WHUFC.com
The manager could not believe the Hammers' domination was not rewarded with
a win at Turf Moor
24.03.2012
Sam Allardyce simply could not believe his West Ham United side were not
rewarded for their domination with an npower Championship victory at
Burnley. The Hammers outplayed the Clarets for long periods at Turf Moor,
only for a succession of missed chances and two defensive lapses to left
them 2-0 down at half-time.
Tactical and personnel changes saw West Ham roar back after the break, with
Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins drawing their side level, only for a host of
late opportunities to go begging and leave Big Sam wondering how two
precious points got away. "I'm absolutely totally and utterly flabbergasted
that we didn't leave Burnley with a victory under our belts. From the very
start, we had chance after chance after chance and then incredibly went 2-0
down. Even then, we had a couple of chances before half-time that we
couldn't put in the back of the net. "We slipped up defensively on a couple
of occasions and they've scored two goals completely against the run of play
after playing so well. "We changed the system a bit and went for it a little
bit more. The comeback was fantastic but it wasn't really a comeback because
we were already there. We increased the amount of opportunities we could
score from, but unfortunately we fell foul of not converting our
opportunities into goals. "We must have had four or five one-on-ones, we've
hit the post and had a goal disallowed. We had 20 attempts and eleven shots
on target and Burnley's total was five shots on target in the entire 90
minutes and they've scored two goals. "Our first goal was a brilliant goal
from Kevin Nolan from the hardest chance we created - it wasn't even a
chance - and James Tomkins converted from a great free-kick. "It's just
incredible that we dominated possession for the whole 90 minutes and created
chance after chance and still ended up drawing 2-2. We're all distraught
after such a performance with such great quality, but unfortunately even
when did find the net, the referee decided we couldn't have it and when we
didn't the post decided to stop it! "It continues to go on and on and we
just cannot find that final way through to the valuable three points we're
after. With such a top, top performance, the disappointing thing is the top
line 'Burnley 2 West Ham 2'."
West Ham settled superbly, with Carlton Cole missing two chances before
Marvin Bartley slalomed through to put Burnley in front. Nolan then saw a
goal disallowed for a push on the midfielder before Martin Paterson ghosted
in to double the hosts' advantage. Danny Collins hit a post and Nolan went
close again before Ross Wallace hit the post on the stroke of half-time. Big
Sam sent on Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at the break and the Hammers
continued to push for the breakthrough. It finally arrived on 68 minutes
when Nolan nipped in to lob Lee Grant. Two minutes later, Tomkins volleyed
in Mark Noble's free-kick to level the scores. In the final stages, Baldock
shot wide before seeing his low effort saved by Grant, while fellow
substitute John Carew was also denied twice by the Burnley goalkeeper as
West Ham finished strongly. "Anybody who watched the game will see what
we've done and what Burnley have done," said the manager. "I've never
dominated a game like that away from home. We beat Watford 4-0 and dominated
the game but we dominated this game a lot more than that. "Ask any question
about what we're not doing and it's converting our chances into goals. It's
going to cost us very dearly if we don't sort it out as quickly as we can.
"We can take a lot of heart out of the quality in this performance, but the
bottom line is that we're down to single figures in games remaining and
there is no making-up time now. Whether we play better than the opposition
or it's an even game we've still got to win. "When you dominate a game like
we dominated this one, you've got to bury the opposition - 5-2, 6-3 or 6-2
would not have been a flattering scoreline for us. "We're very disappointed
and I'm sure Burnley were very grateful to hear the final whistle."
A fifth successive draw means West Ham travel to Peterborough United for
their game in-hand on Tuesday knowing only victory will keep automatic
promotion in their own hands. With that in mind, Big Sam has demanded that
his strikers start finding the target sooner rather than later. "The players
have got to find the courage to take their chances. They have got to have
the nerve, composure and professionalism to convert them into goals. "We
cannot wait any longer. We've got to put the ball in the net when we get the
chances. Our conversion rate has to be a lot better. "To be honest, I'm only
saying what I've been saying all season, but it's a lot bigger now. We've
had more chances than we've had all season, but our goal tally is getting
less and less instead of more and more and that is the concern at the
moment. "We should have got a victory on Saturday, but we didn't get it so
we know only two wins in the next two games will be enough to get us above
Reading."
Finally, Big Sam had words of praise from the 1,500-plus supporters who
cheered their team on from first to last in Lancashire. "When you entertain
the fans, they are going to sing, and we entertained them apart from
conceding two very sloppy goals which is not like us normally. "The
performance for 90 minutes, people might try and say it was a second-half
comeback, but we completely dominated Burnley. "It's just unbelievable that
we haven't won."
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Burnley 2 West Ham 2
24 March 2012
Last updated at 18:42
BBC.co.uk
West Ham fought back from 2-0 down at Burnley to salvage their fifth
successive Championship draw. Martin Paterson sent Burnley in two goals to
the good at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine
individual effort. But goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins in two
second-half minutes rescued a point for the Hammers. Sam Baldock spurned a
golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six
yards. The result, and victories for top two Southampton and Reading, left
Sam Allardyce's men four points shy of the automatic promotion places,
albeit with a game in hand. Even so, it was a point more than they had
looked like taking for much of the game. The first clear-cut chance of the
afternoon fell to the home side when recalled left-back Ben Mee found space
to cross for Paterson, who sent his free header wide. Carlton Cole should
have given the Hammers the lead when he latched on to Martin Taylor's
through-ball and rounded Clarets goalkeeper Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot
into the side netting.
The visitors paid the price as Bartley charged past Danny Collins and
unleashed a low drive that Robert Green could only touch into the corner of
his net. Burnley doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time as Mee was
allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson converting at the near post.
West Ham's comeback began in the 68th minute as Gary O'Neil lofted a
speculative ball forward and Nolan lobbed the on-rushing Grant. And two
minutes later it was all square when Nicky Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's
free-kick and Tomkins provided the decisive touch.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that.
"I'm stunned and shocked but that's football. I was stunned at half-time
that we were 2-0 down. We dominated the game from the very start and kept
slipping up. We kept missing chances. Whatever we did we couldn't find the
net. "In the second half we got better and better and then squandered so
many chances. It's a massive cost to us because we should have won
comfortably. "This could be the turning point in our season with regards to
getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight. "I just
told the players to carry on the way they were playing at half-time as
chance after chance went begging. "It was just two defensive slip-ups that
cost us. The second one was an ordinary cross we should have dealt with.
I've never seen a game like that."
Burnley manager Eddie Howe: "I'm very disappointed as we were excellent and
very brave. We took 10-15 minutes to settle but we had a lot of confidence.
"They are a strong, physical side, but the third goal was crucial in the
game and they got it. "We have to say people are growing. We wanted to have
a show of spirit and play for the club. I'm disappointed by the result but
I'm very enthusiastic about the performance. "We're kicking ourselves
because I believe we had the capability of being good enough this year.
We've surrendered some leads and that's something we need to focus on.
"We've competed really well against the top sides and given good accounts of
ourselves in the big games. It's perhaps more the games against the teams
down the lower end when we've struggled and dropped points when we should
not have done so. "It's such small margins as we could easily have been
knocking on the door. We will have to learn that quickly for next year and
keep the group together and have a good push for promotion."
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Burnley 2 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have extended their unbeaten run to TEN games - yet still fell
further behind in the race for promotion. A spirited second half fightback
earned the Hammers what may yet prove to be a vital point on an afternoon in
which, once again, Sam Allardyce's side failed to live up to their pre-match
billing. However wins for Southampton and Reading meant that West Ham ended
the day FOUR points adrift of the automatic promotion spots - with just
eight games of the league campaign left to play. In a game which they were
expected to have the upper hand, the Hammers found themselves staring at
defeat by the half time break being as they were two goals behind. But a
half time personnel switch instigated by the under-fire Allardyce and a
spirited fightback earned the Hammers a point - which, with a bit more luck
(and better finishing) could have been all three. Despite dominating
proceedings for the opening 25 minutes, United went into the interval two
behind - and but for the intervention of a post, the deficit could have been
THREE. It was the home side who opened the scoring when Marvin Bartley was
allowed to carve his way through the visitors' defence before planting the
ball beyond Robert Green. Less than a minute later Kevin Nolan thought he
had equalised for West Ham but the goal was ruled out by referee Mark
Haywood, although exactly why is unknown. Carlton Cole - who should have put
the Irons ahead on nine minutes when he failed to hit the target despite
having rounded goalkeeper Lee Grant - then missed another glorious
opportunity to score when he failed to find the back of the net from three
yards with a header.
And the home side took full advantage of that miss when they doubled their
lead on 36 minutes; a mistake by recent loan signing Danny Collins, playing
alongside James Tomkins in the heart of the defence in the absence of
Abdoulaye Faye allowed Martin Paterson to steal in at the back post and put
the ball in the net with his knee. Jack Collison was denied with three
minutes of the half remaining when his thunderbolt was brilliantly tipped
over by Grant, before the Clarets almost made it 3-0 when Ross Wallace's
cross dropped over Green's head onto the post. Allardyce, who had spent much
of the first half in an apoplectic rage, rang the changes at the break
replacing the ineffective Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole with Nicky Maynard
and Sam Baldock. And that change proved dividends when Kevin Nolan reduced
the deficit to one on 68 minutes when he profited from a long ball over the
top by Gary O'Neil by cleverly lobbing the hesitant Grant. With the bit
between their teeth the Hammers pushed on for a deserved equaliser which
duly arrives just two minutes later. A Mark Noble free kick was flicked on
by substitute Maynard and expertly despatched by James Tomkins.
Although a series of chances followed - none more notable than when John
Carew had the goal at his mercy in the final minute of normal time but opted
to shoot straight at 'keeper Grant - the Hammers failed to record a
much-needed victory and Burnley clung on for a point that, in truth, they
had done little to deserve.
But for all the 'final third entries' that West Ham managed on the day, the
only stat that ultimately counts - ie the one in the 'goals scored' column -
leaves Allardyce's side four points behind second-placed Reading - who visit
the Boleyn next weekend - in the Championship table. Whilst not quite a
mountain to climb, failure to win their game in hand at Peterborough on
Tuesday night will leave the Hammers facing the very real prospect of having
to go through the play-offs in order to return to the Premier League.
Burnley 2 West Ham Utd 2: match stats
West Ham Utd: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, Noble, O'Neil,
Nolan, Collison (Carew 82), Taylor (Maynard 46), Cole (Baldock 46).
Substitutes not used: Potts, Lansbury.
Goals: Nolan (68), Tomkins (70).
Shots on target/off target: 10/7 (17).
Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, McCann, Wallace, Paterson (Stanislas 90),
Ings (McQuoid 86), Marney, Edgar, Bartley (Austin 81), Mee.
Substitutes not used: Jensen, Hewitt.
Goals: Bartley (25), Paterson (36).
Shots on target/off target: 4/5 (9).
Referee: Mark Haywood.
Assistants: Richard Clark and David McCallum.
Fourth Official: Lee Metcalfe.
Attendance: 15,246.
Did You Know? This was the first 2-2 draw between the two teams at Turf Moor
since April 1961.
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Irons hit back to deny Clarets
Last updated: 24th March 2012
SSN
Two second-half goals rescued a point for West Ham in a 2-2 draw at Burnley
as the Hammers fell further off the Championship promotion pace. Victories
for top two Southampton and Reading meant there was little comfort for the
Hammers to take after Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured a fifth
successive draw on the back of a dismal first-half showing. Martin Paterson
sent Burnley in two goals to the good at the interval after Marvin Bartley
opened the scoring with a fine individual effort.
Carlton Cole and Martin Taylor both spurned good chances for West Ham and
their challenge appeared to have petered out until the second-half rally
arrived. The result left Allardyce's men four points shy of Reading in
second with a game in hand, while opposite number Eddie Howe has not tasted
victory for seven games. The first clear-cut chance fell to the home side
when recalled left-back Ben Mee found space to cross for Paterson, who sent
his free header wide. In the ninth minute West Ham should have taken the
lead. Cole latched on to Taylor's through-ball and rounded Clarets
goalkeeper Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot into the side netting with the
goal gaping. Cole then fired high and wide after Joey O'Brien's cross
deflected into his path and he would soon play for his profligacy.
There appeared to be little danger when Paterson and Ross Wallace combined
to tee up Bartley midway inside the West Ham half. The midfielder proceeded
to charge past Danny Collins and unleash a low drive that Robert Green could
only touch into the corner of his net. The Hammers thought they had an
immediate response when Nolan planted home a header via the underside of
Grant's crossbar, but his effort was ruled out for a push on David Edgar.
Allardyce's frustration was compounded as Burnley doubled their lead 10
minutes before the half-time. West Ham failed to heed their earlier warning
as Mee was once more allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson
converting successfully at the near post on this occasion. Clarets defender
Michael Duff almost handed the visitors a lifeline in first-half
stoppage-time when he missed a back header and Taylor fired straight at
Grant. Taylor and Cole were punished for their missed chances as Allardyce
sent Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at half-time and reverted to 4-4-2.
Paterson outmuscled Tomkins as Burnley looked to increase their advantage in
the opening minutes of the second half. Baldock had a 25-yard effort
deflected wide, but West Ham threatened only sporadically until their
comeback began in the 68th minute. O'Neil lofted a speculative ball forward
and Nolan capitalised on a moment's hesitation from Duff to lob the
on-rushing Grant. Two minutes later it was all square when Tomkins found the
decisive touch after Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's free-kick, awarded when
Wallace felled George McCartney 30 yards from goal on the left.
West Ham almost had a third goal in five minutes as Baldock sprung the
Burnley offside trap and fired a low cross beyond Grant that Kieran Trippier
hacked clear with Baldock and Nolan in close attendance. Baldock spurned a
golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six
yards when substitute John Carew chested into his path.
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Big Sam keeps the faith
Clarets chief disappointed but proud of side at same time
Last Updated: March 24, 2012 7:09pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce insists West Ham can still win automatic promotion to the
Premier League, despite seeing his side drop points with a 2-2 draw at
Burnley. Two goals in as many second-half minutes from Kevin Nolan and James
Tomkins rescued a point for United at Turf Moor, but victories for top two
Southampton and Reading meant it was a miserable afternoon for the Hammers.
Martin Paterson sent Burnley in two goals to the good at the interval after
Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort. The draw at
Burnley leaves West Ham four points off second-placed Reading and nine
behind leaders Southampton. "I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that,"
said Allardyce. "I'm stunned and shocked but that's football. "I was
stunned at half-time that we were 2-0 down. We dominated the game from the
very start and kept slipping up. We kept missing chances. Whatever we did we
couldn't find the net. "In the second half we got better and better and then
squandered so many chances. It's a massive cost to us because we should have
won comfortably. "This could be the turning point in our season with regards
to getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight. "I
just told the players to carry on the way they were playing at half-time as
chance after chance went begging. "It was just two defensive slip-ups that
cost us. The second one was an ordinary cross we should have dealt with.
I've never seen a game like that."
It could and probably should have been very different for West Ham had
Carlton Cole not spurned early opportunities for the Hammers. The misses
proved costly as Bartley opened the scoring with a low drive past England
goalkeeper Robert Green on 25 minutes. And it got worse for Allardyce and
West Ham ten minutes before the break as Paterson scored at the near post
for Burnley. But West Ham came roaring back into the game after the break as
first Nolan lobbed Lee Grant on 68 minutes. And two minutes later it was all
square when Tomkins found the decisive touch from a Mark Noble's free-kick.
Sam Baldock had two late chances to win it for West Ham but decisively
spurned both opportunities.
Howe's perspective
Burnley manager Eddie Howe said: "I'm very disappointed as we were excellent
and very brave. We took 10-15 minutes to settle but we had a lot of
confidence.
"They are a strong, physical side. But the third goal was crucial in the
game and they got it. We are thankful to Lee Grant who made saves - it would
have been a tragedy if we had lost this. "We have to say people are growing.
We wanted to have a show of spirit and play for the club. I'm disappointed
by the result but I'm very enthusiastic about the performance. "We're
kicking ourselves because I believe we had the capability of being good
enough this year. We've surrendered some leads and that's something we need
to focus on. "We've competed really well against the top sides and given
good accounts of ourselves in the big games. It's perhaps more the games
against the teams down the lower end when we've struggled and dropped points
when we should not have done so. "It's such small margins as we could easily
have been knocking on the door. We will have to learn that quickly for next
year and keep the group together and have a good push for promotion."
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Burnley 2 West Ham 2
The Sun
By MIKE ELLIS
Published: 24th March 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE did not mince his words after seeing another two precious
promotion points blown. The fact West Ham recovered from a two-goal deficit
failed to give their manager any comfort at all. Allardyce admitted: "I am
flabbergasted, stunned and shocked that we did not win this game. "We
dominated from the start, yet went two goals down and this result makes life
very difficult and tense for us. "Next it's Peterborough on Tuesday. At
least if we win that one and beat Reading next Saturday, we could be second
in the table again."
What concerns Allardyce is this was West Ham's fifth consecutive draw - not
good enough when Southampton and Reading are setting the pace at the top.
The fact Burnley keeper Lee Grant was their best player says it all.
Visiting keeper Robert Green hardly had a shot to save, despite conceding
two goals in the first half. The first came after 25 minutes, when a smart
back-heel from Martin Paterson let in the impressive Marvin Bartley to open
the scoring. Eleven minutes later, it was 2-0. A left-wing cross by Ben Mee
was turned in by Paterson, who operated as a one-man forward-line in the
Clarets' 4-5-1 formation. In fairness to the Irish international, he was
full of energy and went close to increasing Burnley's lead early in the
second half. Yet West Ham had so many chances to have won the game and
Carlton Cole could have had a hat-trick by half-time. The fact he did not
meant that he was substituted at the break.
Skipper Kevin Nolan thought he had scored for the Londoners a minute after
the home side's opening goal. But his header, which beat Grant, was ruled
out by referee Mark Haywood for an alleged foul in the build-up. Jack
Collison was denied by a superb Grant save just before the break and the
keeper was Burnley's hero again early in the second half when he kept out
George McCartney. The Hammers, though, finally gained some reward for their
domination with a goal after 68 minutes. Skipper Nolan used his physical
strength to shake off Michael Duff before putting the ball in the net. And
two minutes later, they were level. A free-kick from the impressive Mark
Noble somehow found its way to James Tomkins, who scored from just inside
the area. It was all West Ham after that and only poor finishing by subs Sam
Baldock and John Carew denied them the three points they so desperately
needed. Burnley boss Eddie Howe said: "The third goal was crucial. Before
West Ham scored, it looked as though we would get it. "But it was game on at
2-1 and we were thankful to Lee Grant after that for some crucial saves.
"West Ham are a big, powerful side. "At the start of this season, I thought
we had the capability of reaching the play-offs. "But we have gone and
surrendered too many leads against lesser teams during the campaign. "Even
so, I remain enthusiastic about the future for the club. "I thought the lads
were excellent at times here."
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West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce 'shocked' by draw with Burnley at Turf
Moor
9:27PM GMT 24 Mar 2012
Telegraph.co.uk
Sam Allardyce expressed his amazement that West Ham had failed to beat
Burnley as his side slipped further behind in the race for automatic
promotion. Two goals in as many second-half minutes from Kevin Nolan and
James Tomkins rescued a point for the visitors at Turf Moor, but West Ham
are now four points off second-place Reading and nine behind leaders
Southampton. "I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that," Allardyce said.
"I'm stunned and shocked but that's football. I was stunned at half-time
that we were 2-0 down. We dominated the game from the very start and kept
slipping up. We kept missing chances. Whatever we did we couldn't find the
net. "This could be the turning point in our season with regards to getting
automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight." Marvin Bartley
and Martin Paterson had given Burnley two-goal half-time lead.
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Burnley 2 West Ham 2: Hammers lose ground in title race despite spirited
comeback
By RICHARD BOTT
PUBLISHED: 17:23, 24 March 2012 | UPDATED: 22:55, 24 March 2012
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce said he was 'flabbergasted, stunned and shocked' as his
much-vaunted West Ham dropped two more priceless points at Turf Moor. West
Ham may be unbeaten in 10 games but five successive draws is just not good
enough when you are chasing automatic promotion and they are now hanging on
to the coattails of Southampton and Reading. Yet again West Ham's profligacy
in front of goal, as much as Burnley's resistance and the stirring deeds of
their goalkeeper Lee Grant, cost them dearly. 'It has been a problem all
season,' admitted Allardyce, who was hardly surprised by the home fans'
chants of, 'you're not going up'. That was always going to happen after his
association with Blackburn and Bolton and particularly when the Hammers went
off at the break 2-0 down. 'I was as stunned at half-time as I was at the
finish, because we dominated the game,' Allardyce said. 'I can't remember
going away from home and creating so many chances. We squandered them before
Burnley's goals and again in the second half. Our front men have now scored
five goals out of 21 in the last 15 games and it is costing us massively.'
Burnley's ambitions of reaching the play-offs have slipped in recent weeks
but this was an opportunity to tap into West Ham's increasing anxiety,
remembering how well they had played at Upton Park where they won there 2-1
in early December. And they did so without 21-goal leading scorer Jay
Rodriguez, who was sidelined with a groin injury. West Ham were already
stacking up a catalogue of missed opportunities when Marvin Bartley took
Ross Wallace's pass to jink his way through and score for Burnley after 25
minutes. Incredibly, it was the first effort either side had on target.
Skipper Nolan did get the ball in the net for West Ham a minute later, only
to discover after celebrating that it had been disallowed for a push. Then
Danny Collins looped a header against an upright and, when Nolan tried to
poke the rebound over the line, Grant intervened. And when Martin Paterson
sidefooted in Burnley's second goal from Ben Mee's cross after 36 minutes,
the home supporters loved it.
If a Wallace effort had found the net after that, three goals would probably
have been too many to haul back - and Paterson was close to scoring another
for tenacious Burnley early in the second half. By then, Allardyce had
replaced Carlton Cole and Matt Taylor with Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at
the break. But at least his team dug deep and Nolan's chip over Grant after
68 minutes increased the pressure on Burnley. Two minutes later, they were
level, Mark Noble's free-kick finding its way, via a defender's head, to
James Tomkins, who rifled home. Surely, the Hammers would win it now and
they went for broke after John Carew came on for Jack Collison with 10
minutes left. Carew set up one golden chance for Baldock, who sliced wide,
before missing two himself, and Grant also denied him with two excellent
saves. In the end, Burnley manager Eddie Howe was almost as disappointed as
Allardyce. 'I thought the lads were excellent today. Once we settled into
the game and got some confidence we came up with some really good
combinations. 'I always think the third goal is very important and we nearly
got it. But, at 2-1, it was game-on again and, in the end, we had Lee Grant
to thank for two great saves. 'But we wanted to show our supporters what we
are capable of, and I think we did today.'
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