WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased with the Hammers' second-half comeback in the 3-3 draw with Birmingham
09.04.2012
Sam Allardyce had mixed emotions after a superb second-half West Ham United comeback earned a 3-3 draw with Birmingham City on Easter Monday. Some casual defending had allowed the Blues to race into a 3-1 half-time lead after two quick fire goals from Jordan Mutch and Marlon King around the half hour mark. Ricardo Vaz Te pulled one back for the home side but Chris Burke restored the two-goal lead before the break. The second half was a different story though as the Hammers were dominant from start to finish. Goals from Carlton Cole and a Vaz Te penalty set up a frantic finish that saw Henri Lansbury pass up a glorious chance to snatch the win in the dying minutes. "What a comeback in the second half - we showed fantastic quality and spirit," Big Sam said. "We got the crowd right behind us and we had them on the edge of their seats and they continued to drive us on, continued to cheer for us and the atmosphere was fantastic. "Eventually Cole scored and Vaz Te got the penalty so we gave ourselves a chance of winning the game. Then in the final minute we had a chance with Lansbury to win it; it's just a shame it was on his wrong foot and he took the chance too quickly."
The draw - in front of fantastic home support once more - moves the Hammers to within three points of second-placed Reading, who play Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday. The Royals then play Southampton on Friday in a decisive fixture that could determine who ends the season as Champions, while the Hammers host Brighton on Saturday. "We were supported hugely by the crowd who willed us on to get that all important win. Now we've got to give the crowd enough on Saturday to cheer us on to the win like we tried to do in the second half today. "Unfortunately we didn't get the three points and even though it was a very good comeback by us it is still two points dropped at home. Now we have to think of four wins and twelve points and hope that either Southampton or Reading slip up enough for us to get in there."
Despite the fantastic efforts in the second half, it was a first-half performance the Hammers will want to forget and Big Sam was frustrated at his team's lack of discipline at the back. "I have to give the lads credit for an outstanding performance but in the end it was too late after the first-half professional suicide we committed. In the first half we played some ridiculous football that allowed Birmingham to go straight through us because we were playing silly passes in our defensive third. "That was something we spoke about not doing but we continued to do so and that's why we found ourselves 2-0 down. Birmingham had two chances that they finished very well but we gave them those opportunities. "But then we showed courage by getting the goal just before half time and all we had to do was keep it like that until half time. Unfortunately we couldn't do that, their lad on the edge of the box is all on his own which is unacceptable."
There was some concern before half-time when George McCartney was stretchered off with a head injury, to be replaced by Danny Collins. Thankfully the on-loan full-back does not appear too badly hurt but it is too early to say if he will be fit for the visit of Brighton. "It was an accidental clash of heads between two committed players going for the ball and he got a nasty cut on his head and is suffering from mild concussion. "I thought Danny Collins came on and did fantastic on the left hand side. We will wait until Tuesday to see how bad McCartney's concussion is."
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Vaz Te wins SBOBET Player Poll
WHUFC.com
Hammers fans have voted Ricardo Vaz Te as their SBOBET Player of the Month for March
09.04.2012
Ricardo Vaz Te has been voted as the winner of March's SBOBET Player of the Month poll on whufc.com. The striker, who signed for the Hammers from Barnsley in January 2012, won the award with a majority 35% vote from Hammers fans . Vaz Te enjoyed a successful month in which he scored three goals despite missing three games through injury. He scored the opening goal in the Hammers' 1-1 draw at home with Watford, the second in the 2-0 away win at Peterborough and a great looping header at home to Reading.
The 25-year old Portuguese striker beat strong competition to win the award in the form of defender Abdoulaye Faye, who came second with 26%, and Robert Green with 17.9% of the fans' vote. Vaz Te was presented with his award before the Hammers kick-off against Birmingham on Easter Monday.
This was Vaz Te's first player of the month award and he follows previous winners James Tomkins (August), Henri Lansbury (September), Sam Baldock (October), Carlton Cole (November), Dan Potts (December) and Mark Noble (January and February).
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West Ham 3 Birmingham 3
BBC.co.uk
9 April 2012
Last updated at 20:03
West Ham remain in the hunt for automatic promotion after Ricardo Vaz Te's late penalty salvaged a point against fourth-placed Birmingham. Blues looked set for victory when goals by Jordon Mutch, Marlon King and Chris Burke put them 3-1 up at the break. But Sam Allardyce's side dominated after the break and Carlton Cole's low volley put them back in contention. Vaz Te, who had earlier scored a header, then netted with a minute left as the points were shared. The draw leaves the Hammers three points behind second-placed Reading, who take on Brighton on Tuesday night in their game in hand. But the point will do little to appease those West Ham fans who have been frustrated with both the style of football played under Allardyce and a recent lack of form, which has seen the Hammers win just three of their last 10 games. A win for Birmingham would have seen them close to within three points of Allardyce's side, but they remain firmly in the play-off places after a ruthlessly efficient first half in which they clinically took their chances.
Midfielder Mutch opened the scoring when he exchanged passes with King before advancing forward and rifling in a left-footed shot from 25 yards. And King then doubled the lead three minutes later, breaking a static offside trap to run on and finish low past Robert Green. Vaz Te gave the home side hope at the end of the first half, heading in from a corner to score in his fourth consecutive game. But there was still time for Chris Hughton's men to take advantage of more dismal defending and score a third in stoppage time. A corner was only half cleared and when Burke hit a scuffed shot back through a pack of bodies the ball somehow found its way into the corner.
The home side were much improved after the break and pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left when Cole was afforded time and space inside the area to control Kevin Nolan's pass and drive into the far corner. And they drew level when substitute Henri Lansbury's shot was handled by Chris Burke. Vaz Te took responsibility and drilled the penalty down the middle to secure a sixth draw in the last 10 games.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "The players, when we set out to win a game of football, they need to be aware of what the opposition do and what they don't do and what we did was play straight into Birmingham's hands in the first half. "There wasn't enough determination in the team by the players who defended that corner to say these boys are not going to score here at all costs. "We've paid for a sloppy first half yet again and unfortunately while it's a magnificent comeback once again it's only one point and not three and three is what we wanted."
Birmingham boss Chris Hughton: "It's a good point here, you can only get the wins that you need to get and get the points that you need to get and you hope that some of the other results go for you. "And I think the results of late have been good for us but whether we get into that top six or not won't be down to other teams it will be down to us. If we can keep the momentum we've got at the moment hopefully we'll be OK. "It was tough to keep it going for 90 minutes but we are a team that have come here and scored three goals. There won't be many that do that this season. "I've only got good things to say about my team and I thought we were excellent and well worthy of the draw - it's not easy playing two games in two games."
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West Ham Utd 3 Birmingham City 3
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham may have failed to win for a seventh successive home game - but a fantastic second half comeback could provide the platform Sam Allardyce's side need to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
3-1 behind at half time following some dreadful individual errors, West Ham were heading for a second successive home defeat and the play-offs before a second half performance that equalled any seen at the Boleyn Ground for many a year galvanised the team and its supporters - whilst keeping alive the club's slim hopes of snatching an automatic promotion spot.
Although tonight's result leaves the Irons three points behind Reading who also have a game in hand, the Royals have to visit both Brighton - who must win to keep alive their dreams of making the play-offs - and Southampton, who have been virtually invincible at home, this week.
And with West Ham rejuvenated and handed a massive psychological boost after tonight's incredible second half turnaround, who's to say that Brian McDermott's in-form Reading might not stumble at the final hurdle in the same way as Steve Coppell's team of 2005 did seven years ago?
Chris Hughton's Birmingham - who went into tonight's game on the back of three straight wins - had barely been in the game before they took the lead against the run of play on 27 minutes.
Having seen off West Ham's furious opening onslaught - that typically fell short in the final third - Jordan Mutch opened the scoring on the counter attack after he danced around a static Abdoulaye Faye before firing into Rob Green's bottom right-hand corner to stun the Boleyn faithful.
With the home side still in shock from the opening goal, the visitors doubled their lead just two minutes later after Carlton Cole lost the ball on the half way line.
A direct pass through to lone striker Marlon King - who lost his marker, the unusually under-par Faye with consummate ease - left the experienced striker one-on-one with Rob Green. Green, who had barely touched the ball beforehand could do little as the striker picked his spot and passed the ball into an empty net.
The in-form Ricardo Vaz Te scored his sixth goal since moving from Barnsley in the final minute of first-half normal time when a mark Noble corner was nodded back into the mix by James Tomkins and converted from five yards out by the Portuguese forward.
But unbelievably, Birmingham restored their two-goal advantage in the third minute of added-on time when Chris Burke's speculative effort from the edge of the box evaded everyone in a crowded box to find an empty net.
Having already lost George McCartney to a nasty head injury - one that saw the Irish full-back rushed to hospital for further examination - Allardyce rang the changes at the break by bringing on Henri Lansbury for the ineffective Nicky Maynard, who is yet to register a notable performance at the Boleyn despite impressing away from home.
And that change had an immediate effect when the Arsenal loanee was sent tumbling in the box by a clumsy challenge by Peter Ramage within two minutes of the restart. Although it appeared to be a clear penalty, referee Moss decided otherwise - as was the case when team mate Cole appeared to have his shirt tugged by Steven Caldwell midway through the half when poised to shoot.
Undeterred, Cole got back to his feet and a left-footed volley brought the Hammers back into the game with 20 minutes left on the clock. It was the least United had deserved for their determination since kicking off the second half.
Sensing a remarkable comeback, the Boleyn crowd - so often criticised, mostly unfairly, by the media this season - found their true voice and it was like the good old days once again as the team and supporters galvanised their efforts in the hunt for a dramatic equaliser.
After Cole, Danny Collins, the superb Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins had all seen efforts come to nothing it looked as if the Hammers were to be out of luck. But with just three minutes left on the clock, referee Moss awarded a penalty after Lansbury's fierce shot hit the raised hand of City's Chris Burke inside the box.
In truth, Burke could do little about it and of United's three second half appeals, it was probably the weakest. But West Ham's indignation at not being awarded either of their previous appeals was clearly on the mind of referee Moss who had no hesitation in pointing at the spot.
With Mark Noble off the pitch having been replaced by Sam Baldock minutes earlier, the chance to level the scores fell to Vaz Te. As the Boleyn Ground held its breath, Vaz Te planted his kick expertly straight down the centre and into the roof of Boaz Myhill's goal to grab the equaliser and what could yet prove to be a precious point in the race for automatic promotion.
Although the momentum has clearly swung back in the path of Southampton and Reading tonight, West Ham's remarkable comeback could yet prove pivotal in the race for promotion.
The general feeling of despondency felt around the club in recent weeks as the top two places slipped further away was instantly lifted with Vaz Te's penalty.
And even if the Hammers fail to grab one of the two automatic promotion berths come next month, that goal could rejuvenate the club in much the same way as the 3-4 defeat to Tottenham in 2007 did - and just in time for the play-offs, where form and momentum are absolutely key.
West Ham Utd 3 Birmingham City 3: match facts
West Ham Utd: Green, Tomkins, Reid, Faye, McCartney (Collins 34), O'Neil, Noble (Baldock 82), Nolan, Vaz Te, Maynard (Lansbury 46), Cole.
Subs not used: Demel, Taylor.
Goals: Vaz Te (45, pen 89), Cole (70).
Booked: Lansbury (68), Nolan (68).
Shots on/off target: 9/8 (17).
Birmingham City: Myhill, Ramage, Caldwell, Davies, Murphy, Burke, N'Daw (Zigic 68), Fahey, Elliott, Mutch, King (Townsend 80).
Subs not used: Doyle, Redmond, Huseklepp.
Goals: Mutch (27), King (30), Burke (45+3).
Booked: N'Daw (37), Zigic (72), Burke (88).
Shots on/off target: 6/3 (9).
Possession: West Ham Utd 44%, Birmingham City 56%.
Referee: Jonathan Moss (6).
Assistants: Stephen Bratt and William Smallwood.
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward.
Attendance: 31,045.
Man of the Match: Kevin Nolan.
Did you Know? West Ham's three-goal haul was the first time Sam Allardyce's side had scored more than twice at home since the 3-1 home win against Derby on 26th November last year.
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Midfielder set for extended stay
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Young Hammer George Moncur is set to stay with League Two side AFC Wimbledon for the remainder of the 2011/12 season. The 18-year-old son of former Hammer John Moncur has been with AFC since the beginning of January and his most recent arrangement, agreed back in March, saw him stay at Kingsmeadow until this week. However the two clubs recently agreed a new deal and after spending a couple of days back with his West Ham team mates this week, Moncur will return to Wimbledon where he will remain for the duration of the current campaign. The young Hammer, who first joined AFC in January has now made 16 appearances for the League Two club. He scored the first goal of his professional career on 24th March in a 4-0 win over Burton at Kingsmeadow. Speaking just last week, Moncur said: "Wimbledon are similar to West Ham in that they want to play good football and it has been great for me. It is better than playing reserve team football with the fans here and the atmosphere at matches. "It makes sense for everyone for this loan to be extended so it's likely it will."
AFC, who face promotion contenders Southend at Roots Hall this afternoon are currently 17th in League Two, some 11 points clear of the relegation zone and 18 shy of the play-off zone.
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Hammers rally but draw again
Last updated: 9th April 2012
SSN
Ricardo Vaz Te's penalty salvaged a point for West Ham, although they made it seven home games without a win after drawing 3-3 with Birmingham. The Hammers were left shell-shocked at the break in Monday evening's Championship clash at Upton Park as they found themselves 3-1 behind. Jordon Mutch struck first with an impressive solo goal for the visitors, bamboozling Abdoulaye Faye with some trickery before firing a shot past an unsighted Rob Green. And Blues doubled their advantage moments later when Marlon King beat the offside trap before keeping his cool to slot home. The home supporters were beginning to voice their displeasure before Vaz Te headed in his fourth goal in as many games in first half stoppage time. However, Birmingham went straight up the other end and restored their two-goal advantage when Chris Burke fired a volley into the ground which somehow bounced into Green's net. Carlton Cole pulled one goal back before Vaz Te lashed in the equaliser from the spot which was awarded after Henri Lansbury's shot hit Burke's arm. West Ham's recent home form has threatened to scupper their bid to immediately return to the Barclays Premier League and the Blues broke the deadlock in the 27th minute thanks to a terrific effort from Mutch. The midfielder won the ball with a sliding challenge before launching a counter attack following a one-two with King. Mutch drove straight at Faye, creating space with a step over, before squeezing a left foot shot into the bottom corner. Chris Hughton's side were then two goals to the good just three minutes later courtesy of King. Cole was robbed in the middle of the park and King, played onside by Winston Reid, collected Keith Fahey's pass before opening his body and placing the ball past Green. With murmurs of discontent circling around the ground, Vaz Te's goal offered some hope. Mark Noble's corner was hung up to James Tomkins and he headed the ball across goal for Vaz Te to nod in. But Birmingham had their two goal advantage back just over a minute later when Burke hit a volley into the ground which somehow looped over Cole and into the net. Allardyce threw Lansbury on at half-time and he nearly had an immediate impact after Peter Ramage clumsily clattered into him in the penalty area, although referee Jon Moss ignored the Arsenal loanee's appeals. The hosts were incensed when Cole was also denied a penalty after Steven Caldwell pulled him back, but the former England striker was on target in the 70th minute. Kevin Nolan lifted the ball back to Cole from the byline and he controlled the ball before smashing a left-foot half-volley past Boaz Myhill. The home side flooded forward in search of an equaliser with Cole and Danny Collins firing narrowly over. And referee Moss awarded a spot-kick to the hosts right at the death when Lansbury's vicious shot struck the raised arm of Burke, who was in close proximity to the effort. Vaz Te stepped up and crashed his penalty straight down the middle, into the roof of the net, to earn a share of the spoils.
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Big Sam doubts top-two spot
Hughton pleased Birmingham took a point at Upton Park
Last Updated: April 9, 2012 9:46pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce is pessimistic about catching Championship leaders Southampton after West Ham United were held to a 3-3 draw by Birmingham City, which left Chris Hughton content with a point. The Hammers twice came from two goals down to snatch a point thanks to Ricardo Vaz Te's 89th minute penalty, but the result does little for the club's hopes of finishing in the top two. With Southampton having won at Crystal Palace earlier in the day, West Ham are now six points adrift of top spot and have just four games left to play. And Allardyce believes the only way the Hammers can gain automatic promotion is in second place if Reading slip up against Brighton and then Southampton on Friday.
Unbelievable
"It depends on what Reading do tomorrow and then what happens between Southampton and Reading," said Allardyce. "If Reading slip up tomorrow and then Southampton beat Reading that's our only way back really. And at the end of that we've still got to go for four games with four wins. "The first half suicidal commitment was unbelievable from my point of view. "The players, when we set out to win a game of football, they need to be aware of what the opposition do and what they don't do and what we did was play straight into Birmingham's hands in the first half. "There wasn't enough determination in the team by the players who defended that corner to say these boys are not going to score here at all costs. "We've paid for a sloppy first half yet again and unfortunately while it's a magnificent comeback once again it's only one point and not three and three is what we wanted."
Vaz Te's late strike brought an end to Birmingham's three-game winning run but Hughton's side remain in fourth spot as they close in on a play-off place. And while his side led until the 89th minute, Hughton believes it was a point gained rather than two dropped, insisting Birmingham's fate is in their own hands.
Momentum
"It's a good point here, you can only get the wins that you need to get and get the points that you need to get and you hope that some of the other results go for you," he said. "And I think the results of late have been good for us but whether we get into that top six or not won't be down to other teams it will be down to us. If we can keep the momentum we've got at the moment hopefully we'll be OK. "It was tough to keep it going for 90 minutes but we are a team that have come here and scored three goals. There won't be many that do that this season. "I've only got good things to say about my team and I thought we were excellent and well worthy of the draw - it's not easy playing two games in two days."
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Match Report: West Ham 3 Birmingham City 3
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
A hugely exciting match, but for all the wrong reasons. Yet another two points dropped. How on earth we think we can get automatic promotion by dropping five points in the last six, I really don't know. But we live to fight another day, no thanks to the referee. The first goal should never have been scored as a West Ham player had been fouled on the half way line, but it wasn't given. We had two clear penalties not given, although it has to be said the one which was given was a joke.
But there were two main reasons we failed to win today, and they were both wrong decisions by the manager. The initial lineup was wrong and unbalanced in defence. And because of that, we paid. James Tomkins is a Premier League central defender and that is where he should play. End of story. To play him at right back was just plain wrong. I presume O'Brien, Demel and Faubert must all be injured, but why not play Winston Reid there? He's done it before. The second poor decision was to replace the injured George McCartney with Danny Collins. This meant there were four central defenders playing across the back. Inevitable the full backs never really got forward enough and we didn't have enough width. The substitution at half time of Nicky Maynard was also inexplicable. If you were going to bring on Lansbury, why not take off one of the four central defenders, play three cross the back and leave two up front?
The other major fault in the team selection was picking Gary O'Neil. He did nothing. And hasn't really done so in any game he's played since his return from injury. Yes, he scored a spectacular goal recently, but in terms of creative wide play he hasn't done anything.
You can't fault the application - and they put up a real fight in the second half. The crowd recognised that and got behind the team. But that doesn't mask the fact that this was a game we should have been able to win. Carlton Cole - goal apart - contributed very little, so when you have s makeshift defence and two other players who aren't on the ball, is it any surprise that there are problems?
I have always thought we would, in the end, just about get automatic promotion. I have no idea why, but I still think we might do so. If Brighton and Southampton beat Reading this week, and we beat Brighton on Saturday (yes, I know...) we will be back in second. Yes, there are a lot of 'ifs' there, but let's not write ourseleves off completely yet. But I will admit that I have out the playoff dates in my diary!
Green 6, Tomkins 6, Faye 5, Reid 6, McCartney 6, Collins 6, Noble 7, Nolan 7, Lansbury 6, Vaz Te 7, Cole 5, Baldock 5, O'Neil 4, Maynard 6
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West Ham 3-3 Birmingham: Sam slams "suicidal" defenders
Published 19:48 09/04/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce reckons he must have been speaking Swahili to his players after they commited "defensive suicide". Big Sam watched in horror as comical defending allowed Chris Burke to fire the visitors into a 3-1 half-time lead. It came less than a minute after Ricardo Vaz Te had halved the deficit in first-half stoppage time. But Carlton Cole's angled drive and Vaz Te's 89th-minute penalty ensured the Hammers stay in the automatic promotion hunt. Allardyce raged: "Our first-half suicide was unbelievable. When we set out to win a game you have to be aware of what the opposition do and we played straight into their hands. We punished ourselves by giving the ball away cheaply and then they got two great finishes.Vaz Te's goal should have been the start of the recovery but there wasn't enough determination when defending the corner – not enough players saying 'these boys aren't going to score if I have to get my teeth kicked out and jaw broken, so be it'. "Instead, we commit suicide again. I said before the game that if you come off the pitch with a clean sheet, then you'll win the game, but I must have been talking Swahili."
West Ham started the better side but two quick-fire goals shook Upton Park. Jordan Mutch won the ball in midfield before beating Abdoulaye Faye and firing a left-footed shot past Robert Green, who remained rooted to the spot after 27 minutes. Three minutes later Carlton Cole gave the ball to Wade Elliott, who played in Marlon King to coolly slot home. Allardyce turned and punched the air in frustration. The Hammers hit back on the stroke of half-time when Ricardo Vaz Te headed in from close range for his fourth goal on the bounce, shortly after Nicky Maynard's curling effort rattled the bar. But the drama was not over before the break as four minutes into stoppage time the visitors scored again. A corner was cleared to Chris Burke whose volley bounced through a crowded penalty area and into the back of the net.
After the break West Ham poured forward. Cole gave them hope with an angled shot into the bottom corner after being set up by Nolan on 70 minutes. And the Hammers levelled when Vaz Te slammed home from the spot for his fifth goal in four matches after Chris Burke handled subsitute Henri Lansbury's fierce shot.
Birmingham boss Chris Hughton said: "For the penalty the lad was only two yards away and it was hit with force and he made no movement towards it. "It was surprise to score that many goals in the first half but I knew we were able to do it because we have enough quality in our team. We needed to show more composure when we had the ball amid the intensity of the second half." The Hammers are without a home win in seven matches and three points behind second-placed Reading, who play Brighton.
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West Ham recover from two goals down to salvage draw with Birmingham
Paul Doyle at Upton Park
guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 April 2012 23.22 BST
West Ham's Kevin Nolan attempts an overhead kick during the Championship match against Birmingham City. Photograph: PA
"I said to the players beforehand that if they come off the pitch having kept a clean sheet, then we'll have won – but I must have been talking Swahili." West Ham United mounted a rousing comeback to recover from two goals down and salvage a draw but Sam Allardyce was aghast at how victory eluded his team, extending their winless home streak to seven matches and complicating their hopes of claiming an automatic promotion spot.
With the Championship's leading two sides, Southampton and Reading, facing each other on Friday, this was an opportunity for West Ham to enhance their chances of returning directly to the Premier League but Birmingham City's opportunism and their own slipshod defending meant they made up only minimal ground.
West Ham enjoyed early possession but Birmingham were solid and soon exposed the fragility of a home defence that has been impeccable for most of the season but has now conceded seven goals in two home matches. Chris Hughton's team went in front in the 27th minute when West Ham gave the ball away in midfield. Jordon Mutch was allowed to carry the ball towards the box before sidestepping Abdoulaye Faye and firing a low 20-yard shot into the net. Green did not even move to save it.
West Ham were penetrated again three minutes later, Wade Elliott slipping a pass through to Marlon King who finished expertly. The home side rallied and Nicky Maynard curled a delicate shot against the bar a minute before Vaz Tê cut the deficit, heading in from close range after James Tomkins had nodded a corner back across goal. That was in the 44th minute but West Ham could not make it to the break without conceding again.
After a Birmingham corner was cleared to the edge of the area, Burke volleyed at goal and Curtis Davies appeared to apply a touch from close range to help it past Green. "Our first‑half suicide was unbelievable," said Allardyce. "We punished ourselves by giving the ball away cheaply and they got two great finishes. Vaz Tê's goal should have been the start of the recovery but there wasn't enough determination when defending the corner – not enough players saying, 'These boys aren't going to score and, if I have to get my teeth kicked out and jaw broken , so be it.' Instead we committed suicide again."
West Ham dominated the second half but most of their attacking was predictable and it seemed Birmingham had only to retain their shape and win the many aerial duels to stay ahead. The loss of Guirame N'Daw to injury in the 68th minute was a significant blow ithin two minutes that defence was breached. Kevin Nolan was given too much time to collect a punt into the box and feed it back to Carlton Cole, who drove low into the net.
Birmingham nearly responded at once when Nikola Zigic, who had come on moments before the goal, headed a cross by Burke inches wide. But three minutes from time West Ham got a break when they were awarded a penalty after Henri Lansbury's 20-yard shot crashed into Burke's arm.
Vaz Tê walloped into the net from the spot. "While it was a magnificent comeback, we wanted three points and only got one," grumbled Allardyce, who says he is now relying on Reading unravelling.
"The only way back for us now is if Reading drop points on Tuesday [against Brighton & Hove Albion] and Southampton beat them on Friday and even then we'll have to win all four of our games."
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Vaz Te goals revive faltering West Ham
West Ham United 3 Birmingham City 3
IAN WINROW UPTON PARK TUESDAY 10 APRIL 2012
Independent
Ricardo Vaz Te's late penalty salvaged a point for West Ham United yesterday, but Sam Allardyce fears his side's first-half display may ultimately cost them in their efforts to claim an automatic promotion spot in the Championship. Birmingham City, who consolidated their position in fourth, took full advantage, establishing a 3-1 half-time lead that appeared destined to deliver a valuable victory before Vaz Te claimed his second goal of the game three minutes from the finish. West Ham were unable to fashion a fourth, however, and, stirring as the recovery was, have now failed to win in seven successive home games, leaving them three points behind second-placed Reading who travel to Brighton tonight. "Our first-half suicide was unbelievable," said the West Ham manager. "When we set out to win a game you have to be aware of what the opposition do and we played straight into their hands. I said before the game that if you come off the pitch with a clean sheet, then you'll win the game, but I must have been talking Swahili. "The only way back for us is if Reading slip up tomorrow and Southampton beat them on Friday and we win all four games left."
For the Birmingham manager, Chris Hughton, the disappointment of conceding a late goal was balanced by the knowledge that results elsewhere had been kind to his side who now look certain to finish in the top six. "After the disappointment of losing a 3-1 lead, the reality sets in that this is a good point," he said.
Jordan Mutch put the visitors ahead in the 27th minute when he was allowed to advance unchallenged towards the home goal before beating Green with a left-foot shot, with the keeper rooted to the spot. Three minutes later Marlon King made it two.
Vaz Te appeared to have kick-started the recovery in first-half added time but Chris Burke immediately responded when the home side failed to deal with a corner adequately.
Boos greeted the half-time whistle but West Ham's response was far more encouraging, and Carlton Cole struck his side's second goal with a left-foot shot from Kevin Nolan's pull-back with 20 minutes remaining.
The West Ham pressure grew relentless and they were eventually rewarded when Burke blocked Henri Lansbury's shot, allowing Vaz Te to claim his fifth goal in four games.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green 5; Tomkins 6, Faye 5, Reid 5, McCartney 6 (Collins, 34, 7); O'Neil 6, Noble 6 (Baldock, 82), Nolan 8, Vaz Te 9; Cole 7, Maynard 6 (Lansbury, h-t, 7). Substitutes not used Taylor, Demel.
Birmingham City (4-5-1): Myhill 7; Ramage 7, Davies 7, Caldwell 6, Murphy 6; Burke 7, Fahey 7, N'Daw 6 (Zigic 68, 6), Mutch 8, Elliott 7; King 7 (Townsend, 80). Substitutes not used Doyle, Huseklepp, Redmond.
Referee J Moss.
Scorers. West Ham: Vaz Te 45, pen 89, Cole 70. Birmingham: Mutch 27, King 30, Burke 45
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green 5; Tomkins 6, Faye 5, Reid 5, McCartney 6 (Collins, 34, 7); O'Neil 6, Noble 6 (Baldock, 82), Nolan 8; Vaz Te 9, Cole 7, Maynard 6(Lansbury, h-t, 7). Substitutes not used Taylor, Demel.
Birmingham City (4-5-1): Myhill 7; Ramage 7, Davies 7, Caldwell 6, Murphy 6; Burke 7, Fahey 7, N'Daw 6 (Zigic 68, 6), Mutch 8, Elliott 7; King 7 (Townsend, 80). Substitutes not used Doyle, Huseklepp, Redmond.
Referee Jonathan Moss
Man of the Match: Vaz Te (West Ham)
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West Ham United 3 Birmingham City 3: match report
By Arindam Rej, Upton Park7:48PM BST 09 Apr 2012
Telegraph.co.uk
Ricardo Vaz Te's late penalty sealed a thrilling comeback by West Ham, whose first-half horror show had seriously damaged their hopes of automatic promotion.
A point was not the desired outcome but at least they showed the fighting spirit to come back, having been 3-1 behind at the break after an error-filled performance.
The pressure on West Ham had increased before kick-off with Southampton's victory leaving them seven points adrift of Nigel Adkins's team. This was their game in hand and they could not afford to waste it. But that is exactly what they did, gifting Birmingham goals, before the rally after the interval. The third-placed side were punished for sloppy midfield play in the first half, carelessly giving the ball away twice in quick succession, leading to Birmingham's opening goals as the visitors broke forward and punished West Ham. In-form Ricardo Vaz Te headed the home team back into the match - but, almost immediately, West Ham shot themselves in the foot again by making a mess of a corner, allowing Chris Burke to score. They were booed off at the break.
In the second half, they pile forward and cut the gap when Carlton Cole finished well then Vaz Te held his nerve to reward a much-improved effort. West Ham had plenty of possession early on but could not use it effectively and the best chances started falling to Birmingham, who were slicing through their opponents with ease. Chris Burke forced Rob Green into a good reflex save and Jordan Mutch's corner was headed wide by Curtis Davies on the edge of the six-yard box. All-action Mutch single-handedly created and scored Birmingham's opener after seizing on a loose pass from George McCartney. Mutch exchanged passes swiftly with Marlon King, sauntered forward then drove in from 25 yards.
Within three minutes, West Ham were reeling further. Carlton Cole lost the ball in midfield, allowing Wade Elliott to thread the ball forward for King, who kept his cool to slot the ball in. Home manager Sam Allardyce could only shake his head. There was more bad news for them when McCartney and Peter Ramage clashed heads, leading to the West Ham left-back departing on a stretcher and going to hospital after suffering concussion. The east London side persevered though, as Nicky Maynard's curling effort from 18 yards hit the bar. The Upton Park faithful were finally lifted when Mark Noble floated over a corner from the left and James Tomkins powerfully headed it forward for Vaz Te to flick in their goal.
But, just when Allardyce's men looked back in contention, another costly blunder speedily followed. Mutch's corner was cleared ineffectively by Kevin Nolan and was met by a Burke volley. The ball hit the ground but Cole moved out of position and the ball bounced over him and into the net. Allardyce would have been livid at the break and his side came out looking desperate to make amends. There was soon more frustration though as Gary O'Neil went to ground in the penalty area after a Ramage challenge but no penalty was awarded. They kept pressing as Nolan sent a bobbling, angled shot just wide of the far post. Another flashpoint followed when West Ham's players were furious as another spot-kick appeal was rejected after Cole went down while tussling with Steven Caldwell.
The frustration was eased when Nolan hooked the ball over for Cole, who controlled on his thigh and lashed in to make it 3-2. It was an engrossing spectacle and Cole and Danny Collins came agonisingly close to an equaliser, both men volleying over from 20 yards. The comeback was finally complete when Burke handled Henri Lansbury‘s shot, allowing Vaz Te to rescue a point from the spot as he smashed in confidently.
Match details
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; A Faye, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney (Collins 34); O'Neil, Noble (Baldock 82), Nolan; Vaz Te, Cole, Maynard (Lansbury 45).
Subs: Taylor, Demel.
Booked: Nolan, Lansbury.
Birmingham (4-5-1): Myhill; Ramage, Davies, Caldwell, Murphy; Burke, Fahey, N'Daw (Zigic 67), Mutch, Elliott; King (Townsend 85).
Subs: Doyle (gk), Huseklepp, Redmond.
Booked: N'Daw, Zigic, Burke.
Referee: Jonathan Moss.
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