All the action as it happened from West Ham United's trip to the north-east
on Saturday afternoon
29.03.2008
Barclays Premier League
Stadium of Light
3pm
Referee: Andre Marriner
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Spector, Ferdinand, McCartney (Pantsil 46,
Tomkins 73), Ljungberg, Mullins, Parker, Noble, Cole (Solano 65), Ashton
Subs: Walker, Boa Morte
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Collins, Evans, Nosworthy. Murphy (O'Donovan),
Richardson (Edwards 69), Whitehead, Reid, Jones, Chopra (Leadbitter 70)
Subs: Fulop, Yorke
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Youths rampant against Reading - WHUFC
Junior Stanislas helped inspire Tony Carr's Under-18s to a fine home victory
at Little Heath on Saturday
29.03.2008
West Ham United Under-18s 4-0 Reading Under-18s
A dynamic first-half display from Tony Carr's youngsters saw them return to
winning ways on Saturday with all four goals coming in the first half.
The Academy side had lost 2-0 at Bristol City in their last outing but got
their bid for the Premier Academy League Group A title back on track with a
stunning display at Little Heath against another team from Group B. Goals
from schoolboy triallist Ahmed Abdulla, Anthony Edgar, Oliver Lee and
England Under-19 international Junior Stanislas in a 20-minute spell before
half-time did the damage.
Reading are traditionally strong at this level and arrived in fourth place
in Group B, having taken the runners-up spot last season. After a cagey
first 20 minutes, in which both teams had their moments, the deadlock was
finally broken when Ahmed Abdulla, a Saudi Arabian striker who has been with
Arsenal, was set free by Edgar. He stepped inside from the left and before
being closed down by two defenders bent the ball into the corner from 15
yards.
The advantage was soon doubled when Edgar tried his luck from the edge of
the penalty area with a low drilled effort that sped into the goal. The
third was not long in coming either. This time, dead-ball specialist
Stanislas - fresh from a run-out with the Young Lions in midweek - picked
out Lee with a corner and the midfielder flicked into the net. By then the
game was won, but the best was yet to come.
As the interval approached, the sublime Stanislas strode forward and, after
beating a couple of players, looked up to see the visiting goalkeeper just
off his line. He took a touch and then curled a lofted effort up and over
his head and into the back of the net. He continued to cause problems in the
second half and both he and Ahmed Abdulla had further opportunities to add
to their tallies.
The match was also noticeable for the strong defensive display with
16-year-old Adam Street continuing the fine form that he showed on his
reserve-team debut earlier this month - incidentally also against Reading in
a 2-0 victory - while Jordan Spence and Bondz N'Gala were imperious at
centre-back. N'Gala and Stanislas both came off on the hour as they are in
contention to figure for the reserves away to Chelsea on Monday night.
With two games to play, Carr's side are still in the hunt for the Group A
title although Arsenal are the favourites. The Gunners also won well on
Saturday with a 6-0 victory in their game against Group B visitors Cardiff
City and have two games in hand on United who only have two games left to
play.
West Ham United: Street, Brookes, Spence, N'Gala (Ashman 60), Miller, Harvey
(Okus 60), Kearns, Lee, Edgar, Stanislas (Montano 60), Ahmed Abdulla
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Youngsters in line for Portsmouth - WHUFC
Freddie Sears nearly played at Sunderland and Alan Curbishley should have
him back against Portsmouth
29.03.2008
Alan Curbishley hopes Freddie Sears will be fit when West Ham United return
to Barclays Premier League action against Portsmouth on Tuesday week - the
first of four home games in the final six of the season.
The 18-year-old striker missed Saturday's disappointing 2-1 reverse at
Sunderland with a groin injury although very nearly made the trip to the
north-east. "Freddie Sears should be OK for the next game," the manager
said. "He nearly made it but we didn't think it was worth risking."
Curbishley was also pleased to see that James Tomkins "got a bit more"
experience at the Stadium of Light - and both youngsters could figure
heavily before 11 May with some new names added to the casualty list.
Against Sunderland, George McCartney and Freddie Ljungberg, who had put the
visitors into an early lead before goals from Kenwyne Jones and Andy Reid
edged it for the hosts, picked up hamstring injuries. Also, John Pantsil had
concussion and Carlton Cole suffered a sore foot early on and "was limping
around for most of the first half". Added to that, the manager confirmed the
likes of Matthew Etherington and Julien Faubert are unlikely to figure again
this season with the decision taken to get them in shape for pre-season.
Curbishley, who had travelled from east London with 17 fit players, said:
"We are completely stretched to the limit now. As I have said all season, it
has probably made us stronger but these boys have played every game week in,
week out or they are returning from injury and having to get fit in the
first team. It has been very difficult for us, they have done fantastically
well as I have been saying all season but it looked like we were a little
bit tired."
The manager had to make several changes throughout the game, with Lucas
Neill and Jonathan Spector appearing in both full-back roles, while the
latter had begun in the centre of defence. Further forward, Dean Ashton was
forced into a lone striker's role having begun impressively alongside Cole.
"We were pulling people all over the place and filling in, and to be fair I
thought we had done enough to get the point." The manager said he had no
complaints with the five minutes added time, although noted the goal "has
gone in on 96 minutes".
On that Reid winner, he added: "In the last minute or with 30 seconds to go
after giving it our lot we allowed Reid to get in between two people when it
was clearable. We are very disappointed. Round the dressing room there is
ice everywhere and disappointed bodies but we just have to get on with it.
It has been the story of our season - lots of people have been out injured
long term and the players that have been playing have had to play every week
without a break.
"We started brightly and got our goal and from that minute really we stopped
playing and perhaps took our foot off it or Sunderland came into it ... The
second half they put a lot of pressure on us without creating too much. They
had a good chance with ten minutes to go [through Daryl Murphy]. It is a
cruel game, I am sure Sunderland have found that out this season. For them
to win two on the spin is massive with five games to go and let's see if
they can go and do it."
While Sunderland look to make sure of their top-flight status, Curbishley is
still expecting his team to win the majority of their remaining games and
push on from tenth position. "They are very tired, we have had people on
international duty, Lucas Neill went to China, and quite a few of my players
played midweek which we could have done without but we have got a bit of a
break now.
"Let's see what we have got for the Portsmouth game but we are massively
disappointed because we want to finish as strongly as we can. We have been
in tenth position for a while - have got four out of six at home now and we
have got to get some wins, get some points on the board."
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Reserves in action on Monday - WHUFC
West Ham United travel to Chelsea on Monday for the first of their final
three league fixtures this season
30.03.2008
West Ham United's reserves can keep up their charge for the Barclays Premier
Reserve League on Monday but face a tricky away trip to Chelsea.
Kevin Keen's men have won their last five matches in a row and sit a point
above Aston Villa in the southern section table. However, Villa have two
games in hand and will be most neutrals' favourites to take the title. After
the trip to Brentford to tackle Chelsea, the final home game of the season
at Bishop's Stortford follows on Wednesday 9 April against Derby County
before the campaign ends at Arsenal on 21 April.
The league winners will go on to play the top team from the northern section
in a prestigious final on 7 May. While Keen will naturally be concerned with
his own side on Monday evening, he will no doubt be interested to learn
Villa's fate as they welcome rivals Birmingham City on the same night. Both
clubs have a strong youth policy with Villa newly-crowned champions in Group
B of the Premier Academy League for Under-18s and United, under the guidance
of Tony Carr, leading the way in Group A.
Kick-off at Griffin Park is 7pm and admission is £5 for adults and £3 for
concessions
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Home holds key for Curbishley
West Ham United had a disappointing weekend but still have plenty to play
for in the last six games
30.03.2008
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"You can build foundations by staying up and become a little bit more
attractive to players."
Alan Curbishley was speaking from experience as he explained the
significance of Sunderland's 2-1 defeat of his West Ham United side at the
Stadium of Light on Saturday. The manager is well aware of what it takes to
stay up, having masterminded a run of seven wins from the last nine games to
do just that last season. While his men were on the losing side at the
weekend, the foundations are already in place for the future - not least
with the emergence of talented teens to go with the established names.
Curbishley said: "Sunderland have gone for it and if they do stay up,
they've got their rewards for it because next year is another season ... I'm
sure they've had some cruel ends to games this year or haven't quite got
what they deserved but you make your own luck and, as I said to Roy [Keane],
'Well done. That's two great results on the spin and that's massive when
you're down the bottom'."
With six games to go, Curbishley knows his own team have every chance of
another run - especially as four of the last half-dozen fixtures are at the
Boleyn Ground. It may be that injuries, as at the weekend when four players
picked up knocks, take their toll but the manager prefers to focus on the
positives. While his side were on the receiving end of a last-gasp goal that
cost them a point, he pointed to the fact "we've done it a couple of times
ourselves this season".
Emphasising "great credit to the players that have been playing", he added:
"I talk about my team because they've done fantastically well considering
the problems we've had. It's just ridiculous the injury situation because we
had four centre-halves, two wide players and three strikers out etc etc.
I've got no complaints but it is frustrating because we've got a strong
squad but we've not been able to use it."
The manager has learned much from such problems, for example the way Anton
Ferdinand has coped with being the senior figure at centre-back since the
loss of Matthew Upson to injury. "I think Anton has done great, to be
honest," Curbishley said. "We started off with [Jonathan] Spector there,
then [James] Tomkins has had to come on and Specs has gone to left-back then
right-back. It's been very difficult for us.
"We'll have to see if Upson will be right for Portsmouth [on Tuesday week].
We don't want to put anyone at risk so we'll just have to see what we've got
... Obviously I was a bit disappointed that a lot of my players went off
this week [on international duty]. A lot of them have been playing week in,
week out and I've not been in a position to rest anybody and it looks as if
it'll be that way for the rest of the season."
It is this situation though that has allowed the manager to blood the likes
of Tomkins, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears this season. Tomkins celebrated
his 19th birthday at the Stadium of Light and the manager was pleased with
his contribution off the bench, claiming "we know we've got a player there".
He added: "I'm in a fortunate position where they can learn without it being
so vital. Freddie Sears, if he hadn't been injured, might have got a game as
well so we'll have a look at that in the next six games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 2-1 West Ham - BBC
By Sarah Holt
A late goal from Andy Reid saw Sunderland pull further clear of the drop
zone with victory over West Ham. Sunderland fell behind when Carlton Cole
found Freddie Ljungberg whose deflected shot went in. But the goal fired up
the home side and Kenwyne Jones soon equalised, slotting in Daryl Murphy's
flick-on. Sunderland kept the upper hand with Murphy blazing the ball over
before Reid buried the ball in the dying minutes of the match. Sunderland
had the bit between their teeth right from the off and Michael Chopra came
close after four minutes when he skidded the ball across the face of the
goal West Ham gradually made their presence felt and Dean Ashton came very
close to scoring five minutes later. Scott Parker picked out Ashton, waiting
to pounce 20 yards out, but his right-footed drive clattered the post and
bounced away to safety. The Londoners did not have to wait long for the
breakthrough after a moment of hesitation in the Sunderland defence. Cole
teed up Ljungberg with a pass from the right and the Swede's strike weaved
its way into the net thanks to a slight deflection from Nyron Nosworthy.
Sunderland mustered an immediate response and West Ham were gradually pegged
back in their own half. An alert Anton Ferdinand had to head the ball away
as Jonny Evans loomed at his shoulder.
Sunderland's pressure soon paid off as Jones, back from a virus, scored his
first goal of 2008. Kieran Richardson looped the ball in to Murphy who
passed to Jones, in space inside the box, and he nonchalantly clipped it
beyond Robert Green. The Hammers defence argued that Jones was offside, but
replays showed the striker was just about level. West Ham were rattled, and
Sunderland tested Green again with shots from Chopra and Reid. But it was
Cole who nearly capped an entertaining half as he sent a curling shot
towards the top-right corner only to see Craig Gordon stretch and finger tip
t behind his post.
Sunderland were straight out of the blocks after the break and Jonathan
Spector had to react quickly to spear Murphy's shot over the bar. Then Danny
Collins, who missed a scoring chance in the first half, saw his header
cleared from underneath the bar by Lucas Neill. Reid and Richardson drove
Sunderland forward with the help of the vocal crowd but the West Ham defence
did enough to keep the rampant home side at bay. West Ham were hardly
getting a look in at the other end of the pitch and as the 60-minute mark
approached boss Alan Curbishley looked slightly bemused. Their best chance
came when a bad clearance by Gordon was picked up by Parker, who passed to
Ashton, but his flyer was wide of the mark. Things got worse for West Ham
when substitute John Pantsil had to go off with concussion after landing
badly on the left side of his face. His replacement, birthday boy James
Tomkins, was called immediately into action to punt clear Reid's effort and
soon after he saw his header flash wide. Sunderland were throwing everything
forward but just could not score. Murphy summed up their frustration when he
was put clear through by Jones only to skew his shot over the bar. While
West Ham's afternoon was encapsulated when they had to play out the final
minutes with 10 men when Ljungberg retired with a hamstring injury with all
three substitutions already made. Reid had the final say when he lashed his
right-footed shot beyond Green to earn Sunderland back-to-back Premier
League victories for the first time since December 2001.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane:I was happy at the end that we scored so late.
I thought we deserved it and it showed good character from the players.
"I thought we stood off West Ham a bit at first - I could have played easily
against them as we were nowhere near them. "But we just about edged it in
the second half. Can we get three in a row? Well miracles can happen."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: "I would have been delighted if we had
taken a battling point. Once we scored we seem to back off. "Then we lost
one player after another after another and we were reduced to 10 men. The
injury situation is chronic now. "We have to regroup now but I can't tell
you who I've got fit and available. Our injury situation has got worse."
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Murphy (O'Donovan
81), Whitehead, Reid, Richardson (Edwards 70), Chopra (Leadbitter 71),
Jones.
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Yorke.
Booked: Reid, O'Donovan.
Goals: Jones 29, Reid 90.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Spector, McCartney (Pantsil 46),
Ljungberg, Parker, Mullins, Noble, Cole (Solano 65), Ashton, Pantsil
(Tomkins 74).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Boa Morte.
Booked: Cole.
Goals: Ljungberg 18.
Att: 45,690
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones 7.83 (on
90 minutes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
S'land 2 West Ham Utd 1 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 29th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's away day woes continued today as they went down 2-1 at Sunderland
thanks to a 96th minute winner from Andy Reid.
The former Charlton midfielder hit the winning goal six minutes into injury
time at the end of the game to condemn United to yet another defeat on their
travels.
However perhaps of more concern to Alan Curbishley was yet another fresh
batch of injuries; Carlton Cole (strain), Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring),
John Paintsil (concussion), Dean Ashton (ankle) and George McCartney all
suffered knocks in the game which left United with just ten men for the
final fifteen minutes.
Yet it had all started so positively for Alan Curbishley and his team; after
dampening Sunderland's early enthusiasm Freddie Ljungberg had given the
Hammers a deserved 18th minute lead when he fired home into Craig Gordon's
far post having been cleverly set up by Carlton Cole, back in the side after
injury.
Indeed, United's attacking 4-4-2 formation that started the game threatened
to go on and put the game beyond doubt before the break, but fortunately for
the Black Cats 'keeper Craig Gordon was enjoying a good day between the
sticks.
His 37th minute save from Carlton Cole's dipping, swerving 20-yard effort
was particularly memorable and certainly kept Sunderland's interest alive.
Despite West Ham's impressive first half performance Rob Green was still
called into action on a number of occasions - most notably to deny Andy Reid
and Michael Chopra.
But there was little the England keeper could to to prevent Kenwyn Jones
from equalising just ahead of the half hour mark when the big striker
converted Kieron Richardson's cross that had been diverted into his path by
Daryl Murphy.
An easier goal Jones will never score, and despite claims of offside from
West Ham's defence the goal was (rightly) allowed to stand - much to the
appreciation of the fervent home crowd, who had packed into the Stadium of
Light hoping to see their side put some daylight between themselves and the
relegation zone.
With the game evenly poised at the break it was all to play for in the
second half. However there appeared to be only one side that were intent on
winning it, and in the end the only surprise was that it took Sunderland so
long to find the goal that did so.
Roy Keane's side spent much of the second period camped inside United's half
and peppered Rob Green's goal with shots. However their profligacy - most
notably illustrated by Daryl Murphy's glaring 'open goal' fluff on 81
minutes - served to demostrate exactly why they are fighting relegation.
And but for the generosity of referee Andre Marriner - who allowed play to
continue beyond the allotted five minutes of injury time - they would have
been cursing yet another wasted opportunity tonight.
West Ham's chance of winning the game disappeared with the half time
whistle, and the first sign of problems for the Irons came before the
whistle for the second half had even been blown.
George McCartney had failed to reappear after the break so his place was
taken by John Paintsil, which meant Lucas Neill switching from right to
left-back.
Carlton Cole - who had been limping since the half hour mark - was finally
substituted after 65 minutes with Sunderland running rampant.
The introduction of his replacement, Nobby Solano was meant to frustrate and
impede the home side due to the extra man in the middle - but it was a plan
that simply failed to work as the Black Cats continued to run the game.
Further misery for the visitors came on 74 minutes when John Paintsil was
involved in a sickening collision with team mate Jonathan Spector leaving
the Ghanaian barely conscious.
His replacement, birthday boy James Tomkins (19 today) moved into the centre
of defence which meant yet another re-shuffle as Spector (who had
fortunately escaped unharmed) stepped in at right-back - United's third of
the afternoon.
By this time Curbishley had used all his substitutes, and when Dean Ashton
went down on 83 minutes clutching his (previously broken) ankle everyone
feared the worst. However the striker bravely returned to the pitch after a
brief liaison with the magic sponge - even though he was clearly less than
100 per cent.
Yet there was still more to come; Freddie Ljungberg, who had set off in
chase of a long ball down the line pulled up sharply before going down
clutching his thigh in agony.
It was a desperately familiar sight, and the hamstring injury may well have
prematurely ended the Swedish captain's season. Of more immediate concern
was that the Hammers were left with ten men on the pitch, and one of those
(Ashton) was at best walking wounded.
Despite the seriously adverse conditions it seemed as if the Hammers had
done just about enough to salvage a point that, in truth, they barely
deserved.
That was until Andy Reid, the target of much abuse from the travelling fans
due to his less than athletic build fired home the winning goal with
virtually the last kick of the game after pouncing on a loose ball in West
Ham's penalty box.
That the goal arrived on precisely 95 minutes 26 seconds - with the
referee's assistant having signalled five minutes of injury time some
moments before - riled Alan Curbishley, who launched a scathing attack on
match official Marriner after the game (more on that later).
But it was no less than his team had deserved after a second half
performance that, to put not too fine a point on it, stunk - even with the
injury concerns taken into consideration.
The defeat means that all the Hammers have to play for now this season is a
top half finish, whilst a win for Tottenham tomorrow could narrow the gap
between the two sides to just two points.
However after five years of nailbiting final days perhaps that's not such a
bad thing after all...
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid secures vital Cats win - SSN
Black Cats secure vital three points
Last updated: 29th March 2008
Sunderland took a massive step towards Premier League survival thanks to
Andy Reid's late, late goal. The Hammers deservedly went in front through
Freddie Ljungberg on 18 minutes after his shot was deflected past Craig
Gordon by Nyron Nosworthy. But the Black Cats got back on level terms
through a Kenwyne Jones' tap-in on 29 minutes after Daryl Murphy back-heeled
a Kieran Richardson cross into his path. Sunderland dominated the second
half and Murphy blasted over an open goal before Reid won it with a
left-footed volley with virtually the last kick of the game. The visitors
might have taken the lead with just 10 minutes gone when former Newcastle
skipper Scott Parker turned up on the left edge of the penalty area to
square the ball to Dean Ashton. The striker needed no second invitation as
he deftly side-footed the ball past Gordon, only to see it come back off the
upright. Sunderland's respite, however, was only temporary, and they fell
behind eight minutes later, largely as a result of their inability to clear
their lines. Carlton Cole made the most of hesitation in the Wearsiders'
defence to lay the ball off for Ljungberg, whose firm shot struck Nosworthy
on its way into the bottom corner. But Roy Keane's men responded swiftly and
having previously wasted a series of good openings with poor final balls,
they eventually made the pressure tell.
Richardson found space on the left to drill a low cross in towards the near
post, where Murphy flicked on for Jones to score from point-blank range.
The Hammers could not believe an offside flag did not put a stop to the
Trinidad and Tobago international's celebrations, but replays showed the
officials got a close call right. Michael Chopra and Reid both tested Robert
Green as Sunderland took control, but it was Gordon who had to pull off a
vital fingertip save eight minutes before the break to keep out Cole's
curling effort. Danny Collins headed a 43rd-minute Reid cross wide, but the
home side were grateful for referee Andre Marriner's lenience on the stroke
of half-time when Parker went down under Nosworthy's challenge inside the
box and the official waved play on. Sunderland, and Murphy in particular,
emerged for the second half in determined fashion with the Irishman forcing
a smart save from Green seconds before defender Jonathan Spector hurriedly
hacked his cross away at the near post.
Lucas Neill was then in the right place at the right time when he hacked
Collins' 54th-minute header off the line. Keane made a double change with 19
minutes remaining when he replaced Richardson and Chopra with Carlos Edwards
and Grant Leadbitter, but it was Murphy who should have won it 10 minutes
later. Jones muscled his way into the penalty area to cross for his strike
partner 10 yards out, but he fired high over as the Hammers escaped.
Ljungberg's afternoon ended in agony when he was stretchered off with a
hamstring injury which left his side to play out the closing stages with 10
men.
But then substitute Edwards' 88th-minute cross flew across goal, where
fellow replacement James Tomkins got a crucial touch to deny Jones a winner.
However, there was nothing Tomkins or anyone else could do to deny Reid when
he raced on to Anton Ferdinand's header and blasted a shot past Green.
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Curbishley bemoans injuries - SSN
Injuries add to Curbishley's woes
Last updated: 29th March 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was disappointed after his injury-hit Hammers
lost 2-1 to Sunderland. The Hammers deservedly went in front through Freddie
Ljungberg on 18 minutes after his shot was deflected past Craig Gordon by
Nyron Nosworthy. But the Black Cats got back on level terms through Kenwyne
Jones' tap-in on 29 minutes. Sunderland then dominated the second half and
Daryl Murphy blasted over an open goal before Andy Reid won it with a
left-footed volley with virtually the last kick of the game. Curbishley
believed "the week's took its toll" as his small squad had lost players to
international duty midweek, coupled with injuries during the game and
finishing with 10 men as Ljungberg had to go off with a hamstring injury
after they had used all their subs. He added his team had defended
fantastically but in the last minute were not in the right areas. "We should
have been in the right areas, Reid couldn't have got his shot off and we
would have come away with a point," he said. Before the game, Curbishley had
spoken of the importance of going in front but he believed taking the lead
had in fact worked the other way.
"Funnily enough I think, once we scored, we lost the initiative," he said. I
think we started brightly and looked purposeful and passed it quite well and
got our goal and then sort of sat off it a little bit and Sunderland were
eager all afternoon, put us under a bit of pressure and got back into it
really not too long after we scored. "And the second half as the injuries
were coming along and constant change, obviously I'd have been delighted to
have got out of it with a point."
While five minutes of injury time were announced at the end, Curbishley
bemoaned: "But I think they've scored in the 96th-and-a-half minute and
sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but I'm really disappointed with
how he's come up with 96-and-a-half minutes. "But I think today probably
sums up what has happened to us, the injuries. 17 fit men we had here today
and we lose two or three and go down to 10 men - it's been a long season."
He said Carlton Cole took a knock in the first half and was limping around,
then John Pantsil had to be replaced and is concussed and then Ljungberg had
to come off injured. "It would have been a battling point in the end and I
think we'd have been delighted with that but it's a cruel game sometimes.
"Sunderland in their position couldn't have wished for more - they've ended
up taking the three points - two big wins they've had now so they have got a
lot to play for. "We have got to regroup, we have got a bit of a break and
then they come thick and fast again but I can't tell you who I've got fit
and available for the next game."
Asked what the objective is, he said: "To finish as high as we can.
Unfortunately quite a lot of those players who have been playing today have
been playing all season and have not been able to get a break because of the
injury situation and it has just got worse there. "So I am hoping one or two
people will come back over the next ten days and give us a bit of a lift and
give me a problem for team selection."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Sunderland Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sun Mar 30 2008
Sunderland 2 West Ham United 1
Andy Reid's stoppage time goal gave Sunderland all three points in a game
which was there for the taking, but our second half performance was non
existent and we did not compete enough to deserve much more than we got.
It was cruel the way we conceded, with regards to it being in the fifth
minute of injury time, but it is hard to say that Sunderland didn't deserve
it after they put in a hard working performance full of effort but lacking
in quality in that final third.
The first twenty minutes saw West Ham play some of the best football we have
played this season, with the side looking very attacking minded and creating
lots of opportunities. When we did get the goal we sat back and Sunderland
overran us for the rest of the game leaving this to be one of those what
could have been games.
Alan Curbishley made a few changes to the side which battled for a point at
Everton last week. In defence, James Tomkins was dropped to the bench in
favour of Jonathan Spector who went to center half alongside Anton
Ferdinand.
Up front, Dean Ashton was alongside Carlton Cole who replaced Luis Boa
Morte. Freddie Sears and Bobby Zamora were both injured.
There have been many times this season when it has been us who have started
the game on the back foot and this usually results in the opposition taking
the lead, but it was all change in this one as we came out of the traps
fastest with Sunderland chasing shadows for the first twenty minutes.
With Noble on the left and Ljungberg on the right we were using our width
well with both players seeing a lot of the ball. Cole and Ashton were doing
a lot of running and using their strength up against the physical defence
Sunderland possess.
Our first chance of the game came when we were on the counter attack and
Scott Parker picked out Dean Ashton who, from outside the area tried a
wonderful attempt which beat the keeper but crashed off the post and was
cleared.
With lots of possession in their half it was no surprise that we took the
lead on the 18 minute mark after more pressure was applied in the Sunderland
area. Carlton Cole played a pass to Freddie Ljungberg who was allowed time
and space to hit a low shot which took a slight deflection and flew into the
back of the net.
Sunderland responded well to going a goal down and put a lot of pressure on
our defence who were dealing with the problems but it always seemed as
though they were 'just' about getting there. It was very last gasp and with
our midfield disappearing, our backline was coming under immense pressure.
Sunderland forced many corners, and most were dealt with by Robert Green
very well, but I was never really confident that a goal wasn't going to be
conceded with the way were had sat back.
More last gasp defending prevented Evans from scoring and a free kick was
whipped into the area only for Anton Ferdinand to somehow stretch for the
ball and head away.
Our lead only lasted 10 minutes as Sunderland equalised with a horror
defensive showing from our point of view. Richardson got down the left hand
side and put a good cross in for Murphy to steer into the path of Jones who
was practically on the goal line as he tapped into the net. Our players
protested to the linesman whose flag did not go up, and after seeing
replays, you can see why.
We were rattled and on the back foot now, and Michael Chopra really should
have done better with an effort from just inside the box as our defence just
watched him ghost into the area with the ball.
I always thought we looked dangerous on the break and we nearly regained our
lead through a moment of brilliance from Carlton Cole who cut inside and
curled a wonderful shot toward the top corner only for Craig Gordon to make
a stunning save.
Another half chance came our way when a ball was played into the area
towards Scott Parker. The midfielder only had to leave the ball for Mark
Noble who was just behind him and would have surely scored, but instead he
went looking for the penalty and expected a foul which never came. In the
end, the ball fell to Ljungberg who shot way over the bar.
The second half was all Sunderland's and our performance was way short with
us hanging on for the majority of the second period.
There were some positive aspects to our second half but with an defence
which was changing around every ten minutes it was very hard to get settled.
At half time, George McCartney was taken off and replaced by John Pantsil.
This saw Lucas Neill go to left back with Pantsil at right back.
Sunderland had the first chance of a tense second half with Danny Collins
heading towards goal from a corner, only for Neill to clear off the line.
As an attacking force, we were non existent and only a Dean Ashton shot
which went well wide could be called an attempt.
We just couldn't keep possession and Curbishley needed to make a change to
try and stop Sunderland from running us ragged like they were doing.
Carlton Cole was taken off with Nolberto Solano replacing him. Being an
ex-Newcastle favourite, Solano didn't receive the warmest of reception.
For about a ten minute period we seemed to have weathered the storm that
Sunderland had created but rather than build on that we went the other way
and got worse with too many mis-placed passes being played.
John Pantsil went up for a header and seemed to collide with Spector. This
saw Pantsil taken off with what seemed like concussion. On in his place was
Tomkins who went to center half, with Spector going to right back as the
defence had to shuffle itself yet again.
Tomkins made a similar mistake to the one against Everton when he went for a
header but was easily brushed off the ball for Jones to burst into the area
and pick out the unmarked Murphy who blazed over the bar in what was surely
one of the misses of the season.
With ten minutes remaining, Freddie Ljungberg went chasing for a long pass
and went to ground clutching his hamstring. With all subs used by Alan
Curbishley, we would have to play out the final ten minutes with ten men.
With five minutes added time awarded (and probably fair given the amount of
stoppages) it seemed as though we were going to secure a point and by that
time I think most West Ham fans would have been happy with that given the
pressure Sunderland had put on us.
But in typical West Ham fashion we would concede in those final five minutes
and of course it was the very final minute which we would lose a game which
I believe we really could have won. A hopeful punt into the area found the
head of Ferdinand but his head only found Andy Reid who volleyed into the
goal giving Green no chance.
What we showed in the first 20 minutes was some quality, which I have been
disappointed with the lack of this campaign. It was very disappointing to
see us take the lead and sit back and invite Sunderland onto us which they
accepted.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
His catching was excellent and his kicking was also very good. Nothing he
could do about either of the goals and will be very disappointed that he
actually conceded two.
Lucas Neill
Played as a left back for most of the second half and didn't look
comfortable using his left foot at every occasion. This wasn't a terrible
performance from Neill who was on the end of some harsh decisions from a
very picky ref.
Anton Ferdinand
A mixed bag from Anton who flirted between the sublime and the ordinary
throughout this game. There were moments when he would show some excellent
defending and others where he would panic and get himself into trouble. His
header to prevent Evans was superb, yet his header to Reid cost us the goal.
Jonathan Spector
A poor right back and our 6th choice center half. This says it all because
he is those things for a reason and that is because he lacks quality.
Ferdinand covered for him on multiple occasions in the first half and
although Spector does give everything for the cause, playing this type of
player will never win you game and will only hinder your progress.
George McCartney
Against his former club, he played well during the first half but was taken
off with what must have been an injury at half time. I do not know the
extent of his injury but it would be a big blow if he was to be out for
long.
Freddie Ljungberg
Like the team, he started well, got a goal and then just faded away and got
injured.
Scott Parker
Must have been our most involved player as he always seemed to be on the
ball making passes and tackles. He still doesn't look 100% match sharp and
he was guilty of a number of mis placed passes. Moved forward with the ball
well and was always looking for a pass but the execution was often off.
Hayden Mullins
I forgot he was playing in the second half as Sunderland totally overran our
midfield which looked lost. Mullins was non existant and I had thought he
had done well in the first half as he got much closer to the Sunderland
players and was making some good interceptions. But he may as well have been
in the changing room for the second half because he did nothing.
Mark Noble
Like Mullins, I remember him in the first half but if you told me that Noble
was not even on the pitch for the second period, I would probably believe
you.
Carlton Cole
Another player who was always involved and put himself about but he gave
away too many free kicks and apart from one wonderful effort, he never
looked like scoring - which is his biggest problem that I doubt he will ever
overcome at this club.
Dean Ashton
Seemed to be carrying on his recent good form in the first half as he looked
clever in possession and was causing the Sunderland defence problems with
his movement and strength. Became isolated in the second half and wasted
possession far too many times.
Subs Used
John Pantsil (on for McCartney 45 mins)
Still better than Kaka but a concussion prevented us from seeing much
Pantsil magic.
Nolberto Solano (on for Cole 64 mins)
A few early touches developed into a player who was just chasing shadows for
most of his time on the pitch.
James Tomkins (on for Pantsil 74 mins)
One mistake nearly cost us a goal and then he managed to save us by clearing
a ball with a Sunderland attacker ready to pounce. The more experience he
gets the better he will get.
Overall
In a game which we really could have won, we were simply outfought by one of
those hard working, gritty, not much quality but lots of heart sides in
Sunderland.
Although league position is not really high on the agenda for the rest of
the season, hopefully we will bounce back against Portsmouth in our next
league game and get some more points on the board.
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Curbishley blames the injuries, yet again - West Ham Online
North Bank - Sat Mar 29 2008
My only comment is that it has to be more than bad luck and if we're going
to carry the same squad next season, I'd like Curbishley to take a serious
look at the medical staff he employed and the way he prepares players for
the games.
Here's what he said after today's defeat at Sunderland:
"Funnily enough I think, once we scored, we lost the initiative,"
"I think we started brightly and looked purposeful and passed it quite well
and got our goal and then sort of sat off it a little bit and Sunderland
were eager all afternoon, put us under a bit of pressure and got back into
it really not too long after we scored.
"And the second half as the injuries were coming along and constant change,
obviously I'd have been delighted to have got out of it with a point."
While five minutes of injury time were announced at the end, Curbishley
bemoaned: "But I think they've scored in the 96th-and-a-half minute and
sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but I'm really disappointed with
how he's come up with 96-and-a-half minutes.
"But I think today probably sums up what has happened to us, the injuries.
17 fit men we had here today and we lose two or three and go down to 10 men
- it's been a long season."
Curbs said Carlton Cole took a knock in the first half and was limping
around, then John Pantsil had to be replaced and is concussed and then
Ljungberg had to come off injured.
"It would have been a battling point in the end and I think we'd have been
delighted with that but it's a cruel game sometimes.
"Sunderland in their position couldn't have wished for more - they've ended
up taking the three points - two big wins they've had now so they have got a
lot to play for.
"We have got to regroup, we have got a bit of a break and then they come
thick and fast again but I can't tell you who I've got fit and available for
the next game."
Asked what the objective is, he said: "To finish as high as we can.
Unfortunately quite a lot of those players who have been playing today have
been playing all season and have not been able to get a break because of the
injury situation and it has just got worse there.
"So I am hoping one or two people will come back over the next ten days and
give us a bit of a lift and give me a problem for team selection."
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Andy Reid delivers blow to West Ham - Telegraph
By Jonathan Wilson at the Stadium of Light
Last Updated: 10:50pm GMT 29/03/2008
Sunderland (1) 2 West Ham (1) 1
As Andy Reid volleyed the winner deep into added time, one figure's glee
stood out. As the rest of the Sunderland bench celebrated, Daryl Murphy
stood in a private rapture, fists clenched, eyes closed: this was a man
reprieved. Nine minutes from time, he had perpetrated the sort of miss than
can haunt a career.
Eight yards out, unmarked as Kenwyne Jones rolled the ball across the box,
he had smashed his shot high over the bar. The firmness of manager Roy
Keane's handshake as Murphy was substituted told its own story: there was
sympathy there, an acknowledgement that, if Sunderland went down, this was a
man who was likely to shoulder the blame.
As it is, thanks to a weak Anton Ferdinand header, Reid's technical
excellence in front of goal - and Arsenal's late winner at Bolton - this
will be remembered as the day Sunderland won consecutive top-flight games
for the first time in 7½ years and pulled seven points clear of the
relegation zone. "I don't mind strikers missing chances," Keane said,
"because you've got to be in the position to miss them. I've seen great
strikers miss chances, and Daryl had run his socks off." What he does mind
is players "stepping off", as Sunderland had for the opening quarter. "We
were appalling," he said. "I could have got my boots on and played against
us today. The players were reminded of the position we're in at half-time,
and they reacted well to my strong words."
Dean Ashton had already hit a post when West Ham took an 18th-minute lead.
While the deflection Freddie Ljungberg's drive took off Nyron Nosworthy was
unfortunate, any sympathy was mitigated by the shambolic defending that
allowed the Swede so much time to line up his shot. Even after Jones had
equalised, following a superb passing move orchestrated by Reid, it took a
fingertip save from Craig Gordon to keep out a Carlton Cole curler.
The second half could hardly have been more different. Alan Curbishley
blamed his side's capitulation on fatigue and "a chronic injury list" - to
which were added yesterday Ljungberg and George McCartney with hamstring
strains, John Paintsil with concussion and Cole with a foot injury - but,
equally, Sunderland were far crisper in the pass and sharper on the tackle.
They struggled to create chances, but under Keane Sunderland have a habit of
scoring late goals and, as the five minutes of added time stretched to six,
there was still, as Keane said, always the thought there would be "one more
chance". Reid's calm finish took to 11 - out of 33 - the total points they
have accumulated this season with goals in the last 10 minutes of games.
Reid has been excellent since joining from Charlton in January, and he does
not run out of steam after 70 minutes as he did two months ago. "He just
about made 96 minutes today," Keane said. "He wasn't flying, though - don't
kid yourself." He was, though, fit enough to spare Murphy's blushes.
Best moment: Jonny Evans's perfectly timed tackle on Dean Ashton midway
through the first half: it could have been Bobby Moore on Pele
Worst moment: Scott Parker's ludicrous dive – with supplementary handball –
over Nyron Nosworthy's foot. The crusade against simulation has seemingly
run out of steam.
Man of the match
Andy Reid (Sunderland)
Five shots
One goal
One assist
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Curbishley pleased to give Tomkins more West Ham action
tribalfootball.com - March 30, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley was happy to give more minutes to James
Tomkins in their defeat to Sunderland. Tomkins celebrated his 19th birthday
at the Stadium of Light and the manager was pleased with his contribution
off the bench, claiming "we know we've got a player there". He also told
whufc.com: "I'm in a fortunate position where they can learn without it
being so vital. Freddie Sears, if he hadn't been injured, might have got a
game as well so we'll have a look at that in the next six games."
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West Ham's Ferdinand wins Curbishley praise
tribalfooball.com - March 30, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley had praise for Anton Ferdinand after
defeat to Sunderland.
Curbishley is pleased with the way Ferdinand has handled being the team's
senior centre-half amid a spate of defensive injuries and said: "I think
Anton has done great, to be honest.
"We started off with [Jonathan] Spector there, then [James] Tomkins has had
to come on and Specs has gone to left-back then right-back. It's been very
difficult for us.
"We'll have to see if Upson will be right for Portsmouth [on Tuesday week].
We don't want to put anyone at risk so we'll just have to see what we've got
... Obviously I was a bit disappointed that a lot of my players went off
this week [on international duty]. A lot of them have been playing week in,
week out and I've not been in a position to rest anybody and it looks as if
it'll be that way for the rest of the season."
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West Ham go for Ipswich's Haynes
tribalfootball.com - March 30, 2008
West Ham United are chasing Ipswich attacker Danny Haynes. Haynes is a £2m
target for West Ham and Birmingham as he looks to step up.
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