WHUFC.com
The manager was on a high after seeing his side make it three games unbeaten
by beating Tottenham
25.09.2010
Avram Grant hailed the best win of his West Ham United career to date after
masterminding a home win against old rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers
completed a week to remember - after a point at Stoke City and Carling Cup
progress at Sunderland - with a 1-0 home success thanks to Frederic
Piquionne's first-half header and the manager could only find words of
praise for his team. "It was the best performance since I arrived. It was a
good three points. "It was the first time we took three points and I am
happy because we know how much it means to the supporters. To win against a
very good team and keep our first clean sheet. "We were the better team. lt
was a good game. We stuck to our way of playing good football even though
you always worry about the other team coming back."
While reluctant to single out individuals, the manager could not hide his
admiration for goalkeeper Robert Green. Having earned a point the previous
week with a superb flying save at Stoke, Green made sure the Hammers took
all three on Saturday with save after magnificent save. "It was a typical
Robert Green performance," Grant added. "He is a good goalkeeper, sometimes
keepers have good days and bad days but this was his normal performance. He
did some great saves. It is not easy, especially the one from [Luka]
Modric."
The manager also pointed out the "unbelievable saves" of Green's opposite
number Carlo Cudicini, a reminder that the Hammers went close on several
occasions to adding to Piquionne's bullet header from Mark Noble's corner.
"Our team has character. Our first game was not good against Aston Villa and
we had zero points. Then we become stronger and stronger when people thought
we would be weaker and weaker. "The mental thing is very important. Rob
showed today in the only place that a sportsman needs to show it - on the
pitch, not in the media, not with excuses or explanations - that he is a
good goalkeeper. "One thing I am very proud about this team is that we are
making mistakes but we learn from them very quickly and it is good because
it is only the beginning of the season. We have a long way to reach our
targets."
Time will also help with Valon Behrami and Thomas Hitzlsperger to be added
to the midfield in the weeks to come, while further forward Victor Obinna
and Piquionne are proving a potent partnership. Carlton Cole and Benni
McCarthy make up a lively-looking quartet. "The attitude of the strikers is
very good, they are working hard and they are very quick. They understand
the game. I know Freddie from Portsmouth, he is a team player, first for the
team and then for himself. He scored a good goal in midweek and he scored
today. "Obinna is an intelligent player. He is part of our vision of the
club, and not just because of the financial situation, which is to take
players that are hungry to succeed. You saw a few of them together including
Pablo Barrera when he came on."
The manager confirmed that Kieron Dyer had to be substituted just before
half-time because of illness, having already seen Winston Reid miss out this
week because of his own sickness. "Kieron was sick. He didn't feel so good.
He was dizzy and we needed to sub him. He played well until then."
Such hurdles were overcome well by the team, with everyone playing their
part. "We have turned the corner. Football is results - we deserved more
from the Bolton and Chelsea games but there is no deserve in the table - but
only two weeks ago we started to train all the team together, except the
injured players. "This is a team, they are developing well and I must say
they are progressing quicker than I thought."
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Obinna thanks the fans
WHUFC.com
The buzz around the Boleyn at the final whistle on Saturday has captured
Victor Obinna's imagination
25.09.2010
Victor Obinna described the fans as "unbelievable" after they and he played
a starring role in the 1-0 derby victory against Tottenham Hotspur on
Saturday.
The forward was terrific in terrorising the Spurs defence all afternoon,
proving too hot to handle from start to finish. He may not have bagged the
winning goal but he deserved as much praise as scorer Frederic Piquionne,
goalkeeper Robert Green and the rest of his team-mates. For Obinna, though,
the plaudits needed to go to the home supporters after their passionate
backing at a jumping Boleyn. Obinna said: "The atmosphere was incredible. It
was fantastic. I am very used to playing derbies everywhere i have played in
Italy and Spain but today was fantastic. "The weather, the atmosphere,
everybody was crazy [in the stands], It really gave us more morale. "Apart
from the fact we only had one point and we wanted to win, the fans were out
there and we really appreciate their support, they were there at Stoke and
Sunderland as well. I want to thank them for that and I hope they will
continue to support us."
Obinna added that he was loving life in the Barclays Premier League,
especially the speed of the matches, having previously been used to the more
sedate pace of Serie A with European champions Internazionale. "I really
wanted to come here. I believe I have the quality to be here. It is quick
and I am getting used to it gradually. It is very exciting. "It has been
wonderful since I have been here, everyone has been helping me to adapt. I
want to thank them and thank the manager for giving me the opportunity to
play and my team-mates as well for helping me around the squad. It has been
fantastic."
The No33 said the manager's main advice was to "do the right thing at the
right time", and that was certainly his approach in giving Carlo Cudicini
plenty of problems. "It has been a wonderful game for us. To play against a
team like Tottenham, the quality they have. As a team, we were happy to be
able to win. We started the game very well, the passion was there and the
atmosphere. The three points was most important for our fans. "I am very
happy that today we were able to win. We played good football in front of
our fans, we put smiles on their faces by winning the derby. That was what
was important. "This side can get better, we are improving day by day, game
by game. You have to take one game after the other. Today's game will give
us more confidence to face the other games we have. "We play Fulham next
week, it is another tough game. They are a good side and we will have to
work hard and develop our strategy the way the manager wants us to play."
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Freddie wins the Golden Ball
WHUFC.com
The 10,000th Barclays Premier League goal with a Nike ball was scored by
Freddie Piquionne
25.09.2010
Frederic Piquionne reached a milestone today as he scored the 10,000th
Barclays Premier League goal with a Nike match ball. The goal was scored in
the 29th minute of the match with Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground,
and was netted with the Nike Total 90 Tracer. Nike, official ball supplier
to the Barclays Premier League for the last ten seasons, has unveiled a
limited edition golden match ball to celebrate this landmark. Only 100
golden balls have been produced and are available to buy now from
www.nikestore.com/football
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Hammers draw Potters
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will host Stoke City in the Carling Cup fourth round next
month
25.09.2010
West Ham United will host fellow Barclays Premier League club Stoke City in
the Carling Cup fourth round. The draw, which took place on Saturday, paired
the Hammers with the Potters in a tie that will be held in the week
commencing Monday 25 October. The Hammers have faced Stoke three times
previously in the League Cup, with the Londoners holding a 2-1 advantage.
However, it was Stoke who prevailed when the two clubs met at the semi-final
stage in 1971/72, winning 3-2 in a second replay at the old Victoria Ground.
West Ham defeated Stoke at the second-round stage in both 1982/83 and
1990/91.
West Ham have reached this stage of the competition for the first time since
the 2007/08 campaign, when they reached the quarter-finals before being
defeated by Everton. It is only the second time the Hammers have reached the
last 16 in the last ten seasons. The 2010/11 final will be held at Wembley
Stadium on 27 February 2011. The Hammers have reached the League Cup final
twice in their history, losing out on both occasions. West Bromwich Albion
ran out 5-3 aggregate winners in 1965/66, while Liverpool earned a 2-1
replay victory at Villa Park in 1980/81 after the initial game at finished
1-1 at Wembley.
Ticket information to come on whufc.com as soon as confirmed. Click here for
all the latest ticket information.
Full Carling Cup fourth-round draw
Ipswich Town v Northampton Town
West Ham United v Stoke City
Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v Burnley
Wigan Athletic v Swansea City
Birmingham City v Brentford
Newcastle United v Arsenal
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West Ham 1 - 0 Tottenham
BBC.co.uk
Piquionne's header secured West Ham's first win of the Premier League season
By Chris Whyatt
West Ham moved off the bottom of the table with a display full of promise as
they beat London rivals Tottenham for the first time since May 2006. Playing
with real verve at a buoyant Upton Park, the Hammers won a riveting match
thanks to Frederic Piquionne's powerful 29th-minute header. Spurs were
largely out of sorts, but Tom Huddlestone missed a good chance to equalise
after rounding Robert Green. The hosts dug deep late on to clinch a first
league win of the season. Victory for a West Ham side which was threatened
by relegation during the 2009-10 campaign also marks the first occasion that
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has been beaten by his former club since he left
Upton Park in 2001. Redknapp may well be concerned that his talented squad
are already stretched from the extra demands of Champions League football
this season, but he knows the north Londoners will not have too many days
like this. The real test was for the Hammers, who went into the match with
only two points from their opening five games. Given that, their supporters
could be forgiven for worrying that their club might be facing a grim fight
for survival - but those fears were washed away in a bewitching opening 15
minutes in which the visitors struggled to get out of their half as West Ham
piled on the pressure.
Redknapp's new centre-back pairing of Sebastian Bassong and Vedran Corluka
was exposed within the first two minutes, Piquionne easily flicking the ball
on for strike partner Victor Obinna to break free and scuff a shot wide. And
that forward pairing of Piquionne and Obinna quickly set about repaying the
faith of Hammers manager Avram Grant, after he stuck with them following
promising signs of chemistry in the midweek Carling Cup win over Sunderland.
A Piquionne shot was deflected just inches wide by Bassong's block before he
dropped his shoulder cleverly to work space and force the over-worked Spurs
goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini into a smart stop. Nigerian international Obinna
was ready to pounce on both occasions. Brimming with confidence, the sound
of "Ole!" even rang out around a sun-drenched Upton Park as West Ham
comfortably stroked the ball around. But Jermaine Jenas did wriggle free to
fire off a powerful long range shot for Spurs, although the home side's
keeper Green was equal to it. Sometimes England goalkeeper Green then
stretched every sinew to save a stinging shot from Rafael Van der Vaart, who
was trying to nudge Spurs back into the game with his inventive left foot.
But when the visitors forced their first spell of pressure, hard-working
West Ham won the ball back from a corner to break rapidly down the pitch
with forgotten man Kieron Dyer cunningly forcing a corner. Mark Noble duly
curled the dead ball over expertly for Piquionne to overpower a
featherweight aerial challenge from Corluka - and some competition from his
own team-mates - and steer a bullet header high past Cudicini's flailing
arm. The 29th minute goal was well deserved, but Spurs soon showed their
undoubted threat when England man Aaron Lennon made a brilliant jinking run
down the right wing.
When he had raced to the very brink of the touchline Lennon cut the ball
back for Luka Modric, who - showing perfect technique - leaned into a
perfect volley only for Green to tip it brilliantly onto the bar. Misfortune
then once again struck injury-plagued Dyer, who was looking sharp and
influential but had to be replaced by Pablo Barrera just before the end of a
truly entertaining first half. Though West Ham remained more dominant, just,
Spurs should have hit an equaliser 10 minutes into the second period. Onside
when he might have looked off, Huddlestone was put clean through by
marauding right-back Alan Hutton. But, lacking the necessary poise, he made
a real hash of a simple opportunity to score by shooting too early when he
had rounded Green cleanly.
Undeterred by that defensive lapse, the Hammers pressed back with Obinna -
on a year-long loan from Inter Milan - soon forcing a smart save from
Cudicini after holding off Hutton's muscular challenge. With Carlton Cole on
for Piquionne, the home side were given an extra boost of energy and again
Cudicini produced a high-quality stop. Quickly adjusting his body in
mid-air, the Italian tipped Noble's vicious shot over the bar to keep his
side in a game that was becoming more open and scrappy.
A rash of Spurs substitutions saw Redknapp replace Lennon with Robbie Keane,
Van der Vaart taken off for Giovani dos Santos and Peter Crouch replaced by
Roman Pavlyuchenko. Keane - not a natural finisher in the mould of the
injured Jermaine Defoe, who Tottenham appear to be missing - had the best
chance as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, but he curled a weak attempt
into Green's grateful arms after Modric put him in. Spurs continued to knock
at the door, but without real conviction. West Ham ensured it stayed shut
while also pressing for a second, and they are sure to take heart from a
performance full of spirit. Spurs - for whom centre-back William Gallas tore
a groin muscle in training on Friday - must pick themselves up for the
Champions League visit of Dutch side FC Twente on Wednesday.
West Ham manager Avram Grant:
"We played very good, against a very good team. The atmosphere was great.
"The most important thing is to continue progressing. Robert Green was great
today, but so was Carlo Cudicini. "Like Spurs, we always want to win and
play good football. During the season we will have good times and also not
have good times. If you want to see the real West Ham, you we will to wait.
We will get better and better."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
"They started strong and their front two were a real handful. They worked
their socks off. It was a great team effort from West Ham and it could have
gone either way. It was an exciting game, end to end stuff. "It was more of
a basketball match. They attacked, we attacked. "If Tom Huddlestone had
scored when he was clean through in the second half it would have been
different. They would have been on the floor and we would have been in the
ascendancy."
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West Ham Utd 1 Tottenham 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are off the bottom of the Premier League after recording their
first win in nine attempts against neighbours Tottenham.
Frederic Piquionne's first half header was enough to give the Hammers their
first league win of the season, a richly deserved victory win that left
supporters - who gave Avram Grant's team a standing ovation at the final
whistle - delighted.
The Hammers had already been written off in some quarters after a poor start
that left them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. But following the
point earned at Stoke last weekend and the midweek win at Sunderland in the
Carling Cup this latest success suggested that the obituaries had been
written somewhat prematurely.
The Hammers were simply a joy to watch today and outclassed their supposedly
superior opponents who only began to make inroads once the Hammers sat back
in order to defend their narrow lead midway thorugh the second half. But
with Matthew Upson back to his commanding best ably assisted by a
rapidly-improving Manuel Da Costa at the centre of defence, chances for
Spurs were kept few and far between.
That said, Rob Green was called into action on a number of occasions but the
'keeper silenced his critics with a string of top-class saves - none more so
than the stunning stop from Luca Modric which saw one clearly-impressed
pundit rating it as highly Gordon Banks' legendary save from Pele's header
in the 1970 World Cup Finals. After a series of worryingly under-par
performances, the England international - who celbrated widly in front of
the away fans at the final whistle - had definitely rediscovered his mojo.
West Ham amassed a total of 14 corners (to Spurs' seven) throughout the
match so it was no surprise that the only goal of the game came from a set
piece. Mark Noble's 29th minute header was met strongly by an unmarked
Piquionne who found the back of the net from six yards to score what proved
to be the only goal of the game.
United went close to adding a second on several occasions but Carlo Cudicini
was, like his opposite number, in excellent form and denied both Victor
Obinna and Mark Noble when they looked odds-on to score late on in the game.
At the other end, Tottenham's best chance fell to Tom Huddlestone but the
healthily-sized midfielder made a mockery of all the good work he had done
by blasting wildly over having successfully rounded Rob Green ten minutes
into the second period.
Harry Redknapp - mercilessly mocked by a Boleyn crowd that used to chant his
name - had enjoyed a good run since leaving the Boleyn Ground, never having
been beaten whilst manager of either Portsmouth or Spurs. But he was forced
to endure the jeers of the home faithful and a demoralising defeat today
against his former charges - and one that followed a 4-1 defeat against
Tottenham's main rivals, Arsenal, in midweek.
A good week to be a Spurs fan it is not, and no doubt the Lilywhites' misery
will carry on into Monday when the working week reconvenes and the bragging
rights commence.
The only sour note on an otherwise hugely successful day was yet another
injury to Kieron Dyer, who limped off at the end of the first half. There is
no news at present to the extent of the injury.
Next up for Avram Grant's side is another London derby, this time against
Fulham who visit the Boleyn Ground next weekend for the fourth 3pm Saturday
league game in succession.
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Redknapp on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
Beaten at last, a still-upbeat Harry Redknapp reflects on a narrow derby
defeat whilst somehow avoiding reference to 'bare bones'...
Harry, we just heard you on TV saying Robert Green made some world-class
saves - was that the difference?
No, Carlo made a couple of world-class saves as well, you know. It was
end-to-end stuff, wasn't it? It was a very open game. They started well and
got on top of us early, we started sloppy, then they scored. We got control
of the game and had four or five great opportunities, the 'keeper's made
some good saves and that was how it was; it was end-to-end stuff. There were
chances galore really, at both ends.
But we had a great chance with Tom [Huddlestone] second half, he's gone
round the 'keeper and he should have scored. But that's how it goes.
Van der Vaart looked like he was struggling a bit in the first half, was
he...
Van der Vaart? If he was struggling I don't know what the rest of them were
doing...
[laughs]
I thought he was on another planet...
[more laughs]
He was playing another game wasn't he, that Van der Vaart? He kept getting
hold of the ball and passing to his own team, you know...
I thought he looked like he was limping, Harry.
Oh did he? Oh well. Let's hope he gets fit, him, he'll be a decent player
then I suppose...
[even more laughs]
He looked alright to me.
No, I just took him, he's... you know, he's really not played a full game
since before the World Cup, he didn't play a full game in the World Cup.
We've got a busy week, I just didn't want to kill him off really today you
know, that's why I took him off in the end - not because he was playing
badly but because... I think he really does look like a top player, doesn't
he.
What do you think he's added to your team since he came here?
Well I think he's real class, real quality. He plays in that... in the
position, in... you know, in the hole, in behind... em... he's very
difficult... and he finds space to get the ball. He's always on the move,
he's always looking, he uses his body to shield the ball, if he's marked he
can still receive it which is a fantastic ability to have. In tight areas he
always wants the ball, he sees a pass, he has a great left foot, I think
he's a real quality player.
What do you think he lacks in terms of fitness, because you said...
No, he's just getting fitter. He's done very well I think to come in and
play the games he's played in such a short time, you know? He wasn't playing
at Real Madrid, so he came in and hadn't really had any games.
Harry, is that the first time you've been defeated by West Ham?
First time I've ever been beaten by the super Hammers, yeah...
[laughs]
Does that particularly bother you?
Nah. No, no. I get bothered if I lose any game, whether it's West Ham or
anybody, you know. No-one wants to lose, do they? I don't feel any worse for
losing to West Ham than I would any other team - no, of course not. I've had
a great run coming back here winning, so...
But we'll be okay, we'll be ready for Wednesday. Full credit to West Ham,
they worked their socks off today. They worked hard, they pressed us and
closed us, their front two made bad balls into good balls. Every time they
played the ball up the channel they chased it, got there, held it up, worked
hard. No, you couldn't take anything away from them today, they did great.
Do you think the squad is feeling the strain now with the European games?
No not really, it wouldn't be fair to West Ham to say that we felt the
strain today. We had chances... Listen, Tom walks round the goalie, if he
rolls it into the empty net it's probably a different game. Let's be honest
- in their situation, when you haven't won I think they'd have gone on the
floor and we'd have been in the ascendancy. I think, probably, you know.
But it didn't happen, that's how it goes - but no, I don't think we're
feeling the strain, we made enough chances today. We just looked a little
bit open; I felt we looked open at the back. We didn't look solid but it was
a different back four, that's the first time that back four has ever played
together. That's not my normal back four.
Ekotto is out injured, his knee swelled up like a balloon yesterday. He's a
great left back, Benoit Ekotto. He wasn't available. Bale normally plays
wide-left, it was a different back four and we started like it was a
different back four. That's how we started the game, for fifteen minutes we
were all over the show.
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Grant on... Tottenham
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant reflects on a job well done - whilst revealing an
as-before-unseen passionate side to his personality...
The best West Ham performance since you arrived here?
I think so, yes; it was a good three points. It's the first time that we've
taken three points and I'm happy. Firstly because I know how much this game
means to the supporters, and to win against a very good team. It's the first
time we've kept a clean sheet, we won, so I'm happy with this.
How would you describe Robert Green's performance? He needed that for his
confidence, didn't he?
No, for me it was typical of Rob Green. He's a good goalkeeper, sometimes
goalkeepers have their good days and bad days but I think this was a normal
performance. He made a great save from Modric, it wasn't easy - and he was
good today.
All the team worked hard to keep our first clean sheet and against
Tottenham, it's not so easy. But I must say also that Carlo Cudicini was
very good today, he made some unbelievable saves.
He's taken such a battering to his confidence in general since the World
Cup, to pull a performance like that out took something?
But this is the life of a sportsman; I didn't see any athlete or football
player who was good all season. Even with our team, the first game against
Aston Villa was not good then you saw we became stronger and stronger when
people said we would become weaker and weaker.
And I think Robert showed today - in the only place that a sportsman needs
to show, on the pitch - that he's a good goalkeeper.
Harry Redknapp said it was an end-to-end game; do you feel you dominated
that game?
I think we were better. I think it was a good game because we were trying to
play good football, Tottenham always want to play good since Harry came so
it was a good football game. We saw the goalkeepers were very good in this
game which means both teams were good - but I think we were better.
Having created so many chances but only converted one of them did you think
Tottenham might come back in the second half?
You're always worried about these things. Remember what happened against
Bolton, first half we deserved to win 4-0. Even against Stoke, we didn't
score then the other team scored. Even against Chelsea, we started at 0-2,
came back very good - and then they scored.
But we spoke about this with the team. One thing I'm very proud about with
this team is that they are making mistakes but we learn from these very
quickly. It's good because it's only the beginning of the season and we have
a long, long way to [go to] reach our targets.
The two strikers seem to have a decent understanding?
Yes. The attitude is very good. Freddie I know from Portsmouth, he's a
player that plays for the team, he's a team player. He works first for the
team and then for himself. He got his reward when he scored a very good goal
in the middle of the week and he scored again today. He worked hard.
Obinna is an intelligent player and as I've told you [before], the revision
of the club is not just because of the financial situation but [also] to
take players that are hungry to succeed and you saw a few of them together,
including Barrera when he came on in the 40th minute.
There was talk after that Robert Green made a raised-arm gesture towards the
press box? Were you aware of that?
What?
Someone said he went like this [raises fists] to the press box?
No, I didn't see that.
As if to say he's made his point, you know, 'that showed them'?
I don't know what he did. I know that - and I say to the players - when you
are the owner of a restaurant or a politician you can say 'these are my
results'. A footballer can perform and then you don't need to say anything
after. I think his performance today was his best speech...
Are you aware that he's emotionally suffered, or may have been by what's
been written about him?
I like emotions in sport. The first time I was in England I said to the
owners that I don't want to be a cold fish. Football is emotional so if you
come to the game without emotions it's not good.
I'm emotional also, you don't see it because in the game you need to control
it but I think this is part of the passion of the game, you know. All of us
in football, even you the journalists - well, most of you - are here because
you like it. Am I right?
What was the problem with Kieron Dyer?
He was sick, he didn't feel so good. How do you call it... dizzy. But I
think he played well.
After a very positive week do you think you've turned the corner now?
I think yes, because football is all about results at the end of the day. We
deserved more points against Chelsea and against Bolton, but there is no
'deserve' in the table.
Two weeks ago we started to train with all the team together, for the first
two weeks we were training without the injured players. We still have bad
injuries - Behrami and Hitzlsperger - but they are good players.
But for the last two weeks we have all trained together and I think you can
see the team develop all the time. I think we play like a team, quicker than
I thought even.
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Hammers hit out at Harry
Brady unhappy over Redknapp's Parker pursuit
Last updated: 25th September 2010
SSN
Karren Brady has criticised Harry Redknapp over the way he pursued Scott
Parker during the transfer window. The West Ham midfielder recently put an
end to speculation about his future by signing a new four-year contract at
Upton Park. But throughout the summer it did not appear certain that he
would stay as Tottenham were interested in securing his services. West Ham
always made it clear that Parkerwas not for sale and rejected an offer from
their London rivals. Vice-chairman Brady nevertheless says the 29-year-old
was affected by the situation, and has hit out at Redknapp for the way he
does business.
'Harry's Law'
"Harry Redknapp has introduced something in the transfer market I call
'Harry's Law'. It goes: 'Do what I like, when I like, with whom I like,"
Brady said in the Daily Mail. "Scott Parker grew unsettled by Spurs' clear
interest in him even though West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan stated he
was not for sale.
"No permission to speak to Scott was requested or would have been given.
"But this was not good enough for Spurs who were convinced we would be
pressured into selling." Redknapp has insisted that Tottenham did nothing
wrong, saying: "We were told they were willing to sell and wanted to sell
him to raise money."
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Hammers earn first win
Piquionne nets only goal against Spurs
Last updated: 25th September 2010
SSN
West Ham climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table with a 1-0
victory over London rivals Tottenham at Upton Park. Harry Redknapp had been
looking to extend his fine record against his former club but the Hammers
were good value for their first league win of the season, which lifts them
above Everton. The key moment arrived after 29 minutes when Frederic
Piquionne beat Vedran Corluka in the air to powerfully head home a Mark
Noble corner and reward West Ham for a storming start. Spurs were denied an
equaliser before half-time by a superb save from Robert Green to keep out
Luka Modric's volley, while Tom Huddlestone blazed off target in the second
half after being presented with a glorious chance. But Avram Grant's side
never came under too much pressure and even went close to doubling their
advantage on a couple of occasions.
Confidence
West Ham were hoping to build on their midweek Carling Cup victory against
Sunderland and the confidence oozed from them, especially in the first half.
They might have taken the lead inside the first minute when Victor Obinna
dragged a left-foot shot wide when clean through, but that set the tone for
a match which swung from end to end. A Kieron Dyer shot deflected just wide
and a Manuel Da Costa header also went close before the Hammers received the
reward for their enterprising play. When it came, however, it had little to
do with thrills. It was simple and direct, Noble swinging across a swerving
corner for Piquionne who rose above the rest to send a glancing header into
the Tottenham net. It was no more than West Ham deserved as they were
playing football which belied their position in the relegation zone, one
mazy Scott Parker dribble into the area typical of their increasing
confidence. But if the Hammers attacking play was impressive then it would
have counted for nothing without Green. Green has taken some fearful stick
since his howler against USA at the World Cup, but there is no doubt that on
his day he is a supreme shot-stopper. He needed to be, tipping away a
thunderous drive from Jermaine Jenas and palming out a 20-yard left-foot
shot from Rafael van der Vaart.
World class
But it was his save to deny Modric which was world class. Brilliant work by
Aaron Lennon down the right saw the ball arrive for Modric to swing his
cultured left boot. It was the sweetest of strikes, which looked goalbound
until somehow Green threw himself to his right to tip it onto the bar and
away to safety.
Tottenham had their chances in the second half, Alan Hutton putting
Huddlestone clear with just Green to beat. The Tottenham captain did the
hard bit, rounding the goalkeeper, but then contrived to send his tame shot
horribly wide of the post. Carlton Cole came on for the limping Piquionne
but it was West Ham who should have extended their lead when Obinna got the
better of the Spurs defence and fired in a left-foot shot which was
brilliantly saved low down by Carlo Cudicini. The Tottenham goalkeeper also
denied Noble in the 73rd minute when he somehow managed to turn the
midfielder's goalbound drive acrobatically around the post. Redknapp threw
on Robbie Keane for the ineffective Lennon in a bid to supply more firepower
but Keane could only shoot straight into the hands of Green when his
clearest chance presented itself. One sour note for the heavily-criticised
Grant was seeing an injured Dyer leave the field after 41 minutes to be
replaced by Pablo Barrera. But it was a match from which he will take great
heart.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 Spurs 0
The Sun
Published: 25 Sep 2010
FREDERIC PIQUIONNE sent West Ham into dreamland by downing arch rivals
Spurs. Piquionne nodded home just before the half-hour mark to take the
three points and get Upton Park rocking. His goal was enough to sink the
Hammers' high-flying foes as they climbed off the foot of the table. The
East Enders had NEVER before tasted victory over their old gaffer Harry
Redknapp. But the Spurs boss insists will not be losing sleep at seeing his
record put to bed. He said: "It is the first time I've been beaten by the
Super Hammers. "But I don't feel any worse losing to West Ham. I've had a
great run coming back here. "They started strong and their front two were a
real handful. They worked their socks off. "It was a great team effort from
West Ham and it could have gone either way. "It was an exciting game, end to
end stuff. It was more of a basketball match. They attacked, we attacked and
it could have gone either way."
Rob Green pulled off a string of top-drawer saves to keep the Hammers in it.
And Boleyn boss Avram Grant said: "He has had a difficult time after his
mistake at the World Cup but it looked like he was in great form again
today. "He made two world class saves. It does not matter what is in the
papers he showed on the pitch that he is a very good goalkeeper. "His
performance today was the best speech. I like emotion in the game. I don't
want to be a cold fish."
West Ham stormed out of the traps and Victor Obinna, the Carling Cup hero on
Tuesday, dragged an early shot wide. Kieron Dyer was next to threaten and
Manuel da Costa came close as the hosts showed they meant business. At the
other end, Green tipped away a Jermaine Jenas blockbuster before denying
megastar Rafael van der Vaart. West Ham were now camped in the Spurs half —
and finally managed to make it pay on 29 minutes. Mark Noble swung in a
corner and Piquionne got up high to feather a header home. Green was the
hero again ten minutes later, when the keeper tipped Luka Modric's volley on
to the bar and away to safety. It had been a brilliant half for the Hammers
yet it ended on a low note when Kieron Dyer hobbled off injured on 41
minutes.
Tom Huddlestone fluffed a glorious chance to get Spurs back in it with 55
minutes gone. The Spurs skipper rounded Green yet dribbled his shot wide the
goal at his mercy. Instead, West Ham looked more likely to find the net and
Obinna was denied by a magnificent Cudicini save. But the keeper's heroics
counted for nothing as the Hammers saw it home and took the points.
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon, Dyer (Barrera 42),
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Obinna (Kovac 89), Piquionne (Cole 64). Subs Not
Used: Stech, Ben-Haim, McCarthy, Faubert. Booked: Boa Morte, Cole.
Goals: Piquionne 29.
Tottenham: Cudicini, Hutton, Corluka, Bassong, Bale, Lennon (Keane 66),
Huddlestone, Jenas, Modric, Van der Vaart (Giovani 78), Crouch (Pavlyuchenko
80). Subs Not Used: Pletikosa, Palacios, Kranjcar, Sandro.
Att: 34,190
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CRITICS MADE MY ROB STRONGER
News Of The World
25/09/2010
AVRAM GRANT believes Rob Green's performance was the perfect response to his
army of critics. The West Ham boss was finally able to celebrate a first
Premier League win of the season and had his goalkeeper to thank for keeping
Spurs at bay. Grant said: "It was a first clean sheet, we won and I'm happy.
The display was typical of Rob. He's a good keeper and goalkeepers have good
days and bad days. "It's the life of a sportsman. I've never seen an athlete
who is good all season. You get stronger and stronger when people say you
are weaker and weaker. "Rob showed today that the only place any sportsman
needs to speak is on the pitch. No excuses, no explanation, just that he's a
good goalkeeper. "I don't know what Rob did at the end, but I say to my
players you just need to perform - and then not say anything. His display
was the best form of speech. I like emotion in sport. It's part of the
passion."
Harry Redknapp saw his patched-up side defeated for the second time in the
league this term but felt no less disappointed at losing at Upton Park for
the first time as an opposing boss. Redknapp said: "It's the first time I've
ever lost to the super Hammers! "But it makes no difference who I lose to,
I'm as upset as I would be against anyone else. I am lucky to have had a
great winning run here over the years. "To be fair to West Ham, Cudicini
made some great saves as well as Green. It was end-to-end stuff and I think
Tom Huddlestone should have scored with the chance he had."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-0 Tottenham: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 23:00 25/09/10 By Anthony Clavane
The Mirror
Robert Green has had a torrid time of late, with fans up and down the
country taunting him over his World Cup howler. He has even suffered abuse
from his own fans - a section of them turning on him after another
unconvincing display during last week's draw at Stoke. But if Green is
facing a crisis of confidence - as Spurs boss Harry Redknapp implied before
the game - nobody seems to have told the West Ham goalkeeper. He was simply
magnificent yesterday, inspiring the revitalised Hammers to their first
league victory of the season. His gesture to the press box at the end of the
game told its own story. You have to go back quite a way to find the last
time West Ham beat Tottenham. It was, in fact, on the final day of the
2005-6 season - and it still leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Spurs fans.
The Hammers' victory over a Spurs side suffering badly with gastroenteritis
denied them a place in the Champions League. The north Londoners have
finally made it into Europe's premier cup competition - which might explain
why they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Upton Park. Spurs appeared to have one
eye on their first Champions League home game of the season, against FC
Twente on Wednesday. "To say that takes credit away from West Ham,"
protested Redknapp. "They worked their socks off. You can't take anything
away from them. Green was superb."
The Hammers number one pulled off four brilliant saves to deny Redknapp's
men. The first, from a Jermaine Jenas shot, was good. The second, from a
Rafael Van Der Vaart rocket, was superb. The third was simply sublime. A
definite contender for save of the season. Aaron Lennon skipped past two
defenders and pulled the ball back for Luka Modric, whose stunning volley
was somehow pushed onto the underside of the bar by Green. Minutes later,
Green bravely blocked Van Der Vaart's effort from close range. This was the
former England stopper's 131st consecutive match - athough Avram Grant would
not confirm him as his No1 choice before this exhilirating London derby.
Afterwards, a clearly relieved Avram Grant - experiencing his first league
one at the club - said: "Robert Green is a good goalkeeper and he made some
great saves - but Cudicini also made some great saves. "We gave it
everything today. Not just Green, but the whole team played with
determination. They knew how much it meant to the fans to win against
Spurs."
In the first half, Tom Huddlestone carelessly gave the ball away to Kieron
Dyer, whose shot deflected wide. Then both Manuel da Costa and Scott Parker
found themselves in good goalscoring positions - but shot straight at Carlo
Cudicini. Frederic Piquionne then skinned Alan Hutton - but his drilled shot
was beaten out by Cudicini. A goal was coming and, sure enough, after 28
minutes it arrived - courtesy of Piquionne. The 31-year-old hitman has been
finding his range in recent games, having hit the woodwork against Chelsea
and Stoke. He finally opened his goal-scoring account at the Stadium of
Light last week - and yesterday doubled his tally with a powerful header.
Mark Noble floated a corner in from the left and the French striker soared
above both Vedran Corluka and Sebastien Bassong to flick the ball into the
top corner of the net. Piquionne clearly enjoys playing against Spurs,
having scored the first goal in Portsmouth's 2-0 FA Cup victory over them
last season. Just after the interval, Spurs should have drawn level.
Huddlestone was guilty of what will surely prove to be one of the misses of
the season after Modric picked him out with a superb through-ball. But the
midfielder, after rounding Green, inexplicably hoofed the ball wide of an
empty goal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers keeper Green tells press where they can stick it
Published 23:00 25/09/10 By Anthony Clavane
The Mirror
Robert Green hit back at his critics by making an "up yours" gesture at the
press box after West Ham's 1-0 victory over Spurs yesterday. Green has been
taunted by fans throughout the country since his World Cup howler against
the USA. He turned in a great display but looks certain to face FA action
over his gesture. Boss Avram Grant said: "This is all part of the life of a
sportsman. "I think Rob's performance was the best speech."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Frédéric Piquionne gives West Ham precious win over Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United 1 (Piquionne 29 ) Tottenham Hotspur 0
Jamie Jackson at Upton Park
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 25 September 2010 17.14 BST
West Ham United's Frédéric Piquionne rises above the Tottenham Hotspur
defence to score. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images
Avram Grant's excellent week ended in bouquets after West Ham defeated their
detested enemy with an exhilarating performance. The Israeli said: "That was
a good three points – against a very, very good team – and I'm happy. We've
become stronger and stronger, and the only way to show this is on the
pitch."
The Israeli was correct. After the draw at Stoke City and heartening Carling
Cup win at Sunderland, this first three points of the season came courtesy
of a slick and feisty effort from a side who suddenly appear to have gelled.
Before kick-off West Ham's goals-for column had read a paltry three.
It may have been improved by only one but Frédéric Piquionne's winner
finally gave lift-off to Grant's project.
As the half-hour approached the celebrations began. Kieron Dyer had already
indicated why he was nonplussed to discover he would not be starting against
Stoke last week with some darting runs at Gareth Bale, who had slotted in
for the rested left-back, Benoît Assou-Ekotto.
For Piquionne's goal Dyer's contribution was a burst down the opposing
flank. This forced Alan Hutton into a sharp tackle and a corner was
conceded. Mark Noble drifted in the delivery, and the striker out-jumped
Vedran Corluka to score with a header that corkscrewed beyond Carlo Cudicini
into the left corner.
The goal exposed the hole left by Harry Redknapp's stricken centre-backs.
Michael Dawson is a long-term casualty; Ledley King's knee was judged not
worth chancing with FC Twente in town this week for a Champions League group
game; and injury to William Gallas on Friday ruled the Frenchman out.
"He looked like he tore a muscle in the groin area," said Redknapp, who
remained in jocular form despite the defeat. "It's the first time I've been
beaten as a manager by the super Hammers. I've had a great run. It was a
very open game. Full credit to West Ham, they pressed us, closed us down,
you can't take nothing away from them."
After the goal Spurs were no longer casually building from deep, via the
magic of Rafael van der Vaart. Instead, they were having to douse fires.
Before the break, the most threatening of these came from a Scott Parker run
that resulted in another West Ham corner.
Again, Noble and Dyer caused the problems following the delivery, and Victor
Obinna, who appears a smart acquisition by Grant, worried Cudicini with a
rasping shot.
While Dyer had to leave the action before the break (maybe indicating
precisely why Grant had chosen him only for the bench against Stoke)
Redknapp should have been furious at half-time and the close.
In Van der Vaart, the £8m bargain of the season, he had a player who was
dominating before Spurs conceded. Twice he floated into the channel in front
of the defence to unload 25-yard shots that drew Robert Green into action.
But Van der Vaart was later replaced by Giovani dos Santos, to illustrate
what West Ham had done to him and his team.
"He hasn't played a full game since the World Cup and we've got a busy week.
I didn't want to kill him off," was Redknapp's explanation. Then came a
range of the superlatives: "He really does look like a top player,
top-quality, world-class, he was on another planet."
For Green, gaffes had been replaced with an afternoon he may view as the
moment the spectre of a torrid World Cup was finally shaken off. Luka
Modric, quiet here for long passages, forced the keeper into his outstanding
save of the game. From Aaron Lennon's fine break down the right the Croatia
playmaker produced a pivot-volley that oozed class. So, too, did Green's
lightning reflex save, which beat the ball on to the bar and away to safety.
At the finish he offered a defiant gesture to the press box that might have
been his answer to the criticism he has drawn following a clumsy start to
the campaign. Grant said: "This is the life of a sportsman. I think Rob's
performance today was the best speech."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between West Ham United
and Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park on Saturday Sept 25 2010.
Saturday, September 25 15:00
Premier League
Upton Park
ATT: 34,190
By Gerry Cox at Upton Park
Published: 5:00PM BST 25 Sep 2010
On the day Robert Green admitted to turning to the club's chaplain to help
him through his troubles, the goalkeeper proved to be the answer to West Ham
United's prayers with a superb display in the victory over Tottenham
Hotspur. Frederic Piquionne scored the game's only goal, in the 29th minute,
but it was Green who did most to keep out Spurs, who were well below their
best. Green, heavily criticised after his error for England against the USA
at the World Cup, made three superb saves to show why he was so highly rated
in the first place. And it allowed West Ham to record their first Premier
League win of the season, following their Carling Cup victory at Sunderland
in midweek. Avram Grant sprang a surprise by relegating Carlton Cole to the
substitutes' bench, preferring to play Nigerian striker Victor Obinna
alongside Piquionne in attack, and the move worked as West Ham took the game
to Spurs from the start.
Tottenham had a makeshift defence, with four central defenders unavailable,
meaning Vedran Corluka had to play an unfamiliar role in the middle of the
back four. The Croatian had a torrid time as the movement of Piquionne and
power of Obinna pulled Tottenham's backline apart, and West Ham created
numerous openings before they took they finally took the lead. Obinna,
Piquionne and Kieron Dyer all had shots saved by Carlo Cudicini, as West Ham
dominated the first half. In response, Tottenham were restricted to shooting
from long range, and when they did find the target, they also found Green in
outstanding form. The West Ham keeper, produced three great saves to deny
Spurs in the opening half alone. First he punched away a stinging 30-yard
shot from Jermaine Jenas in the 15th minute. He then tipped away a fierce
drive from Rafael van der Vaart that was heading for the top corner of goal
in the 21st minute, but produced an even better save five minutes before
half-time, tipping a stinging volley from Luka Modric on to the bar and
scrambling the loose ball clear. Modric then set up Van der Vaart for a
close-range header that Green did well to keep out, but by then West Ham
were ahead. It was Piquionne who finally made the breakthrough in the 29th
minute. Dyer won a corner after a quick break out of defence, and Mark
Noble's kick found Piquionne, who rose above his marker to plant a header
into the far corner of goal. Peter Crouch headed over in first-half stoppage
time, but it was West Ham who took a deserved lead into the break. The
second-half continued in the same vein, with Tottenham playing some neat
football without producing a real goal threat, while West Ham were more
direct and dangerous. Obinna powered through in the 65th minute to hit a
shot off the ground that Cudicini did well to tip away, and when Cole
replaced Piquionne soon afterwards, the England striker lashed a first-time
shot just wide of the near post. Cudicini then did well to tip over a
piledriver from Noble that took a deflection en route to goal. The keeper
was lucky though five minutes later after the ball fell into his hands
following an almighty goalmouth scramble. Harry Redknapp, who had not lost
in ten previous games against his former side, went for broke in the final
stages, sending on strikers Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Giovanni
Dos Santos as late substitutes, but to no avail as West Ham held on for
their first league win of the season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report: West Ham 1 Spurs 0
West Ham Till I Die
Well that wasn't a bad day at the office was it? I don't think we have
played as well as that since a home game against Liverpool a couple of years
ago. In the first half we were utterly dominant, constantly attacking and
winning corner after corner. I think I counted eight in the first fifteen
minutes. And in the second half, apart from the middle twenty minutes or so,
we always looked the more likely to score.
I am not saying Spurs didn't have any chances, they did. Indeed if Robert
Green hadn't been in world class form with a couple of outstanding saves
things might have looked a little different. The only Spurs player to shine
was an effervescent Modric. The others didn't seem interested at all in the
first half. We attacked with impunity down both flanks with Boa Morte and
Dyer wreaking havoc time after time.
Dyer was simply superb. He was sharp, pacy, committed and looked on top
form. It was such a shame was forced off with yet another knock just before
half time. But his replacement, Pablo Barrera, was equally troublesome as
the second half went on.
Avram Grant took a calculated risk in dropping Carlton Cole and it paid off.
When he came on in the middle of the second half he played some great
football and played like he did last season. But the player he replaced,
Freddie Picquionne, played a blinder. The faith his manager put in him was
repaid in full. His hold up play and wing play was stupendous and the way he
took his headed goal was immense. If he doesn't retain his place next week
there's no justice in this world.
Defensively it was also a great performance. Da Costa in particular was
immense. He beat Peter Crouch in virtually every headed contest. Upson had
his best game of the season and both Gabbidon and Jacobsen kept the Spurs
wingers quiet.
But this result wouldn't have been possible without the astonishing
performances of four players – Green, Noble, Parker and Obinna. All four put
in performances meriting 9 out of ten. Parker tackled as if his life
depended on it. Obinna frightened the life out of the Spurs players each
time he went on one of his pacy runs. He was extremely unlucky not to get a
goal. Robert Green played exactly how we know he can and the game will have
given him a massive boost in confidence.
But Mark Noble was my man of the match. He was all over the pitch, fierce in
his tackling and delivered some excellent balls into the area. He also
nearly scored a 25 yard screamer into the top left hand corner but somehow
the Spurs keeper saved it. I'd say this was probably Mark Noble's best game
in a Hammers shirt. Agreed?
Green 9
Gabbidon 8
Jacobsen 8
Da Costa 9
Upson 9
Noble 9.5
Parker 9
Dyer 9
Obinna 9
Picquionne 9
Boa Morte 8
Barrera 8
Cole 8
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ROB GREEN IS HERO IN WEST HAM VICTORY
Daily Express
Sunday September 26,2010
By Harry Pratt
FC Twente scouts turned up to spy on Spurs, their next Champions League
opponent, . . . but ended up watching a heartwarming tale of two goalkeepers
as well. Rob Green and Carlo Cudicini chose the day to restore their
fortunes after adversity had threatened to bury them both. Green, battered
and bewildered after his World Cup howler, produced a couple of stunning
saves that went a long way to earning the Hammers their first Premier
League win, claimed thanks to an unstoppable header by Frederic Piquionne.
Cudicini, his career threatened by a horrific motorbike accident, completed
his return with two equally eye catching saves that spared Spurs even more
embarrassment on the day. In the end the Dutch visitors probably went home
none the wiser. West Ham, on the other hand, left singing their bubbles song
for all it was worth, content in the knowledge that they have found a real
jewel in Victor Obinna and, if this is anything to go by, have finally
turned the corner. There was lots of pressure, plenty of work for Cudicini –
and Green still had the chance to settle his frazzled World Cup nerves with
stops from Jermaine Jenas and Rafael van der Vaart. Avram Grant said that
this kind of performance was on its way and the resurgent Hammers were true
to his words just before the half hour. Kieron Dyer earned the corner that
Mark Noble swung invitingly over and Piquionne rose to the task with a
header that left Cudicini without a prayer and gave him his first Premier
League goal for the Hammers.
No doubt that it was deserved. No doubt either that Spurs just didn't have
enough to preserve Harry Redknapp's record of never having lost a return to
Upton Park. To be fair, Spurs would have been level by the break if Green
hadn't gone a long way to restoring his reputation and confi dence with
those two crucial saves.
The first was a spectacular tip onto the crossbar from Luca Modric's
stunning volley; the second was a brave effort to deny Van Der Vaart.
But life's never easy for the Hammers and poor old Dyer looked to have
suffered another misfortune just before the break. The midfielder, who has
been plagued with injuries, went off again to be replaced by Pablo Barrere.
Tom Huddlestone might have wished he could have gone off as well 10 minutes
into the second half.
The cultured midfielder slipped West Ham's offside trap perfectly, but with
Peter Crouch staring into an empty net just to his left, he chose to have a
pop himself and fi red well wide with only Green to beat. No other word for
it – it was a shocker. At the other end the lively Obinna let fly with a
shot that had goal written all over it until Cudicini got in the way.
And the former Chelsea keeper covered himself in glory again soon afterwards
with a superb save from Mark Noble.
But at the end of the day it wasn't enough to save a Spurs side that is
going to have to step up a couple of gears when those Dutchmen return on
Wednesday.
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