10.02.2010
West Ham United v Birmingham City
Boleyn Ground
Barclays Premier League
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Mike Dean
Final score - West Ham United 2-0 Birmingham City
94 mins - Referee Dean blows for full-time, and West Ham's fifth league win
of the season is met with a loud cheer. The fans continue their celebrations
by singing along with 'Bubbles'. Get in there!
93 mins - Surely we're nearly out of time here. West Ham will go into their
ten-day break in high spirits ahead of a home game with Hull, who look like
losing at Blackburn tonight.
91 mins - We're going to have three minutes of added time, at least.
90 mins - Behrami brings down McFadden a couple of yards outside the penalty
area. Gardner stands over the free-kick. He finally allows McFadden to take
it short, then nearly slips over before slicing his shot into the visiting
fans huddled behind Green's goal. That was not very impressive.
89 mins - Less than two minutes of the 90 to go, and Birmingham are throwing
more bodies forward in search of a late comeback, but nothing is happening
for the visitors. Gardner proves my point by lashing his cross behind
Green's goal.
86 mins - Mark Noble is going to get a run out in place of Scott Parker. The
Hammer of the Year gets a very decent reception on his way off. He looks
knackered!
84 mins - Carlton Cole is voted man of the match, which is fitting reward
for his eighth goal of the season.
83 mins - Scott Dann must hate playing at the Boleyn Ground and, in
particular, the sight of Alessandro Diamanti. The Italian marked his debut
against Birmingham's reserves with two direct free-kick goals back in
September. Dann played that night in a game that ended 6-0 to the home side.
Tonight, the former Coventry City man was the culprit, fouling Parker to
give away the set piece that led to Diamanti's goal.
81 mins - Into the final ten minutes and, as things stand, West Ham will
rise to 14th ahead of the home game with Hull City a week on Saturday. There
is a huge motivation for the home side to maintain this advantage.
77 mins - A second change for Birmingham. The Spaniard Michel comes on for
Bowyer, who applauds all four sides of the ground on his way off.
75 mins - Ahem. The less said about that the better. Faubert gallops on to
Ilan's pass and gets past Ridgewell, only to slam his cross straight into
the Bobby Moore Stand.
73 mins - Behrami romps forward again. He has been like the Energizer bunny
tonight. Unfortunately, his shot does not match his run and the ball is
gathered by Hart. Birmingham break and Upson does well no less than three
times to clear dangerous crosses into the penalty area.
70 mins - The home crowd are in full voice and sensing a first home win
since Boxing Day. Don't forget that Birmingham have lost just one of their
last 18 games in all competitions, though.
67 mins - GOAL! That wasn't what McLeish would have wanted from his
substitution. Behrami holds off McFadden and finds the over-lapping Faubert.
The Frenchman crosses low and hard and Cole helps the ball over the line at
the far post.
67 mins - McLeish responds by sending on Scot James McFadden for Fahey.
66 mins - That will be Mido's last contribution as he is withdrawn to a
generous reception. Ilian gets an even louder cheer as he takes to the
Boleyn Ground pitch for the first time.
65 mins - We are going to see Ilan soon. If the Brazilian could repeat the
trick from Burnley, he may well put this game to bed! Before then, Mido has
a great chance to play in Cole, but he shoots instead and the ball is easily
gathered by Hart.
63 mins - Gardner's free-kick is headed back at the far post and Tomkins
clears. Behrami closes down Stephen Carr and the Irishman is forced to play
the ball all the way back to goalkeeper Hart.
62 mins - A yellow card for Upson for a lunging challenge on Gardner. This
is dangerous in the extreme, being just on the corner of the box wide on the
right. Gardner will take...
60 mins - If you thought Diamanti's free-kick was special, that would have
been ridiculous. Cole does brilliantly to reach Parker's through ball. He
lays the ball back to Diamanti, but the Italian smashes his first-time shot
miles over the top. The fans are encouraged, though, and the Sir Trevor
Brooking Lower breaks into a tune in tribute to the manager. Zola replies
with a wave to his admirers.
57 mins - Kovac holds off Ferguson well before Mido hammers the ball against
the Scot and it ricochets out for a throw-in. Diamanti curls the ball in
and, after a spell of head tennis, Birmingham clear.
55 mins - Tomkins takes a shot time out to tend to a minor knock to his
ankle, but he is soon back up on his feet. Gardner curls the ball into the
box and Green punches clear. Birmingham then win a corner, and Mido heads
clear at the near post.
54 mins - Diamanti gets forward well and shoots from about 30 yards.
Unfortunately, the ball skips through into the arms of Hart.
52 mins - Behrami picks the ball up on the edge of his own box and brings it
forward to the halfway line. He swaps passes with Mido and tries to find
Cole, but his chipped effort is intercepted by Dann's chest.
49 mins - The Blues have come out marginally the better after their cup of
tea and orange slices. Just as I type that, Behrami wins the ball back deep
inside the Birmingham half, but his pass is too strong for Mido.
46 mins - West Ham get the second 45 minutes underway. Parker fouls Ferguson
midway inside his own half, and Birmingham have an early chance. Jerome
completely loses his marker from Gardner's free-kick, but Green is out
superbly to dive at the forward's feet and claim the ball.
Here come the two teams for the second half. West Ham will want a second
goal early in this period to calm any nerves. A change for the Hammers at
the break, with Jonathan Spector replacing Ilunga.
Half-time score - West Ham United 1-0 Birmingham City
47 mins - Birmingham kick-off and referee Dean blows for half-time.
Fantastic end to the opening 45 minutes for the Hammers as Diamanti nets his
seventh goal of the season.
46 mins - GOAL! Get in there! Diamanti curls the free-kick into the top
corner and races straight over to manager Zola on the touchline. What a
strike!
46 mins - Scott Dann brings down namesake Parker a couple of yards outside
the penalty area and is booked. Diamanti lines up the set piece as we enter
the one and only minute of added time.
44 mins - Bowyer finds Gardner wide on the right and crosses, but his ball
in is inches too far in front of the sliding Jerome.
42 mins - Diamanti turns Bowyer on the right touchline and is felled as he
gets away from the former Hammer. Bowyer doesn't like the decision, but
referee Dean shows him a yellow card.
41 mins - Cole finds Faubert wide on the right. The Frenchman crosses from
deep, but it is too far in front of Mido and bounces out for a goal kick.
38 mins - West Ham struggle to clear their lines and the ball falls to
Phillips, who forces Green into a fingertip save. The corner sees Green
fouled by Johnson.
35 mins - A talking to for Gardner. Ilunga attempted to play a one-two with
Diamanti and was blocked off by Gardner. Foul, but no yellow card.
34 mins - Cole goes close again. Diamanti is again the provider, crossing
low from the left. Cole controls and shoots powerfully, but his shot is
blocked by the sliding Dann. Birmingham counter-attack and Jerome launches a
shot into orbit.
32 mins - Delicious play from Cole, who picks up a pass from Diamanti and
holds off Scott Dann before flashing a drive past Hart's far post. Good play
from the England man.
29 mins - Jerome comes within a couple of yards of opening the scoring after
a slick move involving Bowyer and Phillips. Thankfully, the ex-Cardiff City
man could only drag his shot wide of the left-hand post.
25 mins - Hmmm... A bit of a let-off there. Jerome looked offside but got
clear inside the box. His cross was half-cleared and found its way to Carr,
who skipped past Diamanti and crossed low. Green palmed the ball into the
middle of the penalty area where Parker eventually completed the clearance.
Seconds later, Diamanti gets free down the left and stings Hart's palms with
a rising shot from 25 yards. The ensuing corner comes to nothing.
24 mins - Behrami drives forward again and finds Mido, who skips past
Ridgewell. Behrami continues his run into the box and joins Cole, but Mido's
cross takes a slight deflection and rolls through to Hart.
22 mins - Another corner for the Blues, this time as Tomkins slices the ball
behind. Gardner takes and Green acrobatically palms the ball clear.
20 mins - Jerome wins a corner off Upson. Birmingham take it short and
eventually waste the chance when Gardner's cross skips through to Green.
19 mins - Cole spins and sends Mido clear with a super pass. Mido controls
and his shot is too close to Hart from the corner of the penalty area.
Shame, that.
18 mins - Brilliant goalkeeping from Hart there. Parker wins the ball in
midfield and swaps passes with Cole. Carr nips in and lofts the ball
goalward, and Hart shows fine reactions to control the ball on his chest and
coolly lob the ball clear. Very good.
16 mins - Diamanti is on fire here, curling another delicious cross into the
six-yard box, which the visitors can only hack out for a throw-in.
15 mins - Mido is penalised for a foul on Ferguson inside the centre circle.
Birmingham send all their big men forward. Johnson wins the header but it
bounces through to Green.
13 mins - Diamanti is downed again, this time after tricking his way past
Gardner. The Italian has made a strong start to the game on his return to
the starting XI. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing.
12 mins - Tomkins works Hart with a low shot from 25 yards. That was on
target from the England U21 defender. The chance was created by Parker after
Diamanti's corner had been cleared to him outside the penalty area.
11 mins - Mido and Parker combine well just outside the penalty area, but
the latter's cross eludes everyone and skips out for a goal kick. 30 seconds
later, Diamanti romps down the left and wins a corner off Gardner.
10 mins - Diamanti tricks his way past Carr and the Irishman brings him down
with an arm. No booking for Carr, but a free-kick 35 yards from goal.
8 mins - Good football there from West Ham. Behrami makes a driving run
through the midfield and finds Cole, who instantly spreads play wide to
Faubert. The full-back takes a touch and curls the ball into the penalty
area. Mido makes contact, but can only flash his header wide of the far
post. The crowd react with a chorus of 'Come on you Irons',
6 mins - Gardner latches on to a long, raking pass from Fahey, and heads
goalwards, but it is easy for Green. Ilunga will have to watch the former
Aston Villa man, who scored the winner against the Hammers at Villa Park a
couple of seasons ago.
5 mins - Gardner takes the flag-kick and Upson heads clear of the penalty
area.
4 mins - Behrami and Faubert combine down the right flank, but the Swiss
midfielder's pass is just too strong and the ball rolls through to Hart.
Birmingham break straight up the other end and win the game's first corner.
The ball falls to Bowyer, who finds Phillips, who wins a second corner.
3 mins - Cole latches on to Diamanti's through ball and is flagged for
offside. He was through on goal there, and replays show he was at least a
yard onside.
2 mins - Mido has his first chance at the Boleyn Ground, heading Matthew
Upson's headed pass goalwards, but the ball is safely gathered by Joe Hart.
The chance was created by Diamanti's deep cross.
1 min - Birmingham get us underway, kicking towards the Bobby Moore Stand
end,..
7.45pm - Alex McLeish and Gianfranco Zola shake hands as the Italian emerges
from the tunnel. Both managers smile as they embrace. Let's hope it is the
Italian who is smiling come full-time.
7.44pm - Lee Bowyer gets a round of applause as his name is read out over
the PA system. Nice touch.
7.42pm - Here come the two teams. There is a bit of snow in the air again!
Not enough to turn the pitch white, however. The singing of 'Bubbles' has a
bit of extra zest about it tonight, if I do say so myself. We need a home
win tonight, and the home fans know it. Come on you Irons!
7.36pm - The West Ham players are heading back to the home dressing room for
their final preparations. That gives me the opportunity to tell you that a
Hammers win tonight, coupled with a Hull City defeat at Blackburn Rovers,
would lift Gianfranco Zola's men into 14th place.
7.33pm - Mido will make his home debut for West Ham this evening, and the
Egypt international forward is being shown on the big screen telling the
home faithful how he is eager to prove himself in a claret and blue shirt.
The 26-year-old made an encouraging start to his Hammers' career at Burnley
on Saturday, agonisingly hitting the post in the final minute with a
left-foot shot.
7.30pm - With just 15 minutes to go until kick-off, the pre-match snow has
relented and the pitch looks in tip-top condition. A few remnants of the
white stuff are still lingering on the pitch surround, but the only thing
the players will have to worry about is the temperature. It is not warm here
in east London tonight! Despite the cold, however, the Boleyn Ground is
going to be full, with the club's 'Kids for a Quid' scheme attracting plenty
of youngsters along to cheer on their heroes.
Gianfranco Zola has made four changes to the West Ham United side that went
down to a 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Burnley for Wednesday's
visit of Birmingham City.
In come DR Congo left-back Herita Ilunga, Czech holding midfielder Radoslav
Kovac, Italian playmaker Alessandro Diamanti and Egypt forward Mido, while
Jonathan Spector, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and the injured Benni McCarthy
make way.
Ilunga will make his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in the
2-0 league defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on 28 December, while Kovac and
Diamanti return to the starting lineup after missing out during the weekend
trip to Turf Moor.
The fourth newcomer, Mido, will make his full debut for the Hammers after
impressing as a half-time substitute at Burnley. The 26-year-old hit the
post with a 90th-minute shot and also had a hand in fellow debutant Ilan's
consolation goal.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish makes the first changes to his starting
lineup in 13 league games, replacing Ecuador forward Christian 'Chucho'
Benitez with in-form Kevin Phillips. The veteran replaced ankle injury
victim Benitez in the home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday,
climbing off the bench to score both Blues' goals in a 2-1 victory. Keith
Fahey and Craig Gardner are in for Sebastian Larsson and James McFadden, who
both drop to the bench.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac,
Parker (Noble 86), Diamanti, Mido (Ilan 66), Cole
Subs: Stech, Spector, Da Costa, Collison, Stanislas
Birmingham City: Hart, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Fahey (McFadden 67),
Ferguson, Bowyer (Michel 77), Gardner, Phillips, Jerome
Subs: Maik Taylor, Parnaby, Vignal, Larsson, Jervis
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Hammers back on song
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola's men moved out of the Barclays Premier League relegation
zone after a deserved win
10.02.2010
West Ham United 2-0 Birmingham City
Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole scored in each half of a pulsating
encounter to give West Ham United three valuable points and lift the club
out of the bottom three.
Gianfranco Zola had spoken of the need for his players to deliver on a
freezing night in east London and they did just that and more. Diamanti set
the Boleyn Ground alight with a stunning free-kick on the stroke of
half-time before Cole wrapped up the win with a brave header midway through
the second half. Diamanti, playing on the left in place of the rested Jack
Collison, was a considerable threat in the early stages while the other
flank saw Julien Faubert given plenty of space to get forward. Home debutant
Mido - in for the injured Benni McCarthy - was the most likely to get on the
end, twice connecting with his head to crosses although he failed to trouble
Joe Hart on either occasion. Birmingham caused all kinds of mayhem in the
home defence on 25 minutes with the right-back Stephen Carr allowed to surge
into the box and tease a low centre across Robert Green's goal. The ball was
hurriedly hacked away and the Hammers broke up the other end. Cole
eventually knocked down for Diamanti to lash a shot that Hart just about
clawed away.
Jerome combined with Kevin Phillips - one of three changes for the Blues,
the first time in 13 matches that Alex McLeish had altered his starting
lineup - and fired just wide from 20 yards as the half-hour mark. Cole went
even closer for the hosts four minutes later, holding off Scott Dann before
turning and shooting across goal - the ball just missing the far post.
If that was close, the chance that fell to Cole a minute later was even
better. It dropped to him from a Diamanti cross in a central position, eight
yards out, and his fierce drive seemed a certain goal until Scott Dann threw
himself in the way. It was not frenetic stuff but the teams were trading
chances, Phillips was next to threaten, lashing a long-ranger that Green had
to palm over. Hammers old boy Lee Bowyer was booked on 43 minutes for a foul
on Diamanti but the knock did not deter the Italian winger too much. Deep
into first-half added time, he stepped up to curl a 20-yard free-kick into
Hart's top left-hand corner with the keeper nowhere near it after Dann had
brought down Scott Parker. There was barely time for the restart before the
half-time whistle. Herita Ilunga, another of Zola's four starting changes,
failed to reappear for the second half with Jonathan Spector reprising the
left-back role he had filled in the previous three games. The second half
began in similar fashion to the first with the sides trading opportunities -
the best of which was a Craig Gardner free-kick punched away by Green on 55
minutes.
Cole, meanwhile, was thriving on having a strike partner in Mido and the
England man was proving harder to handle as the contest wore on. On the
hour, he surged away from three defenders before touching back for Diamanti
to have a go. This time the radar was off and the former Livorno man's
effort was wayward. Mido's last act was to win possession and then race
through. With Cole well placed, the Egypt striker instead sent a tame effort
into Hart's hands. It was a sign of his exhaustion on his first start for
the Hammers and Zola wasted no time in sending on Ilan - a substitute scorer
against Burnley at the weekend - in his place. The second goal was needed
and it came within seconds of the changes. Cole stooping to head in from
Faubert's cross after the Frenchman had combined superbly with Behrami
before racing to the byline. It had a galvanising effect on everyone of the
34,458 in the crowd, bar the 800 or so Birmingham fans - with 'Come on you
Irons' and 'Bubbles' ringing out around the stadium.
Behrami, like his midfield mate Radoslav Kovac, was one of the brightest
performers and his run and shot on 73 minutes typified the adventure and
determination in the Hammers ranks. Birmingham were not about to roll over
though and three times in 20 seconds skipper Matthew Upson had to be alert
to clear dangerous balls into the penalty area. Cole was named man of the
match to rapturous acclaim in the dying stages while Parker got an equally
loud reception when he went off to be replaced by Mark Noble, who had made
way for Kovac in the starting lineup. That was to be the last incident of
note with another hearty cheer greeting the arrival of full time.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac,
Parker (Noble 86), Diamanti, Mido (Ilan 66), Cole
Subs not used: Stech, Spector, Da Costa, Collison, Stanislas
Birmingham City: Hart, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Fahey (McFadden 67),
Ferguson, Bowyer (Michel 77), Gardner, Phillips, Jerome
Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Parnaby, Vignal, Larsson, Jervis
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola on 'massive win'
WHUFC.com
The manager was delighted to see his players produce a terrific display
against Birmingham City
11.02.2010
Gianfranco Zola has spoken of the togetherness at West Ham United after an
impressive 2-0 victory against in-form Birmingham City lifted the club four
places in the table.
The manager was delighted his players were able to give the new owners -
along with the "magnificent" fans - a first victory since taking charge last
month, especially with no players sold and three new forwards arriving.
Alessandro Diamanti and man of the match Carlton Cole scored the goals in a
victory that Zola said would do much to lift spirits for the task ahead. "It
is a massive win," he said. "Remember psychology in football is
unbelievable, you can't imagine how important it is. It changes your body,
your physique completely. "You could see in the first half, we started very
well and as soon as they created a half-chance we started to get a little
bit nervous - us, the crowd, everybody. When you play in these situations it
is so difficult, you need to get through those moments. Fortunately the goal
relaxed everybody and it will be a big boost for the whole atmosphere around
the club. "It is a great thing for us also because we have another home
match coming [against Hull City on Saturday week]. It will give us a great
boost and believe it or not, I think this team is still playing at 70 per
cent of its potential. Trust me, when the team get fitter and have more
composure it will be better. "It is important that we win games, we win well
and we are a unit. Today all of that came out from the game and that is the
most important thing - the message that we send to everybody. We are all
going in the same direction and that is a vital thing to have to do well. "I
am proud. Honestly, trust me it was difficult because it was a shaky game
and they are a good team. Now we have to keep working together to make this
team reach a better position. Me doing my job, the chairmen doing their job
and the team doing its job - that is the story."
He singled out several players for special mention, not least Diamanti who
had scored a hat-trick including two free-kicks at the Boleyn Ground against
Birmingham reserves earlier in the season and once again showed his
set-piece prowess. It was all nothing the manager has not seen on the
Chadwell Heath training pitches. "Alessandro is very good at taking
free-kicks. We just had a little competition the other day and he is very
good, trust me. It is good. He scored a really great goal but also his
performance was excellent.
"Yesterday we were taking free-kicks, and he said 'I hope I am going to get
a good one here in this position'. That is the position he got. He scored a
fantastic goal. It was very good."
The free-kick came at the perfect moment on the stroke of half-time after a
marauding run by Scott Parker, who once again "had a good game" to add to
his many top-class displays this campaign. He added: "It was a fantastic
run. He had a couple like that in the first half. It came at the right
moment. It was a great moment to score." The goal sparked mass celebrations
around the manager, which Zola said were prompted by the determination
within the squad to get the club out of trouble. Asked whether he could cope
with five players jumping on top of him, he simply said with a smile - "I am
a strong guy". "We are going through a difficult moment and we want to stick
together," Zola added. "There is not any other message than we are together,
the players and the staff and we want the team to succeed. "We are in a
position that we don't like and we want to do everything we can to improve
it. We care about this club and we want to be successful. It was a good
gesture. I appreciated it very much and it is important that there is a good
connection between the staff, myself and the other people that work at the
club."
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Cole has starring role
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's top scorer was delighted to play a major part in a welcome
win for the club
11.02.2010
Carlton Cole was in ecstatic mood after his goal against Birmingham City put
the seal on a morale-boosting victory for West Ham United. The England
striker made it eight league goals this season with a brave header midway
through the second half on Wednesday night. That confirmed a well-deserved
2-0 success in which he was voted man of the match and saw the club jump
four places in the standings to 14th spot. "It was a massive win for us," he
said. "I can't tell you how ecstatic the boys are in the changing room.
We're so happy we got the result for the manager, the fans, the chairmen,
ourselves, everyone. All of this went our way today and it panned out well.
"It was something we all deserved and we all needed - to lift the whole club
- it was just fantastic. We just all dug in and got a good result."
Cole was also full of praise for Alessandro Diamanti after his free-kick
opener on the stroke of half-time. "He is a master at them, we're lucky to
have someone like him in our ranks to take free-kicks at such pressure
times. The guy has a real talent." "I have a good record at home. I am just
so happy I got on the scoresheet. I think Alessandro's on seven, I'm on
eight. I am quite happy to be still in the lead on the goalscoring front."
He may not have registered but home debutant Mido also earned plaudits from
his new strike partner. "He did brilliantly. He held up the ball well and
linked up with the midfielders as well. We have got some good strikers.
We're all very much together and we just want positive vibes around the
club, to carry on the season and progress up the league."
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Youngsters head for Bermuda
WHUFC.com
Two West Ham United Academy teams will take part in the Clyde Best
Invitational Football Tournament
10.02.2010
West Ham United's stars of tomorrow have been invited to showcase their
skills on the Atlantic island of Bermuda by Hammers great Clyde Best.
Academy Director Tony Carr has travelled to Bermuda with West Ham's Under-15
and U16 squads for the annual Clyde Best Invitational Football Tournament
this weekend. The event, being organised by Best and the Bermuda Football
Association for the fourth time this year, will see the Hammers take on two
local youth teams and youngsters from French Ligue 1 club AS Saint-Etienne
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Carr said the trip would be a hugely
valuable experience for the young players taking part. "The tournament has
been about six months in the organising, and it came about originally from a
request from Clyde Best," confirmed the Academy Director. "West Ham fans
will know Clyde very well, and we both came to the club at about the same
time and played in the same youth team together. We have kept in touch over
the years and he is now working for the Bermuda FA. "This is their inaugural
international youth tournament and he thought it would be fitting that West
Ham United represent Great Britain at his festival of football. "The whole
trip has been sponsored by the Bermuda FA, which is a fantastic gesture, and
it will be a great experience for our U15s and U16s to go there and take
part, and nice for me to bump into Clyde again."
With the U18s having a free weekend from FA Premier Academy League action,
Carr said he was looking forward to leading the club's young schoolboys into
a totally alien environment. "The U18s have not got a game this Saturday. It
freed me up to be able to go on this trip to Bermuda. I think the whole trip
will be part of their education. We normally go to Europe because of the
proximity, but as the older boys get invitations to far-flung places and it
is a great experience for them. We have taken the older ones to Hong Kong
for the last few years [for the HKFC IPL Global International Soccer Sevens]
and we took a team to Japan before. "We have visited the United States a
couple of times and with the Clyde Best/West Ham connection, it is fitting
that we have been asked to be involved. We are happy to be here. Our first
game is against Saint-Etienne on Friday, and that will be a tough batptism.
We will have a couple of days training on Wednesday and Thursday before we
play with the tournament being held over the weekend."
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West Ham 2 - 0 Birmingham
By Harry Reekie
BBC.co.uk
West Ham moved out of the relegation zone and eased the pressure on manager
Gianfranco Zola with an invaluable win against Birmingham at Upton Park.
Alessandro Diamanti gave the Hammers a deserved lead on the stroke of
half-time with a superb free-kick following a foul on Scott Parker by Scott
Dann. Carlton Cole doubled the advantage after the break with a close-range
header from Julien Faubert's cross. A couple of half-chances from Cameron
Jerome was the best Birmingham managed. One victory - the Hammers' first in
2010 - hardly staves off relegation fears but will at least hand Zola a
welcome tonic after reports prior to the game suggested he was one defeat
away from the sack. That claim was strenuously denied by new joint owner
David Sullivan but the Italian will surely be glad not to have tested his
chairman's word. Birmingham, who were not at their impressive best, missed
the chance to reach the magical 40-point milestone but the mere fact that
his side are on the brink of safety at such an early stage of the season
will bring a warm glow to boss Alex McLeish. Talk of the 'Davids' had
inevitably dominated the build-up to the game, with new Hammers owners
Sullivan and David Gold up against their former club for the first time. But
while the fortunes of Birmingham have risen since their departure, the mood
at cash-strapped Upton Park has sunk to worrying depths.
However, if the pressure had crept up on the home players before the match
then they admirably disguised the tension. Scott Parker was a dominant
figure in midfield while Cole always looked lively up front. Egyptian Mido
should have done better with a scuffed effort after breaking free while
James Tompkins saw a long-range drive scooped comfortably up by Joe Hart.
The left foot of Diamanti was also a constant threat for the hosts and Hart
had to be alive midway through the half to palm over a stinging drive.
Birmingham always seemed a threat on the break at the other end, however,
and Jerome perhaps should have done better with a shot dragged wide
following a sweeping move. The striker also just failed to connect with a
teasing cross from Craig Gardner. Cole then fired a shot past the post after
wriggling free of Dann but the defender quickly made up for it with a brave
block from the same player. But Diamanti finally broke through for the hosts
with the final kick of the half. A fine run by the inspirational Parker was
cut short by a crude challenge from Dann and from an ideal position, the
Italian stepped up with a near-perfect free-kick into the top corner. The
home crowd went wild and it was notable that a host of West Ham players
headed straight to celebrate with Zola in a clear public show of unity.
Birmingham huffed and puffed after the interval but soon found themselves
two goals down and with a mountain to climb. Faubert sent in a fine cross
after a rampaging overlap down the right and Cole burst past Roger Johnson
to bravely head home from close range. Thereafter the hosts seemed happy to
sit back and attempt to hit Blues on the counter attack, with Birmingham
failing to create any chances of note. Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips
blazed over but the Hammers comfortably closed out the game - much to the
relief of their fans, manager and grinning new owners.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "It was a massive game and there was a lot
of pressure. After a good start we became a little bit shaky. "But it was a
brilliant piece of skill from Alessandro Diamanti and it came at exactly the
right time for us. "The first goal made a big difference. We could organise
ourselves a bit better and plan for the second half.
"To be honest, it's difficult to play in these conditions. We were playing
against a very good team. "The comments (by owner David Sullivan before the
game) don't really matter. What was important was to win the game and that
was crucial to everyone here. "It's massive that we're out of the bottom
three. When you're in this situation it's normal to be up and down so you
have to keep your composure."
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish: "I'm very disappointed with the Diamanti
goal. "We should have seen the time out and got into the dressing room to
regroup. I didn't feel we were under too much pressure in the first half.
"It's not like us to concede in that way. "But it was an exceptional
free-kick and you've got to hold your hands up. "We just couldn't finish the
moves off. We had balls flashing across the box but just couldn't score.
West Ham deserved it on the night though."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers seal vital win
Diamanti and Cole efforts seal vital win for Zola's men
Last updated: 10th February 2010
SSN
Man of Match: Alessandro Diamanti. Scored the opener and proved a constant
threat to the Blues.
Moment of the match: Diamanti's goal. He hit a superb free-kick in
first-half stoppage time to send the Hammers into the interval with a vital
lead.
Attempt of the match: Diamanti hit a powerful effort from outside the box
midway through the first period which Joe Hart had to push out for a corner.
Save of the match: As above - Hart's from Diamanti.
Talking point: James McFadden's cross hit Matthew Upson on the arm in the
box late on but Birmingham did not get a penalty.
Goal of the game: Diamanti's. Smashed his free-kick over the wall and into
the top corner, giving Hart no chance.
Goals from Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole in either half saw West Ham
beat Birmingham and rise out of the Premier League drop zone. Diamanti
scored with a fantastic free-kick into the top corner on the stroke of
half-time after Scott Parker had been brought down by Scott Dann just
outside the box. Cole then made sure of the victory when nodding home Julien
Faubert's cross from close range on 67 minutes. The victory lifts the
Hammers up to 14th in the table, a point above the drop zone, and gave new
West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan a win at the expense of the
club they used to own. Gianfranco Zola's future as manager had been the
subject of much speculation leading up to the game and it sparked a vote of
confidence from Sullivan only hours before the kick-off. The co-owner's
remarks that the wage bill would have to be slashed was deemed unhelpful by
Zola as he prepared his squad for this vital home game. But the spirit of
unity among the players and their support for Zola was personified by
Diamanti's 50-yard run to hug the Italian coach after the striker had put
the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time. West Ham were in a
determined mood from the start with striker Mido showing some nice touches
on his full debut. In the seventh minute, he sent a header flashing wide of
the far post when a cross from Julien Faubert found him unmarked.
Five minutes later, James Tomkins forced Joe Hart into a fine save when the
West Ham midfielder sent a 20-yard drive towards the bottom corner. City hit
back but a cross from Craig Gardner went straight into the arms of the
waiting West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green. In the 23rd minute, Mido supplied
a low cross which Hart managed to scoop into his arms before Cole pounced.
But West Ham had Green to thank in the 24th minute when he punched away a
cross from Carr. However, Hart had to be at his best seconds later to tip a
powerful drive from Diamanti over the crossbar as the game began to open-up.
City should have taken the lead in the 28th minute but Cameron Jerome shot
wide of Green's right-hand upright from eight yards after Lee Bowyer had
cleverly set him up with a short pass. Yet West Ham continued to press and
Cole did well to turn his marker before firing just a yard wide of the far
post in the 32nd minute. Kevin Phillips then tested Green but found the
England goalkeeper in top form when he tipped the veteran striker's 25-yard
shot over the crossbar. But West Ham went in front in first-half injury time
after City's Dann was booked for a foul on Parker on the edge of the penalty
area and Diamanti sent the free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Buoyed by his goal, Diamanti then tried his luck with a volley in the 54th
minute but there was little power behind the shot and Hart dealt with it
comfortably. West Ham, looking to bounce back from defeat at Burnley at the
weekend, continued to dominate. Diamanti was presented with another chance
when Cole set him up in the 60th minute but shot high over the bar. A rare
City excursion into the West Ham half brought them a free-kick on the angle
of the penalty area when Matthew Upson felled Gardner. The West Ham defender
was yellow carded for his misdemeanour but City failed to take advantage of
the resultant free-kick. West Ham made a further change just after the hour
when Ilan replaced Mido. City responded by removing Keith Fahey and
introducing James McFadden. But the home side went 2-0 in front in the 67th
minute when Faubert's right-wing cross was met by a diving header from Cole
that went in off the far post. McFadden's cross hit Matthew Upson on the arm
in the box at the other end but no penalty was awarded, while the Blues
should have reduced the deficit with six minutes remaining but Phillips shot
high over the bar with just Green to beat. It was their last chance as the
home side held on to climb into 14th position and ease the pressure,
temporarily at least, on Zola.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola hails 'big win'
Boss delighted after Hammers beat Blues to climb out of drop zone
By Steve Pass Last updated: 10th February 2010
SSN
Gianfranco Zola hailed a 'big win' for his side after West Ham beat
Birmingham 2-0 to climb out of the drop zone. Alessandro Diamanti put the
Hammers in front in first-half injury time with an unstoppable free-kick
into the top corner. Carlton Cole then sealed the victory on 67 minutes when
nodding home from Julien Faubert's cross. The win at Upton Park lifted
Zola's side into 14th in the table, a point above the drop zone. He told Sky
Sports: "It was a big win today, it was a massive game for the result, for
the confidence, for many reasons and its been difficult because we started
very well and then they created a chance and after that we went a little bit
shaky. "I asked the crowd but then we came back in the game very well. The
first goal was fantastic piece for skill from Alessandro and from that
moment we got better and better. "I tell you it's a matter of confidence,
football is a lot about confidence and when you have it on your side, it's
much easier."
He agreed the timing of Diamanti's goal had been important. "It made a big
difference, we went in and we could reorganise ourselves and we could really
prepare for the second period in the right way. "I think it was brilliant -
the goal and the timing, perfect!" Zola's future as manager had been the
subject of much speculation leading up to the game and it sparked a vote of
confidence from co-owner David Sullivan only hours before the kick-off. Zola
had deemed Sullivan's remarks that the wage bill would have to be slashed as
"unhelpful" as he prepared his squad for the vital home game. Asked if
Sullivan's comments had spurred everyone on, he replied: "It was important
to win the game whether it's been the comments or whatever, it doesn't
matter really, I'm not interested. "The most important thing was to win the
game and I'm pleased with that."
West Ham's next six games see home ties against fellow relegation fighters
Hull, Bolton and Wolves, as well as away games at title challengers
Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Zola agreed these home games were
vital, saying: "Absolutely, we have to make the most of the home games and
then we can go and have fun when we play the big ones. "We can go there and
take what it comes."
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Adkins dismisses Sears talk
Scunthorpe manager rules out loan move for striker
Last updated: 10th February 2010
SSN
Nigel Adkins has quashed speculation linking West Ham's Freddie Sears with a
loan move to Scunthorpe. The highly-rated young striker spent time with
Crystal Palace earlier this season before returning to Upton Park. He has
been pushed further down the pecking order at West Ham following the winter
arrivals of several forwards and reports have suggested he could be loaned
out again. Scunthorpe was rumoured to be a possible destination but Adkins
has stressed that he is happy with the players he currently has at his
disposal and is not looking to bring any new faces to Glanford Park.
"Categorically, no. I haven't got a clue where that one's come from," he
told the Scunthorpe Telegraph.
"His agent must be working overtime. It's 100% no. I'm not looking at
Freddie Sears. "I was very happy with the squad of players I have
assembled." Adkins added: "Obviously we have got a couple of injuries and
suspensions which we might have to react to, but that's what we've got a
squad of players for at this moment in time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 Birmingham 0
The Sun
From PAT SHEEHAN at Upton Park
Published: 10 Feb 2010
DAVID SULLIVAN found out the best things in life are free when Alessandro
Diamanti gave the multi-millionaire his first win as West Ham's new owner.
The outspoken Upton Park co-owner caused chaos when he revealed he wants all
his players and staff to take a wage cut next season, in a bid to reduce the
club's huge debt. Sullivan's outburst was made with the right intentions.
But the timing of his vote of confidence for Gianfranco Zola just before
this crucial clash against Sullivan's old club was questionable. And the
players let Sullivan know exactly what they think of the little Italian boss
when they mobbed him following Diamanti's fine FREE-kick right on half-time.
Zola said: "It was a good gesture by the players. Alessandro ran towards me
after his goal and was shouting in Italian. "He said 'That goal is for you
and the team.' Then it seemed as if the whole team was on top of me. But I
held them up. I am a strong guy. "It was a celebration because we are going
through a difficult time and we want to stick together. This was a massive
win for us. "Psychology in sport is so important. Even at 1-0 the players
were tense. But it was a great goal from Diamanti and a great performance,
too. "The chairman made his point and I have made mine. Now it's in the
past. The chairman is entitled to say what he wants."
Birmingham's second defeat in 16 league games was sealed when Carlton Cole
headed home Julien Faubert's 67th-minute cross. But victory - only their
fourth home win of the season - moved the Hammers, out of the drop zone.
Zola will rightly claim the credit but Sullivan will have a wry smile, too,
as his kick up the backside gave everyone at Upton Park a reality check.
Birmingham were forced to make their first change in 13 games after
Christian Benitez was crocked in the 2-1 derby win over Wolves. That
consistency has given Brum the platform to make a Europa League challenge,
just like Fulham last season. There has been no such luxury for the Hammers
as Zola has only been able to name the same team twice in succession since
the campaign kicked off. West Ham's new owners have pumped some money into
the club - splashing out on strikers Mido, Ilan and Benni McCarthy.
Amazingly, McCarthy joined the injury list after just 45 minutes when he
took a whack to a knee at Burnley. His absence gave Mido the chance to start
and the Egyptian saw his second-minute header saved by keeper Joe Hart. Mido
was one of four changes from the side beaten at Turf Moor - with Mark Noble,
Jon Spector and Jack Collison dropping to the bench for Herita Ilunga,
Radoslav Kovac and Diamanti. Diamanti gave Alex McLeish's men plenty of
problems but Stephen Carr stopped him by grabbing his throat, Craig Gardner
took a pop and Lee Bowyer was booked for a blatant trip. Despite all that,
there was no stopping Diamanti - or his free-kick on the stroke of
half-time.
Scott Parker, who floored ex-Hammer Bowyer with a cynical foul moments
earlier, made the chance with a terrific penetrating run. He was stopped on
the edge of the box by Scott Dann - who was booked for his troubles - before
Diamanti curled in a cracker. You could almost hear the sighs of relief from
the home fans. Birmingham, though, coped well initially and made sure West
Ham had to fight hard. When the Hammers did get in on goal, they found Hart
in terrific form. So too was West Ham's England No 1 Robert Green, who
showed his best when he tipped over a fierce Kevin Phillips drive that
threatened to dip into the net on 38 minutes. Indeed, Brum had the best
chance to take the lead when Cameron Jerome was played in by Phillips but
the striker could not find a decent finish - and they were made to pay.
STAR MAN - ALESSANDRO DIAMANTI (West Ham)
WEST HAM: Green 7, Upson 8, Ilunga 6 (Spector 6), Tomkins 6, Parker 8 (Noble
5), Kovac 7, Faubert 6, Behrami 7, Mido 7 (Ilan 6), Cole 8, Diamanti 9. Subs
not used: Stech, Da Costa, Collison, Stanislas. Booked: Upson.
BIRMINGHAM: Hart 6, Carr 6, Ridgewell 6, Johnson 6, Dann 7, Bowyer 4 (Michel
5), Ferguson 5, Fahey 6 (McFadden 6), Gardner 5, Phillips 6, Jerome 6. Subs
not used: Taylor, Parnaby, Vignal, Larsson, Jervis. Booked: Dann, Bowyer.
REF: M Dean 7.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Crock Dyer is pure Gold
The Sun
By HUGH SOUTHON
Published: Today
WEST HAM co-owner David Gold has called on Kieron Dyer to defy the critics
and make a David Dunn-type recovery. Fellow owner David Sullivan had
remarked there was one player - widely believed to be Dyer - who might
consider retirement given his terrible appearance record. But Gold is a Dyer
fan and said: "Kieron is a brilliant midfielder and we need him back to his
best. "He's in the best hands possible and we believe he can make a full
recovery. We had a similar situation with David Dunn at Birmingham. It
looked at one time as if it might be career over for him. "However, the
medics got to the bottom of the problem and his appearance record is decent
since being at Blackburn."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We'll Stand by Gianfranco
The Sun
DAVID SULLIVAN insists West Ham will not sack Gianfranco Zola. Zola blasted
the club's co-owner for the timing of his revelation in yesterday's SunSport
that salaries would have to be slashed in the summer. But Sullivan has
rejected reports suggesting the Italian could be axed if West Ham fail to
beat Birmingham at St Andrew's tonight. He said: "Zola is entitled to his
opinion and I respect that. "I hope it galvanises the team and the manager
to produce a wonderful performance. "If we win tonight I have made my point,
if we lose he has made his point. "All I can say is that in 17 years David
Gold and I sacked two managers at Birmingham. We are not sackers. "We
support managers and Zola is 100 per cent secure. "We will bring in players
to improve the team in the summer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alessandro Diamanti glistens for West Ham United
West Ham United 2 Birmingham City 0
The Times
Alyson Rudd
Perhaps West Ham United are too good to go down after all. Few understood
how a side with such flair had found themselves in the bottom three, but the
team moved up the table in the only way they know how. Gianfranco Zola's men
practically partied their way out of the relegation zone. Goals from
Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole and a general air of buoyancy beat the
team that West Ham's owners love to hate — namely the one they owned
previously. Alex McLeish, the Birmingham City manager, had said that David
Sullivan and David Gold had provided his team-talk by saying they would
relish beating their former club, but little did he realise they had also
provided a more telling one for Zola.
Sullivan had compared his manager to Osvaldo Ardiles, the former Tottenham
Hotspur manager; the point being that Zola may be a really nice chap, but
possibly too pleasant to save West Ham's season. Well, Sullivan was spot on
in one respect. Zola beamed and chuckled through the post-match press
conference and when asked about the Ardiles gibe, responded: "It's OK, I
didn't take offence. I'm not a touchy guy."
McLeish was less amused by the evening's outcome and said that West Ham had
been there for the taking, particularly in the first half. Zola might even
agree with him because he maintains that his team are at 70 per cent of
their potential. "It can get better, trust me," the Italian said. A
compatriot paved the way for victory. Diamanti had predicted in training
that he would score from a free kick and he did once Mike Dean, the referee,
had penalised Scott Dann for a foul on Scott Parker during added time in the
first half. Diamanti ran to Zola for an embrace that would not have been out
of place had he scored the winner at a Wembley final. As Zola was swamped by
players it seemed a clear sign to the new owners that the players have faith
in their manager.
Zola, nice bloke that he is, refused to crow and refused to admit that the
implied criticism of his style of management had served to galvanise his
team. The closest he came to any admission that the mood may have been
affected by the owners' willingness to discuss him and the wage bill at the
club was to state the result was "a big boost for the atmosphere around the
club".
Any difficult atmosphere was also a result of West Ham beginning the night
in the relegation zone. They did not behave accordingly and instead looked
excitable cubs versus tired lions. If ever a team looked less like one
intending to protect a one-goal lead, it was this. Birmingham, the masters
of making 1-0 count, were probably quietly amused — until Cole made it 2-0
with a close-range header from Julien Faubert's blistering cross.
Birmingham suddenly looked very tired and struggled for much of the game to
contain Cole, who always looked West Ham's best chance of escape, regardless
of Diamanti's effervescence.
McLeish had stuck with the same starting line-up for the previous 13 league
games but with Christian Benítez, the striker, out with with an ankle
injury, the Birmingham manager was forced to make a rare change. He seemed
to think the occasion may as well mark the end of a mini-era because McLeish
also rested James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson.
Kevin Phillips was the beneficiary of the injury to Benítez. The forward
might easily have left Birmingham on transfer deadline day, but McLeish
decided to keep him. The 36-year-old's response was to score two late goals
against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday and, although those heroics
appeared to underline his cult status as a super-sub, McLeish rewarded him
by partnering him with Cameron Jerome, who had the visiting team's best
chance of the first half when he ran on to Lee Bowyer's clever pass but
struck just wide.
Birmingham rallied and Phillips had the sort of chance that as a substitute
he would have gobbled up, but the energetic cubs proved too tiresome.
McLeish said there was no evidence to back up any theory that his team would
have won had he not made changes to the tried and trusted line-up. This was
meant as a message of support to his squad but it also acted as an
inadvertent compliment to West Ham. They were not in the mood to lose again,
no matter how overpaid their new owners believe them to be.
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green — J Faubert, J Tomkins, M Upson, H Ilunga
(sub: J Spector, 46min) — V Behrami, S Parker (sub: M Noble, 86), R Kovac, A
Diamanti — C Cole, Mido (sub: Ilan, 66). Substitutes not used: M Stech, M Da
Costa, J Collison, J Stanislas. Booked: Upson.
Birmingham City (4-4-2): J Hart — S Carr, R Johnson, S Dann, L Ridgewell — C
Gardner, B Ferguson, L Bowyer (sub: Michel, 77), K Fahey (sub: J McFadden,
68) — C Jerome, K Phillips. Substitutes not used: M Taylor, G Vignal, J
Jervis, S Larsson, S Parnaby. Booked: Bowyer, Dann.
Referee: M Dean.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2-0 Birmingham: The Daily Mirror match report
Published 21:38 10/02/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola and his men celebrated as if they had clinched the title
after the win that rammed David Sullivan's words down his throat. The new
West Ham owner had put more than a few noses out of joint in the Upton Park
dressing room with his public declaration that the players and the manager
needed to take a pay cut and buck their ideas up. And although Zola denied
after this match that the words had stung, you only had to look at the way
that the Italian high-fived with assistant Steve Clarke to toast this
victory to see how much of a statement he wanted to make. Alessandro
Diamanti's clinical free-kick on the stroke of half time and Carlton Cole's
close-range header on 67 minutes lifted West Ham out of the bottom three and
up to 14th. It also inflicted only the second defeat of Birmingham's
stunning 16-match run. But Zola reined himself in afterwards to insist he
would not be carrying on the war of words with Sullivan which has added so
much extra bite to the Hammers' relegation fight. He said: "It was just a
celebration because we are going through a difficult moment and we want to
stick together. There was no message other than that we want to stick
together - the players and staff. He said: "The chairman is entitled to his
position but I want to be in a position where i can do my job well for the
team. It belongs to the past. I am not a guy to take offence. I am not a guy
who is touchy. "I was just making a point. End of story. I am motivated and
driven to do well for this team and that his the most important thing. That
was my message."
As for the players' very public vote of confidence in him, Zola added: "We
care about this club and we want it to be successful. It was a good gesture
and I appreciated it. It means we are all going in the same direction and it
is vital to do well. "What happened on Tuesday is in the past. It does not
matter. The important thing is that we won the game. It is important we win
games and win well and that we are a unit. That is the most important
message we send to everybody."
The win was West Ham's first of 2010 and their first in seven League matches
stretching back to Boxing Day when they beat Portsmouth. It is still far
from enough - four wins at home in 25 matches and one away remains
relegation form - but there appears a will within the squad to silence the
doubters. As for Sullivan, he will doubtless pour himself a large one and
insist it was his kick up the Hammers players' collective jacksie that
inspired the first win under his regime. He'd been in a win-win situation to
be fair. Had his old club Birmingham taken all three points then Sullivan
would have claimed he was right that the players and the manager at his new
club did not deserve their fat-cat salaries.
Expect to see him now do another round of television interviews insisting
this result vindicated his decision to shake up Upton Park dressing room out
of their slumber. To be fair to the old boy he does have a point. Maybe a
bit of fire in their bellies really was what they needed, particularly with
Hull dropping points and Wolves pulling off a shock win last night.
Diamanti had scored after Scott Dann had fouled Scott Parker on the edge of
the Birmingham box. Cole netted in the second half from a fabulous cross by
right-back Julien Faubert. Birmingham boss Alex McLeish backed his players
to come back from the defeat which has hit their bid to reach next season's
Europa League. He said: "We have an FA Cup tie against Derby and that's the
carrot for the players to show they can bounce. back. But they already know
they can do it. ""I'm very disappointed with the Diamanti goal. We should
have seen the time out and got into the dressing room to regroup. I didn't
feel we were under too much pressure in the first half. "It's not like us to
concede in that way. But it was an exceptional free-kick and you've got to
hold your hands up. West Ham deserved it on the night though."
McLeish also endorsed Gold and Sullivan - the men who stuck by him when the
club was relegated under the Scotsman two seasons ago - to bring the good
times back to Upton Park. He said: "They did a good job over a long period
of time and I am sure they will stabilise West Ham.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers put two past Blues
Published 22:21 10/02/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham eased the pressure on boss Gianfranco Zola with a 2-0 victory over
Birmingham at Upton Park. A goal in each half from Alessandro Diamanti and
Carlton Cole secured their first win under new owners David Sullivan and
David Gold. The victory moved West Ham into 14th place in the Barclays
Premier League but they remain just one point from the relegation places
while City wasted the chance to move closer to Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
The Hammers were in a determined mood from the start with striker Mido
showing some nice touches on his full debut. In the seventh minute, he sent
a header flashing wide of the far post when a cross from Julien Faubert
found him unmarked. Five minutes later, James Tomkins forced Joe Hart into a
fine save when the West Ham midfielder sent a 20-yard drive towards the
bottom corner. City hit back but a cross from Craig Gardner went straight
into the arms of the waiting West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green and they
should have taken the lead in the 28th minute but Cameron Jerome shot wide
of Green's right-hand upright from eight yards after Lee Bowyer had cleverly
set him up with a short pass. But West Ham went in front in the second
minute of first-half injury time. City's Scott Dann was booked for a foul
the penalty area and Diamanti sent the free-kick over the wall and into the
top corner for the opening goal. Diamanti was presented with another chance
when Cole set him up in the 60th minute but shot high over the bar. And the
home side went 2-0 in front in the 67th minute when Faubert's right-wing
cross was met by a diving header from Cole that went in off the far post.
Birmingham should have reduced the deficit with six minutes remaining but
Kevin Phillips shot high over the bar with just Green to beat.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Hughes lined up as new West Ham manager
Published 23:00 10/02/10 By John Cross
The Mirror
Mark Hughes has been lined up to be West Ham's next manager. Under-pressure
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is fighting for his future at Upton Park after
a very public fall-out with the club's new owners David Gold and David
Sullivan. And despite Gold and Sullivan insisting they always backed their
managers with time and support, West Ham have been eyeing up former
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes. Hughes is their first choice if Zola is
ousted with the club battling against relegation and the pressure now on the
West Ham manager. The club's new owners are known to be big admirers and
Zola is aware of their liking for Hughes which will only add to the
uncertainty around his future. Hughes is currently out of work after being
axed by City and would relish another Premier League job, having also been
linked with the Turkish national post. But Hughes would command a big salary
and West Ham know that they would have to stay in the top flight to attract
him, meaning that even survival may not be enough to save Zola. Bookies made
Zola the odds-on favourite to be the next managerial casualty when Gold and
Sullivan took over and, after his outburst against the owners' plans to cut
the wage bill and reduce salaries, he is in real danger again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No Sweat!
West Ham Till I Die
The way some fans were talking about Birmingham City, before the match, one
could be forgiven for assuming that we were facing the mighty Barca! In
reality, Brum are a hard working, well drilled unit, without any 'stand out'
players. They have been playing above themselves this season and, in all
fairness, have been getting some very good results.
I said before the match that we need not fear them and should take the three
points. Birmingham City do not have one player of the quality of Parker,
Diamanti or Cole. The challenge was to match their organisation and work
rate and then bring our greater quality in to play. And the fact is that
this victory is distinguished by the application of skill and quality within
an overarching framework of teamwork, organisation and graft.
Diamanti was fantastic tonight. Not just in terms of quality, but also
industry down the left side. In my view Diamanti is neither a luxury, nor a
impact substitute. He is the most naturally gifted forward that we currently
have. Diamanti has the tools to win games with his vision, passing,
shooting and deadly ability from set peices. If Zola can just better ground
his ability within the team, and improve his decision-making, we will have
an exceptional PL player .
Diamanti's free-kick to score the first was top draw. I have said it
before, we need to win more free kicks in and around the box to enable him
to bring those devastating free-kicks into the match equation. I feel a bit
like an heretic saying it, but maybe West Ham's ethos is just a bit too
honest for our own good! Maybe we should play the rules, like Chelski,
Arsenal, Man Utd and Villa do, and employ a conscious tactic of inviting
oposition challenges and going down at the slightest contact! We all know
other teams use this tactic very effectively to win possession and gain
advantage in dangerous positions, so let's do it and justify it to ourselves
as 'professionalism.'
Cole's forward play was excellent. He must get on the plane to South Africa
ahead of the likes of Heskey and Crouch! His objective must be to play
himself in to Capello's England team in the the pre-WC friendlies. He has
the ability to go on to force his way in the starting XI for the WC Finals.
To do that he needs to make a big impact with West Ham and supply the goals
that will help secure our safety.
Everyone played well, but Parker, Tomkins, Behrami and Faubert deserve a
particular mention in despatches. Parker is another that deserves a chance
with England. His energy and powerful forward play is crucial to the team.
Tomkins is growing in to the top class defender that we all know him to be.
He is still learning his trade, but he is an England centre-half in the
making and should graduate from the U-21s after this year's WC. Behrami is
Mr 'Perpetual Motion,' the running, covering and challenges that he gets in
during the course of a match are phenomenal. It is unglamourous but vital
work and no one does it better than Valon Behrami. Faubert may need to
refine his defensive skills as a conventional RB, but his forward play on
the right side just keeps getting better. Faubert's powerful runs down the
right wing gives us width and his crosses create danger in the opposition
box. His assist for Cole's goal reminds us of the importance and
effectiveness of getting to the byeline and putting balls behind defences
for our strikers to convert!
All in all, a very encouraging performance. However, against Hull City the
team face another major challenge. That challenge is consistency!
Hitherto, we have failed be consistent in our results this season and that
has to change. We must defeat Hull City and build upon the Birmingham City
result. Winning becomes a habit and we need to acquire it between now
before the end of the season!
SJ. Chandos.
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DIAMANTI'S A REAL GEM
Daily Star
11th February 2010
By Paul Brown
West Ham 2, Birmingham 0
ONE diamond geezer put a smile back on the face of another with a first-half
stunner at Upton Park. Alessandro Diamanti fired a scorching free-kick
opener for struggling West Ham on his return from a knee injury. And he then
led the charge as under-pressure but much-loved Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola
was mobbed by his players. Zola's job is under threat with West Ham
co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan ready to replace him with Mark
Hughes. But his players showed they are clearly still behind their manager
with a battling display against the under-par visitors. And it got even
better for them when Carlton Cole stooped to head home a Julien Faubert
cross in the 67th minute.
Sullivan and Gold spent 16 years reviving Birmingham City and would love to
do the same thing in east London. But it won't be easy. West Ham's books are
a mess after months of lavish spending and relegation could plunge the
future of the club into doubt. Feared Sullivan cranked up the pressure on
his Hammers players before kick-off by suggesting they should all take pay
cuts. That did not go down well with Zola, who feared his side would be
distracted ahead of a game they could not afford to lose. The Italian was
also angry that Sullivan suggested he may be "too nice" to manage in the
cut-throat world of the Premier League. West Ham last tasted victory on
Boxing Day against rock-bottom Portsmouth and started the night mired in the
bottom three. But they came out fighting, with loan star Mido twice going
close with headers from right-wing centres by Faubert.
Birmingham came to east London flying high, and the Midlands club still have
one eye on a European place after a storming start to the season. But they
started slowly, with Hammers defender James Tomkins warming the fingers of
England keeper Joe Hart with a decent shot from just outside the box. West
Ham went with a new-look strikeforce, Mido coming in for the injured Benni
McCarthy to partner Carlton Cole up front. But it was Diamanti who came
closest to breaking the deadlock with a 25-yard shot which Hart
tipped over the crossbar. Cameron Jerome should have done better at the
other end moments later when he screwed a shot wide after a neat pass from
Kevin Phillips. Cole then turned Scott Dann before firing a right-foot
effort past the far post, but soon after- wards Dann foiled the England man
with a fine block tackle. The Blues were forced to change their starting
line-up for the first time in 13 league games because of Chucho Benitez's
ankle injury. Phillips was the man who came in for him and the 36-year-old
forced Rob Green into a flying save with a blistering shot from the edge of
the area. Jerome was inches away from connecting with an excellent
first-time cross from Craig Gardner at
the far post with Green scrambling. But a foolish foul by Dann on the
rampaging Scott Parker gave West Ham a free-kick in a dangerous position
right on the stroke of half-time.
And Diamanti stepped up to loop the ball over the wall and into the top
corner past the despairing dive of Joe Hart. The Hammers striker immediately
made a beeline for Zola, who was quickly mobbed by West Ham players on the
touchline. It was Diamanti's first league goal since that Christmas win over
Pompey and his sixth in 18 games since signing from Livorno in the summer.
West Ham sponsors SBOBet had to bring forward a payment to the club to help
fund his £6m transfer fee – and it was looking like money well spent.
Birmingham rallied after the break but they found a West Ham side ready for
the fight despite the freezing conditions. Mido found himself with time and
space on the edge of the area but when he curled his shot goal- wards it was
easily saved. But the home crowd erupted when Faubert raced to the byline
and picked out Cole at the far post for No.2 with 23 minutes to go.
WEST HAM: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Diamanti, Parker, Kovac,
Behrami, Mido, Cole. Subs: Stech, Ilan, Noble, Spector, Da Costa, Collison,
Stanislas.
BIRMINGHAM: Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer,
Fahey, Phillips, Jerome. Subs: Taylor, Larsson, McFadden, Michel, Parnaby,
Vignal, Jervis.
Referee: Mike Dean.
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Birmingham City are beaten by West Ham United
Feb 11 2010 by Ken Montgomery, Birmingham Mail
ARMAGEDDON. Not quite for either team, but a result far more important to
West Ham. David Sullivan's favourite adjective may yet still be applied to
his new club as they strive to stave off relegation to the Championship.
Blues' Premier League security has already all but been assured, although
that does not soften the defeat here. It was a grudge match in so much that
it probably mattered more to those in the boardroom after the unseemly
transfer of St Andrew's ownership from Sullivan, the Golds and Karren Brady
to Carson Yeung. The pre-game spoutings from Sullivan and David Gold were
wide-ranging, not only did they have a pop at the Chinese, Blues' stature as
a club and the fans, but also put Gianfranco Zola on message (not to mention
the 25 per cent pay cut requests). We're used to it in Birmingham, but down
in the East End and to other observers around the country, it was
eye-opening stuff. As it turned out, it was no doubt tame in the Boleyn
Ground inner sanctum as Yeung and Peter Pannu were in Paris on business.
Brady was not present either, and Blues were represented by Michaels Dunford
and Wiseman, plus Sammy Yu. Still, Gold wanted West Ham to 'whack' Blues and
although he got his wish for a win, it was hardly that comprehensive.
Alessandro Diamanti's superb free-kick (45+2) and Carlton Cole's header (67)
ultimately condemned Blues and left the old owners lording it over the new.
West Ham fielded a very attack-minded side, not surprisingly considering
their predicament. Cole and Mido formed the spearhead and the home team
began with determined intent. But Blues, despite West Ham's early
possession, were not fazed and gradually grew in menace. Starters Craig
Gardner injected some energy and drive on the right flank and Keith Fahey
began to weave his way. A lovely flowing move that spliced through the
middle of the West Ham defence allowed Cameron Jerome a shooting chance but
he put the ball wide with his sidefoot. Kevin Phillips' opportunism from the
left-hand side of the penalty area saw Robert Green keep his wits about him
to tip over a searing, rising shot. For the Hammers, Diamanti stung Joe
Hart's hands at the near post and Scott Dann flung himself in to block the
path of a Cole attempt that was on target. Cole also pinged a shot just wide
of the far post but, by and large, Blues were never really hurt by West Ham,
until they provided them with a way in right at the end of the first period.
Scott Parker, in trademark scurrying style, dribbled at the heart of the
defence and was tripped by Dann's outstretched leg.
Whether it was a necessary challenge is open to debate as Parker was
probably going to be crowded out. Diamanti seized the opportunity from the
free-kick to curl a beauty over the wall and beyond Hart into the top
right-hand corner. There was no air-punching or gloating from Sullivan, who
just sat impassively and chatted to the person next to him. The half-time
whistle blew the moment Blues re-started and set the stage for a rally that
failed to materialise in the manner it did against Wolves. A clever,
quickly-taken free-kick by Gardner almost put Jerome through on his own but
the ball just ran away from him as Green realised he was in trouble. Blues
pressed West Ham back thereafter but found their defence solid and in no
mood to buckle; they looked far more compact than they did in the first
half. Blues' fate was sealed moments after the resumption following the
substitution of Fahey. West Ham swung the ball from left to right where
Julien Faubert was played in on the overlap. He whipped an inviting cross to
the near post where Cole got across Johnson and glanced it in with a
determined, diving flourish. There was an ambitious penalty shout against
Matthew Upson as his trailing arm planted down on the ball after he stopped
Lee Bowyer in his tracks with a sliding tackle, but little else for Blues.
They were left to curse presenting West Ham the chance to break the
deadlock, it was just what they needed and it didn't appear to be coming at
the time.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green, Faubert, Ilunga (Spector ht), Kovac, Tomkins,
Upson, Diamanti, Parker (Noble 86), Behrami, Cole, Mido (Ilan 65). Not used:
Stech, da Costa, Collison, Stanislas.
BLUES (4-4-2): Hart 7. Carr 6. Ridgewell 6. Dann 6. Johnson 6. HGARDNER 7.
Bowyer 6 (Michel 77). Ferguson 6. Jerome 6. Phillips 6. Fahey 6 (McFadden
67, 6). Not used: Taylor, Larsson, Parnaby, Vignal, Jervis.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham cast pay concerns aside to bolster their survival hopes
Guardian report
West Ham United 2 Diamanti 45, Cole 67 Birmingham City 0
Paul Doyle at Upton Park guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 10 February 2010 22.10
GMT
Footballers are habitually encouraged to do their talking on the pitch and
for much of this season West Ham have been spouting gibberish. Last night,
however, they issued a firm declaration of support for their under-pressure
manager, Gianfranco Zola, in the form of a tenacious and purposeful
performance that endeda run of six games without a win and hoisted them
clear of the relegation zone. More displays like this and they will not
return there.
This was the ideal outcome for Zola, whose suitability to manage had been
called into question in the run-up to the game by the West Ham co-owner,
David Sullivan, who had suggested the Italian might be "too nice" to
succeed. Though Sullivan subsequently issued a public assurance that Zola's
job was not in jeopardy, the original comment, coming after a disagreement
between the two men over the timing of the owner's announcement about
swingeing cost cuts, doubtless spawned a feeling of vulnerability that words
alone could not dispel. Security is more likely to spring from victories
like this.
Perhaps in an attempt to show he can make cold-hearted decisions, Zola
dropped Mark Noble and Jack Collison from the starting line-up, two
youngsters in whom he had hitherto kept faith despite jaded-looking recent
performances. He also gave a first start to the January signing Mido, and
the Egyptian striker, so often sulky during previous spells at English
clubs, combined well with Carlton Cole, who too frequently this season has
been isolated up front. Mido's powerful impact overall, however, did not
apply in the box, where he was guilty of squandering West Ham's first two
chances of the game with tame finishes.
West Ham had begun in buoyant fashion but as they struggled to convert their
good play into goals the brittleness of their confidence became apparent and
Birmingham grew in menace. Cameron Jerome shot wide for the visitors from 18
yards before Scott Parker, a relentless driving force in West Ham's
midfield, switched the momentum back in his team's favour with a storming
run forward that Scott Dann curtailed illegally at the edge of the box.
Alessandro Diamanti curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner,
before charging to celebrate, pointedly, with his compatriot manager on the
sideline. "It was a good gesture and I appreciated it very much," said Zola.
"He just said 'this is for you, me and the team'. It's important that there
is a good connection between the staff, myself and the players and everyone
who works here. It means we are all going in the same direction and that's
vital."
Cole sealed West Ham's win when he steered a header into the net from close
range after enterprising work down the right by Julien Faubert. Birmingham,
whose manager, Alex McLeish, had elected to change his line-up for the first
time in 13 league matches, retained much of the compactness that has been
responsible for their successful season but never summoned enough creativity
to suggest they could threaten a comeback.
Zola, asked whether the comprehensive nature of the win might embolden him
to tackle his employers anew, replied: "I didn't take offence [at
suggestions he was 'too nice']. The chairman made a point, I made a point,
now it's in the past. The important thing is I'm motivated to do well for
this team. That is my message. Now we have to work together to give this
team a better position. I'll do my job, the chairmen will do their jobs and
the team will do theirs. End of story."
It is not yet the end of West Ham's relegation fight, of course. Though this
win propelled them up to 14th spot, they remain a solitary point above the
bottom three. Zola, however, believes the confidence harvested from the
evening means there are happier times ahead. "This is a massive boost," he
said. "Psychology is unbelievably important in football. I believe that this
team is still only playing at 70% of its potential but the more freedom we
get the better you will see us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 2 - 0 Birmingham
ESPN
Hammers record vital win
Stadium: Upton Park, England
Attendance: 34,458
Match Time: 19:45 UK
Official(s):
Mike Dean (Referee)
Updated: February 11, 2010, 8:03 AM UK
West Ham's new owners were handed a timely reminder that Gianfranco Zola has
all the credentials to lead the club to safety as they despatched Birmingham
2-0 at Upton Park.
A goal in each half from Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole earned West
Ham their first victory under the new regime. It was made all the more
sweeter for new owners David Gold and David Sullivan by the fact it was
achieved at the expense of the club they used to own. Zola's future as
manager had been the subject of much speculation leading up to the game and
it sparked a vote of confidence from Sullivan only hours before the
kick-off. The co-owner's remarks that the wage bill would have to be slashed
was deemed unhelpful by Zola as he prepared his squad for this vital home
game. But the spirit of unity among the players and their support for Zola
was personified by Diamanti's 50-yard run to hug the Italian coach after the
striker had put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time. West Ham
were in a determined mood from the start with striker Mido showing some nice
touches on his full debut. In the seventh minute, he sent a header flashing
wide of the far post when a cross from Julien Faubert found him unmarked.
Five minutes later, James Tomkins forced Joe Hart into a fine save when the
West Ham midfielder sent a 20-yard drive towards the bottom corner. City hit
back but a cross from Craig Gardner went straight into the arms of the
waiting West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green. In the 23rd minute, Mido supplied
a low cross which Hart managed to scoop into his arms before Cole pounced.
But West Ham had Green to thank in the 24th minute when he punched away a
cross from Carr. However, Hart had to be at his best seconds later to tip a
powerful drive from Diamanti over the crossbar as the game began to open-up.
City should have taken the lead in the 28th minute but Cameron Jerome shot
wide of Green's right-hand upright from eight yards after Lee Bowyer had
cleverly set him up with a short pass. Yet West Ham continued to press and
Cole did well to turn his marker before firing just a yard wide of the far
post in the 32nd minute. Kevin Phillips tested Green in the 37th minute but
found the England goalkeeper in top form when he tipped the veteran
striker's 25-yard shot over the crossbar. But West Ham went in front in the
second minute of first-half injury time. City's Scott Dann was booked for a
foul on Scott Parker on the edge of the penalty area.
And West Ham made them pay when Diamanti sent the free-kick over the wall
and into the top corner for the opening goal. Diamanti, buoyed by his goal,
then tried his luck with a volley in the 54th minute but there was little
power behind the shot and Hart dealt with it comfortably. West Ham, looking
to bounce back from defeat at Burnley at the weekend, continued to dominate.
Diamanti was presented with another chance when Cole set him up in the 60th
minute but shot high over the bar. A rare City excursion into the West Ham
half brought them a free-kick on the angle of the penalty area when Matthew
Upson felled Gardner. The West Ham defender was yellow carded for his
misdemeanour but City failed to take advantage of the resultant free-kick.
West Ham made a further change in the 65th minute when Ilan replaced Mido.
City responded by removing Keith Fahey and introducing James McFadden. But
the home side went 2-0 in front in the 67th minute when Faubert's right-wing
cross was met by a diving header from Cole that went in off the far post.
Birmingham should have reduced the deficit with six minutes remaining but
Phillips shot high over the bar with just Green to beat. It was their last
chance as the home side held on to climb into 14th position and ease the
pressure, temporarily at least, on Zola.
Gianfranco Zola drew a line under his spat with new co-owner David Sullivan
after watching his side earn their first win under the new regime over
Birmingham.
Diamanti, followed by four other players, dived on the Italian coach after
the striker's opening goal. "Alessandro is very good at taking free-kicks,''
said Zola. "He scored a really great goal and his performance was
excellence. "It was just a celebration because we are going through a
difficult moment and we want to stick together, there was no other message
than we are together - the players and the staff. We want the team to
succeed. We are in a position we don't like and want to improve it and
that's the way I took it.
"We care about this club and want to be successful. It was a good gesture
and I appreciated it. It means we are all going in the same direction and it
is vital to do well. "What happened on Tuesday is past. It does not matter.
The important thing is that we won the game. It is important we win games
and win well and that we are a unit. That is the most important message we
send to everybody. It is the end of the story. I am motivated and driven to
do well for this team and that is the most important thing. "That was my
message. We got the points and now we have to keep working together to give
this team a better position. We are all doing our jobs and it is the end of
the story. It belongs to the past. I didn't take offence. I am not a guy who
is touchy. "It is important the crowd sees there is a good working group
here. The chairman is entitled to his considerations but I want to be in a
position where I can do my job well for this team. "Birmingham are a good
team. It is a great win for us and it will give everybody a big boost. This
team can do much better and I believe it is playing at only 70% of its
potential. It is a massive win for us.''
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was disappointed that his side conceded a goal
in first-half injury time. "In the first half I though we played well,''
said McLeish. "I thought we were relatively in control. "We started to
penetrate a little bit. We just could not quite get the killer touch. To
concede a goal on half time the way we did was very disappointing. They got
a spring in their step when the second one went in. But the lads have shown
they can bounce back. They have shown that before. "They have done that time
and time again and the challenge now is for them to do it again. We have an
FA Cup tie against Derby at the weekend and the carrot is for the player to
show they can bounce back but they know they can do that.''
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West Ham United 2 Birmingham City 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between West Ham United
and Birmingham City at Upton Park on Wednesday Feb 10 2010.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Gerry Cox at Upton Park
Published: 6:25AM GMT 11 Feb 2010
In a week when the internecine war at West Ham United has made events at the
club look more like something from The Godfather than East Enders, it was
fitting that an Italian should strike the killer blow to set them on their
way to a much-needed victory. Allessandro Diamanti was the hitman who struck
in first-half stoppage time against Birmingham City to send the Hammers on
their way to a first win in six league games, and crucially, their first
under new owners David Gold and David Sullivan. Sport on television And
although Gianfranco Zola was keen to play down the spat between himself and
his new employers, there was no disguising the passion and solidarity he
shares with his players.
Moments after the ball flew from Diamanti's boot into the top corner of goal
in first-half stoppage time to set West Ham on their way, the Italian
midfielder made a beeline for his manager in the dugout, followed by his
team-mates, who piled on top of Zola in celebration. With Zola's position
tenuous, talk of Armageddon and threats of pay-cuts among players and staff,
it was a remarkable show of unity and intent, and once Carlton Cole added a
second goal midway through the second half, West Ham showed the sort of
conviction and confidence they will need to escape relegation. This victory,
their first since Boxing Day, took them up to 14th place and gave them
renewed hope. With Cole back in attack and Scott Parker majestic in
midfield, West Ham were always better than Birmingham and thoroughly
deserved to triumph. As Zola said: "This was a massive win for us. It will
give everybody a big boost. We are going through a difficult moment but we
are all together, players, staff and everyone. We care about this club and
want to be successful, and what happened yesterday is in the past. "I am
motivated to do well for the team and that is the most important thing. The
owners made their points, I made my point and now we need to work together."
Whether Zola will get the chance to see West Ham through to safety at the
end of the season is another matter, but the way he and his players
performed last night, the club should survive. They were up for it from the
start, with Cole and Mido, on his home debut, peppering shots and headers on
Joe Hart's goal. The Birmingham keeper had to be at his best to tip over a
fizzing drive from Diamanti midway through the half, and was thankful to see
Cole bend a shot wide of the far post shortly afterwards. But Hart had no
chance when Diamanti opened the scoring in stoppage time. A jinking run from
Parker was halted abruptly when he was tripped on the edge of the penalty
area, and the Italian stepped up to curl a beauty of a free-kick into the
top corner of goal beyond Hart's reach. It was a goal Zola would have been
proud of. "We had a free-kick competition in training yesterday and
Allessandro said he thought he would score today," revealed Zola afterwards.
Diamanti carried on in similar vein after half-time, bursting through from
midfield to shoot at Hart, and then blazing over the bar after being set up
by Cole. By this stage West Ham were playing with more urgency and attacking
intent, and got their reward when Cole made it 2-0 in the 67th minute. Valon
Behrami fed Julien Faubet on the right, the overlapping full-back delivered
a perfect cross into the box, and Cole got to the ball first with a diving
header from close range. That was pretty well that. Kevin Phillips, restored
to Birmingham's starting lineup after scoring twice at the weekend, tested
Robert Green with a couple of long shots, and the West Ham keeper had to
scramble the ball clear once or twice, but the visitors rarely looked like
scoring, leaving their manager Alex McLeish to rue: "I thought West Ham were
there for the taking, but to lose a goal on half-time was disappointing and
you could see the spring in their step after that."
It was only the second defeat in 16 games for the Blues, and McLeish said:
"They have shown time and time again that they can come back from defeat."
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