Hammers denied in shootout drama
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s were beaten 5-4 on penalties at Chelsea in the FA Youth
Cup fifth round
15.02.2012
CHELSEA UNDER-18s v WEST HAM UNITED UNDER-18s
FA YOUTH CUP FIFTH ROUND
WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2012
KICK-OFF: 7PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Final score - Chelsea Under-18s 3-3 West Ham United Under-18s (AET - Chelsea
win 5-4 on penalties)
Dylan Tombides to offer a closing thought: "What a game of football here at
Staines Town FC. Both sides showed great courage and spirit to come from
being behind to equalise. It's a gruelling way to lose but there has to be a
winner and a loser. Credit to the lads for their hard work and dedication
tonight as it showed at the end with everyone on their backsides having
given it all for the shirt. "As for me, I've been given a high chance of
never recurring for the rest of my life but it's now a case of me taking it
slowly as I come back to fitness and not giving myself problems in the
meantime."
4-5 - Kane sends Wootton the wrong way and Chelsea go through to the
quarter-final.
4-4 - Vose tries to outwit the keeper but it doesn't work. Instead, it's
straight at Blackman.
4-4 - Feruz puts his kick over!
4-4 - What a penalty under pressure! Potts side-foots into the top left-hand
corner. Feruz for Chelsea to win it...
3-4 Chelsea - Baker hits it into the top left-hand corner. Potts must
score...
3-3 - Chambers smashes the ball high and straight and Blackman dives out of
the way.
2-3 Chelsea - Affane slams the ball left-footed past Wootton's dive.
2-2 - Blackman gets a touch, but Powell's penalty has enough pace to beat
him high to the keeper's left.
1-2 Chelsea - Piazon sends Wootton the wrong way, tucking it into the bottom
right-hand corner.
1-1 - Elliot Lee is denied. Blackman dives to his right to keep the low shot
out.
1-1 - Chalobah tucks his penalty into the bottom right-hand corner.
1-0 West Ham - Turgott scores!
The penalties will be taken in the goal to our right, with Blair Turgott
taking the first kick. Both teams are lined up on the halfway line in
traditional fashion...
Dylan Tombides: "We have so many penalty takers. There are lots of options.
I feel Chambers, Elliot Lee, Vose, Powell and Turgott will take, but that's
a guess.
David Wootton is phenomenal and is good in penalty situations. He's had a
great game so hopefully he can be the hero again!"
121 mins - That's it. Penalties!
120 mins - We're going to have ONE added minute. Chelsea have one last
chance from a throw as Shaw clears his lines. Both teams are out on their
feet, but what entertainment!
118 mins - West Ham have a throw deep inside the Chelsea half. Can they
fashion a late chance? Not this time as Shaw overhits his cross. Goal kick.
The attendance tonight is 1,588. Chelsea break but they too concede a
free-kick.
Dylan Tombides: "David Wootton with another sublime save late on. I still
think there will be another chance for someone to nick a winner."
117 mins - First Chelsea come close from a free-kick that is hacked clear
and West Ham break. Vose is again involved, holding up play before releasing
Turgott. He has a shooting chance but fires over from the angle.
116 mins - Take a bow David Wootton AGAIN. He is out so quickly as Piazon
plays in Feruz and he is in on goal. Great save by the No1.
114 mins - Chelsea pressing but first Powell and then Chambers stand firm.
113 mins - After what seems like an eternity, No7 Affane blasts his shot
over the wall and over the bar. The minutes are ticking by towards a dreaded
penalty shootout.
111 mins - Chelsea have a free-kick in a very threatening area as Piazon is
brought down by Shaw. It's a yard outside the box, inside the D, dead
centre.
109 mins - West Ham on top so far in extra-time half No2. Chelsea themselves
look a bit tired since the re-start. Great belief from the Hammers.
107 mins - Elliot Lee is out wide right and collects a pass from Turgott. He
crosses for the No10, but it is a yard too high and Blackman claims.
106 mins - We're underway for the final time. Either one team scores a
winner in the next 15 minutes or we're going to penalties.
Dylan Tombides: "I think there is a goal in this game, still. A lot of the
lads are looking tired but that's understandable after 105 minutes of hard
work."
Half-time in extra-time score - Chelsea Under-18s 3-3 West Ham United
Under-18s
107 mins - Vose takes and Chelsea clear, but the whistle goes for the end of
the first half of extra-time.
106 mins - Into the one minute of added time and Fanimo has run himself into
the ground. He goes down but is up again under his own steam 30 seconds
later. West Ham win a corner from Nditi's needlessly strong backpass.
104 mins - Potts is booked as he misjudges a header wide on the Chelsea
right. Free-kick to the hosts as the first half of extra-time approaches
it's conclusion.
103 mins - Blackman is nearly embarrassed by Elliot Lee as the striker
charges down his clearance. The ball breaks to Ake, who clears his lines and
spares the goalkeeper's blushes.
102 mins - Turgott is muscled off the ball on halfway and West Ham are short
at the back. Baker should pass to Piazon but instead shoots and it goes
miles over the top.
101 mins - Dylan Tombides: "This could still go either way. West Ham have
been a lot better and David Wootton has not been anywhere near as busy in
extra time as he was in earlier halves."
99 mins - Turgott takes on his man and is challenged hard near the corner
flag. For a while he is out of the game, but he's back on in time to receive
Vose's pass and beat his man. He cuts the ball back for Vose, who makes a
hash of his first shot but then volleys goalwards. Blackman scrambles the
ball behind for a corner. Fanimo takes and the goalkeeper makes a fine high
catch.
96 mins - Better from West Ham as they move the ball swiftly through the
midfield. Hurley tries to play in Young, but his pass is cut out. It's
even-stevens so far in extra-time.
95 mins - The two sides are looking a bit tired now. Turgott has committed a
fair few fouls now and his latest indiscretion earns him a yellow card.
91 mins - West Ham kick-off again...
Score at 90 minutes - Chelsea Under-18s 3-3 West Ham United Under-18s
Dylan Tombides: "What a finish to the game. West Ham had seemingly won it
with a last-ditch game. Chelsea sent everyone forward and equalised within
about 15 seconds of the kick-off. The boys have got to retain their belief
and be aggressive as they were in the final ten minutes of normal time,
running at them and causing them all sorts of problems."
96 mins - I don't know what to say, but that's full-time. We're into an
extra half-an-hour...
95 mins - Unbelievable. Vose dances forward from the re-start and slots the
ball wide left for Fanimo, but he's offside.
94 mins - GOAL! What a finish to this game. Chelsea come from the kick-off
and a shot flashes across goal and hits the far post. It rebounds into the
path of Chalobah, who finishes into the unguarded net. Unbelievable.
93 mins - GOAL! ELLIOT LEE! Hurley collects a pass in midfield and finds
Vose, who turns away from his man and beats another before finding Lee on
the right of the penalty area. He takes a touch and drives a low shot inside
the far post.
91 mins - Swift makes some space for a shot from 22 yards but it slices
slightly off the outside of his right boot and thuds into the advertising
boards.
90 mins - We will have at least FOUR minutes of added time.
89 mins - Potts is urging his team-mates on as we enter the final stages.
It's all gone a bit cagey out there as extra-time looms large.
88 mins - Physio Jon Urwin has Chambers back on his feet again, so it must
have been cramp as the centre-back is on again.
86 mins - West Ham are right on top, believe it or not! Vose and Hurley
combine before the cross comes in but it's cleared away. Meanwhile, Chambers
is down and needs some treatment for cramp. At least, we all hope it is only
cramp...
84 mins - Dylan Tombides: "It's anxious here. West Ham have come into the
match a lot more in the last ten minutes, causing Chelsea a lot more
problems. We still have to be wary of Chelsea's quality because they could
take a chance if they create one."
82 mins - Vose threatens again. This time the ball is worked square to
Powell, who curls a shot a couple of yards wide of the far post. The Hammers
believe here...
Blair Turgott scored a superb second equaliser for the Hammers
79 mins - The Hammers make their final change and it's like for like as
Miles is replaced by Lamar Hurley.
77 mins - GOAL! Brilliant from Vose and Elliot Lee and Turgott finishes.
Vose picks the ball up and brings it down the middle of the pitch. He finds
Elliot Lee, who lays it off and Vose pokes it right to Turgott, who makes no
mistake from 16 yards. Game on!
77 mins - Dylan Tombides is devouring a bacon bap in the seat next to me.
When he's finished, we'll ask him for his take on the final ten minutes.
75 mins - West Ham have a corner. Fanimo collects it short but his cross is
too deep. The ball is cleared to Miles, who wins a free-kick. Fanimo takes
it but the flag goes up for offside.
74 mins - West Ham create their own problems by not clearing their lines and
right-back Kane has another chance to shoot. This time he screws he ball
wide of the near post.
72 mins - Dylan Tombides: "For all David Wootton's hard work, Chelsea were
applying a lot of pressure and the goal was coming. We haven't been at our
best tonight but there is still enough time for a bit of individual
brilliance."
71 mins - Powell beats one challenge before over-running the ball and having
it smashed into his unmentionables. The referee blows for handball!
69 mins - Affane's ball in is fiendish but West Ham somehow scramble the
ball clear.
68 mins - Feruz gets away down the left and is taken down by Shaw. He gets a
talking-to from the referee.
David Wootton makes an outstanding save from Lucas Piazon
66 mins - Lee was injured trying to challenge Feruz there and he's got to be
replaced. Frazer Shaw is on at left-back, with Potts going into the centre.
64 mins - GOAL! Feruz scorches on to a through ball and outpaces the two
centre-backs before finishing confidently past the advancing Wootton. That
was lightning pace by the No9, but it all stemmed from a careless pass in
the midfield.
63 mins - Better from the Hammers as Turgott runs his man and crosses low.
The ball is cleared but Chambers finds Kenzer Lee, who feeds Fanimo. His
ambitious pass for Elliot Lee is too strong and Blackman collects.
61 mins - Right-back Kane shoots again and it's too high and flies into the
fir trees behind the goal. No trouble for Wootton this time, but Chelsea are
upping the ante again.
Midfielder Taylor Miles scores with a fantastic 25-yard strike
59 mins - Dominic Vose is on for Sadlier. Dylan Tombides: "Dom could be a
game-changer for us and win this for West Ham."
58 mins - Dylan Tombides: "David Wootton has kept up his performance with
another fantastic save. That should have been a goal, but he was brave and
out fast to keep West Ham in it."
56 mins - Kane gets around the back and crosses low. Piazon's shot is
blocked by Young and Wootton makes another brilliant save from Affane. The
follow-up is blasted just over by Kane. The West Ham fans respond with a
chorus of 'Bubbles'.
55 mins - Seremba finds a colleague inside the box but Kenzer Lee stabs the
ball out for a corner. The ball is delivered by Affane, but the No5 is there
again to head clear.
54 mins - Elliot Lee scored a hat-trick against Chelsea at the end of last
season and he has a sniff here as he chases Potts' long clearance. He beats
two defenders to the bouncing ball but loses his footing.
52 mins - Blackman is in no man's land as Fanimo whips the left-footed
free-kick to the far post. It's just too high and goes behind for a goal
kick. Chelsea make a change with Osmanovic being replaced by Ismail Seremba.
51 mins - It has been better from West Ham since the break. Turgott's cross
has Blackman scrambling and tipping the ball away. Fanimo collects and beats
Nditi, who fouls him and is booked.
50 mins - Dylan Tombides: "Tony and Nick would have told the boys they can
do better and will need to do better if we're going to make it through to
the next round. We have the talent to get through. Tony and Nick will have
been positive in their encouragement as they have high standards and high
hopes for the team."
48 mins - Not a lot of action so far since the break. Dylan Tombides is here
again for the second 45 minutes to offer his own take on proceedings from
inside the squad.
Dylan Tombides with the whufc.com team and performance analysts
46 mins - No changes at half-time and the Hammers kick-off the second
half...
Half-time score - Chelsea Under-18s 1-1 West Ham United Under-18s
46 mins - That's half-time. West Ham have ridden their luck but Miles' goal
alone is worthy of keeping his side on level terms. Dylan Tombides: "It was
an interesting half of football. West Ham could say they have created enough
chances to be level, but Chelsea fans will think their side should be ahead.
They would be if it weren't for David Wootton in the West Ham goal, who has
had a sublime first half."
45 mins - Piazon this time, but his low shot from the edge of the D is
straight at Wootton. We'll have ONE added minute.
44 mins - Wootton might need a new pair of gloves at half-time! This time
Nditi nutmegs Young and shoots, but the goalkeeper dives to his left to push
the ball well clear. Good save again.
43 mins - Turgott tracks back well to concede a corner. The initial delivery
is cleared but Chelsea collect again through Affane. He shoots at the near
post but Wootton is there again to make the catch.
42 mins - Dylan Tombides: "We've got players with great individual ability
and Taylor has just illustrated that with a great strike from 25 yards.
David Wootton has also had a sublime half to keep his team in the match."
41 mins - GOAL! MILES scores a worldy! Turgott brings the ball forward and
plays a one-two with Miles. The ball is only half-cleared back to the West
Ham No4, who rifles an unstoppable shot into the top right-hand corner from
25 yards plus. Quality strike.
40 mins - Sadlier's free-kick is low and easily cleared.
39 mins - Some intricate passing on the edge of the West Ham box and Chelsea
nearly break through, but Kenzer Lee nips in and brings the ball away.
Moments later, Fanimo wins a free-kick right up the other end of the pitch.
Chance for West Ham...
37 mins - Chelsea come forward again and Piazon plays the ball right to
Affane inside the box. His side-foot effort is wide of the near post.
36 mins - Great stuff. Turgott finds Elliot Lee and he holds the ball up for
Powell on halfway. Powell waits before releasing Fanimo with a peach of a
pass between Chalobah and Kane. Fanimo had gone a split-second too soon and
is flagged offside as he goes around the goalkeeper.
34 mins - Sadlier has gone in behind Elliot Lee as a deep-lying forward,
with Turgott out to the right wing.
33 mins - Chambers is booked for a foul on Swift. The Chelsea No8 has been
the home side's best player so far. The central midfielder has controlled
proceedings whenever the Blues have been on the attack.
33 mins - Some bad news - The two-day Holiday Coaching Course at Hullbridge
Sports and Social Club this Thursday and Friday has been postponed due to a
waterlogged pitch.
31 mins - Dylan Tombides: "After going 1-0 down, the Hammers have responded
brightly and have created a couple of chances of their own. They look
promising at times."
30 mins - West Ham have a couple of half-chances, but a shot from Elliot Lee
is charged down. Turgott reaches the follow-up but he cannot fashion a cross
into the danger zone.
28 mins - Wikipedia suggests Chelsea paid £5m to bring Piazon to England
from Brazilian club Sao Paulo. The Brazil Under-17 international came up
against Dylan Tombides as last year's FIFA U17 World Cup: "I remember
playing against him when Brazil beat Australia 1-0. Chelsea obviously
believe he has great potential."
27 mins - Wootton to the rescue again as Piazon is free inside the box. He
tries to draw the keeper and square for a team-mate, but the goalkeeper
keeps his eye on the ball and smothers.
25 mins - Miles collects a loose headed clearance and runs forward ten yards
as the defenders try to mark Elliot Lee and Turgott to either side of the
midfielder. He takes a chance and shoots left-footed, but Blackman makes the
save low down.
23 mins - Piazon collects a pass from Swift and spreads play wide right to
Kane, who takes a touch and crosses to the far post. Piazon has continued
his run and heads powerfully towards goal. Wootton makes a fine reaction
save. Potts just gets there to complete the clearance.
21 mins - Powell sends the free-kick in and Blackman punches clear for a
throw.
20 mins - Chelsea are a big, strong side and they have definitely been the
better team so far. West Ham are just struggling to keep the ball in the
opposition half so far. That's better, though, as Turgott turns as he
collects a pass from Young and is brought down ten yards inside Chelsea
territory.
17 mins - Miscommunication as Chambers lets Affane's left-foot cross bounce
and it hits the far post and comes clear. That was a close call.
16 mins - Two balls out of the stadium in 20 seconds! West Ham still on the
offensive but every cross is being cleared by a Chelsea player so far.
14 mins - Kenzer Lee picks the ball up on halfway and does brilliantly to
race down the left and win a corner. Fanimo delivers to the near post and
Ake heads clear. Good response from the Hammers.
13 mins - West Ham have a corner as Ake challenges Turgott. Fanimo takes and
I have no idea how West Ham do not equalise. The ball hits two players
before ricocheting wide of the post off a Chelsea defender. The second
corner is deep and won by Kenzer Lee, but Chelsea scramble it clear.
12 mins - Dylan Tombides: "The goal had been coming. It was good skill by
Swift to create space for himself and cut it back for Baker to put it into
the empty net. The goalkeeper couldn't do a thing."
11 mins - GOAL! It was coming... Swift runs into the box with the ball at
his feet and takes three defenders with him. He gets to the byline and pulls
the ball back for Baker, who has the simple chance from 12 yards and makes
no mistake. Chelsea lead.
10 mins - Wootton again! Swift shoots from the corner of the box and the
goalkeeper palms the ball out for a corner. Good save. The corner is headed
out by Kenzer Lee to Piazon. The referee nearly gets in the way of Turgott
and Piazon shoots from inside the D, but again Wootton is there.
9 mins - Wootton is worked for the first time and he stands firm. Kane races
forward from right-back unchallenged. His low raking shot from 25 yards is
pushed aside by the goalkeeper.
7 mins - Piazon breaks forward and slides the ball to Osmanovic. The return
pass is a little strong and the ball flies off Piazon's foot and behind for
a goal kick. That was very wayward. In fact, I'm not even sure if it was a
shot or a poor first touch.
5 mins - Powell shows some real confidence to trick two defenders and
backheel the ball to Turgott. He takes on Ake but pushes the ball out for a
goal kick.
4 mins - West Ham are pressing high and a clearance falls to Potts 30 yards
out. He shoots, but that is ambitious and flies well wide of the left-hand
post. Chelsea then break themselves through the middle through Piazon and he
finds Affane wide right. His cross is aimless, though, and Wootton collects.
2 mins - Most of the Hammers players have had a touch now and it's been a
decent enough start from Haycock's team. Chelsea then come forward for the
first time and right-back Kane crosses. Kenzer Lee heads clear.
7pm - Chelsea get us underway, but the Hammers are first to show through
Elliot Lee, but Ake clears down the left wing.
6.57pm - Here come the two teams, led by captains Nathaniel Chalobah and Dan
Potts. Chelsea are in all blue, while West Ham are in their traditional
claret and blue. The Hammers have a quick huddle and part with a cheer of
encouragement. Chelsea are going to kick-off...
6.57pm - Dylan Tombides: "You're just looking forward to the game now.
You're excited rather than anxious because you want to get out and show
people what you can do."
6.55pm - There is a decent crowd here at Wheatsheaf Park tonight. It's a
shame that Chelsea don't play their home games at Stamford Bridge, but the
pitch looks in excellent condition and it's a still, clear night here in
Staines. The substitutes are just walking across the pitch to the dugouts on
the far side, so kick-off cannot be too far away.
6.50pm - Two changes from the last round with David Wootton replacing the
injured Jake Larkins in goal. Kieran Sadlier coming in for Rob Hall, who has
a knock to his knee. Hall has travelled with the squad, but has not made
quite made it.
6.45pm - The West Ham squad watched a motivational video on the bus on the
way to Staines, featuring all the goals they have scored this season to a
rousing soundtrack. Coach Nick Haycock is in positive mood and would
naturally love to lead his side to glory in his first season in charge of
the Under-18s.
6.40pm - Dylan Tombides on tonight's game: "It's going to be an interesting
contest. Both teams have a lot of talent and promising youngsters coming
through the ranks. West Ham are coming off a 4-1 win over Brighton in the
previous round, while Chelsea beat Doncaster 2-1. I think our threats will
come from the left wing through Matthias Fanimo and Dan Potts who loves to
get forward. We need to take our chances because it's going to be a
gruelling game. On the team coach, the boys were lively and looking forward
to it. There is nothing to suggest we won't give Chelsea a good game
tonight."
6.35pm - The team news is in -
West Ham United U18s: Wootton, Young, Potts, K.Lee, Chambers, Miles, Powell,
Turgott, Fanimo, Sadlier, E.Lee
Subs: Baxter, Shaw, Hurley Vose, Boakye-Yiadom
Chelsea U18s: Blackburn, Kane, Chalobah, Ake, Nditi, Baker, Affane, Swift,
Feruz, Osmanovic, Piazon
Subs: Nkumu, Beeney, Gordon, Nortey, Seremba
Good evening and welcome to Staines Town FC for tonight's FA Youth Cup
fifth-round tie between Chelsea and West Ham United, which is being screened
live on West Ham TV from 7pm. The Blues and the Hammers have scored six FA
Youth Cup triumphs between them - three each - and both clubs will have high
hopes of glory should they win tonight. A quarter-final at Nottingham Forest
awaits the victors. Nick Haycock's side have already beaten the Blues on
their travels this season, having scored a 3-2 win at Cobham in January.
However, Chelsea will be no pushovers, having defeated West Ham 1-0 at
Little Heath back in November.
Haycock has a strong squad at his disposal tonight, with England youth
internationals Matthias Fanimo, Blair Turgott and Leo Chambers joined by new
call-up Dan Potts, who will captain the side. Jake Young, Kenzer Lee, Taylor
Miles, Jack Powell and Kieran Sadlier will also be looking to make their
mark as the Hammers aim to reach the last-eight here in Surrey.
West Ham lifted the trophy in 1963, 1981 and 1999, while Chelsea were
winners in 1960, 1961 and 2010. Historically, the two clubs met all the way
back in 1957, when a Hammers team containing Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Joe
Kirkup and John Lyall beat the Blues at the Boleyn Ground on their way to
the final, where they were beaten by Manchester United.
We should have the confirmed team news very shortly, so stay tuned. We will
be joined tonight by an expert summariser in Dylan Tombides, who will
provide us with his insight into how the game is going during proceedings.
The Australia Under-17 international forward has been back at Chadwell Heath
this week after his recent illness and is hoping to be back in action soon.
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The Big Interview - James Tomkins
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's homegrown No5 is relishing his new role at the heart of
the Hammers midfield
15.02.2012
James Tomkins is having a season to remember with West Ham United. The first
half of 2011/12 saw the young centre-back cement his place in the starting
XI with a series of outstanding performances at the heart of the back four,
earning widespread praise and seeing the 22-year-old rewarded with a new
long-term contract. In recent weeks, injuries and suspensions have seen
Tomkins pressed into an unaccustomed defensive midfield role. He has
responded with two superb performances as the short-handed Hammers defeated
Millwall and earned a draw with Southampton.
Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Southampton was an incident-packed match, wasn't it?
"Yeah it was. The crowd was obviously loud and the atmosphere was good and
all in all I think we're quite happy with a point considering we went down
to ten men.
"I thought it was a penalty [when Billy Sharp fouled Mark Noble] but we
could have had a couple more penalties so that was disappointing as well,
but all in all I don't think we can have too many complaints about Matt
Taylor's red card. "Their players are going to aggravate the situation.
That's always going to happen but you've just got to get on with it. I think
it was the lad's [Sharp] reaction to Mark, as he thought it was a dive. He
was in his face winding the situation up. He shouldn't have done that but
then again our players have run over and we need to keep our heads at times
with things like that. "We had a couple of yellow cards after that but
thankfully we didn't have anybody else sent-off because it was tough enough
as it is! "One of the other penalty appeals was from my header at a corner.
I saw the guy palm it with his hand and that was a stone-waller for me. The
other one, you have seen them given. We did get a penalty so I suppose he
wasn't going to give two."
It was a heroic effort to play for more than 70 minutes with ten men. You
held on to the lead for 55 minutes - did you think you could see it through?
"Definitely. They obviously dominated possession but they weren't causing us
too much trouble in the second half. In the first half, Greeny pulled out a
couple of world-class saves [from Sharp and Rickie Lambert] and kept us in
the game. We defended well. The Millwall game was good for us in terms of
practice playing with ten men so we know we could have done it. We didn't in
the end and it was a bit disappointing."
How have you enjoyed your new midfield role?
"It's different for me. The gaffer has put me in there twice thinking I
would just screen the back four and both times we've had a man sent-off.
It's been a bit different. "He's had the faith to keep me there as part of a
central midfield two and I think I've been working well with Mark [Noble].
I've been looking at what he's doing and learning from him and I feel he's
helped me through it. I feel like it's OK. "Don't get me wrong, it's tiring
in there with ten men, but I've enjoyed it."
What has Mark Noble been doing so well in the matches against Millwall and
Southampton?
"I think it was playing with me, to be fair! No, seriously, he's obviously
been brilliant and I appreciate how much he runs around now I'm playing with
him in central midfield. He's full of energy and desire and I've been trying
to thrive off that and get it into my game. I need the legs that he's got
and hopefully I'll get there.
"He's taken the captain's role upon himself and he's shown that he has the
experience at this young age to take the team with him. People were looking
at him and the energy he was putting in and they got right behind him. He's
been brilliant for myself and he's helped me through these last two games,
as he has helped everyone else."
How do you see the promotion race now?
"It's closed up again but we have a game in hand and we need to take
advantage of that. I think it's a big boost for us to show what we can do
with ten men. With eleven, we looked so far on top we could have been two or
three goals up. We're looking promising. "The sending-off killed it so to
get a point with ten men was a great result, really."
The new signings look sharp, don't they?
"Yes, the new boys have come in and look sharp and full of energy and
enthusiasm. That's what we need at this stage of the season. "Games are
going to come thick and fast and we're going to have a lot of matches, but
the squad looks bigger now and hopefully this last push towards the end of
season, we can keep on top."
You now have a week to re-charge the batteries before going to Blackpool
next Tuesday night?
"It'll be nice for me personally because Saturday would have been a quick
turnaround. We know we have that game coming up so we'll need to prepare for
that."
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Chelsea 3 West Ham Utd 3 (AET, Chelsea win 5-4 on penalties)
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th February 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's under 18s are out of the FA Youth Cup after losing a
dramatic penalty shootout at Wheatsheaf Park. Tony Carr's young charges -
who had been seconds away from progressing in normal time before conceding a
94th minute equaliser - sadly came up short in the shootout despite having
been the better side for much of the game. The home side, who only made
tonight's tie by virtue of a penalty shootout win at Norwich in the previous
(fourth) round took the lead after 11 minutes though England youth
international Lewis Baker. However the Hammers - without striker Robert Hall
who was a late withdrawal from the squad - drew level four minutes ahead of
the break when Taylor Miles scored a belter from some 25 yards. Despite
enjoying the lions' share of possession in the opening 20 minutes of the
second period it was the home side who scored next when Islam Feruz outpaced
both of West Ham's centre halfs to fire past the excellent David Wootton.
But Carr's young charges showed their resilience once again by equalising
for a second time when Blair Turgott finished coolly under pressure from the
edge of the penalty box having been put through on goal. West Ham thought
they had won the game in normal time when leading goalscorer Elliot Lee
finished superbly across the face of Chelsea's goal into the far corner in
the third minute of added-on time to make it 3-2 on the night. But the Blues
sent the game into extra time by scoring virtually straight from the kick
off through Nathaniel Chalobah, who pounced first to reach a rebound off the
post.
With no further goals to follow in extra time, the game went to penalties.
Blair Turgott's spot kick was immediately cancelled out before Elliott Lee
fired tamely straight at giant Chelsea 'keeper Jamal Blackman. Jack Powell,
Leo Chambers and captain Danny Potts all converted their penalties whilst
Chelsea took theirs - until Islam Feruz, who had scored the home side's
second goal in normal time fired wildly over the bar, much to the delight of
the West Ham supporters in the healthy crowd of 1,588. That miss sent the
shootout into sudden death and substitute Dominic Vose stepped up to take
United's sixth penalty. However his weak attempt was easy for Blackman to
stop, and the home side finally secured passage through to the quarter
finals when scoring the 12th spot kick of the shootout to win 5-4 on
penalties.
West Ham Utd: David Wooton, Jake Young, Daniel Potts (c), Taylor Miles
(Lamar Hurley 77), Kenzer Lee (Fraser Shaw 64), Kieran Sadlier (Dominic Vose
60), Jack Powell, Leo Chambers, Matthias Fanimo, Elliott Lee, Blair Turgott.
Subs not used: Sam Baxter, Nana Boakye-Yiddom.
Goals: Taylor Miles (41), Blair Turgott (75), Elliott Lee (90+3).
Chelsea: Jamal Blackman, Todd Kane, Nathaniel Chalobah (c), Nathan Ake, Adam
Nditi, John Swift, Anjur Osmanovic (Ismail Seremba 53), Lewis Baker, Amin
Affane, Islam Feruz, Lucas Piazon.
Subs not used: Mitchell Beeney, Archange Nkumu, Alastair Gordon, Nortey
Nortei.
Goals: Lewis Baker (11), Islam Feruz (64), Nathaniel Chalobah (90+4).
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Morrison charged for 'homophobic' slur
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th February 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ravel Morrison has been charged by the FA after a message he posted via his
Twitter account was deemed to be offensive by the game's ruling body. The FA
- who recently sanctioned the delay of a trial involving former England
captain John Terry, accused of racist abuse in order that he may feature in
this summer's European Championships for England - today confirmed they were
charging the young Hammer. "West Ham United's Ravel Morrison has been
charged under FA Rule E3 for use of abusive and/or insulting words including
a reference to a person's sexual orientation," read a statement on the FA's
website this morning. West Ham are yet to comment; the club and the player -
who is yet to make his debut for Sam Allardyce's first team - have been
given until 4pm this Friday (17th February) to respond.
Morrison - who joined the Hammers from Manchester United on transfer
deadline day - referred to an individual who had abused him via Twitter as a
'faggot' - a comment subsequently interpreted by the FA as being homophobic.
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An Interesting Evening of Football!
February 15th, 2012 - 11:51 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Well was that not an interesting evening of football! Taylor starting at
left-back, Vaz Te shining on the left flank, Tomkins continuing to play the
utility role as midfield anchor and a first substitute appearance for the
lively Nicky Maynard. Of course, this does not address the defining events
of Taylor's dsmissal, early in the match, and the team's subsequent dogged
and well organised resistance. We must certainly start showing more
individual discipline and keep 11 men on the pitch in future, but that said,
you have admire the way that the team fought and scrapped to a results with
10 men against both Millwall and Southampton. It is defintely looking as if
Sam Allardyce has been successful in overcoming West Ham's previously
fragile constitution and implanting a new organisation and fighting team
spirit.
What were the other learning point arising from the match? Well, in my
opinion they include the following. Vaz Te looks a very promising signing
indeed. He is fast and skillful and provides a creative spark, that buzz of
anticipation, that we have been missing this season. Maynard, in his brief
cameo, looked fast and dangerous, but he does not appear to be a player with
the physical strength and power to lead the line or play as a lone striker.
Rather, he looks more like a second striker playing off a Cole or Carew.
Alternatively, it might be interesting to see him playing in tandem with
another fast and skillful strike partner, like Sam Baldock. Will we see
that anytime soon? Probably not, not in this league. But the collateral
question is whether Sam Allardyce is the type of manager that would play a
fast and mobile twin strikeforce, in the McAvennie-Cottee model, in the PL
next season? Perhaps the nearest that we are likely to see is Cole, Vaz Te
and either Maynard or Baldock playing in a genuine 4-3-3 formation?
The Taylor-Vaz Te combination down the left looked promising for the all too
brief time that he ex-Bolton and Portsmouth man was on the pitch. Could
Taylor adapt and make the left-back spot his own in the PL? The interesting
quesion for me is whether the defensive side of his game is solid enough?
Well if we played someone at midfield anchor, who could drop back in to
defence to form a three at the back, to give the full-backs greater licence
to push on, that might provide us with the necessary extra assurance to play
him there. Joey O'Brien is doing a sterling job at right-full back and
should be praised for both his defensive and attacking play. But is
right-back his natural and best position? My recollection of him at Bolton
was that he was a midfielder, who could also play at centre-half. Arguably,
he could be a candidate to play the anchor/third defender role, if you
prefer Tomkins at centre-half, which I think is probably the majority view.
That would open up a regular spot for Demel at right-back, when he finally
overcomes his current injury problems. Obviously, that system would have
knock-on consequences for selection elsewhere in midfield, but I will leave
that discussion for another occasion.
Carlton Cole put in another brave shift up front as a lone striker. He also
got another raw deal from the official (yes I am coming to that!) last
night. However, the physical nature of the tactics employed by the Saints
defenders is once again a huge compliment to Cole's performance. But yet
again he got no protection from the official, whose own performance left a
lot to be desired. The official missed two clear penalty area infringements
by Saints defenders and made a number of other poor decisions last night.
Indeed, this is becoming a recurring theme this season, and we all know
about the injustices suffered in the previous campaign, as refereeing
mistakes increasing influence the outcome of matches. Oh, for the old days
when officials were seen, officiated, but were not particularly noticed!
At least he did not fall for the blatant dive by the Saints forward in the
second half and punished it with a deserved yellow.
Another issue was the slightly dubious nature of some of Southampton's
tactics. Now, I have only seen the Saints live in the corresponding match,
up at St Marys, and the highlights of their other fixtures on TV. However,
I had the distinct impression that they were a sportsman like side. Well, I
do not know if it was desperation, but they certainly got up to a few tricks
last night! The other illusion shattered was that they are a team that play
it exclusively on the ground, no high balls from the saintly Saints!! Well
then, what was that massive airborne assault that they launched in the
second half? Now, no doubt that they did try to pass through our defence at
first, but as we stood solid and as they grew increasingly frustrated, they
adapted a very one-dimensional tactic of trying to hit their strikers with
high balls in to the area. And that was how they equalised – a high ball by
Fox, which was headed down by Lambert and the centre-back put away the knock
down. Very direct! Oh well, being pragmatic, and looking at it from their
perspective, I suppose that it's a case of 'what works' and the direct
approach did eventually pay off for them.
I am in no doubt that had 11 Hammers stayed on the pitch, we would have won
that match quite comfortably. Still, while we lost a golden opportunity to
restore the 4 point lead over Saints, the bottom line is that we did not
lose and with 10 men that was a very real possibility. Indeed, going back
to my previous point, how many previous Hammers sides would have collapsed
in those circumstances? Yes, we owe a very large debt once again to Rob
Green, for gaining the result, but that should be recognised along with the
steel like determination shown by his out-field colleagues. It looks like
it is going to be a battle to the end over the final 16 or so matches.
Although we have the game in hand, we obviously have to make sure that we
convert that 'on paper' advantage into three vital points. Now our
attention turns to a couple of potentially tough contests against Blackpool
and Cardiff City away. I hope that we have the beating of Blackpool, while
we owe Cardiff City one for that unlucky opening day defeat at Upton Park.
I reckon the bottom line is securing at least four points from those two
fixtures, although maximum points is not a totally unrealistic prospect.
That's as long as we manage to keep 11 players on the pitch for the full 180
minutes of football!
Finally elsewhere, what a disgraceful decision by Huddersfield Town to sack
Lee Clark, one of the country's most promising young managers. They are
currently 4th, with all to play for in the promotion stakes. Yes, they may
have slipped a little lately, but surely Clark is entitled to expect at
least the rest of the season to achieve promotion? Apparently the
Huddersfield Town board have justified their decision by stating that it is
a move designed to help clinch promotion. Well the best laid plans as they
say ….. and this conceptually is not even that great a plan. The
unforeseen consequences could be not only be failure to secure promotion,
but a possible relegation next season. Time will tell, I guess? As for
Clark, there will be no shortage of bidders for his services and I hope that
he gets a break with good Championship club. He certainly deserves it.
It does, however, raise the issue whether the Huddersfield Town board might
now consider cashing in on Jordan Rhodes in the summer or, even, if some
enterprising Championship club could get him on loan now, with a view to a
permanent deal in the summer? Stranger things have happened and we all know
how the balance sheet is 'king' as far as the boards of most football clubs
are concerned.
SJ. Chandos.
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Hammers to appeal Taylor ban
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM are planning to appeal Matt Taylor's controversial red card in
Tuesday's fiery clash with Southampton. Hammers chiefs spent yesterday
trawling for picture evidence to back up their claim that ref Lee Probert
got his decision wrong. Angry West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits Taylor
shoved Saints' Billy Sharp — but in the chest, not the face, so it should
have warranted only a booking. Taylor was sent off in the 18th minute of the
feisty 1-1 draw which keeps West Ham a point clear at the top of the
Championship. Hammers new boy Ravel Morrison has been hit with an FA charge
over his 'homophobic' Twitter row. He labelled another user a 'f****t' in
the spat. The midfielder, signed from Manchester United on deadline day, has
been charged under an FA rule for using insulting words which includes
reference to a person's sexual orientation. Morrison, 19, claims he lashed
out after being subjected to racist abuse. He has until tomorrow to respond
to the charge.
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Ravel Morrison charged for alleged homophobic remark on Twitter
By Jeremy Wilson11:00PM GMT 15 Feb 2012 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
Football's troubled relationship with social networking site Twitter took a
sinister turn on Wednesday as the Football Association launched a crackdown
on homophobic abuse while Southampton asked police to investigate messages
sent to striker Billy Sharp taunting him over the recent death of his baby
son. The vile messages to Sharp, who moved from Doncaster Rovers to
Southampton for £1.8 million in January, were sent from an account named
@chrisDRFCBoyd that was subsequently deleted. His club said: "Southampton FC
was disgusted to learn of the vile and infantile abuse. As a result we have
instructed Hampshire Police to investigate the matter."
Meanwhile, the FA charged West Ham's Ravel Morrison for making an alleged
homophobic remark on his Twitter page. Alleged homophobic tweets by Federico
Macheda, on loan at Queens Park Rangers from Manchester United, and Nile
Ranger, of Newcastle United, have also been brought to the attention of the
FA, who must now decide whether to charge both players. Morrison, 19, moved
to West Ham from Manchester United in the last transfer window but has yet
to make his debut for the east London club. The FA had originally written to
Morrison to ask him for his observations on the issue before deciding to
charge him. A statement on the FA website read: "West Ham United's Ravel
Morrison has been charged under FA Rule E3 for use of abusive and/or
insulting words including a reference to a person's sexual orientation."
Morrison has until 4pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.
The FA sent all players a letter in January in which they issued clear
guidelines on how social networking sites should be used in response to the
rising number of complaints they were receiving. In the letter it was made
clear to players that any comments which included "reference to a person's
ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation
or disability may be considered aggravated and attract a higher disciplinary
sanction".
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