06.02.2010
Burnley v West Ham United
Turf Moor
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 6 February 2010
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Howard Webb
Full-time score - Burnley 2-1 West Ham United
96 mins - Upson flings in a long throw and it is flicked on. Cole goes for
it, but it drops into the arms of Jensen. The Dane thrashes the ball upfield
and Webb blows for full-time. It would be fair to say that the home
supporters are quite pleased with that result.
95 mins - The home fans are whistling as Green belts the ball up the pitch
one last time. It drops to Cole, but bounces too high for the striker to
control his shot and the ball flies over the top.
93 mins - Mido's cross is deflected high into the air. Jensen comes and gets
nowhere near it and the ball drops to Parker 20 yards out. Unfortunately,
his finish is wayward and goes well wide of the post.
92 mins - The ball breaks to Bikey 40 yards from goal. He brings it forward
and the crowd encourage him to shoot. He does, and the ball rolls wide of
the post.
91 mins - We're going to have at least FIVE added minutes.
90 mins - Inches! Cole crosses from the left and Mido sticks out his left
leg, only to see his shot bounce back of the base of the post. Burnley break
up the other end and Parker is booked for a foul on Mears.
89 mins - Fletcher tricks his way past Tomkins before crossing dangerously,
but Thompson's header flies over the top.
88 mins - Stanislas crosses from the right and Upson can only head wide of
the post. Burnley make a third change, bringing on Thompson for Nugent.
87 mins - Stanislas shoots and it is deflected behind for a corner.
Everyone, bar Green and Faubert, is in the box. Stanislas crosses and Ilan's
downward header is pushed behind by Jensen.
86 mins - Goalscorer Foxis replaced by David Edgar. The majority of the
21,001 inside Turf Moor give the former Celtic player a generous reception.
85 mins - That was a trifle ambitious from Mido, who lets fly from about 35
yards. The ball clears Jensen and the crossbar with some distance to spare.
Burnley break up the other end and Fletcher crosses. The ball hits a
defender and Nugent can just not get enough on it to direct it goalwards.
Spector nips in and clears the ball into touch.
84 mins - Argh! This is agonising. Cole holds the ball up superbly before
clipping it to the far post, but Ilan cannot make contact on the volley.
83 mins - Stanislas is fouled near the halfway line, but the resulting
free-kick is overhit and Jensen claims high above his head.
81 mins - GOAL! Ilan scores on his debut. Stanislas gets free down the left
and, after what seems like ages, Spector, Parker, Cole and Mido are all
involved before Jensen blocks the Egyptian's shot. The ball rolls clear and
the Brazilian smashes it into the top corner. Game on!
77 mins - Noble is replaced by the third debutant of the day, Ilan. We
certainly need some Brazilian magic here, to say the least.
76 mins - Weak appeals for handball against McDonald. In truth, there is no
way he could have got out of the way of Tomkins' volley. Referee Webb waves
away the claims.
75 mins - Ouch! That hurt. Scott Parker runs on to a Cole pass and straight
into Carlisle.
72 mins - Stanislas almost does a Danny Fox, curling the ball over Jensen
and against the underside of the Burnley crossbar before the Clarets get the
ball clear. The ball goes out and Burnley make a change, replacing Blake for
Patterson.
71 mins - Mears leaves Stanislas in a heap near the left touchline. That was
a foul, there's no doubt about that! Stanislas himself will take the
free-kick.
70 mins - Fletcher should maybe hit the target there. An Elliott cross lands
on his head eight yards out, but he can only glance it wide of the far post.
69 mins - McDonald works some space on the edge of the penalty area, but
Upson is there to block his shot.
66 mins - I don't believe this. Faubert curls the ball across and Jensen can
only palm it to Tomkins, who sends it slowly towards the goalline. Cole
stabs it in from about a yard out, only to be flagged for offside. It may
well have been going in anyway. Replays show that Parker was offside in the
build up.
64 mins - Fox brings down Parker wide on the right and is booked for his
troubles. Mido is going to take the free-kick with his left foot, but
Carlisle heads clear at the near post.
63 mins - Faubert and Noble work the ball across to left-back Spector, who
finds Cole inside the box. The big man holds off his marker and runs along
the edge of the penalty area before sending a deflected shot into the arms
of Jensen.
62 mins - The game is very, very stretched, with hardly any time being spent
in the middle third of the pitch. Zola makes his second change of the game,
bringing on Junior Stanislas for Collison.
59 mins - Burnley's turn to threaten, with Mears cutting inside Spector and
flashing a shot well over the crossbar from 18 yards. A third goal would
make things a trifle tough for the Hammers.
56 mins - Inches from a goal for Parker. Cole and Mido combine to set up the
midfielder, whose low shot is tipped around the post by Jensen. Good save,
that.
55 mins - GOAL! Thankfully nothing. Fox steps up and curls a beauty of a
free-kick into the far top corner. That was unstoppable.
54 mins - A yellow card for Collison for a shove on Mears. Thankfully, the
offence was committed just a yard outside the penalty area.
52 mins - McDonald is shown the yellow card for pulling back Parker. West
Ham have really upped it since half-time. Noble curls in the free-kick and
Cole flicks it on towards Mido. It looked like Bikey had a handful of shirt,
but referee Webb clearly saw nothing and awards a goal kick.
51 mins - West Ham win the ball back in midfield and have a four-on-three
break. Collison breaks forward and shoots, only for his shot to be blocked
on the edge of the penalty area.
49 mins - Burnley are creaking a bit, here. Collison comes within a whisker
of sending Cole through, only for Carlisle to intercept.
48 mins - Well, that would have been one heck of an introduction. Parker and
Cole combine to find Mido, and the African zips a left-foot shot narrowly
wide of the near post. Jensen was diving full-length for that one.
47 mins - Cole eludes an aerial challenge from Bikey and shoots on the turn,
but his effort is weak and rolls well wide of the target. In fact, it
doesn't even reach the goalline before Jensen collects the ball.
46 mins - Bikey brings down Cole ten yards inside the Burnley half. Noble
lofts the free-kick to the edge of the penalty area where Mido collects, but
his low cross is hacked clear by Mears.
A half-time change from the Hammers, with Mido replacing McCarthy. The
Egyptian is on for his debut and takes his place on the centre circle as
Burnley get the second half underway.
Half-time score - Burnley 1-0 West Ham United
47 mins - Bikey brings down Parker, Green smashes the ball upfield and Webb
blows for half-time.
45 mins - We're going to have at least two added minutes...
44 mins - Collison is penalised for bringing down Elliott wide on the right.
Fox jogs over, but it is Blake who curls the ball over and Upson heads
clear. Blake crosses and gain and Collison intercepts. West Ham break
through Parker, who finds Faubert, but the Frenchman's cross is too high for
McCarthy. Cole picks up possession, but his cross is easily cleared.
42 mins - Cole wins a flick-on from Green's long punt and Mears needlessly
hacks the ball out for a corner. A late chance for the Hammers in this first
half. Noble lofts the corner over and it flicks off the head of Tomkins to
safety.
41 mins - Behrami finds Faubert wide on the right. He beats Fox to the
byline, but can only cross the ball too close to Jensen, who falls on it at
his near post.
40 mins - McCarthy is back on, by the way. He did receive some treatment to
what looked like his left leg, however. Back in the action, the South
African nearly makes the most of a short backpass, only for Jensen to rush
out of his goal and clear the ball to Mears.
38 mins - McCarthy is off the pitch momentarily for treatment and Burnley
nearly take advantage through Elliott, only for the midfielder's shot to be
deflected wide for another corner. Fox takes and Faubert and Spector combine
to head the ball clear.
33 mins - McCarthy comes within a yard of scoring his first West Ham goal,
latching on to Parker's pass before rounding Jensen, only for Cort to dash
back and clear the striker's shot off the line. From the resulting corner,
Burnley complete the clearance.
31 mins - Cole again, bursting past two defenders and shooting low to
Jensen's near post, where the goalkeeper stoops low to collect.
30 mins - Burnley have a reputation for being a good footballing side and it
is certainly well-founded. The Clarets are very comfortable in possession
and loathe to hit long balls forward, which is a bit ironic considering
where their goal came from.
26 mins - So close to a clear sight of goal there as Noble and McCarthy
combine, only for the latter's cross to be behind Cole and cleared by Fox.
Moments later, Collison gets free on the left, cuts inside Elliott and
hammers the ball goalwards, only for it to be blocked on the edge of the
six-yard box by Jensen. That was close to an equaliser.
25 mins - A first sight of goal for McCarthy as Cole and Parker combine and
the South African receives the ball inside the penalty area. Unfortunately,
after controlling on his chest, the striker can only poke his shot well wide
of the far post.
21 mins - Cole and McCarthy are working hard to get their partnership going
as the former wins a flick-on that the South African nearly latches on to.
Seconds later, Spector wins a free-kick in a dangerous position wide on the
left. Noble's free-kick does not beat the first defender, though.
19 mins - Cole tries to bring the Hammers back into proceedings
single-handedly, hurdling two challenges before being tackled by Clarke
Carlisle on the touchline. That was better from the big England man.
17 mins - Burnley are still playing the better football here, and the goal
has given their players a real confidence boost. West Ham need to ride out
the storm and pass their way back into the match.
14 mins - GOAL! Burnley take the lead through Nugent. A long raking pass out
of defence by left-back Fox bounces past Upson and the England striker
cleverly lobs it over Green and into the net.
12 mins - The PA announcer has just called for the driver of West Ham's team
coach to return to his vehicle. I wonder why? Perhaps he has parked on a
double yellow line? Whatever it is, Zola is suitably amused and breaks into
a broad grin.
11 mins - Tomkins brings down Nugent midway inside the West Ham half and
receives a talking-to from Webb. Faubert heads the free-kick clear before
being caught by Cort, so to speak.
10 mins - Mark Noble has West Ham's first shot on target from 20 yards, but
it is straight at Jensen, and the big Dane safely gathers the ball into his
midriff.
9 mins - Bikey is making a proper nuisance of himself before conceding a
free-kick by bringing down Behrami. The home fans enjoyed the Cameroonian's
endeavour, though.
8 mins - West Ham launch their first real attack, with Collison and Noble
combining to send Faubert free down the right. The Frenchman opts to cross
first-time, but his centre is just too close to Jensen.
5 mins - Elliott and Mears combine down the right and force Spector into
conceding another corner. Fox and Blake work it short before the left-back
lofts it over straight into the hands of Green.
3 mins - Burnley have made a decent start, with Mears featuring heavily down
the right flank before Nugent wins a corner. New boy Danny Fox swings the
corner over and Upson rises to head it clear. Referee Webb had spottedn
infringement, though, and awards West Ham a free-kick.
1 min - We're off and running... There is a cracking atmosphere inside the
stadium, to be honest, with both sets of fans enjoying a good sing-song.
McCarthy wins his first free-kick as a West Ham player as Andre Bikey brings
him down.
3pm - The two teams are ready to kick-off and the ball is on the
centre-spot. Burnley go into a huddle as Cole and McCarthy prepare to get us
underway...
2.58pm - The two teams are out on the pitch and go through the usual
pre-match handshakes. McCarthy has a big smile on his face as he goes around
and shares a high-five and embrace with his new team-mates.
2.55pm - The little TV screens in the Press Box show joint-chairman David
Gold taking his seat in the stand. Will he see his first West Ham victory as
the club's co-owner this afternoon?
2.53pm - Just to let you all know, the Under-18s lost 3-2 at Norwich City
this lunchtime. Callum Driver was the scorer of both of West Ham's goals as
they nearly fought back from a 3-0 half-time deficit. A full match report
and reaction from Academy Director Tony Carr will appear on whufc.com later
today.
2.51pm - Oasis anthem 'What's The Story'? provides the send-off as both
teams head for the tunnel. Mentioning the tunnel, it is behind the goal here
at Turf Moor, so the two teams will actually come out from between the two
sets of fans in the David Fishwick Stand. You don't see that very often, do
you?
2.50pm - Burnley are obviously one of those clubs who really value their
goalmouths, as they have wheeled in two full-size goals for the team's to
practice in away from the six-yard box. Both sets of players are making full
use of them, with goalkeepers Brian Jensen and Robert Green being put
through their paces by their respective legion of strikers. Behind Green's
goal at the David Fishwick Stand end, the 2,400 visiting supporters are
making a right din. Unfortunately, it is being drowned out by The Farm's
'Altogether Now', which is blaring out over the Turf Moor PA system.
Incidentally, the PA system itself was replaced following Burnley's
promotion to the Premier League last summer, so I don't blame them for
making full use of it.
2.45pm - West Ham have an enviable recent record against Burnley, having not
lost to the Clarets since 9 September 1978. In the intervening period, the
Hammers are unbeaten in ten matches against the Lancashire side, winning
eight of them. To give you some idea how long it is since Burnley beat West
Ham, David Cross scored both goals for the visitors in a 3-2 defeat here
back in September 1978.
2.40pm - A quick Wikipedia check of other famous sons and daughters of
Burnley reveals that rugby league star Paul Sculthorpe was born in the town,
as was the superbly-named former England women's cricket international Betty
Snowball.
2.35pm - It just occurred to me that Burnley Cricket Club was the first club
of England fast bowler James Anderson, who no doubt bowled his first bouncer
just a few yards from where I am sat. Back to the football, and Burnley have
not won in 12 league matches, a run stretching back to their Hallowe'en
victory over Hull City. Since Brian Laws took charge following the departure
of Owen Coyle for nearby Bolton Wanderers last month, the Clarets have lost
four straight games.
2.30pm - The atmosphere is building nicely on a misty, cold day at Turf
Moor. Both teams are out on the pitch going through their pre-match
routines. I must say, the view from the top of the James Hargreaves Stand is
spectacular. To my right, the old cricket ground is behind the David
Fishwick Stand. Ahead of me , row upon row of terraced houses can be seen
stretching off into the distance. Burnley is a traditional football club,
having been formed in 1882. The club moved into Turf Moor the following
year, 1883, joining the resident Burnley Cricket Club.
Gianfranco Zola hands Benni McCarthy his West Ham United debut against
Burnley at Turf Moor.
The South Africa striker will partner Carlton Cole in attack, with the
England forward making his first Hammers start since the 5-3 home win over
the Clarets at the Boleyn Ground on 28 November.
McCarthy, who comes in for Radoslav Kovac, is one of two players to come
into Zola's side in Lancashire, with Scott Parker replacing Alessandro
Diamanti in midfield. The Italian received a knock in training on Thursday,
and is hoping to be back for the Barclays Premier League visit of Birmingham
City on Wednesday evening.
Goalkeeper Robert Green and the back four of Julien Faubert, James Tomkins,
captain Matthew Upson and Jonathan Spector will start together for the
fourth consecutive league match. McCarthy's fellow deadline-day arrivals,
Egypt striker Mido and Brazil forward Ilan, will be among the substitutes.
For Burnley, no fewer than two of new manager Brian Laws' January signings
feature in the hosts' starting lineup. Left-back Danny Fox and centre-back
Leon Cort have arrived from Celtic and Stoke City respectively. ight-back
Tyrone Mears faces his old club, having made six first-team appearances for
the Hammers during his single season in east London in 2006/07.
This afternoon's referee has been changed, with Steve Bennett being replaced
by 2010 FIFA World Cup-bound Howard Webb.
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox (Edgar 86), Blake (Patterson
72), McDonald, Bikey, Elliott, Fletcher, Nugent (Thompson 88)
Subs: Weaver, Duff, Eagles, Cork
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Ilan 77), Collison (Stanislas 62), Cole, McCarthy (Mido 46)
Subs: Stech, Ilunga, Da Costa, Kovac
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Hammers denied at Burnley
WHUFC.com
Ilan's late goal was not enough to prevent Gianfranco Zola's side from an
away defeat on Saturday
06.02.2010
Burnley 2-1 West Ham United
A goal in each half from David Nugent and Danny Fox condemned West Ham
United to a first Barclays Premier League defeat of 2010 despite a late
consolation from debutant Ilan.
Gianfranco Zola's men were caught out by Nugent's opportunist effort early
in the first half. Fox then doubled the agony with his free-kick just before
the hour and it seemed an impossible mission despite the best efforts of the
Hammers in the second half. Ilan did give some late hope with a goal on his
debut but the home side held on in the face of fierce pressure.
The visitors had Carlton Cole - making his first start since the 28 November
meeting between the clubs - back in attack alongside new recruit McCarthy.
Radoslav Kovac had made way for McCarthy, who lasted 45 minutes before being
replaced by Mido, another new arrival.
The first quarter of an hour was a scrappy affair with the Hammers
continuing where they had left off from last Saturday's goalless draw at
home to Blackburn Rovers. Burnley had the better of the opening period,
forcing a couple of corners before breaking the deadlock on 14 minutes.
Left-back Fox, making his debut after his switch from Celtic, pumped the
ball forward for Nugent to chase. The striker, who has just extended his
loan from Portsmouth until the end of the season, burst into the penalty
area ahead of Matthew Upson before lobbing the ball over the on-rushing
Robert Green and into the empty net.
West Ham improved after going a goal behind and had three good opportunities
in quick succession midway through the half. McCarthy twice, Jack Collison
and Cole all got into good positions but could not convert. Scott Parker, in
for the injured Alessandro Diamanti, then surged forward on 33 minutes
before sliding the ball through to McCarthy.
He rounded Brian Jensen but his shot was hacked away by Cort. It was to be
his last notable contribution as he got a knock that forced him off at
half-time - leading to Mido's arrival as a West Ham United player. The Eygpt
forward fired his first effort goalwards on 48 minutes, only for it to fizz
just wide of Jensen's right-hand post.
The Hammers seemed top but Jack Collison put the Hammers on the back-foot
when he pushed over Tyrone Mears just outside the penalty area ten minutes
into the second half. That allowed Fox the chance to step up and curl an
exquisite free-kick into the top corner. Parker so nearly pulled one back
immediately but Jensen dived low to his left to palm his shot round for a
corner.
Cole thought he had equalised on 66 minutes when he scrambled in a goalbound
shot by James Tomkins from a Julien Faubert cross. The England man had come
from an offside position though and referee Howard Webb - a late change for
Steve Bennett - brought a swift end to any Hammers celebrations.
Stanislas crashed a free-kick against the crossbar on 72 minutes but Burnley
remained a threat the other end with Steven Fletcher and Nugent keeping
Upson and Tomkins on their toes.
Ilan made it a goalscoring start to his Hammers career when he lashed in
from ten yards after Mido's effort had been blocked. He then went close with
another effort before Mido crashed Cole's low cross against the post.
While Burnley remained a threat on the break, it was the visitors who threw
everything forward in search of an equaliser, only for Parker and Cole to
hit efforts off-target when well placed.
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox, Blake (Patterson 72), McDonald,
Bikey, Elliott, Fletcher, Nugent (Thompson 88)
Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Edgar, Eagles, Cork
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Ilan 77), Collison (Stanislas 62), Cole, McCarthy (Mido 46)
Subs not used: Stech, Ilunga, Da Costa, Kovac
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Zola laments slow start
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola believes a poor opening 20 minutes cost his West Ham United
side at Burnley
06.02.2010
With 14 matches of the Barclays Premier League season remaining, Gianfranco
Zola has told his West Ham United team that they need to start winning - and
start winning now.
Zola's Hammers were hugely unfortunate to lose 2-1 at Burnley on Saturday,
hitting the crossbar and the post and seeing Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen
make a string of important saves in the closing stages. However, the
visitors' stirring comeback came only after David Nugent and Danny Fox had
fired Burnley into a two-goal lead. Despite a debut goal from Brazilian
forward Ilan, West Ham were left to rue a slack opening that allowed Nugent
to nip between Matthew Upson and Robert Green to lob the home side ahead.
Fox doubled the hosts' lead ten minutes after the break with an audacious
free-kick, leaving the Hammers with too much to do in the closing 35
minutes. "To be honest, only during the first 20 minutes of the game today
were we really poor. We didn't start the way we should've done and that gave
them an advantage. They deserved to score in those first 20 minutes but
after that, it was us who had so many chances but, unfortunately, we didn't
convert them. "Their second goal was one of those which you can only
applaud, when somebody puts the ball in the top corner like that. "After
that it was chance after chance for us. We got one goal, saw another
disallowed and had so many chances. I don't think that we could've done
better than that. My only regret was the first 20 minutes. It wasn't enough.
"Mistakes are always very costly and, obviously, we have to make sure that
we cut them out as much as possible. I think that's been the story of our
whole season. Sometimes we play some good football and sometimes we've lost
games through mistakes."
Saturday's defeat saw West Ham drop into the Premier League relegation zone,
and Zola knows he, his coaching staff and his players are the only people
who can lift the club out of the bottom three. "I'm more disappointed about
being in the bottom three than worried but we have enough to do better and
we saw that today. We have to be quick to get the three new players into our
system and it was encouraging in that way, today. We have to start using the
whole 90 minutes that we have at our disposal. "When you come up against
teams like Burnley, who are playing for their lives, it's difficult because
they will come out firing and we have to do the same. After those first 20
minutes, we wanted it as badly as Burnley."
While Zola was not happy with his side's start, he had reason to be
encouraged by the performances of his trio of debutants - Ilan scored,
McCarthy saw a shot cleared off the line before being forced off at
half-time and Mido hit a post late on. "Benni McCarthy tried very hard. He
had an opportunity and then he had a problem with his knee. I'm sure that
Benni can do much better. His knee shouldn't be too bad but we'll assess him
on Sunday. "Mido was excellent. He really did well. I'm pleased with him,
and Ilan came on and scored. It's all very encouraging but now we have to be
quick because time is running out and we need to start winning games. The
table requires that."
"In recent weeks we've improved but today we've taken a little step back but
we will come back stronger. I'm sure about that. "Burnley won the game and,
psychologically, it was very important for them to win. They did well but
there are still a lot of games left this season and there's still a long way
to go."
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Cole down but not out
WHUFC.com
He may have been frustrated at Turf Moor on Saturday but Carlton Cole will
keep on going
06.02.2010
Carlton Cole has said "it is time to start finishing" after a disappointing
afternoon at Burnley when West Ham United came up short despite dominating.
The England striker admitted he was still searching for full match fitness
after his first 90 minutes since mid-November. The closest he came to an
eighth goal of the season in the 2-1 reverse was a disallowed effort for
offside in the second half but he remains defiant and determined to help the
Hammers get out of trouble. "I am getting bored of languishing at the bottom
of the table," he said. "We don't deserve to be there. We should be higher
up the table. "We are creating chances and now it is time to start
finishing. I am very disappointed. I felt we deserved to at least get the
second goal. Fair play to Burnley, they defended well but we needed more out
of that game."
Like his manager, Cole felt the visitors were punished for a lacklustre
start that allowed Burnley to take the lead and build the platform for a
victory that meant the Clarets leapfrogged the Hammers in the table. "The
first ten to 15 minutes we just didn't get going. That is what cost us. We
were the better team throughout the game but that is how these matches go.
The start is very important."
He was encouraged by his new strike partners Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan,
with all three getting a go alongside Cole in attack over the course of the
afternoon. "These are great players that have come to join us and Guille
Franco is coming back as well, he is a great Mexican international. "I just
want to form a great striking partnership with any of them. Hopefully I can
keep on playing in the team. Today wasn't my day, but hopefully I will get
the goals. I am knackered though. They have been blooding me slowly. I am
trying to get my fitness up and get back on a goalscoring run. "
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Driver at the double
WHUFC.com
Left-back Callum Driver scored twice as West Ham United Under-18s lost 3-2
at Norwich City on Saturday
06.02.2010
A miraculous second-half fight-back from West Ham United's Under-18s came up
just short at Norwich City on Saturday. Trailing by three goals at
half-time, the unlikely figure of left-back Callum Driver scored twice to
take the Hammers to within a whisker of stealing an unlikely point before
finally losing 3-2. Academy Director Tony Carr made eight changes from the
team that lost 3-0 at home to Newcastle United in the FA Youth Cup fifth
round in midweek. Carr handed starts to no fewer than three schoolboys, with
England U16 stars Blair Turgott and Mathias Fanimo and striker Dylan
Tombides all named in the XI. It was Driver who stole the headlines for the
visitors, however, latching on to two loose balls inside the Canaries
penalty area to smash home his first and second goals of the season. While
he was disappointed with his side's first-half performance, Carr was glowing
with pride at the spirit, application and no little skill shown by his
players in the closing 45 minutes. "Callum's second goal came after 88
minutes, unfortunately, as if we'd played for another five minutes, I have
no doubt that we would have nicked a draw. "We were 3-0 down at half-time
and had played poorly against a Norwich team who were physically stronger
than us and who included a number of over-age players. "However, we made a
change in shape at half-time, moving from a diamond formation to a 4-4-2. We
had been giving them too much space in the midfield, and once we got control
of the game, we had a lot of possession and created plenty of chances.
"Aside from Callum's goals, we had two one-on-ones with their goalkeeper and
missed a few other opportunities, so we could easily have got a point.
"While I was not happy with the first half, I am very proud of the
performance we put in after half-time. It showed great character to take the
game to Norwich like we did, and it was only the form of their England U17
goalkeeper, Jed Steer, that kept them ahead."
Driver's first goal arrived after Norwich failed to clear a corner, while
the full-back's second strike was nearly a carbon copy as he pounced on the
ball after the home side had not dealt with a free-kick. West Ham return to
FA Premier Academy League action with the visit of Ipswich Town to Little
Heath on Saturday 20 February.
West Ham United U18: Cowler, Sanchez, Craig, Lampe, Driver, Moncur (Vose
65), Turgott, Fanimo, Subuola (Hall 65), Tombides, Purdy (Wearen 46)
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Burnley 2 - 1 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Les Roopanarine
Burnley picked up their first Premier League win since October to leave West
Ham languishing in the relegation zone. David Nugent paved the way for
Burnley's first victory under Brian Laws when he lobbed home a long ball
from new signing Daniel Fox. On a debut to remember, Fox then curled in a
superb second-half free-kick. West Ham struck the woodwork twice after the
break, but could conjure nothing more than a late close-range effort from
new signing Ilan. The score-sheet may look modest in comparison with the
eight-goal extravaganza that unfolded when the sides met last November, but
Burnley's return to winning ways lacked nothing of that match's drama.
Inspired by the cultured left foot of Fox, the Clarets started strongly,
took an early lead, and weathered a veritable storm of late West Ham
pressure. And after a hugely encouraging performance, Laws will be
especially delighted by his recent signings. On this evidence, Burnley have
used the January transfer window to telling effect by extending Nugent's
loan deal and signing former Celtic defender Fox. With 14 minutes gone and
the Clarets looking to build from deep, Fox spotted Nugent in space and
aimed a raking up-field pass towards the striker, who nipped in ahead of
Hammers defender Matthew Upson. In a moment to make England manager Fabio
Capello shudder, Upson totally misread the flight of the ball, allowing
Nugent to send a superb lobbed finish over Robert Green for his fourth
Premier League goal of the season. It was a goal to suggest that the age of
austerity ushered in by West Ham's new ownership, whose cost-cutting
measures reportedly include regulating the use of lighting and heating at
Upton Park, does not stretch to defensive matters. The Hammers arrived in
Lancashire with a record of three clean sheets from their previous five
games, but at times Jack Collison seemed to be on a one-man mission to alter
that statistic. With half-time approaching, Collison appeared to shove
Nugent in the back in the centre of the area, sparking a fruitless penalty
claim by the Clarets forward. Then, 10 minutes after the restart, the
midfielder needlessly felled Tyrone Mears, who was cutting in from the
right, fractionally outside the area. Collison inexplicably escaped a
booking, but Fox made the Hammers midfielder pay from the resulting
free-kick by curling the sweetest of left-foot strikes beyond Green. The
form book was being shredded, with West Ham's recent defensive resilience
fading into memory even as Burnley performed with a zest and spirit belying
the fact that they had previously taken just four of a possible 36 points.
The only constant was provided by the Hammers' continuing travails in front
of goal, a problem that first reared its head in earnest when Carlton Cole
sustained an injury against the same opposition last November. In the
absence of Cole, who was making his first start since that high-scoring
affair at Upton Park, the Hammers had found the net just five times.
Club manager Gianfranco Zola sought to address that problem in the transfer
window by acquiring a trio of strikers in Benni McCarthy, Mido and the
former Brazil forward Ilan.
All were given a chance to influence the outcome, although Zola may rue his
decision to hand McCarthy a starting place. Anonymous for the opening 25
minutes, the South African must have wished he had remained so when he
skewed a shot horribly wide before seeing an effort cleared off the line by
the excellent Leon Cort. It was no surprise when McCarthy gave way to Mido
at half-time, and the former Middlesbrough man went on to deliver an
eye-catching cameo. Mido served notice of his intentions by sending a
thunderous early second-half shot narrowly wide. And as the Egyptian
continued to impress, it was no surprise when he applied a vital touch in
nudging the ball to Ilan as West Ham pulled one back with nine minutes to
go. Cole lifted the ball towards the six-yard box, Mido reached it just
ahead of Burnley keeper Brian Jensen, and late substitute Ilan slid in to
throw West Ham a lifeline.
Burnley subsequently survived an almighty scare, Junior Stanislas - who had
earlier shuddered the bar with a stinging free-kick - swinging the ball in
from the left for the stretching Mido to fire in an effort that rebounded
off Jensen's left-hand upright. But the Clarets survived to leave West Ham,
who had enjoyed a one-point advantage over them at the start of play - and
who have not won away from home since the opening day of the season - a
point adrift of safety.
Burnley manager Brian Laws: "It was a huge three points and when you talk
about games you have to win this was one of them. "There was so much
pressure, but the players were magnificent. "David Nugent scored a fantastic
goal and it set the tone of the game. It gave us great belief because we
haven't been in this position for such a long time. "Danny Fox had a
fantastic debut and you couldn't ask for more. He's a smart acquisition and
there's no doubt he'll help give this team a different dimension."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "Today has been a little step back but we
will come back stronger, I'm sure of that. "But we have to be quick because
time is running out and the table requires it. "I'm not worried, I'm just
disappointed because we had enough to do better. "We have to make sure we
cut out our mistakes because it has been the story of our season, we've
played some good football at times and lost games because of mistakes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola on Burnley
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 6th February 2010
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola was unhappy at West Ham's lax defending in the first half of
today's disappointing 2-1 reversal at Burnley - but insisted that United
didn't deserve to leave Turf Moor empty-handed. A downcast Zola, speaking
after the defeat which saw the Irons plunge into the relegation zone
admitted that his team were simply not good enough out of the blocks -
although added that he was pleased with the comeback that almost earned an
unlikely point. "Nobody could have said anything if we'd got a point today,"
he insisted. "I'm disappointed at the way we started, the first 20 minutes
were poor. After that I was pleased and in the end we could have got more
than that. "The second goal for them was a cracker, you can't do anything
about that. But even after that we played until the end; we scored one and
should have scored more than that - and that is the story. We deserved more
than that. It's an unexpected defeat and I don't like it."
The defeat leaves the Irons with just 21 points from 24 games this season, a
point adrift of safety - and with little more than a third of the season
remaining, Zola knows only too well that the time for excuses is over. "This
way it's going to be more difficult but we still have a lot of chances -
starting on Wednesday [against Birmingham] when we have a game where we need
to perform very well," he said. "I think our future is going to be decided
at home because we have important matches, matches that we can win. But it
will be important also picking up points away - and we are looking forward
to that. "There's a lot of points to play for but we can't use that as an
excuse. We have to start to get points straight away because everybody's
doing that so we can't afford to start games the way we started today. That
is something we need to work on."
Zola also had words of praise for his three new signings, who between them
scored one goal (Ilan), hit the woodwork (Mido) and saw another effort
cleared off the line (McCarthy). "They showed us they have enough quality to
help," said Zola. "Benni did okay, he's not at his best yet but he will be
soon. Unfortunately he picked up an injury. I thought Mido, when he came on,
was excellent - he looked a threat and he held the ball very well, I was
pleased with him. "And also Ilan came on and scored, so it's very
encouraging. I think he is a good player, he came on, he looks alive - he's
got pace and that quality is very important here. He'll be an important
player for us."
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Laws grabs first Burnley win
Fox and Nugent on target in crucial defeat of West Ham
Last updated: 6th February 2010
SSN
Man of the Match: Danny Fox. Who could have imagined the left-back would
have such an impact on his debut? A long ball through created the opener
while his fierce free-kick secured the three-points.
Goal of the Match: Fox's free-kick may have some sceptics, but the former
Celtic man claimed that it was intentional after the match and it could not
have been hit any better either way.
Save of the Match: Just moments after Burnley's second, Scott Parker drilled
in a low effort from just inside the area that looked goal-bound but Brian
Jensen got down superbly to tip it round the post.
Talking Point: West Ham fans have been buoyed by a takeover and new signings
but their fight against relegation is as serious as ever. Can the Hammers
survive?
Brian Laws won his first match in charge of Burnley as the Clarets moved out
of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory against West Ham. The hosts were
on top in the opening stages and took the lead less than 15 minutes in
through David Nugent. New left-back Danny Fox lifted a long ball through to
the on-loan striker, who caught Matthew Upson off-guard before lifting the
ball over Robert Green and into the net. Debuting Benni McCarthy looked to
have levelled the scores when he rounded Brian Jensen but Leon Cort raced
back to clear off the line. Fox then continued his dream debut when his
free-kick evaded everyone in the area and sailed into the top corner. The
visitors had their chances and managed to pull a goal back when Brazilian
debutant Ilan came off the bench to slot into an empty net. Fellow
deadline-day signing Mido then almost levelled it in the dying stages when
his outstretched leg turned the ball beyond Jensen only for it to come back
off the post. The win ends a run of three straight league defeats for Laws
and a club run stretching back 12 long games to the end of October. Laws had
made two changes to the side that pushed Chelsea close, and they combined to
net the opener in the 14th minute
Nugent's perfectly-weighted lob from just inside the box beat the advancing
Green and gave the Burnley fans the start they wanted. The Hammers were
offering precious little in response with their own debutant McCarthy
spooning his first chance wide then seeing a neat one-two with Mark Noble
come to nothing. Jack Collison had their best chance in the 25th minute when
his drive struck Tyrone Mears and looped dangerously towards goal where Fox
eventually cleared. A rare opening for Carlton Cole on the half hour saw the
striker make room down the right flank but his eventual shot was easily
gathered down low by Jensen. The Hammers came close in the 32nd minute when
Scott Parker threaded a superb ball to McCarthy, who turned Jensen but saw
his shot booted off the line by Cort.
Mido replaced McCarthy at half-time and the Egyptian had the first chance of
the second period when he was fed by Cole but lashed his shot high and wide.
Burnley increased their lead on 55 minutes after winning a free-kick on the
edge of the box from Jack Collison's blatant push on Mears. Fox stepped up
to curl home a fantastic set-piece from a tight angle on the right, the ball
flashing into Green's top corner and giving the keeper no chance. Parker
came close to reducing the deficit almost immediately when his low shot was
brilliantly tipped round the post by Burnley keeper Jensen. Cole had the
ball in the net in the 66th minute when he poked home in a crowded box after
a cross by Julian Faubert, but his effort was disallowed for offside. The
visitors came close again in the 71st minute when substitute Junior
Stanislas almost outdid Fox, flinging in a free-kick from close to the left
corner flag which cannoned off the bar. Then the Hammers battled back with
Ilan stabbing home a loose ball in the box before Mido's dramatic late
effort left the Clarets hanging on by a thread.
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Zola looks for positives
Hammers boss believes his side still have time to beat the drop
Last updated: 6th February 2010
SSN
Gianfranco Zola remained upbeat despite his side's 2-1 defeat to Burnley in
a crucial relegation clash at Turf Moor. The Hammers fell behind after a
goal from David Nugent and looked down and out when Danny Fox curled in a
free-kick to double the lead. But the visitors rallied and pulled a goal
back through debutant Ilan before fellow new boy Mido struck the post in the
dying seconds. Zola was not happy with the way his side were outplayed in
the opening stages but thought their overall performance would not have been
undeserving of a draw. "I think nobody would have said anything if we would
have got a point today," the Italian told Sky Sports. "I'm disappointed
about the way we started, the first 20 minutes, other than that I was
pleased and in the end, as I said, we could have got more that that. "We
should have been prepared better for them coming that way.
Deadline day signing Ilan made an immediate impact when he came off the
bench to slot home the Hammers' only goal.
Zola reserved special praise for the new striker before stating that his
side need to secure some vital home points against Birmingham on Wednesday.
"I think he's a good player and he came on and he looks alive. He's got pace
and his quality is very important. He added: "It is an unexpected defeat and
I honestly don't like it but the (future) is going to be more difficult but
we still have a lot of chances. "Starting from Wednesday where we have a
game where we need to perform very well. "I think mostly our future is going
to be decided at home because we have important matches there we can win.
"But also it will be important to pick up points away."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley 2 West Ham 1
The Sun
WEST HAM slipped back into the bottom three as Brian Laws picked up his
first win as Burnley boss. David Nugent fired the home side ahead after 14
minutes and debutant Daniel Fox doubled the advantage with a cracking
free-kick 10 minutes into the second half. Hammers new boy Ilan pulled one
back in the 81st minute — triggering a storming finish from the visitors.
Mido hit the post after his fellow striker went close again but the
Brazilian's goal turned out to be little more than a consolation for
Gianfranco Zola's men.
Fox, who joined the Clarets for £1.8million last month, quickly showed his
worth by playing in Nugent for the opener with a long ball. And it came as
little surprise when he raced to celebrate with Laws after curling home what
proved to be the winner from a tight angle. The result was exactly what the
Burnley boss needed following a miserable run since replacing Owen Coyle. A
delighted Laws said: "It was a huge three points and when you talk about
games you have to win this was one of them. "There was so much pressure but
the players were magnificent. "Nugent scored a fantastic goal and it set the
tone of the game. It gave us great belief because we haven't been in this
position for such a long time. "We've got to make this an uncomfortable
place for any team coming here and the fans play a huge part in that. "To
play under that kind of pressure proves the players can get results."
Laws was left biting his nails as the Hammers bombed forward after Ilan
threw them a lifeline. But the late pressure could not hide another dismal
performance from the visitors, who once again are facing the very real
threat of relegation. Nugent and Fox came into the starting line-up as Laws
made two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Chelsea.
And they combined to break the deadlock after a spell of early West Ham
pressure. Nugent's perfectly-weighted lob from just inside the box beat the
advancing Robert Green — giving the Turf Moor faithful the start they so
dearly craved. The Hammers tried to respond but debutat Benni McCarthy
spooned his first chance wide before seeing a neat one-two with Mark Noble
come to nothing. Jack Collison had their best chance in the 25th minute when
his drive struck Tyrone Mears and looped dangerously towards goal, where Fox
eventually cleared. A rare opening for Carlton Cole on the half-hour saw the
striker make room down the right but he drifted too wide and his shot was
easily gathered by Brian Jensen.
West Ham came close to an equaliser in the 32nd minute when Scott Parker
threaded a superb ball to McCarthy, who turned Jensen but saw his shot
hacked off the line by Leon Cort. Mido replaced McCarthy at half-time and
the Egyptian had the first chance of the second period when he was fed by
Cole before firing high and wide. Burnley increased their lead on 55 minutes
after Collison's push on Tyrone Mears. Fox stepped up to curl home a
delicious set-piece from the right, flashing the ball into Green's top
corner. Parker came close to reducing the deficit almost immediately when
his low shot was brilliantly tipped round the post by Jensen. Cole had the
ball in the net in the 66th minute when he toe-poked home in a crowded box
after a cross by Julian Faubert, but the effort was disallowed for offside.
The Hammers did manage to pull one back when Ilan stabbed home a loose ball
in the box before Mido's late effort left Laws begging for the final
whistle. Despite the defeat, West Ham boss Zola remained upbeat about his
side's chances of beating the drop. He said: "Time is running out but I'm
not worried. "We have to make sure we cut out our mistakes because it has
been the story of our season. We've played some good football at times and
lost games because of mistakes. "This has been a little step back but we
will come back stronger, I'm sure of that."
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Cort, Carlisle, Fox (Edgar 86), Elliott, Bikey,
McDonald, Blake (Paterson 72), Nugent (Thompson 88), Fletcher. Subs Not
Used: Weaver, Duff, Eagles, Cork. Booked: McDonald, Fox.
Goals: Nugent 14, Fox 55.
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Parker, Behrami, Collison
(Stanislas 62), Noble (Ilan 77), Cole, McCarthy (Mido 46). Subs Not Used:
Stech, Kovac, Da Costa, Ilunga. Booked: Parker.
Goals: Ilan 81.
Att: 21,001
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
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David Nugent fires Burnley to victory
Burnley 2 West Ham 1
The Times
Nick Townsend at Turf Moor
HOWARD WEBB'S final whistle must have sounded like the sweetest rhapsody to
Brian Laws' ears. Not just an initial victory under the new manager's
stewardship, but the first overall for nearly a third of a season for the
Lancashire club.
Maybe it had something to do with a touch of royal patronage. Prince Charles
was here last week, inspecting a community programme. In his honour, Burnley
turned in a real variety performance; one of sufficient quality at times to
promise better times lie ahead — particularly from Danny Fox, their
transfer-window buy from Celtic — even if it was too often punctuated by
errors. It was ultimately a resolute rearguard action by a defence
containing another new signing, Leon Cort, purchased for £1.5m from Stoke,
that denied the visitors.
If it left the Hammers, who were propelled into the relegation places by
this defeat, believing they had been deserving of better, there could have
been no more satisfied character last night than Burnley chairman Barry
Kilby. As well as confirming that the outlay on Fox and Cort was money well
spent, this game went some way to vindicating the appointment of Laws.
Fox, who enjoyed a splendid debut, soon made his presence felt when he swept
a long ball upfield. David Nugent, whose loan from Portsmouth was extended
last week, left Matthew Upson in his wake as he clipped the ball cleverly
over keeper Robert Green.
Early on, Gianfranco Zola's West Ham, with Carlton Cole playing in tandem
with new signing Benni McCarthy, were like an old banger on a damp morning.
Nugent's goal was the equivalent of a good thump of the bonnet.
McCarthy clearly relished being unleashed into the fray again. When Scott
Parker released him he weaved past Burnley keeper Brian Jensen and shot
towards an empty net, only for Cort to make a saving clearance off the line.
McCarthy only lasted 45 minutes before he was forced off with a knee injury
and replaced by Mido. Zola's men were looking assertive when Burnley struck
again. Tyrone Mears was fouled by Jack Collison and Fox cleverly curled the
resulting free kick round Green.
The visitors were back in the game when Mido's challenge for Cole's ball
deep into the area allowed substitute Ilan to fire home the loose ball. In
the final desperate minutes, Mido struck a post. It left Zola to declare:
"Worried? No, I was more disappointed, but time is running out and we have
to start winning games."
Victory at least gives Burnley something of a cushion. But in this
relegation scrap, it could still turn out to be a whoopee cushion.
Star man: Danny Fox (Burnley)
Yellow cards: Burnley: Fox, McDonald West Ham: Parker Referee: H Webb
Attendance: 21,001
Burnley: Jensen 6, Mears 6, Cort 7, Carlisle 7, Fox 8 (Edgar 86min), Elliott
6, Bikey 5, McDonald 5, Blake 6 (Paterson 72min), Nugent 7 (Thompson 88min),
Fletcher 6
West Ham: Green 6, Faubert 7, Tomkins 6, Upson 5, Spector 5, Parker 7,
Behrami 6, Collison 6 (Stanislas 62min), Noble 6 (Ilan 77min), Cole 6,
McCarthy 6 (Mido h-t, 7)
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Alex McLeish: My bust-up with Karren Brady
Published 05:00 07/02/10 By Ralph Ellis
The Mirror
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has revealed for the first time the blazing row
he had with Karren Brady last season. They fell out when the former Blues
chief executive went public near the end of the club's promotion campaign.
She said McLeish was suffering in "Scolari territory – our team is
inferior to the sum of its talent". The two meet up again on Wednesday when
Birmingham go to West Ham, where Brady is now vice-chairman. And McLeish,
who kept a diplomatic silence at the time, admitted: "Karren probably
thought her comments would serve a purpose. "But what she said was against
my principles of team spirit. I told her not to write about the team and
concentrate on all the other little funny stories because it was running
against my team spirit ethic. "Deep down she might not have been happy at my
response, but she certainly took it on the chin and apologised."
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Gudjohnsen: I'll prove I was right to snub West Ham
Published 05:00 07/02/10 By Marc Isaacs
The Mirror
Eidur Gudjohnsen is ready to show West Ham he made the right choice in
joining Tottenham. Gudjohnsen, 31, was all set for a move to Upton Park
after passing a medical, but had a late change of heart when Harry
Redknapp made his move. The move angered West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola.
Gudjohnsen failed to make any impact at Barcelona and signed for Monaco at
the start of the season. Gudjohnsen said: "I had two options financially and
this was the choice I made. "I want to show I made the right decision and
help us move up the table. This is a very exciting squad. Harry is a big
character and the turnaround since he arrived is fantastic. "I'm very
grateful I'm back in the Premier League. In France it was different not
having fans at games and not having passion for football. It didn't fit with
me."
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