Fulham Murphy, Hangeland, Andreasen.
Sent Off: Fulham Andreasen (88).
Man of the match: Noble.
Attendance: 25,280.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Solano hands more bad luck to Fulham - telegraph
By David Miller
Last Updated: 2:43am GMT 25/02/2008
Fulham (0) 0 West Ham United (0) 1
Fulham had much of the ball, but more times than you could count, promptly
gave it to West Ham who just about deserved to win a third-grade encounter.
Fulham's chairman can scarcely blame Buckingham Palace for that.
Should Nolberto Solano's goal have been allowed? Roy Hodgson, manager of a
sinking team, thought not. Alan Curbishley, manager of the winners, conceded
that it might not have been. "You get these moments of luck." Crucially,
referee Howard Webb saw no infringement.
Lucas Neill hoisted a cross, Luis Boa Morte chested down, Solano lunged,
quite legitimately, at the free ball as goalkeeper Antti Niemi
simultaneously dived forward. Solano shot just a split second ahead of
Niemi's grasping fingers, the ball bounced and glanced off Solano's elbow
into the net.
The moment epitomised the bravery demanded of goalkeepers, while Solano was
not gratuitously violent.
Ball-to-arm or arm-to-ball? My judgement, with the benefit of slow motion,
is that the position of Solano's elbow on the deflection as he slid to make
his shot was inadvertent.
Mr Webb's decision, tough on Fulham, is the story of football, of life - or,
in Fulham's case, by now almost certain Premier League death.
"It was a clear foul and not a goal," Hodgson asserted. "When you go in with
your studs up, I think you're lucky if the referee says that's a correct
goal." Attempting, without much conviction, to be sympathetic, Curbishley
observed: "When you're at the bottom, it does go against you sometimes."
It is a marvel that, in a season which has turned so disastrously, the
Craven Cottage crowd retains such appetite for football, over 25,000 were
present and, given another dose of disappointment, they simply blamed Mr
Webb.
West Ham tried to play with the ball, and contrived the more coherent moves.
Three times in the first half Carlton Cole, with fractionally sharper
finishing, might have scored, but instead either tested Niemi or singed the
bar.
Given their state of disarray, Fulham might have profited more by keeping
Chris Coleman instead of lumbering through the unsure alternative of Lawrie
Sanchez before handing Hodgson an all-but-lost cause. Now they are going
down with the possibility of another managerial switch and no guarantee of
challenging for a return.
Mr Fayed may be able to run a shop but is less adept at handling a
much-loved football club treasured by its local population. The plight is
not the fault of players such as Clint Dempsey, with his fluorescent
non-shooting boots, or Brian McBride, back after injury, who lacked what it
takes at this level.
Denied top talent, the crowd celebrate honesty. "Super-Jim" they chant, as
the gangling, tousle-haired Bullard gives his all in midfield. He was their
mainspring until he tired in the second half.
"We are Fulham" they chorused, but the confidence is draining away, and West
Ham, so close themselves to the drop last season, were a class better.
Man of the match
Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 8/10
Attempted five shots
Set up three chances
Made two flick-on
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