Spurs take the derby honours
West Ham United were unable to recover from two early Dimitar Berbatov goals
in north London on Sunday
09.03.2008
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 West Ham United
West Ham United ended a disappointing week with a 4-0 defeat away at
Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby on Sunday afternoon.
Dimitar Berbatov took the game out of the reach of Alan Curbishley's men
with two close-range headers inside the first ten minutes, both from Tom
Huddlestone free-kicks. The task at White Hart Lane became even more
difficult on the stroke of half-time when Luis Boa Morte received a second
yellow card. Despite the ten-man visitors battling valiantly after the
break, Tottenham were able to add two more late on through Gilberto and
Darren Bent.
United had gone into the contest with high hopes, with a 4-4-2 formation
that saw Dean Ashton and Bobby Zamora come into the attack and Carlton Cole
making way. Mark Noble also dropped to the bench with Scott Parker returning
for his first game since 29 December. It was to be Parker's more
defensive-minded midfield colleague Hayden Mullins who had the first effort,
flashing a shot wide inside the first minute.
The visitors seemed in determined mood, summed up on five minutes when
Freddie Ljungberg had Paul Robinson sprawling. The Sweden captain fierce
shot meant the England keeper was only able to push the ball into the
on-rushing Ashton's path. Robinson recovered well though to save Ashton's
effort and, when the ball broke to Boa Morte, the Tottenham defence had
regrouped.
On eight minutes, Tottenham were awarded a free-kick for a foul by Jonathan
Spector, in for the injured Matthew Upson, on the right wing. From it,
Huddlestone picked out Berbatov in a central position and he was able to
head in. It was soon two, with Huddlestone again finding Berbatov from a
free-kick, this time from the left after a Ljungberg foul, and again Green
could do little about it.
Tottenham looked menacing from every attack, with Aaron Lennon picking out
Huddlestone for a chance that he could not keep down before Boa Morte earned
a 22nd-minute caution for a challenge on Alan Hutton. As the half-hour mark
came and went, the game had descended into a series of misplaced passes from
both teams. On 33 minutes, Steed Malbranque was picked out by Berbatov but
his low shot sailed wide. Green had to be alert soon afterwards to save from
Berbatov when the striker was found by Huddlestone.
With two minutes to go until half-time, things got even tougher with Boa
Morte being sent off after picking up another yellow card, this time for a
challenge on Lennon. The second half began with Tottenham again on the
offensive, notably a 49th-minute left shot from Huddlestone that just
cleared the bar. Ashton, operating in isolation up front with Zamora's
switch to cover the left wing, then worked a good opening up the other end
that finished in similar fashion.
After a Robbie Keane half-chance, West Ham United produced some good
football on 54 minutes, with Ljungberg and Ashton combining well on the
right wing before the move ended with a half-chance for Lucas Neill that
never troubled Robinson. Spurs soon broke up the other end with a saving
clearance by Anton Ferdinand proving timely after Lennon had pushed the ball
goalwards from a tight angle. Tottenham then made two changes on 58 and 68
minutes with Malbranque making way for Gilberto before Keane went off for
Bent.
The latter change coincided with Ljungberg getting a caution for dissent and
it was to be his last contribution as John Pantsil entered the fray on 70
minutes. The replacement made an instant impact, picking out Ashton for a
half-chance that was only just cleared for a corner. The tireless Parker was
replaced five minutes later after an impressive return to action - Noble
coming on to the scene of his first Premier League start back in November
2005 before Cole replaced Ashton.
Berbatov had another chance for his treble on 83 minutes but could not keep
his 20-yard free-kick on target. Tottenham got their third two minutes later
though, when Gilberto was able to roll the beyond Green after Pascal
Chimbonda's pass. Spurs were looking for a fourth and Berbatov could have
added it as 90 minutes came and went before Bent completed a miserable
afternoon with virtually the last kick.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Spector, McCartney, Ljungberg
(Pantsil 70), Mullins, Parker (Noble 75), Boa Morte, Ashton (Cole 76),
Zamora
Subs: Wright, Solano
Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate (Tainio 76),
Chimbonda, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, Malbranque (Gilberto 58), Berbatov,
Keane (Bent 68)
Subs: Cerny, Boateng
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'We have got to bounce back' - WHUFC
Three heavy losses have taken their toll but Alan Curbishley knows his team
are capable of recovering
09.03.2008
Alan Curbishley said "it is all to play for still" despite the unquestioned
disappointment of a third straight 4-0 reverse at the end of a "dreadful
week".
West Ham United went to Tottenham Hotspur on the back of two losses to
Champions League contenders and all concerned had hoped for an upturn at
White Hart Lane. However, those hopes were dashed on Sunday once Dimitar
Berbatov was able to score two quickfire headers early in the game and Luis
Boa Morte had been dismissed just before half-time. The loss allowed the
eleventh-placed hosts to close the gap on their visitors, in tenth, to five
points with nine to play.
Curbishley's men are back at the Boleyn Ground next Saturday against
Blackburn Rovers - who just happen to be the team that United faced with
nine matches to go last season. At that point, the club only had 20 points
from 29 games rather than the 40 they have now but a 2-1 win against Rovers
was to kickstart a run of seven wins from the final nine games. Expectations
are different this time around, as a home win would move the club to within
three points of the team currently in seventh.
"We have put ourselves in a position where we expect to finish in the top
half," Curbishley said. "We have just lost three games on the spin and we
still find ourselves there. It is all to play for still and come along this
weekend ... We have got to bounce back, the players have got to bounce back
- we all have. It is only them that can go out and do it. It doesn't look as
if anybody else is going to become available at the moment so we have got to
get on with it."
There were some small positives for the noisy travelling support - not least
the return of Scott Parker for a 75-minute run-out that was his first action
since 29 December. Similarly, Bobby Zamora came through his first start
since 28 August and showed up well alongside Dean Ashton before being
switched to the left flank to cover for the absent Boa Morte. It is at the
back, though, where Curbishley wants to see a reaction.
"Defensively we have been very good all season and in one week it has been
blown apart. I thought we started quite brightly. I didn't see much in it
but another set play has gone in. A free header [and] Berbatov didn't even
have to jump. Straight after that, [he scored] another one. It is difficult
to come back from it. Obviously we couldn't." Curbishley said the sending
off for two yellow cards "killed us off again" and by the time Gilberto and
Darren Bent scored late on, the points were already lost.
The manager added: "What could go wrong, is going for wrong for us. It has
been a dreadful week, we have just got to regroup and get on ... We knew it
was going to be a tough week - Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs - but when you
let in a goal early like we did today, and let one in at Liverpool, that has
not been us all season. There has been a lot of criticism that we haven't
scored too many but let's go back to some clean sheets. That is what we
need."
Curbishley could not fault the commitment shown throughout the side, many of
whom have figured in all or virtually every one of the games this season. "I
have got no complaints about the players," he said. "They have been
performing week in, week out. We have just had a horrible week and we have
got to get back to where we were.
"We have played two Champions League teams on top of their game. I think
Newcastle got the same taste yesterday and I am sure one or two others will
... when we get a fully-fit squad then the expectation level should rise.
Because that's what we did in the summer - bring together a squad that could
challenge the top spots."
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New date for Portsmouth game - WHUFC
The progress of Portsmouth into the FA Cup semi-finals means the home match
on 7 April will be moved
08.03.2008
West Ham United can confirm that the rearranged home match against
Portsmouth will now not take place on Monday 7 April. The fixture was
dependent on Portsmouth not being involved in the FA Cup semi-finals, which
became the case when Harry Redknapp's side won 1-0 at Manchester United on
Saturday. whufc.com will have full details of the new date as soon as it is
confirmed with both clubs and the Barclays Premier League.
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Reserves ready for Monday action - WHUFC
The reserves are back in action with the visit of Derby County to Bishop's
Stortford on Monday night
06.03.2008
Supporters are asked to note that West Ham United's reserve game against
Derby County this week has been moved from Tuesday to Monday.
The game, to be played at the Woodside Park home of Bishop's Stortford, will
take place at 7pm. West Ham United are third in the southern section of the
Barclays Premier Reserve League, two points behind leaders Aston Villa and a
point adrift of Reading - although both teams have a game in hand. Villa and
Reading are also in home action on Monday, against Arsenal and Tottenham
Hotspur respectively.
After the Derby contest, Kevin Keen's men will welcome Reading on 18 March
before finishing up the campaign with trips to Brentford and Barnet to take
on Chelsea and Arsenal on 31 March and 21 April respectively. First up
though will be that visit of Derby, ranked last in the eleven-team league,
and all concerned will hope for a repeat of the memorable 8-0 away win
achieved back on 26 November.
Entry is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions, although season ticket
holders get in free.
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Tottenham 4-0 West Ham - BBC
By Saj Chowdhury
Two first-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov helped ease Spurs to victory over
10-man West Ham. Both of Berbatov's goals came in the first 10 minutes and
both were headers from Tom Huddlestone free-kicks. Things took a turn for
the worse for the visitors when Luis Boa Morte was shown a second yellow
card for a late challenge on Aaron Lennon. Substitute Gilberto drilled in
the third before Darren Bent made it 4-0 with a header from Alan Hutton's
cross.
The result could have been very different had West Ham taken advantage of
another piece of ungainly goalkeeping from Paul Robinson in the fifth
minute.
The England shot-stopper could only parry Freddie Ljungberg's 25-yard
effort, although he was alert enough to prevent Dean Ashton from pouncing on
the loose ball. Robinson also dived at the feet of Boa Morte before Bobby
Zamora's shot was deflected over towards the end of a mad scramble. Just
three minutes later, Spurs opened the scoring when Huddlestone, in the team
for the injured Jermaine Jenas, delivered a cracking ball from the right for
Berbatov to score past Robert Green. And shortly after the restart, talisman
Berbatov grabbed his and his side's second when he bulleted in another
Huddlestone free-kick, this time from the left. Huddlestone came close to
scoring himself but headed over Lennon's dinked cross from the right while
the marauding Steed Malbranque drilled a shot four yards wide after a
typical surge to the edge of the area. As Tottenham pressed forward, Alan
Curbishley's side became increasingly frustrated. That frustration led to
niggly fouls, one of them resulting in a red card for Boa Morte. The
Portuguese player was shown a second yellow after a late tackle on Lennon
after already being booked for a foul on Huddlestone. That was essentially
game over for the Hammers. Spurs became more lax after the break but could
afford to given their opponents' lack of fight. Ashton had a half-chance
deflected over from six yards midway through the second half before he was
replaced by Carlton Cole. But the home side landed a knockout combination in
the final few minutes thanks to substitutes Gilberto and Bent. First,
Gilberto made amends for his mistake against PSV in midweek by finding
Green's left-hand corner after Lennon dummied Pascal Chimbonda's pass. Then
Bent headed in Hutton's cross from the right to make the scoreline emphatic.
Reports in Sunday's papers suggested that Curbishley could find himself out
of a job in the summer. This result will not have helped to quell the
rumours.
Spurs first-team coach Gus Poyet: "We were looking for reaction from the
players and we got that reaction. "The early goals from Dimitar Berbatov
helped our team as did the sending off of Luis Boa Morte. "Boa Morte was
making too many fouls and that's why he was sent off. But with 10 men they
did make it hard."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley: "It was Chelsea, Liverpool and now Spurs - we
went into the week hoping that anything from those games would help keep the
pressure up. "But we've had a disastrous week. We now have to try to finish
the season as strongly as possible. "We've given stupid goals away in the
three games."
Tottenham: Robinson, Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate (Tainio 77), Chimbonda,
Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, Malbranque (Gilberto 58), Berbatov, Keane (Bent
69).
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Boateng.
Goals: Berbatov 8, 11, Gilberto 85, Bent 90.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Spector, McCartney, Ljungberg (Pantsil
71), Parker (Noble 76), Mullins, Boa Morte, Ashton (Cole 77), Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Solano.
Sent Off: Boa Morte (44).
Booked: Boa Morte, Ljungberg.
Att: 36,062
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov 7.88
(on 90 minutes).
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A disastrous week - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 9th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley does his best to explain away a third successive four goal
defeat.
We went into the week knowing it was going to be tough. Chelsea and
Liverpool, two Champions League teams and then Spurs. We also went into the
week thinking if we could get anything from it we could put some pressure on
the teams above us - but we've done none of that. It's been a disastrous
week.
Today everything that could have gone wrong went wrong in some respects. But
we've got to regroup, we've got to get on with it - there's a quarter of the
season left, a decent amount of games and we've got to try and finish the
season as strongly as we can.
We gave a stupid penalty away against Chelsea and up at Liverpool we let a
goal in after six or seven minutes. Today Berbatov got a free header -
people marking him have not made a challenge and he's got a free header in
the six yard box.
In some respects you look at the game and we started off okay. We brought a
couple of players in who I knew were going to have it all to do to get
through the full 90 minutes - Scott Parker and Bobby Zamora - but it all
went completely wrong.
I read an article this week that said West Ham have invested heavily in the
summer and expect to be higher up the league, which is fair enough. But all
we did in the summer was replace players, like a lot of clubs. Half a dozen
to ten clubs in the Premier League spent as much as us or more than us - and
the players I've brought in have played around 20 games between them.
It's been difficult all season - and the players that have been playing have
done fantastic, I've got no complaints leading up to this week. Week in week
out they've performed and six or seven of them have played every game,
including the cup. I've never been in a position to rotate or rest anybody
and it's been difficult.
We bring two back today who are having to get fit in the first team - like
one or two others have had to do - and we lose one [Matthew Upson]. So it's
been a difficult season all round. I came into this week delighted with what
they've done but I can't have any excuses about this week.
Boa Morte? Well I had a decision to make. He was [skating] on thin ice and I
kept looking at the clock as it was running down. My big problem is that I
had Scotty Parker playing his first game for 12 weeks and Bobby Zamora his
first game for five months - and I knew somewhere along the line I'd have to
make two changes anyway.
So I was just trying to hold out and perhaps settle him down at half time
but as I said, what can go wrong goes wrong. He's an experienced
professional and he knew he was on thin ice. It was the 44th minute, he
could have ushered the player out and didn't need to make the tackle. We're
already going in 2-0 down but now we're going in 2-0 down with ten men.
We've been in damage limitation for the last three games. It's not what
we're about, and I go back to the criticism of us not scoring a lot of goals
but we'd had a fantastic defensive record which has been shot to pieces.
We take it in context; it's been a tough week on paper but the one thing we
have done this year had been hard to beat. I know people want more going the
other way but we've got to get back to keeping clean sheets and give
ourselves a chance.
I saw Alex [Ferguson] having a bit of a moan yesterday. I know the refs
watch videos week in week out to try and assess what's going on and look at
individuals. I was really disappointed because Berbatov - who's six foot
three - went down in three or four stages after he brought the ball down and
I don't think there was any contact.
Obviously it resulted in a free kick - I've got no excuses about giving him
a free header but the referees have got to do their homework. He gets free
kicks like that and I was just disappointed with that and the fact - which
is probably irrelevant by now - that he put two minutes up and they scored
in the 93rd minute.
But it's by the by - I don't want to use it as an excuse. If we can't defend
set plays and get a head there first then we're not going to do anything.
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Tottenham 4 West Ham Utd 0 - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 9th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
The pressure on Alan Curbishley increased tonight as West Ham United
suffered a 4-0 reversal for the third time inside a week.
Two goals either side of the break condemned the Hammers - who were forced
to play the second half with only ten men after Luis Boa Morte was dismissed
a minute before the break - to a third successive Premier League thrashing
this afternoon.
Alan Curbishley could at least point to the high calibre of the opposition
in the previous two games but there were no such excuses tonight as his side
went down to a side eight points below them in the league.
In Curbishley's defence, he gave his critics exactly what they wanted by
sending out a far more attacking team than in recent weeks. However despite
his best intentions he had no control over the defensive errors and sheer
stupidity of Luis Boa Morte that virtually handed the game to their rivals.
Anton Ferdinand, who had told his team mates that it was time to 'step up to
the plate' after the heavy defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool was guilty
of falling asleep twice inside two minutes to gift Dimitar Berbatov the
first two goals - both coming from set pieces at which Ferdinand was due to
be marking the Tottenham forward.
Yet the Hammers had started the stronger and should have taken the lead
after just five minutes when Freddie Ljungberg's shot was dropped by Paul
Robinson before eventually falling to Bobby Zamora whose shot was goalbound
had it not hit Luis Boa Morte.
But United's defensive frailites were exposed in the 8th and 10th minute
when Berbatov twice got the better of Ferdinand - who not for the first time
was guilty of switching off.
It was Ferdinand's trip on Solomon Kalou last weekend that cost the Hammers
dear, whilst he was embarrassed twice more by Fernando Torres last
Wednesday. Without regular defensive partner Matthew Upson to bale him out
today, his shortcomings were exposed even futher.
Yet Ferdinand was saved from being villain of the day by the ridiculous
antics of Luis Boa Morte whose days at West Ham must surely be numbered
after petulance and sheer stupidity saw him sent off for a second bookable
offence a minute ahead of the half time break.
Already yellow-carded for a spiteful 23rd minute challenge on Tom
Huddlestone the £5 million winger was handed his marching orders for lunging
in unnecessarily on Aaron Lennon on the stoke of half time.
It was little more than he deserved and if Curbishley has any sense the
sight of Boa Morte disappearing down the White Hart Lane tunnel will be the
last time he's ever seen in a West Ham United shirt.
The expected second half capitulation almost failed to materialise but two
late goals for the home side - Gilberto's first for the club on 85 minutes
and substitute Darren Bent's injury time effort - gave the home side a
margin of victory that they never truly deserved, such was West Ham's
battling spirit after the break.
But that will be of little comfort to Alan Curbishley tonight as he battles
to pick up the pieces and save his job which, according to rumours, would
appear to be on the line following his team's recent run of dismal form.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Ferdinand, Spector, Mullins,
Parker (Noble 76), Ljungberg (Paintsil 71), Boa Morte, Zamora, Ashton (Cole
77).
Subs not used: Wright, Solano.
Booked: Boa Morte (23), Ljungberg (69)
Sent off: Boa Morte (44)
Tottenham: Robinson, Hutton, Chimbonda, Woodgate (Tainio 77), Dawson,
Zokora, Huddlestone, Lennon, Malbranque (Gilberto 58), Keane (Bent 69),
Berbatov.
Subs not used: Cerny, Boateng.
Goals: Berbatov (8, 10), Gilberto (85), Bent (90+3).
Attendance: 36,062.
Referee: Chris Foy.
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Curbs expects understanding - SSN
Hammers boss outlines need to bounce back
Last updated: 10th March 2008
Alan Curbishley is hopeful the West Ham United board will show patience
after three consecutive 4-0 defeats. After being thumped by UEFA Champions
League contenders Chelsea and Liverpool, the Hammers also suffered a heavy
beating at Tottenham on Sunday. With West Ham seemingly out of contention
for European football next season, it has raised questions about
Curbishley's Upton Park future. But, pointing to the injury troubles he has
encountered this term, the Hammers boss is optimistic his employers
understand the situation. "I think they are realistic about it, but we'll
have to see on that score because it's a results business," the Hammers boss
said. "Up until this week we hadn't been too bad, so we'll have to bounce
back. "We're in football and nothing surprises anybody, but I would have
thought (they would understand). They are realistic about what has gone on.
They get the update every Monday of the injury situation. "Any other team
that has had six or seven out every week would find it difficult. You can
see the difference in teams with settled sides."
Despite the recent setbacks, Curbishley is confident his side can finish in
the top 10, with West Ham currently five points ahead of Spurs. He added:
"We put ourselves in a position where we expect to finish in the top half.
"We've lost three games on the spin and we're still there, so it's all to
play for still.
"The pressure when you lose three games 4-0 is there, and we have to bounce
back. We all have to. It's only them that can go out and do it. "We have to
regroup and get on. There are not many options with our injury situation and
we have to just get on. Our aim is to finish in the top half and as high as
we can, and we can still do that. It's a long way back for us."
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Berbatov inspires Spurs rout - SSN
West Ham suffer third consecutive 4-0 loss
Last updated: 9th March 2008
Tottenham recorded their first win since the Carling Cup final as they
crushed ten-man West Ham 4-0 to pile more pressure on Alan Curbishley.
Dimitar Berbatov did the damage with two early headed goals. Tom Huddlestone
was the provider on each occasion with excellent free-kicks, and the
Bulgarian showed his prowess in the air with perfectly placed finishes past
Robert Green. West Ham's hopes of staging a comeback suffered a huge blow on
the stroke of half-time when Luis Boa Morte's wild challenge on Aaron Lennon
earned him a second yellow card. Curbishley's side battle hard after the
interval but could not break down Spurs' ever-improving defence, and the
result was put beyond any doubt when Gilberto scored with a fine finish five
minutes from time on his Premier League debut. Darren Bent then headed in
Alan Hutton's cross for his 100th career goal, as The Hammers slumped to
their third consecutive 4-0 defeat. The Hammers paired Dean Ashton and Bobby
Zamora up front but, despite the latter being unfortunate with an early
chance, they made little impact throughout. Zamora took advantage of a Paul
Robinson fumble but saw his finish loop over off team-mate Boa Morte.
Spurs were ahead after eight minutes, although Curbishley was protesting to
fourth official Uriah Rennie near the tunnel and missed Berbatov's opener.
The Hammers boss was furious that Jonathan Spector, in place of injured
Matthew Upson, had been penalised for a foul on Berbatov. Huddlestone swung
over a free-kick from the right flank and Berbatov's header on the penalty
spot skidded past Green into the far corner. The Spurs pair combined again
three minutes later from the opposite flank with the same outcome.
Berbatov's header this time beating Green at the near post. It was too much
for Freddie Ljungberg, who threw a water bottle to the touchline in disgust,
while Hutton was on the receiving end of a spiteful late tackle.
Huddlestone, creator of the first two, then almost added to the scoring when
he got on the end of Lennon's cross, but his header was too high. Boa Morte
picked up his first booking after persistent fouling, and received his
second yellow card a minute from half-time for a foul on Lennon.
There did not appear to be any complaints from the West Ham bench but
Curbishley had words with referee Chris Foy in the tunnel at half-time,
protesting about the foul leading up to the opener. Huddlestone's effort
went just wide early in the second half, while Ashton went over at the other
end with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and Lucas Neill tested
Robinson from a similar distance. Despite the visitors applying pressure,
Spurs could have added a third through Keane and Lennon when they broke.
Gilberto was brought on for Steed Malbranque just before the hour mark for
his Premier League debut, and Bent was given a run in place of Keane. The
third came when Gilberto scored with a shot on the turn, with six minutes
remaining, after Lennon had dummied a Pascal Chimbonda pass. Bent added the
fourth with a stoppage-time header.
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Curbs bemoans 'disastrous' week - SSN
West Ham boss upset after heavy defeat to Spurs
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 9th March 2008
Alan Curbishley admitted he was desperately disappointed following West
Ham's 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. The Hammers had already lost to Chelsea and
Liverpool by the same scoreline in their previous two games, and Curbishley
had been hoping for a response from his players. However, Dimitar Berbatov
struck twice early on and Gilberto and Darren Bent added further goals in
the second half to seal an emphatic victory for Spurs. Asked how he would
sum up the week, Curbishley told Sky Sports: "Disastrous. We came into the
week knowing we had two Champions League teams and then Spurs, who have
picked up considerably in recent months. "So we knew it would be a tough
week, but obviously we didn't expect what has happened to us. "We allowed
Berbatov two free headers from two set plays and it's a long way back from
there. "This week has seen our goal difference shot to pieces. It was worth
about a point to us and our defensive record was probably the fifth best in
the Premier League, but that's been shot to pieces as well."
Curbishley also revealed he was angry with Luis Boa Morte and not referee
Chris Foy following the midfielder's sending-off just before half-time. Boa
Morte was shown a second yellow card for a rash tackle on Aaron Lennon and
Curbishley was upset with the player's attitude, which made West Ham's task
much more difficult. He said: "He was on thin ice for consistent offences. I
was just hoping to get through to half-time because I had two players (Scott
Parker and Bobby Zamora) out there who I knew would come under pressure
because they were just back from injuries and I didn't want to use a
substitution up early. "But we didn't get to half-time. He's professional
enough and experienced enough that he should have avoided that, so I'm
massively disappointed."
Curbishley accepts that West Ham are now unlikely to qualify for the Uefa
Cup, although he has urged his side to keep battling for the remainder of
the season. "We've blown it a bit but we've got nine games to go and we've
got to try and win as many as we can," he said. "Coming into this week I was
delighted with what the players had done. We'd got ourselves into the top
half of the table despite having injury problems that not many teams could
have coped with. "But we've let ourselves down this week and now we have to
regroup."
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Spurs 4-0 West Ham: Hammers ship four more - Soccernet
Dimitar Berbatov (8)
Dimitar Berbatov (11)
Gilberto (85)
Darren Bent (90)
Dimitar Berbatov's two headers helped Tottenham towards victory at White
Hart Lane as West Ham boss Alan Curbishley suffered his third consecutive
4-0 defeat. Berbatov netted both of his goals early in the first half of the
Barclays Premier League clash, with hopes of a Hammers comeback virtually
ending when Luis Boa Morte was dismissed just before the break. Spurs head
coach Juande Ramos has now completed a London treble this season, defeating
Arsenal and Chelsea in the Carling Cup and now bitter rivals West Ham. It
also ended Spurs' run of back-to-back defeats ahead of their UEFA Cup trip
to PSV Eindhoven. But West Ham's slump continued, following 4-0 defeats to
Chelsea and Liverpool last week. Their poor run saw Curbishley wake up to
reports of his job being insecure. His response was to pick an attacking
formation that fans have been craving this season. Dean Ashton and Bobby
Zamora were paired up front but, despite the latter being unfortunate with
an early chance, they made little impact throughout. Zamora took advantage
of a Paul Robinson fumble but saw his finish loop over off team-mate Boa
Morte. Going into the clash in 10th and 11th, both teams knew they would not
move up or down the table with victory or defeat. With the Carling Cup
securing European football next season, Spurs have been accused of
neglecting league matters. 'It is a matter of us showing professionalism,'
said Ramos in his programme notes. The Spaniard emphasised his point by
picking a strong side, with just Ledley King rested and Jermaine Jenas out
with a twisted ankle. They were ahead after eight minutes, although
Curbishley was protesting to fourth official Uriah Rennie near the tunnel
and missed Berbatov's opener. The Hammers boss was furious that Jonathan
Spector, in place of injured Matthew Upson, had been penalised for a foul on
Berbatov. Tom Huddlestone swung over a free-kick from the right flank and
Berbatov's header on the penalty spot skidded past Robert Green into the far
corner. The Spurs pair combined again three minutes later from the opposite
flank with the same outcome. Berbatov's header this time beating Green at
the near post. It was too much for Freddie Ljungberg, who threw a water
bottle to the touchline in disgust, while Alan Hutton was on the receiving
end of a spiteful late tackle. Huddlestone, creator of the first two, then
almost added to the scoring when he got on the end of Aaron Lennon's cross,
but his header was too high. Boa Morte picked up his first booking after
persistent fouling, and he was constantly battling with Hutton and Robbie
Keane. Keane, in turn, angered Hammers fans with a gesture towards his own
supporters acknowledging the recent Carling Cup triumph. Steed Malbranque
was the next to try his luck but his angled drive went wide of Green's post.
Green also saved a Berbatov volley when another Huddlestone set-piece caused
problems. Boa Morte received his second yellow card a minute from half-time
for a foul on Lennon.
There did not appear to be any complaints from the West Ham bench but
Curbishley had words with referee Chris Foy in the tunnel at half-time,
protesting about the foul leading up to the opener.
Huddlestone's effort went just wide early in the second half, while Ashton
went over at the other end with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and
Lucas Neill tested Robinson from a similar distance. 'We've only got 10
men,' chanted the West Ham fans. Despite the visitors applying pressure,
Spurs could have added a third through Keane and Lennon when they broke.
Gilberto was brought on for Malbranque just before the hour mark for his
Premier League debut, and Bent was given a run in place of Keane. The third
came when Gilberto scored with a shot on the turn, with six minutes
remaining, after Lennon had dummied a Pascal Chimbonda pass. Bent added the
fourth with a stoppage-time header.
Alan Curbishley is hopeful that his board understand the injury crisis he
has faced as West Ham's season threatens to fizzle out following a third 4-0
defeat in a row. Curbishley woke up to reports suggesting his job may be
insecure, although he feels his board are sympathetic about the problems he
has had with players missing during his first full campaign at the club. 'I
think they are realistic about it but we'll have to see on that score
because it's a results business,' the Hammers boss said. 'Up until this week
we hadn't been too bad so we'll have to bounce back.' He added: 'We're in
football and nothing surprises anybody but I would have thought (they would
understand). They are realistic about what has gone on. They get the update
every Monday of the injury situation. 'Any other team that has had six or
seven out every week would find it difficult. You can see the difference in
teams with settled sides.'
Anton Ferdinand was to blame for Berbatov's two goals, both free headers
from Tom Huddlestone free-kicks. 'He was nowhere to be seen,' said
Curbishley. 'He's got to dig in, he gave a penalty away against Chelsea
early in the game and put us on the back foot. 'You can't allow
centre-forwards to have free headers. 'Berbatov didn't have to jump. Then
straight away there was another one. It's difficult to come back from it.'
Curbishley was upset with Jonathan Spector being penalised for fouling
Berbatov leading up to the opener. 'He fell over in stages,' the Hammers
boss added. 'They (referees) spend all week on this and that and looking at
videos and perhaps they have got to realise one or two things that were
going on.' Curbishley had no complaints, though, when Luis Boa Morte was
dismissed for two bookings, the second coming a minute before the break. 'We
took two wallopings going into the game and I asked for more aggression and
application,' he said. 'He was done for persistence. 'Luis put a
wholehearted performance in but he's on thin ice and has to make sure he
gets to half-time. He hasn't and that has killed us off a bit.' Gilberto
made his Barclays Premier League debut when he came off the bench and he
scored with a finish on the turn, then Bent headed in the fourth in
stoppage-time. 'We put ourselves in a position where we expect to finish in
the top half,' Curbishley added. 'We've lost three games on the spin and
we're still there so it's all to play for still. 'The pressure when you lose
three games 4-0 is there, and we have to bounce back. We all have to. It's
only them that can go out and do it. 'We have to regroup and get on. There
are not many options with our injury situation and we have to just get on.
Our aim is to finish in the top half and as high as we can, and we can still
do that. It's a long way back for us.'
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos was pleased with his side's response after two
defeats since winning the Carling Cup. 'The goals made it easier and we were
in control for a large part of the match,' said the Spaniard. 'It was
important to have a victory to recover people's esteem.' The only negative
aspect of the afternoon was Jonathan Woodgate taking a knock to his foot and
calf and getting taken off as a precaution.
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Bellamy hands West Ham boost
tribalfooball.com - March 09, 2008
Craig Bellamy is set to return to action for West Ham United before the end
of the season. The People says West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has been
boosted by news that Bellamy will be back before the end of the season.
Bellamy had surgery on an abdominal injury but should start training in the
next two weeks.
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West Ham's Noble happy to have Parker back
tribalfootball.com - March 09, 2008
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has welcomed teammate Scott Parker back from
long-term injury. Parker was one of the few bright points for the Hammers
after he had 75 minutes in yesterday's 4-0 thrashing by Tottenham and Noble
said: "Scott is a fantastic player and someone I can learn from in terms of
the way he goes about his job."
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West Ham, Bolton go for Valencia keeper Canizares
tribalfooball.com - March 09, 2008
West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers are battling for Valencia outcast
Santiago Canizares. The People says the 38-year-old is out of contract in
the summer and desperate to play in England. Canizares has been out of
favour since Ronald Koeman took charge.
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Curb crawlers are hammered by Spurs - This Is London
Last updated at 08:10am on 10.03.08
Alan Curbishley was spared anymore abuse from his own fans. Luckily for him,
they had their hands full dealing with the taunts of Spurs supporters as
West Ham collapsed to their third 4-0 drubbing in nine days. The under-fire
West Ham boss pointed to the catalogue of injuries he has had this season as
the reason why his side are limping over the line to a tophalf finish,
rather than challenging for Europe. But any repeat of the insipid displays
against Chelsea, Liverpool and now Tottenham when they meet Blackburn at
Upton Park on Saturday and it will not only be the fans but the club's
billionaire Icelandic owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who will surely make
his displeasure known. The former Charlton boss insists he has understanding
with his employers. That said, Curbishley admitted a dramatic improvement is
needed. "Football is a results business," said disconsolate Curbishley. "Up
until this week, they hadn't been too bad, but we will have to see what the
board thinks now. "We are in football and nothing surprises me, but I
wouldn't have thought they will make any rash decisions. Let's get back to
some clean sheets, that's what we need."
Curbishley's decision to start with Dean Ashton and Bobby Zamora in attack,
the latter's first start since August, smacked of a more adventurous
approach. The return of Scott Parker for his first game this year was a
welcome boost. Indeed, West Ham were almost ahead inside five minutes. Paul
Robinson fumbled Freddie Ljungberg's strike straight to Ashton, but
recovered to deny the striker. That, however, was the sum total of West
Ham's attacking intent as Spurs set about heaping more pressure on
Curbishley. Jonathan Spector brought down Dimitar Berbatov on the right and
the Bulgarian outjumped Anton Ferdinand to head home Tom Huddlestone's
pinpoint free-kick in the eighth minute. Some three minutes later, Spurs
were two to the good with a mirror-image goal. This time, Ljungberg gave
away the freekick, tripping Didier Zokora down the left. Once again,
Huddlestone's delivery was laser guided and Berbatov lost Ferdinand for a
second time to head past Robert Green. Curbishley was less than impressed
with his centre-back. "Anton has got to dig in," said the West Ham manager.
"He has given a penalty away against Chelsea very early on in the game and
can't allow forwards free headers."
There was little professionalism in Luis Boa Morte's display, either, the
petulant Portuguese winger seemingly hell-bent on getting himself sent off.
He was granted his wish after persistent fouls culminated in a second yellow
card for a high challenge on Aaron Lennon a minute before the break. Spurs
failed to make much of their man advantage for most of the second half,
although Huddlestone was unlucky to see a leftfoot strike fizz just over the
bar. But with the game won and West Ham engaged in little more than trying
to keep the scoreline respectable, Juande Ramos' thoughts turned to
Wednesday's UEFA Cup return at PSV Eindhoven, when they try to overturn a
1-0 deficit. The Spaniard brought on Gilberto, Darren Bent and Teemu Tainio
for Robbie Keane, Steed Malbranque and Jonathan Woodgate — still feeling the
effects of an ankle knock from the Carling Cup final. It fell to the villain
of the piece in the first leg against PSV, Gilberto, to make some amends by
sidefooting a third goal with five minutes remaining. Two minutes of added
time flashed up on the fourth official's board, but Bent managed to eke out
an extra 30 seconds, making it minus 12 goals for Curbishley in eight days.
A delighted Ramos said: "It's always good to get a victory that recuperates
morale."
Curbishley desperately needs one of those on Saturday in front of his
increasingly impatient employers.
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Dimitar Berbatov increases woe for Alan Curbishley - The Times
Nick Szczepanik at White Hart Lane
This time last year West Ham United were in the thick of a battle against
relegation that they won only on the last day of the season and now they
already have the 40 points that usually means safety. But seldom can a
mid-table side have seemed in such disarray after what Alan Curbishley, the
manager, called "a dreadful week."
Their third successive 4-0 defeat over a period of nine days was forecast by
their supporters at half-time at White Hart Lane yesterday, although it
hardly needed the powers of a Nostradamus to predict that there would be no
way back once they conceded a brace of headers to Dimitar Berbatov inside 11
minutes and had LuÍs Boa Morte sent off.
In the event, it took two late goals from Gilberto and Darren Bent, the
Tottenham Hotspur substitutes, to prove them right, which may give them a
warped sense of satisfaction. "We've had a dreadful week and managed to
shoot our goal difference to pieces," Curbishley said. "There are not many
options because of injuries and we've just got to get on with it.
"We must get back to where we were. We've played two Champions League teams
[Chelsea and Liverpool] at the top of their games and today was a chance to
bounce back. After the first goal it was an uphill struggle."
With nine recognised members of his first-team squad missing because of
injuries, Curbishley – somewhat optimistically – hoped that the fans would
temper their expectations, but knows that directors hear their chants.
"We're in football and nothing surprises anyone," he said. "They are
realistic and they get the injury updates every Monday. Any other team that
had six or seven out every week would find it difficult. It is a results
business but until this week we haven't been doing too bad. We are still in
the top half and there's all to play for."
Tottenham are five points behind their London neighbours, but on an upward
trajectory, having already qualified for next season's Uefa Cup and having
an outside chance of progress in this season's competition. They trail PSV
Eindhoven 1-0 in advance of Wednesday's round-of-16 second-leg match in
Holland, and although Jonathan Woodgate limped off with a foot injury,
Juande Ramos, the manager, expects him to be fit. "This result allowed the
players to recover their morale after the defeat in the Uefa Cup," Ramos
said.
Berbatov put them ahead after eight minutes, glancing a header low into the
corner from Tom Huddlestone's free kick. Only two minutes later, Spurs were
two ahead with a mirror image of that goal. This time Huddlestone's free
kick was from the left and Berbatov escaped Anton Ferdinand to nod his
second of the match and his nineteenth of the season. "Another set-play has
gone in, and then another one," Curbishley said. "Anton was specifically
designated to mark Berbatov and he has got to dig in. You can't allow centre
forwards toget free headers."
With Boa Morte booked and continuing to get involved in niggling fouls,
things looked distinctly unpromising for the visiting team. Sure enough, the
Portuguese was shown a second yellow card after 44 minutes for a foul on
Aaron Lennon. Curbishley declined to offer him a consoling handshake on his
way off, but the manager should have seen it coming – everyone else inside
White Hart Lane had – and withdrawn him. "He was on thin ice, but he's an
experienced player and I was hoping to get through to half-time and settle
him down," Curbishley said. "I asked for more application and he has been
done for his persistence."
The West Ham fans chanted "We're going to lose 4-0" and they were right.
Although Dean Ashton and Lucas Neill went close in a brief spell of
pressure, Lennon almost made it 3-0 as he shot past Robert Green, only for
Ferdinand to hack the ball away.
Gilberto did score after 85 minutes with a shot on the turn, partly atoning
for the error that cost Tottenham the midweek match against PSV. Bent got
ahead of Jonathan Spector to head in a cross by Alan Hutton in injury time.
Blackburn Rovers, who visit Upton Park on Saturday, are the next team
anticipating a boost to their goal difference.
How they rated
Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): P Robinson 4 A Hutton 7 J Woodgate 8 M Dawson 7 P
Chimbonda 5 A Lennon 7 D Zokora 8 T Huddlestone 7 S Malbranque 7 R Keane 6 D
Berbatov 8 Substitutes: Gilberto (for Malbranque, 57min, 5), D Bent (for
Keane, 69), T Tainio (for Woodgate, 76). Not used: R Cerny, J-P Boateng.
Next: Manchester City (a).
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 6 L Neill 4 A Ferdinand 4 J Spector 4 G
McCartney 4 F Ljungberg Y 4 H Mullins 5 S Parker 4 L Boa Morte R 0 D Ashton
5 R Zamora 4 Substitutes: J Paintsil 5 (for Ljungberg, 70min), M Noble (for
Parker, 75), C Cole (for Ashton, 76) Not used: R Wright, N Solano. Next:
Blackburn Rovers (h).
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Alan Curbishley: Season's work is blown apart - Telegraph
By John Ley
Last Updated: 1:45am GMT 10/03/2008
Tottenham Hotspur (2) 4 West Ham United (0) 0
There is a worrying symmetry about the decline of West Ham. For the third
successive Premier League game they lost 4-0, their latest debacle
accompanied by the first-half dismissal of Luis Boa Morte, the seventh red
card of his career in English football.
A year ago West Ham stood by Alan Curbishley and the club staged a memorable
comeback to preserve their top-flight status. But, following this loss -
courtesy of two goals in three first-half minutes from Dimitar Berbatov and
late additions by Gilberto and Darren Bent - his future as manager looks
decidedly uncomfortable.
West Ham have now conceded 12 goals in nine days and even their own fans
expected the latest drubbing. At 2-0, but mindful of successive 4-0
thrashings by Chelsea and Liverpool, they sang "We're gonna lose 4-0." Their
prophecy proved correct as Tottenham ambled to their easiest win of the
season.
Curbishley was honest in defeat and critical of both Boa Morte and Anton
Ferdinand, the defender supposed to be marking Berbatov. "Defensively we've
been good all season and in a week it's been blown apart," he said. "He
[Ferdinand] gave a penalty away early on against Chelsea, and now this. He's
got to dig in."
Boa Morte had already been cautioned, for a foul on Tom Huddlestone, and
then set off on a one-man crusade to get a second. He eventually went in the
final minute of the first half, following a succession of fouls, for
upending Aaron Lennon.
"He was on thin ice," admitted Curbishley. "He only needed to get to
half-time and then I was going to settle him down. After two wallopings I
asked for more aggression and application, but he's been done for
persistence."
Of his standing with the board, Curbishley added: "I think they are
realistic about it but we will have to see on that score because it's a
results business. But in football nothing surprises any more."
In Curbishley's defence, his injury problems have been horrendous; yesterday
he was without nine players, while Scott Parker and Bobby Zamora were
starting after long absences.
Early on Paul Robinson saved from Dean Ashton, then Zamora's shot hit Boa
Morte - it really was not his day - en route to goal.
But then Spurs took over. After successive defeats at Birmingham and at home
to PSV Eindhoven they needed a response and when Huddlestone delivered a
free-kick from the right, Berbatov had the freedom of north London to head
his 18th goal of the season, in the eighth minute.
By the 10th minute, Spurs had doubled their lead, from an identical move on
the left. This time Berbatov rose high to meet Huddlestone's kick and West
Ham were undone.
The second half deteriorated into a disjointed affair, with Tottenham in
control. Berbatov was denied a hat-trick with a wayward free-kick and
another effort into the side netting. But with five minutes remaining
Gilberto, responsible for the goal conceded against PSV in midweek, atoned
with a squeezed shot into the bottom corner before Bent headed home Alan
Hutton's cross in added time.
Man of the match
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham) 9
• Scored two headed goals
• Fired in six shots in total
• Completed 78 per cent of his passes
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