All the team news and updates as they happened from Saturday afternoon's
fixture
05.01.2008
FA Cup third round
Boleyn Ground
3pm
Referee: Rob Styles
West Ham United: Green, Neill (Spector 46), Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney,
Pantsil, Noble, Mullins (Bowyer 75), Etherington (Reid 69), Ashton, Cole
Subs: Wright, Collins
Manchester City: Hart, Onohua, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Corluka, Hamann,
Ireland (Etuhu 66) , Petrov, Vassell (Bianchi 79), Castillo (Gelson 72)
Subs: Schmeichel, Garrido
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley content after stalemate - WHUFC
'A tough old game' was how the West Ham United manager described Saturday's
tie
05.01.2008
Alan Curbishley was pleased with his side's defensive display from front to
back after a keenly contested FA Cup third-round tie against in-form
Manchester City.
The 0-0 draw means the sides will reconvene at the City of Manchester
Stadium on 16 January, and Curbishley knows his team will have a tricky
replay given that both clubs are in it to win it. "Man City gave the
competition their respect by playing all their available players,"
Curbishley said. "It was a tough old game. It never really lifted off. I
think the best opportunities fell to us and their keeper made a couple of
decent saves - or we could have done better on certain occasions."
Although the two sides fielded strong sides, Curbishley admitted "I don't
think we could have rotated anybody anyway". He added: "We have got what we
have got at the moment. As I say, it was tough. The way they shape up - they
play a certain way and we had to defend very well and I am delighted with
what they have done defensively once again and that's the whole team and not
just the back players. We just need a little bit more going the other way."
Both sides had penalty shouts during the game. City appealed when left
winger Martin Petrov went down under pressure from Anton Ferdinand - "when
you have got Petrov running at people in the box, he's dangerous" - while
there was a last-gasp handball shout for the home side. "The players are
saying they thought it was handball but I think [referee] Rob Styles was the
other side of the box," the manager added.
While West Ham United were able to welcome back Matthew Etherington in the
starting eleven, and had James Collins and Lee Bowyer back on the bench -
the latter getting a late run-out - City were deprived of their Brazilian
duo Elano and Giovanni due to a stomach bug. Added to that, Curbishley had a
half-time worry over Lucas Neill, with the captain suffering from a "tight
hamstring".
"In the position we find ourselves in with the players at the moment, we
couldn't take the risk," he said about replacing the skipper with Jonathan
Spector, before adding that he expected him to be "all right" before next
week's league visit by Fulham which precedes cup and league contests at City
in the space of four days. "The replay may give us an opportunity for one or
two of our players coming back.
"We have been looking to try and fix a game up that week for one of the two
players on their way back but perhaps we won't need to now," he added. "I
have got [Julien] Faubert playing Monday night in the reserves. [Luis] Boa
Morte and [James] Collins will get a game and some of the players that came
on [against City] so hopefully we are starting to get one or two of them
back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green ready for City doubleheader - WHUFC
Robert Green knows something will have to give when West Ham United head to
Manchester
05.01.2008
Robert Green is expecting two "interesting games" when West Ham United
travel to Manchester City for the FA Cup replay on 16 January before taking
them on in the league at the same stadium four days later.
"They are good at home, we are better away so it could be two interesting
games," he said, reflecting on the 0-0 draw at the Boleyn Ground that means
both teams are in the hat for Monday's fourth-round draw. "It was a tight
game really - we had a couple of chances to win it and were denied a penalty
in the last minute. We haven't kept a clean sheet for a while so that was
nice and defensively we looked good.
"It was a difficult one. If you are not going to score, the best result you
can hope for is a 0-0." As the scoreline suggests, City were equally
impressive at the back with Richard Dunne and Micah Richards catching the
eye, while Joe Hart showed that the West Ham United shot-stopper is not the
only English goalkeeper in form. "He played well and made some saves," said
Green. "In front of him he has got a couple of fantastic centre-halves
playing very well, like they have done all season. It makes your job that
bit easier."
The result was an improvement on the 2-0 opening-day league defeat back in
August, and Green could see why Sven-Goran Eriksson's men have continued to
impress. "They play a formation which makes it difficult to break down - as
we found out earlier this season. When it comes to that creative edge, at
home particularly, it is something we have struggled with a little bit.
"At the moment, you look at the creative players and they are all in the
treatment room. If you look at the front six, it is changing every game. I
don't think we have had a consistent front six all season. It is always
going to be difficult to create things and know each other's movements when
you have got different players playing in different weeks. The understanding
has got to be there."
There are positive signs, however, not least because the attack-minded likes
of Luis Boa Morte and Julien Faubert could be in action soon, starting with
the reserves on Monday. Considering the other options going forward, Green
also reserved particular praise for Matthew Etherington, who returned after
two months out. "Matty [Etherington] was back which was good," he said. "He
put his all in for an hour which is as much as we could have asked for. We
had the better chances, we just couldn't find an end product."
With extra creativity on the way, Green is relishing the prospect of pushing
on in the league and keeping the cup dream alive. "We will see who is fit
and who can get patched up for the Fulham game next Saturday. We have got a
chance to get a few people back in the reserves and get back to fitness.
Hopefully we will have a stronger squad to play Fulham next week and then go
up to Manchester."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cup replay on 16 January - WHUFC
West Ham United will travel to the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday
week
05.01.2008
The FA Cup third-round replay against Manchester City will be held on
Wednesday 16 January at the City of Manchester Stadium.
West Ham United have been given an allocation of 3,000 tickets for the tie
which kicks-off at 7.45pm. Prices are £15 adult, £10 adult season-ticket
holders, £5 for seniors and Under-16s. Saturday afternoon's 0-0 draw means
both teams will be in the fourth-round draw, which takes place from 1.30pm
on Monday 7 January.
Replay selling dates are as follows:
Bondholders - Wednesday 9 January
Priority point post - 10am Wednesday 9 January
Season ticket general - Thursday 10 January
Club members - Friday 11 January
General sale - Saturday 12 January onwards
Coach travel - Departs 12.15pm
Season ticket holders & members: £24 Adults - £22 concessions
Clubcard holders: £28 Adults - £24 Under-16s
Disabled supporters information - £10 disabled person inc carer
Ten Wheelchair bays + carer/Ten Ambulant / visually impaired
Wheelchair accessible coach available for this fixture
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0-0 Man City - BBC
By Paresh Soni
West Ham and Manchester City must replay their FA Cup third round match
again on Wednesday week. City had claims for an early penalty when Anton
Ferdinand brought down the impressive Martin Petrov, while Robert Green
superbly denied Stephen Ireland. Joe Hart kept out Matthew Etherington's
shot and palmed away a Mark Noble free-kick as the Hammers responded.
Ireland came close with another volley after the break, while Hart tipped
over Dean Ashton's header near the end. Neither side will relish the
prospect of having to play another game but, after a week in which the
tournament's importance was again debated, it was refreshing to see two
strong line-ups approach this match with real gusto. No-one epitomised that
more than Petrov, who cut inside in the 16th minute and was clumsily brought
down by Ferdinand, only for referee Rob Styles to wave away surprisingly
muted claims. Petrov's deep cross then found its way to the far post, where
Ireland unleashed a powerful volley that Green brilliantly palmed over. At
the other end, Ashton was well marshalled by in-form City skipper Richard
Dunne, leaving energetic duo Etherington and Mark Noble to produce most of
West Ham's best moments. Etherington, who was returning after two months out
with a groin problem, came desperately close to a breakthrough when Hayden
Mullins's cross was flicked on by Carlton Cole, only for Hart to tip his
effort around the near post. Hart then palmed away a free-kick Noble whipped
in as the Hammers enjoyed a good spell but Petrov was never far from the
action. His cross would have been converted by Mexican striker Nery
Castillo, who looked bright on his debut, but for a last-ditch interception
from Ferdinand. Lucas Neill, who had been tormented by Petrov, was replaced
by Jonathan Spector and West Ham did nearly all the pressing at the start of
the first half. City appeared to have lost their first-half fluency but
their threat on the break was illustrated when another Ireland volley was
kept out by Hart. Although a raft of substitutions affected the flow of the
game in the latter stages, it remained an absorbing spectacle. After a quiet
spell, Petrov was again at the heart of some intricate passing moves from
the away team, while West Ham were by no means overshadowed. One of their
replacements, Kyel Reid, delivered a good centre which Ashton made decent
contact with but Hart made sure there would be no late drama by helping it
over the bar.
West Ham: Green, Neill (Spector 46), Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Pantsil,
Noble, Mullins (Bowyer 75), Etherington (Reid 69), Ashton, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Collins.
Man City: Hart, Onuoha, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Ireland (Etuhu 66), Corluka,
Hamann, Petrov, Castillo (Gelson 72), Vassell (Bianchi 79).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Garrido.
Booked: Corluka.
Att: 33,806
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Man City's Martin Petrov 8.42 (on
90 minutes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 0 Manchester City 0 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 5th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham face a third round replay at Eastlands in ten days time after
playing out a bore draw against high-flying Manchester City at The Boleyn
Ground this afternoon. Despite reverting to a two-man front line the Hammers
lacked the necessary punch to trouble the visitors, who will be firm
favourites for the replay having yet to lose a game at Eastlands this
season. Chances for either side were few and far between with City
apparently content to sit back and soak up the pressure, playing just one
man up front. However Dean Ashton could have won the game for the Hammers in
the closing stages - but he saw his strong header tipped over the bar by
young City keeper Joe Hart. City will claim that they should have been
awarded a first half penalty when Martin Petrov appeared to be tripped by
Anton Ferdinand inside the box in the 19th minute; fortunately for West Ham,
referee Rob Styles didn't agree.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill (Spector 46), McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand,
Noble, Mullins (Bowyer 75), Paintsil, Etherington (Reid 69), Cole, Ashton.
Subs not used: Wright, Collins.
Manchester City: Hart, Onuoha, Ball, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Corluka, Ireland
(Etuhu 66), Hamann, Petrov, Castillo (Gelson 72), Vassell (Bianchi 79).
Subs not used: Schmeichel, Garrido.
Booked: Corluka (90).
Referee: Rob Styles.
Attendance: 33,806.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs: we shaded it - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 6th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has claimed that his side were unlucky not to progress to
the fourth round of the FA Cup after today's stalemate against Manchester
City.
The Hammers manager reverted to a two-man front line for the first time this
year but saw his strike partnership of Cole and Ashton draw a blank against
a resolute City side. "I think we probably shaded it in terms of chances,
but we go back to Manchester," he said*. "It was tough as City came here on
the back of a fantastic result and in top form, so we knew it was going to
be difficult. "Both teams gave it their very best but it wasn't to be.
Neither side created that chance to finish it off. "Their keeper probably
made more saves and we had a couple of chances. It was probably going to be
a 1-0. But my players gave me everything they have got."
West Ham now face the prospect of playing City twice within a week. The FA
Cup replay is scheduled for Wednesday, 16th January whilst the two teams
clash in the Premier League - also at Eastlands - four days later on Sunday,
20th January.
* KUMB.com are currently unable to attend post-match press conferences at
The Boleyn Ground.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
City earn Hammers replay - SSN
Hammers and City face unwanted replay
Last updated: 5th January 2008
West Ham and Manchester City will have to do it all again after a goalless
draw in their third round FA Cup clash. Defences were on top at Upton Park
as both sides cancelled each other out. Manchester City enjoyed the best of
the first half with Robert Green denying Stephen Ireland and Anton Ferdinand
blocking debutant Nery Castillo's close-range effort. Chances were few and
far between in the second half meaning the two sides will meet in a replay
at Eastlands to decide who will go through to the fourth round. Both sides
concentrated their attacks down the respective left flanks, with Matthew
Etherington and Martin Petrov heavily involved in an open first period. John
Pantsil slipped the ball to Etherington who burst down the left flank and
looked to pick out Hayden Mullins in the box, forcing Micah Richards into a
last-ditch clearance.
Carlton Cole's flick fell to Etherington on the edge of the City area but
his left-footed volley was shanked wide. With all the attacking, open
football on offer a goal seemed inevitable and City increasingly appeared
likely to make the breakthrough. Mark Noble conceded possession carelessly
in the West Ham half and Vedran Corluka chipped the ball towards midfielder
Ireland in the box. Ireland opted to take his shot first time on the turn
and could only hook his volley over the bar. Petrov steamed past Lucas Neill
into the box and went down under a challenge from Ferdinand but referee Rob
Styles waved away strong appeals for a penalty. City were then denied by a
point-blank save from Green from Ireland, who latched onto Petrov's deep
cross with a driven volley, which the Hammers goalkeeper touched over the
bar. West Ham were creating opportunities themselves, with Joe Hart called
on to produce an excellent near-post save from Etherington's low drive.
Meanwhile, Petrov continued to be a constant threat down the left and he
whipped another dangerous low ball towards Castillo.
If Ferdinand had been lucky to escape censure for his early challenge on
Petrov, he earned that good fortune with a magnificent last-ditch
interception to deny the Mexican just six yards out. West Ham began the
second half on the counter-attack again, earning another free-kick within
striking distance but Ashton's drive was blocked easily by the City wall.
Green was alert to race off his line and dive at Corluka's feet as the
Croatian burst into the box. And the West Ham goalkeeper was forced to
produce another athletic block to deny a fierce Ireland volley for the
second time. Cole saw a volley disappear wide and when the ball fell to
Spector in the box from a corner his first-time shot was lifted over the
bar. Ashton got the ball caught under his feet inside the City area but then
latched onto a cross from Kyel Reid and forced Hart to tip his header over
the bar. Dunne scrambled back to get ahead of Ashton and clear Reid's cross
for an injury-time corner which West Ham could not capitalise from. Cole
challenged for the ball and West Ham appealed for handball and a penalty but
there was no dramatic finish.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs has no complaints - SSN
Hammers chief happy with his side's effort
Last updated: 5th January 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley conceded his side's draw with Manchester City
was probably a fair result. The two sides will have to do it all again at
Eastlands after a goalless draw in their FA Cup third round meeting at Upton
Park. Curbishley admitted there was not much between the sides, but his
troops just about shaded the game on chances. "It was tough, Manchester City
have come here on the back of a fantastic result and in top form so we knew
it was going to be difficult," said Curbishley. "Both teams gave it their
very best efforts and it wasn't to be. Neither side created that chance to
finish it off. "Their keeper probably made more saves and we had a couple of
chances. It was probably going to be a 1-0. "My players gave me everything
they have got and I think everybody connected with the club know they gave
it their best effort and they will continue to do that. "I think we probably
shaded it in terms of chances, but we go back to Manchester."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0-0 Man City: Dull draw at Upton Park - Soccernet
Sven-Goran Eriksson's first taste of the FA Cup ended with Manchester City
and West Ham sharing a goalless draw at Upton Park. City created the best
opportunities, with Stephen Ireland twice denied by Hammers goalkeeper
Robert Green, and only a last-ditch challenge from Anton Ferdinand stopped
Nery Castillo scoring on his debut. City also had strong shouts for a
first-half penalty after the dangerous Martin Petrov went down under a
challenge from Ferdinand. West Ham created chances of their own but
generally lacked any cutting edge up front, where Dean Ashton was
disappointing alongside Carlton Cole. Matthew Etherington forced Joe Hart
into a low save in the first half, but otherwise West Ham hardly tested the
City goalkeeper. The replay is at the City of Manchester Stadium a week on
Wednesday. While Eriksson never took England past a quarter-final, he has an
impressive cup record at domestic level, having won silverware with IFK
Gothenburg, Benfica, Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. City, who had beaten West
Ham on the last three occasions, gave a debut to Mexican striker Castillo.
Both sides concentrated their attacks down the respective left flanks, with
Etherington and Petrov heavily involved in an open first period. Etherington
was back in side for the first time in a month after recovering from a groin
injury and he caused City some early troubles as West Ham twice looked to
hit them on the counter-attack. John Pantsil slipped the ball to
Etherington, who burst down the left flank and looked to pick out Hayden
Mullins in the box, forcing Micah Richards into a last-ditch clearance. City
full-back Michael Ball evaded two challenges to break into the box, but
Matthew Upson was on hand to clear and West Ham launched another
counter-attack. Cole's flick fell to Etherington on the edge of the City
area, but his left-footed volley was shanked wide. With all the attacking,
open football on offer a goal seemed inevitable and City increasingly
appeared likely to make the breakthrough. Mark Noble conceded possession
carelessly in the West Ham half and Vedran Corluka chipped the ball towards
midfielder Stephen Ireland in the box. Ireland opted to take his shot first
time on the turn and could only hook his volley over the bar. Play swung
again down West Ham's end again as Ferdinand allowed a long ball to bounce
and Darius Vassell stole in to snatch possession. Petrov steamed past Lucas
Neill into the box and went down under a challenge from Ferdinand but
referee Rob Styles waved away strong appeals for a penalty. City were then
denied by a point-blank save from Green from Ireland latched onto Petrov's
deep cross with a driven volley, which the Hammers goalkeeper touched over
the bar. West Ham were creating opportunities themselves. They lacked the
clinical final ball to really test City, but Hart was called on to produce
an excellent near-post save from Etherington's low drive.
Ashton was making himself busy around the City area and won two free-kicks
in dangerous positions, but first George McCartney and then Noble failed to
capitalise.
Meanwhile, Petrov continued to be a constant threat down the left and he
whipped another dangerous low ball towards Castillo. If Ferdinand had been
lucky to escape censure for his early challenge on Petrov, he earned that
good fortune with a magnificent last-ditch interception to deny the Mexican
just six yards out. West Ham began the second half on the counter-attack
again, earning another free-kick within striking distance, but Ashton's
drive was blocked easily by the City wall. Green was alert to race off his
line and dive at Corluka's feet as the Croatian burst into the box. And the
West Ham goalkeeper was forced to produce another athletic block to deny a
fierce Ireland volley for the second time. West Ham upped their tempo when
City captain Richard Dunne left the field for treatment on a facial injury,
but they could not take advantage as Mullins' strike flew wide. City
replaced Castillo with Gelson Fernandes and switched to five in midfield,
and in the closing stages and West Ham looked to press home the initiative.
Cole saw a volley disappear wide and when the ball fell to Spector in the
box from a corner, his first-time shot was lifted over the bar. Ashton got
the ball caught under his feet inside the City area but then latched onto a
cross from Kyel Reid and forced Hart to tip his header over the bar. Dunne
scrambled back to get ahead of Ashton and clear Reid's cross for an
injury-time corner which West Ham could not capitalise from. Cole challenged
for the ball and West Ham appealed for handball and a penalty, but there was
no dramatic finish.
Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Nery Castillo will be integral to Manchester
City's future after watching the Mexican striker made his debut against West
Ham.
Castillo, who joined City in December on a year-long loan from Shakhtar
Donetsk, produced an impressive performance at Upton Park and came close to
marking his debut with a goal. Eriksson said: 'He is a new player, coming
to a new country, a new club with a new style of football and he can't speak
very much English - when you think about all that he was brilliant. 'He
started the game absolutely fantastic. He has quick feet, good technique,
very seldom gives the ball away and has a lot of pace. 'He will be an
important player for us in the future. He was very, very good.' City created
the best opportunities with Stephen Ireland twice denied at the far post by
Robert Green and only a last-ditch challenge from Anton Ferdinand stopped
Castillo from converting Martin Petrov's cross. Petrov was a constant thorn
in the West Ham side and City had strong shouts for a first-half penalty
when he went down under a challenge from Ferdinand. 'I think it was a
penalty,' said Eriksson. 'I think we were unlucky. We will have it at home,
hopefully. 'Everything is still open. I hoped to win this game but a draw is
okay for me. It was a good performance. We defended very well for 90
minutes. 'We tried to create occasions to score and maybe we should have
scored in the first half.'
While some Barclays Premier League clubs opted to rest key players for the
third round, both West Ham and City fielded full-strength sides. Eriksson
said: 'If you are in the Champions League and are fighting to win the
Premier League, then I can understand it. 'If you want to be competitive all
over the place you have to almost have two teams and rotate players. 'I did
it with Lazio when we were playing in the Champions League and trying to win
the Italian league and the Italian Cup. You have to rotate players. Every
time we did it we never lost. 'But we are not playing in Europe, we were
knocked out of the Carling Cup so we will do everything we can in the league
and the FA Cup.'
West Ham created chances of their own but generally lacked any cutting edge
up front. Boss Alan Curbishley said: 'I am delighted what our players have
done defensively but we just need a bit more going the other way. 'I can't
ask any more from the players. Everyone connected with the club realises the
situation we are in and we will just keep going.' 'The replay may now give
us an opportunity for one or two of our players on their way back from
injury to get a game,' said Curbishley. 'We have been looking to fix a game
up that week but we don't need to now. I have got Faubert playing on Monday
night in the reserves, while Luis Boa Morte and James Collins will also
play.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Manchester City Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sat Jan 5 2008
FA Cup 3rd Round
West Ham United 0 Manchester City 0
An evenly contested match ended in stalemate and both sides will have to do
it all again in a few weeks time to decide who will proceed to the next
round of the FA Cup.
Both sides were lively in the first half and both created some decent
chances but in the second attempts at goal were rare with both running out
of steam.
This was not one of our worst performances of the season and I have been far
more disappointed with other home games this campaign. However it did
reiterate our problems with a lack of a true creative midfielder although
Mark Noble did do his best to try and fill that void.
There were two changes to the side which was beaten by Arsenal last Tuesday
and that saw Matthew Etherington come in and replace Freddie Ljungberg who
had yet again been struck down with injury. The other change was Jonathan
Spector dropping to he subs bench and Dean Ashton taking his place. This saw
us go to a conventional 4-4-2.
Manchester City brought a large number of fans which covered just about the
entire bottom tier of the centenary fans. Its good to see there are still
well supported sides from the Premiership that still value the FA Cup. They
were extremely vocal and put our support to shame as Upton Park fell deafly
silent. Why our fans were so quiet evaded me as the game wasn't that bad,
our last home game had seen us beat Manchester United, and we are sitting
tenth in the league.
People complain about the brand of football we play under Alan Curbishley
but have these people forgot the shit that has been served up at West Ham in
the past? Is this football really that awful that fans are now unwilling to
show any support for this current West Ham team?
The opening fifteen minutes were very end to end and either side could have
taken the lead after conjuring up some good openings.
Matthew Upson saw his head go wide as Ashton and Etherington saw there shots
go well wide of the mark.
For Man City, winger Martin Petrov was simply taking Lucas Neill apart with
his excellent skill and blistering pace. It was one of these runs which saw
Petrov burst into our area only to have been brought down by Anton Ferdinand
– my first instinct was that it was a definite penalty but referee Rob
Styles turned the appeals down.
A great chance fell Man City's way when Petrov played in a great cross for
the unmarked Stephen Ireland to smash at goal only for Robert Green to
brilliantly tip over the bar.
Our first good chance fell to the returning Etherington, who had begun to
find quite a lot of space on that left hand side. It had started from a good
cross from Mullins which Carlton Cole nodded on to Etherington who had time
and space but instead of going across goal he went near post which made the
shot easier for Man City keeper Hart to tip round the post.
A free kick was one on the edge of the area to the right by Dean Ashton and
it was taken by Mark Noble. We had piled men into the area and it looked as
though it was just going to be put in to the back post area but Noble fooled
everyone by taking a shot which was well saved by an alert Hart.
Petrov continued to cause us no end of problems (how we could do with him in
the West Ham side) and his excellent cross found City debutant Castillo with
the goal at his mercy but a fantastic last ditch challenge from Anton
Ferdinand saved what looked like a certain goal.
The game was evenly balanced going into the break and there was cause for
optimisim from both sets of supporters. It was obvious that City possessed
some very clever footballers and my concern was that one of those players
would open something up in this tight game.
We made one change at half time replacing Lucas Neill with Jonathan Spector.
I don't know as of yet if Neill was injured or not but even if he wasn't
this was a change we had to make as he was simply getting murdered by Petrov
who was taking the piss out of him at times.
Both sides lost their fluency in the second period and there was little in
the way of goal scoring opportunities. Ferdinand and Upson were first to
everything and City found it hard to break us down. Equally, Richard Dunne
must have had massive pockets because Dean Ashton was in them for a long
time.
A Stephen Ireland long range effort was well saved by Robert Green as we
took time to find our feet in the second half.
From our attacking point of view little was going on with Mullins seeing a
shot go well wide and a ball back into the area found Jonathan Spector who
showed a lack of composure and his shot went way over the bar.
Both sides made a number of substitutions over a ten minute period and for
us we saw a tiring Matthew Etherington replaced by Kyel Reid and a poor
Hayden Mullins replaced by the returning Lee Bowyer.
Both sides were still willing to run and put the effort in but so many
misplaced passes made it difficult for either to create goal scoring
opportunities.
The last great chance of the game fell our way when Reid put in a cross for
the unmarked Ashton to head straight at the keeper allowing him to tip over
the bar when a header anywhere else would have gone in.
A draw was probably a fair result and against a side who are supposed to be
a million miles away from us, I thought we matched them for the entire game.
The possession stats read 50 / 50 and that tells the story of this FA Cup
3rd Round tie.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
A couple of dodgy kicks aside this was a another solid performance from
Green who had to make a couple of good saves especially in the first half
from Ireland.
Lucas Neill
I think we learnt a lot about Neill's sexual exploits today because he
obviously enjoys being roasted. Today Petrov fucked him good and proper and
he was obviously so sore he could not come out for the second half. This was
an awful performance and Spector showed him how to be a right back in the
second half.
Anton Ferdinand
No nervousness like against Arsenal and Anton looked very good today. He and
Upson were solid and didn't let much get past them. Anton made a fantastic
challenge in the first half which saved a certain goal.
Matthew Upson
This game was a tale of the two centre halves with Dunne winning everything
in the air for City, Upson was equally effective for us. Looks much quicker
on his feet than he did earlier in the season and continues to impress.
George McCartney
Defensively was decent despite his distribution being poor at times. Has no
bottle going forward at all and it often resulted in he and Etherington
getting in each others way. Needs to get his crosses in as soon as he can as
when he hold onto the ball for too long he doesn't know what to do with it
and ultimately concedes possession.
John Pantsil
It's pretty amazing that he has now gained cult status among West Ham fans.
I mean it was funny for like ten minutes but if I'm reviewing him on this
performance then I'm not exactly going to start masturbating in excitement.
Gave the ball away so many times I lost count. Is a willing runner though
and ran his socks off, but effort he may have, quality I cannot see.
Hayden Mullins
I would think there were a number of people who would have loved this
performance from Mullins as it will really give them a chance to slag him
off. He was poor and deserved to be taken off. Got caught in possession far
too often and when he did get himself in good shooting positions he would
either bottle it altogether or take an awful shot. With players returning
from injury this type of performance will not keep him in the side.
Mark Noble
In my eyes he was by far our best player today. With Solano missing, Noble
stepped up to the mantle of our creative player and was everywhere in the
first half. If anyone was going to make something happen for us it was Noble
and he showed many good touches of quality as well as putting in masses of
effort.
Matthew Etherington
I don't know about anyone else but I am very pleased to see him back and
back in the side on our left wing. He wasn't 100% at the races but by just
being on the pitch he gave us width because he stayed on the left wing. City
snuffed him out as the game went on but Etherington gives us something on
the left hand side and I think he will be very important for the Fulham
game.
Carlton Cole
Full of running and determination but nothing fell for him today. Could not
seem make any space to get a shot in on goal (apart from one wild effort)
and it is a worry that he is not scoring – and not even looking like scoring
of late. I'm not going to slag him because he has turned my opinion of him
around and I do think he does a good job in holding the ball up. Maybe if he
had a striker partner who could actually move more things would happen for
him.
Dean Ashton
Oh dear, this is beginning to become a bit of a concern. Dean Ashton has
been replaced by an Elephant who just remains static. He looked knackered at
times in the first half, he found it hard to run and there were times when
the ball came into the area and he either didn't bother or just couldn't
find it in him to go for the ball. I still believe he has quality underneath
that flab, but I am starting to worry that this is the best we are going to
get out of Deano. He has got to find some fitness and some form, or we need
to buy another forward.
Subs Used
Jonathan Spector (on for Neill 45)
He isn't anything spectacular and at times he looks just awful, but Spector
did nothing wrong in his half on the pitch and was much better than the man
he replaced
Kyel Reid (on for Etherington 69 mins)
Apart from one cross to Ashton he was very poor on the ball.
Lee Bowyer (on for Mullins 75 mins)
Seemed a little off the pace as he ran around after everything but didn't
get the chance to make anything happen.
Overall
A replay on Wednesday 16th January will decide who proceeds to the next
round of the FA Cup and it is going to be very tough for us to be that team.
Our away form has been good this season so there is cause for optimism and
if we can have a few more players fit we could well give them a good game.
Up next are Fulham at Upton Park and this is one of those fixtures you look
at and expect to win. Fulham are struggling, there not playing well and they
have Paul Konchesky in their defence – this should mean we ease to victory
but as is our home form this is far from a guarantee.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sven-Goran Eriksson hails Martin Petrov - telegraph
By Frank Dalleres
Last Updated: 2:43am GMT 06/01/2008
West Ham United (0) 0 Manchester City (0) 0
West Ham were the victims five months ago when Sven-Goran Eriksson announced
his return to English football and Manchester City's revival with a 2-0 win
inspired by Elano. But yesterday, without the Brazilian, Eriksson was forced
to settle for stalemate, despite the best efforts of Bulgarian winger Martin
Petrov.
It might have been different had referee Rob Styles not ignored Anton
Ferdinand's early trip on Petrov. The home side had their own penalty claim
late on when Carlton Cole appeared to head against Vedran Corluka's arm but
even West Ham manager Alan Curbishley was half-hearted in his protest. "The
players are saying they thought it was handball," he said. "They are saying
that, I haven't seen it."
On the visitors' first-half claim, Curbishley said: "When you have got
Petrov running at people in the box I think it is dangerous. Ferdinand is
saying he never touched him." Eriksson was blunt in his assessment of the
incident. "I think it was a penalty. It was unlucky but hopefully we will
get it at home," he said.
Petrov was the main threat after the break, tormenting the home back line
and earning his manager's praise. "Petrov was brilliant," said Eriksson. "I
think he is fantastic. He has been so for a long time. It's not easy to
defend against him because he is clever, he has pace, good technique, and
his left foot is second to none."
Match details
West Ham: Green, Neill (Spector 46), Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Pantsil,
Noble, Mullins (Bowyer 75), Etherington (Reid 69), Ashton, Cole.
Subs: Wright, Collins.
Man City: Hart, Onuoha, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Ireland (Etuhu 66), Corluka,
Hamann, Petrov, Castillo (Gelson 72), Vassell (Bianchi 79).
Subs: Schmeichel, Garrido.
Booked: Corluka.
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs "Delighted" With Effort From Second-String
Anthony Singh, Goal.com
Alan Curbishley hailed the efforts of a largely reserve West Ham team in the
0-0 FA Cup draw against Manchester City. The Hammers manager has a whole
team of players out injured but the side put out still managed to keep out a
classy and confident Manchester City outfit. But the draw does add another
fixture into the schedule, and it means the East Londoners will travel to
Eastlands for the replay in a fortnight's team. However, Curbishley insists
his team will just have to keep going as best they can. "I am delighted what
our players have done defensively but we just need a bit more going the
other way", said Curbishley. "I can't ask any more from the players.
Everyone connected with the club realises the situation we are in and we
will just keep going." "The replay may now give us an opportunity for one or
two of our players on their way back from injury to get a game. "We have
been looking to fix a game up that week but we don't need to now. I have got
[Julien] Faubert playing on Monday night in the reserves, while Luis Boa
Morte and James Collins will also play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 0 Manchester City 0: Petrov probings fail to breach West Ham's
wall - Independent
By Ronald Atkin at Upton Park
Published: 06 January 2008
Manchester City should have had a penalty in the first half, West Ham might
have had one in the last minute, but in the end they headed off for what had
always looked the likeliest outcome, a replay a week on Wednesday.
West Ham's escape, courtesy of referee Rob Styles, came in the 17th minute.
Martin Petrov, the scourge of the Hammers throughout, burst past Lucas Neill
and cut into the box but as he darted inside Anton Ferdinand he was felled
by a waist-high tackle. Even that mildest of managers, Sven Goran Eriksson,
pronounced his side "unlucky, because it was a penalty," adding, "but
hopefully we will get one at home." Fortunately for West Ham, Mr Styles saw
nothing wrong.
City's piece of luck, a more debatable affair, came as Carlton Cole leapt
for a corner and his marker, Vedran Corluka, appeared to lift an arm to the
ball but home complaints were muted by this depressing stage.
West Ham gambled on a double-dreadnought shape, Cole and Dean Ashton paired
up front, in a bid to force a result against opponents who won here on the
opening day of the league season and have prospered ever since.
Though Cole won many of his aerial challenges and Ashton is astute at
getting in front of his markers, they created little between them until,
seven minutes from the end, Ashton's header brought Joe Hart to a brilliant
save and produced praise from his manager, describing him as: "One of the
great goalkeeping talents of this country."
West Ham's injury list remains long and manager Alan Curbishley was forced
to bring in John Pantsil as a midfielder. Neill's departure at half-time
came as a further blow, though it was reported as nothing more worrying than
a tight hamstring, possibly incurred as a result of the chasing he was
getting from Petrov.
It was illness, rather than injury, which removed the Brazilian Elano from
City's squad. His debut replacement was Nery Castillo, the Mexican who
helped to pay the costs of his own move from Shakhtar Donetsk. Keen to
impress, he chased around manically in the opening minutes and
over-eagerness spoilt his volley from a Petrov cross.
Another centre from the Bulgarian deflected to the feet of Stephen Ireland
beyond the far post and though his rising shot was perfectly struck Robert
Green arched to turn it over. Three minutes later West Ham put in their best
effort. Matthew Etherington's low drive was heading inside the near post
until Hart turned it away.
The City keeper did almost as well in repelling Mark Noble's free-kick, but
City had much the better of the first half and when Darius Vassell,
collecting a glorious ball from Dietmar Hamann, fell beneath Ferdinand's
challenge, there were more penalty appeals, though with less conviction than
the first.
City continued to run the show on the resumption, Green repelled an Ireland
volley and then needed to react quickly to an under-hit back-header from the
newly-arrived Jonathan Spector.
There was a potential worrying moment for City when Richard Dunne, their
defensive tower, went off to have stitches inserted in a mouth wound, but he
was soon back in the thick of it as West Ham upped the pace and began to
threaten.
Once Cole, collecting a lucky rebound unwisely opted for a shot which skewed
woefully wide rather than attempting to play Ashton in, but the next time
they combined it was Ashton's failure to control which spoiled the chance.
Still Petrov tormented Hammers, one tantalising cross bouncing off the
crossbar and back into play as the crowd settled for the first no-goal draw
at Upton Park in more than 18 months.
Curbishley was phlegmatic: "A tough old game which never really lifted off,"
was his verdict. As for that late, late penalty shout, the manager said:
"The players are saying they thought it was hand ball but I think Styles was
on the other side of the box."
But he was full of praise for the way his side battled. "I keep saying it
every week, I can't ask for any more from my players."
Except, possibly, a win in the replay, because West Ham have not lost in the
third round of the Cup for eight years.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eriksson finds some light in the gloom
Philip Dorward at Upton Park
Sunday January 6, 2008
The Observer
There's a fine line between a trophy and atrophy. After a promising opening
in which this game could have breezed some life into the FA Cup, West Ham
and Manchester City frustratingly wasted away 90 minutes of football.
Both managers declared themselves pleased with the draw and the defending,
which, in itself, speaks volumes. 'It was a tough old game,' claimed West
Ham manager Alan Curbishley, although, sadly, he wasn't speaking about what
it was like for the paying public. 'Man City gave the competition their
respect by playing all their available players and we obviously played all
of our available players. We all got on with it.'
But that was the point, it all seemed too perfunctory. Perhaps these two
will become more excitable when they see the number of Premier League names
missing from tomorrow's fourth-round draw.
There are at least shoots of hope for the replay a week Wednesday:
Curbishley could have Julien Faubert and Luis Boa Morte back from injury,
while the City faithful will be hoping Sven-Goran Eriksson manages to sign a
striker to get on the end of Martin Petrov's pinpoint crosses.
In the absence of flu-victim Elano, Petrov was one of only two points of
interest, the other was the debut of Nery Castillo. Once but a work permit
away from joining Manchester United as a teenager, the Mexican comes with
baggage from his seven seasons at Olympiakos and tempestuous six months at
Shakhtar Donetsk, but there were enough flashes to suggest there will be
some fun to be had with Castillo on his year-long loan.
Initially, from the way he buzzed about defender's legs, it looked like his
preparation for this game was watching Paul Dickov's back catalogue. He
created the best footballing moment of the game in the 42nd minute when he
spun away from a midfield tackle with the ball, picked out Petrov on the
left and had the return just nicked from his toes when it looked like he
would score.
'New player coming to new country, new club, new style of football and can't
speak very much English, if you think about that I think he was brilliant.
With quick feet, good technique and a lot of pace he will be an important
player for us in the future,' enthused Eriksson, who also thought City
should have had a 17th-minute penalty when Petrov appeared to be upended by
Anton Ferdinand.
As for the rest, it was just half chances from two teams trying to outdo
each other with apathy: Stephen Ireland twice forced Rob Green to make smart
saves from vicious volleys, while Joe Hart did likewise from Matthew
Etherington and a Mark Noble free kick. Had Dean Ashton managed to get more
power on a header seven minutes from time then West Ham might have stolen
it, but it would have been an ill-fitting finale.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0-0 Man City - Sunday Mirror
Steve Stammers At Upton Park 06/01/2008
FA Cup romance was in short supply at Upton Park - but at least there was
plenty of respect for the oldest cup competition in the world. No heroes and
very few heroics. The occasional moment of controversy and shouts for two
penalties - both shown to be justified on television replays. But while
goals were non-existent and incidents were few, both managers deserve credit
for their respective team selections. No reserves, no dismissive pre-match
comments about the status of the trophy which was once prized by all but is
now clearly regarded as a nuisance by many. Perhaps the major plaudit should
go to City's Sven Goran Eriksson. With a Champions League place still in his
sights, he could have been forgiven for resting a number of his first-choice
players but he opted to go for his strongest line-up. Only the flu-stricken
Brazilian Elano was absent. His West Ham counterpart Alan Curbishley had no
such dilemma when filling in his team sheet. Basically, if you are fit these
days at West Ham, you are involved. "By playing their strongest possible
team, Manchester City gave the competition respect," said Curbishley. "That
was a tough game for us and my players gave everything." He evidently
thought that Lucas Neill had given enough because the captain was withdrawn
at half-time. "Tight hamstring," explained Curbishley - the type of injury
that would not be helped by chasing the shadows left by flying Bulgarian
winger Martin Petrov. Jonathan Spector was handed the baton for the second
half but he had no more success than Neill in suppressing the marauding runs
of Petrov. Fortunately for West Ham, Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson were
at their commanding best in central defence to clear any danger. Ferdinand
in particular is beginning to earn a reputation for his football rather than
his ownership of the most expensive watch in East London.
Curbishley now hopes that by the replay in ten days' time his injury list
will have eased, with the likes of Luis Boa Morte and even Julien Faubert
available.
That replay, however, could well have been redundant had referee Rob Styles
been in the generous mood that earned him a weekend off earlier this season
after his decision to give Chelsea a penalty that wasn't at Anfield. Petrov
was clearly brought down by Ferdinand in the 16th minute. "I think it was a
penalty," said Eriksson. "I think we were unlucky. But I think we will have
it at home."
West Ham countered with a shout of their own in the final seconds when Mark
Noble - a bundle of energy and tenacity in central midfield - swung in a
corner and Vedran Corluka appeared to handle to prevent Carlton Cole getting
a clean header on goal. "My players are saying handball but I think Rob
Styles was behind it and couldn't see," said Curbishley. So that's 1-1 then
- although the chances are that respective goalkeepers Rob Green and Joe
Hart would have saved the spotkicks anyway as both were in excellent form.
Eriksson was generous in his praise of Hart, currently his first choice and
forcing Sweden's number one Andreas Isaksson to consider his future at the
club. "He has a little bit of everything," said Eriksson. "He has fantastic
ability and is one of the great goalkeeping talents in this country."
As he showed with saves from Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton. Not to be
outdone, Green showed his quality by keeping out a close-range volley from
Stephen Ireland and dived bravely at the feet to frustrate Corluka.
HOW THEY RATED
WEST HAM
Green 6, Neill 6 (Spector 6), Ferdinand 6, Upson 6, McCartney 6, Pantsil 5,
Noble 6, Mullins 6 (Bowyer 5), Etherington 6 (Reid 5) Ashton 5, Cole 6.
Manager Curbishley 6
MAN CITY
Hart 6, Onuoha 5, Richards 6, Dunne 6, Ball 6, Ireland 5 (Etuhu 5), CORLUKA
7, Hamann 6, Petrov 5, Castillo 5 (Gelson 5), Vassell 5 (Bianchi 5).
Manager Eriksson 6
Referee R Styles 7
Man of the Match
Vedran Corluka
A superb signing by Eriksson. The Croatian is the model professional and his
versatility is an immense asset to City. Filled in wherever he was needed -
including central defence for a spell while Dunne was off.
HEAD TO HEAD
Dean Ashton v Richard Dunne
Dunne has been in outstanding form this season so Ashton could not have
asked for a tougher test. The City man came out the winner on points.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
