WHUFC.com
The manager was pleased once again with Scott Parker, while Kieron Dyer also
got a worthy mention
11.11.2010
Avram Grant hailed Scott Parker as a shining light as he looked to regroup
from Wednesday's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion before Saturday's date
with Blackpool. The manager saw his midfield supremo - who has played every
minute of the club's 15 league and cup games this season - kick-start a
second-half revival with a sublime 25-yarder just before half-time. "You
don't see many goals like that," said Grant. "Scott deserves it for the way
he works and it was an unbelievable goal. He is having a great season. He
always tries to do the right thing. Scott is in great shape."
Parker's precision finish levelled the scores after Peter Odemwingie's
spot-kick five minutes before and paved the way for Frederic Piquionne to
join Parker on five goals this season with his penalty soon after the
interval, before West Brom were able to come back into it and ensure a 2-2
draw through Pablo Ibanez. "The players were not so patient in the first
half," said Grant. "West Brom were defending with a lot of men behind the
ball. We needed to be quicker and sharper. We did that in the second half.
"The reaction after they scored the first goal was good. We got to one-one,
then went two-one up and had a great chance to make it three-one. Instead we
conceded ourselves, so we are obviously disappointed by that."
Having seen a similar scenario play out at Birmingham City at the weekend in
terms of performance and point, the manager said there would be no let-up in
the search for more from Blackpool. "I want to take points, not because
anybody else wants to take them. I want to take points because I want to
take points, because I think we deserve to take points. We need to get a win
and we are very close to it. "I think when the first win comes we will win
more games, because we are playing football the right way."
Aside from Parker's usual superb display, another positive was Kieron Dyer's
first 90 minutes in claret and blue since 25 August 2008 and only his third
full match for the club, with the manager saying he did "a good job" - not
least in winning that Piquionne penalty. Dyer came into the side with Valon
Behrami having developed a hip problem late in training on Tuesday and
Victor Obinna not fit enough to start with a muscle issue. Carlton Cole also
limped off feeling his hamstring, but it is thought the striker could be fit
to face Blackpool. Whoever lines up will need to learn from the experiences
so far, with the manager preferring to focus on the team's needs rather than
individuals. "We reacted well to going one-nil down and continued playing.
We are not a team that can drop back and defend with eight or nine players.
We continue playing and conceded a goal. "All the time you can point the
finger at someone but we prefer to win like a team and lose like a team. We
will analyse the team and see what we can do better. "We did everything we
could but unfortunately we didn't do it for the supporters. It will be a
similar game on Saturday. Blackpool are a good team and we need to want it
more than them. The spirit is still good."
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Hammers held by Baggies
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant's side were denied a precious home win in a keenly-fought
contest on Wednesday
10.11.2010
West Ham United were forced to settle for a second successive 2-2 draw as
West Bromwich Albion battled back on a freezing night at the Boleyn.
The Hammers had thrown away a two-goal advantage last Saturday at Birmingham
City and it was a similar story on Wednesday as Baggies defender Pablo
Ibanez wiped out the second-half advantage given by Frederic Piquionne's
penalty. Scott Parker had previously levelled just before the interval with
a stunning strike after Peter Odemwingie had started the scoring with a
spot-kick of his own. West Ham bossed the first 20 minutes without having
anything to show for their possession. After a couple of wayward West Brom
efforts from long range, Carlton Cole registered the Hammers' first notable
attempt - shooting wide of Scott Carson's right-hand post. It was to be
fully another ten minutes before the next - this time Cole heading just over
from Barrera's corner. With the temperature dropping by the minute on a
clear night in east London, there was very little to warm the Hammers fans.
The Baggies seemed content to hit on the break and quickly regrouped behind
the ball whenever they lost possession. That was until Chris Brunt fired in
a free-kick that tested Green and led to a corner and the chance to throw
men forward. A good ball in saw Luis Boa Morte bundle over Steven Reid in
the area. The referee Mike Dean paused for a moment before pointing to the
spot but there was no hesitation from Odemwingie as he blasted beyond Green.
Five minutes later, Parker saved the day again with his fifth goal of a
remarkable season so far. Cole did well before touching back to the No8, who
ran on to the ball and smashed it beyond Carson and into the top corner. Boa
Morte could then have sent the Hammers into the interval in the lead,
jinking his way into the penalty area before firing goalwards. Carson did
superbly well to palm it away. The West Brom keeper had no chance four
minutes after the break when Piquionne fired in from the spot after a
surging Kieron Dyer run was unfairly halted by Gabriel Tamas. It was an
clinical contribution from Dyer, who was to complete a rare 90 minutes
having come into the side for the injured Valon Behrami. The Hammers were in
front and Grant was determined to hang on to the lead. Perhaps mindful of
his earlier caution in conceding the West Brom penalty, the manager
sacrificed Boa Morte for Radoslav Kovac. The attacking intent was still
there as on the hour mark, Barrera seized on a loose ball, surged goalwards
before feeding Dyer. He flicked it on to Piquionne and the French forward's
shot only just went wide. It was much, much better from the home side and
the crowd were responding. Roberto Di Matteo made a change himself on 66
minutes, replacing Graham Dorrans with Simon Cox. It paved the way for a
West Brom fightback that culminated in Brunt sending in a superb cross on 71
minutes for the unmarked Pablo Ibanez to easily head beyond Green.
The visitors were back on top and Kovac joined Boa Morte in the book for a
frustrated foul before Green gratefully seized on a loose ball as the
Baggies piled on more pressure. Di Matteo replaced Jerome Thomas with Giles
Barnes on 75 minutes as hamstring victim Cole also made way for Victor
Obinna.
The match fizzled out from there with Danny Gabbidon also cautioned for a
tug back on Barnes, as Benni McCarthy entered for a brief cameo - Barrera
making way. With news of a closure at Upton Park station, it was to be a
disappointing end to the evening, with Saturday's already vital visit of
Blackpool only increasing in importance.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 - 2 West Brom
BBC.co.uk
Frederic Piquionne's penalty put West Ham ahead just after half-time
By Julian Shea
West Ham failed to hold on to a lead for the second game running as they
were held to a draw by West Brom and remain rooted to the foot of the table.
A tepid first half came alive as Peter Odemwingie's penalty gave West Brom a
brief lead, before Scott Parker's thunderbolt of a shot levelled things.
Frederic Piquionne's penalty put West Ham ahead before Pablo Ibanez headed
the visitors level. West Brom piled on the pressure late on but both sides
seemed happy to draw. Coming into the game, the two sides could not have had
more contrasting seasons so far - West Ham enduring their worst-ever start
to a Premier League campaign, while the visitors enjoyed their best-ever -
but they seemed evenly matched early on. Neither side seemed to have the
conviction and courage to impose themselves on the game, despite the lack of
threat posed by the opposition, and this made for a forgettable early period
with few chances. What action there was in the first half came in the last
15 minutes. Carlton Cole was West Ham's top scorer last season with 10
goals, but has only managed two in his last 26 games. He came within inches
of breaking the deadlock on the half-hour when he headed just over from
Pablo Barrera's corner from the right, but when the first goal came, it was
at the other end.
Matthew Upson deflected an Odemwingie shot behind for West Brom's second
corner of the night, and in the resulting penalty-box jostling, Luis Boa
Morte needlessly shoved Steven Reid to the ground, and referee Mike Dean
pointed straight to the spot. Odemwingie put the ball to Robert Green's left
to give his side the lead, but it was only a short-lived advantage. Cole
easily dispossessed Paul Scharner just outside the penalty area, played a
one-two with Kieron Dyer and when Schaner blocked Cole's attempted shot,
Parker charged in and unleashed a superb first-time shot high into the top
corner for an equaliser on his 100th appearance for the club. Shortly after
the restart, West Ham went into the lead when Gabriel Tamas barged over Dyer
in the penalty area, and Piquionne thumped the ball home. This inspired the
home side and their fans, and Piquionne had a great chance to make it 3-1
when Barrera and Dyer set him up for a great chance, only for the Frenchman
to drag the ball just wide of the far post. Faced with the prospect of just
their second win of the season and moving off the bottom of the table, West
Ham opted to try and play it safe rather than stay on the front foot, and
they were soon made to pay for the decision. After they failed to clear a
corner, Chris Brunt sent over a looping cross from the left, which was met
by the head of the unmarked Ibanez. With time running out, West Ham's nerves
showed and West Brom had more chances to snatch a late win as they had a
succession of late corners, and the final whistle was greeted with obvious
frustration by the home fans.
West Ham manager Avram Grant: "We deserved to win, especially in the second
half we dominated. "We wanted to start quickly but they defend with a lot
behind the ball so we had to be patient, it was hard for us to create
chances. "The spirit of team is very good, it's more frustrating that we're
bottom of the league but the spirit is good. "We're trying to play positive
football, we keep doing what we need to do and we don't win - we don't like
it but at the end of the day, the wins will come."
West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo: "It was very important for us not to
have three defeats in a row, and to get a good performance out.
"People outside the club may get carried away, but we are new in the Premier
League and still learning. "We need to manage games better, to get that lead
into half-time but we are improving and will get better."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole faces anxious wait
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th November 2010
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole will find out later today the extent of the injury that caused
him to be substituted in last night's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
The West Ham and England striker pulled up with 15 minutes left on the clock
with what Avram Grant later revealed is a suspected hamstring injury. If
scans prove the worst Cole could be out for around a month, the worst
possible news for manager Grant who is already struggling to come to terms
with losing key squad members such as Tomas Hitzlsperger, Jack Collison and
Mark Noble already this season.
Speaking immediately after last night's draw with Albion that keeps United
rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, Grant confirmed the news,
saying: "I didn't see him [Cole] but I think it's a hamstring." Grant also
revealed that Valon Behrami missed the game after sustaining a knock in the
final pre-match training session on Tuesday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant on... West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th November 2010
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant shares his thoughts on another positive performance - and
disappointing result...
Avram: more points dropped.
Yeah.
When you got the second did you think you would go on and win the game?
Yes, the reaction after they scored the goal was good - we went 1-1, 2-1, a
great chance to make it 3-1 with Freddie in front of the goal; we dominated
the game. We played quick in the second half unlike the first half so of
course I thought that we were going to win this game. But a corner against
us and we conceded a goal. Disappointing.
You seemed very unhappy with the officials tonight?
I don't want to... I don't want to speak about referees.
When you scored you threw your water bottle. Was that at the assistant
referee?
[laughs] No! Of course not.
Towards him?
No, no.
Why did you throw the bottle?
I don't know, I threw it on the floor because noone came to take it. I don't
remember why, but of course not.
You seemed quite unhappy with Freddie after you'd just scored; what were you
saying to him?
I said what I needed to say - and in the second half he played much
better...
You said in the programme that you think the team's too nice; is this still
the case?
Look, we've conceded four goals in the last two games and not one was from
open play. The first goal from a direct ball, the second against Birmingham
from a set-piece; today a penalty - even though I don't think it was a
penalty - then a corner. So it's something that we need to think about.
Can you beat Blackpool and Liverpool to get the amount of points that your
co-owner wants you to get?
I want to take points not because anyone else wants to take points but
because I think we deserve to take points, I think, if you watch many of our
games. I don't want to say the word 'deserve' because there is no deserve,
we need to take it and I think we are very close to it. I think once the
first win comes we will win more games because we are playing the football
to win games.
It's not easy because we've had a lot of injuries. Today we were without
[Valon] Behrami who was maybe our best player in our last game, he got
injured in the last minute of training yesterday. Obinna was injured, Mark
Noble is injured but we are keeping our style of football. Sometimes, it's
not going like we want - like much of the first half - but if you see the
whole package, we are playing well. This is what frustrates us more than
anything.
Were you unhappy with the penalty awarded against you?
I don't want to speak about referees today. I think everybody can judge for
themselves.
Do you think the fans understand - you talk about how close you are?
As far as I know they understand it very much. Of course they want more
points, but there is nobody who wants to take points more than me, my
players and my staff. But I think everybody is seeing good games of football
and from my experience of football if we continue to play like this, the
points will come.
What happened to Carlton Cole? Was it his hamstring?
I think so; I didn't see him. I will see him after I've spoken with you but
I think it's a hamstring, yes.
Is that the first penalty you've seen given this season for holding like
that? In the area? It's quite rare?
I didn't think he [Boa Morte] held him but again, today I'd prefer not to
speak about decisions of referees.
Did he [Mike Dean] threaten to send you off at the start of the second half?
No, why?
You seemed to be talking to him and he seemed to be pointing at the stand.
No, no. We talked - very politely - to each other, it was not something
exceptional! I told him what I thought, he told me what he thought and
that's all.
The fourth time this season that you've been in a winning position and lost
it - is there a fundamental problem with the players?
No... Look, every time we've conceded a goal it's because something
happened. In the past we didn't react well, now we react very well to going
1-0 [behind] and we continue playing. We're not a team that can drop back
and defend with eight, nine players. We continued playing and conceded a
goal.
All the time we concede goals you can point the finger at someone, but we
prefer to stay together and win as a team and lose as a team. After the game
of course we analyse the game and see what we can do better.
Blackpool made ten changes for their game aginst Villa tonight; are you
unhappy about that?
They did what's good for them. Also they have a bigger squad than us at the
moment due to injuries so they could do it. We even needed to use Kieron
Dyer today and he's not trained so much. Valon was injured and Obinna wasn't
ready to play more than he did, but we needed to use him and he was good.
Scott Parker was immense again in the middle of the park. Are you worried
that without him you'd be in real trouble?
Scott is very good for us, especially because of the injuries - he always
plays without someone else in midfield! It's not so easy sometimes because
we want to create more stability - also in defence because we have to change
all the time.
Of course we are very happy he scored because he's playing all the games and
he's doing well for us. His goal today may well be the goal of the year so
we don't want to think about other possibilities!
When are you meeting the owners next?
I speak with them every day almost, sometimes every two or three days. Thank
you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant bemoans ref luck
Israeli upset by penalty call in stalemate
By Danny Wright Last updated: 10th November 2010
SSN
Avram Grant bemoaned his side's luck with refereeing decisions after his
West Ham team were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against West Brom.
The Hammers came from behind to lead 2-1 at Upton Park but were denied a
crucial win when Pablo Ibanez popped up to head in an equaliser for Albion.
But a penalty awarded against the hosts - for a foul on Steven Reid by Luis
Boa Morte - that put the Baggies in front was the issue on the lips of Grant
after the clash. The Israeli berated referee Mike Dean during the remainder
of the first half after Peter Odemwingie converted and confronted the
official at the break as well. And although he would not criticise Dean
directly, the manager revealed his frustration at decisions throughout the
campaign that he feels have gone against his side. "I had enough to speak
about with the decisions of the referee," Grant told Sky Sports when asked
about the award of West Brom's spot-kick. "I think there was a decision that
was against us and maybe not the right decision, not even one decision in
our favour. "But I prefer to concentrate on football and today not to speak
about the decision of the referee - even if I don't agree with him. "I don't
want to speak about this, I'm sorry. I want to speak about football. I think
what has happened with referees this year with us is not so fair."
Scott Parker dragged his team level with a 30-yard showstopper and Grant's
players led, with a penalty of their own, shortly after the restart.
Frederic Piquionne slotted in from 12 yards after Gabriel Tamas sent Kieron
Dyer tumbling but Ibanez ensured the Hammers prop up the Premier League on
Wednesday night. Grant felt his team could have taken all three points from
the clash, adding: "The game was leaning to one direction after the 1-0 and
it was great from the players. "We went 2-1 up and had big, big chance to
make it 3-1. Then from a cross we conceded a goal so we're very
disappointed.
"The players wanted to win the game very much and West Brom defended with a
lot of players behind the ball so we needed to be quicker and sharper.
"We didn't do it but in the second half we played well."
Grant added: "We would win the game. We had two good chances to win the game
but our final pass was not so good. We did everything to win the game -
unfortunately we didn't do it." Carlton Cole limped off in an injury blow
ahead of their crucial clash with Blackpool on Saturday and the state of his
hamstring problem remains unclear. Grant instead focused on the heroics of
Parker, who gave his team purpose after a low-key start to the encounter.
"It was a fantastic goal," said Grant. "Scott is in a good shape and the
goal was good. I think the penalty before this we played good, quick at
times and unfortunately we haven't won."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers held by Baggies
Hosts throw away lead as Albion rally for point
By Danny Wright Last updated: 10th November 2010
SSN
Man of the Match: Scott Parker wins this one by a mile. The midfielder was
at the heart of everything good about the Hammers.
Shot of the Match: Parker takes this accolade as well. His stunning strike
hauled the home side level and left Scott Carson with no chance.
Moment of the Match: Bottom club West Ham showed their frailties as Pablo
Ibanez headed home Albion's equaliser unmarked.
Talking points: Are Avram Grant's team in for a dogfight this season? And
will West Brom be joining them in the lower reaches?
West Ham remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League after being held to
a frustrating 2-2 home draw against West Brom. A dull game was tempered only
by the occasional foray forward from the Baggies, who looked threatening
with Peter Odemwingie spearheading the front-line. The in-form striker
netted when Luis Boa Mortetangled with Steven Reid in the box. Referee Mike
Dean pointed the spot for the foul and Odemwingie sent Robert Green the
wrong way with a cool spot-kick to put the visitors ahead on 38 minutes. An
irate Avram Grant berated Dean as the play continued but he did not have to
wait long for his team to draw level as Scott Parker seized on a loose ball
to crash a stunning 30-yard strike into the top corner after Carlton Cole's
persistence had dispossessed a dithering Paul Scharner. Grant celebrated by
hurling his water bottle down the touchline and the Israeli could thank the
official for a fortunate decision in his team's favour five minutes after
the turnaround when Gabriel Tamas was adjudged to have sent Kieron Dyer
tumbling. The push was a soft one but Frederic Piquionne made the most of
the opportunity with a fine spot-kick, only for poor defending to allow
Pablo Ibanez to nod home a leveller for Albion as he ghosted in to meet
Chris Brunt's inviting centre with 19 minutes left.
Took the initiative
Dyer, in for the injured Valon Behrami, looked lively during the opening
exchanges as the home side took the initiative. However, the Baggies also
passed the ball around crisply and Odemwingie sent in a low, angled effort
from the edge of the penalty area which Hammers goalkeeper Green gathered.
West Brom broke quickly after defending a corner and had men over as Jerome
Thomas charged down the middle. However, the midfielder elected to shoot,
but could only fire a tame 20-yard effort straight at Green. West Ham
continued to have plenty of possession but failed to find a telling pass
with which to open up the visitors' defence. Cole headed a corner just over
the crossbar but there were still too many stray passes from the home side -
with Hammers fans growing increasingly frustrated. Green was alert to punch
away Brunt's curling free-kick from the right, with the follow-up shot
deflected behind. From the resulting corner West Brom were awarded a penalty
when referee Dean spotted Boa Morte had bundled over Reid in a crowded
penalty area.
Boa Morte was shown the yellow card, before Odemwingie sent Green the wrong
way to give the Baggies the lead after 38 minutes. Upton Park was left in
stunned silence, but replays showed the referee was spot-on. The home side
looked to get themselves on level terms before the break, but again lacked a
decisive pass in the final third. However, out of the blue, midfielder
Parker smashed a 25-yard effort into the top-left corner as the Boleyn
Ground erupted.
Danny Gabbidon's close-range header was held by Scott Carson, who then saved
from Boa Morte at his near post as the Hammers continued to press. Boa
Morte was somewhat fortunate to escape a second booking when he went in late
on Graham Dorrans, but received only a stern talking to. The referee then
pointed to the spot again in the 50th minute, this time in West Ham's favour
as Dyer dashed into the right side of the penalty area and was barged over
by Gabriel Tamas.
Impact
With regular penalty taker Mark Noble out injured, Piquionne stepped up to
fire the Hammers into the lead. The home fans were in uproar as Parker was
left in a heap in front of the advertising boards following a sliding
challenge by Thomas which went unpunished. It was almost 3-1 when Mexico
winger Pablo Barrera dashed down the left before feeding Dyer on the penalty
arc, and his clever first-time flick released Piquionne on the overlap.
However, the Frenchman's angled drive flew inches wide of the far post. West
Brom substitute Simon Cox then almost had an immediate impact when he
drilled a 25-yard effort just wide. Green then plucked Odemwingie's snapshot
out of the air as the visitors looked for an equaliser. It was 2-2 after 71
minutes when Brunt delivered a lovely deep cross from the left which was met
by Ibanez at the far post, who powered a header back into the opposite
corner. The hosts sent on Victor Obinna and Benni McCarthy as they pressed
for a winner, yet despite a couple of half-chances, West Brom held out for a
point. West Ham, though, need a win against Blackpool on Saturday if they
are to climb clear of trouble.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2-2 West Brom: Daily Mirror match report
Published 23:00 10/11/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
West Ham must beat Blackpool and Liverpool to achieve chairman David
Sullivan's target of points this month after throwing away another lead last
night.
Avram Grant's side remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League
following Pablo Ibanez's late equaliser for West Brom. Not even several
rants at referee Mike Dean by the usually mild-mannered Grant could inspire
his team to only their second win of the season. Before the weekend draw at
Birmingham, Sullivan had called for his Hammers to secure seven points from
their next four games or they would face a "massive problem". Now after two
points from the first two games, Grant's side face a must-win home game to
Blackpool on Saturday before a trip to Anfield. Even in mid November, time
is running out for the Israeli manager. His excuses for another defeat
cannot last forever. I think when the first win comes we will win more
games, because we are playing football to win the games," Grant claimed.
"Sometimes it's not going how we want, like in the first half but if you
look at the package we are playing well and this is what frustrates us more
than anything. "Everyone that see our games see good games. From my
experience in football if we continue like this the points will come."
It is the fourth time the profligate Hammers have thrown away a lead this
season at the cost of nine points after letting slip a 2-0 lead at
Birmingham on Saturday. Apart from Kieron Dyer completing his first ever 90
minutes for the club, the only consolation last night was moving one point
closer to Wolves.
West Brom arrived only 50 minutes before kickoff because traffic chaos of an
accident on the nearby A13 - and the start of the first half was equally
slow going in front of a flat crowd. The game sprung to life after 37
minutes when Dean awarded West Ham a spot kick when Luis Boa Morte grappled
with Steven Reid in the box. The Wirral official allowed a Stewart Downing
goal for Villa from an offside position on the opening day of the season and
furious Grant made it clear he would relegate Dean given half the chance.
After Boa Morte was booked, Peter Odemwingie sent Robert Green the wrong way
from the spot for his fourth goal of the campaign. But the Baggies' lead
lasted only five minutes. Latching onto a loose ball 25 yards out, Scott
Parker crashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to mark his 100th
Hammers appearance in style with his fifth goal of the campaign.
Grant, who furiously threw his water bottle down the touchline after the
equaliser, waited on the touchline at the half-time interval to give Dean a
finger-wagging lecture. "I don't want to speak today about the referee -
everybody can judge by himself," he said. "We talked very politely to each
other. It was not something exceptional. I told him what I think and he told
me what he thinks, that's all. For the second half he played much better."
Within four minutes of the restart, Dean levelled the penalty score by
penalising Gabriel Tamas for pushing over Dyer in the box. Piquionne
converted from the spot for his fifth goal of the season. Roberto Di Matteo
was a lot calmer about Dean's performance. "He had a very good game and
handled the pressure well," the Italian claimed.."He got the key decisions
right. I could not see him so he was not the main focus on the game."
Instead, West Ham should be focusing on the lamentable defending which
allowed Ibanez to head home unmarked at the far post from Chris Brunt's
71st-minute cross. Already in London this season, the Baggies have lost 6-0
at Chelsea and beaten Arsenal. This was somewhere in between although it
helped to keep 11 players on the pitch. "It was important for us to stop the
rot after two defeats," said Di Matteo. "It was a good performance but we
need to manage games better. Four mintues from half time we were in the
lead. We need to improve."
As for Grant's position, he added: "We are all under pressure. If you don't
want to be under pressure don't be a manager."
West Ham (4-3-3): Green 7; Jacobsen 7, Gabbidon 6, Upson 7, Ilunga 6; Dyer
6, Parker 8, Boa Morte 5 (Kovac, 54,5); Piquionne 8, Cole 7 (Obinna, 76,4),
Barrera 6 (McCarthy, 88, 2).
West Brom (4-2-3-1): Carson 7; Reid 7, Ibanez 6, Tamas 5, Cech 6; Scharner
7, Dorrans 6 (Cox, 67); Brunt 7, Morrison 6, Thomas 7 (Barnes, 75,4);
Odemwingie 7 (Fortune, 88, 2)
Hero: Scott Parker. Another towering performance in midfield
Villain: Luis Boa Morte. Subbed to avoid a red card after giving away
first-half penalty
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AVRAM GRANT'S SPOT OF AGGRO
Daily Star
11th November 2010 By Paul Brown
West Ham 2, West Brom 2
WEST HAM boss Avram Grant lost the plot in a tale of two penalties at Upton
Park. Peter Odemwingie fired West Brom in front from the spot after a soft
foul by Luis Boa Morte on Steven Reid. Scott Parker equalised with a 30-yard
blockbuster, but Grant was still so enraged he hurled a water bottle towards
the assistant referee. He also confronted referee Mike Dean angrily at half
time – and the official gave the Hammers a penalty straight after the break.
Again it was soft, as Gabriel Tamas was adjudged to have fouled Kieron Dyer.
Frederic Piquionne buried it to give West Ham the lead. Grant claimed the
Hammers had turned a corner with Saturday's draw at Birmingham – despite
blowing a two-goal lead. But they were right back to square one when
Odemwingie fired the Baggies in front from the penalty spot in the 38th
minute after Boa Morte bundled over Reid at a Chris Brunt corner. It looked
soft, but referee Dean pointed to the spot and Odemwingie kept his cool to
send Rob Green the wrong way.
But the lead lasted just five minutes, as Parker hit a screamer past Scott
Carson to silence the away fans. The ball broke to him when Paul Scharner
tackled Carlton Cole and Parker let fly with a right-foot shot which ripped
past Carson into the top corner. Still fuming at the penalty decision, Grant
celebrated by hurling a water bottle down the touchline. Danny Gabbidon
then had a header from a Pablo Barrera corner saved by Carson and the keeper
was also called into action to stop a goalbound snapshot from Boa Morte.
Grant had complained about Dean in the run-up to the fixture after the
official gave a controversial goal against the Hammers in their defeat to
Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. But Dean did him a favour by
pointing to the spot again in the 48th minute and Piquionne put his side in
front. The Hammers held on until the 71st minute, when Brunt's cross found
Pablo Ibanez and he buried his header to grab a point for Roberto Di
Matteo's side.
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Grant rages at referee over West Brom penalty
West Ham United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2
Independent
By Mike McGrath at Upton Park
Thursday, 11 November 2010
West Ham United threw away a chance to move off the foot of the Premier
League table last night, amid more complaints from Avram Grant over key
refereeing decisions going against his team. The West Ham manager was upset
with Mike Dean awarding West Bromwich Albion a penalty to open the scoring
at Upton Park and expressed it by hurling a water bottle down the touchline
when Scott Parker levelled shortly after. "I threw it on the floor because
nobody came to take it," explained Grant. After Frédéric Piquionne scored a
spot-kick himself to establish a lead, Grant's frustration turned to his
defenders after they failed to mark Pablo Ibañez and the defender earned a
share of the spoils.
Grant highlighted the character of his team for forcing their way back into
the game but they would have been celebrating a second league win of the
season had Dean not awarded a penalty for Luis Boa Morte holding Steven Reid
while defending a corner. It led to Peter Odemwingie breaking the deadlock
from the spot in the 38th minute. "I don't think he held him," said Grant.
Excluding this game, Grant believes his side have been denied "four or five"
points as a result of poor decisions from referees. He feels his side do not
put pressure on referees like other teams do, and have suffered as a
consequence. That could not be said for Grant himself, who confronted Dean
at half-time, although the manager added: "We talked very politely to each
other. It was not something exceptional. I told him what I think and he told
me what he thinks, that's all."
Following Odemwingie's opener, Parker levelled with a 30-yard drive after
Carlton Cole had won the ball in West Bromwich territory.
Piquionne's penalty came after Kieron Dyer had been knocked off balance in
the area by Gabriel Tamas, but West Brom levelled when Chris Brunt crossed
for Ibañez.
West ham's co-owner David Sullivan had set a target of seven points from
four games and, halfway through the run of matches, Grant has just two
draws. Grant, who had Cole suffer a hamstring injury in the second half,
insisted: "I want to take points, not because anybody else wants to take
them. I want to take points because I want to take points, because I think
we deserve to take points.
"I don't want to say the word deserve, because there is no deserve. We need
to take it and we are very close to it. I think when the first win comes we
will win more games, because we are playing football to win the games.
"We have had a lot of injuries and it is not easy. We keep our style of
football, it is not going like we want, but we are playing well and that is
what frustrates us more than anything. If we continue like this, then the
points will come."
Roberto Di Matteo, the West Brom manager, was pleased to record a draw after
back-to-back defeats but felt his side should have gone into the break
ahead. He said: "I agree we were worth more than one point. We gave them an
early Christmas present before half-time, as we are generous people, and got
them back into the game."
Di Matteo praised the referee, adding: "He has a very good game. He handled
the pressure well, controlled the game nicely and got the key decisions
right. I could not see him, so he was not the main focus on the game. I
agree there was pushing and pulling at every corner but the penalty for us
was obvious."
West Ham United (4-3-3): Green; Jacobsen, Upson, Gabbidon, Ilunga; Dyer,
Parker, Boa Morte (Kovac, 53); Barrera (McCarthy, 88), Piquionne, Cole
(Obinna,75). Substitutes not used Stech (gk), Reid, Tomkins, Spector.
West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Carson; Reid, Ibanez, Cech, Tamas; Scharner;
Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans (Cox, 67), Thomas (Barnes, 75); Odemwingie 8
(Fortune 88). Substitutes not used Myhill (gk), Tchoyi, Shorey, Zuiverloon.
Referee M Dean (Wirral)
Man of the match Parker
Attendance 33,023
Match rating 6/10
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West Ham United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between West Ham United
and West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park on Wednesday Nov 10 2010.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley 6:30AM GMT 11 Nov 2010
Time and excuses are running out for West Ham United after they squandered a
lead for the fourth time this season, and with it the chance to move off the
foot of the Premier League for the first time in almost six weeks. A week
ago, co-owner David Sullivan targeted seven points from four crucial games.
But the chances of avoiding relegation are reducing with each game,
particularly after West Ham threw away the lead for the second time in five
days.
Avram Grant bemoaned another refereeing decision, Mike Dean's award of a
penalty before half-time, and injuries for West Ham's problems, but until he
instils an ability to hold onto leads, West Ham will be staring at the path
to the Championship rather than mid-table safety.
Shortly before the interval referee Mike Dean rightly awarded West Bromwich
Albion a penalty, much to the frustration – and confusion – of the West Ham
players, when Luis Boa Morte held Stephen Reid in the build-up to a corner.
Dean booked Boa Morte and made it clear just why he had pointed to the spot.
Peter Odemwingie converted the kick but, just five minutes later, West Ham
were level, thanks to a special goal from Scott Parker, who found the top
corner from 25 yards.
Grant hurled a water bottle to the ground in anger rather than delight
before offering words to a confused Frederic Piquionne. Later he explained
it saying only: "I said what I had to say. He played better in the second
half." Within five minutes of the second half Dean awarded an almost
identical penalty to West Ham. Kieron Dyer was barged off the ball by
Gabriel Tamas and Piquionne brought a smile back to the face of his manager
by converting the kick.
Piquionne wasted the chance to extend the lead in the 62nd minute when he
raced onto Dyer's long ball but sent the effort wide when he should have
scored.
It was to prove costly; nine minutes later, from Chris Brunt's long cross,
Ibánez took advantage of slack marking to head a 71st-minute equaliser.
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West Brom's Pablo Ibáñez keeps West Ham nailed to the bottom
Guardian report
West Ham United 2
Parker 43, Piquionne (pen) 50
West Brom 2
Odemwingie (pen) 38, Pablo 71
David Hytner at Upton Park
The Guardian, Thursday 11 November 2010
All that was missing for Scott Parker was the red cape with the large letter
'S'. Sadly for the West Ham captain, though, the deficiencies in those
around him once again made for foot-stamping frustration.
Parker marked his 100th game for the club with a stunning equaliser, which
propelled his team back into this vital match. But, after Frédéric Piquionne
had put the home side in charge, they contrived to let it slip. Pablo
Ibáñez's header gave West Brom a deserved point and sent West Ham into
another bout of soul-searching.
Parker's goal triggered a purple patch for his team either side of the
interval. But for almost all of the first half and also the fag end of the
match Avram Grant's team lacked conviction, direction and options in
possession, despite Parker's efforts.
West Ham have dropped nine points from winning positions this season, a
reflection of their fragility but, more worryingly for Grant, they are
struggling to reach the points target set by the co-owner David Sullivan
before the trip to Birmingham City last Saturday, which also ended in a 2-2
draw. Sullivan had demanded at least seven points from four fixtures – the
two to come are Blackpool at home and Liverpool away.
It is frightening to think of what might happen if West Ham cannot beat
Blackpool on Saturday. But then again, this match had also assumed the
status of must-win. Grant bemoaned a miss by Piquionne to make the scoreline
3-1 but his claim that "we dominated the game" was outlandish. In the first
half it was West Brom who looked the more likely scorers and they were
presented with the opportunity to do so when Luis Boa Morte bundled over
Steven Reid inside the area. No team likes to concede a penalty for such
grappling and, initially, nobody could quite believe that Mike Dean had
pointed to the spot. Certainly Grant could not and he raged at the referee
at half-time. Peter Odemwingie's conversion was nerveless, in contrast to
the mood in the stands.
West Ham desperately needed inspiration and, as ever and out of nothing, it
was Parker who provided it. After West Brom had dallied at the back and
Carlton Cole had won the ball, it broke to Parker and he arrowed a
first-time right-footed beauty from 25 yards into the far top corner. It
failed to raise a smile from Grant, who threw his water bottle in the
direction of the assistant referee.
West Ham were a different team after Parker's moment of magic and they
enjoyed Dean levelling things up when he penalised Gabriel Tamas for a barge
at Kieron Dyer. Piquionne lashed the penalty home and, when the striker
flashed a shot just wide of the far post, West Ham looked to have the game
in their grip but it is never wise to make such pronouncements. Back came
West Brom. They hinted at the equaliser before they scored it when the
outstanding Chris Brunt's cross was headed home by the unmarked Ibáñez.
The home crowd gave vent to their irritation when Cole felt his hamstring
and limped off. They cheered the announcement of his withdrawal – he should
be fine for Blackpool – and the full-time whistle was greeted by boos. Grant
maintains that his team is "playing football" and "the results will come".
These are fraught times for the Hammers.
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West Ham handed boost in the race to land Olympic stadium after London 2012
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:34 AM on 11th November 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham were given a boost yesterday in their bid to take over the new
London Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games. Lord Moynihan, chairman of the
British Olympic Association, said the country must not betray the commitment
it made to the IOC to keep an athletics track on the site. And the West Ham/
Newham council consortium is the only one of the three bids to have publicly
stated they would keep the track at the stadium in east London.
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