WHUFC.com
The manager was in positive mood after watching his team go top of the
npower Championship table
21.01.2012
Sam Allardyce was all smiles after watching his West Ham United team go top
of the npower Championship table for the first time this season. Mark Noble
converted two penalties - his fifth and sixth successful spot-kicks of the
campaign - as the Hammers beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground.
Big Sam was happy to see his side pick up their third successive league
victory, despite the manager admitting they had not played their best
football in overcoming the struggling Reds.
"For me, I think the first penalty was quite fortunate," said the manager.
"We got two penalties and we've got to be professional to dispose of the
opposition when we get the opportunity and I think they just settled us down
a bit. "It wasn't our best of games today and when you can drag one out when
you're not on your best day and not on your best form it shows the
resilience and the commitment of the players. All good teams at the top have
to win a game when they don't play at their best and we've done that today.
"We're disappointed in our performance but we are very delighted that we won
another very valuable three points. Of course it brings us three wins on the
trot again and we're back on a winning streak, as it were."
Big Sam was also delighted with the news that the ever-impressive James
Tomkins has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until at
least 2016. The Basildon-born defender put pen to paper on the deal ahead of
the game, with the news relayed to the Boleyn Ground ahead of kick-off "It's
great that James Tomkins has decided to sign a new contract with us and he's
been really good for us and really consistent this season."
While Southampton will have the chance to knock the Hammers of their perch
when they host Leicester City on Monday evening, BIg Sam insisted that
everything at the club is pointing in the right direction. "More players are
coming back from injuries and being available for selection and it's ten
days before we play our next game now so I think it was important that we
did win this one. As hard as we made it for ourselves, we have won it.
"Tomorrow it's three points when we look at the table and we're three points
ahead of Southampton and we're where we wanted to be at the end of today's
game. We haven't done it how we wanted to but we've done it."
While the first half was largely disappointing, Noble's added-time penalty
aside, the second half was a more enjoyable 45 minutes for West Ham's
players, management and supporters. When Noble slotted home his second
spot-kick on 63 minutes, the home team visibly relaxed and began to knock
the ball around in confident fashion. Indeed, Jack Collison missed two
presentable chances and Henri Lansbury saw a rasping half-volley turned over
the crossbar by Lee Camp. Forest winger Lewis McGugan did net a 30-yard
special in the dying seconds, but it was nothing more than a consolation for
Steve Cotterill's men. "We created more chances in the second half but so
did Forest," admitted Big Sam. "It's clear that their problem is the fact
that their team can create chances but they just can't finish them. "They
had two super, super chances on Tuesday against Leicester [in a 4-0 FA Cup
defeat] and they missed both of them and again they missed good chances
today so perhaps we're slightly fortunate playing a team like Forest who
have struggled to finish chances when created. "In the end we've gotten a
very, very valuable three points which takes us to the top of the league for
the first time."
With his team now out of action until they travel to Ipswich Town on 31
January, the manager said he would be working the transfer market to try to
add reinforcements. At the same time, he hopes a number of injured players
will be ready to feature at Portman Road. "It is ten days before our next
game and we'll keep searching for new players if we can but we've now got
Matt Taylor back and Guy Demel is coming back. Papa Bouba Diop picked up a
thigh injury today but there's ten days so he can recover. "Robert Hall came
on for 20 minutes or so and we saw him at Sheffield Wednesday so we know
we've got a good young player in our midst with plenty of ability so we can
develop him as well as Dan Potts."
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Tomkins signs new deal
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with West Ham
United
21.01.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that James Tomkins has signed a
new long-term contract with the club. The 22-year-old centre-back has
pledged his future to the club by putting pen to paper on a deal that will
see him remain at the Boleyn Ground until summer 2016, with the club having
an option to extend the contract for a further year. Tomkins has been in
outstanding form all season as the Hammers strive for promotion from the
npower Championship. West Ham have kept eleven clean sheets in the 24
matches the Essex-born defender has appeared in this term. The No5 had
double cause to celebrate as Saturday's match with Nottingham Forest marked
his 100th senior appearance for the club. He joined the Hammers at the age
of seven and, despite some recent inaccurate media reports, he has never
been happier. "I'm really pleased that I've signed a new contract at the
club," he said. "It's nice to end the speculation about what people have
been saying in the papers and commit my future to the club and concentrate
on my football. "By signing this deal, I'm showing my commitment to the club
as they've been brilliant to me this year with all the support they have
given to me and the rest of the players. If they continue doing that then
together we can return the club back to the Premier League, where we believe
we belong. "Sam Allardyce has been brilliant this year as well and has shown
what he can do on and off the pitch as a motivational manager."
Tomkins joined West Ham from local club Holy Cross as a boy, signing
scholarship forms at the age of 16 before graduating from the Academy of
Football in 2007.
The young defender made his first-team debut in a 1-1 Premier League draw at
Everton on 22 March 2008 and scored his first Hammers goal in a 2-0 win over
Sunderland on 5 May 2009. Later the same month, he signed a new contract.
Tomkins has become a first-team regular over the past two seasons, making
more than 25 appearances in each Premier League campaign. This term, the
Basildon-born star has excelled under new manager Sam Allardyce, catching
the eye with his strong and intelligent defensive play and ability to carry
the ball out from the back. A favourite among Hammers supporters, he has
also been recognised at international level. Having been capped by England
at every age-group level and appeared at two UEFA European Under-21
Championship finals, Tomkins is now targeting his first senior call-up and
has been named in Team GB's provisional squad for London 2012.
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Dylan grateful for huge support
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides has thanked fans as he continues his medical treatment
21.01.2012
Dylan Tombides has thanked West Ham United fans for their support as he
continues his treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The
young Hammer is preparing to undergo Retroperitoneal lymphnode dissection
(RPLND) surgery this week. The procedure will see specialist doctors remove
lymph nodes from his abdomen which may contain cells that could become
cancerous in the future. The first-team squad were keen to show their
support for Tombides as he prepares for the surgery by wearing special 'Get
well soon Dylan' T-shirts ahead of the game wth Nottingham Forest. The
Australia Under-17 international said he was hugely grateful for that
support and the hundreds of messages he has received from fans, both of West
Ham and of other clubs around the world. "When I first read about the
surgery on the internet, it looked very complicated, but when I spoke to my
surgeon, he drew a diagram of what he is going to do and it looked a lot
simpler," said the 17-year-old. "Basically, it is removing all of the lymph
nodes and scar tissue from around the stomach area. The lymph nodes absorb
toxins and because I have had testicular cancer, cancerous cells can attach
themselves to the lymph nodes and be spread from there."
When the popular forward posted an update on his treatment on social
networking website Facebook earlier this week, more than 400 fans wished him
well. "I put a message on Facebook and then I went to bed. When I woke up
the next morning, I had hundreds of messages of support and they mean so
much to me. I want to thank everyone for wishing me well. "People had
started messaging me on Facebook asking how I was, but until this week I
have had nothing to report. I am so grateful for all the messages, because
they mean so much to me."
After his surgery, Tombides will have to rest up for a period of weeks
before he is given the all-clear to resume light training and other
strenuous activities - including his driving lessons. "It all depends how
quickly I heal and feel better, but my Dad read on the internet about a guy
who had the same surgery and was surfing again within six weeks! "I won't be
rushing back, but I am looking forward to getting back to doing what I enjoy
most, which is playing football. "I am also going to have to delay my
driving test for a few weeks, but the lessons are going well so hopefully
I'll be on the road soon, too."
Tombides was back at the Boleyn Ground earlier this month to cheer his U18
team-mates to FA Youth Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. "It was
great for me to see the lads play so well and get through to the next round.
I will definitely be supporting them against Chelsea, even if I can't be
there myself. "It was a real boost to see all the boys wearing 'Get well
soon Dylan' t-shirts in the warm-up. I can't wait to be back training and
playing alongside them."
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Africa Cup of Nations special
WHUFC.com
Papa Bouba Diop, Abdoulaye Faye and Guy Demel on Africa's big football party
21.01.2012
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks-off in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon on
Saturday, with 16 of the continent's best footballing countries battling it
out to be champions. The 1992 winners Ivory Coast are the favourites to
lift the trophy for a second time, while Senegal are hotly-tipped to win the
tournament for the first time. While Ivorian Guy Demel may be missing the
competition through injury and Senegalese duo Papa Bouba Diop (pictured) and
Abdoulaye Faye are no longer involved regularly at international level, the
West Ham United trio will be keeping a close eye on proceedings on
television. The tournament kicks-off in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Saturday
with the host nation taking on Libya and Senegal facing Zambia. Ivory Coast
begin their challenge against Sudan in Malabo on Sunday. The tournament ends
in Libreville, Gabon, on 12 February.
2006 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up Demel sat down with 2002 FIFA World Cup
hero Diop and three-times Africa Cup of Nations finalist Faye to talk
exclusivley to whufc.com about the tournament.
So, who is going to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations?
PBD: I think Senegal is going to win the African Nations Cup because we have
a new team of young players. Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana are the best
teams but Senegal has the best squad and a big chance to win it. They have
four or five top strikers like Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sow.
AF: Why are you asking this question? It will be Senegal, of course! We have
a big team with the best strikers playing in Europe now. We have Demba Ba,
Papiss Cisse who has signed for Newcastle and the others who play for French
teams. We have the chance to win this for the first time. We have been to
the final before and I think we can do it again.
GD: I hope that my country is going to win the competition. The people of
Ivory Coast deserve it and I think we are one of the best teams in Africa.
We have to prove it because we have failed a lot of times before. This one
is going to be a good one for us.
Which other nations to do see as a threat?
PBD: I think Ivory Coast or Ghana will be the other strongest teams.
AF: We will go to the final and there we will play the Ivory Coast and we
will beat them 1-0.
GD: To be honest, Ghana is a good team and Senegal have a good team too.
Ivory Coast are the favourites and there are some others like Burkina Faso
who have a lot of players who play in France. They are not bad, too. I think
normally the big three are Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast but I think we are
much better than the others.
Which player do you think will be the star of the tournament?
PBD: Yaya Toure from Manchester City.
AF: Oh, that's a tough question, but maybe Demba Ba.
GD: All of the players have the chance to be the star of the tournament,
especially for Ivory Coast. Demba has played a great season with Newcastle.
We have a lot of players from Ivory Coast who could help us to win the cup -
Gervinho, Yaya Toure or Cheick Tiote. Ghana have Andre Ayew and I played
with Jonathan Pitroipa at Hamburg and he plays for Burkina Faso and he could
be the star, too.
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West Ham 2 - 1 Nott'm Forest
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:21 GMT, Saturday, 21 January 2012
Two controversial Mark Noble penalties saw West Ham beat wasteful Nottingham
Forest to go top of the Championship for the first time this season. Forest
had the better of the first half with Marcus Tudgay, Lewis McGugan and Paul
Anderson all missing good chances. But Noble blasted in the opener in
first-half injury time after Guy Moussi was penalised for handball and made
it 2-0 following Chris Gunter's handball. McGugan did find the net with a
fine 20-yard strike but the Hammers held on. McGugan's injury-time effort -
just Forest's fourth goal in their last 12 games - came too late to threaten
the home side's lead and lift the gloom at the City Ground. Steve
Cotterill's Forest side remain in the relegation zone, four points from
safety. But although they will feel unfortunate to be on the wrong end of
two tough penalty calls, the Reds should have been at least two goals up by
the time referee Tony Bates award a spot-kick when Moussi blocked Sam
Baldock's cross with his hand. Tudgay twice fired over over and McGugan also
failed to find the target when well placed. However their best opening saw
Anderson shoot tamely at goal after great work by Marlon Harewood and
McGugan. Kevin Nolan and George McCartney both had half-chances before the
Hammers went ahead, despite Lee Camp getting a hand to Noble's strike. The
visitors continued to have the upper hand after the interval with home
goalkeeper Robert Green denying Gunter and a McGugan cross coming back off
the post and then being smashed off the line by Noble. At the other end Jack
Collison could have doubled the lead after a fine run and Camp made a fine
diving save to keep out a Henri Lansbury effort. But Noble did add a second
soon after the hour, and West Ham were able to enjoy going top despite
McGugan's last-gasp strike.
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English clubs eye Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 13:09 GMT, Saturday, 21 January 2012
By Chris McLaughlin
Senior Football Reporter, BBC Scotland
Liverpool are in pole position to sign Nikica Jelavic as English interest in
the Croatia striker intensifies, BBC Scotland understands. Premier League
rivals Fulham and Championship outfit West Ham have been in contact about
the 26-year-old. Responding to interest from West Ham, Rangers boss Ally
McCoist said: "They've not made an official bid. "The reported amount would
not be enough to meet the demands of the owner - £6m is not nearly enough."
Rangers rejected a £6.5m offer from Leicester City for Jelavic in the summer
and claimed they also rebuffed a £9m approach from an unnamed club shortly
before the closure of the transfer window. The player himself later revealed
that he had turned down overtures from Turkish outfit Fenerbahce but
admitted ambitions to play in England's top flight. He has recently been
linked with Liverpool and QPR before it emerged that informal talks had been
held with Sam Allardyce's West Ham. McCoist, though, insisted that no bids -
from West Ham or any other club - had been tabled since the January window
opened, despite much speculation about the striker's future. "I know Sam
very well and I think, if there was a real interest, he and I would have
spoken, but there has been no official bid made and I certainly haven't
spoken to anyone about it," he said.
Jelavic began his career with Hajduk Split before moving on to Zulte Waregem
then Rapid Vienna. He joined Rangers for £4m in August 2010, when he signed
a four-year contract, and is the Scottish champions' top scorer this season
with 17 goals.
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Noble spot on as Hammers go top
Last updated: 21st January 2012
SSN
Two Mark Noble penalties fired West Ham to a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest
and to the top of the Championship for the first time this season. The
midfielder's double from the spot was enough to ensure the pre-season
promotion favourites leapfrogged Southampton, who do not play until Monday.
But despite their lofty position, the Hammers rarely hit the heights against
a struggling Nottingham Forest side. In fact, Sam Allardyce's men could, and
probably should, have been two or three goals down before they benefited
from some generous refereeing, allowing Noble to make it three successful
spot-kicks in his last two outings. Referee Tony Bates twice took centre
stage, penalising Guy Moussi and Chris Gunter for handball in each half to
gift the hosts victory, despite a last-gasp consolation from Lewis McGugan.
Forest had by far the better chances in the first half, with Marcus Tudgay
twice blazing over and McGugan also wayward in front of goal. Their best
opportunity came 15 minutes before the break when former West Ham striker
Marlon Harewood and McGugan combined well to tee up Paul Anderson with the
goal gaping. But Hammers defender Julien Faubert just did enough to put
Anderson off the shot and Rob Green was able to collect his weak effort. The
home side, by contrast, had created only half-chances, with skipper Kevin
Nolaninches away from getting a touch on a dangerous cross from George
McCartney and Jack Collison shooting too close to Lee Camp. But they were
handed the lead in first-half stoppage time when referee Bates awarded a
penalty after harshly adjudging Moussi had blocked Sam Baldock's cross with
his hand. Noble, whose penalty was all that separated the sides when West
Ham beat Portsmouthlast week, repeated the trick despite Camp getting a hand
to his shot. The West Ham goal continued to lead a charmed life after the
break, with Green making a fine save to deny Chris Gunter.
And from the resulting corner, McGugan's cross deceived everyone in the
goalmouth and cannoned off the far post before it was hacked off the line by
Noble. At the other end Collison should have doubled the hosts' lead after a
mazy run into the area but his shot was deflected over the top, and Camp
pulled off a fine diving save to deny Henri Lansbury. But the second goal
did arrive in the 63rd minute when Bates pointed to the spot again, Gunter
this time the guilty party, and Noble did the honours once more. McGugan
pulled one back deep into stoppage time but there was barely time to restart
and the Hammers celebrated hitting top spot.
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Tomkins commits to Hammers
Defender delighted to end speculation about his future
Last Updated: January 21, 2012 3:42pm
SSN
West Ham United defender James Tomkins has ended speculation about his
future by signing a new contract at Upton Park until 2016. Tomkins, who came
through the ranks at West Ham, has repeatedly been linked with a move to the
Premier League since the club suffered relegation at the end of last season.
Hammers co-owner David Gold insisted earlier this month that the 22-year-old
is not for sale amid reports of a £4million bid from Newcastle United.
Speculation has claimed that Newcastle will now wait until the summer to
make a renewed bid to land Tomkins, but the centre-half has pledged his
future to West Ham. Tomkins made his 100th appearance for the club in
Saturday's Championship game against Nottingham Forest and is delighted to
be part of Sam Allardyce's squad.
Brilliant
"I'm really pleased that I've signed a new contract at the club," Tomkins
told the club's official website. "It's nice to end the speculation about
what people have been saying in the papers and commit my future to the club
and concentrate on my football. "By signing this deal, I'm showing my
commitment to the club as they've been brilliant to me this year with all
the support they have given to me and the rest of the players. "If they
continue doing that then together we can return the club back to the Premier
League, where we believe we belong. "Sam Allardyce has been brilliant this
year as well and has shown what he can do on and off the pitch as a
motivational manager."
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Hammers in Jelavic talks
Rangers yet to receive an offer for prolific Croatian striker
Last Updated: January 21, 2012 6:43pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has confirmed West Ham United have enquired about the
availability of prolific Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. Sky Sports sources
revealed on Friday evening that the Hammers had contacted the SPL champions
as Allardyce seeks to improve his attacking options. The West Ham chief has
already failed with a bid for Huddersfield Town's Jordan Rhodes and is now
trying to add Jelavic to his squad. "We have enquired in terms of his
availability as far as I am concerned, but in terms of a bid that's not my
department," said Allardyce after Saturday's 2-1 home win over Nottingham
Forest. Jelavic was the subject of a failed bid from West Ham's Championship
rivals Leicester City last summer, while Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers
had been linked with January bids. Rangers boss Ally McCoist is determined
to hang on to the Croatia international as he looks to catch Old Firm rivals
Celtic in the SPL title race.
Informal chat
McCoist also confirmed on Friday that, following speculation West Ham will
offer £6million for Jelavic, the figure would not be enough to secure the
forward. Speaking after Gers' 1-1 home draw with Aberdeen, McCoist confirmed
talks have taken place between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham
counterpart David Sullivan.
"I spoke to Craig today and I believe Craig had a conversation with David
Sullivan," said McCoist. "But Craig was very keen to point out that
absolutely no offers had been made at all. I think it was just a pretty
informal chat they had." On speculation linking the player with other clubs
south of the border, he added: "That's news to me, I've certainly not been
told. The only team where there has been an indication of interest is West
Ham."
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Allardyce - We got lucky
Forest boss Cotterill unimpressed by decisions
Last Updated: January 21, 2012 6:45pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admits West Ham were fortunate to see decisions go their way
after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 on Saturday. Two controversial Mark
Noble penalties were enough to sink Forest and send the Hammers above
Southampton at the top of the Championship, with the Saints not set to play
until Monday. The pre-season promotion favourites are now at the summit for
the first time this term but they got a helping hand from referee Tony Bates
and his eagle-eyed assistants.
Bates harshly adjudged Guy Moussi to have handled a Jack Collison cross from
point-blank range in first-half stoppage-time, and then penalised Chris
Gunter for handball after an hour. Upton Park boss Allardyce said: "We went
ahead through probably quite a fortunate penalty, but you have to be
professional and dispose of it when you get the opportunity. "It was not the
best of days but when you can dig a win out it shows the resilience of the
players. "As much as we are disappointed with our performance we are
delighted with three points. It brings us to three wins on the trot and
keeps up our winning streak. "We can look at the table and see we are three
points ahead of Southampton, which is where we want to be."
Unimpressed
Forest manager Steve Cotterill was, predictably, unimpressed with the
penalty decisions which enabled Noble to take his tally for the season to
six. It was all the more frustrating for Cotterill as his side had looked by
far the more likely to open the scoring against a strangely subdued West
Ham. Paul Anderson missed their best chance when he failed to connect with
Lewis McGugan's cross with the goal gaping. "It probably sums up how it's
been since I've been here, we could have been two or three up before the
alleged penalty was given," he said. "It's blatantly not a penalty. "I can
see why he has given the second one, Gunter's arm is up, but it must have
hit the hairs on his arm because the ball doesn't deviate. "The linesman has
done well to see that one, for sure."
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Allardyce plans happy anniversary for West Ham chiefs
Published 08:54 21/01/12 By The Mirror
Sam Allardyce believes his West Ham bosses are the best in the business and
hopes to repay them on their anniversary by going top of the Championship.
David Gold and David Sullivan celebrated two years in charge of the club
this week and have endured a rollercoaster ride since they took charge of
the east London club back in January 2010. The duo have never been afraid to
speak their mind and previous managers Gianfranco Zola and Avram Grant both
came under fire following a string of poor results. Allardyce admits he has
now seen a completely different side to them and wants to help them achieve
their goal of bouncing straight back into the top flight. When asked if he
was worried about their outbursts, Allardyce said: "I think it's put them in
the wrong context because I had that impression before I came. But I have
found them not to be how they have perhaps portrayed themselves. "The media
has caught them at a particular time when they have been disappointed with
what's happening at their club and they've made a statement that has created
some headlines. I haven't found them to be like that yet, and I certainly
hope it continues that way for some time "At the moment the relationship is
as good as I have had. For me, adjusting to how they run the football club
has been what I have done, and communicating to them in a way that they like
to be communicated. "Whether that changes if we had a very bad run of
results and the pressure comes on, I don't know, it may do, it may not. At
the moment it's been a good working relationship. "When it comes to
transfers they get straight in there and see what we can get. I haven't
experienced that before in my entire management career." West Ham can go top
of the table for the first time if they beat Nottingham Forest today, as
Southampton are not in action until Monday night.
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Noble efforts lift Hammers to top spot
West Ham United 2 Nottingham Forest 1
JACK PITT-BROOKE UPTON PARK SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2012
The Independent
West Ham reached the top of the Championship last night despite a
performance which was conspicuously average. They beat Nottingham Forest2-1
thanks to two Mark Noble penalties, the first of which was a mystifying
award at the end of an underwhelming first half.
The first 45 minutes were a perfect example of why, despite their top spot,
the West Ham United fans are not yet fully enthused about the season. "It
wasn't our best of days," said their manager, Sam Allardyce, "but when you
can dig one out when you're not on your best form it shows the players'
resilience and commitment."
West Ham's approach largely consisted of long diagonal balls to Kevin Nolan
and Carlton Cole. Nolan nearly forced in George McCartney's near-post cross
after 12 minutes, but there was lack of imagination about West Ham's
attacking play. In his programme notes Allardyce bemoaned the fact that West
Ham had scored just six goals in their previous eight games, and it was not
difficult to see why.
Forest had their own goalscoring woes – they had failed to score in 10 of
their previous 11 games – but their attacking play in the first half was
surprisingly skilful. Finishing, not creating, was their problem. Marcus
Tudgay missed his first chance after 10 minutes, shooting over from a
corner. Three minutes later Lewis McGugan arrived on to Chris Gunter's cross
but shot over. Soon after, Tudgay had a shot from a similar position
deflected over. "We could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up," their manager, Steve
Cotterill, claimed.
With so many chances missed it seemed unlikely to be Forest's day, an
impression reinforced in first-half stoppage time. Guy Moussi blocked Jack
Collison's right-wing cross from close range, and, to the surprise of the
whole stadium, a penalty kick was awarded.
"It's blatantly not a penalty," Cotterill said afterwards. Even Allardyce
described it as "quite fortunate". Mark Noble, characteristically reliable,
gave West Ham a lead their play had not deserved.
Forest's confidence was as fragile as could be expected: once behind, they
offered little in the second half. West Ham, who announced that James
Tomkins has signed a new long-term contract, started to improve: Jack
Collison could not reward a delightful run with a finish to match, and Henri
Lansbury forced a springing save from Lee Camp.
Two minutes later another ball into Forest's box bemused Gunter, who could
only stop it with a hand. This time the award was in keeping with the run of
play, and Noble's conversion was again precise.
With a two-goal lead, there was little question of West Ham failing to
complete the victory which would send them top, even after Forest scored a
late consolation. Having missed easier chances when it mattered, McGugan
contrived a brilliant but meaningless goal, hammering the ball in
left-footed from 25 yards in stoppage time.
West Ham United (4-3-1-2) Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Noble,
Bouba Diop (Lansbury, h-t), Collison; Nolan; Baldock (Hall, 78), Cole
(Piquionne, 85).
Nottingham Forest (4-3-1-2) Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Lynch, Cunningham
(Anderson, 23); Moussi, McGugan, Greening (Blackstock, 56); McCleary;
Harewood (Miller, 73), Tudgay.
Referee: Anthony Bates
Man of the match: Tomkins (West Ham)
Match rating: 3/10
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West Ham United 2 Nottingham Forest 1: match details
By Arindam Rej at Upton Park9:36PM GMT 21 Jan 2012
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United are top of the Championship for the first time this season,
but this was not the most convincing way to achieve it. Two controversial
penalties for handball allowed Mark Noble to strike twice, but that masked a
disjointed display in which free-falling Nottingham Forest wasted a plethora
of chances. But West Ham's ability to force these wins, without being
fluent, bodes well for their automatic promotion hopes, as does James
Tomkins's decision to sign a new contract until summer 2016. The 22-year-old
centre-back has been interesting Newcastle, who had two bids for him
rejected, and Tottenham. Tomkins said: "It's nice to end the speculation
about what people have been saying in the papers and commit my future to the
club and concentrate on my football."
He showed that concentration with some crucial defending as Forest had the
better of the first hour but the game's pivotal moments arrived when referee
Tony Bates awarded the penalties. Guy Moussi and Chris Gunter were the men
to be punished. Forest manager Steve Cotterill, under pressure already after
eight defeats in 10 league games, said: "We could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up
before the alleged penalty. It's blatantly not a penalty. I can see why he's
given the second one as Gunter's arm is up but the ball doesn't deviate."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "I think it was probably quite a
fortunate penalty. But that first goal settled us down. We're disappointed
with our performance but delighted we won."
Kriss Akabusi, a West Ham fan, showed admirable energy for a 53 year-old as
he read out the teams before kick-off, but his team looked lethargic
initially. Thankfully, the visitors' finishing showed why their recent
scoring record is so dismal. Marcus Tudgay missed two early chances,
shooting high and then wide, and Lewis McGugan also struck over from a clear
opening. West Ham improved at the end of the first half with Jack Collison's
angled strike being parried clear by Lee Camp. Then came their contentious
penalty for handball, given against Moussi after a Collison cross, and Noble
powered it in. There was more Forest frustration early in the second half as
Gunter's strike was smothered by Rob Green and McGugan's resultant corner
evaded everybody before striking the far post. Camp tipped clear Henri
Lansbury's half-volley, before the hosts doubled their lead from Noble's
second spot kick. Forest looked a beaten team after that, with West Ham in
control, although McGugan did lash in a typically ferocious30-yard strike
deep into injury time.
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