WHUFC.com
A captain's performance saw West Ham United come away with a precious point
from Spurs
19.03.2011
Matthew Upson played a captain's role yet again in the goalless draw at
Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The skipper continued his fine form with a
commanding display at the back, organising the back four and making some
timely challenges to deny Jermain Defoe and the incessant Spurs attack. It
meant a second straight clean sheet in the Barclays Premier League - the
first time the Hammers have done that since February 2010. Upson, who
partnered Manu da Costa for the third straight match, said: "We defended
well as a team. The back four had to do its job, Robert Green made a couple
of outstanding saves and kept us in there. It was a good result in the end."
The England centre-back formed a fine partnership with Wayne Bridge on the
left of the Hammers rearguard, and he paid tribute to the full-back for his
contribution against the likes of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale. "It was
massive, the cover he gave. He made a couple of last-ditch tackles keeping
Aaron Lennon quite quiet in the game. He deserved to be man of the match."
Steeled for the fight with eight more battles to come this season, the
captain said there was a real team spirit throughout the side. "We have come
together as a team a lot more. Our results since the halfway point of the
season have actually been quite good. "We got off to a poor start and we
were chasing ourselves a little bit. We are on a good run and it was another
good point. It could be vital come the end of the season. "We have got to be
happy with our form. I am positive about staying up, the mood and the spirit
is good. We have come together as players and you can see the effect on the
pitch."
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Bridge shines at Spurs
WHUFC.com
An outstanding display by Wayne Bridge set the tone for a fine Hammers
awayday at Spurs
19.03.2011
Wayne Bridge demonstrated his international class with a terrific
performance in the goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The
left-back gave a masterclass in defending whoever he was up against on the
left flank, with Spurs seeing first Aaron Lennon and then Gareth Bale and
Rafael van der Vaart frustrated by the No36. Bridge was rightly presented
with the Sky Sports man of the match prize but he was more pleased with the
result for the team, who will finish the weekend outside the bottom three.
Bridge said: "Defensively it was my best game since joining the club. I was
up against Aaron who is really quick. You try not to give him too much room
but Matty [Upson] was helping me out and we didn't give him too much room to
play."
He was also undeterred when Welsh winger Bale was moved over to his side to
try and offer a different threat. "Gareth is used to cutting inside. I tried
to stay with him because I know how quick he is and I was just trying to
read him really. I had to stay as tight as possible and again not give him
too much room."
The point could prove pivotal come the end of the season but it needed some
superb saves from Robert Green on the occasions the defence was unable to
stop the Spurs surge. "Rob has been tremendous ever since I have been here,"
added Bridge. "Today he pulled out some outstanding saves. He was great."
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Spurs point pleases Avram
WHUFC.com
The manager was happy with the way his side coped with the Tottenham
pressure on Saturday
19.03.2011
Avram Grant hailed his side's mental strength in getting a precious point at
Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday that lifted them out of the bottom three. With
eight matches to play, the Hammers are in 17th spot and a win away from
Fulham in 12th place after the hard-fought goalless draw at White Hart Lane.
The manager was naturally delighted with the defensive resolve from the
visitors and the way his team coped with 24 shots on goal. "My team did very
well," he said. "We were mentally strong, we defended well. But we also had
our chances. We created two big chances in the first half from Coley. "In
the second half, Mark [Noble] had a good overhead kick and Demba [Ba]had a
great shot. We were against a very good team, in a very difficult stadium
and I am delighted with the performance."
The form of the magnificent Robert Green and Wayne Bridge, along with
Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Thomas Hitzlsperger, was instrumental in
ensuring the younger heads kept their focus, even when Tottenham were
seemingly in the ascendancy at times. "We were calm, it is important when
you come here. They have a lot of good players, especially in attack and
they know how to play good football. It is difficult to play against them.
The result is very good for us. "We were in a good moment but this will help
our momentum. I saw the strength of the team when we were not in a good
time. We continued to do the right things and are getting the rewards. "All
the January signings have done well, we needed them. We had a lot of
problems but Wayne, Robbie, Demba and Gary [O'Neil] have helped us a lot.
Hitzlsperger is also playing well. It is easier for the players. Still we
can play better. "We have a good chance of staying up. We were five points
behind at one point. It will be a battle to the end but if you see the
football we are playing we deserve to stay in the Premier League but we know
there is no deserve in football."
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Spence plays, Nouble scores
WHUFC.com
Three of the Hammers quartet of loanees played on Saturday, with Frank
Nouble getting a goal
19.03.2011
Jordan Spence helped Bristol City to a third win in four matches since
joining on loan while Frank Nouble registered his first Charlton Athletic
goal on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Spence played another full 90 minutes - his fourth straight
- in a 2-0 home win against Burnley that moved Bristol City up to 14th in
the table, ten points from the play-off positions.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Kieron Dyer was absent with a thigh problem
as Ipswich Town won 2-0 at home to Scunthorpe United, after a start and a
substitute run-out in their previous two matches.
Nouble scored a late close-range consolation for Charlton but could not stop
them falling to a 2-1 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge, with Hammers
club-mate Matthew Fry playing an hour at left-back. The Addicks have fallen
away in their League 1 promotion push, under former Hammers left-back Chris
Powell, who is assisted by ex-reserve-team coach Alex Dyer.
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Spurs down U18s
WHUFC.com
Three first-half goals sent Tony Carr's side to a 3-1 defeat at Spurs Lodge
on Saturday
19.03.2011
Tottenham Hotspur Under-18s 3-1 West Ham United Under-18s
While the West Ham United first team was earning a creditable goalless
Barclays Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, the Hammers'
Under-18s were unable to prevent Spurs running out winners in the FA Premier
Academy League. Three first-half goals put paid to Tony Carr's side's
chances at Spurs Lodge and, although Blair Turgott pulled a goal back during
an improved second-half display, it was not enough. Defeat all but ends West
Ham's chances of winning the Group A title, but Academy Director Carr will
be keen for his side to end the 2010/11 campaign on a high, starting with
the visit of Bristol City to Little Heath next Saturday.
Full post-match reaction and exclusive match highlights will appear on
whufc.com soon.
West Ham United U18s: Mehmet, Young (Chambers 65), Potts, Craig, Hunt
(McCallum 46), Powell, Turgott, Lletget, E.Lee (Vose 65), Hall, Fanimo
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International call-ups galore
WHUFC.com
The majority of the Hammers squad look set to be called into action by their
respective nations
18.03.2011
A large number of West Ham United players have been called-up for
international duty by their respective nations.
Nine players - Demba Ba, Pablo Barrera, Danny Gabbidon, Herita Ilunga,
Robbie Keane, Victor Obinna (pictured), Winston Reid, Lars Jacobsen and
Jonathan Spector - are already confirmed as being away on senior duty, while
James Tomkins, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and Marek Stech have been named in
Under-21 squads.
Five scholars - Matthias Fanimo, Blair Turgott, Sebastian Lletget, Danny
Purdy, Eoin Wearen - will turn out for their nations at age-group level,
while schoolboy Leo Chambers has been included by England at U16 level.
With England manager Fabio Capello set to name his squad following this
weekend's round of Barclays Premier League matches, the likes of Robert
Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole will also be hoping to receive
call-ups. On Saturday 26 March, Gabbidon's Wales host England - for whom
Green, Parker and Cole could all feature - in an eagerly-anticipated Group G
tie at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. England sit second in the standings
with seven points from three matches, while Wales are pointless and bottom
of the group. However, the Welsh will be hopeful of pulling off an upset
under the guidance of new manager Gary Speed.
Republic of Ireland captain Keane will be hoping to lead his country to a
Group B victory over FYR Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The Irish
sit second in the Group B table, two points behind leaders Russia.
Jacobsen's Denmark face a vital trip to Oslo to face Norway on the same
date, 26 March. The Danes sit third in Group H, three points behind leaders
Norway, with both teams having contested three matches.
Spector has been included in the United States squad for their home friendly
matches against Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey on 26 March and
Paraguay in Nashville, Tennessee, on 29 March.
Further afield, Ba will be part of the Senegal squad that receives Cameroon
in Dakar for a CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier. In the same
group, Ilunga's DR Congo host Mauritius in Kinshasa.
In Group B, Obinna's Nigeria will be hoping to overhaul leaders Guinea when
they entertain Ethiopia in Abuja.
Barrera will turn out for Mexico in two friendly matches being held in the
American state of California. Mexico will face Paraguay in Oakland on 26
March before taking on Venezuela in San Diego on 29 March.
Reid will be travelling the furthest of any West Ham player to represent his
country when New Zealand take on China in an international friendly in
Beijing on 25 March. A second friendly against Japan is scheduled to be
played in Tokyo on 29 March, with the Japanese FA confirming the match will
go ahead despite the recent devastation caused by an earthquake and tsunami
in the Far East country.
At U21 level, Eyjolfsson and Stech will continue their preparations for this
summer's UEFA European U21 Championship finals. Eyjolfsson's Iceland travel
to Ukraine and England - a fixture Tomkins could also be involved in - for
friendly matches on 24 March and 28 March respectively, while Stech's Czech
Republic host Belarus and France on 25 March and 29 March respectively.
Tomkins could also get some match action when the Young Lions travel to UEFA
European Under-21 Championship hosts Denmark on 24 March, a taste of what
they could expect at this summer's finals.
Lletget is in the United States squad for the 2011 CONCACAF U20 Championship
in Guatemala. The Americans will face Surinam and Panama in the group stage,
with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in
Colombia in July.
Second-year scholars Wearen and Purdy in Republic of Ireland's U19 squad for
a trip to Cyprus, where they will take on the Cyrpiot U19s and a Paralimni
U21 side on 26 March and 29 March respectively.
At U17 level, Fanimo and Turgott will travel to Belgium as England continues
their defence of the UEFA European U17 Championship title. The first-year
scholars face Elite Round qualifying matches against Northern Ireland,
Belgium and Spain between 26 March and 31 March.
Finally, schoolboy Chambers will hope to be involved when England U16s take
on Scotland in a re-arranged Victory Shield tie at Morecambe FC's Globe
Arena on 30 March.
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Tottenham 0 - 0 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have now not scored in their last six visits to White Hart Lane
By David Ornstein
Tottenham's hopes of finishing in the top four suffered a setback as they
were held at home by West Ham despite hitting the woodwork three times.
Spurs, who have now not won in three league games, started well and Michael
Dawson curled a shot on to the bar. Carlton Cole missed two chances before
Aaron Lennon fired against the post. Cole and Demba Ba went close for the
visitors while Jermain Defoe was denied by Robert Green, who also tipped
Gareth Bale's free-kick on to the bar. Defoe had two further opportunities
to win it late on but West Ham defended heroically to seal a point that may
prove crucial in their bid to avoid relegation. The draw moves Avram Grant's
team out of the drop zone and above Birmingham, West Brom and Blackpool -
all of whom play later on Saturday - into 15th. Tottenham, meanwhile, stay
fifth but Chelsea are two points ahead of them with a game in hand. Harry
Redknapp will wonder how his team failed to break the deadlock but take
nothing away from West Ham, who are now unbeaten in four Premier League
games and look a side transformed in recent weeks.
They beat Spurs at Upton Park earlier this season before winning the battle
to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games - and they may now
feel like they have completed a hat-trick. Spurs were playing their first
league game at White Hart Lane since 5 February but there was little sign of
rustiness as they got off to a blistering start in sun-drenched north
London. Buoyed by their Champions League victory over AC Milan and the
prospect of facing Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Redknapp named a
line-up full of attacking flair and his side flooded forward from the first
whistle. Only three minutes had passed when captain Dawson rattled the
woodwork with a curling effort from 18 yards and moments later Defoe saw a
deft touch squirm narrowly wide after getting in front of Manuel da Costa to
meet Bale's left-wing cross.
Bale, one of the Premier League's standout performers this season, was
starting for the first time since 22 January following a back injury and
swiftly set about troubling Hammers right-back Lars Jacobsen. But West Ham
showed superb resilience to hold firm and eventually set about creating
chances of their own. A superbly weighted pass from Thomas Hitzlsperger was
volleyed off target by Cole before the striker was sent clean through by Ba,
only to plant a weak finish straight at Heurelho Gomes. Spurs were soon back
in the ascendancy but West Ham's back four stood strong once more and
wingers Bale and Lennon swapped sides in a bid to break the visitors'
concentration. The move almost paid dividends when, shortly after Luka
Modric had drilled a shot inches wide, Lennon cut in from the left and
fizzed a low strike against the far post. Defoe could not react quickly
enough to steer his follow-up into an empty net.
West Ham, seeking a first win at Tottenham since 1999, actually finished the
first half on top and they got going in similar fashion after the break,
Cole drawing an important save from Gomes with a fierce drive. At the other
end, Vedran Corluka and Modric combined to tee up Defoe but the England
striker was denied from close range by the excellent Green. In truth, Defoe
really should have scored. By now the encounter had developed an
intoxicating ebb and flow, Tottenham dominating possession but West Ham
looking dangerous on the counter-attack. Mark Noble fired wide with an
overhead kick and Gomes produced an outstanding one-handed save to palm Ba's
venomous goalbound shot around the post. Redknapp replaced Rafael van der
Vaart with Roman Pavlyuchenko and the Russian was twice thwarted by Green
before the England goalkeeper pulled off a world-class save to push Bale's
set-piece on to the bar. Spurs pushed hard for a winner at the death but
Defoe fired over and then the outstanding Wayne Bridge blocked him as he
went to shoot, enabling West Ham to celebrate their point.
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Robert Green had 'great day' - Harry Redknapp
BBC.co.uk
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp praised West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green
after his heroics earned the Hammers a point at White Hart Lane. "The keeper
had a great day," the Spurs boss said. "He's a top goalkeeper, so he's
capable of playing like that, for sure." West Ham manager Avram Grant also
hailed the England stopper. "Robert is a very good goalkeeper. We are happy
today, he did one very, very good save."
An excellent free-kick by Tottenham's Gareth Bale would have been precise
enough to beat most goalkeepers - but Green launched himself across the goal
to tip the effort onto the bar in the final minutes of the game. Despite his
side not getting the breakthrough, a philosophical Redknapp was not too
unhappy about Tottenham's display. "I loved the way we moved the ball
around, loved the chances we made, hit the woodwork time after time - just
couldn't get the goal that we needed. "That happens sometimes, that's
football. "They've worked hard, and obviously rode their luck at times, but
full credit to them for that. I couldn't go home and be disappointed at the
way we've played today." Less pleasing for Redknapp was the reaction of
Rafael van der Vaart who headed straight for the tunnel after being
substituted with around 20 minutes of the game remaining. "I don't like
that," Redknapp said. "I'll talk to him about that. If you're part of a
team, you should stay and watch the game. He's a good lad, and I just made a
substitution."
Grant left White Hart Line pleased with a performance in which his team
bagged their first clean sheet away from home this season. "I think it's a
fair result and a good point against a very good team on a very difficult
pitch," he said. A string of recent high-scoring wins means Grant's West Ham
are now edging towards safety from relegation, and this point lifts them out
of the bottom three - albeit it temporarily as the rest of the afternoon's
fixtures took place. "We were always optimistic," Grant added. "The strength
of team is in the bad days when we continue to do the right things. Now,
when the injured players are coming back it's more easy for us.
"We are very solid in our system that we are playing. As you saw in the last
games, we are more hard to beat than before."
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Tottenham 0 West Ham United 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 19th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
A resilient defensive display has lifted West Ham United out of the Premier
League's relegation zone. Avram Grant's side moved up into 15th place -
albeit almost certainly temporarily - after grabbing a hard-earned point at
White Hart Lane this lunchtime. Central to the performance were the
defensive five of Green, Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson and just about the pick
of the bunch, Wayne Bridge, with all outstanding in the face of a late
Tottenham barrage. And although West Ham failed to find the net for the
fifth consecutive occasion at White Hart Lane, the mood inside the camp will
no doubt be one of delight at a result that takes United closer to safety.
Whilst Tottenham had the better of the chances - 24 to West Ham's 10 in all,
three of which hit the woodwork - Avram Grant's side certainly had their
opportunities to score an unlikely away win against a team with only one
defeat at home in their last 24.
Carlton Cole was twice denied inside five first half minutes whilst Mark
Noble spurned two glorious chances after the break. However it was the home
side who often appeared more likely to score. But with Rob Green and his
defensive line in imperious form that rarely threatened to happen. On the
three occasions it did a combination of good luck (Dawson's early header and
Lennon's effort against the post) and wonderful work from Green (Bale's
injury time free-kick that was tipped on to the bar) were enough to maintain
parity. So whilst Tottenham can look forward to a glamour tie against
Spanish giants Real Madrid in the 'Champions' League shortly it won't go
unmentioned that over the two ties between West Ham and Spurs this season,
United win bragging rights for another 12 months courtesy of a four-point
haul. However that will be of little consolation should Grant and his squad
fail to avoid the drop a couple of months from now. Fortunately, all the
signs are that the Irons are heading in the opposite direction.
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Parker looks to brighter future
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker has been talking about the differences between the West Ham
United he joined four years ago - and the West Ham of 2011. Parker was
signed by Alan Curbishley during the ill-fated Gudmundsson & Magnusson era -
just one of a number of star signings made in a busy 12-month period by the
club as the owner and chairman went crazy in the transfer marker. However
that particular dream turned sour when Gudmundsson's business empire
collapsed in the wake of 2008's worldwide banking crisis, leaving the club
staring administration in the face. One by one, the players signed on
extortionate 'Magnusson contracts' - players such as Freddie Ljungberg,
Craig Bellamy and Lucas O'Neill - have come and gone whilst the remaining
few signed on lucrative terms during that period - the Dyers, Upsons and
Fauberts - are set to leave the club shortly. Yet Parker, one of the club's
most valuable assets, remained through thick and thin - and only last year
put pen to paper on a new five-year deal. "When I signed, money was being
spent," Parker told whufc.tv. "Players were coming in and the way they saw
the club going was a lot different to now - or certainly the middle period
before the [Sullivan & Gold] takeover. "Things changed massively, it was
well documented. So obviously that's been a big change but I was brought up
at Charlton and played many years there so I understand the other side of
it. It wasn't such a culture shock to me. "But in all fairness to the
owners now, they've come in with their vision of where they want to take the
club and taken on a massive risk. Hopefully things will get better. They put
some money in during January and brought the players in."
Despite the presence of light at the end of the tunnel, Parker admitted that
the period prior to the arrival of Messrs Sullivan & Gold were the darkest
of days. "That was very difficult," he admitted. "Literally every day we
were reading something in the paper - this player might get sold, the club
might not [continue to] exist. As a player you read this and it's unnerving.
We weren't doing too well in the league either so it was difficult. "But I
enjoyed it here; [now] I see the players I'm around and I think we've got a
very, very good squad and a very good team."
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In, out, shake it all about
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 19th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are out of the Premier League's drop zone once again after another
afternoon of shocks and late goals. With United having risen to 15th as a
result of the draw at Tottenham this lunchtime, all eyes were on the other
games involving teams in or around the relegation zone. It was a mixed
afternoon all in all but thanks to two late goals at the DW Stadium and
Ewood Park, the Irons' prospects or survival are looking slightly better
than they were this morning. The first of those two goals went to Wigan who
grabbed a 2-1 victory against fellow-strugglers Birmingham courtesy of
Maynor Figueroa's stoppage-time winner. Meanwhile Blackburn, in freefall in
recent weeks just managed to eke out a point at home to lowly Blackpool with
another injury time goal; this one coming from David Hoilett. However news
wasn't so good from The Hawthorns or Villa Park; West Brom maanged to hold
on for a point at home to Arsenal (despite blowing an early two-goal lead)
whilst Wolves pulled off a major shock beating local rivals Aston Villa 1-0
at Villa Park - a game preceeded by anti-Houllier protests by some Villa
fans.
So close is the current table that West Ham remained in the relegation zone
until Figueroa grabbed his 93rd minute winner, bringing Carling Cup winners
Birmingham back into the drop zone. Blackburn rose from a potential 17th to
13th place as a result of their late equaliser.
Tight as a gnat's chuff: Premier League standings
13. Blackburn 30-33 -12
14. Aston Villa 30-33 -14
15. Blackpool 30-33 -15
16. West Brom 30-33 -15
17. West Ham Utd 30-32 -13
----------------------------------------
18. Wolves 30-32 -14
19. Birmingham 30-31 -13
20. Wigan Ath 30-30 -22
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Spurs frustrated by Hammers
Ex-Hammer wastes several chances
By Hayley Paterson Last updated: 19th March 2011
SSN
Man of the match: Rob Green for me although Scott Parker never stopped. The
shot-stopper was outstanding and denied Defoe on several occasions as well
as a fantastic save to push Bale's effort on to the bar.
Attempt of the match: Michael Dawson curled an effort on to the bar in the
first-half, great attempt from an unlikely source.
Save of the match: Green pulled off several with Bale's free-kick proving to
be a stunning save, but West Ham themselves had good chances - one in
particular saw Demba Ba force a great save from Heurelho Gomes in the
second-half.
Moment of the match: Bale's late free-kick which was destined for the net
before Green's magnificent save.
Talking point: Can West Ham continue this rich vein of form they are
enjoying which sees them out of the relegation zone for the time being?
Tottenham failed to put more pressure on the top four as they failed to
break down a resilient West Ham side in a goalless stalemate. Despite
dominating possession at White Hart Lane, the home side could not force the
opener with Jermain Defoe unable to net a host of superb opportunities
against his old club as he remains just one goal shy of his 100th for Spurs.
Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon both rattled the Hammers' woodwork in the
first-half and Defoe was guilty of a failure to convert when Gareth Bale,
who was making his first start in two months, cut back his drilled cross
into the box. Carlton Cole had the best chance of the half for the visitors
when he latched on to a perfectly-weighted through ball from Demba Ba but
shot straight into the arms of Heurelho Gomes. Cole had more chances in the
second-half along with Ba forcing Gomes into a superb save, however Avram
Grant's men came away from the lunchtime London derby sharing the spoils.
Harry Redknapp had several players back into the Spurs fold as William
Gallas was deemed fit enough to partner Michael Dawson in the heart of the
defence. Bale and Defoe were both brought in as the hosts looked to continue
their pursuit of fourth place.
Grant switched Lars Jacobsen in for James Tomkins to fill the right-back
void for the Hammers who needed just a point to be out of the relegation
zone in the lunchtime kick-off. Bale was straight into the action down the
left as the Welshman won his side a free-kick in a dangerous position with
three minutes played. He was then ordered to leave the field by referee Mike
Dean to change his cycling shorts. An effort cannoned off the bar from an
unlikely source when Dawson curled an effort on the edge of the 18 yard box
which had Robert Green beaten.
Dominance
Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart continued their dominance in the
midfield as Spurs had the lion's share of the possession, however failed on
several occasions to make it count. Bale was at the heart of another attack
but Defoe's stab failed to trouble Green as his poke was sent beyond the
far-post. Cole then broke free of William Gallas and Dawson failed to
connect well with Thomas Hitzlsperger's lofted ball into the box and shinned
his volley over the bar. Modric let fly in the 16th minute when the Croatian
turned away brilliantly from his marker, before driving his shot over the
bar. Spurs again lacked that clinical edge in front of goal as van der Vaart
drilled his daisy-cutter wide three minutes later. Cole had the chance of
the half to put West Ham in front when he found himself one-on-one with
Gomes but slotted his effort straight down the Brazilian's throat. Modric
dragged another effort wide of Green's far-post as United hung on at times.
Lennon saw his strike come back off the post in the 39th minute after
cutting in from the left and Defoe choked under the pressure as he
side-footed the rebound wide with the goal gaping.
Scott Parker went into the book for a late lunge on van der Vaart before the
half-time whistle, signalling West Ham's frustration about not retaining
possession.
Grant's men however started the brighter of the two in the second-half when
Cole brought a good save from Gomes.
Man of the match
Defoe's tally of missed chances increased as the 28-year-old was denied by
Green who was putting in a man of the match shift. West Ham continued to
close the door on Spurs, who were at times guilty of over-playing, and Mark
Noble saw an audacious overhead kick sail past the post in the 56th minute.
Brazilian midfielder Sandro looked to have done severe damage to his leg
after getting in a tangle with Cole and twisting awkwardly just seconds
after the Noble chance. However the 21-year-old played on after treatment on
the pitch and the United forward was booked for his troubles. Ba then forced
a great save from Gomes who dived to his left to deny the Frenchman in the
65th minute.
West Ham's number one produced the save of the game with four minutes to
spare as he tipped Bale's curling free-kick on to the bar and the away side
cleared. It was not Defoe's day as the nippy forward broke free a few more
times in the dying minutes however his efforts looked desperate as West Ham
hung on. Roman Pavlychenko came on late to replace Dutchman van der Vaart
and forced Green to make another couple of strong saves as both sides shared
the points as West Ham crawled out of the drop-zone for the time being.
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Upson praises Hammers' grit
Defender hails left-back Bridge
By Hayley Paterson Last updated: 19th March 2011
SSN
West Ham captain Matthew Upson hailed the resilience of his team as the
Hammers held on for a vital point against Tottenham. Spurs' dominance in
possession saw Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennonall rattle the
woodwork and Jermain Defoe waste a host of good chances as West Ham stood
united at White Hart Lane. Their grit paid off as the point sees Avram
Grant's men move out of the relegation zone temporarily having played in the
lunchtime kick-off before Blackburn, Wolves and Wigan all featured in the
Premier League. Scores of West Ham's side were contenders for man of the
match with Scott Parker, Wayne Bridge and Rob Green all putting in a
determined performance which paid dividends.
Outstanding saves
"We defended well as a team," Upson told Sky Sports. "The back four had to
do its job. Rob Green made a couple of outstanding saves and kept us in it.
It's a good result for us." On Bridge's display, he added: "It was massive.
The cover he gave, a couple of last-ditch tackles. He did a great job
keeping Aaron Lennon quiet in the game." Bridge added: "Up against Aaron he
was really quick, and I tried not to give him too much room, but Matty was
always helping me out, making sure I was staying close and not giving him
too much room to play."
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Tottenham 0 West Ham 0
The Sun
Published: 19 Mar 2011
WEST HAM'S first clean sheet on their travels this season helped lift them
out of the drop zone. It was mostly one-way traffic at White Hart Lane but
Robert Green was in magnificent form to dent Tottenham's top-four hopes.
Spurs hit the woodwork three times and Jermain Defoe was not able to lift
his top to show off his '100 goals' T-shirt as he fluffed his lines. The
point for Tottenham leaves them two adrift of Chelsea in fourth, who have a
game in hand. For West Ham, they extended their unbeaten run to four games
and the point could prove vital in their battle for survival. It was all
Spurs from the off and Michael Dawson found himself on the edge of the West
Ham penalty area on four minutes and was unlucky to see his curler thud off
the crossbar with Green well beaten. The returning Gareth Bale was busy
early on and his low centre was almost turned in by Defoe after the striker
got across Manuel Da Costa. Play switched to the other flank moments later
and Aaron Lennon's cross was only cleared to Sandro whose shot was blocked
by Da Costa for a corner. Spurs were reduced to 10 men for a couple of
minutes when referee Mike Dean spotted Bale's undershorts were the wrong
colour. Carlton Cole had a couple of sighters as West Ham settled but
Heurelho Gomes was not troubled. Luka Modric whistled an effort just wide
after picking up a short corner and Rafael van der Vaart did the same after
more slack marking from the visitors.
Cole should have put West Ham in front on 19 minutes when he was put through
one-on-one by Demba Ba. But the striker's tame shot was easy for Gomes to
save.
Da Costa did enough to put Defoe off as he slid on to Vedran Corluka's cross
and the chance trickled towards goal and Green collected. Ba tried his luck
from 30 yards but his ambitious effort floated high and wide. Modric got the
better of Matthew Upson on 32 minutes and his drive again had Green beaten
but the bounce took it past the post. Lennon found himself down the
Tottenham left on 40 minutes and he made the most of Lars Jacobsen's
invitation to come inside and flashed in a shot that hit the base of the
post before Defoe somehow stabbed the rebound wide in front of an open goal.
Ba got in behind the Spurs defence two minutes before the break but again
Gomes was untroubled by a weak shot.
Scott Parker was in the book on 45 minutes for a foul on Van der Vaart but
the Dutchman's free-kick was down Green's throat. And the Hammers keeper was
there again to catch Van der Vaart's next effort as the half drew to a
close. Gomes was finally extended seconds after the restart when Cole
flashed in a drive that the Brazilian did well to turn away. Defoe was left
in disbelief on 50 minutes when he found himself unmarked in the six-yard
box after Modric's strong run. But the striker's shot hit Green on the calf
and bounced away. Dawson half-cleared Gary O'Neil's cross but Mark Noble's
overhead kick fell wide when Cole might have been better placed to shoot.
Modric found space in the box but his first-time shot was deflected straight
to Green. Ba thumped in a shot on 64 minutes after wriggling away from his
marker but Gomes produced a superb stop to turn the ball away for a corner.
Noble had a chance after a West Ham break but he let himself down with a
poor, stabbed effort. Roman Pavlyuchenko came on for Van der Vaart with 19
minutes to go and he immediately got in on the action with a header but it
was straight at Green.
Spurs were pouring forward in search of the opener and Pavlyuchenko's next
effort forced Green into a smarter stop down to his right before a similar
shot and save from the same pair moments later. Green produced the save of
the match four minutes from time as his strong left hand kept out Bale's
superb free-kick. Pavlyuchenko found Defoe on 89 minutes but it was not the
striker's day and he drove over the angle. And Wayne Bridge's last-gasp
tackle on Defoe seconds later summed up the former Hammer's luck.
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka (Hutton 77), Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon,
Sandro, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart (Pavlyuchenko 71), Defoe. Subs not used:
Pletikosa, Jenas, Crouch, Bassong, Kranjcar.
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, da Costa, Upson, Bridge, O'Neil, Parker,
Hitzlsperger, Noble, Cole (Obinna 78), Ba. Subs not used: Boffin, Gabbidon,
Tomkins, Boa Morte, Sears, Hines. Booked: Parker, Noble, Cole, Upson.
Att: 36,010
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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Karren Brady's Football Diary
The Sun
Saturday March 12
UK ATHLETICS announce today that they are to bid for the World Athletics
Championships to be held at the Olympic Stadium in 2017, three years after
West Ham have moved in. Events like this are exactly the legacy we felt was
so vital when we bid for the rights. Spurs had a corporate view. We have a
community view. Out of three competitions in 13 days, Arsenal are about to
face the renewed slur that they are 'bottlers'. Arsene Wenger can provide a
definitive answer by lifting the title but, even if he doesn't, the charge
is laughable.
Sunday March 13
IN my position at West Ham, match results are inextricably related to money,
so I make a quick calculation that today's FA Cup defeat at Stoke is costing
us about £1.2million. Neither did we get much of an immediate return on the
players' warm-weather break in Portugal so there will be another hard think
before I agree to it again. It emerges that Villa centre-backs Richard Dunne
and James Collinshave apologised after a row with the coaching staff on a
two-day team-bonding session in midweek. It's some consolation, I suppose,
that none of our players returned with anything other than a light tan.
Whatever Sir Alex and Roberto Mancini say, the semi-final between their
clubs will be for Manchester's equivalent of the world heavyweight title. A
whole circus will make its way to Wembley and heaven knows what the cost of
policing will be.
Monday March 14
WHEN, as it was against Denmark, the England captain's armband is passed
along the line like a shared joint, ending on the arm of trigger-happy
Ashley Cole, it is time for reconsideration. Fabio Capello's leading
candidate is John Terry who, having served a one-year penance for allegedly
sleeping - I have trouble with that word in this connection - with Wayne
Bridge's ex, is deemed now to be ready to take over from the near-infirm Rio
Ferdinand. Competition is thin. Wayne Rooney would be an obvious choice but
his public repute is so low at present he wouldn't be chosen to represent a
dogs' home. And so to a Justin Beiber concert where I was never so happy to
hear of West Brom's woes from Adrian Chiles as a respite from the screams of
20,000 girls. I must be getting old.
Tuesday March 15
THE mysteries of talent and how it has to be applied are rarely better
highlighted than in the case of Gary McSheffrey, a tough and dynamic winger
we bought for £2.3million from Coventry when I was at St Andrew's. There's a
mazy dribble and well-placed shot from McSheffrey on TV tonight to remind me
of what an excellent capture we thought we had made. He had his moments but
found the Prem a different proposition to the Championship which, after all,
is only one division down. The gulf is clearly far wider than most of us
realise but I am sure he will prosper again back at Coventry. Compare his
progress with that of Javier Hernandez at Manchester United. The little
Mexican, who has a number of similar attributes to McSheffrey, scores twice
to put his club through to the last eight of the Champions League.
Wednesday March 16
AVRAM GRANT doesn't do disrespect so I am surprised to receive a note from
the FA saying he is being charged with improper conduct for comments made
about referee Mike Jones after Sunday's game at Stoke. Our manager murmured
something at the post-match Press conference about Jones giving all the
decisions to Stoke after he had allowed Frederic Piquionne to score despite
handling the ball. It was mildly put, arguably true and understandable in
the light of the manager's disappointment. A few minutes later I hear Sir
Alex has received a five-match touchline ban and a £30,000 fine for
disparaging ref Martin Atkinson after a recent defeat by Chelsea. Evidently
the FA are in crackdown mode. They are right to be. Criticisms of refereeing
mistakes must surely be permitted - even the most strutting magpie would not
consider himself infallible - but accusations of bias are a different
matter. I'm sure Avram did not mean his criticism to be taken as such
because instinctively referees often do try to atone for errors.
Thursday March 17
SO now we know, if you want a real thriller, Fulham can guarantee it. Many
clubs have placed statues of famous old boys at the entrance to their
grounds but Mohammed Fayed, being the man he is, has nominated Michael
Jackson to stand eternally outside Craven Cottage. I guess Prince Philip was
never in with a chance.
Talk about quirky, though. Fayed says the singer was his friend and that
this is sufficient if you own a football club. Maybe the sly old bird thinks
thousands of Yanks will make the pilgrimage to the right bank of the Thames
as thousands do to Jim Morrison's grave in Paris. Then he'll sell T-shirts
with Jackson 5 on the back. Much more seriously, all our hearts go out to
the Japanese people as they try to come to terms with the tsunami disaster.
Football concerns seem very small. Nevertheless, they are there. J-League
chiefs announce the decision to postpone football indefinitely, surely the
right thing to do in such tragic circumstances.
Friday March 18
THIS week I've been in the company of David Cameron, Lorraine Kelly, Kate
Moss, Eddie Jordan, George Osborne, Guy Ritchie, Justin Bieber, Vernon Kay,
James Cameron and Tracey Emin. I wonder if any of them could be sold for
£40-50million, the current transfer price put on Gareth Bale, who turns out
tomorrow at White Hart Lane where we play Spurs. Michael Dawson says Bale is
back at "his unstoppable best" but we know exactly what we have to do. Over
to you, Avram, Scott and the boys.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Defoe off form following family bereavement, reveals Redknapp
Published 17:59 19/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp defended Jermain Defoe's poor performance
in today's 0-0 draw with West Ham, revealing that the striker had been
affected by the death of one of his grandparents last night. Defoe went into
today's game with 99 Spurs goals to his name, but he failed to reach the
century mark on this occasion after missing a host of good opportunities in
a frustrating draw that means Spurs are now two points behind Chelsea in the
race for fourth. Tottenham 0-0 West Ham: Defoe misses a hatful as Hammers
hang on for vital point The England striker reacted slowly to an Aaron
Lennon shot which rebounded off a post in the first half and failed to beat
Robert Green from six yards in the second period as Spurs had to settle for
a goalless draw against their local rivals.
Defoe has had a poor season so far, and had failed to break his Barclays
Premier League duck until scoring a brace in the club's 3-3 draw with Wolves
two weeks ago. Redknapp leapt to the defence of the man he has entrusted to
deliver him goals on so many occasions throughout his managerial career,
admitting that his grandparent's death affected his performance. "Jermain
was up half the night due to a family bereavement," Redknapp said. "I wasn't
sure whether to play him but he wanted to. "He had some good chances today,
the little fella, and he normally scores them but it was just one of those
days. It wasn't through a lack of effort. "He was bright, he was sharp he
just couldn't score but that's football. That's how it goes, another day
he'll go and bang a couple in. "The two goals he got at Wolves, he had no
right to score them. They weren't even half chances."
Tottenham rattled the woodwork three times in total and were wasteful at
times in front of goal. But they also had to contend with some fantastic
goalkeeping from Green, who tipped Gareth Bale's late free-kick onto the bar
when it seemed impossible to stop the ball going in. Redknapp was proud of
his side's performance, though, and insisted that people are getting carried
away with their expectations of his team now that they have made the
Champions League quarter-finals. Redknapp, who was boosted by Bale signing a
new four-and-a-half-year contract today, insists that Spurs remain on course
to win the title in the near future with him, but admits finishing in the
top five this year should be considered a fantastic achievement. "I love the
way we play football and I will go home satisfied tonight," he said. "We
just could not get a break. "We are pushing for a top-four place. We are we
supposed to do, beat Manchester City? They spent £200million in the summer.
Are we supposed to finish above Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United? "We
are building a team here and it is only going to get better. If we keep on
improving then I think we can win the championship with Tottenham. "I'm not
putting a time scale on it. I'm just saying I think this team is capable of
winning the championship. That is my ambition."
Redknapp may have been happy with his team's performance but he was upset
with Rafael van der Vaart walking straight down the tunnel when he was
replaced by Roman Pavlyuchenko towards the end of the second half. "I didn't
like that at all," Redknapp added. "If you are part of a team I think you
should stay and watch the game. I will speak to him about it. "He is a good.
lad, I just wanted to make a substitution."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Upson has a point about Hammers fighting spirit
Published 15:18 19/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham captain Matthew Upson hailed the defensive resolve of his team as
the Hammers held on for a valuable point from today's goalless encounter
with Spurs at White Hart Lane. Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon
all rattled the woodwork and Jermain Defoe was guilty of missing several
good opportunities to break the deadlock, but Tottenham could not score,
meaning they now trail Chelsea by two points, while West Ham moved out of
the relegation zone. Tottenham 0-0 West Ham: Defoe misses a hatful as
Hammers hang on for vital point Robert Green also pulled off a couple of
fine saves - including a superb tip onto the bar from a Bale free-kick late
on - as West Ham showed some of the resolve that they will need if they are
to beat the drop. Wayne Bridge put in a man-of-the-match performance as he
successfully shackled the threat of both Lennon and Bale, with Spurs'
dangerous wingers switching flanks, and Upson hailed the contribution of the
full-back to the result. "We defended well as a team. The back four had to
do it's job. Rob Green made a couple of outstanding saves and kept us in it.
It's a good result for us," Upson told Sky Sports 2. On Bridge's display, he
added: "It was massive. The cover he gave, a couple of last-ditch tackles.
He did a great job keeping Aaron Lennon quiet in the game."
Bridge added: "Up against Aaron he was really quick, and I tried not to give
him too much room, but Matty was always helping me out, making sure I was
staying close and not giving him too much room to play." Spurs boss Harry
Redknapp felt bad luck rather than defensive heroics on the part of the West
Ham backline was the main reason for the stalemate. "I was really pleased
with the way we played today. Passing was great, we made loads of chances,
we just couldn't get the break in front of goal," Redknapp told Sky Sports
2. "It was one of those matches. But I was well pleased with how we played
the game today. "They [West Ham] defended well but we kept hitting the
woodwork today, and you need a bit of luck in front of goal."
Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart appeared to react angrily to being
substituted after 71 minutes, the Dutchman heading straight down the tunnel,
and Redknapp admitted he was unhappy to see the player's reaction. "I don't
like that," said Redknapp. "I'll talk to him about that. If you're part of a
team, you should stay and watch the game. "He's a good lad and I just made a
substitution. I thought he'd given everything today and I just went for a
change."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers face competition to land flying Swan
Published 23:00 19/03/11 By Soriebah Kajue
The Mirror
West Ham are set to battle it out with north-east rivals Sunderland and
Newcastle for Swansea's Darren Pratley Contract talks between Pratley and
the Championship-chasing Swans broke down last August and now the
25-year-old is free to leave in the summer. Chairman Huw Jenkins rejected an
offer from the Hammers in January for the midfielder, who has already bagged
10 goals this term and is being tracked by Sunderland and Newcastle. Swansea
have intimated they would like to resume contract talks at the end of the
season when, by which time, they might find themselves in the Premier
League. It will be the second successive year that Pratley's future is up
for discussion after Roberto Martinez tried to lure him to Wigan last
summer.
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Tottenham 0-0 West Ham: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 22:30 19/03/11 By Steve Stammers
The Mirror
So that is three times now that West Ham have frustrated Tottenham this
season Back in September, they secured their first win of the season at
Upton Park.
Come the turn of the year and they won the battle with their North London
rivals for the tenancy of the Olympic Stadium — as the West Ham fans were
quick to remind Spurs yesterday. To paraphrase, they declared with some
ferocity that Stratford was their territory and Tottenham were not welcome.
And to complete the hat-trick, they denied Tottenham two points to fuel
their bid for a top-four finish that would ensure Champions League football
returns to White Hart Lane next season – whatever happens in Spurs'
quarter-final against Real Madrid next month.
West Ham's priorities lay at the other end of the table and their bravery
in the tackle and refusal to buckle under mounting Tottenham pressure
deserved a tangible reward. The resistance was built on the performance
of Robert Green. He is arguably the most-maligned goalkeeper in the country
after his horrendous mistake cost England a World Cup win against the United
States last summer. He has responded with character and a steely
determination to prove he should still be ranked among the best in his
profession. When a team is battling for their lives, they need a decent
keeper. Green is more than decent, on yesterday's evidence. Two of his
saves were from the top drawer and one of them — from a Jermain Defoe effort
two yards out — was simply world class. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was
anything but despondent. "I love the way we played," he said. "We played
some great stuff and I won't be losing any sleep tonight. We are
progressing and I believe I can win the Premier League with this club." But
clearly some dissatisfaction among the supporters had filtered through and
got Redknapp bristling. "Oh yes, I apologise for coming here and mucking up
the team," said Redknapp — except he didn't say mucking. "Of course we've
always finished above the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea
in recent years, haven't we? And of course we should finish above Manchester
City. I mean they spent £230million in the summer, didn't they? "No — it
was just one of those days when we couldn't get the break."
The statistics back up his argument. Of Spurs' 25 unblocked attempts at
goal, nine were on target. Thanks largely to Green, none of them found the
net. And when Green was beaten, the woodwork came to his rescue, three times
— a shot by Aaron Lennon, another drive by Michael Dawson and a free-kick
from Gareth Bale that was touched on to the bar by Green who saw Lars
Jacobsen complete the clearance. "We showed great spirit," said West Ham
manager Avram Grant. Grant had switched tactics to cope with the threat from
the flanks and witnessed excellent displays from Jacobsen and Wayne Bridge.
Tottenham had the best player on the field in Luka Modric. In Defoe they did
not have the best finisher. Under his shirt, Defoe — watched by England No.2
Franco Baldini — had a T-shirt with the number 100 clearly emblazoned on it.
It is there to celebrate his century of league goals, and will have to keep
for another day. He was denied once by Green, once by a last-ditch tackle
from Bridge and also let down by his reflexes after Lennon's shot hit the
post. Baldini might be kind and put it down to one of those days for Defoe.
He'll not need to make any excuses for Green.
The nightmare of South Africa is now well and truly in the past and in the
relegation dogfight, West Ham clearly have an enormous asset in Green...
and also in Demba Ba. Ba was signed from Hoffenheim after he was rejected by
Stoke and could prove to be a crucial arrival. He gave Dawson and William
Gallas a torrid afternoon. In many ways he is reminiscent of Freddie
Kanoute — all arms and legs but with a touch and eye for goal that defies
his ungainly appearance. Indeed, it took a superb save from Heurelho Gomes
to deny the Senegalese front man when he let fly from 25 yards in the
second half. The shot was goalbound until Gomes turned it wide. In the end,
a day for goalkeepers, despite all the attacking talen on view. And a point
that could yet prove the saving of West Ham in the weeks ahead.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady attacks West Ham players over FA Cup exit
Karren Brady says warm-weather breaks in doubt
West Ham FA Cup defeat 'cost us about £1.2m'
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 19 March 2011 16.00 GMT
Karren Brady, the West Ham United vice-chair, has criticised the club's
first-team squad for losing to Stoke City in the FA Cup quarter-final last
week, and said she will be less inclined to allow them to go for warm
weather training again during a mid-season break. Avram Grant and his
players spent three days in Portugal in the buildup to the tie.
Writing in her column in the Sun, Brady said of the defeat: "I make a quick
calculation that today's FA Cup defeat at Stoke is costing us about £1.2m.
Neither did we get much of an immediate return on the players' warm-weather
break in Portugal so there will be another hard think before I agree to it
again."
Brady and Grant clashed this season following revelations in her column that
she had vetoed a deal to bring Steve Sidwell to West Ham from Aston Villa,
after the manager had already said publicly the midfielder would definitely
sign.
At the time Grant said: "Maybe I will have a column in a newspaper and say
what I think."
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