WHUFC.com
Barclays Premier League
Hull City v West Ham United
Sunday 19 October 2008
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Chris Foy
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Noble,
Parker, Etherington, Bellamy, Cole
Subs: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Mullins, Boa Morte, Sears, Di Michele
Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Ashbee, Marney,
Boateng, King, Cousin, Geovanni
Subs: Duke, Ricketts, Mendy, Garcia, Hughes, Halmosi, Folan
Solitary goal denies United
Hull City 1-0 West Ham United
West Ham United's first-ever match at the sold-out KC Stadium ended in a
disappointing defeat after Michael Turner headed Hull City to victory with a
51st-minute winner on Sunday afternoon.
Despite this reverse, there were plenty of positives for Gianfranco Zola to
take back to the capital, on a day during which his workaholic Welsh striker
Craig Bellamy was full of purposeful running and Carlton Cole agonisingly
rattled the crossbar as the visitors came within a whisker of a deserved
point.
After seeing his team beaten by Bolton Wanderers last time out, the manager
had made just one change to an eighth-placed West Ham United side, Bellamy -
with two hearty personal performances in the World Cup qualifiers under his
belt - returned to the visitors' attack in place of substitute David Di
Michele. New recruit Diego Tristan stayed behind in London to work on his
fitness.
Only Wigan Athletic had beaten Phil Brown's sixth-placed side so far this
campaign and, predictably, the Hull boss named an unchanged side following
their victory over teetering Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago.
Having roared to victories over Fulham, Arsenal and Spurs already this
season, the Tigers soon embarked on their quest for a quartet of wins over
London opposition with their very own brand of high-tempo football and, in a
keenly contested opening, the assured handling of Robert Green thwarted
Marlon King, Dean Marney and Daniel Cousin.
The home side were certainly not having it all their own way, though,
against a West Ham United side looking equally threatening with their own
style of crisp passing play.
Indeed, with a dozen minutes gone, Cole sent an acrobatic attempt sailing
over Bo Myhill's right-hand angle and then, as the quarter-hour mark
approached, the barn-storming Bellamy burst clear from inside his own half,
before sending a left-wing cross into the danger zone and this time his
strike-partner steered an 12-yard shot straight into the arms of the
well-placed Hull 'keeper.
Shortly afterwards, Herita Ilunga thought he had bagged his inaugural goal
for the club, when he innovatively hooked the airborne ball into the net, as
Myhill attempted a drop-kick. But the aggrieved defender merely succeeded in
collecting his first Premier League yellow card from referee Chris Foy, who
immediately ruled in favour of the relieved goalkeeper.
Midway through the half, Marney volleyed behind after King sent a
well-flighted cross to the far post and then the Tigers' midfielder sent a
rising 25-yarder just inches over Green's crossbar.
With play ebbing and flowing, the stooping Ilunga almost put the visitors
ahead via legal means but he steered Matthew Etherington's awkward corner
wide of the right-hand upright and then, in first-half stoppage time,
Bellamy volleyed high over from a tight angle to keep an intriguing contest
goalless at the break.
This was West Ham United's first match against Hull City since they played
out a goalless draw at the hosts' former Boothferry Park home in March 1991
but on 51 minutes, Turner ensured that there would be no repeat of that
scoreline, when he rose above Matthew Upson to meet Andy Dawson's corner
with a crashing six-yard header to give City the lead.
Down but not out, Zola's men refused to let their heads drop. Indeed, just
seconds after falling behind, Valon Behrami's steamrollering run down the
right flank climaxed with a clever pass to Cole, who spun and sent a
six-yarder crashing down off Myhill's crossbar to the despair of the
travelling claret and blue fans amongst Hull City's record crowd of 24,896
packed into the KC Stadium.
Scott Parker also curled just wide, while Matthew Etherington's far post
attempt found the side-netting before Di Michele replaced Julian Faubert and
Freddie Sears came on for the left-winger but sadly that elusive equaliser
just did not materialise.
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Derby defeat for U18s
WHUFC.com
A strong Chelsea side had the edge on a youthful West Ham United side at
Little Heath on Saturday
18.10.2008
West Ham United Under-18s 2-4 Chelsea Under-18s
Goals from Ahmed Abdulla and debutant Robert Hall were not enough to stop an
inexperienced West Ham United losing out in an entertaining derby at Little
Heath on Saturday.
The home team started and finished the scoring but in between Chelsea
dominated and were full value for their victory. Despite the scoreline,
academy director Tony Carr was pleased with the way his team regrouped after
the interval, having gone in at half-time 3-1 down. Indeed, had his team
taken one of a succession of good chances late in the contest they could
have gone on to earn something from the game.
Abdulla capitalised on a poor clearance to open the scoring from 25 yards on
six minutes. However, within five minutes, Chelsea had equalised after a
mis-placed pass by Georg Grasser was intercepted and Frank Nouble was able
to score. The visitors then took the lead on 20 minutes when Adam Street
came to clear a long ball forward but was beaten to it by the alert Fabio
Borini.
It was three just after the half-hour mark through Jacob Mellis. Anthony
Edgar could have pulled a goal back soon after but was denied by the
woodwork. Despite regrouping well in the second half, Chelsea moved further
ahead through Callum McNaughton's own goal but United were able to get a
second consolation. In the 68th minute, half-time replacement Conor Okus
surged forward allowing fellow substitute Hall - who made his England
Under-16 bow last month - to mark his first game at this level with a fine
goal.
Lively forward Hall, still only 14, is tipped for a bright future and Carr
described his goal as a "terrific achievement". His older team-mates
Abdulla, Nick Barrett and Ollie Lee all went close after that and had any
converted then it could have been an interesting finish but as it was
Chelsea got the win their play deserved with the academy director calling
them "worthy winners".
He added: "We had our chances but on the day they were better than us -
especially in the first half. We we did a lot better in the second half and
if we could have just dragged it back to 4-3 then it would have made it a
really interesting last ten minutes but to be fair to them they were a very
good team. They were very strong."
West Ham United: Street, Miller, Brown, McNaughton, Fry, Kearns (Hall 56),
Montano (Barrett 69), Lee, Grasser (Okus 46), Edgar, Abdulla
Subs not used: Loveday, Driver
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Parker showing his strength
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United midfield has benefitted from Scott Parker's continued
good form this season
19.10.2008
Scott Parker is happy to be back playing regularly and does not mind one bit
if he is not in the limelight as long as he is performing well for West Ham
United.
After the stop-start nature of his first season at the Boleyn Ground, Parker
said he was delighted to be able to show the fans what he could do.
Recalling how he felt after suffering a pre-season knee problem, he said: "I
had a bit of a bad time last year with injuries which didn't go well for me.
I suppose if I had been here for three years and got the injury it would
have been a bit easier but I had just signed."
Things improved as the campaign went on. He started each of the last ten
games in the run-in and has been an ever-present in the Barclays Premier
League this season. "I feel strong," Parker added. "I am starting to feel
like I have come back there now and starting to enjoy it." With good club
form, naturally comes talk of international recognition but the 28-year-old,
who has three caps, is playing down such speculation.
"I don't think if only with England," he said, when asked for his thoughts
on his prospects. "It is such a fine line I suppose and all I can do is
really play well. If I get my chance, I'll get my chance and, if not, as
long as am I doing well for West Ham that is my priority. After the season I
had last year, my priority is to stay fit and to perform well for West Ham.
If I do that, then you never know."
The next step in that mission is Sunday's trip to Hull City and Parker knows
the high-fliers will pose a stern test to a West Ham United side that can go
fourth with victory. "It is going to be a tough game for us," he said. "We
all know how they have started the season. They have done very well so it is
going to be difficult and we are going to have to go into it very prepared."
As the senior figure in the regular trio of central midfielders including
Valon Behrami and Mark Noble, Parker's experience is key. He has also put
that to good effect in coping with the change in manager and the
introduction of a new system and new ideas. "When things change so quickly
like they do in football you have to adapt to that and I think I have learnt
over the years that the quicker you adapt the better things are."
While respectful of Alan Curbishley's positive impact on his career, firstly
at Charlton Athletic and then after bringing him to the Boleyn Ground,
Parker is enjoying the new regime under Gianfranco Zola. The West Ham way is
central to it all. "The [club's] philosophy is a very strong reason for
being here. There is no doubt that we try and play the right way and play
football. For sure this year there have been times when we have played some
really nice stuff.
"It is a massive factor to enjoy the game and to have someone who wants to
play the right way and our manager certainly wants to do that. It has been a
big impact. It gives you the confidence to go out there and try stuff
because when you want to play football, when you want to make things happen
there is a fine line between making mistakes and not.
"He gives you the confidence to go out there and do that. You keep trying
because that is the only way it is going to happen. I think as a player that
is what you need ... his ideas and his training has been fantastic."
Parker said there was plenty of attention to detail in the manager's work
and "he has helped everyone". He added: "If there is one thing he is going
to do, it is improve players. It is just techniques, he is out there with
certain players doing different finishing techniques or he might be there
with the defenders ... he has set his stall out and every player knows what
he wants."
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Tristan eased into contention
WHUFC.com
Diego Tristan will not make the trip to Hull City but the manager has plenty
of other options
17.10.2008
Gianfranco Zola looks like having the luxury of a strong squad as he takes
his West Ham United team to Hull City on Sunday.
His international players have all returned safely and are in contention for
the weekend fixture, including Craig Bellamy who got two good run-outs for
Wales and could make his first club start this campaign. The striker's
availability will put pressure on Matthew Etherington, David Di Michele and
Carlton Cole, while Freddie Sears is also challenging. It all means the
manager can afford to leave Diego Tristan behind to focus on his sharpness
after signing a permanent deal last week.
"Everybody is fine," the manager said. "There are no major problems and they
should all be all right." Zola confirmed that James Collins, who also played
a full 90 minutes for Wales against Germany on Wednesday having not made a
senior start since last December, and Lee Bowyer were in contention for his
travelling party.
Zola revealed the two other long-term absentees Kieron Dyer (double leg
break) and Danny Gabbidon (abdominal) are "doing very well but are not yet
ready". Jonathan Spector (hip) is due back at the club next week while a
welcome sight at Chadwell Heath in the past couple of days has been Dean
Ashton. He is still some way off a return from his left ankle injury but the
arrival of Tristan has helped the attacking options.
The manager will not rush the Spanish striker into action, though. "It's too
early for Tristan. It will take him a couple of weeks to be fit for the
Premier League," Zola said. "I brought him to the club firstly because he is
a good player and secondly because Dean Ashton is injured." He added that he
would challenge Carlton Cole in the "target man" role, and help cover the
striker who has been troubled by minor knocks of late.
Of Tristan, the manager continued: "He has been training for two weeks and I
have to say he has impressed me very much in his finishing and the way he
moves on the pitch is perfect for the way we play. Hopefully now we're going
to get him back physically the way he was and he will be a very good signing
for us. He just needs to work on his fitness a little bit so he can be back
at this best. I spoke to him and he looks confident and focused and that for
me is very important."
While Tristan has arrived, Zola confirmed that he intends to cut the squad
in future and was not interested in January signings. It will be a case of
preserving quality over quantity. "Right now I'm really not concerned about
buying anybody. I think, right here, I have got everything I need to achieve
our target.
"We have a lot of players here and I can only play eleven players plus seven
on the bench. It is a big squad when I have everybody back from injury.
Certainly I will have to make some choices." He continues to work closely
with CEO Scott Duxbury and is more than confident about the future
progression of the squad. "He said the situation has not changed for the
team as the club is OK," Zola added.
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Hull 1-0 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Andrew McKenzie
Hull moved back into third place in the Premier League after a Michael
Turner goal made it three wins on the trot. Carlton Cole and Herita Ilunga
both missed glorious opportunities for West Ham in the opening half. Turner
put Hull in front when he headed in powerfully from an Andy Dawson corner
just after the break. The Hammers almost equalised when Cole's shot from
five yards out beat Boaz Myhill, but he saw his effort come back off the
underside of the bar. It was a third consecutive win for Phil Brown's Hull
side, whose tally of 17 points after eight games is the second best total
for a promoted club since the start of the Premier League.
After wins at Arsenal and Tottenham the Tigers earned their first victory at
home since the opening day of the season. There was little between the two
sides, but West Ham were made to pay for some poor finishing and are left
still looking for a first clean sheet in the league since February. Marlon
King passed a late fitness test, allowing the home side to name an unchanged
side for the third straight game. It was the Tigers striker who created the
first chance of the game for his strike partner Daniel Cousin to volley just
past the post. West Ham handed a first start to Craig Bellamy for nearly a
year and he showed flashes of being back to his dangerous best. He got away
down the left side and picked out Cole, only for the in-form forward to fire
straight at Myhill. Dean Marney volleyed just wide and then drilled one over
the bar as the home side picked up the pace. At the other end Hull allowed
Ilunga a free header from a left-wing corner only for the defender to glance
badly wide. Valon Behrami shot just past the post and Bellamy blazed over
after a neat knock down by Cole as the Hammers had their best spell at the
end of the first half. But Hull came out for the second period a rejuvenated
side, with King volleying just past the post in the early stages. They went
in front within five minutes of the restart when Dawson floated a corner
over and Turner climbed above Julien Faubert to power a header in. West Ham
could have levelled almost immediately when Behrami burst down the right and
picked out Cole in the area. He turned and as he fell to the ground he
managed to get a shot in from inside the six-yard box, but his effort came
back off the underside of the bar. Kamil Zayatte was close to adding a
second for the Tigers when he picked up the ball in the centre circle and
was allowed to advance with the ball towards the West Ham goal, before
firing a rising shot just over the bar. West Ham threatened in patches, with
Matthew Etherington having their best chance of earning a point when he
volleyed into the side-netting after strong play down the left side by Cole.
Hull boss Phil Brown: "I thought the first half performance was one of a
two-week break - we looked a bit rusty. "At times we gave the ball away too
cheaply and West Ham caused us problems because of it. "But defensively we
were bang at it again. That's three wins on the bounce and two clean sheets.
We have conceded one goal in three games against quality opposition."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "It's very hard to take. I don't think
that we deserved to lose but sometimes football is like that. "We missed two
very good chances. It very difficult to accept but we have to think to the
next game. "We didn't deserve to concede a goal but Turner made a great
jump."
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Boateng
(Hughes 72), Geovanni (Halmosi 73), Cousin (Garcia 82), King.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Mendy, Folan, Ricketts.
Booked: Zayatte, Dawson.
Goals: Turner 51.
West Ham: Green, Faubert (Di Michele 73), Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami,
Parker, Noble, Etherington (Sears 83), Bellamy, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Mullins, Davenport.
Booked: Ilunga.
Att: 24,896.
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Hull's Geovanni (7.68 on 90
minutes).
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Hull City 1 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola's honeymoon period is well and truly over after his Hammers
side went down 1-0 to Premier League newcomers Hull City.
A Michael Turner header proved to be the difference between the two teams on
the day - although United will be kicking themselves for missing some
gilt-edged chances.
Following the recent home defeat to Bolton - and with Arsenal (h),
Manchester Utd (a), Middlesbrough (a) and Everton (h) to come in the next
month - Zola's side really needed to take something from today's game to
avoid the possibility of becoming entrenched in the wrong half of the table
come December.
But despite creating a number of chances - which Carlton Cole, Herita Ilunga
and Craig Bellamy were most guilty of spurning - the Hammers failed to break
down a resolute City defence that only recently shipped five here against
Wigan.
The home side, buoyed by their good start to the season started strongly in
front of an expectant crowd and Rob Green was calld into action early to
prevent a Marlon King cross reaching its intended target seven minutes in.
Cousin's cushioned header four minutes later should have made the United
keeper work harder.
Having weathered the early storm West Ham began to take control, with the
midfield proving particularly effective. Carlton Cole's acrobatic effort on
14 minutes was one for the scrapbook although he was kicking himself four
minutes later when some excellent work on the left by Craig Bellamy offered
him an opportunity that he shouldn't have spurned. Herita Ilunga was then
cautioned for kicking the ball away from the keeper as he threw it up for a
long kick.
Bellamy and Mark Noble both registered efforts before Hull threatened Rob
Green goal again; Marney's volley whistled wide after Marlon King had taken
advantage of a Lucas Neill slip to make the chance. Still Hull were
struggling to keep up with the Hammers, and captain Ashbee was lucky not to
be cautioned for a lunge at Matthew Etherington as his frustration boiled
over.
Mark Noble saw a penalty shout (probably correctly) denied when he went over
in the box after pressure from Marney before Herita Ilunga missed possibly
the best chance of the half when he was left unmarked at a corner to nod a
Noble centre agonisingly wide of the post. The travelling fans were in good
voice, informing the home crowd that 'we pay your benfits' during a break in
play.
With United now controlling the game a Craig Bellamy cross which resulted in
an almighty scramble and a Valon Behrami effort should have reaped greater
reward than they did. Then Ilunga, no doubt still annoyed at his earlier
missed sitter was lucky not to receive a second yellow card after going
through his man wide on the touchline with eight minutes of the half
remining.
The final chance of the half fell to the lively Bellamy who was cleverly
teed up by Carlton Cole just yards from goal. the Welsh striker could only
balloon his effort high into the stands much to his frustration.
Hull - importantly - started the second half stronger and the Hammers should
have heeded the early warnings when both Boateng and King tested Green
inside the opening five minutes. But that they failed to do, and a 51st
minute corner by Dawson was nodded home at the far post by Turner with
England's Matthew Upson unusually second to the ball.
The Hammers, sparked into life by the goal responded most notably with a
Carlton Cole effort that cannoned off the crossbar after the burly striker
had spun his marker inside the six-yard box following good work on the right
by Behrami. The chance was indicative of United's afternoon; for all the
possession they enjoyed the team that had scored freely this season prior to
today looked clueless in front of goal. The newly-signed Diego Tristan
wasn't considered fit enough to play and Dean Ashton's presence - and
accuracy - was much missed, as it will be until long into this
potentially-troubled season.
A flurry of substitutions midway through the half saw Zola introduce David
Di Michele and Fred Sears in attack, although they were to find chances as
few and far between as Bellamy and Cole had before them. Matthew Etherington
might have grabbed an equaliser on 68 minutes after he fired a deep cross
into the side netting but given the poor second half effort it would have
perhaps been undeserved.
The three points for Hull lifts them to an impressive third place in the
table, whislt West Ham remain eighth. Zola - and assistant Steve Clarke -
have plenty of work to do in what will prove to be a very interesting month
ahead.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert (Di Michele 73), Ilunga, Neill (c), Upson,
Parker, Noble, Behrami, Etherington (Sears 82), Bellamy, Cole.
Hull City: Myhill, Giovanni (Halmosi 74), Zanatte, Ashbee (c), Marney,
Boateng (Hughes 72), McShane, Dawson, Cousin, King, Turner.
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Turner clinches it for Tigers
SSN
Hull down West Ham 1-0 to climb back into third
Last updated: 19th October 2008
Man of the match - Daniel Cousin: Tireless and powerful running from the
Gabon international. He set the tone for Hull's combative and committed
display.
Moment of the match - Turner header: The way Michael Turner met Andy
Dawson's corner optimised Hull's hunger for success, before it sent the
majority of the packed KC Stadium wild.
Talking point: - Hull's rise: The Tigers continued their amazing start. How
far can Phil Brown's side go this term?
Hull City's remarkable beginning to the new Premier League season continued
as they claimed a 1-0 victory over West Ham United to rise back into third
place in the table. Michael Turner struck the only goal of the game in the
second period as the newly-promoted Tigers made it three consecutive league
triumphs and four over London opposition in the 2008/09 campaign. The
Hammers enjoyed the better of the first half but lacked killer instinct in
the final third, with striker Craig Bellamy - making his first league start
of the term - posing the greatest threat. But Phil Brown's side began to
push their opponents back into their own half after the interval and they
made their pressure pay on 51 minutes as Turner rose powerfully to head home
Andy Dawson's whipped corner and secure the win.
Recent defeats to Bolton, plus fresh financial concerns, had hardly sent the
Hammers bounding North in the best of moods, but boss Gianfranco Zola had
the bonus of handing Bellamy his first league start of the season. The
Welshman had his moments in the opening period but the Hammers laboured
early on and the home side started brightly, exuding the confidence which
had swept them to such lofty heights. Daniel Cousin posed a constant danger
down the right channel while Marlon King, returning from the back injury
which ruled him out of midweek international duty, saw a low shot grasped by
Hammers keeper Robert Green. King headed straight at Green from a Paul
McShane cross in the 11th minute as the Tigers continued to dominate and
Zola's men struggled to find a route out of their own half. But the momentum
began to change after a quarter of an hour when Bellamy, in his first
contribution, raced across the halfway line and teed up Cole to side-foot
the simplest of chances straight at Boaz Myhill. Then Herita Ilunga found
himself in the book of referee Chris Foy after charging down an attempted
Myhill goal-kick, and overhead-kicking the loose ball into the net.
Dean Marney volleyed just wide from King's cross but the Hammers continued
to get into the game and Ilunga came even closer when he headed Scott
Parker's corner just the wrong side of the post from point-blank range. The
visitors were starting to enjoy far more possession in dangerous areas with
Bellamy's low cross almost catching out a hesitant Hull defence, and Valon
Behrami firing wide from long range. The already-booked Ilunga looked lucky
to escape a second yellow card after scything down Marney on the Tigers
right as the lively action continued with goals still looking likely.
The opener almost came from Bellamy, who blazed high and wide from a tight
angle after Cole's clever knock-down in first-half injury time. But in the
end it came for the home side six minutes into the second half, when Turner
out-jumped Matthew Upson to head home Dawson's impressive corner from the
right. The Hammers had a golden chance to equalise two minutes later when
Valon Behrami got round the back of the Hull defence and set up Cole on the
edge of the six-yard box, but the striker scythed his shot against the
underside of the bar. Having survived that scare, the home side grew in
confidence and Kamil Zayette came close in the 56th minute when he
steamrollered out of defence before lashing a long-range effort just over
the bar. The home side were continuing to knock the ball around with aplomb,
although Cole remained a threat and his cross in the 68th minute resulted in
Matthew Etherington volleying into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Zola's men were left looking short of ideas and summoned little by way of
threat in the closing stages, with the home side hanging on with ease to
claim their fifth top-flight victory
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Zola - We deserved more
SSN
Hammers boss disappointed after Hull loss
By James Dall Last updated: 19th October 2008
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola was 'very disappointed' to suffer what
he felt was an undeserved defeat against Hull City on Sunday. Phil Brown's
Tigers claimed a 1-0 triumph over their London opposition at the KC Stadium
as Michael Turner grabbed the decisive goal on 51 minutes. It was the
Hammers' second consecutive defeat after they were beaten at home against
Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago. Zola believes his side's display versus
Hull merited at least a point but admits they were made to pay for missing
too many goalscoring opportunities. The Italian coach told Sky Sports: "I am
very (frustrated and disappointed with the result today). "I don't know what
to say. This is difficult. Sometimes football can be like this. "This is the
second game in a row we have lost and I don't think we deserved to lose
either of them. "At the end of the day we got no points and that it is very
disappointing for me and the players because I think we deserved more. "Yes
(we created many opportunities). It is disappointing because when you play
as well as this you expect to get points. "Sometimes it doesn't happen but
that does not stop you from playing. I am pretty sure if we carry on like
this we are going to get back on track." Striker Craig Bellamy made his
first start of the season after injury and impressed in stages during the
encounter. Of the Welshman, Zola added: "I am pleased that Bellamy is coming
back to his full condition. Certainly that will help us improve. We need to
work on our finishing."
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Parker - Hammers not like Toon
SSN
Hammers midfielder focused on football
Last updated: 19th October 2008
Scott Parker insists West Ham are not about to rival Newcastle in the
Premier League laughing stock stakes. The midfielder, who spent two years on
Tyneside, has seen the Magpies hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons
in recent weeks with their off-field turmoil not helping their Premier
League performances. The Hammers have boardroom concerns of their own with
owner and chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's finances hit hard due to his
involvement with Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which has been placed into
receivership. But Parker claims the Upton Park squad are remaining focused
on football matters and believes the future is bright under new manager
Gianfranco Zola Parker told the News of the World: "There's no danger of us
becoming the Newcastle of the South. "We've got a very good squad and I'm
sure the people running the club are going to do the best job they can. "It
hasn't been difficult to concentrate. As a player, you hear and read what's
being said but we know what our own priorities are. "The players don't talk
about it. I've not heard anything to suggest anyone is upset and there's no
anxiety among the players.
"We can still be a big club, a club which is on the up."
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Zola - I don't have to sell
SSN
Financial situation not concerning Hammers' boss
By Steve Pass Last updated: 17th October 2008
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola insists he is not under any pressure to sell
players amid the current financial uncertainty. The club's vice-chairman
Asgeir Fridgeirsson said on Tuesday that no more funding will be made
available to Zola for the foreseeable future. His comments come as concerns
have been raised over Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's ownership of the club due to
his involvement with Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which has been placed into
receivership. The Hammers could also face a hefty compensation claim over
the Carlos Tevez affair. But Zola says he will not be forced to sell
players, although he could let some go out on loan if they are not playing.
He told Sky Sports that he was not worried about the financial situation. He
said: "Not really - I spoke to people from the board and they assure me that
the club has not got any problems and the situation will improve. So I'm not
really concerned about it." Asked if he will have to sell before he can buy
in the January transfer window, the Italian replied: "Right now I don't need
to buy really. "I am happy with what I have got - there might be the
possibility that someone might go on loan because we have got a big squad
and obviously I don't want to keep players here training and not playing.
"But right now, really, I don't need to buy any players - I have got
everything I need right now." He also denied he was under any pressure to
sell big value players such as Dean Ashton. "No, not really - the club have
not told me anything about that - actually they want to progress, they want
to strengthen the team so not really, we are not going to be selling any
good players that we have," he said, adding they are going to keep them and
try to improve the team.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tigers topple Hammers to continue dream season
ViewLondon.co.uk
Hull City have climbed to third place in the Premiership after beating West
Ham United 1-0 at the KC Stadium. A second-half header from Michael Turner
saw the Tigers continue their fairytale season, going above Arsenal and
Manchester United in the league table. Hull striker Marlon King shook off a
back injury to start while Craig Bellamy replaced David Di Michele for the
Hammers. In a lively opening, new signing Daniel Cousin wasted two chances
when he failed to connect with King's cross before his header was saved by
Robert Green. Gianfranco Zola's men then had a goal ruled out on 19 minutes
when Herita Ilunga intercepted a goal kick by Boaz Myhill before executing a
stunning bicycle kick into the net, but the referee penalised him for
stopping the keeper from releasing the ball. The Congan wasted a gilt-edged
chance to break the deadlock minutes later when he headed wide from six
yards out following a corner. Five minutes before the break, West Ham
spurned another gift-wrapped opportunity when Carlton Cole's knock-down was
blazed over by Bellamy from just five yards out. The second-half was a
pulsating affair with Hull breaking the deadlock on 51 minutes when Andy
Dawson's corner was headed in by Turner. Cole should have grabbed an
immediate equaliser but could only rattle the crossbar with a shot on the
turn, while Kamil Zayatte lashed his effort inches wide for the home side.
Phil Brown's men had the ball in the net on 69 minutes but Dean Marney was
penalised for handling the ball and being off-side. At the other end, the
Hammers' wastefulness continued with Matthew Etherington missing the target
from close range, as Hull held on for their fifth win of the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Turner the hero as Hull inflict more capital carnage with victory over West
Ham - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 7:25 PM on 19th October 2008
Comments (0) Add to My Stories Londoner Michael Turner emerged as the latest
hero of Hull's remarkable Barclays Premier League ascent as his 51st-minute
header at the KC Stadium proved enough to see off the challenge of West Ham.
Following stunning wins at Arsenal and Tottenham, the Lewisham-born Turner
struck to sink Gianfranco Zola's ailing team and send the Tigers roaring
back up to third place. Confidence oozing from every pore, the home side
deserved their latest win for their attacking intent and Phil Brown's men
looked dangerous on the counter-attack right up to the final whistle. And
Tigers boss Brown admitted his side were "dancing in the dressing room"
after Turner's winner, he said: "There's people dancing in the dressing room
so we don't have to do a warm-down any more. "It's a good atmosphere at the
moment and long may it continue." But Brown insisted he would urge his
players to keep their feet on the ground and pointed out plenty of room for
improvement after an even encounter. He said: "I think we've got to provide
a little bit more quality on the ball because we can't survive on set-pieces
alone this season. "But my biggest problem before the game was maintaining
the success. "People were talking about bubbles bursting but my simple
answer to a bubble bursting is to blow another bubble." Brown hailed
match-winner Turner but described calls in some quarters for the 24-year-old
to get an England call as "unrealistic", adding: "He's not a Premier League
player yet. "Michael's attracting a lot of attention for his performances
with clean sheets and winning goals. "But he couldn't do that without his
partnership in defence and the midfield in front of him. "Where Michael is
concerned he'll keep his feet on the ground because he's got good staff
around him, and if he does get called up he'll get all the support he
needs."
Disappointed Hammers boss Zola insisted his side deserved to take something
from the game but admitted his strikers need to start making the most of
their chances.
Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington were both guilty of missing good
chances and Zola said: "When we create chances and play the way we're
playing we need to score and we didn't do that. "Right now that's the
missing part of this team and we need to work on finishing because we're
creating a lot. It's down to the players but I totally trust their ability
and I'm sure we'll get it right soon." Zola went on to question referee
Chris Foy's decision to disallow a first-half effort from Herita Ilunga, who
nicked the ball from Bo Myhill as he was taking a goal-kick, then
overhead-kicked it into the net. The Italian added: "I spoke to the referee
and he said it was dangerous play. "I'm not convinced about that because he
didn't touch anybody. But apart from that we had other occasions when we
could have done better. "I don't think we deserved to come out of that game
with nothing today. But that's football - sometimes it's not very logical.
It's hard and disappointing but we can't do anything about it."
The optimism and belief surging through the home side is in stark contrast
to the Hammers, who were left to rue two Carlton Cole misses but summoned
little by way of their quest for an equaliser. Cole hit a simple first-half
effort straight at Hull goalkeeper Bo Myhill when he should have scored,
then scythed an even better chance against the underside of the bar moments
after the restart from Turner's goal. Recent defeat to Bolton, plus fresh
financial concerns, had hardly sent the Hammers bounding north in the best
of moods, but boss Zola had the bonus of handing Craig Bellamy his first
league start of the season. The Welshman had his moments in the opening
period but the Hammers laboured early and the home side started brightly,
exuding the confidence which had swept them to such lofty heights. Daniel
Cousin posed a constant danger down the right flank while Marlon King,
returning from the back injury which ruled him out of midweek international
duty, saw a low shot grasped by Hammers keeper Robert Green. Turner's
earner: The big defender rises above Matthew Upson to head home. King headed
straight at Green from a Paul McShane cross in the 11th minute as the Tigers
continued to dominate and Zola's men struggled to find a route out of their
own half. But the momentum began to change after a quarter of an hour when
Bellamy, in his first contribution, raced across the halfway line and teed
up Cole to side-foot the simplest of chances straight at Myhill. Then Herita
Ilunga could consider himself unfortunate for being penalised by referee
Chris Foy after charging down an attempted Myhill kick, and overhead-kicking
the loose ball into the net.
Dean Marney volleyed just wide from King's cross but the Hammers continued
to get into the game and Ilunga came even closer when he headed Scott
Parker's corner just the wrong side of the post from point-blank range. The
visitors were starting to enjoy far more possession in dangerous areas with
Bellamy's low cross almost catching out a hesitant Hull defence, and Valon
Behrami firing wide from long range. The already-booked Ilunga looked lucky
to escape a second yellow card after scything down Marney on the Tigers
right as the lively action continued with goals still looking likely. The
opener almost came from Bellamy, who blazed high and wide from a tight angle
after Cole's clever knock-down in first-half injury time. But in the end it
came for the home side six minutes into the second half, when Turner
outjumped Matthew Upson to head home the impressive Andy Dawson's corner
from the right. The Hammers had a golden chance to equalise two minutes
later when Valon Behrami got round the back of the Hull defence and set up
Cole on the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker scythed his shot
against the underside of the bar. Having survived that scare, the home side
grew in confidence and Kamil Zayette came close in the 56th minute when he
steamrollered out of defence before lashing a long-range effort just over
the bar. The home side were continuing to knock the ball around with aplomb,
although Cole remained a threat and his cross in the 68th minute resulted in
Matthew Etherington volleying into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Zola's men were left looking short of ideas and summoned little by way of
threat in the closing stages, with the home side hanging on with ease to
claim their fifth top flight victory. Hull boss Brown admitted his players
were 'dancing in the dressing room' afterwards but insisted he would be
ensuring they keep their feet on the ground and even admitted there is still
room for improvement. Brown said: "There's people dancing in the dressing
room so we don't have to do a warm-down any more. It's a good atmosphere at
the moment and long may it continue. 'I still think we've got to provide a
little bit more quality on the ball because we can't survive on set-pieces
alone this season. But my biggest problem before the game was maintaining
the success. People were talking about bubbles bursting but my simple answer
to a bubble bursting is to blow another bubble.' Disappointed Hammers boss
Gianfranco Zola insisted his side deserved to take something from the game
but admitted his strikers needed to start making the most of their chances.
Zola said: "When we create chances and play the way we're playing we need to
score and we didn't do that. Right now that's the missing part of this team
and we need to work on finishing because we're creating a lot. It's down to
the players but I totally trust their ability and I'm sure we'll get it
right soon. 'I don't think we deserved to come out of that game with nothing
today. But that's football - sometimes it's not very logical. It's hard and
disappointing but we can't do anything about it.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull City's Michael Turner inflicts more capital punishment
Hull City 1 West Ham United 0
Times Online
Michael Turner emerged as the latest hero of Hull's remarkable Barclays
Premier League ascent as his 51st-minute header at the KC Stadium proved
enough to inflict a third successive defeat on West Ham United and maintain
the Humberside club's remarkable record against teams from the capital.
Following stunning wins at Arsenal and Tottenham, the Lewisham-born Turner
struck to sink Gianfranco Zola's ailing West Ham and send Hull roaring back
up to third place.
Confidence oozing from every pore, the home side deserved their latest win
for their attacking intent and Phil Brown's men looked dangerous on the
counter-attack right up to the final whistle. The optimism and belief
surging through Phil Brown's men is in stark contrast to West Ham, who were
left to rue two Carlton Cole misses.
Cole hit a simple first-half effort straight at Hull goalkeeper Bo Myhill
when he should have scored, then scythed an even better chance against the
underside of the bar moments after the restart from Turner's goal.
Recent defeat to Bolton, plus fresh financial concerns, had hardly sent the
Hammers bounding north in the best of moods, but boss Zola had the bonus of
handing Craig Bellamy his first league start of the season.
The Welshman had his moments in the opening period but it was Hull who
started the brighter. Daniel Cousin posed a constant danger down the right
flank while Marlon King, returning from the back injury which ruled him out
of midweek international duty, saw a low shot grasped by Robert Green, the
West Ham goalkeeper.
King headed straight at Green from a Paul McShane cross in the 11th minute
as Hull continued to dominate, though after a quarter of an hour Bellamy, in
his first contribution, raced across the halfway line and teed up Cole to
side-foot the simplest of chances straight at Myhill.
Herita Ilunga could also consider himself unfortunate for being penalised by
referee Chris Foy after charging down an attempted Myhill goal-kick, and
overhead-kicking the loose ball into the net.
Dean Marney volleyed just wide from King's cross, while Ilunga came even
closer at the other end when he headed Scott Parker's corner just the wrong
side of the post from point-blank range. The visitors were starting to enjoy
far more possession in dangerous areas with Bellamy's low cross almost
catching out a hesitant Hull defence, and Valon Behrami firing wide from
long range.
The already-booked Ilunga looked lucky to escape a second yellow card after
scything down Marney on the City right as the lively action continued with
goals still looking likely.
Bellamy blazed high and wide from a tight angle after Cole's clever
knock-down in first-half injury time, leaving Hull to grasp the initiative
six minutes after the restart when Turner outjumped Matthew Upson to head
home the impressive Andy Dawson's corner from the right.
West Ham had a golden chance to equalise two minutes later when Valon
Behrami got round the back of the Hull defence and set up Cole on the edge
of the six-yard box, but the striker scythed his shot against the underside
of the bar.
Having survived that scare, Hull grew in confidence and Kamil Zayette came
close in the 56th minute when he steamrollered out of defence before lashing
a long-range effort just over the bar.
The home side were continuing to knock the ball around with aplomb, although
Cole remained a threat and his cross in the 68th minute resulted in Matthew
Etherington volleying into the side-netting from a tight angle.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull City sitting with the big boys after Michael Turner downs West Ham
Hull City (0) 1 West Ham United (0) 0
Telegraph.co.uk
By Oliver Brown
Last Updated: 10:12PM BST 19 Oct 2008
For Olympic athletes third is nowhere but for all those involved or even
interested in Hull City, third is everything. A city that for decades has
endured the indignity of finishing bottom in league tables – in education,
employment and opportunity – has found its most potent symbol of revival in
a football team who, for a few more euphoric days at least, can bracket
themselves among the Champions League set.
One by one, Hull's dubious distinctions are being demolished. The city that
until last summer was the largest in Europe never to have had a club in the
top flight of its national league is suddenly shredding all questions of
history and precedent.
Hull City, upon their elevation to the Premier League, appeared to have the
lineaments of a Derby County – astutely run, but surely doomed by their
poverty of resources – and yet they overhauled Derby's points total last
season within seven games. Manager Phil Brown purported then to be in
"dreamland"; victory over West Ham has transported him, in the eyes of the
game's theorists, into Cloud Cuckoo Land.
The one danger for Hull is that their targets are revised too much, too
soon. Michael Turner, scorer of the winning header and only eight games into
his Premier League career, drew chants of "Turner for England" at a febrile
KC Stadium.
The manager, asked how he was keeping a lid on the hysteria with his side,
on 17 points, almost halfway to the 40 points-mark normally required to
avert relegation, replied: "What 40 points?" His grand intentions are
manifest. So are those of his players, who celebrated this win with an
impromptu dance session in the dressing room. "I've never seen anything like
it," Brown said.
It is the sight of a London club that seems to galvanise Brown's team most.
Fresh from stirring victories at Arsenal and Tottenham, West Ham were added
to the capital's casualty list. This was arguably the least convincing
instalment in an extraordinary trilogy of victories, but Hull knew how to
maximise their strengths, absorbing West Ham's persistent pressure before
punishing on the counter-attack.
Geovanni, the emblem of Hull's campaign through his wondrous solo goals,
looked subdued, but this was largely the product of Brown's ingenious
half-time rethink. The Brazilian was sacrificed out wide, behind the forward
pair of Daniel Cousin and Marlon King, to allow Hull to advance further up
the field, playing firmly in West Ham's faces.
West Ham were left nursing a grievance after Henri Ilunga's first-half
strike was ruled out for dangerous play. The Congolese had hooked the ball
out of the hands of goalkeeper Boaz Myhill before looping it acrobatically
over his shoulder and into the net.
Referee Chris Foy ruled Ilunga had crossed a line, though West Ham manager
Gianfranco Zola claimed he had seen no infringement.
Instead West Ham sink back to eighth – even re-energised by the hair'em
scare'em running of Craig Bellamy, they had no weapons with which to topple
the centre-half partnership of Turner and Kamil Zayatte, who gifted Brown a
second successive 1-0 win for this most pragmatic of mangers.
Such pragmatism extended to his assessment of players as he said of
optimistic appeals for Turner's England call-up: "I think it's very
unlikely. There were five or six who could have been man of the match here.
Michael is attracting attention but he couldn't do anything without
Zayatte."
So besieged were Hull at times that a one-goal advantage was never likely to
be enough, so it was testament to their prodigious confidence that they
stood firm. Zola rarely lifted his voice above a whisper but insisted his
side could have taken not just one point but three. "It's very hard, very
disappointing," he said.
West Ham's riposte to Turner's goal was formidable, Carlton Cole hitting the
crossbar only a minute later when Valon Behrami's cross put him through. But
Hull refocused, reorganised – and ultimately rejoiced.
This is the cradle of a minor revolution. The seat at the top table has well
and truly been earned.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brown keeps blowing bubbles as Hull extend mission improbable
Guardian.co.uk
Premier League
Hull City 1 Turner 51
West Ham United 0
Richard Rae at the KC Stadium The Guardian, Monday October 20 2008 Article
history
Michael Turner rises to head Hull's winner and maintain their terrific start
to the season. Photograph: Michael Regan/Action Images
Asked at what stage his club's targets would start to change this season,
Hull City manager Phil Brown smiled and prevaricated. "People talk about
bubbles bursting but if we lose, my answer is we'll simply look to blow
another," he shrugged. As long as their opposition continue to give the
impression they have not only under-estimated the Tigers but that they have
not bothered to do their homework, Hull will continue to pick up points.
That the Premier League newcomers continue to disrupt the hegemony of the
big four says almost as much about failings, and perhaps attitude, of the
teams they have played as it is does about their own undoubted qualities.
With Marlon King coming through a fitness test, Brown was able to name the
same side, and formation, with Geovanni playing directly behind King and
Daniel Cousin, which had been successful at both the Emirates and White Hart
Lane.
Given that the Hammers' front line saw Craig Bellamy and Matthew Etherington
featuring on either side of Carlton Cole, it seemed unlikely that the ball
would spend too much time in midfield, an impression which proved accurate
in an opening quarter during which, if City had the majority of possession,
much the better football was played by the visitors.
It should have been rewarded after 15 minutes when Bellamy followed a run
down the left with a cross which found Cole unmarked eight yards from goal,
only for the striker to steer his shot straight at Hull goalkeeper Boaz
Myhill, who saved with ease.
If City were being out-passed they were still offering an occasional threat.
Dean Marney, running from deep on to Cousin's cross from the left, volleyed
a few feet wide and a minute later the same player fired a 25-yarder over,
but the fact both efforts came from breaks was indicative of West Ham's
increasing dominance.
Having already put the ball in the net illegitimately, though cleverly,
after nipping the ball off Myhill in mid-clearance - and having been booked
for his pains - left-back Herita Ilunga timed his run to meet Mark Noble's
corner perfectly, only to head wide from little more than six yards. West
Ham should still have gone in ahead though, after Cole headed Noble's cross
neatly into the path of Bellamy. Not for the first time in his career, the
Wales forward failed to keep his head down, shooting wildly over.
Strangely flat during the first period, Hull began the second at a different
tempo. George Boateng and King both shot wide before they took the lead with
a goal - from West Ham's point of view - of depressing simplicity. Andy
Dawson swung in a corner from the right and Michael Turner jumped higher
than Matthew Upson to head past Robert Green.
Turner had scored in the same way in his team's previous outing here,
against Everton, but that was a match in which Hull led by two before being
pegged back. A solitary goal looked unlikely to be enough yet West Ham
continued to spurn chances. Cole followed a muscular run down the left with
a cross which Etherington volleyed into the side-netting and Noble's
free-kick from 20 yards failed to beat the wall as the visitors struggled to
unlock Hull's resilient defence.
"We knew they are dangerous at set-pieces but sometimes very difficult to
stop," said Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager. "I'm not disappointed
about the goal, I'm more disappointed about missing all the chances we
created. It can happen in a match like this that you concede from a
free-kick or a corner kick but when you create as many chances as we did you
need to score. That's what's missing from the team at the moment but I
totally trust the players to get it right."
In the meantime Brown continues to prove himself a more astute tactician
than many suspected. "I thought at half-time we could play more football and
because we weren't, we were giving the ball away too cheaply," he said.
"Consequently we had to sacrifice Geovanni behind the front two and play him
out wide, because whenever you give possession away, your system will fail,
simple as that.
"We decided to go more in the faces of the West Ham players higher up the
field. I thought we'd dropped off too much, given them a bit too much
respect, and as a good football team they were causing us problems. Cousin
and King started engaging their centre-halves earlier, and that made it
easier for our three in midfield."
Operating on the right of a three-man midfield, Marney's workrate and
distribution were exceptional, driving his team forward and covering in
front of the back four
Man of the match: Dean Marney
Best moment Unlucky not to score when he volleyed Daniel Cousin's cross wide
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We need to finish the job, says frustrated Zola
11:33pm Sunday 19th October 2008
Echo
By Rob Pritchard »
GIANFRANCO Zola has admitted his forwards need to work on their finishing
after West Ham United fired a blank in Sunday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at
Premier League surprise package Hull City. While Carlton Cole, Craig
Bellamy, Matty Etherington, David Di Michele and Freddie Sears all failed to
find the back of the net, Tigers' centre-back Michael Turner nodded Phil
Brown's side to another improbable victory at the KC Stadium. Cole and
Bellamy, in particular, passed up gilt-edged chances to earn at least a
point for Zola's side - the former firing against the underside of the
crossbar and the latter volleying woefully wide from close-range. And the
Italian admitted he was concerned at both his strikers' collective lack of
potency in front of goal, as well as his defence's inability to deal with
Hull's match-winning corner kick. "We knew they were dangerous from set
pieces and tried to handle it but sometimes it's very difficult to do that.
It's very disappointing," Zola conceded.
"I'm not disappointed with the goal on its own. I'm just disappointed that
we didn't finalise the chances that we created. "It can happen like this
that you can concede goals from free-kicks and corner kicks but when we
create chances we have to score. We need to improve on that. "Probably right
now, that is the missing part with this team. We need to improve on the
finishing because we are creating a lot but we are not finishing. "Obviously
the finishing part is the most difficult thing. Managers can improve a lot
of things, but it is down to the players. "I totally trust the ability of my
players and I am sure we're going to get it right soon."
Despite his players' inability to get their names on the scoresheet, Zola
felt their neat possession football was worthy of at least a single point.
"I feel like we could have got more than one looking at the game that we
played and the way we played, I didn't think we were going out with nothing
in our hands," he added. "I was convinced that we could have won this game
but this is football. Sometimes it's not very logical. "You just accept the
way it is. Sometimes it is very hard and very disappointing but you cannot
do anything about it. "We played the game the way it should be played. The
one time West Ham did find the net came when left-back Herita Ilunga robbed
Boaz Myhill as the Hull goalkeeper attempted a clearance and volleyed home,
only to be penalised for dangerous play by referee Chris Foy.
Zola, for one, was not convinced. "I spoke to referee and he said it was
'dangerous play' but I need to have a look," he said. "I'm not totally
convinced about it because he didn't even touch the goalkeeper."
Hull counterpart Brown, who dodged the manager-of-the-month curse by guiding
his side to a fourth victory in five Premier League matches and third place
in the table, thought otherwise. "It was never a goal. I thought it was
dangerous play and the referee was in a fantastic position. I thought the
ref was outstanding today," he said with a broad smile.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TURNER HELPS HULL HUMBLE WEST HAM
Daily Express
Monday October 20,2008
By Niall Hickman
Hull 1 West Ham 0
IF West Ham are set to lose £50million for their part in the infamous Carlos
Tevez affair, at Hull City yesterday they were humbled by a player who cost
a princely £350,000. Michael Turner, born just a few miles from Upton Park,
was snapped up for that modest sum two years ago from Brentford, but despite
his lowly background his aerial strike proved the difference at a packed KC
Stadium. These are heady days for Tigers fans as they returned to third in
the Premier League following a run of victories against London clubs with
the Hammers joining Fulham, Arsenal and Spurs in being sent packing this
season. After 104 years of lower-league football, this is dreamland and next
up on Humberside are Chelsea, who, despite their 5-0 win 80 miles up the
Yorkshire coast at Middlesbrough on Saturday, may view their trip to the
East Riding with some trepidation. Turner rose above Matthew Upson to meet
an Andy Dawson corner and head past Robert Green six minutes after the
break. It was the sort of direct goal to send a manager into palpitations,
but Gianfranco Zola would have been even more concerned by West Ham's
wasteful finishing. Carlton Cole was the chief culprit and although he hit
the underside of the crossbar just seconds after Lewisham-born Turner's
goal, it was an earlier miss that suggested this would not be the visitors'
day. Zola said: "It could have been more than one point. I didn't think we
should be going home with nothing but this is football. Sometimes it is not
logical. "It is hard to take. Finishing is the most difficult thing.
Managers can improve that, and I totally trust my players." Herita Ilunga
could count himself hugely unfortunate to be booked for West Ham, flicking
the ball away from Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill before spectacularly putting
it into the net with an overhead kick. Yet instead of awarding a goal,
referee Chris Foy yellow-carded the defender. Zola said: "I spoke to the ref
and he said it was dangerous play. It did not look like that from the
bench."
Cole failed to finish off Craig Bellamy's wonderful run and cross and then
Ilunga headed wide with the goal at his mercy before Turner provided the
turning point.
West Ham responded with Cole cutting past his marker and firing against the
bar. Matthew Etherington capped a below-par performance by volleying into
the side-netting from Cole's cross when it looked easier to score and Hull
then defended in depth. Manager Phil Brown said: "We dropped off too much in
the first half and as a good footballing team they caused us problems. The
fans sang for Turner to get in the England squad but that's very
unrealistic. He is eight games into a Premier League career. "He is
attracting attention, but he has a long way to go. The main thing is he is
working well with Kamil Zayette. "Michael will keep his feet on the ground
and if he gets called up by England we will support him. "If you keep a
clean sheet against quality opposition you have a chance of winning the
game. We took the big chance that came our way and defended well."
Hull (4-4-2): Myhill 6; Dawson 7, Turner 8, McShane 6, Zayette 7; Boateng 7
(Hughes 72, 6), Ashbee 7, Geovanni 6 (Halmosi 74, 6), Marney 6; King 7,
Cousin 7 (Garcia 82, 6). Booked: Zayette. Goal: Turner 51.
West Ham (4-4-2): Green 6; Neill 5, Ilunga 8, Faubert 6 (Di Michelle 73, 6),
Upson 6; Behrami 6, Etherington 5 (Sears 82, 6), Parker 5, Noble 6; Bellamy
7, Cole 6. Booked: Ilunga.
Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers skipper Neill wants new contract
20.10.08 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham's Aussie captain Lucas Neill wants to commit to the club for the
long-term. Neill said he wanted to extend his contract with the East London
club. "My contract runs out next summer and I am open to them giving me a
few more years at the club," Neill told the Herald Sun. "If it doesn't work
out, so be it, but I'd love a long-term commitment." Neill cited a boost of
enthusiasm due to the club having a new manager as a major reason for
wanting to stay.
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Cardiff return for West Ham's Collins
20.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Cardiff City are moving for West Ham defender James Collins. Collins left
Ninian Park in July 2005, but has slipped out of the picture at Upton Park -
and could go back on loan, or even for free, to join Dave Jones'
promotion-chasing Bluebirds, says the People.
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Tottenham plan West Ham raid for Parker
20.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Tottenham are ready to offer £2.5 million for West Ham midfielder Scott
Parker. The People says financial worries will force the Hammers to consider
any offers for leading players in the January transfer window. And Spurs
boss Juande Ramos has identified boyhood Spurs fan Parker as a midfield
target. Parker is under contract until 2012 and Everton have shown interest,
but he wants to stay in London.
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