WHUFC.com
Fulham were too strong for Gianfranco Zola's side in the last awayday of the
season on Sunday
02.05.2010
Fulham 3-2 West Ham United
West Ham United's poor run of form away from home continued until the last
with a disappointing 3-2 Barclays Premier League defeat away to Fulham on
Sunday. A Clint Dempsey goal on the stroke of half-time, a freak effort from
Chris Baird in off Carlton Cole on the hour and late third from substitute
Stefano Okaka did the damage on a freezing day on the banks of the River
Thames. Cole pulled one back at the right end two minutes after his
own-goal, while substitute Guille Franco swept in a consolation in
added-time.
Having been soaked on their way to the game and had few moments to cheer,
the noisy Hammers supporters still remained in full voice - even singing 'We
are going to win 4-3' when there were barely seconds to play. Gianfranco
Zola could point to a harsh offside call on a clean-through Cole just before
the opener but Fulham just about deserved the win.
The opening period of the first half was as uneventful as any game you will
see, with only a raking Matthew Upson pass to a surging Jonathan Spector
standing out for the Hammers. The US international did well to cut inside
the penalty area but his final pass to Cole was just lacking. Fulham were on
a high after last Thursday's heroics against Hamburger SV that took them to
the UEFA Europa League final. They made several changes, while Zola had the
rare luxury of an unchanged side, with the only alteration in the 18 being
the fit-again Luis Boa Morte's presence on the subs' bench in place of Benni
McCarthy. It was on 21 minutes that something of real note finally happened.
Mark Schwarzer had to be alert to punch clear just in front of Valon
Behrami. Fulham broke up the other end and Robert Green had to be equally
lively to clear just as Erik Nevland prepared to pounce. Noble then blocked
Paul Konchesky's follow-up.
The Hammers answered with a neat passing move that saw Ilan spread a
crossfield pass out to Spector. He promptly found Noble and his turn and
shot produced a fine diving save from Schwarzer. Upson rose to meet the
resulting corner but could not direct it on target. Dempsey came closer on
26 minutes, turning 25 yards out and hitting the crossbar but it was 15
minutes before another effort on target, with the impressive Da Costa's own
speculative long-ranger forcing a Schwarzer one-handed save. Radoslav Kovac
went up unchallenged for the corner that followed but his header was wayward
and wide. The half finished in controversial fashion. Cole was wrongly
flagged offside from Julien Faubert's slide-rule pass and Fulham broke up
the other end to break the deadlock with Dempsey's neat finish into the
bottom corner. It was a real blow and the Hammers looked to be feeling the
effects of that early in the second half. Most notably Upson had to clear
over his own bar while there was some zippy play from Simon Davies and Bjorn
Helge Riise that had the visitors on the back-foot.
Things got worse when Baird hacked at a shot and it cannoned off Cole and
beyond Green. The Hammers striker was able to make instant amends within two
minutes, just after Zola had replaced Faubert and Ilan with birthday boy
Alessandro Diamanti and Guille Franco. Cole leapt well to meet Noble's
free-kick and nod past Schwarzer - moving him on to double figures for the
season in all competitions. It was not exactly a case of game on, but Scott
Parker - unsurprisingly - led the way as the Hammers looked to take control
and restore parity. Fulham withdrew Davies for Okaka to give the away side
something to think about and, after riding out the initial flurry, regained
control. Okaka, wearing tights and gloves, settled it on 80 minutes. Spector
presented the ball to Nevland and the striker was able to slide the ball
across the goal for the on-loan AS Roma man to net. It was an easy finish
and Hammers' hopes were dashed. Zola introduced Junior Stanislas for Behrami
in the closing stages, meaning there was to be no return for former Fulham
favourite Boa Morte, while Fulham were able to rest Dempsey for David Elm.
Franco managed to slot in a goal in added time from Parker's cut-back but in
truth it was a damp squib of an end to an awayday campaign that saw the
Hammers fail to win on their travels since the opening day. In bright summer
sunshine, the Hammers had won 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Those days,
and that weather, seem a long, long time ago.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
After their magnificent showing yet again, the manager reserved special
praise for the fans at Fulham
03.05.2010
Gianfranco Zola was left to praise the travelling fans on Sunday after an
18th away league match in a row without a victory - when Fulham had three
shots on target and scored from all of them. Although his men had little
luck in a 3-2 defeat and were victim of a tough offside call just before
Fulham's opener through Clint Dempsey on the stroke of half-time, Zola was
especially keen to acknowledge the travelling band who had made their way
west on a rain sodden day in the capital. "The fans have all my appreciation
and all my respect," he said. "They have been fantastic. We didn't give them
much this year away from home and that is my biggest disappointment. They
were fantastic today but they were fantastic all season. Well done to them.
I wish we could have given them more."
Dempsey's strike came just after Carlton Cole was wrongly flagged offside
when clean through, while the unfortunate West Ham striker then knew little
about Chris Baird's wayward shot that cannoned off him and into the goal for
Fulham's second. Cole made amends with his tenth Barclays Premier League
goal of the campaign but Stefano Okaka took the match away from the Hammers
before a last-gasp Guille Franco consolation. Zola was pleased to see his
England forward return to the scoresheet after having to play a supporting
role of late. "I thought Carlton was unlucky with the deflection for their
second goal. He scored a good goal. I am pleased for him because he has been
working hard and needed a goal. He never stopped trying and has shown a
brilliant attitude. "It was a strange game. I wasn't expecting anything like
that. I thought in the first half we were the better team. We had a couple
of chances and after Carlton was wrongly given offside, they scored right at
the end of the first half. It was a pity because the game was in our control
and we had a couple of great chances from corners. "The second half was a
different story. They started much better in the first 15 minutes and got a
goal. We tried to come back and we did but it wasn't enough. It was not easy
to get the players up because it has been a long, tiring and exhausting
season for all of us but we came here with the intention to give it our best
shot. Unfortunately that didn't happen."
Again the subject of constant questioning about the future, Zola said his
focus was only on Manchester City's visit next Sunday and the chance still
remains to secure a 14th-placed finish."I just want to focus on the last
game which is important for me and do well. We are professional and we will
do our best for this club until the end."
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'We didn't have much luck'
WHUFC.com
Manuel da Costa is targeting victory over Manchester City following a
luckless afternoon at Fulham
03.05.2010
Manuel da Costa believes West Ham United did not enjoy the rub of the green
in Sunday's 3-2 Barclays Premier League defeat at Fulham. Carlton Cole was
incorrectly flagged offside just moments before Clint Dempsey put Fulham
ahead before Chris Baird's wayward shot hit the striker's shoulder and flew
past a helpless Robert Green to double the Cottagers' lead. Although Cole
halved the deficit with a well-taken header, Jonathan Spector's mistake
allowed Stefano Okaka to reinstate Fulham's two-goal lead, rendering Guille
Franco's late strike nothing more than a consolation. "It was disappointing,
because I didn't think we deserved to lose. Fulham played at a normal level,
rather than better than West Ham. Sometimes, we played well and had a few
good moments and were the better team, and it was possible for us to win.
"The problem was that when we created chances, we didn't always take them.
Fulham shot only three times and they scored every time. This is something
that happens to us a lot - the other team has one shot and it is a goal. "We
play, we create chances and we shoot, but the other team manages to get a
foot in the way or the goalkeeper saves it. We didn't have much luck on
Sunday. This has been the story of our season. Every game is the same. "We
will be in the Premier League next season, which is the most important
thing. We didn't play badly - we played well in parts but we didn't have the
luck."
Da Costa, who produced a strong defensive display, and also tested Fulham
goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with a swerving effort from fully 30 yards, is
hoping for better fortune when West Ham entertain UEFA Champions League
hopefuls Manchester City next Sunday. Not only does the defender have the
twin incentives of ending a frustrating season on a high, as well as denying
Roberto Mancini's side a place in European football's premier knockout
competition, but he will also hope to celebrate his 24th birthday, which
falls on Thursday, with a win. "We have played under pressure all season and
this has meant we have played with a little bit of fear. This match, we
could express ourselves more. We have played better over the last few games,
and we need to do well again in our final match. "The Manchester City game
is a big game because they want to go to the Champions League and we want to
finish the season on a positive note by getting at least one point, but
preferably three points. "It is very important to finish with a victory over
a big team."
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Fulham 3 - 2 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Phil Dawkes
Europa League finalists Fulham secured their first home league win over West
Ham in 44 years with victory in a closely-contested London derby. Clint
Dempsey's neat finish gave Fulham the lead just before half time, which was
doubled when Carlton Cole deflected Chris Baird's shot into his own net.
Cole made amends by heading his side back into contention, but substitute
Stefano Okaka restored Fulham's lead. Guillermo Franco's late tap-in came
too late for West Ham to salvage a point. It leaves the Hammers still
mathematically vulnerable to relegation but not realistically as Hull must
not only win their final two games but must also overturn a 22-strong
goal-difference deficit. The defeat is West Ham's first to Fulham in the
Premier League and their first loss at Craven Cottage since a League Cup
defeat 35 years ago, but they did not succumb to it easily. It is
understandable if the focus of the Fulham players is on non-domestic matters
at present, having beaten German side Hamburg to seal a showdown with
Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final on 12 May. And in what seems a
clear nod towards their end of season priorities, Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson
made seven changes from the side that started on Thursday which often made
for an understandably incohesive home display. However, it is a luxury to be
able to bring in a player of Dempsey's class and he demonstrated this early
on with a chipped effort that flicked the bar on its way over and then with
a neat finish from 15 yards after being released by Simon Davies to give his
side the lead seconds before the break.
Barring the brief hope given to the visitors by Cole's goal - headed home
from a Mark Noble free-kick - Fulham rarely looked like relinquishing their
advantage once it had been so timely seized. They doubled their advantage
just before the hour when from the breakdown from a corner, defender Chris
Baird was given space to fire a shot which took a wicked deflection off Cole
and beat Hammers keeper Robert Green. Cole made amends by almost immediately
scoring at the right end but West Ham could not build on the lifeline and
their hopes were extinguished when Okaka tapped in Bjorn Helge Riise's cross
with 10 minutes to go. It could have been so different for West Ham, who had
fashioned the better chances in the first half and looked set to push on in
the second before Dempsey's crucial intervention. Home goalkeeper Mark
Schwarzer was twice forced to palm behind in the opening 45 minutes, firstly
from Mark Noble's curling effort from the edge of the area and then later
from Manuel da Costa's speculative but fiercely-struck 35-yard dipping
drive. In addition, from the corner resulting from Da Costa's attempt,
Radoslav Kovac found himself unmarked but headed wide. Had any of these
chances found the net they could have been leaving Craven Cottage with their
long unbeaten record intact and Franco's injury time goal - a tap in from a
Scott Parker pull-back - could have earned them at least the point that
would have put their relegation battle to bed.
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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson: "I wanted to win. I didn't want to have an 'After
the Lord Mayor's Show' feeling. "I thought our performance was very
disciplined and hard-working and that we were good value for our victory. "I
am delighted we could rest some players and I am pleased with those who came
in."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "I thought in the first half we were the
better team but then they scored the first goal. "We came here to win but it
did not work out. It is not the first time away from home. We have to do
better. "I don't want to look for excuses. We have not been good enough away
and I am the first to take responsibility for that."
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Tony Carr: Part Two
Filed: Sunday, 2nd May 2010
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com
KUMB.com: So we're in the early 90s which leads to a period of unprecedented
success in terms of what was achieved here - and possibly unprecedented
anywhere else, bar perhaps at Manchester United. Would that be fair to say?
Tony Carr: Yes, with Giggs and the golden era. Yes, I think that's fair,
that period of time looking back now was... You don't realise it at the
time. You know, we had golden nuggets, everywhere. I remember Frank Lampard
Snr saying to me 'you won't do this again, you know'. That success with the
FA Youth Cup, the 1999 squad - he said 'enjoy it because this doesn't come
around very often' - and he wasn't far wrong, we've had our [successes] but
not in those numbers.
KUMB: To have players of such quality all at once, you would perhaps expect
that over a period of years...
TC: Exactly, over a period of time to unearth one or two like that.
KUMB: This was a result of the more aggressive policy?
TC: Yeah, I think it was - and everybody was pulling together. Frank and
Harry, if we needed help, if Harry needed to go to Ireland or Harry had to
go and see a parent he'd go and see them. So everybody felt that all the
club were behind this push to find the talent. Without Frank Snr, it must be
said that Rio [Ferdinand] probably wouldn't have walked through the gates.
Rio became friends with young Frank; the guy that used to run his Blackheath
team, his mentor was a guy named Dave Goodwin - he was at the game last
Saturday, the Wigan game. I just bumped into him. We worked hard on Dave to
persuade Rio to come and look at our club and once Rio was here he decided
this is what he liked, he liked the people and the way we did things and
fortunately he signed for us and stayed.
KUMB: On the face of it that relationship between Rio and Frank would have
seemed unlikely, Frank being publicly schooled and Rio coming from the wrong
side of the tracks?
TC: Exactly, but they were very close. They were alike in terms of they
loved the game and loved to train, you couldn't get them off the pitch!
[points to an imaginary young Lampard and Ferdinand] 'In, it's getting dark
- in! Not even the training staff are about now!' They were always together
and because Frank lived local Rio would always end up round Frank's house in
the afternoon for a cup of tea and a chat, maybe stay there at weekends and
so on. So they built up a bond and a friendship and they developed together
as players. They were good for each other.
KUMB: Tell us about Rio becoming a defender?
TC: Yeah, he was a centre forward when he first came and then a midfield
player when he signed as a scholar, signed as an apprentice. I went on a
coaching seminar that was run by Andy Roxburgh who was at UEFA, the former
Scotland manager. He did this European study and he based it on the Germans
who were very successful at the time. It was the 1998 team and [Matthias]
Sammer was playing in midfield and he [Roxburgh] said he used to break out
from the back into midfield. Midfield players would split and he could spray
the ball all over the place. He said the German philosophy was that you
should have your most talented midfield player playing at the back of three
defenders, ready to break out.
So I sat there and went - Rio!
KUMB: A light bulb moment?
TC: Yeah! Seriously, that was what happened. I thought about it and come
back and started to say 'right, we're going to play three at the back'. That
year we got to the [FA Youth Cup] final against Liverpool we played three at
the back. So I said to Rio, 'I want you to play at the back with a three' -
and he said 'no, no, I don't want to play there'. So I said 'why?' and he
said 'oh, I want to play in midfield, I like having the ball, I like to run
with the ball'. I said, 'look, play at the back, play as a midfield player
but at the back - and what we want you to try and do is to break into
midfield, because you're good with the ball, and you can break from there
and make things happen from an attacking point of view'. 'Hmm ... oh
alright, I'll give it a try'. And he gave it a try and obviously it worked,
it worked very well.
KUMB: So you're playing a 5-3-2, with wingbacks?
TC: Yeah, 5-3-2 or 3-5-2.
KUMB: Which is what Harry implemented - was that as a result of that
[experiment]?
TC: I'm not sure if it was because Harry had seen the youth team do it or
I'd seen Harry do it, I'm not sure. I think the game was developing that way
as people were experimenting. The 4-4-2 for everybody was starting to
dismantle, where a centre half gets it and just hoofs it down the middle for
the centre forward who flicks it on and there's a goal or whatever, and all
the centre halfs are big and cumbersome... We were trying to develop more
stylish players and to be successful you should have players that are
comfortable with the ball - and I saw Rio as this player, or one of these
players. It was a consequence of that and I think it was just coincidence
that Harry was implementing that same sort of system as well. It worked very
well.
KUMB: At that period you had, theoretically, a first team playing a certain
way because that was the sort of players we had - rather than a club-wide
'this is the way we play the game at this club' policy?
TC: Harry never dictated to me that I should play in any particular way.
Alan Pardew was a little bit into that, I think they should play the same as
us - but he wasn't dogmatic about it. Gianfranco [Zola] is a bit similar, I
think you should try to emulate what we do because I want players that can
fit into the system, I want them to play in that system. So there was a
little bit of that about it. But we've got license to say look, we haven't
really got those players this week so we want to play a 4-4-2, or we're
going to play a 3-5-2. Or play a diamond rather than a three in midfield. So
we've got license and I think you should be able to do that with young
players because you don't know where they might be best at, so you should
experiment with systems with the younger players.
The reserves are slightly different because they're one step away from being
in the first team. But no, I've had reasonable freedom to develop it as I
saw it really. No manager's been very dogmatic about it and said 'you must
do this'.
KUMB: How do you think you would find working with someone like that? If
perhaps someone was to come in in the future and they were like that?
TC: I suppose if it's the club's policy I've got to go with it. Like anyone
else, I'm only an employee. I might say 'look, there might not occasions
where I'm able to play that way, is it okay if I change it if needs must?'
But as long as you get that sort of [freedom] I guess you've just got to go
with it. You know, you want to be together, I don't want to alienate any
particular manager.
KUMB: Of the nine you've worked with are there any you've got on better with
than others - or vice-versa?
TC: I suppose John Lyall was the most influential, it has to be said. Ron
[Greenwood] I was always a little bit frightened of.
KUMB: In awe a little bit?
TC: Yeah, I think everybody sensed that in Ron. He kept his distance from
people. It wasn't until I was nearly 40 that I had the guts to call him Ron,
and not Mr. Greenwood! After he left West Ham he was the England manager; he
used to come back and I'd say 'hello Mr. Greenwood'. He come up to me one
day and said, 'just call me Ron!' It was just the respect you had for him
because I was a young player under his management and nobody was very close
to him other than John Lyall.
So John was more close, as John was my youth team coach when I was an
apprentice. He knew me as a young player, he employed me as a part-time
coach then a full-time coach - so he must have seen something in me, in that
respect, to appoint me full time. That's when he moved Ronnie [Boyce] and
Mick [McGiven] up to the first team and left me in sole charge of the youth
team. So I suppose John had the most influence as they were my formative
years, when I first started coming here full time.
After John left I said 'right, I've got to stand on my own two feet now,
I've got to impress the new manager because John's not here anymore'. John,
in some respects, used to protect you because John used to run the whole
club. He'd say, 'paint that brown, paint that white, don't do that, wash
that ...' You know, he'd be into everything - how high to cut the grass,
what fences have got to be painted - he would do everything.
Obviously after that we got relegated which didn't help him, then his
contract was expiring so they got rid of him. It took a long time for the
club to recover from that.
KUMB: Yes, it must have been a big shock; you'd been working with John as a
coach for 16 years and on and off for nearly 30 years. It must have been a
tough time?
TC: Yeah, it was a tough time. I rung him a couple of times but when I did
his mood had changed, I could sense it. He was a little bit bitter; he was a
bit short with everything he said. I'd say 'we'll do this this week' and
he'd go 'oh yeah, alright'... he was very short. But he wrote us all a nice
letter and I've still got it to this day, thanking us for our loyalty and
everything. It was a really nice thing to do.
But I then lost touch with John, I didn't ring him anymore and we didn't
cross paths again for a long, long time afterwards.
KUMB: And so then came Lou Macari?
TC: Lou came in, some might say controversially because of the baggage he
brought with him, to be honest. I think he might say to himself the mistake
he really made was that he came in on his own and he just wanted to get on
with all the staff. The staff were supportive; I think Mick McGiven was
frustrated with him because he was a real disciple of John - like we all
were - and resigned. He'd got a little number fixed up with Chelsea so he
wanted to move on and I respect him for that. Ron [Boyce] stayed.
But Lou should have perhaps brought a number two or a coach with him. Not
necessarily sacked anybody, but just someone who knew Lou's ways because it
was like north and south, it was like chalk and cheese because it was the
absolute complete opposite [to Lyall].
KUMB: Not withstanding that John's were massive shoes to fill?
TC: Yeah, but it was absolutely chalk and cheese. He was a good guy Lou; I
got on quite well with him. He supported us all, he never demanded the sack,
you know - 'I want my own people get rid of that lot', not anything like
that. He was terrific in that respect so I've got a lot of time for him. But
the players that were here just wasn't having him - and they made it quite
clear they wasn't. There was a lot of old school there.
KUMB: A little like Brian Clough going to Leeds?
TC: Yeah.
KUMB: Yet some of the players he brought in were mainstays at the club for
some years?
TC: I think his best role within any football club would have been chief
scout because he was a terrific talent spotter. He watched games left, right
and centre. He loved the game, he was teetotal, he demanded absolute fitness
from everybody - and not everybody is like that, everybody is different. So
he wanted to treat everybody [the same] - everybody's got to do this,
everybody's got to do that - and he didn't introduce it slowly. The players
just weren't having him and obviously the scandal that followed him with
regards to betting on his own team to lose was just one baggage he couldn't
shake off and he resigned, honourably resigned on the day we were playing
Swindon away.
I went to the game and it ended up with me and Billy [Bonds] in charge of
the team, I can't remember if Ronnie was there or not ... it could have been
me, Billy and Ronnie in charge of the team. The chairman wouldn't tell us
[why], they said 'Lou's not coming today'. 'Well why isn't he coming?' The
rumours were that he'd packed it in, there was all this going on. The
players were asking if he'd packed it in and we're saying 'we don't know'.
Anyway, I think we got a 2-2 draw that day, we came home and that day he
resigned. I think what it was, was the board didn't accept his resignation
at first, they tried to talk him into staying - but obviously he didn't and
the new era swept in with Bill.
KUMB: So were you in charge during the interim period?
TC: Not technically, they put Bill in charge. Ronnie became caretaker for a
couple of games - or it might have been just one game, I can't remember now.
KUMB: I think it was just one game, there was the joke at the time about him
being the only West Ham manager unbeaten?
TC: Yes, probably! But Ronnie sat uncomfortably in the manager's chair. He
didn't want it, he couldn't handle it and he just wanted to be part of the
scene - but didn't want to be the number one.
KUMB: But there was a possibility that they may have offered it to Ronnie at
the time?
TC: I think if he had wanted it he'd have got an interview and they would
have seriously considered him, then it would have been up to him to convince
them in the interview. But straight away, from day one he said 'I don't want
an interview, I don't want the job, I'm just keeping the seat warm.
KUMB: Did you not ever fancy it yourself?
TC: Well I did apply for the job at the time. I wrote to the chairman, Len
Cearns, and applied for the job. At that time they made me reserve team
manager because they wanted to give Bill a job. So I was still in charge of
the Centre of Excellence but running the reserves and going back in the
evenings coaching the under 12s. They made Bill youth team coach because
they wanted to keep Bill on the staff.
So I thought to myself if a new manager comes in he's going to get rid of
all the first team staff, he's going to get rid of the reserve team and
bring his own man in - so I might as well apply for the job as I've got
nothing to lose. I got an interview, so I must have been on a short-list of
some sorts - as did Bill. I said my piece; 'what would you do here, what
would you do there'. I always remember one of the questions they asked me,
they said: 'If Frank McAvennie comes to you and says he wants more money,
what would you do?'
KUMB: And your response was?
TC: My response was I'd say: 'you've just signed a new contract mate, we've
only had you for six months - you've got to stick with what you've got'. So
they said 'ah, ok'. [mimics busy taking of notes] I think that was Martin
Cearns who asked that question!
KUMB: Obviously Frank had just been in asking for more money!
TC: Yeah, he'd already been in asking for an extension but... Obviously I
didn't get the job - Bill got the job which I was quite pleased with in some
respects, it was kept in-house.
KUMB: You were good mates with Bill at the time?
TC: Very good mates and we got on well as I used to help him with his
coaching with the youth team and in the evenings when he was doing a little
bit of part time and still playing. So I was quite happy. Then Bill said to
me: 'I want to restructure it a little bit. I want you to go back to being
in sole charge of the youth team then that's your department. I think that's
what you're best at doing, that's what I want you to do. I'm going to bring
a coach in'. So I said: 'who are you going to bring in?' He said: 'I'm going
to bring in Harry'.
'I've spoken to Harry; he's at Bournemouth and needs a new challenge'. I
thought ok, they're good mates, good buddies - it'll work. This was after
about a year because the first year we just missed out, next year we got
promoted when I was doing a lot of work with Bill as I had the reserves at
that point with Ronnie. But we didn't invest, and got relegated again. It
was at that point that they felt we need a change here, we need fresh blood
- and that's when they brought Harry in. I think it was within one or two
years that we went up again. Then I just went back with the youth team and
carried on with the work I'd been doing ever since.
KUMB: That must have been a difficult period for you, because you had been
close to both Billy and Harry and obviously they didn't see eye-to-eye...
TC: Yeah, it was tough. The only light I can shed on that story is that
during that pre-season when it all happened, we were running in Epping
Forest, pre-season training and I was at the back with H. He just said to
me: 'I've had a fantastic offer from Bournemouth'. I said: 'What's that? and
he said 'they want me to come back and be a Director of Football really, to
almost run the club. You know, either be the manager or appoint the manager.
It's my hometown club,' he said, 'and I'm really tempted. I don't know what
to do.'
I said 'have you told Bill?' So he said 'yeah, yeah I've told Bill.' I said
'what has Bill said?' and Harry said, 'Bill said well Harry, that's your
decision mate - I can't make that for you.' And that's as far as the
conversation went. Then they went on pre-season to Scotland and it all blew
up, didn't it. I still don't know to this day - Billy's never let on,
Harry's always said it was out of his hands and I believe him, I really do
believe him.
KUMB: You can't imagine Bill ever going to the press with anything really.
He's a very private person.
TC: He's never said a word. The only thing I do know is that he's never
spoken to Harry [since].
KUMB: Which suggests that Bill perhaps felt that Harry had been less than
straightforward?
TC: I don't know. I can't... I don't want to guess it. They're the facts as
I know them.
KUMB: There's one thing for sure - if you and Harry were at the back of the
group running Bill would have been at the front!
TC: Yeah! When they did offer Harry the job - I was here [Chadwell Heath] -
he said 'I've got to go back to Upton Park and do a press conference as they
want me to take the job'. He said 'I don't want it, I'm not having it'. And
Frank Lampard said to him 'are you serious? What's the point? If you don't
have it someone else will if you don't want the job. You've got to take it'.
'No I don't want it. People keep saying I've done this and that - I haven't
done nothing'. So I said 'well if your conscience is clear just go and take
the job'. So he did - not from my advice but I did say that and then he took
the job and was successful, very successful.
KUMB: And that leads on to the golden period of the next three or four
years, with that youth team coming through and the [FA Youth Cup final] win
over Coventry?
TC: 3-0 away and 6-0 at home.
KUMB: And to see people still being turned away at the Boleyn that night?
You've never seen that since?
TC: I hope it's the same next week!
KUMB: A few general questions, Tony. Being as successful as you have over
the last 40 years or so, have you ever been approached by other clubs to
take positions there?
TC: Yes.
KUMB: And can you tell us who that might have been?
TC: No. [laughs]
KUMB: What if we switch everything off?
TC: No! Not in the last [few years]. I have been approached; some
tentatively, some through third parties, some through companies that
head-hunt. I've had enquiries, I had a couple of offers from abroad - would
I be interested, what's the job, that sort of thing.
KUMB: Have you ever been tempted?
TC: I've thought about a couple. One of them was quite lucrative - but I
turned it down.
KUMB: I remember talking to Frank [Lampard Snr] about an offer he got from
Norwich. He said he was halfway up the A12 when he thought 'I don't want to
go here, this isn't home'. Would that apply to you?
TC: You consider it... 'oh, that sounds very good' - but deep down you think
'I'm happy, I've got a contract and the club value me,' so... I didn't
really want to move abroad because my family were a little bit younger then.
I didn't want to do that.
KUMB: After 37 years at the club [in your current role], how long do you see
yourself carrying on for?
TC: I've got one more year to run on my contract and like everybody else I'm
only an employee. But if the club want me to stay I'd like to stay. I'd like
to go on for another three or four years, if I'm honest. I'm quite healthy,
I still enjoy it, I still think there's work to be done. We've got good kids
in the system and I want to see them develop. I hope there's going to be
some good players coming through in the next three or four years and I want
to be part of that.
Obviously there comes a time when you go 'look Tone, as much as we love you
you've got to pack it in'. And I understand that. But whilst I'm still quite
fit and healthy... the day I stop enjoying it is the day I go 'thanks, but
I've done my bit'.
KUMB: Have the two Davids said anything to you about your future?
TC: No; not really, they've not said anything. Obviously their main concern
has been survival and having a year to go on my contract they're probably
not even aware of it. They've probably not even looked at where I am or what
my contract says. But when we get to Christmas and they've not said anything
I'll sort of drop a subtle hint and see what they say!
KUMB: We'll get a petition up... With that in mind Tony are there any plans
in place for a successor? For when that day comes, which inevitably it must.
TC: It must come; whether it's next year, three years...
KUMB: Ten years...
TC: ...or whatever. Like I said to you, the bottom line is I'm only an
employee, I've not got the brief to go and recruit a shadow for the next
couple of years to take over or to look at the possibilities out there that
could take over. So until I'm given that brief it's not my role to do that.
I wouldn't be so presumptuous to say I've got to find a successor to me. If
they ask me to do that then I'll gladly do it because to work for this club
- and I'm not saying anybody could do it - you'd want someone who
understands how this club works. I think that's important.
They may not have necessarily been here for very long - or may not have been
here at all - but understand the ethos of this football club, what the club
means to the people of the East End. I can't describe it and that's why this
club is so special. I know everyone says 'our fans are the best' and 'our
club is special' but there is an affinity to the fans and the club. We love
to moan, we love to celebrate, in equal measures.
KUMB: It would be nice if we could celebrate in equal measures!
TC: Yeah it would be nice to balance it out a bit, a bit more celebrating!
KUMB: But that's one of the things that makes West Ham special because those
days don't come around too often. Even the Wigan game?
TC: Well it was such a massive game, wasn't it? The game could map the
future of the football club over the next five, ten years, if we'd lost it.
But fortunately enough Scottie dug it out of the fire for us. Because it
wasn't a great game, we've played better but in that situation we got what
mattered - which was the result.
KUMB: In those games it isn't about the quality of football?
TC: You've got to hang in there; you've got to block, you've got to chase,
you've got to work. It just had to be done and the lads did respond. I
thought Mark Noble in the last two or three games has been terrific.
KUMB: Fantastic, and that must be good from your point of view?
TC: Yeah, I'm really pleased for Mark because whatever fans think, he does
care. He does care.
But the successor bit, I have thought about it, I must admit. We've got Paul
Heffer who's worked here with me as my assistant for a long, long time -
many, many years. He's a little bit older than me now so there may be an
occasion - which I don't think any club would want - where there are two or
three people going out the door at the same time. Because you want to try
and keep some continuity so the people learn from the people that are there.
But we'll cross that bridge and it's something the club have got to think
about. For the future, not just yet!
KUMB: Well I was once asked by one of those lads mags what I would do if I
were in charge at West Ham and I said 'clone Tony Carr'.
TC: Well I've got a son who's the spitting image of me, but he lives abroad
so he won't be doing it!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham 3 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 2nd May 2010
By: Staff Write
West Ham's dire season can't come to an end quick enough after United meekly
surrendered their 36-year unbeaten record at Craven Cottage. A defensive
horror show was one again the order of the day as the Hammers contrived to
gift the south west Londoners three goals within the space of 36 minutes.
Goal One - 45 minutes: Julien Faubert leaves his man, allowing a
clean-through Clint Dempsey to slot the ball beyound Rob Green. Goal Two -
58 minutes: A shot aiming for the corner flag hits Carlton Cole on the side
of the head and flies in. Goal Three - 79 minutes: Jon Spector criminally
loses the ball inside the centre circle, gifting a third. Zola's players,
once again way under par - no doubt a situation assisted by being told by
joint Chairman David Sullivan that they all (bar Scott Parker) face the chop
- still managed to strike twice in the second half to make a game of it;
Carlton Cole atoning for his own goal four minutes after scoring it and
substitute Franco adding another in the second minute of imjury time.
But all in all it was another lousy day on the road for Zola and his men,
who have failed to win away from home in the league since the opening day of
the league campaign - a record that is likely to cost the Italian his job.
With most of the Fulham side playing in third gear due to their impending
Europa Cup final appearance West Ham, unsurprisingly, controlled much of the
opening half. But the only goal of the opening 45 came from Dempsey, who
lost marker Julien Faubert before slipping the ball under Rob Green with
what proved to be the final kick of the half.
Prior to that United had squandered a string of chances to take the lead,
none more notably than Radoslav Kovac who nodded wide from the edge of the
six yard box when left unmarked at a corner - as did Matthew Upson earlier
in the half. Manuel Da Costa also went close with a fizzing 35-yard drive
that drew a fine save from Mark Schwarzer.
Carlton Cole was unlucky to be called offside when sent through on goal two
minutes ahead of the break, whilst Mark Noble forced a good save from the
'keeper with a drive from the edge of the box - although Fulham could have
been a goal ahead by that stage had Dempsey's 25th minute effort been an
inch lower; Rob Green, who watched the ball sail over his head drawing a
sign of relief as the American's effort clipped the bar before bouncing to
safety.
The second half was an all too familair story as the West Ham defence
leaked, creaked, and finally gave way just ahead of the hour mark - even if
it were in somewhat comedic circumstances. Chris Baird, picking up the loose
ball on the far left of West Ham's penalty area hit an attempted shot that
was missing its intended target by a country mile - that is, until Carlton
Cole's head sent it goalwards and flying beyond a rather surprised Rob
Green.
Cole, to his credit, made amends for his err almost immediately, converting
a lofted Mark Noble free kick from some ten yards with a cooly taken
glancing header to restore the single-goal deficit. However the Hammers
found themselves two behind once again when Jon Spector, the latest
scapegoat of a section of West Ham fans gave away the ball on the perimeter
of his own area whilst attempting a clearance. Erik Nevland sent the cross
towards Rob Green's back stick where Stefano Okaka was waiting, unmarked, to
prod the ball home.
Further respectability was placed on the final score when Guille Franco, on
as a second half sub finished a good move on the right in which
man-of-the-moment Scott Parker was heavily involved. The veteran striker,
almost certainly playing his last away game for United turned home the
midfielder's low cross from home range in the second minute of injury time.
The Mexican's subsequent lack of celebration, coupled with Carlton Cole's,
said more about team morale than anything else on a dour afternoon in the
capital.
Fulham 3 West Ham Utd 2: match facts
West Ham Utd: Green, Faubert (Diamanti 61), Da Costa, Upson, Spector, Noble,
Kovac, Parker, Behrami (Stanislas 82), Cole, Ilan (Franco 61).
Subs not used: Kurucz, Daprela, Gabbidon, Boa Morte.
Goals: Cole (62), Franco (90+2).
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Baird, Smalling, Konchesky, Riise, Greening,
Dikgacoi, Davies (Okaka 70), Dempsey (Elm 85), Nevland.
Subs not used: Zuhberbuhler, Kelly, Shorey, Etuhu, Gera.
Goals: Dempsey (45), Cole og (58), Okaka (79).
Referee: Andre Marriner.
Attendance: 24,201.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cottagers too much for Hammers
Hodgson's side up to 11th in Premier League
By Mike Barton Last updated: 2nd May 2010
SSN
Man of the Match: Clint Dempsey was always a threat for the home side. And
scored the opening goal.
Goal of the match: Dempsey's opener came from a slick batch of passing but
West Ham's defending has left a lot to be desired.
Moment of the match: Carlton Cole went from scoring an own goal at one end
to burying a header at the other in a topsy-turvy few minutes for the
England striker..
Talking points: Is this the last time Gianfranco Zola takes his team away
from home or will he stay at the club despite his entire squad practically
being up for sale? Can Fulham keep everyone fit and go into their Europa
League final on a good run of form?
Fulham finished their penultimate home game of the season with a 3-2 win
over West Ham in a game that spelled little consequences for either side.
Despite the scoreline giving the appearance of an exciting affair, the
game's goals came more as a result of seemingly lackadaisical defending in
what, for the most part, lacked any real competitive edge, with no player
picking up a booking for either team. With Fulham preparing for their first
ever European final in the Europa League against Atletico Madrid in Hamburg,
manager Roy Hodgson fielded a weakened side as he looked to keep his heroes
of Thursday night's win over Hamburg fresh. The opening stages of the game
however were a stale affair, with both sides knowing there were to be no
ramifications of winning or losing the game at any stage. Clint Dempsey gave
the home side the lead out of nothing at the end of a lacklustre first half
and an own goal by Carlton Cole put them 2-0 ahead shortly after the
restart. Gianfranco Zola's side managed to respond in the second period, but
they were made to pay for poor defending for the Fulham goals. Cole redeemed
himself when he headed West Ham back into the game, but substitute Stefano
Okaka put Fulham 3-1 in front from close range in the 79th minute. An
injury-time goal from Guillermo Franco was of little consolation to the
visitors.
Fulham, with their fans in full voice, began the game in bright fashion but
without striker Bobby Zamora their final ball left a lot to be desired.
Zoltan Gera, the hero of their Europa League semi-final triumph over
Hamburg, was on the bench and they clearly missed his trickery and incisive
passing in the early exchanges. West Ham, although effectively safe from
relegation, failed to offer anything in terms of attacking football.
Goalmouth incidents were at a premium in the opening 10 minutes although
Fulham's Erik Nevland and Dempsey posed a threat to the visitors. In the
21st minute Dempsey put Nevland in the clear but he did not have the pace to
reach the ball before the onrushing West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green.
Fulham's European success appeared to have sucked the life out of them
although the fans quite rightly made the most of it, chanting "There's only
one team in Europe".
Mark Schwarzer produced a fine save to prevent Mark Noble's 20-yard shot
from finding the net in the 23rd minute. Dempsey was just the width of the
woodwork away from opening the scoring in the 26th minute when his superb
turn and shot from 20 yards hit the bar. But it was an isolated moment of
magic in a poor game. West Ham's passing was disappointing and Fulham could
not get into their stride. In the 40th minute Manuel Da Costa forced
Schwarzer into another fine save when the West Ham full-back managed to get
some space 25 yards out. The Fulham defence continued to back off Da Costa
and he required no further invitation as he let fly from the angle of the
penalty area, but Schwarzer dived to his left to keep the ball from finding
the net.
Dempsey broke the deadlock when he collected a pass from Simon Davies in
stoppage-time and fired past Green. Fulham made it 2-0 in the 58th minute
when Cole put through his own goal. Chris Baird's shot was going well wide
of the target until it smashed off the shoulder of the West Ham striker and
into the net. But Cole redeemed himself in the 61st minute when he glanced
home a free-kick from Scott Parker to reduce the deficit. The England
striker cleverly managed to evade the home defence and gave Schwarzer no
chance with a deft header. Cole then tried his luck from 20 yards as West
Ham took the game to the home side for the first time in the afternoon, but
his low drive went straight into the arms of Schwarzer. Fulham, rattled by
West Ham's response to going two down, tried to rediscover their earlier
verve but the visitors now had the upper hand. Parker almost got on the end
of a knock down by Cole in the 68th minute but he was adjudged to have
handled as he moved in on goal. Fulham made it 3-1 in the 79th minute when
Jonathan Spector was caught in possession by Nevland and he crossed for
substitute Okaka to fire home from six yards. Franco scored an injury-time
consolation to make the score 3-2, smashing home from near the penalty spot
after Parker pulled the ball back.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola avoids future talk
Hammers boss prefers to focus on final fixture
By Mike Barton Last updated: 2nd May 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has refused to talk about his future and the
potential of his entire team being up for sale. Zola, who was talking
following his team's 3-2 defeat at the hands of Fulham at Craven Cottage,
insisted that he was not going to be drawn into his future and instead focus
on the Hammers' final game of the season. With owner David Gold last week
announcing that the entire West Ham squad would be available at the right
price apart from midfielder Scott Parker, Zola's future has also come into
question over the past seven days after the team confirmed their status in
the Premier League. "We get on with it, I don't even want to talk about that
too much," said Zola when asked of his, and his players' futures. "A lot has
been said and we are professional and we do our best for this club. "Right
now I'm only willing to speak about the game, the rest doesn't matter. It's
important that we focus on the last game."
The Hammers have now not won away from home since the opening day in August
against Wolves at Molineux, and were always struggling to find answers
against a Fulham side buoyant after their recent exploits in the Europa
League. Zola however insisted that he was pleased with his team's first half
performance, but a poor spell in the second half was ultimately what cost
them the game after Carlton Cole's own goal put his team two goals down
following Clint Dempsey's opener on the stroke of half time. "I think in the
first half we probably were the better team," Zola added. "We had control of
the game and made a couple of chances. "After that we had an opportunity
when Carlton Cole went through and he was given offside when he wasn't, but
they came back and scored. "We did well in the first half but the first 15
minutes of the second half we were not good enough. "They got the second
goal and after that we started to play better and got one back."
It has been a testing season for the Italian manager and his team, with the
former Chelsea ace thankful the campaign is drawing to a close, despite him
wanting more effort from his players as they take on Manchester City at
Upton Park on Sunday. "It's been a long and exhausting season for us," he
said. "Today we tried to give our best and obviously it is just one of those
games where you would like to give more."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham finish amazing week on a high
Fulham 3 West Ham United 2
The Times
Russell Kempson
Fulham and West Ham United entered this meaningless Barclays Premier League
match, on a freezing day down by the riverside at Craven Cottage, with a
glow of self-satisfaction. For contrasting reasons. Fulham still buzzed from
their heroics in reaching the Europa League final, in which they play
Atlético Madrid on May 12, and West Ham from as good as having already
avoided relegation, albeit more because of the weaknesses of others than
their survival skills. "Of course, I enjoy the plaudits," Roy Hodgson, the
venerable Fulham manager, said. "Everyone prefers love to hatred, we all
enjoy praise. But you have to keep a level head, you have to keep your feet
on the ground and a sense of perspective." Perspective has been difficult
for Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, as David Sullivan and David Gold,
the co-owners of the club, have appeared to niggle away at his authority
since they took over in January. Who know what lies ahead for the Italian?
Still, like Hodgson, Zola exudes dignity. "My future?" he said. "I have not
let it affect me. It has been like this since I have been at the club. But
we have achieved our task."
Just. Such had been West Ham's desperation, they complained to the Premier
League about Hodgson having made six changes to his side that played Hull
City in February, a game that Fulham lost 2-0. The pitiful objection was
thrown out. Hodgson was at it again yesterday, resting seven of those who
had conquered Hamburg 2-1 in the second leg of their Europa League
semi-final on Thursday. It was, after all, his team's 60th match of the
campaign.
Not that West Ham could take advantage. Fulham edged ahead through Clint
Dempsey and doubled their lead when Carlton Cole directed a drive by Chris
Baird into his own net. Two minutes later, Cole scored at the right end,
heading in a free kick by Mark Noble. Stefano Okaka restored the two-goal
margin, with Guillermo Franco reducing the gap near the end. "The players
did not lack commitment," Zola said. "It just didn't work, we just didn't
make it click." Same old West Ham.
Fulham (4-4-2): M Schwarzer 6 — J Paintsil 7, C Baird 5, C Smalling 5, P
Konchesky 6 — B H Riise 5, K Dikgacoi 6, J Greening 5, S Davies 5 (sub: S
Okaka, 70min 6) — E Nevland 6, C Dempsey 7 (sub: D Elm, 86). Substitutes not
used: P Zuberbühler, S Kelly, N Shorey, Z Gera, D Etuhu. Next: Stoke City
(h).
West Ham United (4-4-1-1): R Green 6 — J Faubert 5 (sub: A Diamanti, 61 4),
M Da Costa 4, M Upson 5, J Spector 4 — V Behrami 5 (sub: J Stanislas, 83), R
Kovac 4, S Parker 6, M Noble 7 — Ilan 4 (sub: G Franco, 61 5) — C Cole 5.
Substitutes not used: P Kurucz, D Gabbidon, L Boa Morte, F Daprela. Next:
Manchester City (h).
Referee: A Marriner. Attendance: 24,201.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ZOLA OUT AND BILIC IN AT UPTON PARK
Croatian is No1 Hammers target
News Of The World
By Greg Gobere & Neil Ashton, 01/05/2010
SLAVEN BILIC has been lined up for an emotional return to Upton Park as West
Ham's next manager. The Croatia chief is the club's No1 target to take over
from Gianfranco Zola in the summer. Furious Zola is set to quit after
launching an astonishing attack on joint owners David Gold and David
Sullivan. The Italian was incensed when he only found out in the newspapers
that the club had lodged a £4million bid for Scotland midfielder Graham
Dorrans - a player he had never even spoken about. This followed a Sullivan
interview in which he insisted that every member of the Hammers squad - bar
skipper Scott Parker - had been put up for sale. And Zola fumed: "I should
have a say in players coming in or going out. Of course I should. "I am the
one who has to coach the players and I need to know who I am coaching. "It
is incorrect to think I didn't want to be involved in player transfers. "I
did say to the chairman that I don't want to get involved in the financial
part of transfers because the money is not my problem. "But I want to know
if people are coming, I need to know who I'm dealing with. Jesus Christ, I
think that's normal."
Zola, 43, earns £1.9m a year and his current deal is not due to expire until
2013. But he is ready to go after next Sunday's final Premier League game
against Manchester City - once a severance package has been agreed. He
threatened to quit after Sullivan's website rant following the 3-1 home
defeat against Wolves in March, but was persuaded to stay on by the players
and the League Managers' Association. But he is livid that Gold and Sullivan
have underminded his position and disrespected his players - especially
after winning the race for Premier League survival. "Despite all of this,
the players are committed to the club and the supporters," he added.
"They've earned more respect than that - absolutely. "Considering the
circumstances, they have done a good job for us. "In life you have to
respect everyone, no matter who they are. I have to live that way."
And in another dig at Gold and Sullivan he added: "When I first came here
the project was completely different under Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani,
two people I'm very grateful to. "We had a good project that we tried to
take forward. Now the situation has changed. There are different plans and
different ideas that we will have to discuss.
"But I can't talk now about conditions for next season. "This is something
that has to come out when I speak to the owners at the end of this one.
"It's been tough. It's changed me and certainly made me stronger and in the
future I will deal with situations like this even better. "But my love for
the game is massive and that won't change. The fans have been very
supportive and the love from them is the best thing that as happened this
year."
Bilic was close to taking the job two years ago - before Zola was appointed
- but decided to stay with Croatia for their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The former West Ham defender has a first-class coaching reputation and
remains hugely popular with Hammers fans. Despite Gold and Sullivan's
prudent financial plans, they intend to make funds available to strengthen
the team and intend to make an approach to the Croatian FA when Zola's
future is resolved.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ROY HAS THE MIDAS TOUCH AS FULHAM SEAL DERBY
Fulham 3 West Ham 2
News Of The World
02/05/2010
EVERYTHING Roy Hodgson touches at the moment seems to turn to gold - and he
was at it again as Fulham beat West Ham at home for the first time in 44
years. The 62-year-old looks a shoo-in for Manager of the Year after taking
the Cottagers to the Europa League Final, and has even been rumoured as the
potential successor to Rafa Benitez at Liverpool should the Spaniard leave.
A goal just before half-time by Clint Dempsey was followed by a Carlton Cole
own goal and a Stefano Okaka strike in the second half, putting to bed any
fears of a European hangover. England hopeful Cole restored some pride not
only for himself but his side also with a header and Mexican striker
Guillermo Franco scored a late consolation for Gianfranco Zola's now-safe
side. The Hammers had, of course, all but secured their Premier League
status last week with their 3-2 victory over Wigan, and with Fulham's
exploits in Europe, the game seemed a dead rubber on paper. But the crowd of
24,201 were pleasantly surprised by a well-contested derby, despite
Hodgson's understandable decision to rest several key players. Dempsey
provided a warning of what was to come when his chipped effort clipped the
crossbar early on and it was a warning the Hammers failed to heed as the
American opened the scoring with a neat finish seconds before the interval.
It was 2-0 shortly after half-time when Chris Baird was afforded too much
time to way up a shot, which took a huge deflection off Cole to deceive
keeper Rob Green. The former Chelsea frontman soon made up for his mistake
by dispatching Mark Noble's free-kick minutes later, but it wasn't long
before the home side recaptured their two-goal advantage. Bjorn Helge Riise,
brother of Liverpool old-boy John Arne, crossed in for Roma loanee Okaka to
tap home to effectively end the contest. Zola can consider his side unlucky
with the amount of chances they created and perhaps it was only fair that
they scored again through Franco's close finish from Scott Parker's centre,
but once again, it was Roy's day.
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