17.10.2009
Barclays Premier League
Stoke City v West Ham United
Britannia Stadium
Saturday 17 October
3pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Full-time. It is all over here and a battling performance from the Hammers
has sadly resulted in an away day defeat. Backed by some superb travelling
support, Zola's men gave it their all and have just been clapped off by
those fans. They will have to show similar desire in their next game - a
home match with Arsenal in eight days' time.
92 min - A good run by Stanislas sees him feed Faubert on the right. His
back-post cross is headed out to Franco and his attempted overhead cross is
gathered by Sorensen.
90 min - Franco has come on for his Premier League debut in place of
Collison. One glimmer of hope for the visitors is that there will be five
minutes of added time.
88 min - West Ham really need to get their foot on the ball here if they are
to get a late equaliser. At the moment the ball is spending most of its time
in the wrong half.
87 min - Stoke win a corner which they are in no hurry to take. When
Etherington finally swings it in Tomkins once again heads it clear.
85 min - Hines is booked for a late tackle on Lawrence.
83 min - Another change for both teams as Stanislas comes on for Kovac and
Dave Kitson comes on for Beattie.
81 min - Some good link up play between Hines and Cole leads to the latter
being felled on edge of the D. Noble takes it but it is straight into the
wall.
78 min - A change for each side now as Glenn Whelan and Zavon Hines enter
the fray in place of Diao and Diamanti.
76 min - Well I was wrong about the long throws as it appears Diao has a
throw nearly as dangerous. Some good harrying from Behrami has earned West
Ham a corner. The flag kick is headed behind for another one, which Stoke
clear.
74 min - We have 27,206 inside the Britannia today. Cole is booked for a
challenge on Sorensen.
72 min - A flashpoint as Huth appears to strike Upson in the face off the
ball. It has forced the Hammers captain from the field once more. If the
referee had seen it I'm fairly confident that would have been a penalty.
68 min - GOAL! Beattie puts the home side back in front against the run of
play. He was the first to react after Green had palmed Fuller's shot away.
68 min - There will be no more long throws this afternoon from the home side
as Delap is withdrawn. Liam Lawrence is the man to replace him.
67 min - Only a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Shawcross stops Cole from
giving the Hammers the lead. The front man, who has looked dangerous all
afternoon, had broken into the area and looked destined to score before the
intervention.
65 min - Referee Martin Atkinson, who we have seen very little of so far,
calls over Upson to have a word with Kovac, who protested a little too
strongly at a free-kick awarded against him.
61 min - Stanislas, Guille Franco, Manuel Da Costa and Zavon Hines are all
warming up so we could see a change soon.
59 min - A slight break in play as Diamanti is fouled once more. Faubert
comes to the touchline to get some tissue as it looks like he has been cut
as well. It is a real battle out there today.
57 min - They do just that and Faubert's cross is headed behind for a
corner. Diamanti takes it and looks to go for goal but Sorensen saves it on
the line.
55 min - More danger as Etherington's corner is headed goalwards by
Shawcross. It is stopped on the line by a combination of Faubert and Upson
but the Stoke defender follows it up and puts the rebound just wide. West
Ham need to get their foot on the ball here.
53 min - A moment of worry there as Beattie found himself in some space in
the area and curled a shot just high and wide of Green's far post.
49 min - Lovely stuff from the visitors as a five man passing move sees Cole
tee up Diamanti on the edge of the area. He takes a touch and tries to curl
one into the top corner but Sorensen leaps across his goal and makes the
save. Good start.
47 min - Both teams look to be unchanged for the start of the second half.
Upson's cut he picked up in the first half seems to have been cleared up by
the medical team.
46 min - We are underway in the second half.
45 min - Some brilliant defending from Behrami who chase Delap back 30 yards
to win the ball from him. Just a few more minutes and this will have ended
up as quite a good half for the Hammers.
45 min - Three minutes of added time here. Cole has forced Shawcross into
giving away a throw in.
44 min - Some alert goalkeeping from Robert Green there as another Delap
missile is flicked goalwards. The England international got down quickly to
gather the ball on his goalline.
42 min - There was no need to worry as the Ireland international throws it
straight behind for a goal kick.
41 min - The first half is ending in a much better way than it started. But
West Ham will need to defend one more Delap throw here.
38 min - Booking for Shawcross for a late tackle on Diamanti. The Italian's
sock has somehow got ripped as well.
36 min - That is Upson's second goal of the season and his second in the
Midlands. The away support have re-found their voice and greet the strike
with a stirring rendition of 'Bubbles'.
34 min - GOAL! Upson gets the Hammers back into the game with a captain's
goal. The defender arrived late to meet a Noble corner and power a header
past Sorensen. Game on!
34 min - Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas, complete with matching blue
boots, take their turn to warm.
32 min - Green gets a bit lucky as he hacks a clearance away and it nearly
flies straight into Beattie.
29 min - He hits it well but sadly it goes straight into Sorensen's arms.
27 min - Zola has sent three of his subs to warm up but I don't think we'll
be seeing any of them just yet. Salif Diao is booked for a late lunge on
Diamanti 30 yards out, who dusts himself down and gets ready to take the
kick.
24 min - Zola's side have just put together a ten pass move that just lacks
that killer final pass. The West Ham manager will no doubt be encouraged by
the last ten minutes.
21 min - Diamanti fires a long-ranger over the bar, much to the delight of
the home support.
18 min - After a strong start by the home side, West Ham are slowly getting
back into this. They are getting closer to the Stoke players and making life
difficult for them.
16 min - He comes on to attack the Hammers' first corner which was won after
Thomas Sorensen was forced to tip over Cole's looping header. Noble floats
it to the back post but it is cleared.
15 min - Concern for the Hammers here as Upson has taken a blow to the face.
He is being patched up by the medical team down below.
12 min - Another corner to Stoke as Etherington's shot is deflected off
Tomkins.
11 min - GOAL! It is a great spot kick and the Stoke No9 sends it into the
top corner.
10 min - Penalty to Stoke. Faubert slid in on Etherington and did not get
the ball. He is booked and James Beattie is stepping up to take it.
7 min - While we are playing here, there are three other Hammers in action
up and down the country. Matt Fry is making his debut for Gillingham at the
MK Dons, Anthony Edgar is on the bench for Bournemouth at Accrington Stanley
and Freddie Sears in on the bench as well for Crystal Palace away at Cardiff
City.
5 min - The ball is cleared at the expense of a corner, but for the second
time in the opening five minutes Tomkins heads away. Good start from the
defender here.
4 min - Alessandro Diamanti will be playing up front with Carlton Cole it
looks like. At the other end, Stoke have their first throw of the game and
unsurprisngly it well be Delap to launch it in.
3 min - Tomkins gets up to head clear. I imagine that won't be the last
header like that he has to make today.
2 min - It looks like the Hammers will be lining up in a slightly different
4-4-2 formation today with Mark Noble at the point of the diamond. Stoke
have forced an early corner here that Etherington will take.
1 min - We are underway here. West Ham will be attacking the Boothen End in
the first half.
2.59pm - The players are out and their names are being read out. Just a
couple of minutes to go now. West Ham will be wearing the new away kit in
the Premier League for the first time.
2.55pm - We've had our first rendition of 'Bubbles' and the home fans have
responded with their own chant. We could be in for quite an atmosphere here
today it seems.
2.50pm - They have carried that noise on inside the stadium as well and gave
each West Ham United player a huge cheer as they left the field at the end
of the warm up. That will have given them an extra lift with just ten
minutes to go until kick-off.
2.25pm - The West Ham fans are out in force here today and their singing
could be heard as fans from all sides of the stadium were making their way
in. They will no doubt be hoping for a repeat of last season's 1-0 win, when
Diego Tristan's free-kick ensured West Ham became one of just four teams to
leave the Britannia Stadium with three points.
Good afternoon from the Britannia Stadium.
Gianfranco Zola has made three changes to the team that drew with Fulham.
The suspended Scott Parker is replaced by Radoslav Kovac while the fit-again
Valon Behrami and Jack Collison start in place of Luis Jimenez and Zavon
Hines, who both drop to the bench.
Stoke City show an unchanged starting XI from their draw at Everton so
former Hammer of the Year Matthew Etherington will line up against his
former club.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Kovac (Stanislas
83), Collison (Franco 89), Behrami, Noble, Diamanti (Hines 78), Cole
Subs: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Jimenez
Stoke City: Sorensen, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Shawcross, Delap
(Lawrence 68), Etherington, Whitehead, Diao (Whelan 78), Fuller, Beattie
(Kitson 83)
Subs: Simonsen, Higginbotham, Wilkinson, Tuncay
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Defeat in the Potteries
WHUFC.com
A Matthew Upson header was not enough to prevent West Ham United from being
beaten at Stoke City
17.10.2009
Matthew Upson's brave header was not quite enough as West Ham United fell to
a battling 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Stoke City. The England
defender, sporting a nasty gash to his face after being caught by a stray
boot, rose highest to nod past Thomas Sorensen after James Beattie had
earlier given the Potters the lead from the penalty spot. Beattie then added
insult to injury by scoring a barely-deserved winner with 22 minutes
remaining. Upson's goal, his second of the season after an opening-day
header down the M6 at Wolverhampton Wanderers, was the highlight of a
spirited, encouraging display from Gianfranco Zola's side, who will feel
hard done-by after more than matching their hosts in front of a
27,206-strong Britannia Stadium crowd. Stoke started the better, forcing two
early corners before taking the lead through former England striker Beattie
on eleven minutes. The 31-year-old slammed an emphatic spot-kick into the
roof of the net after ex-West Ham winger Matty Etherington appeared to be
clipped by Julien Faubert as he latched on to Ricardo Fuller's back-heel.
Having gone ahead, Stoke continued to press, and it needed strong defending
from Upson and central defensive partner James Tomkins, who threw himself in
front of a goalbound Etherington shot, to repel the hosts. West Ham
gradually worked their way back into the game, with Carlton Cole and Mark
Noble working particularly hard in attacking third. That work paid off
eleven minutes before half-time. Upson, who had earlier received lengthy
treatment after being caught by Ryan Shawcross's right boot, showed no
ill-effects to power the visitors level from Noble's teasing left-wing
corner. The defender timed his run and jump to perfection, arriving late in
the penalty area after not initially realising that Shawcross's clearance
had gone out for a corner and not a throw-in, losing marker Abdoulaye Faye
and heading past a poorly-positioned Sorensen. West Ham kept up the momentum
after half-time, with Alessandro Diamanti twice testing Sorensen with
well-struck shots from the edge of the 18-yard box, first after latching on
to Cole's pass, then by creating space by spinning away from Salif Diao.
Cole then went close himself, latching on to Behrami's through-ball, only to
see his shot blocked by the covering Shawcross. The visitors continued to
press hard, but it was Tony Pulis's side who would score the game's decisive
third goal, with Beattie again on target. The Lancashire-born striker was
the quickest to react, sliding the ball in from close range after Robert
Green had parried Fuller's low shot into his path. There was controversy
soon after the goal when Huth appeared to catch Upson in the face as the
pair waited in the home penalty area to challenge for a Diamanti free-kick,
re-opening the wound the 30-year-old had suffered before the break. Zola
sent on newly-capped England Under-21 striker Zavon Hines and Mexico forward
Guille Franco in search of a second equaliser and, although West Ham
finished much the stronger of the two teams, they were unable to find a way
past Sorensen.
Stoke City: Sorensen, Huth, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Delap
(Lawrence 68), Diao (Whelan 78), Whitehead, Etherington, Fuller, Beattie
(Kitson 84)
Subs not used: Simonsen, Wilkinson, Higginbotham, Tuncay
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac
(Stanlislas 82), Noble, Collison (Franco 89), Diamanti (Hines 78), Cole
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Jimenez
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'The corner is very close'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola is certain it will not be long before his side find that
winning feeling again
17.10.2009
After watching his side fight a competitive, if ultimately fruitless,
90-minute battle with Stoke City on Saturday, Gianfranco Zola feels the
turning point in the current winless streak is getting ever closer. After
falling behind at the Britannia Stadium to an early James Beattie penalty,
Zola's men rallied and Matthew Upson's superb header eleven minutes before
the break got them back into the game. Backed by some vivacious travelling
support, it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous after the
interval.
The visitors were aided by some tireless performances from the likes of
Valon Behrami, Jack Collison and Mark Noble, who were all operating as part
of a four-man 'diamond'. But against the run of play, it was to be Stoke who
were to score the decisive final goal, as Beattie grabbed his second in the
68th minute to seal a 2-1 home win. For the media afterwards, the main
talking point was an incident seemingly not spotted by referee Martin
Atkinson just four minutes after Beattie's second strike. Robert Huth
appeared to catch Upson in the face off the ball, and if the referee had
seen it as violent play, surely a red card and a penalty would have followed
for the German. "I saw the incident [afterwards]," Zola said. "Matthew is OK
now and he has had a few stitches. Looking at the incident after the match,
he would have been sent off. I can only assume the referee didn't see it. "I
haven't spoken to the referee about it. I don't think I need to. I can only
assume he didn't see it as it was quite clear it was a sending off."
Turning to the contest itself, the manager shared his disappointment at
heading home with nothing. "Well it's frustrating for us to come out with no
points because when they scored the second goal it looked like we were going
to win that game. It's tough for me to comment on that. "It's tough for me
to have a go at the players as I think they gave everything. It is
encouraging that if we play like that it will be a different story soon -
that is all I can say about that."
Again the manager felt his team were punished for simple errors. "It's the
same as the situation we had last season, Right now we pay very hard for
every little mistake that we make. The second goal was an easily repairable
mistake in the midfield and they scored. "It is not going our way but the
team is determined to improve. The way they played it makes me feel that the
corner is very close."
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Victory at Portsmouth
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's U18s scored an important 2-0 FA Premier Academy League win at
Portsmouth on Saturday
17.10.2009
West Ham United's Under-18s extended their unbeaten FA Premier Academy
League run to three matches with an important 2-0 victory at Portsmouth.
Second half goals from debutant Dylan Tombides and Ahmed Abdulla (pictured)
saw the Hammers score their first win since the opening day of the season at
Stoneham Lane in Eastleigh. Tombides, who has been in red-hot form for the
Hammers' U16 team this season, opened the scoring before Abdulla made the
game safe, ending a run of seven league matches without a win stretching
back to the 2-1 success at Everton on 22 August. Academy Director Tony Carr
was delighted with the result, saying: "It was a good win for us in what was
a scrappy game on a pitch that was more suited for rugby than for football.
It's a real confidence booster for all of us and we'll look to win again
when we entertain Arsenal on 31 October."
The U16s also tasted victory, thrashing Portsmouth 8-2 at the same venue.
West Ham United U18: Street, Modelski (Driver 75), Craig, Sanchez, Brown,
Barrett, Moncur, Okus, Werndly (Purdy 41), Abdulla, Tombides (Wearen 80)
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Stoke 2 - 1 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Peter Scrivener
James Beattie's brace helped Stoke end a run of five Premier League games
without a win while extending West Ham's winless run to seven games. The
striker smashed in a penalty after Matthew Etherington had been felled by
Julien Faubert but Matthew Upson levelled with a free header. Beattie
tucked in Stoke's winner after Ricardo Fuller's angled shot had been pushed
into his path by Robert Green. Stoke's Robert Huth appeared to punch Upson
late on but escaped punishment. Referee Martin Atkinson and his fellow
officials missed the incident despite the England centre-back being forced
to leave the field with blood pouring from a wound near to his right eye.
Upson had been caught in the face by a stray Ryan Shawcross boot earlier in
the game and Huth's flailing right arm, while the players were waiting for a
West Ham free-kick to be delivered into the box, re-opened the wound. Stoke
ultimately deserved their victory for a typically tenacious and high-energy
performance that unsettled the Hammers from the outset. Etherington, who
played 195 times for West Ham, provided most of the early threat for the
home side. He raced on to Fuller's clever back-heeled pass before being
scythed down by Faubert, who was booked for his challenge, to win the
penalty. Beattie's strike from the spot was clinical, flying beyond West Ham
keeper Green's dive into his top right-hand corner. Left winger Etherington
then appeared on the right before cutting in on his favoured foot, but James
Tomkins deflected his 25-yard effort wide. West Ham, by contrast, were
struggling to string passes together, although much of that was down to Tony
Pulis's well-drilled Stoke side as to the failings of the Hammers to find
their own players. Alessandro Diamanti had their first shot on target some
30 minutes into the game, but even that came from a set-piece after he was
fouled by Salif Diao. The Italian picked himself up, but tamely struck the
30-yard free-kick straight at Thomas Sorensen in the Stoke goal. But the
Hammers were level a couple of minutes later when an uncharacteristic lapse
of confidence in the home defence gifted them an equaliser. It came from
another set-piece as defender Upson was allowed to rise unchallenged eight
yards out and powerfully nod in Mark Noble's corner. After the break, West
Ham boss Gianfranco Zola pushed Diamanti further forward to help top scorer
Carlton Cole, who had spent the first half playing as a lone striker and
being well marshalled by Stoke centre-back Shawcross.
Zola's decision almost paid dividends straight away as the midfielder
produced a neat turn on the edge of the box, but his left-footed curling
effort was comfortably saved by Sorensen, who later held a low striker from
the Italian. Stoke's forays forward were becoming increasingly rare,
although Shawcross did momentarily leave his defending duties on Cole to
head goalwards. Shawcross' effort was blocked by Valon Behrami and he
blazed the follow-up wide. The centre-back was soon back on defensive alert
though to block an effort from Cole, who had escaped his attention for the
first and only time of the afternoon. It proved a crucial intervention as
moments later Beattie scored the winner.
Fuller skipped past Upson's challenge and raced into the box and when his
angled low shot was pushed away by Green, the Stoke striker was on hand to
turn the ball in from close range. West Ham brought on striker Zavon Hines,
but the youngster was unable to proved the spark West Ham needed. And as
the Hammers pushed more and more men forward in search of a second
equaliser, Stoke were able to exploit the gaps opening up at the other end
of the pitch. And Etherington almost had the last word, but his header from
Liam Lawrence's cross flew just wide.
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Stoke manager Tony Pulis: "I'll have a look at the Robert Huth incident and
if he's done anything wrong then we'll deal with it in house. "It was a good
performance. We knew West Ham would have a lot of the ball so we had to try
and keep our shape and wait for the gaps and holes to open up. "Then we
looked dangerous on the counter-attack and we could have scored a couple
more in the last half an hour. "Beattie and Fuller were a handful up front,
but it was a good performance all round and Shawcross's block on Cole was
the turning point."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: I have seen the incident involving Robert
Huth and Matthew Upson on the video and it should have been a red card.
"Probably the referee didn't see it and that is the only justification I can
give for it. "It was another tough match but we did not deserve to lose.
"The performance was encouraging and I can only tell the players to continue
as the corner is close to being turned."
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Wealthy consortium behind new bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th October 2009
By: Staff Writer
A consortium of 'wealthy West Ham fans' are said to be in negotiations with
the club's current owners with regard to the purchase of West Ham United FC.
According to a report in today's News of the World, the consortium opened
negotiations with West Ham's non-executive chairman Andrew Berndhart on
Friday with regards to a £100million bid. The Intermarket Group, which
describes itself as a 'rapidly expanding brand that is achieving significant
recognition within the financial services sector' is led by Jim Bowe, a
successful American businessman who formerly headed the New York Board of
Trade. The remaning members of the consortium are currently unknown, but
according to Bowe are committed supporters with 'the right sentiments'. "My
colleagues and I have been approached by the consortium with the aim of
buying West Ham in its entirety," Boew told the NotW. "We are not interested
in just taking on the debt, or securing a percentage. We want to get West
Ham back on track for the upper echelons of the Premier League.
"We want what the fans want and there is no restriction on us as to how we
achieve that aim. We are in the early stages of our discussions with the
club. But we are optimistic that we can develop a proposal that will benefit
all parties. The best deal is the deal where everyone feels that they've
won. "The consortium comprises West Ham supporters who have made serious
money in the City, the United States and elsewhere and who see the potential
in the club, its fanbase, academy and playing staff. They also possess the
expertise to see West Ham restructured and organised in a way that will help
the club realise its potential. "Fortune has been hiding for too long."
Bowe also revealed that in the event of a successful bid, the group would
grant Gianfranco Zola funds with which to strengthen his slim squad at the
next available opportunity.
"The people involved have the money required, and, more importantly, the
right sentiments," he added. "They have no interest in interfering with the
playing side of things - but they will make money available in the January
transfer window."
One party that could be involved is Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes,
who found fortune as head of AirAsia. A keen Hammers fan, Fernandes was a
guest of the club at the recent home game with Fulham and is said to have a
personal fortune of some $230million. Former Birmingham City owner David
Sullivan, who is not thought to be linked with the Intermarket Group, also
held talks with the club's current owners last week - however those talks
are thought to have ended with the parties some way from agreeing a price
acceptable to both.
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Zola: Huth should have gone
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th October 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola believes Stoke defender Robert Huth should have been
dismissed for his cowardly attack on Matthew Upson in today's 2-1 defeat at
the Brittania Stadium.
The German defender punched England international Upson from behind as the
pair lined up for a corner - an assault that left Upson, who had already
received a black eye from an incident earlier in the game, prone on the
floor. "I saw it on the video after and it looked like a red card," Zola
said. "Probably the referee didn't see that and that's the only
justification for it. "For sure seeing it on the camera afterwards I can say
it should have been a red card. Matthew had some stitches but he looks
alright. He's obviously very disappointed."
Zola - who saw his team slump to a fourth successive defeat on their travels
thanks to James Beattie's 69th minute winner - added that he was
disappointed by the result, but no with the performance. "It was another
tough match for us," he added. "We came out with no points but I don't think
it was deserved. My team played very well and we didn't deserve to lose."
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Stoke City 2 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 17th October 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are now in serious trouble after falling to a fourth
consecutive away defeat at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon. The Hammers
- who are without a league win since the opening day of the campaign - were
beaten at Stoke for the first time in 26 years thanks to a goal either side
of the break - a result that leaves Gianfranco Zola's side two points adrift
of the relative safety of 17th place at the bottom of the Premier League.
Although the Hammers fought well ultimately they return home pointless - and
today there can be few excuses for Zola who had a full compliment of players
to choose from bar the suspended Scott Parker and the perenially injured
Kieron Dyer (long-term injuries excepted).
Once again there will be questions asked of Zola's decision making, for he
waited until there were just 12 minutes of normal time remaining before
making his first substitution - despite being 2-1 down since the 69th minute
and having a bench featuring no less than four attacking options in Jimenez,
Stanislas, Hines and Franco.
The latter clearly cannot have made much of an impression for he had to wait
until the final minute of injury time before being given an airing -
although at least Zavon Hines, brought on with 80 minutes on the clock, had
some influence.
It had looked so much better for the Hammers at the break - not for the
first time this season - after Matthew Upson's first goal since the opening
day of the season ensured Zola's side went into the half time break on level
terms.
England centre half Upson - who endured a torrid time against Fulham in his
last outing - popped up at the far post to convert a Mark Noble corner ten
minutes ahead of the break to restore parity after Stoke had taken an early
lead through James Beattie.
That lead was no more than the Potters had deserved for a lively opening ten
minutes and came from the penalty spot after Julien Faubert was adjudged to
have sent Matthew Etherington tumbling inside the box. Rob Green, despite
diving the right way, had no chance with Beattie's well-struck effort.
However the game was won in the 69th minute when Beattie notched his second
of the afternoon after following up a parried Fuller shot that Rob Green
failed to push wide of his goal - all of which followed a sustained period
of pressure from the visitors.
Stoke, who are always a handful at the Brittania should have been reduced to
ten men moments later after defender Roberth Huth aimed a right hook at
Matthew Upson. The cowardly manner in which he did so - the German standing
behind Upson at the time - probably saved his bacon on the day but a three
match ban will almost certainly follow as the incident was clearly seen on
camera.
That will be little consolation to Zola and his troops tonight however as
they look back on yet another hugly disappointing afternoon, and one which
leaves the club in serious trouble despite the season still being in its
early stages.
Stoke City 2 West Ham United 1: match facts
West Ham Utd: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac
(Stanislas 83), Noble, Collison (Franco 89), Cole, Diamanti (Hines 78).
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Jimenez.
Goals: Upson (34).
Booked: Faubert (10), Cole (75), Hines (85).
Stoke: Sorensen, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Collins, Delap (Lawrence
68), Diao (Whelan 78), Whitehead, Etherington, Fuller, Beattie (Kitson 83).
Subs: Simonsen, Higginbotham, Sanli, Wilkinson.
Goals: Beattie (11 pen, 69).
Booked: Diao (28), Shawcross (38), Whelan (90).
Referee: Martin Atkinson (6).
Attendance: 27,026.
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Beattie brace beats Hammers
Beattie nets twice, Upson gets goal for Hammers
By Steve Pass Last updated: 17th October 2009
SSN
Man of Match: James Beattie. Scored twice to beat the Hammers. His first was
an un-stoppable penalty, while he showed great determination for the second
to beat Julien Faubert to a tap in. A mention must also be given to Ryan
Shawcross who was outstanding in defence for Stoke all afternoon.
Moment of the match: Just before Beattie's winner, Shawcross made a
fantastic block to put out Carlton Cole's shot for a corner at the other
end. If it hadn't have been for this intervention, the Hammers might have
been one up themselves.
Attempt of the match: Alessandro Diamanti shot from the edge of the box but
his left-footed effort was caught by Thomas Sorensen diving full-stretch to
his right.
Save of the match: As above.
Talking point: Robert Huth caught Upson around the head in the box as
Diamanti prepared to take a free-kick. He would surely have been sent off if
the ref had seen it but stayed on the pitch.
Goal of the game: Beattie's tap-in. The striker showed great determination
to beat Faubert to the ball, as did Fuller in getting around Upson to get
his shot in. The hard-work that Tony Pulis demands of his side was shown to
the full here and the Potters got their reward.
A James Beattie brace helped Stoke beat West Ham 2-1 at the Britannia
Stadium and heap more pressure on under-fire boss Gianfranco Zola. Beattie
put the Potters ahead from the spot-kick in the 11th minute - his first goal
of the season - after Julien Faubert brought down Matthew Etherington in the
box. But the Hammers were level on 34 minutes when Matthew Upson rose
unmarked to head home a Mark Noble corner from the left. In the second
period, Thomas Sorensen had to save twice to deny Alessandro Diamanti before
Beattie got the winner in the 69th minute against the run of play. His goal
came after Ricardo Fuller got round Upson on the right and his shot could
only be parried by keeper Robert Green, with Beattie then outmuscling
Faubert to tap in at the far post. His strikes ended a run of four Premier
League matches, which included successive home defeats to Chelsea and
Manchester United, without a win for the Potters. It was also only their
second victory in 14 matches against West Ham, who themselves have not won
since the opening day of the season and are only one place off the bottom of
the Premier League. That former Hammers winger Etherington, who left Upton
Park in January, should have a major part in the breakthrough was no
surprise. He played a one-two with Fuller, whose backheel sent him racing
into the penalty area only to go down under a challenge from Faubert.
Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot and booked Faubert, and Beattie
confidently dispatched the penalty.
West Ham's response saw Diamanti, who was struggling to cope with the
physical opposition put up by Stoke, fire well over from 30 yards. The
Italian's theatrical response to a tackle from Salif Diao earned the Senegal
midfielder a booking and West Ham a 30-yard free-kick in a central position.
However, Diamanti curled his shot straight at Sorensen, who caught it
comfortably. England goalkeeper Green almost embarrassed himself in the 31st
minute at the other end when his duffed kick only just crept past Beattie
five yards in front of him. But it was another England international, Upson,
who grabbed West Ham's equaliser three minutes later. No-one tracked the
centre-back's run from the edge of the penalty area and he was able to head
home Noble's in-swinging left-wing corner unchallenged.
West Ham came out after the break visibly more confident and Diamanti was
first to test Sorensen with a curling left-footed shot which the Dane saved
low to his right. Ryan Shawcross had two chances to put his side in front
again from Etherington's corner, first with a header which was blocked two
yards off the line by Radoslav Kovac and then with his follow-up which he
stabbed wide. The England Under-21 centre-back, who was outstanding all
afternoon, then produced a perfectly-timed challenge at the other end to
block Carlton Cole's shot. Stoke then went ahead again in the 69th minute
thanks to the invention and pace of Fuller and the strength of Beattie.
Fuller turned Upson 35 yards from goal and raced down the inside-right
channel before unleashing a shot which Green could only parry and that
allowed Beattie to out-muscle Faubert and score from close range at the far
post. Robert Huth was lucky to escape without any punishment after appearing
to swing an arm at Upson, who was already carrying a facial injury from an
accidental boot in the face during the first half. Etherington should have
made it 3-1 in the 76th minute, after substitute Liam Lawrence had battled
his way through two challenges in the penalty area, but the winger's
far-post header went wide. Zavon Hines was introduced for Diamanti but his
first contribution was to be booked for a late lunge on Lawrence.
Late on Fuller almost produced a carbon copy of his assist for the second
goal but this time his cross rolled through the six-yard area with no
team-mate close.
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Zola bemoans Huth escape
Hammers boss feels defender should have been sent off
Last updated: 17th October 2009
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola felt Robert Huth should have been sent off
for his clash with Matthew Upson. The incident between the two defenders
overshadowed Stoke's 2-1 win over the Hammers at the Britannia Stadium.
German international Huth appeared to catch Upson in the face as the pair
lined up in the penalty area to contest a free-kick for the visitors. Upson
required several minutes of treatment following the incident, but Huth
escaped punishment from referee Martin Atkinson. Zola admitted after
reviewing the incident that Huth should have seen a red card and he is
unsure if further action will be taken against the Stoke defender. "I saw
the incident. Matthew is okay now, he had a few stitches," said Zola.
"Looking at the video after the match obviously it was a sending-off. I can
only assume the referee didn't see it. "I haven't spoken to the referee
about it. I don't think I need to talk to him. "It is down to the
authorities to decide (whether further action is required) - it won't change
the story for me."
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Pulis to look at Huth clash
Defender could be in trouble after Upson incident
Last updated: 17th October 2009
SSN
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has vowed to deal with Robert Huth after he appeared
to hit Matthew Upson during his side's 2-1 victory over West Ham. Huth
appeared to catch Upson in the face as the pair lined up in the penalty area
to contest a free-kick for West Ham. Upson fell to the floor after being
caught by Huth's arm and needed several minutes' treatment before being able
to resume action. Pulis has revealed he will punish summer signing Huth if
he feels his conduct warrants it. "I will have a look at it and obviously if
he has done it we will speak to him and deal with him in-house," said Pulis.
"I thought the back four were very good today but if he has done that it is
a disappointment."
Pulis was delighted with his side's 2-1 victory, thanks to James Beattie's
double strike. "I think that is most probably West Ham's strongest team this
season - apart from Scott Parker (who was suspended) - and they have some
good players," added Pulis. "They finished ninth last season and they didn't
do that by being mugs so we knew it was going to be a tough game. "They keep
the ball very well and play in a way that they try to suck you out and then
slide balls down the side. "But I don't honestly think (goalkeeper) Thomas
Sorensen had too much to do. "The lads in front of him did fantastically,
although we had to do a lot of chasing today."
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Stoke City 2 West Ham United 1: match report
Telegraph.co.uk
By Phil Shaw
Published: 5:00PM BST 17 Oct 2009
James Beattie ended his scoring drought in style with both goals as Stoke
City not only avenged last May's defeat by West Ham United at the Britannia
Stadium but also recorded their first home victory over the London club in
26 years. Beattie's close-range winner, after Matthew Upson had cancelled
out his early penalty, lifted Stoke into the top half of the Premier League.
West Ham remain second from bottom, Gianfranco Zola's side having failed to
win since the first day of the campaign at Wolves. Premier League fixtures
2008/09: Manchester United open title defence against NewcastleStoke, who
were fortunate that referee Martin Atkinson did not see Robert Huth strike
Upson in the face late in the game, had been intent on putting a tame
display in their previous home game, against Manchester United, behind them.
Their aggressive start was rewarded in the 11th minute following a
back-heeled pass by Ricardo Fuller to Matthew Etherington. The left-winger,
who left Upton Park for the Potteries in January, tumbled heavily after
Julien Faubert's ill-advised challenge. Beattie stepped up to thrash the
penalty past Robert Green and into the roof of the net, the former England
striker's first goal of the season.
West Ham responded neatly but lacked the penetration to trouble Thomas
Sorensen on the Danish goalkeeper's 400th first-team appearance. When they
equalised, 11 minutes before half-time, Stoke were hoist by their own
petard, being caught out by a set-piece. From a corner swung in by Mark
Noble, Sorensen set off to collect the ball only to hesitate in no-man's
land. His error was compounded when the normally commanding Abdoulaye Faye
appeared to lose concentration, allowing Upson a free header. West Ham
dominated possession in the second half, but with 21 minutes remaining,
Stoke counter-attacked to telling effect. Salif Diao's pass saw Fuller
cleverly evade Upson's rash challenge before crossing low to the far post.
Green parried, but Beattie, under pressure from Faubert, managed to hook the
ball home as he fell.
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Stoke's James Beattie scores twice to leave West Ham in the bottom two
Observer report
Stoke City 2 Beattie (pen) 11, Beattie 69
West Ham United 1 Upson 34
Paul Doyle at the Britannia Stadium guardian.co.uk, Saturday 17 October 2009
15.39 BST Article history
Tony Pulis insisted in the programme that West Ham were "far better than
their current position suggests" but the ensuing performance by Gianfranco
Zola's men did nothing to suggest that was anything other than a platitude.
It took ominously little for Stoke to lift themselves into the top half of
the table and leave the visitors writhing second from bottom with a solitary
win from eight games.
These two clubs look to be headed in different directions and,
appropriately, the contrast between their styles was also stark. West Ham
aspired to create through nifty passing and movement, but rarely summoned
sufficient smartness to outwit the home defence. Stoke attacked irregularly,
and with a bludgeon.
The game's first two goals, then, were paradoxical. Stoke opened the scoring
thanks to a canny back-heel from Ricardo Fuller that caught West Ham's
winger-turned-uncomfortable-full-back, Julien Faubert, by surprise. The
Frenchman tripped his opponent and James Beattie smashed the penalty into
the top corner.
West Ham's equaliser was simple. Mark Noble swung in a corner and, with
Stoke's defence in an uncharacteristic slumber, Matthew Upson rose to head
into the net. Thereafter the pattern returned, West Ham knocking the ball
around without looking dangerous, and Stoke scampering diligently after
them. It was torpid fare.
In the second half things perked up. Beattie blasted a shot over the bar and
Ryan Shawcross had a header blocked on the line. Shawcross then intervened
decisively at the other end, sliding in to thwart Carlton Cole just as the
striker wound up a shot. Upson's inability to replicate that tackle paved
the way for Stoke's second goal. Fuller collected and fired in a low shot
that Robert Green spilled. Beattie bundled the ball into the net.
Moments later Upson went forward for a free-kick and, as he jostled for
position, was caught in the eye by Robert Huth's flailing hand. Zola said
Huth should have been sent off but the referee, Martin Atkinson, took no
action. "I'll have a look at it and if there was anything in it we'll deal
with it in-house," Pulis said.
There was no hint of any kind of fightback from West Ham, who became ragged
and could have ended up losing by more. "It's frustrating to come out with
no points because we could have won," Zola said. "We're playing very well
but we're being punished very hard for every mistake we make at the moment,
but if we keep playing like that it will soon be a different story."
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James Beattie double denies Hammers
Stoke 2 West Ham 1
Alessandro Diamanti of West Ham and Dean Whitehead battle for the ball
The Times
John Aizlewood at Britannia Stadium
WITHOUT a win since the opening day of the season and in what seems
suspiciously akin to financial freefall, West Ham United's plummet to the
lower reaches beneath Hull City and Wolves has been descent by stealth, but
amid such bleakness there is hope — on and off the field. They lost again
yesterday, to two preventable James Beattie goals. There was, however, a
tenacious performance that might have brought tangible rewards, not least if
Robert Huth had received punishment for decking Matthew Upson with a
fearsome right hook. "I didn't see it," said the Stoke manager, Tony Pulis,
"but if he's done it, we'll speak to him and deal with it in-house." "I saw
it," said West Ham's manager, Gianfranco Zola. "It was a sending-off. I
assume the referee didn't see it."
Off the field, West Ham have been linked with a possible £100m takeover by
an American-led multi-national consortium, fronted by Wall Street
businessman Jim Bowe, the former head of the New York Board of Trade. If the
deal goes ahead Zola will be given money to spend in the January transfer
window.
West Ham, burdened with a width-free 4-3-2-1 formation, were soon making
things more difficult for themselves. Ten minutes in, Ricardo Fuller's
delightful backheel hopelessly wrongfooted James Tomkins. Before Matthew
Etherington could reach it, the erstwhile Hammer was upended by Julien
Faubert. Referee Martin Atkinson made one of his easier decisions and
Beattie belted home the spot kick. And yet, call it second-season syndrome,
Stoke sat back. That natural leader Mark Noble began to assert himself,
Herita Ilunga began to overlap effectively, Carlton Cole was almost
Stoke-esque in his muscularity and when Ryan Shawcross gave away a cheap
corner, Noble curled it in. James Collison's run drew two defenders, Stoke
keeper Thomas Sorensen dithered and Upson headed the equaliser.
Moments later the game slipped through West Ham's hands. Fuller beat Upson
to a long ball and crossed low. Robert Green fumbled and Beattie nipped
ahead Faubert to settle matters. The visitors slung everyone forward in
search of the leveller that would never come. For Stoke, mission
accomplished; for West Ham, things can only get better.
Star man: Ricardo Fuller (Stoke)
Yellow cards: Stoke: Diao, Shawcross, Whelan West Ham: Faubert, Cole, Hines
Referee: M Atkinson
Attendance: 27,026
STOKE: Sorensen 6, Collins 6, Shawcross 7, Abdoulaye Faye 6, Huth 5, Diao 6,
Delap 6, Whitehead 6, Etherington 5, Fuller 7, Beattie 6
WEST HAM: Green 6, Faubert 5, Tomkins 6, Upson 6, Illunga 6, Behrami 7 Noble
7, Kovac 6 (Stanlislas 83min), Collison 6 (Franco 89min), Diamanti 6 (Hines
78min), Cole 7
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Claims Robert Huth punched Matthew Upson overshadow Stoke win against West
Ham
Published 19:09 17/10/09
By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has pledged to deal with Robert Huth after he
appeared to hit West Ham defender Matthew Upson in the face during the 2-1
victory at the Britannia Stadium. The summer signing from Middlesbrough
swung at the Hammers captain as the pair lined up in the penalty area to
contest a free-kick for the visitors. Upson collapsed to the floor after
being caught by Huth's right arm as he ran past his opponent and required
several minutes' treatment before returning to the action. "I will have a
look at it and obviously if he has done it we will speak to him and deal
with him in-house," said Pulis. "I thought the back four were very good
today but if he has done that it is a disappointment."
The incident slightly over-shadowed a powerful performance from the Potters
as James Beattie scored his first two goals of the season to end a run of
four matches without a win. Beattie confidently fired home an 11th-minute
penalty and then out-muscled Julien Faubert to force home the rebound from
Ricardo Fuller's shot 20 minutes from time.
West Ham equalised in the 34th minute through Upson's header but struggled
to create much after that. "I think that is most probably West Ham's
strongest team this season - apart from Scott Parker (who was suspended) -
and they have some good players," said Pulis. "They finished ninth last
season and they didn't do that by being mugs so we knew it was going to be a
tough game. "They keep the ball very well and play in a way that they try to
suck you out and then slide balls down the side. "But I don't honestly think
(goalkeeper) Thomas Sorensen had too much to do. "The lads in front of him
did fantastically, although we had to do a lot of chasing today."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola gave match official Martin Atkinson the
benefit of the doubt over the Huth incident but he felt the defender should
have been sent off.
The Italian said: "I saw the incident. Matthew is okay now, he had a few
stitches. "Looking at the video after the match obviously it was a
sending-off. I can only assume the referee didn't see it. "I haven't spoken
to the referee about it. I don't think I need to talk to him. "It is down to
the authorities to decide (whether further action is required) - it won't
change the story for me."
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Alan Curbishley eyes £2m compensation from West Ham
Abhimanyu Rajput - 17 October 2009
Soccerway.com
Alan Curbishley West Ham United are bracing themselves for more financial
bad news when former manager Alan Curbishley's case of constructive
dismissal is finally heard before an independent Premier League tribunal
next month. Curbishley is confident of matching the £2million recently won
by Kevin Keegan against Newcastle United, with strong similarities between
the two cases. The ex-West Ham boss is claiming the club broke a promise not
to sell George McCartney to Sunderland on transfer deadline day in 2008,
giving him no choice but to resign. The Icelandic-owned club have been
badly affected by the global financial crisis and manager Gianfranco Zola
has been forced to scale down his squad and sell key players. The club is up
for sale and is attracting interest from a handful of English buyers.
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ZOLA'S WAGES NIGHTMARE AT WEST HAM
Underpaid kids ready to quit
News Of The World
By Neil Ashton, 17/10/2009
GIANFRANCO ZOLA faces a battle to hold on to some of West Ham's biggest
young stars after a massive wage discrepancy emerged. Some of the kids in
the first team at Upton Park are being paid just £400 a week - £70,000 less
than stars such as Scott Parker. Established stars at the troubled club,
such as Parker, England duo Robert Green and Carlton Cole, along with
injured striker Dean Ashton earn fortunes. Their enormous salaries dwarf
some of the rising stars playing in the same team as they fight a battle
against relegation from the Premier League. Under-fire technical director
Gianluca Nani claims the club are not in a position to offer Premier League
salaries - despite offering Barcelona's former Chelsea striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen £70,000-a-week in the summer. Striker Zavon Hines, who has
already made seven first team appearances for the stricken club this season,
pulls in just £400 a week. The Hammers striker, 20, is the final year of his
contract at Upton Park and Nani has yet to make an offer. Others, such as
highly-rated midfielder Josh Payne, who has been named as a Premier League
substitute by Zola more than 20 times, is in the same position. Amazingly
Jordan Spence, who is now on loan at Championship side Scunthorpe, is paid
more to be playing at unfashionable Glanford Park. Sources at Upton Park
have revealed that his contract with West Ham is worth £400 a week - £350
less than he earns on loan playing for the Championship strugglers. Even
central midfielder Jack Collison, already a regular with the Wales national
side, is on just £2,000 a week at West Ham. He is currently in talks with
the club over an improved deal, but will be paid nowhere near the same
salary as the senior stars. Left winger Junior Stanislas, who scored twice
in the infamous Carling Cup tie against Millwall earlier this season, is on
£1,500 a week. Team-mate James Tomkins, who is tipped to become a future
England central defender, commands around £4,000 a week. Many of the senior
stars at Upton Park are on legacy contracts from Icelandic businessman
Bjorgolfur Gudmonsson's disastrous regime at the club. Under their former
chairman Eggert Magnusson the ambitious Hammers paid sky-high salaries to
attract some of the Premier League's more established players. That changed
during the financial downturn, but now West Ham's young collection of stars
are being under-paid by Premier League standards. Many of the rising stars
fighting for a first team place are threatening to quit the club at the end
of the season when their contracts run out. Although they recognise the
legacy contracts paid to established first team professionals, they are
still way behind the salaries paid to kids at other clubs.
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US TYCOON IN £100M BID TO BUY WEST HAM
Consortium bid to take over Hammers
News Of The World
By Neil Ashton, 17/10/2009
AN American consortium has launched a £100million to bid to buy troubled
West Ham. The London-based Intermarket Group began negotiations on Friday
night and are confident of landing the club in time to hand boss Gianfranco
Zola a substantial budget for the January transfer window. The multinational
consortium is made up of wealthy West Ham fans and is led by Intermarket
Group chief executive and Wall Street mogul, Jim Bowe. Bowe is the former
head of the New York Board of Trade and is a hugely successful businessman
in his own right. He was recruited specifically to oversee the deal and the
group made contact with Andrew Bernhardt, chairman of CB Holdings, the
company that runs West Ham. The bid is being prepared in New York and Bowe
said: "My colleagues and I have been approached by the consortium with the
aim of buying West Ham in its entirety. "We are not interested in just
taking on the debt, or securing a percentage. We want to get West Ham back
on track for the upper echelons of the Premier League.
"We want what the fans want and there is no restriction on us as to how we
achieve that aim. We are in the early stages of our discussions with the
club. But we are optimistic that we can develop a proposal that will benefit
all parties. The best deal is the deal where everyone feels that they've
won. "The consortium comprises West Ham supporters who have made serious
money in the City, the United States and elsewhere and who see the potential
in the club, its fanbase, academy and playing staff. "The people involved
have the money required, and, more importantly, the right sentiments. They
have no interest in interfering with the playing side of things, but they
will make money available in the January transfer window. "They also possess
the expertise to see West Ham restructured and organised in a way that will
help the club realise its potential. Fortune has been hiding for too long."
A successful bid would bring to an end The Irons tale of woe which has seen
the club taken to the brink of administration in the last 18 months after
the Icelandic owners suffered in the credit crunch. Former Birmingham City
owners David Sullivan and David Gold made a tentative approach but are
looking to get the Hammers on the cheap. Bowe and his consortium have made
it clear they are willing to reach a quick agreement to bring back some
stability. A source close to the group said: "Jim is aware there are other
people in the market to buy West Ham but Intermarket want to push a deal
through as quickly as possible. "They believe it's vital Gianfranco is given
as much support as possible and then be given the appropriate funds to bring
in some quality players.These are West Ham fans, people who've had the club
at heart for a long time. They want to do something before it's too late."
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COLE: OUR BIG FIGHT
The Mirror
By Marc Isaacs 18/10/2009
Carlton Cole insists the takeover talk at West Ham is not affecting the
players and they're determined to avoid a relegation dogfight. West Ham have
suffered a nightmare start and are facing turmoil off the pitch. Former
Birmingham supremos David Sullivan and David Gold are being strongly linked
with amove to buy the club as the Icelandicowners looking for away out of
Upton Park. England star Cole said: "Takeover talk is not affecting the
players. "We are doing everything we can to help the club get out of this
situation.
"We really need to start getting results now. I feel we can get out of this
situation. "We have faced this kind of thing before, and the boss has got
great faith in us. "We must keep our heads held highandkeepplugging away."
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Hammers will fight FA riot rap
Tom Hopkinson
The people
West Ham will tomorrow tell the FA that they were not to blame for the
shameful scenes that marred their Carling Cup clash with Millwall in August.
Fa chiefs have told both clubs they face tough punishments, which could even
include being forced to play games behind closed doors. But West Ham, vowing
to fight the charges all the way, will tell the FA that they did everything
in their power to avoid the disturbances. A source said: "The club took
advice on policing and stewarding levels from the relevant authorities and
all the requirements were met." Shame: Yob Both clubs have been charged with
failing to ensure their fans refrained from racist behaviour; failing to
ensure supporters "refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and
provocative behaviour," and failure to ensure they did not throw missiles on
to the pitch." West Ham were also charged with failing to prevent their fans
entering the field of play. The two clubs were given 14 days to respond to
all charges and that deadline passes tomorrow. West Ham's promise to fight
the FA will now see a date set for a disciplinary hearing.
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