26.01.2010
Portsmouth v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Fratton Park
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Andre Marriner
Andre Marriner brings the game to a close and West Ham must settle for a
point. The visitors were the better team for the first half and should have
been ahead but for the superb goalkeeping of Begovic. Pompey rallied after
the break, though, and had chances to snatch all three points. All in all, a
fair result at Fratton Park.
94 min - End to end stuff as Utaka has a chance to win the game for the
hosts. Thankfully, he fires his shot straight at Green.
93 min - That looked dangerous as Webber cut inside in the box, but he could
only manage a weak shot that Green gathered comfortably.
91 min - Cole has looked good since he came on and he nearly manages to tear
away from his markers using his power and pace. Sadly, the ball is just
hooked away from him at the vital moment.
90 min - We are into the first of four minutes of added time at Fratton
Park. Will the Hammers go for the winner or sit back and settle for a point?
89 min - Marriner brings out his cards once more as Mokoena is carded for a
late lunge on Kovac.
88 min - The home side are having the better of the closing stages but are
not able to test Green. The Hammers need to get their foot on the ball.
87 min - Final change for the visitors as Junior Stanislas comes on for
Diamanti.
84 min - Brilliant from Cole. He shows quick feet to turn away from Kaboul,
before blasting the ball a yard too high of Begovic's crossbar.
82 min - Webber has looked dangerous since his arrival and he comes close to
turning in John Utaka's cross.
81 min - Tomkins is not able to continue and Manuel da Costa takes his
place.
76 min - GOAL! - The home side restore parity through Webber. Boateng
appeared to catch Tomkins in the face and as the centre back lay stricken on
the ground, Webber took full advantage and slid the ball under Green.
75 min - Cole gets his first touch and comes close to helping the Hammers to
a second. His cross eventually falls at the feet of Behrami, who blazes
over.
73 min - A change for each side as Piquionne makes way for Danny Webber. For
the visitors, Cole comes on for his first match since 28 November in place
of Nouble, who impressed again up front.
71 min - You cannot take your eyes off this for a second as at the other
end, Faubert nearly catches Begovic out with a near-post shot. However, the
'keeper just manages to turn it round the post.
70 min - The home side have a superb chance to get level as first Spector,
and then Faubert slip. The ball falls to Boateng, but he puts his shot wide.
69 min - Noble makes another vital tackle in the middle of the park as the
Hammers break up a rare Pompey attack. The homegrown Hammer has been
outstanding tonight in the absence of Scott Parker.
67 min - A few moments of alarm there as Boateng fires a shot straight at
Kovac and the ball catches him at waist height. The home fans scream for a
spot kick but referee Andre Marriner waves away their claims. Boaten takes
his protests a little too far and is booked for dissent.
64 min - Mullins is the first player to be taken off as he is replaced by
Anthony Vanden Borre.
63 min - Nouble has another great chance to get his first Premier League
goal but once again Begovic, who has been outstanding, denies him.
61 min - The home side force a corner and come so close to taking the lead
from it. Basinas whipped it in and Wilson met it with a firm header that
flew just over.
60 min - Noble is booked for pulling Boateng's shirt.
58 min - And that is probably just what Portsmouth did not want to see as
Cole makes his way to the touchline to warm up. His appearance is met by a
song from the away support.
57 min - The Hammers are pushing for a second now, which put the game beyond
Portsmouth. Nouble does well to touch Faubert's forward ball into the path
of Behrami, but he drags his shot wide. Good stuff from Zola's side.
54 min - Behrami is down after a late tackle from Angelos Basinas. The
Pompey midfielder is booked for the foul and Behrami eventually makes his
way to his feet after getting some treatment.
52 min - GOAL! Well that soon changes as Upson gives the Hammers the lead.
Diamanti had picked up a return from a corner and lifted in another centre
with his right foot. Kaboul appeared to have beaten Upson to the ball but
his headed clearance appeared to hit the West Ham captain in the chest
before trickling over the line.
49 min - The second half has started as much as the first finished with no
clear openings so far.
46 min - Portsmouth kick off the second half. The Hammers will be attacking
the goal to my right this half, just in front of the away support.
Half-time
45 min - Portsmouth force a corner as Upson hacks the ball behind. Spector
wins a vital header at the far post and the danger is averted.
45 min - Two more minutes will be added at the end of the half.
44 min - Two minutes to go until half time and I would say it has been
fairly even so far. The Hammers have probably had the better of the chances,
but the home side have looked dangerous going forward.
40 min - West Ham are battling hard here and Kovac and Spector combine to
win the ball back just in front of the main stand here.
36 min - Noble is down again and this time it is a problem with his
shoulder. Andy Rolls the physio is called on and Noble leaves the pitch.
But, once again, he is back in the action again a short while later.
33 min - It has all got a bit scrappy now with long balls and mis-placed
passes creeping into the game. Let's hope that the Hammers can get back to
their passing game soon.
28 min - Noble has been superb so far in the holding role but there is a
moment of worry as he stays down following a challenge from Kevin-Prince
Boateng. Thankfully, he gets back to his feet a moment later.
24 min - This is non-stop action now as back up the other end, another great
save from Begovic denies Jack Collison, who looked certain to score. That
really was a save of the highest order.
23 min - The game has really come to life now and Green makes a great save
to deny Aaron Mokoena from 20 yards. From the resulting corner, Noble is
forced to head clear off the line.
21 min - The best two chances of the game fall to West Ham straight after
each other. First Behrami's pass picked out the run of Nouble, whose shot
was saved Begovic and the Diamanti forces the Pompey 'keeper into another
great save from the rebound. So close!
19 min - Well maybe I spoke too soon as Hermann Hreidarsson's cross just
evades Frederic Piquionne's outstretched boot. That was close.
18 min - The ball has spent most of the time in the middle of the pitch and
neither side had created a decent chance of note.
14 min - It is taken by Diamanti but Begovic comes out to claim.
13 min - A great tackle from Noble wins the ball back from West Ham and then
Kovac is tripped to give them a free-kick on the left just inside the Pompey
half. Diamanti swings it in and Younes Kaboul heads it behind for a corner.
10 min - West Ham string together a decent 20-pass move which only ends when
Nouble is just brushed off the ball by Wilson. Portsmouth were struggling to
get the ball back then, which will have given the visitors a lift.
8 min - Great forward play from Nouble as he holds off and then turns Marc
Wilson, before crossing straight into the hands of Begovic.
5 min - Good chasing from Valon Behrami as usual there. He closed the
defender down so much he managed to fire the first shot of the game in,
which did not threaten Asmir Begovic in the Pompey.
3 min - West Ham have started in the 4-5-1 formation they have been using in
recent weeks, with Frank Nouble leading the line once more. Diamanti is out
on the right at the moment, with Collison on the left.
2 min - The home side have found their voice now and a chant of 'Blue Army'
is ringing around the ground.
1 min - West Ham kick-off and will be attacking the goal to my left in the
first half.
7.47pm - It remains to be seen whether 'Mr Portsmouth' will be shirtless
tonight as I have yet to see him. I will of course keep you updated.
7.46pm - Here they come now and the away support give a stirring rendition
of 'Bubbles' to welcome their side to the pitch.
7.45pm - It looks like we may have a late start here as the players are yet
to appear.
7.42pm - David Gold and David Sullivan have both taken their seats for their
first game since becoming owners at the Boleyn Ground.
7.41pm - In case you needed reminding, the Hammers romped to a 4-1 victory
last time they were at Fratton Park. That was Boxing Day 2008 and on Boxing
Day 2009, they recorded a 2-0 home win when Alessandro Diamanti and Radoslav
Kovac were among the goals.
7.40pm - Just five minutes to go until kick-off now and the away end is
almost full. Down on the pitch the mascots are getting lined up ready for
the arrival of the two teams. What a crucial game this is for both teams.
7.36pm - The players head off back to the dressing room, but not before the
away support give the goalkeeping coach a chant of "Ludo, Ludo."
7.28pm - West Ham are in the final stages of their preparation now and Ludo
Miklosko is setting the midfielders and forwards up for some shooting
practice. Cole has just buried one past Marek Stech and that,
unsurprisingly, gets a big cheer from the claret and blue faithful behind
the goal.
7.23pm - The Hammers have sold their allocation of tickets - twice. After
the initial 1,900 tickets were sold, Portsmouth sent another 400 tickets,
which were quickly snapped up over the weekend. Those that have managed to
get their hands on a ticket will be delighted to see Cole out on the pitch
warming up with his team-mates once more.
7.15pm - It really is a chilly night on the south coast tonight and several
of the West Ham squad are wearing hats and gloves for their warm up.
7.10pm - The Portsmouth players jog out for their pre-match warm up, closely
followed by Matthew Upson and the West Ham United players. They are met with
a chant of 'Irons, Irons' from the away support away to my right.
Gianfranco Zola has made one enforced change to the West Ham United side
that drew at Aston Villa nine days ago for Tuesday's Barclays Premier League
visit to Portsmouth.
Scott Parker has failed to recover sufficiently from the hamstring injury he
suffered at Villa Park, with Alessandro Diamanti taking his place in a
five-man midfield.
The Hammers' leading scorer Carlton Cole is back after nearly two months on
the sidelines with a knee injury and is named among the substitutes. The
26-year-old has not appeared since netting a penalty in the 5-3 home victory
over Burnley on 28 November.
Portsmouth, who recall Steve Finnan in defence, name former Hammer Hayden
Mullins in their starting XI - exactly a year to the day since he left the
Boleyn Ground.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins (da Costa 81), Upson, Spector,
Diamanti (Stanislas 87), Kovac, Behrami, Noble, Collison, Nouble (Cole 73)
Subs: Stech, Daprela, Jimenez, Sears
Portsmouth: Begovic, Finnan, Kaboul, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Basinas, Mokoena,
Mullins (Vanden Borre 64), Boateng, Utaka, Piquionne (Webber 73)
Subs: Ashdown, Ben Haim, Hughes, Ritchie
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Point apiece at Portsmouth
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson's right shoulder secured West Ham United a Barclays Premier
League point at Fratton Park
26.01.2010
West Ham United began the David Sullivan and David Gold era with a 1-1
Barclays Premier League draw at Portsmouth. The Hammers arrived in the
birthplace of the novelist Charles Dickens with great expectations of
scoring a victory over the division's bottom side, and looked to be on
course for three points courtesy of captain Matthew Upson's right shoulder.
There was more than a little good fortune about the England defender's third
goal of the season, which arrived seven minutes after half-time. Alessandro
Diamanti's corner was cleared back to the Italian, and when his right-foot
cross arrived at the far post, Younes Kaboul's back-header hit Upson before
looping past the stranded Asmir Begovic.
Unfortunately for joint-chairmen Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold, watching on from
the Directors Box, as well as the 2,300 travelling fans huddled together in
the Milton End of a freezing Fratton Park, the visitors were unable to hold
onto their slender lead. Substitute Danny Webber was the villain of the
piece, slotting a low shot past Robert Green with 14 minutes remaining.
The first half was a Jekyll and Hyde of a 45 minutes, with long periods of
inactivity interspersed with moments of genuine excitement at both ends of
the pitch. Both goalkeepers produced superb reflex saves to keep the
scoresheet blank midway through the opening stanza. The Bosnian was the
first to shine, making two fine stops in a matter of seconds to deny Frank
Nouble and Diamanti. The England Under-19 striker saw his shot blocked by
the legs of Begovic and, when the ball bounced out to the Italian, the
goalkeeper flung himself to his right to push his shot aside.
Not to be outdone, Green was called into action 60 seconds later, plunging
low to his right to keep out Aaron Mokoena's snap-shot. From the resulting
corner, the excellent Mark Noble - deployed in a holding midfield role - was
in the right place to clear Kaboul's volley off the line. A breathless
period of action ended when Begovic produced arguably the best save of the
night to tip Jack Collison's goalbound shot inches past his far post. The
remainder of the first half passed off without major incident, save for a
speculative Angelos Basinas shot that Green was able to handle with ease.
Into the second period and, with every player aware of the importance of
securing three important points, the game became increasingly stretched.
While both teams showed plenty of attacking intent, clear-cut opportunities
initially proved difficult to come by. When one did appear for Pompey 20
minutes from time, Kevin-Prince Boateng could only drag his shot into the
side-netting from no more than 12 yards. Having seen Noble, Basinas and
Boateng all booked for mis-timed challenges, Zola sent on Carlton Cole for
his first appearance since injuring his knee in the 5-3 home victory over
Burnley on 28 November. The England striker's first contribution was to
fashion a shooting chance for Behrami, only for the Swiss to smash his shot
over the top.
Seconds later, it was another replacement, Webber, who snatched a point for
Avram Grant's side. Boateng appeared to catch Tomkins with a stray arm, but
nothing was given by referee Andre Marriner. The German continued, finding
John Utaka, who slid in the former Manchester United trainee to finish from
15 yards. The closing moments of the game were increasingly fraught as both
sets of players' desperation to avoid defeat became apparent. With Green -
who was forced into action late on by Webber and Utaka - standing firm
through four agonising minutes of added-time, West Ham did just that, and
will hope to build on their point when Blackburn Rovers visit the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday afternoon.
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Payne growing after goal
WHUFC.com
Josh Payne is hoping to build on his weekend debut goal for Wycombe
Wanderers
26.01.2010
Josh Payne marked his debut for Wycombe Wanderers with a stunning 25-yard
strike but then still insisted he had had a "bad game." Payne joined the
Chairboys on an initial one-month loan deal last week and went straight into
Gary Waddock's side for the League One visit to Southend United on Saturday.
The 19-year-old midfielder then suitably marked his arrival with a
64th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw. "That was one of my bad games and I
needed the goal," Payne said. "I'll take the goal, but everything else was
slack from me and I've got to get used to it. You are only as good as your
last game, so I can only get better. "They boys and I needed something
positive from the game. The goal got us back on our feet and following that
we looked like we were going to win it."
Payne has already enjoyed a debut goal at another loan club after
registering in his first game with Cheltenham Town last season. "I never
normally score. However, when I was at Cheltenham I also scored a debut goal
- it must be one of those things. I'm not really a goalscorer but I'll take
that one. "It was nice to get the boys back in the match in my first game
for the club."
Payne and his new team-mates will next be in action on Saturday, when they
travel to Bristol Rovers. Wycombe sit 23rd in the League One standings,
seven points from safety with 18 matches remaining. Another of West Ham's
loanees, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, will hope to be involved when his KSV
Roeselare side attempt to overturn a 3-2 first-leg deficit against KV
Kortrijk in the quarter finals of the Belgian Cup on Wednesday evening.
Finally, Andrea Zola will hope to make his Grays Athletic debut when Julian
Dicks's side go to Kidderminster Harriers in the Blue Square Premier on
Tuesday night. The manager's son has joined the Essex club on a month-long
contract.
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Portsmouth 1 - 1 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Marc Vesty
Striker Danny Webber rescued a point for Portsmouth in a scrappy draw which
does little to help either side's prospects of Premier League survival. West
Ham could have been well clear but for the heroics of goalkeeper Asmir
Begovic, who saved from Frank Nouble, Alessandro Diamanti and Jack Collison.
The Hammers' lead came fortuitously, as Younes Kaboul's headed clearance
looped in off the chest of Matthew Upson. But substitute Danny Webber's
slick finish earned Pompey a deserved point. Looking at the statistics it
seemed obvious why these two sides, who have both spent most of this season
battling financial meltdown, have also spent the vast majority of the
campaign struggling against relegation. Lack of creativity or a proven
goalscorer has clearly hindered both, with Pompey's return of 18 goals in
their previous 21 games and West Ham's four goals in their last seven league
games telling the story. However, on a night filled with goalmouth action,
not necessarily all coming through high-quality build-up play, both side's
continually threatened to boost their goal tally. After a drab start on a
bitterly cold night on the south coast, the game was brought to life in an
explosive six-minute spell in the first half where both goalkeepers proved
their worth in a frantic exchange.
West Ham's livewire striker Nouble set pulses racing when he burst clean
through to put himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Begovic but the youngster
was denied by a point-blank save, before Begovic tipped Diamanti's curling
follow-up effort wide. Almost immediately Pompey hit back as Aaron Mokoena
found a yard of space but his drive was palmed away by a fully-extended
Robert Green. Again Nouble was at the heart of West Ham's forward play as he
played a one-two with Jack Collison, whose 12-yard shot looked destined for
the corner before Begovic sprung to fingertip the ball around the post with
a stunning save.
Pompey's resistance did not last though and West Ham finally managed to beat
Begovic on 52 minutes when Diamanti's back-post cross was challenged for by
Kaboul and Upson, with the Pompey defender's attempted clearance ricocheting
off Upson and looping over the helpless Begovic. Pompey's dismal luck
continued when Marc Wilson powered his header over the bar from six yards
when he really should have levelled proceedings. And Kevin-Prince Boeteng
was the next Pompey player guilty of wasting a golden opportunity when he
arrived on the edge of the box to meet John Utaka's cross but scuffed his
effort into the side netting. Portsmouth's second-half pressure finally told
when substitute Webber sprung the Hammers' offside trap and slipped his
finish through the legs of Green for his first Premier League goal for
Pompey. Utaka smashed a rasping effort straight into the hands of Green as
the home side threatened to take all three points but West Ham held out to
ensure Pompey remain in deep trouble at the bottom of the table.
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant: "It was a very tight game as expected. "They
came to fight, we came to fight. We dominated the game first half but they
created both chances. "Second half we were better but I don't know how they
scored. "We showed a lot of character, we scored a goal and could have
scored two more. "We did everything to win especially in the second half.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "I think it feels like two points dropped.
"We had control of the game and I didn't see them coming back, we also had
two chances to score again. "I'm delighted with the performance of the
players. "It was another brilliant performance attitude-wise and I think
with this attitude we will play better and better."
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West Ham agree fee for McCarthy and target Gudjohnsen
BBC.co.uk
West Ham are set to sign South African striker Benni McCarthy after agreeing
an undisclosed fee with Blackburn. The 32-year-old, who has only started
nine games this season, is now set to discuss personal terms with the club.
But Rovers boss Sam Allardyce labelled McCarthy "selfish" for missing
training in an effort to force through the move. West Ham are also
reportedly close to signing former Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on
loan, with parent club Monaco set to pay most of his wages. The 31-year-old,
who has also been linked with Blackburn, was the subject of a late enquiry
from Harry Redknapp, but the Spurs manager suggested a deal with the Hammers
had already been done.
"I spoke to his agent, he said he was going to West Ham, so I left it with
the agent," said Redknapp. "I would take him on a loan. He would be good
loan signing playing in different systems. He's a good footballer and an
interesting player on a loan but I think he's gone to West Ham."
With both deals expected to go through in the next 24 hours, McCarthy and
Gudjohnsen could line up together in the Hammers' next match which,
ironically, is against Blackburn.
And Rovers boss Allardyce has done little to hide his disgust at McCarthy's
efforts to force a move to the Londoners, telling BBC Radio Lancashire: "The
only loyalty a player has got is to himself. That's not just Benni, that's
all players today. "It's more about a selfish attitude that they have. If
something comes their way that they think they must have, they try their
very best to go and get it."
McCarthy joined Blackburn from Porto in the summer of 2006 and has scored 52
times for the club but is eager to boost his chances of playing for South
Africa when they host the World Cup this summer. Rumours of his exit from
Ewood Park have been rife for months, with McCarthy voicing his frustrations
about a lack of first-team opportunities.
Allardyce told the club's website he would "listen to offers" but would only
agree to sell if both the "commercial and football reasons satisfy Blackburn
Rovers". Blackburn have been linked with Turkey international Yildiray
Basturk from German side Stuttgart and Stoke's James Beattie. Despite being
£110m in debt, West Ham are prepared to splash out as they fight to remain
in the Premier League following the takeover by former Birmingham City
owners David O'Sullivan and David Gold. And Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has
admitted that the recruitment of a striker before the end of the transfer
window is a priority. "We need more strikers - that is the position we are
lacking most at the moment," said the Italian. "The club has said that we
need reinforcements, but we haven't spoken about any budgets. "I trust them
(the owners) and that is good enough for me. Obviously the players have to
be my choice, but they are very collaborative."
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Portsmouth 1 West Ham United 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United blew a string of chances to build an unassailable lead
before conceding a late equaliser in tonight's Premier League clash with
Portsmouth.
Matthew Upson had given Gianfranco Zola's side - watched for the first time
by new joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan - a deserved lead six
minutes into the second half. However the Irons then wasted a string of
chances before former Sheffield United striker Danny Webber - on the field
for just three minutes - fired home a controversial equaliser.
A first half not unbecoming of two teams battling nervously against
relegation played out predictably with little drama, although both
goalkeepers played their part in ensuring the stalemate. Rob Green made a
smart save from Portsmouth captain Mokoena midway thorugh the half, although
was perhaps a touch fortunate not to find himself picking the ball out of
his net when a Hreidarsson centre across the face of the six-yard box was
narrowly missed by a stretching Piquionne at the far post.
At the other end reserve 'keeper Begovic had to be at his best to deny Frank
Nouble on 21 minutes when the youngster had a clear run on goal, and again
seconds later to prevent Alessandro Diamanti from converting the resulting
loose ball. However he saved his best for a stunning save two minutes later
when Jack Collison thought he had completed a superb counter-attack on the
left side - not so, as the 'keeper seemiingly defied gravity to tip
Collison's goalbound effort wide of the post.
The second half - a distinct improvement on its predecessor - was sparked
into life by Upson's somewhat fortuitous 51st minute opener. Alessandro
Diamanti's deep cross would have been diverted to safety by former Tottenham
defender Kaboul had it not been for the presence of the Irons captain behind
him. Kaboul's header appeared to rebound off the chest (or chin) of Upson
before looping over the head of Begovic, who for once could do little more
than watch the ball fall over the line.
Visibly bouyed by the goal, West Ham set about putting the game to bed and
certainly created enough chances to do so. For the next quarter-of-an-hour
they dominated the game and Diamanti, Valon Behrami, Nouble and Julien
Faubert all went close to extending United's lead. The fact that they failed
to do so ultimately proved costly - as it has done so often this season
already.
Portsmouth, perhaps sensing that they had successfully fended off West Ham's
best blows set about clawing their way back into the game. Boateng and
Kaboul should both have done better with chances from close range before the
home side finally struck gold with quarter-of-an-hour remaining, albeit in
the most controversial of circumstances.
James Tomkins, flawless all night, was clearly floored by a flailing Boateng
arm right in front of referee Andre Marriner. The fact that moments later he
was taken off with what looked like concussion cemented the fact that it
should have been a clear foul, if not a red card for serious foul play.
Not so according to Marriner - who afforded similar leniency to Sunderland's
Lorik Cana in the 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this season - who
waved play on, to the advanatge of Portsmouth who used the space afforded by
a stricken Tomkins to send substitute Webber through on goal.
A smart finish followed - Webber expertly placing the ball between Rob
Green's legs - although it was disappointing that play had been allowed to
continue. From a West Ham perspective at least; no doubt a
delighted/relieved Avram Grant will claim Wenger-like that he didn't see the
incident.
Thereafter the game could have gone either way with both sides creating a
number of half chances, although West Ham were possibly the more relieved of
the two sides to hear the final whistle. No doubt a good game (or second
half, at least) for the neutral, but a result that does neither team any
great favour.
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Gudjohnsen has Hammers medical
Spurs also make contact regarding former Chelsea ace
Last updated: 26th January 2010
SSN
Sky Sports News understands Eidur Gudjohnsen has undergone a medical at West
Ham United, but Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the Monaco forward.
Gudjohnsen only moved to Monaco from Barcelona during the summer transfer
window, but is being lined up for a January return to the Premier League.
The former Bolton and Chelsea ace has been linked with several clubs,
including Blackburn Rovers, who are managed by his former Trotters boss Sam
Allardyce. However, struggling West Ham currently appear to be in pole
position to bring the Iceland international back to English football. The
31-year-old has been put through the first stage of a medical by the
Hammers, although he has yet to agree personal terms to secure a switch to
Upton Park. Tottenham have also made contact regarding a deal for
Gudjohnsen, but ex-Hammers boss Harry Redknapp expects the forward to join
his former club. "I spoke to his agent, he said he was going to West Ham, so
I left it with the agent," Redknapp said after Spurs' 2-0 win over Fulham.
"I would take him on a loan. He would be good loan signing playing in
different systems. "He's a good footballer and an interesting player on a
loan, but I think he's gone to West Ham."
West Ham, meanwhile, are closing in on a deal to snap up Benni McCarthy from
Blackburn Rovers after agreeing personal terms with the striker. A fee has
already been agreed with Rovers and the South African is due to have a
medical on Wednesday ahead of completing a move to Gianfranco Zola's side.
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Zola pleased with attitude
West Ham boss happy with commitment of side at Fratton Park
By Steve Pass Last updated: 26th January 2010
SSN
Gianfranco Zola was pleased with the attitude of his side after West Ham
earned a point at fellow relegation strugglers Portsmouth. Pompey keeper
Asmir Begovic pulled off a fantastic double save to deny Frank Nouble and
then Alessandro Diamanti in the first period, while West Ham counterpart
Robert Green had to be at full stretch to deny Aaron Mokoena. Begovic
produced another top-notch save to deny Jack Collison in the first period
before the Hammers eventually took the lead seven minutes after the interval
when Matthew Upson scored from a Diamanti cross. But rock bottom Pompey
equalised via substitute Danny Webber with 14 minutes remaining to earn a
share of the spoils. Zola told Sky Sports: "I should be pleased because it
is a very good point against a team that is behind us. "But I thought the
way we played and the way we were in control of the game I thought we were
going away with more than one point. "But it's OK - we played a good match,
we had control of the game and we created many chances. "Unfortunately we
didn't convert all of them but I am pleased with the performance of the
team, the commitment of the players right now is fantastic and there is a
very good positive guarantee for the future."
Zola believes his side should pull away from trouble if they continue to
show the same attitude. He added: "I am delighted with the attitude that the
players are playing with, I think if we maintain that kind of attitude we
are going to be alright."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pompey fightback dents Hammers
Webber strike cancels out earlier Upson effort
Last updated: 26th January 2010
SSN
Man of the match: Asmir Begovic. Three brilliant saves.
Moment of the match: Double save from Begovic to keep out Nouble and then
Diamanti.
Attempt of the match: Utaka's overhead kick from near the penalty spot.
Save of the match: Begovic's first-half save to deny Collison.
Talking point: Manuel Da Costa's Mohican hair cut. Is Begovic as good as
David James? On this evidence, yes.
Goal of the game: Danny Webber's neat finish.
Rock bottom Portsmouth fought back to draw 1-1 with fellow relegation
strugglers West Ham at Fratton Park. Both sides created chances in the first
period, with Pompey keeper Asmir Begovic pulling off a fantastic double save
to deny Frank Nouble and then Alessandro Diamanti. West Ham counterpart
Robert Green had to be at full stretch to deny Aaron Mokoena at the other
end, before Begovic produced another top-notch save to deny Jack Collison.
The Hammers took the lead seven minutes after then interval when Matthew
Upson scored from a Diamanti cross. But Avram Grant's battlers equalised via
substitute Danny Webber with 14 minutes remaining - his first Premier League
goal for the club - to earn a share of the spoils. Portsmouth went into the
clash without Papa Bouba Diop and Michael Brown, who limped out of last
Saturday's FA Cup win over Sunderland with hamstring and back injuries
respectively. Right-back Steve Finnan returned from a groin injury, while
goalkeeper David James sat out and reportedly remains on the brink of
joining Stoke. West Ham striker Carlton Cole started on the bench as he
returned from a knee injury.
Pompey had the best of the opening exchanges with former Tottenham
midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng's trickery ensuring his side the lion's
share of possession. Striker Frederic Piquionne came within inches of
scoring after 19 minutes, when John Utaka fed Hermann Hreidarsson, who
scuffed the ball across the face of goal but the number nine failed to
connect and the ball squirmed out. The game exploded into life after 20
minutes and Begovic needed to be at his best to keep Pompey on level terms,
when Nouble stormed through on goal. The Serb flew to his left to save the
striker's effort and then diverted Diamanti's follow-up wide. Pompey charged
straight down the other end and Green needed to be at full stretch to turn a
drive from Mokoena wide seconds later. Boateng's corner found Frenchman
Younes Kaboul, whose volley was scrambled off the Hammers line. The pendulum
then swung back in West Ham's favour and Nouble slotted Collison through on
goal, but Begovic turned his shot across goal wide. Piquionne nearly handed
Pompey the lead after the break, when he flicked Kaboul's long ball forward
towards goal, but he failed to get sufficient purchase on the ball to knock
it past Green. Hammers quickly went down the other end of the field and
skipper Upson gave the East Londoners the lead after 52 minutes. Pompey
cleared a Diamanti corner from the right, but the Italian curled the ball
back to the far post. Upson challenged for the ball with Younes Kaboul and
diverted the ball past Begovic with his chest to send the West Ham fans
behind the goal wild.
Pompey defender Mark Wilson had a golden opportunity to level from an
Angelos Basinas corner after 61 minutes. But the young defender was unable
to hit the target with a free header from four yards out. Boateng was
dejected after 70 minutes, when Utaka's low cross from the right found him
unmarked on the left side of the box and he dragged his effort into the side
netting. Upson had an opportunity to bag his second moments later, but his
header from Mark Noble's cross was wide. Pompey boss Grant then introduced
striker Webber for Piquionne for the final 17 minutes, and the ex-Manchester
United man made an almost instant impact. Boateng headed the ball down for
Utaka, who slotted Webber in beautifully to coolly pass the ball under Green
and net his first Premier League goal for Portsmouth. Webber nearly doubled
his tally after 81 minutes, when he flicked Utaka's cross from the left just
over the bar. But the Hammers held on for a point which ensures Pompey
remain in deep trouble at the bottom of the table.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Portsmouth 1 West Ham 1
The Sun
From MARK IRWIN at Fratton Park
Published: 26 Jan 2010
THE club is a shambles, they don't pay their wages and no one even knows if
the owner actually exists. Yet crisis club Portsmouth simply refuse to lie
down and die despite the kickings they now take on a daily basis. Boss Avram
Grant watched sub Danny Webber snatch a 77th-minute equaliser to drag West
Ham right back into the relegation dogfight.
And he insisted his team will continue to fight their Mission Impossible
until survival is no longer an option. He said: "It will not be so easy to
kill us off. All our difficulties and problems have still not broken us.
"Other teams might not have kept going but we keep fighting because we have
great spirit and character."
Disappointed West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola claimed centre-half James Tomkins
had been elbowed by Kevin-Prince Boateng in the build-up to Webber's goal.
Yet he was happy just to maintain his team's gradual climb away from the
relegation zone in front of his club's new owners. The visitors had taken
the lead in bizarre fashion on 52 minutes when Younes Kaboul's header hit
Matthew Upson's chest and looped over keeper Asmir Begovic. It was cruel on
the Pompey keeper, who had kept out efforts from Frank Nouble, Alessandro
Diamanti and Jack Collison before the break. Nouble, 19, also squandered
another glorious chance to secure his team's first away win since the
opening day of the season. And that is why Zola will be so keen to buy a
striker or two after being given the green light to enter the transfer
market. Grant, too, will bolster his squad after the transfer embargo was
lifted yesterday but he can only make loan or free transfer signings. He
said: "This is the first good news we've had for some time but we needed the
embargo lifted on January 1, not the 26th. Tonight I only had six players on
the bench and two of those were injured and could not play. "I'd like to
sign three or four more and we need to keep everyone here if we want to stay
in this league."
Zola is convinced the arrival of David Gold and David Sullivan will prove a
turning point for his team. He said: "It is starting to get better but I am
still disappointed with this as we had control and I couldn't see them
scoring. "But it's OK. We played a team below us and it was important to
keep the gap. "Maybe we will have more quality in the future but whoever
comes in has to have the same attitude as these boys."
SUN STAR MAN - JOHN UTAKA (Portsmouth)
Portsmouth: Begovic 7, Hreidarsson 7, Wilson 6, Mullins 5, Finnan 6, Kaboul
6, Utaka 8, Boateng 7, Mokoena 6, Piquionne 6, Basinas 6. Subs: Vanden Borre
(Mullins 64) 5, Webber (Piquionne 73) 7. Not used: Ashdown, Ben-Haim,
Hughes, Ritchie, Webber. Booked: Boateng, Basinas. Moekena.
West Ham: Green 6, Faubert 5, Tomkins 7, Upson 6, Spector 6, Kovac 5, Noble
7, Behrami 6, Diamanti 5, Nouble 5, Collison 6. Subs: Cole (Noble 73) 5, Da
Costa (Tomkins 80) 5, Stanislas (Diamanti 87) 5. Not used: Stech, Daprela,
Jimenez, Sears. Booked: Noble.
Ref: A Marriner 7.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers fight Spurs for Eidur
The Sun
By ROB BEASLEY
Published: Today
HARRY REDKNAPP last night made an 11th-hour bid to hijack Eidur Gudjohnsen's
West Ham switch. The Spurs chief's move for the ex-Chelsea forward, 32, will
anger new Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who saw their
club scrape a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth in their first match in charge.
Gudjohnsen was in London for an Upton Park medical ahead of a loan from
Monaco so Redknapp, whose side beat Fulham 2-0, grabbed the chance to make
his move.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam's parting shot at Benni
The Sun
By MARTIN BLACKBURN
Published: Today
SAM ALLARDYCE last night fired a parting shot at AWOL striker Benni McCarthy
- claiming he is only joining West Ham for the money. The South African said
he wanted to quit Blackburn because a shortage of first-team action was
harming his World Cup dream. Yet McCarthy started four of Rovers' last seven
matches and boss Big Sam hit out over his reported £2million Hammers switch.
Allardyce, who faces Wigan tonight, said: "Someone will have got to Benni.
They'll have said, 'It's your sort of deal' and he'll fancy it. "He's been
very badly advised as there is still a chance he'll have to come back here."
Midfielder David Dunn, 30, has signed a 2½-year deal at Rovers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham owners get off to a bad start
The Times
Gabriele Marcotti
David Gold and David Sullivan have spent much of the time since their
takeover of West Ham badmouthing the previous regime, while making no
distinction between the guys who blew all the Icelandic money on
mega-contracts for Kieron Dyer, Freddy Ljungberg and Luis Boa Morte (perhaps
because it was their mate Alan Curbishley?) and the guys who actually
managed to take West Ham to ninth place last year while making a £30m profit
in the transfer market and nearly halving the wage bill (BTW, Birmingham
never finished as high as ninth in the top flight with Gold and Sullivan in
charge, though they may do so now that the two Davids are gone).
They've complained about the debt and that's fair enough. Less logical were
complaints about having too many midfielders and not enough strikers (well,
the manager did play with just one centre forward and West Ham have four on
their books, plus Dean Ashton who was forced to retire - how many strikers
do Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool have?). And the one about having 21,000
club shirts in stock was downright bizarre. Is that a lot? Is that a little?
It's kinda tough for the majority of us who are not mass retailers of
sporting apparel to judge.
Anyway, Gold says he's convinced the club needs more strikers ("two, maybe
three") and his first move is to bring in Benni McCarthy and Eidur
Gudjhonsen. Let's take a closer look, shall we?
McCarthy turns 33 later this year and supposedly cost £2.5m. Given his age,
his resale value is likely to be zero and, since he signed a two-and-a-half
year deal, it looks like the club will be paying his wages until he's 35. He
has scored one Premier League goal in 14 appearances this season. By
contrast, Guillermo Franco, who is a year older and is by no means a
superstar but nevertheless has scored three times as many goals as McCarthy,
cost nothing and makes less than half what McCarthy makes. He's an example
of a short-term, quick-fix option that has a limited downside.
But, of course, he was signed by the previous regime so he must be rubbish.
Best to go for McCarthy, the guy who can't win a spot in the starting XI at
Blackburn.
Gudjohnsen's problem is that, simply put, he's not a striker. He hasn't been
a striker since the start of his Chelsea career, whcih was nearly a decade
(and two clubs) ago. You don't have to be an obsessive fan of Spanish or
French football to know that. You just need to consider the fact that he has
scored a grand total of ten league goals in 81 appearances over
three-and-a-half seasons since leaving the Premier League. Or that, this
season, he has scored a total of ZERO goals in 11 league appearances for
Monaco. He's 31 and he's had his share of injuries which may explain why he
has lasted 90 minutes just once this season.
In their heyday, Gudjohnsen and McCarthy weren't just good players, they
were great players. And - who knows - maybe they will be great players again
and be crucial in keeping West Ham in the top flight.
But, right now, their signings smack of a distinct lack of imagination (if
not nous). Not to mention the fact that, for better or worse, West Ham
already have four English strikers on their books. Two of them are England
Under-21 internationals (Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines), another is an
England Under-19 international who cost the club all of £50,000 in the
pre-Gold/Sullivan shoestring days (Frank Nouble) and the fourth was capped
for England in their last match (Carlton Cole). So much for local owners
championing the cause of local lads, eh?
The bottom line is that West Ham were on the brink of financial oblivion and
West Ham fans should only be grateful to Gold and Sullivan for buying the
club. Unlike others, they are neither time-wasters, fantasists or convicted
fraudsters. That said, the relentless bad-mouthing of what came before (the
shoestring regime run by Scott Duxbury) is unnecessary. And if bringing in
Gudjohnsen and McCarthy is the kind of bright, forward-thinking planning
they think will keep West Ham up, then it may well be a long and painful
summer for West Ham fans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham agree a fee for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy
Neil Gardner
West Ham United have agreed a fee with Blackburn Rovers for Benni McCarthy.
Rovers expect to receive about £2.25 million for the South Africa forward
and are currently looking for a replacement. The 32-year-old, who also
attracted interest from Everton and Celtic, has reportedly been offered a
two-and-a-half-year contract at Upton Park.
McCarthy, who was Blackburn's top scorer in two of his three full seasons at
the club, has been their most productive striker this campaign despite
starting only seven League games. However, McCarthy has infuriated Rovers by
staying away from training for the last three days in order to try to force
a move through. "The only loyalty a player has got is to himself," Sam
Allardyce, the Rovers manager, said. "It's more about a selfish attitude
that they have. That's not just Benni, that's all players today." "If
something comes their way that they think they must have, they try their
very best to go and get it." McCarthy joined Blackburn from Porto in the
summer of 2006, scoring 52 times, but wants regular first-team football to
boost his chances of playing for South Africa in the World Cup. Blackburn
rejected offers of more than £6m for McCarthy from Chelsea and Sunderland
after his first two seasons at the club. West Ham are able to hire limited
reinforcements in the transfer window after their takeover last week by
David Gold and David Sullivan. The former Birmingham City owners bought a
controlling interest in the heavily indebted club from Icelandic-controlled
parent company CB Holding. Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said
buying a striker in the January transfer window was a "priority" after the
retirement of Dean Ashton and a long-term injury to Carlton Cole.
Blackburn have been linked with Yildiray Basturk, the Turkey international
currently at Stuttgart, Stoke City's James Beattie and Eidur Gudjohnsen,
once a player with Allardyce at Bolton and now at Monaco.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp: 'I'd like Gudjohnsen on loan'
Published 23:46 26/01/10 By John Cross
The Mirror
Harry Redknapp last night made an 11th hour attempt to snatch Eidur
Gudjohnsen from under West Ham's noses. Redknapp watched his team
consolidate fourth place with a 2-0 win over Fulham to move two more points
clear of Liverpool. But even as he plotted the Cottagers' downfall at White
Hart Lane, Redknapp had his sights set on the former Chelsea striker. He
admitted his interest and claimed that Monaco are willing to pay part of his
wages to offload the out-of-favour striker who has fallen out with coach Guy
Lacombe. Gudjohnsen has already had a medical at West Ham, but Redknapp
said: "I like him. He's a good footballer and an interesting player on a
loan. It wouldn't be a case of gazumping anyone because he's available on a
loan. "I spoke to his agent today, he said he was going to West Ham, so I
left it with the agent. I think he may be going to West Ham. "But I would
take him on a loan. He would be a good loan signing. He wouldn't just be a
striker because he can play in different positions, different systems.
"We've spoken to his agent but I've now left it up to the chairman because I
don't get involved in contracts and wages. "But someone told me he may be
available, I thought it could be a good deal if we could get him. "Someone
told me that Monaco will pay part of his wages so that seemed like a good
deal, something we could go for."
Redknapp was delighted with win over Fulham and the performance of Luka
Modric in particular. He added: "It was good to get the three points and
keep the pressure on for fourth place. "I was pleased with the way the tgeam
responded and Luka Modric was outstanding for us tonight." Spurs are nine
points off leaders Manchester United but have also put three points between
themselves and Liverpool after the Reds could only draw at Wolves.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Portsmouth 1-1 West Ham: The Daily Mirror match report
Published 23:01 26/01/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
To a side like Portsmouth the emergence of keeper Asmir Begovic must be like
finding a tenner down the back of the sofa. Without a pot to powder their
nose in, the south coast club will sell anything they can lay their hands on
if it will bring in a few bob. And, as West Ham discovered to their cost,
the value of Bosnian Begovic is slowly rising. It was his brilliance in
front of goal that reminded new Upton Park owners David Gold and David
Sullivan that while the good times may be returning to the club off the
pitch, there is still a massive job to be done on it. West Ham should have
been out of sight long before Danny Webber climbed off the subs bench to
rifle the ball between Robert Green's legs on 76 minutes. Before that Younes
Kaboul turned Matthew Upson's close range effort into his own net seven
minutes after half time. But it was down to Begovic that the east Londoners'
advantage was not far greater by then. His first, fabulous stop came on 20
minutes from rookie striker Frank Nouble who looked odds on to score when
Valon Behrami's ball found him unmarked in the box. Nouble killed the ball
brilliantly and needed only to pick his spot. But Begovic, who has played
once for his country, worried the former Chelsea man out of it. Begovic then
recovered magnificently to get down low and keep out Valon Behrami's effort
from the rebound. And the Portsmouth keeper produced an even more remarkable
save three minutes after that, when Nouble teed up Jack Collison, whose low
curler looked destined for the bottom corner. David James, for whom Begovic
was deputising, was sat on the bench presumbaly primed for his impending
move to Stoke. But if Portsmouth resist the temptation to cash in on to
Begovic they could just have a chance of staying up.
Boss Avram Grant was faint with his praise afterwards insisting saying only:
"He's a young goalkeeper and he put in two great saves. He's a good
goalkeeper doing well."
But West Ham will rue the good form of Begovic whose saves mean they have
still won only once in their last nine matches, they have won only once all
season away from home and remain out of the drop zone on goal difference.
Indeed, Portsmouth finished this game much the stronger of the two sides
and, had they put away some of their many chances, they could have gained a
remarkable victory. This was the fourth time in a row that the south coast
side had fought their way back into a match after falling behind. Grant,
whose previous role saw him dealing with the haves at Chelsea, praised his
have-nots for their work-rate and application. He added: "It's impressed me
a lot. I've gone from one extreme to the other. It's a big challenge. It
would have been a challenge without all the problems. It's impressed me the
way the players have responded. "Half of these players weren't even in the
squad three months ago. I'm very proud of these players after the game on
Saturday [against Sunderland] and now today. It's easy in a top team. To do
what we did tonight is much harder."
Despite the Hammers being lucky to escape with a point, boss Gianfranco Zola
was continuing to see the glass only as half full. Carlton Cole was back
from injury and his young team once again gave their all. Indeed, with
experienced campaigners Benni McCarthy and Benjani waiting in the wings -
Spurs are believed to have hijacked the Hammers' move for Eidur Gudjohnsen -
Zola warned any newcomers will have to match the hunger of his Junior
Hammers. The Italian said: "Maybe, as you say, we may need something more
but I can only praise these players. Their attitude is unbelievable. "They
give everything for the team, and that's important. Maybe we will have more
quality in the future, but whoever comes in has to have the same attitude as
these boys. That's the key for success."
Grant meanwhile has admitted being grateful for the Premier League's
decision to partially lift Portsmouth's transfer embargo. The Fratton Park
outfit can now bring in loan players and free transfers but remain barred
from doing cash deals. Grant, who was still unable to fill the substitutes
bench last night, said: "This is the first day we've had good news. But if
you look how things needed to be, we needed it on January 1. "We need three
or four news players. We had 16 players for this game. We had 14 on Saturday
[against Sunderland]. The embargo is lifted, we can bring only loan players
or non-contract players, so we'll try to do our best. We only have four days
and itíll be difficult, but we need to. The squad is very short."
Confirming his first move will be to bring Jamie O'Hara back on loan from
Spurs, he added: "I had Plan A on January 1, Plan B on January 3, and now
it's Plan Y. But I would like three or four. "When all the squad is here,
with the character they show, that will be enough. I hope we can get O'Hara
back. He knows the team and was good for us. As I understand it, that's
possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce claims McCarthy only moving to West Ham for the money
Published 23:00 26/01/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has dismissed Benni McCarthy's claims that he is joining West
Ham to boost his World Cup hopes - insisting he is actually going for the
money. The Hammers last night agreed a £2.5million deal for the hitman which
will lift his pay packet from £35,000-a-week to the £50,000 mark. Allardyce
agreed to the move after McCarthy went AWOL this week to force the angry
Rovers boss into a corner. The South African has spent the past few months
demanding to leave Ewood Park to land a place in his country's World Cup
squad for this summer. He has been in and out of the side for most of the
season and is now behind youngster Nikola Kalinic in the pecking order at
Rovers. But Allardyce said: "If you're at a club you have to play for your
place - World Cup or not. If you're not consistent enough then you don't get
in the side. Simple as that. "It's a player's responsibility to give his
best performance every week. "The reason he is going will be the size of the
contract and the size of the money that Benni will have already seen talked
about. "I know it's said it shouldn't happen but it does. West Ham won't
have been in contact with Benni directly but I would think that somebody
will have got to Benni saying it's your sort of deal and he will fancy it."
The Rovers chief is still fuming at McCarthy's shock decision to go on
strike but insists Blackburn have not been bullied into doing a deal with
West Ham. He said: "We will do what is right for our football club. Benni
has been advised by someone to stay away from the club, but we will not be
bullied by anybody." The Rovers boss is now ready to begin talks with
Stoke's James Beattie as he hunts a replacement for McCarthy And he has
urged his players to show McCarthy that Rovers can get by without him by
beating Wigan tonight. Allardyce said: "It's up to the players to go out and
show that we don't need Benni McCarthy. That we can do it without him. That
would be great."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Benni McCarthy move to West Ham with David Bentley next
on Gianfranco Zola's transfer radar
By Simon Cass
Last updated at 2:47 AM on 27th January 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have stepped up their bid to ensure their Premier League survival
with a flurry of transfer activity. After Benni McCarthy moved to Upton Park
from Blackburn in a £2.5million deal Eidur Gudjohnsen was on the verge of
joining him after a medical. The former Bolton, Chelsea and Barcelona
forward is expected to sign today after his current employers, Monaco,
agreed to let him leave for nothing. And Tottenham winger David Bentley, who
scored in their 2-0 win over Fulham last night, emerged as another West Ham
loan target. Ironically, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp last night
revealed he was keen to sign Gudjohnsen, 31, on loan and said: 'I like Eidur
and I've spoken to his agent. 'He's a good footballer. I thought he was
going to West Ham but I left it with my chairman. He would be a good loan
signing. 'We've got a lot of games coming up and he can play in different
systems.' If Gudjohnsen, 31, joins McCarthy both could feature against
Blackburn on Saturday. This would pitch the South Africa forward, who had
effectively gone on strike to force through his move, against his former
manager Sam Allardyce.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers poised for double signing?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy and Monaco's Eidur Gudjohnsen are both set
to undergo medicals at West Ham, according to reports tonight. SkySports say
that both McCarthy - who succesfully negotiated a medical with West Ham once
before whilst at Porto in 2005, only to see the Portuguese club pull out of
the deal at the last moment having already agreed a fee of £6.3million - and
Icelandic international Gudjohnsen are in the final stages of completing
moves to West Ham. The 32-year old South African has finally been allowed to
leave Blackburn after Rovers accepted an offer thought to be worth
£2.5million. Gudjohnsen is set to arrive on loan for the rest of the season.
Speaking after tonight's 1-1 draw at Portsmouth, Joint Chairman David Gold,
responding to questions regarding the club's transfer activity admitted that
the club were unable to confirm any new arrivals at this stage - although he
was confident of pushing through at least one deal. "We're making process,"
he said. "It's like two steps forward and three steps back at the moment.
But we're close; I'd be disappointed if we don't bring in at least one
striker. "We are pursuing three, if we get two from three we'll be very
excited - and if we get one, then we'll have to live with that."
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce was rather less enamoured by the prospect of
losing a player to a rival, claiming that McCarthy's head may have been
unfairly turned:
"The reason he is going will be the size of the contract and the money," he
said. "West Ham won't have been in contact with Benni directly but somebody
will have got to him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers close on Gudjohnsen and McCarthy
By Soccernet staff
January 26, 2010
West Ham United are closing in on a double signing to reinforce their attack
with Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy agreeing a move to Upton Park and
former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen arriving in England for a medical. New
Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan immediately targeted new
strikers after purchasing the club earlier in the month and although an
attempt to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy proved fruitless, the club are poised to
make their first signings of the January transfer window. Rovers striker
McCarthy, who earned a rebuke from Sam Allardyce for missing training as
speculation surrounded his future, is believed to have agreed a
two-and-a-half year deal with the Hammers. McCarthy, 32, must still undergo
a medical with the London club but is expected to complete a transfer worth
a reported £2.25 million to bring to an end his three-and-a-half year stay
at Ewood Park. Monaco forward Gudjohnsen - who played for Chelsea between
2000 and 2006, and alongside Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola for three years
- is also reported to have undergone the first part of a medical ahead of a
loan move to Upton Park. Gudjohnsen, 31, left Chelsea in 2006 to join
Barcelona and spent three seasons at Camp Nou before a move to France in the
summer of 2009. Speaking after Tottenham's 2-0 win over Fulham on Tuesday
night, Harry Redknapp confirmed he had shown an interest in the player but
that Upton Park was his likely destination. "I spoke to his agent, he said
he was going to West Ham, so I left it with the agent," Redknapp said. "I
would take him on a loan. He would be good loan signing playing in different
systems. He's a good footballer and an interesting player on a loan but I
think he's gone to West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Portsmouth 1 - 1 West Ham United
ESPN
Updated: January 27, 2010, 8:09 AM UK
Portsmouth substitute Danny Webber notched his first Premier League goal for
the club to keep Avram Grant's side in touch with their relegation rivals
after a 1-1 draw with West Ham. The Hammers held basement team Pompey at
Fratton Park, with skipper Matthew Upson giving the visitors the lead after
52 minutes. But Webber's 75th-minute goal just two minutes after replacing
Frederic Piquionne kept his side's hopes of top flight survival alive.
Portsmouth went into the clash without Papa Bouba Diop and Michael Brown,
who limped out of last Saturday's FA Cup win over Sunderland with hamstring
and back injuries respectively. Right-back Steve Finnan returned from a
groin injury, while goalkeeper David James sat out and reportedly remains on
the brink of joining Stoke. West Ham striker Carlton Cole started on the
bench as he returned from a knee injury.
Pompey had the best of the opening exchanges with former Tottenham
midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng's trickery ensuring his side the lion's
share of possession. Striker Piquionne came within inches of scoring after
19 minutes, when John Utaka fed Hermann Hreidarsson, who scuffed the ball
across the face of goal. But the number nine failed to connect and the ball
squirmed out. The game exploded into life after 20 minutes and Asmir Begovic
needed to be at his best to keep Pompey on level terms, when Frank Nouble
stormed through on goal. The Serb flew to his left to save the Hammers
hitman's effort and diverted Valon Behrami's follow-up wide. Pompey charged
straight down the other end and Green needed to be at full stretch to turn a
drive from Utaka wide seconds later. Boateng's corner found Frenchman Younes
Kaboul, whose volley was scrambled off the Hammers line. The pendulum then
swung back in West Ham's favour and Nouble slotted Jack Collison through on
goal, but Begovic turned his shot across goal wide. Piquionne nearly handed
Pompey the lead after the break, when he flicked Kaboul's long ball forward
towards goal. But he failed to get sufficient purchase on the ball to knock
it past Rob Green. Hammers quickly went down the other end of the field and
skipper Upson gave the East Londoners the lead after 52 minutes. Pompey
cleared an Alessandro Diamanti corner from the right, but the Italian curled
the ball back to the far post. Upson leapt high and diverted the ball past
Begovic with his chest to send the West Ham fans behind the goal wild.
Pompey defender Mark Wilson had a golden opportunity to level from an
Angelos Basinas corner after 61 minutes. But he was unable to hit the target
with a free header from four yards out. Boateng was dejected after 70
minutes, when Utaka's low cross from the right found him unmarked on the
left side of the box and he dragged his effort into the side netting. Upson
had an opportunity to bag his second moments later, but his header from Mark
Noble's cross was wide. Pompey boss Avram Grant then introduced striker
Webber for the final 17 minutes, and the ex-Manchester United man made an
almost instant impact. Boateng headed the ball down for Utaka, who slotted
Webber in beautifully to coolly pass the ball under Green and net his first
Premier League goal for Portsmouth. Webber nearly doubled his tally after 81
minutes, when he flicked Utaka's cross from the left just over the bar. But
the Hammers held on for a point which ensures Pompey remain in deep trouble
at the bottom of the table.
Following the draw with relegation rivals West Ham Portsmouth boss Avram
Grant said his side's transfer embargo may have been lifted too late to aid
their Premier League survival bid. Grant said: "It's good news but if we're
looking at how things needed to be, we needed to do it on January 1. If we
had brought in three or four players, we would have come into this game with
a full bench. "As I understand, we can only bring in loan players or players
without a contract. We'll try to do our best but we have only four days. It
will be very difficult but we'll do it because the squad is very short.''
One key target for Grant is to bring influential midfielder Jamie O'Hara
back to the club on loan from Tottenham. Having played for both teams this
term, FIFA rules prevent the left-sided star from representing another club.
So Grant admits a return for O'Hara is now "possible'', but he is not so
keen to let any of his leading lights leave. Younes Kaboul and Nadir Belhadj
have both been linked with moves, while goalkeeper David James is reportedly
on the brink of joining Stoke on loan until May. But Grant joked: "If these
players go, I would need to play, and I cannot play!' To be serious, we want
to stay in the league and we can do that. But we have a long way to go and
we need every player we have now.''
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola was dejected that his charges failed to
leave Fratton Park with maximum points. Zola said: "I thought we controlled
the game and I couldn't see them scoring because we defended very well.
Actually, I was expecting us to score another goal at any time. "But it's
okay and it's fair to say they fought hard until the end. Nothing takes away
from the fact we played a good game and we're getting better and better. "It
was a very important game because we were playing against a team that is
behind us. It was important not to lose but I think we deserved something
more from the game.''
Zola is also hopeful of entering the transfer market in the final few days
of January, but was impressed by the quality of his current squad members at
Fratton Park. He added: "I can only praise these players because the way
they play and their attitude is unbelievable. They gave everything for the
team and that is important. "Maybe we will have more quality in the future
and that will benefit everybody. But whoever comes in has to have the same
attitude these boys have because that's the key to success.''
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Parma Ready To Bring West Ham Playmaker Luis Jimenez Back To Serie A –
Report
Jimenez could be back in Serie A earlier than expected...
By Rupert Fryer
Jan 26, 2010 9:29:00 PM
According to fresh reports in Italy, Parma are interested in Luis Jimenez
and are hoping to lure the midfielder back to Italy. The Inter-owned
playmaker is currently on loan at West Ham and is scheduled to stay in
London until the end of the season, however, with first-team opportunities
limited at Upton Park, the 25-year-old is said to be ready to return to
Italy. Jimenez has made just eleven league appearances for the Hammers so
far this season, many coming off the bench and is thought to be open to a
return to Italy in order to boost his chances of playing a role in Chile's
World Cup campaign this summer. According to Italian daily La Repubblica,
The Ducali are ready to offer the Chilean first team football and hope he
will leave London to spend the second half of the season on-loan in Parma.
Jimenez failed to force himself into Marcelo Bielsa's Chile squad during
qualification and is said to be ready to do whatever it takes to be on the
plane to South Africa this summer.
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Danny Webber earns Portsmouth a point against West Ham United
Guardian report
West Ham United 1 Upson 52
Dominic Fifield at Fratton Park The Guardian, Wednesday 27 January 2010
Article history
Gianfranco Zola had called himself "an optimist" in the build-up but even he
recognised this as an opportunity missed. West Ham's new owners shivered in
the stands and were presented with evidence of the size of the task ahead.
An away point might be considered presentable but familiar frailties ensured
that their new club remained outside the relegation zone only on goal
difference.
That is an uncomfortable reality for David Sullivan and David Gold, given
the capital they are pouring in. Zola's side have one win in nine games and
need the reinforcements the owners are attempting to recruit. Benni
McCarthy should arrive for £2.5m, though whether he will face his current
employers, Blackburn, on Saturday remains to be seen. There is competition
from Tottenham Hotspur that could deflect the attempt to sign Eidur
Gudjohnsen from Monaco. Zola could do with a player of the Icelander's
class, though the pursuit of Champions League qualification may well –
understandably – prove more attractive than a struggle to avoid the
Championship.
West Ham's manager was quick to praise his players here, which might prove
wise if he has to rely on the bulk of them to stave off the drop. There are
signs of progress but there is frustration too that defensive uncertainty
continues to cost them points.
Tight as this match was, it should have yielded a win in Gold's and
Sullivan's first game in charge. West Ham were more threatening for long
periods, only to be thwarted by Asmir Begovic's brilliance, the Bosnian
saving wonderfully from Frank Nouble and Alessandro Diamanti midway through
the first half. His best reaction save denied Jack Collison moments later,
the goalkeeper leaping to his left to turn a shot round the post.
When West Ham took the lead, it owed everything to a Portsmouth player,
Younes Kaboul's back-header looping off Matthew Upson's chest and over the
stranded Begovic. That should have spurred the visitors on to a second away
win of the season. Instead they shrank back and were eventually punished.
"I didn't take it very well, to be honest," said Zola. "We had control of
the game and I didn't see them scoring. But it's OK. Nothing can take away
from the fact that we played a good game and we're getting better and
better."
Portsmouth's refusal to submit was admirable. They had been frustrated in
the first half, Aaron Mokoena being denied by Rob Green's fine save in front
of the England general manager, Franco Baldini, and Mark Noble scrambling
Kaboul's volley from the line. Yet more impressive was their rally once
behind. Kevin-Prince Boateng missed a presentable opportunity and Marc
Wilson headed over before Danny Webber scored, four minutes after coming on,
from John Utaka's pass.
Pompey pressed in the closing minutes, but the final whistle prompted a
groan from both sets of supporters.
"We needed the three points, wanted them and did everything we could to get
them, but sometimes things don't go to plan," said Avram Grant. "But the
hunger my players has shown has impressed me. I'm proud. Other teams might
have broken, given what we've gone through, but we kept fighting. We're
still in the game and it won't be easy to kill us."
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Portsmouth 1 West Ham United 1: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Portsmouth and
West Ham United at Fratton Park on Tuesday Jan 26 2010.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Henry Winter at Fratton Park
Published: 6:40PM GMT 26 Jan 2010
Heading home: Matthew Upson rises highest to fire West Ham into the lead
against Portsmouth Photo: GETTY IMAGES Danny Webber rescued a point for
Portsmouth on Tuesday night but the Premier League's bottom side really
needed more. Their next three games are all away, at Manchester City, Fulham
and Manchester United, after which the Pompey chimes could be ringing like
alarm bells.
Webber proved an inspired substitution by Avram Grant, bringing some energy
to Portsmouth's front line and the striker certainly took his chance well,
driving the ball under Robert Green's body to equalise Matthew Upson's
effort that went in off Younes Kaboul.
Sport on television If West Ham were annoyed to allow the lead to slip, they
could take heart from the return to action of Carlton Cole and good displays
from Mark Noble and Jack Collison.
Just before this Debtors' Derby had kicked off, Portsmouth's Fratton Park DJ
almost blew the speakers with Don't Fear The Reaper, a nice note of
defiance.
As a fruitless first half began, the substantial travelling support
serenaded the Pompey faithful with a chant of "we've got more debts than
you''.
At least West Ham now have wealthy and visible owners, David Gold and David
Sullivan notable by their presence and exotic scarves and head-gear on a
bitterly cold night that would have frozen anyone's assets.
For all their financial travails, and complicated ownership situation,
Portsmouth had actually enjoyed some welcome news earlier in the day with
the Premier League lifting the transfer embargo, prompting the club to seek
an infusion of new, and old, blood.
"We're looking to bring in two or three players, ideally four and that would
include bringing Jamie O'Hara back, which is our first priority,'' said
Peter Storrie, Pompey's chief executive.
O'Hara, currently back at Spurs, may not want to learn that Storrie could
not guarantee wages would be paid on time.
In keeping with the confused nature of life at Fratton Park, David James'
future remains in doubt after the England keeper was again left out, a real
frustration for the watching Franco Baldini, Fabio Capello's No 2.
Yet whatever the bizarre reason for James' exclusion, principally that it
would cost Pompey around £2m if he made 20 appearances this season, his
understudy Asmir Begovic impressed until West Ham finally broke through.
In a first half of huff and puff and little substance, the Bosnian made
three excellent saves. Begovic began by denying Frank Nouble and then
reacting well to regain his position to keep out Alessandro Diamanti's
attempted left-footed curler.
After Robert Green had reminded Baldini of his class by clawing away Aaron
Mokoena's low strike, the excellent Mark Noble cleared off the line from
Younes Kaboul and West Ham embarked on a 90-yard, high-speed move that
demanded the very best from Begovic to thwart them.
Jack Collison ran from the deep, quickly entering the final third and
bending the ball behind Steve Finnan. His pass was perfectly designed for
Nouble to collect and then transfer back into Collison's path. Portsmouth's
defence was breached, Collison racing into clear water. Only Begovic stood
between him and a certain goal. Portsmouth's keeper spread himself, trying
to narrow the angle, forcing Collison to attempt a right-footed shot full of
fade, aiming to take it around Begovic.
Somehow, the Portsmouth keeper pulled off one of the saves of the season,
stretching out a left hand to tip the ball to safety.
West Ham enjoyed the better of the first half, attacking with greater pace
and width. Portsmouth were initially too narrow with John Utaka and
Kevin-Prince Boateng working the space behind Frederic Piquionne, whose best
dart at goal was ended by a superb challenge from Noble, who harbours
long-term England ambitions.
One of West Ham's players definitely in England contention, Upson, made his
mark early in the second half.
Portsmouth only half-cleared Diamanti's corner, allowing him another chance,
the ball lifted to the far-post. Kaboul rose with Upson, the ball rebounded
between them and looped in past Begovic. West Ham players were swift to
congratulate Upson, although Kaboul was credited with an own goal.
Portsmouth refused to surrender, surging forward in search of an equaliser.
Marc Wilson headed over from close range. When Julien Faubert slipped,
Boateng shot wide with the goal at his mercy. Then came Webber, emerging
from the bench and then making an immediate impact, running on to Utaka's
pass after Boateng had flicked the ball on. With James Tomkins having jumped
with Boateng, the centre of West Ham's defence was undermanned, allowing
Webber to race through and place the equaliser beneath Green.
Portsmouth almost won it at the death but Utaka placed a fierce shot too
close to Green.
Match stats
Portsmouth (4-1-2-1-2): Begovic; Finnan, Kaboul, Wilson, Hreidarsson;
Basinas; Mullins, Mokoena; Boateng; Piquionne, Utaka.
Subs: Ashdown (g), Vanden Borre, Webber, Hughes, Ben-Haim, Ritchie.
Booked: Mokoena, Boateng, Basinas.
West Ham United (4-1-4-1): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector; Noble;
Diamanti, Behrami, Kovac, Collison; Nouble. Subs: Stech (g), Cole, Jimenez,
Sears, Da Costa, Daprela, Stanislas.
Booked: Noble.
Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).
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