Daily WHUFC News - 16th March 2013

Chelsea match preview
WHUFC.com
Travel, ticket and team news ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip
to Stamford Bridge
15.03.2013

CHELSEA v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2013
KICK-OFF: 4PM
REFEREE: MICHAEL OLIVER
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

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Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Chelsea seeking to record back-to-back Barclays
Premier League victories for the first time this season, having won 1-0 at
Stoke City last time out on Saturday 2 March. The Hammers would also
chalk-up their first league 'double' of the campaign if they are successful
at Stamford Bridge for the first time since a 3-2 victory on 28 September
2002.
• West Ham go into the weekend 12th in the Barclays Premier League table,
having collected 33 points from 28 fixtures. However, results elsewhere
could see the Hammers start the game as high as eleventh or as low as 13th.
Victory could take West Ham up to tenth.
• West Ham have won three of their 14 away league matches this season,
triumphing at Queens Park Rangers (2-1), Newcastle United (1-0) and Stoke
(1-0).
• Chelsea start the weekend in third position, having collected 52 points
from 28 matches. A victory, combined with a Tottenham Hotspur defeat or draw
at home to Fulham, would see the Blues go third.
• The Blues have won eight and lost just two of their 14 home league
matches, being defeated at Stamford Bridge by Manchester United (2-3) and
QPR (0-1).
• West Ham beat Chelsea for the first time in 14 meetings - 13 of them in
the Premier League and seven of them at the Boleyn Ground - when they won
3-1 in the reverse Barclays Premier League fixture at the Boleyn Ground on 1
December 2012.

Team news

West Ham United

• Midfielder Mark Noble could return to action after missing the victory at
Stoke City with an arm injury.
• Captain Kevin Nolan could miss the game with the foot injury he suffered
in the 3-2 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on 25 February.
• Midfielder Joe Cole will miss the return to one of his former clubs with a
hamstring injury suffered at Stoke City.
• James Tomkins could be available again after being sidelined from the
previous two league matches with a virus.
• Left-back George McCartney is close to a return after three months out
with a knee injury suffered in training in mid-December.
• Stephen Henderson (Ipswich Town), Ravel Morrison and Rob Hall (both
Birmingham City), Paul McCallum (Aldershot Town) and Alou Diarra (Stade
Rennais) are all out on loan.
Chelsea

• Spanish midfielder Oriel Romeu is out for the remainder of the season with
a serious knee injury suffered at Sunderland in December.
• Chelsea have no fewer than 18 players out on loan, including senior
professionals Michael Essien (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (West Bromwich
Albion) and Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid).

Background

• Saturday's fixture marks the 88th league meeting between the two clubs.
West Ham drew level with their opponents on 35 victories with a home win in
December, while there have been just 17 draws. In 31 Premier League
meetings, Chelsea have chalked up 16 victories, West Ham have won ten times
and there have been just five draws.
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs in any competition came on 11
September 1915 in the war-time London Combination principal tournament. West
Ham United were at home and the game ended goalless.
• The first-ever league meeting between the two clubs took place on 20
October 1923 and also ended goalless. That match was played at Division One
at Stamford Bridge.
• West Ham's biggest league victory over Chelsea came in Division Two on
Valentine's Day 1981. The Hammers romped to a 4-0 success on their way to
winning the title and promotion to the top-flight. West Ham have never
beaten Chelsea by more than a single-goal margin in the Premier League,
doing so on nine occasions.
• Chelsea's biggest win over West Ham came on 9 April 1966 at Stamford
Bridge, when the Blues thumped the Hammers 6-2. At the Boleyn Ground,
Chelsea won 4-0 on 1 March 2008, a result that also marks the Blues' biggest
Premier League win over the Hammers.
• The biggest crowd to witness a Chelsea versus West Ham fixture at Stamford
Bridge was the estimated 65,000 who witnessed the Blues' 2-0 FA Cup
fourth-round win on 26 January 1946.
• Tony Cottee has scored more goals against Chelsea than any other West Ham
United player, scoring eight times. Geoff Hurst and John Dick managed six
each, while the Hammers' all-time leading scorer Vic Watson scored three in
five appearances against the Blues.
• John Bond scored the first league hat-trick by a West Ham United player
against Chelsea when he was pressed into an emergency centre-forward role on
6 February 1960. Right-back Bond netted three times, including one penalty,
in a 4-2 Division One success at the Boleyn Ground. Billy Bonds also netted
an unlikely hat-trick against Chelsea in a 3-0 Division One home win on 2
March 1974.
• The two clubs have met just once on 17 March in years gone by - a 2-1
Chelsea victory over West Ham in the War League South Cup semi-final in
1945.

Last time out

Saturday 2 March 2013
Barclays Premier League
Stoke City 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien, Jarvis
(Pogatetz 83), J,Cole (Vaz Te 11), O'Neil, Diame, Taylor (Collison 10),
Carroll
Subs not used: Spiegel, Maiga, Chamakh, C.Cole
Goal: Collison 45
Thursday 14 March 2013
UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg
Chelsea 3-1 Steaua Bucharest
(Chelsea win 3-2 on aggregate)
Chelsea: Cech, Cole, David Luiz, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Mata (Moses
90), Oscar, Mikel, Hazard (Benayoun 90), Torres
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Cahill, Bertrand, Lampard
Goals: Mata 33, Terry 58, Torres 71

Previous meeting

West Ham United roared back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to achieve a
fantastic 3-1 home Barclays Premier League victory over Chelsea on 1
December 2012. Juan Mata swept the Blues into the lead on 13 minutes
following good work from Victor Moses and Fernando Torres. Chelsea continued
to dominate, but could not find a second goal as Torres, Moses and Mata all
passed up decent opportunities. Having got in at the break still in the
game, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce made two decisive changes, sending on
Mohamed Diame and Matt Taylor. The substitutions worked a treat as Carlton
Cole headed in on 63 minutes. After Mata had rattled the post with a
free-kick, Diame fired in a rasping low shot from Cole's cross with three
minutes remaining before replacement Modibo Maiga made the game safe after
Petr Cech had parried Taylor's goalbound effort.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien, Tomkins
(Taylor, 46), Noble, O'Neil (Diame 46), Nolan, Jarvis, Cole (Maiga 87)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Spence, Fanimo, Moncur
Goals: Cole 63, Diame 87, Maiga 90
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Moses
(Marin 78), Hazard (Oscar 73), Mata, Torres
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Piazon

Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)

1 December 2012 - West Ham United 3-1 Chelsea
23 April 2011 - Chelsea 3-0 West Ham United
11 September 2010 - West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea
13 March 2010 - Chelsea 4-1 West Ham United
20 December 2009 - West Ham United 1-1 Chelsea
25 April 2009 - West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea
v Chelsea (all competitions) W 37 D 18 L 41

Ten-year records

West Ham United

2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)

Chelsea
2011/12 Premier League 6th (64 points)
2010/11 Premier League 2nd (71 points)
2009/10 Premier League 1st (86 points - champions)
2008/09 Premier League 3rd (83 points)
2007/08 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2006/07 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2005/06 Premier League 1st (91 points - champions)
2004/05 Premier League 1st (95 points - champions)
2003/04 Premier League 2nd (79 points)
2002/03 Premier League 4th (67 points)


Referee

• Sunday's match referee will be Michael Oliver.
• Oliver was introduced to refereeing by his father, Clive, at the age of
14. He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to the National List
of referees in 2007.
• In 2007 he became the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley Stadium
when he took charge of the 2007 Conference play-off final. He also went on
to become the youngest fourth official for a Barclays Premier League match.
• The Oliver family enjoyed a referring double in 2009 when his father took
charge of the 2009 League Two Play-Off final a day before he took charge of
the League One play-off final.
• In August 2010 he was promoted to the Select Group of referees and soon
became the youngest-ever Barclays Premier League referee when he took charge
of Birmingham City versus Blackburn Rovers on 21 August 2010.
• Oliver took charge of West Ham's 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at
Reading on 29 December - his only previous Hammers appointment this season.
In all, he has refereed five West Ham fixtures.

Old boys

• West Ham United striker Carlton Cole began his career at Chelsea, making
31 appearances between August 2001 and May 2006, and scoring eight times.
• Chelsea's Frank Lampard began his professional career at West Ham United,
making 187 league and cup appearances and scoring 38 goals before heading
west in June 2001.
• Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun spent two seasons at West Ham in his
first spell between July 2005 and July 2007, scoring eight goals in 72
appearances. Benayoun started the 2006 FA Cup final for the Hammers and also
played a starring role in the 'Great Escape' season of 2006/07. He returned
for a second loan spell earlier this season, making a further six
appearances between September and November 2012.
• Chelsea captain John Terry spent time at West Ham United as a schoolboy.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Clive Allen,
Syd Bishop, Peter Brabrook, Billy Bridgeman, Billy Brown, Robert Bush,
Dickie Deacon, Alan Dickens, Len Goulden, Jimmy Greaves, Ron Greenwood CBE,
George Hilsdon, George Horn, Joseph Hughes, Sir Geoff Hurst, William
Jackson, Glen Johnson, Joe Kirkup, Andy Malcolm, Harry Medhurst, Scott
Minto, Eric Parsons, Joe Payne, Dave Sexton, John Sissons, Ron Tindall and
Billy Williams.


General information

• All Standard and Disabled tickets for Sunday's fixture have SOLD OUT.
• Supporters travelling into London on the c2c mainline train service should
note that all services will be diverted from Barking to London Liverpool
Street. No c2c services will be stopping at Limehouse or West Ham stations.
For full details, click here.


• Supporters travelling into London via London Underground should note that
the District line will be suspended between Upminster and Bromley-by-Bow,
while the Hammersmith and City line will be suspended between Barking and
Moorgate. Replacement bus services will operate on both lines. For the
latest London Underground travel news visit the TfL website by clicking here
and use the Journey Planner.
• Sunday afternoon's forecast in London is for light rain and a maximum
daytime temperature of 8C (47F).

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O'Neil happy to be middle man
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil is ready to fill the central midfield holding role again when
West Ham United visit Chelsea
15.03.2013

Gary O'Neil is hoping to achieve his first-ever Barclays Premier League
victory at Chelsea. The West Ham United midfielder suffered 12 straight
top-flight defeats at the hands of the Blues during spells with Portsmouth
and Middlesbrough. However, the No32 ended his unenviable personal record
when he was part of the Hammers side that defeated Chelsea 3-1 at the Boleyn
Ground in December. Having impressed greatly in a new holding midfield role
in the 1-0 victory at Stoke City last time out, O'Neil goes into Sunday's
London derby at Stamford Bridge full of confidence and belief that West Ham
can complete their first league 'double' of 2012/13.

"It was a decent performance at Stoke," he confirmed. "The most important
thing was that we kept a clean sheet because it gave us a great chance to
win the game. We played some decent bits and, if we had been a bit more
clinical, could have won by a couple more goals. "I went to Chelsea a few
times with Portsmouth and we did OK on quite a few occasions but they had a
fantastic team then. I'm not saying they don't now but those were the Jose
Mourinho days with the likes of Arjen Robben, Damien Duff, Claude Makelele
and Frank Lampard and all that. "I always enjoyed going there. We did OK at
times but then Lampard always seemed to pop up and nick one and we'd end up
losing. Hopefully we can do a good job on Sunday and take a step closer to
guaranteeing our Premier League survival for next season as early as
possible."

O'Neil's superb performance at the Britannia Stadium was recognised by
manager Sam Allardyce, who singled the midfielder out for praise in his
post-match interview with West Ham TV. Playing in an unfamiliar holding
role, the 29-year-old was lauded for being the 'focus of starting our
attacks off by being composed on the ball' by Big Sam. "It's a position that
I think I can play. I don't mind playing in any of the three positions in
the middle, really, and with Nobes picking up a knock I've been able to play
a couple of games on the trot in there. I enjoyed it. "We were a bit unlucky
not to get something against Tottenham and then we got our first away win
for a long time, so I'm just pleased to have been a part of it."

Against Chelsea, O'Neil is likely to come up against the Blues' outstanding
attacking midfield trio of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata - a challenge he
is ready to rise to. "Having seen them play this season, that seems to be an
area Chelsea look to exploit with more than one player. There is normally
the three of them in there so I'm sure the gaffer and the coaching staff
will have come up with something to combat that. It won't just be me running
around in there against the three ot them!"

Since that vital victory in the Potteries, West Ham have been forced to wait
to play again after last weekend's scheduled visit of Manchester United was
postponed due to the Red Devils' FA Cup commitments. O'Neil said the break
in fixtures had allowed the players to remain fresh, but that many of them
would rather have been on the pitch last weekend. "Especially for myself,
having got back in and made a couple of starts, I wanted there to be a game
last weekend, really. It is how it is - sometimes you have to play loads in
the space of a few days and sometimes you have to wait your turn and have a
long time to prepare.
"We have a big game and a big test ahead of us at Chelsea. They are a good
side so we're going to have to make sure we get it tactically spot-on and
everyone performs to their best to give us a chance."

While West Ham have not played for a fortnight, Chelsea will have contested
three matches in that time - home and away UEFA Europa League round of 32
ties against Romanian side Steaua Bucharest and a draining FA Cup with
Budweiser sixth-round match at Manchester United last Sunday. "There is a
chance of them being less fresh than us, with them having played on Thursday
because it gives them less time to recover, but they have also got a very
big squad and are used to playing in mid-week because they've been playing
in Europe for the last ten years. "I don't think it will give us a massive
advantage but it could definitely help if we go out there and do our jobs
right and stay in the game as long as possible and frustrate them. Late in
the game, we might get some chances. "I'm sure Chelsea will be ready, but
we'll be going there with the Stoke game still in our minds and how
resilient and well-organised we were defensively and we'll try to build from
that."

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Development Squad 1-1 Arsenal FT
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Dev Squad are held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal's U21s at the
Boleyn Ground
15.03.2013


WEST HAM UNITED v ARSENAL
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE ELITE GROUP STAGE
FRIDAY 15 MARCH 2013
KICK-OFF: 7PM
REFEREE: ADRIAN SANNERUDE

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Final score - West Ham United 1-1 Arsenal

92 mins - The last chance of the game comes and goes as Ansah heads straight
at Spiegel who comfortably gathers. That's it, it ends honours even and
despite the late drama, that's probably just about right. The Development
Squad have a fortnight's break before they head to West Bromwich Albion.

91 mins - WOW! Neat football sees Gnabry bearing down on goal and his effort
cannons back off the inside of the post. It flies back into the path of
Ansah who is denied by a last-ditch block from Driver.

90 mins - Some more nervy moments for the Hammers, as Henderson lines up a
free-kick just outside the box. It's pretty poor, to be fair, as it flies
straight into the wall and Wellington is on hand to heave it clear.

88 mins - Spiegel might just have saved his team a point, as he tips
Miquel's 12-yard drive over the bar. It's a brilliant fingertip stop.
Moments later and it's the Hammers who might be celebrating a late winner.
Maguire is one-on-one with Martinez, but with Moncur screaming for a square
ball, he's denied by a smart stop from the Arsenal 'keeper.

85 mins - Sean Maguire is grappling with Wynter on half way and looks to
have got the better of the Arsenal man. Maguire is all set to race clear,
only to be hauled back by the referee's whistle. The Irishman's none too
pleased with the decision.

82 mins - West Ham are definitely looking the more likely at present, as
Turgott shows off a trick or two to win a corner on the near side. This time
Martinez calls and makes it his, gathering Moncur's cross cleanly.

80 mins - Maguire is straight into the thick of the action as he collects it
on the edge of the box. He smashes it across goal first time, drawing an
excellent stop from Martinez to tip it round the post. Ruddock does his best
to direct the resulting corner goalward, but it bobbles the wrong side of
the post.

77 mins - Shaw gives to Wellington, who needs no second invitation to have a
crack. It's not the best, as he skews his effort well, well wide. The break
in play prompts a switch apiece, as Sean Maguire comes on for Lee, while
Kyle Ebecilio replaces Elton Monteiro.

75 mins - Back come Arsenal. Zak Ansah has West Ham's rearguard
back-pedalling, before he lets fly from just outside the box. Spiegel is
sufficiently concerned to dive full length to his right, but in the end it's
a good foot or two wide of the far post.


72 mins - Pelly Ruddock does well to win a corner, but before it can be
taken, Ben Marlow joins the action in place of Amos Nasha. Meanwhile,
Moncur's corner skims off the greasy surface and though Paulista gets his
head to it, his improvised effort sails over the bar.

68 mins - Golden chance. Moncur does superbly to dig out a cross for
Paulista at the far post. The Brazilian still has plenty to do, but can only
guide his header over the crossbar.

66 mins - The visitors have a break on and it's Henderson who has space
ahead of him. As he tears towards the Hammers box, there are plenty of
runners looking for a pass, the low centre, however, is intercepted at the
near post. Excellent defending.

64 mins - West Ham are awarded a free-kick some 40 yards from goal. Moncur
puts it in the mixer but it's headed away with interest. It's all gone
slightly quiet since the restart, both in the stands and on the pitch.

61 mins - The Gunners make the first change of the evening, as Serge Gnabry
replaces Nigel Neita.

59 mins - Wellington Paulista looks for Pelly Ruddock but his measured pass
is cut out. In his haste to win the ball back, Paulista then concedes a
free-kick just inside the Arsenal half.

56 mins - Upon the resumption, West Ham are straight on the attack. Paulista
plays it into Moncur, who connects well enough but it flies comfortably wide
of the near post.

20:22pm - Good news. The players are back with us and the flood lights are
working perfectly well once more. If memory serves, the last time this
happened at the Boleyn Ground was against Crystal Palace. West Ham won the
rearranged fixture 4-1.

20:18pm - Arsenal's goalkeeper is back on the field, but he's on his own at
this stage. The signs are good, as one or two lights begin to come on. While
you're waiting, why not watch West Ham's Comic Relief effort, as the
Development Squad competed in a Keepy-Uppy challenge with a tennis ball.


20:15pm - Not entirely sure what to tell you. The players have been led from
the field as the PA announcer ensures us that the problem will be resolved!
For the record, this evening's attendance is 590.

53 mins - Arsenal have started on the front foot here in the second half...
and the lights have gone out! Extraordinary scenes. The players are
congregating on the touchline as someone tries to resolve the problem. We'll
keep you posted.

50 mins - With Eisfeld slowly being helped to his feet, this is an opportune
moment to draw your attention to the following. West Ham's U18s' fixture at
Liverpool tomorrow will be screened live by Liverpool TV on Sky Channel 434
and Virgin Media channel 544 from 10.45am.

49 mins - Out of nothing, Arsenal should perhaps have re-established their
lead. Wynter's long ball over the top picked out the run of Eisfeld, who
toed it past the advancing Spiegel, before colliding with the Hammers
stopper. Eisfeld stays down, as West Ham clear their lines. Half-hearted
penalty shouts from the visitors but after a long look, Mr Sannerude says
no.

46 mins - We're back underway here and the Hammers have made a switch at the
interval, with George McCartney being withdrawn for Frazer Shaw. Sam
Allardyce had earlier suggested that McCartney would only play 45, so that's
no need for alarm.

45 mins - There will be one additional minute at the end of the first half
and Arsenal have one last chance, as Nigel Neita tries to take on McCartney.
The wiley defender has it covered and ferries the ball out of play. There
goes the half-time whistle and the Hammers will be sorry to head into the
changing room, having ended the half so strongly.

44 mins - For a second it looks as if Driver has sold Spiegel short with a
back-pass, but Mr Sannerude is on the scene and penalises Henderson for a
shove on Driver. Panic over.

40 mins - West Ham have the wind in their sails at the moment and Turgott
turns brilliantly inside the box, but his right-footed curler is deflected
behind for another corner. Unlike Monday, there's nothing doing from the set
piece.

39 mins - Just as I was about to applaud Monteiro's defending, he gifts
possession to Moncur, who weaves his way into the box, before fizzing it
just past the far post. Close.

36 mins - Elliot Lee has an excellent chance to complete the turnaround, as
he races on to Driver's through ball. Just as he's about to pull the
trigger, Elton Monteiro intervenes and his strike is deflected behind for a
corner.

32 mins - GOAL! The Hammers are back on level terms as Pelly Ruddock's low
cross is diverted into his own net by Nico Yennaris. Moncur's free-kick was
originally cleared into the No10's path and after a very nifty step-over,
Ruddock smashed it across the face of goal. Not a great deal Yennaris could
do, I suspect.

28 mins - Better, much better from the home side. Skipper Driver whips in a
stunning centre but Paulista is just under the flight of the ball and it
rolls away to safety. Seconds later, McCartney is careering towards the
by-line, but his cross is cut out at the near post.

25 mins - Arsenal are the width of a post away from doubling their advantage
as the Hammers struggle to clear a free-kick. It finally falls at the feet
of Jordan Wynter, whose first-time dig crashes off the outside of Spiegel's
post.

23 mins - The Hammers have responded well to the early setback and have the
Gunners pinned in their own half for a minute or two. Turgott feeds Lee, who
cuts inside Hajrovic, before seeing his strike cannon off an Arsenal boot.


20 mins - Goal! The visitors snatch the initative with what is ultimately a
very well worked goal. Eisfeld nods into the path of Henderson, whose low,
firm strike wriggles under Spiegel.

19 mins - A momentary lull ends rather abruptly as Hajrovic clatters Elliot
Lee. Referee Adrian Sannerude is straight on the scene and the No.2 goes
into the book.

16 mins - Callum Driver swings a devilish ball in behind the Gunners
backline. Paulista and Lee are both after it, though the latter looks the
more likely to make something of it, before Arsenal stopper Martinez races
from his line to sweep up.

14 mins - The poor ball boy in the Bobby Moore Stand has some more work to
do, as Ignasi Miquel skews a drive high and wide of Spiegel's goal. Not the
best.

12 mins - Arsenal win a free-kick ten yards inside the Hammers' half.
Fortunately, it's a waste, as Henderson lofts it straight into the empty
Bobby Moore Stand.

9 mins - Blair Turgott has a chance to stretch his legs down the right
flank, before delivering into the box. It's half cleared, as Moncur picks up
the pieces, before teeing up McCartney. The Northern Ireland full-back wraps
his left foot around it, but another headed clearance denies the waiting
Wellington Paulista.

7 mins - Arsenal go close once more as Thomas Eisfeld eyes up a strike from
20 yards. His effort has Spiegel scrambling across his goal, as the ball
drifts narrowly wide of his right-hand upright. A decent start this from the
visitors.

5 mins - Raphael Spiegel is called into action for the first time this
evening, as he beats Conor Henderson's drive away from goal. The ball lands
back at Henderson's feet, but he's crowded out and West Ham survive.

4 mins - At the other end, Elliot Lee wins the Hammers a corner and it will
be George Moncur to swing it in. Moncur exchanges passes with McCartney
before curling in an inviting centre, only to see the linesman's flag
raised.

2 mins - The Gunners work it out to the right-hand side but Sead Hajrovic's
centre is headed clear by Dan Potts.

1 mins - It's Arsenal who get us underway, with the Hammers kicking towards
the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand in this first half.

18:50pm - The teams are belatedly in and Nick Haycock makes just the two
changes to the side that claimed an excellent point at Liverpool on Monday.
Kieran Bywater makes way for Pelly Ruddock, while George McCartney replaces
Frazer Shaw at left-back.

West Ham United U21s: Spiegel, Driver, McCartney, Nasha, Potts, Spence,
Turgott, Moncur, Paulista, Ruddock, Lee. Subs: Maguire, Larkins, Bywater,
Shaw, Marlow.

Arsenal U21s: Martinez, Hajrovic, Hajrovic, Miquel, Yennaris, Monteiro,
Squillaci, Ansah, Wynter, Neita, Eisfeld, Henderson. Subs: Gnabry, Iliev,
Ebecilio, Bihmoutine, Mugabo.

Good evening and welcome to the Boleyn Ground for this evening's Barclays
Under-21 Premier League Elite Group fixture pitting West Ham United's
Development Squad against Arsenal.

Nick Haycock's side return to east London after Monday's 3-3 draw at
Liverpool's Kirkby Academy, bidding for a first win in six in the Elite
Group.
The Hammers currently sit fifth in the standings, two points and places
above this evening's visitors, who have, however, played two games fewer.
Victory tonight would lift West Ham's U21s as high as third, should they
triumph by a two-goal margin.

This is the sides' fourth meeting of the campaign at this level, with the
West Ham having won all three previous clashes, most recently a 2-0 success
at Arsenal's London Colney training ground on 28 January.

Haycock's young charges will be boosted by the experience of George
McCartney, who is in line to start, as he steps up his return from a knee
ligament injury. The Northern Ireland international has not featured since a
3-2 home defeat by Liverpool on 9 December.
We will have team news as and when we get it, while there will be live text
updates from tonight's 7pm kick-off.

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Chelsea v West Ham
BBC,co.uk
KO 16:00

15 March 2013
By Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Sunday, 17 March

Chelsea forward Demba Ba could return in place of Fernando Torres for
Sunday's clash with West Ham. Ba was ineligible for the Europa League
victory against Steaua Bucharest, when Torres scored the decisive goal,
missed a penalty and suffered a bloody nose. West Ham pair Mark Noble and
James Tomkins should be available after respective injury and illness. Kevin
Nolan is a doubt with the foot problem he suffered last month, while Joe
Cole (hamstring) misses out.
Left-back George McCartney is close to a return after three months out with
a knee injury suffered in training in mid-December.

MATCH PREVIEW

As Chelsea turned around their Europa League tie with Steaua Bucharest on
Thursday, I wonder how many fans remembered the significance of 14 March
just 12 months beforehand. It was on the same date a year ago that Chelsea
rescued their Champions League tie with Napoli and effectively re-energised
their season; 3-1 down from the first leg, they won the return at Stamford
Bridge 4-1 and ultimately went on to enjoy the greatest night in the club's
history by lifting the trophy. Their first game after the victory over
Napoli was in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and last May the oldest
trophy of them all was the other part of a seemingly unlikely cup double
under Roberto Di Matteo. "Chelsea's fightback to draw with Manchester United
was encouraging but they will be wary of being on the wrong end of a
comeback themselves after what happened when they went to Upton Park in
December. "That day, Sam Allardyce also changed the game with a couple of
substitutions and his side absolutely crunched Chelsea after trailing 1-0 at
the break."

Thursday's win over Steaua Bucharest means Chelsea are in the last eight in
both the Europa League and FA Cup, and a chaotic season could still possibly
have a silver lining. Manager Rafa Benitez won't have enjoyed the reverse
fixture with West Ham back in December, which came early in his reign and
left him winless after three matches in charge. Sam Allardyce's team came
from behind to triumph 3-1 that day, but they haven't won at Stamford Bridge
for just over a decade. The Hammers have found it tough on the road in
general this season as well, losing nine times. In the Premier League, only
Reading can top that with 11 away defeats. West Ham have won two of their
last four games though and collected a third away win of the season at Stoke
on their last away day, bringing to an end a run that had seen them collect
just one point from the last 24 available on the road. I'll be on Frank
Lampard watch for this game too of course, as he edges closer to Chelsea's
all time goalscoring record. He's scored 199 goals for the club now, three
behind Bobby Tambling's record tally. His first ever appearance in the
Premier League was for West Ham back in January 1996 and he scored 24 goals
for them in nearly 150 appearances before joining Chelsea 12 years ago.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Ham ended a 12-match winless streak against Chelsea by winning the
reverse fixture 3-1 in December. The hosts came from behind to triumph
thanks to goals from Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga.
The Hammers have only taken one point from their last six visits to Stamford
Bridge since a 3-2 victory in September 2002. Paolo Di Canio scored twice
for the visitors, while Frank Lampard played for Chelsea and John Terry was
an unused substitute.
This is the 99th meeting of the clubs in all competitions. They are level on
35 league wins apiece.

Chelsea
Chelsea have taken 28 points from a possible 48 in the league under Rafa
Benitez (W8, D4, L4). It's the fourth-best record over this period, behind
Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City.
It's 12 years since the Blues last lost a Premier League home game in the
month of March, a 4-2 defeat against Sunderland in 2001.
They have the second best goalscoring and defensive records in the division
prior to this weekend's fixtures.
Chelsea have been awarded a league-high nine penalties this season and have
scored seven of them.
Frank Lampard has scored 199 goals for Chelsea, three behind Bobby
Tambling's club record tally. He made his top-flight debut for West Ham in
January 1996 and scored 24 goals in 148 league matches for The Hammers
before joining Chelsea for £11m in 2001.
Fernando Torres has gone 11 hours and 22 minutes since last scoring a
Premier League goal.
Demba Ba scored seven goals in 12 league appearances for West Ham in
2010-11.

West Ham
West Ham have won two of their last four games but taken only 14 points from
their last 16 matches.
They earned their first Premier League away win since November in their most
recent game, at Stoke a fortnight ago. It ended a dismal run of one point
from eight away games.
The Hammers have not managed successive Premier League victories since
February-March 2011.
Sam Allardyce's side have conceded a league-high 11 goals in the opening 15
minutes of matches this season.

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Sebastian Corchia focused on Sochaux amid links to West Ham and Bayern
Munich
By Patrick Haond. Last Updated: March 15, 2013 2:15pm
SSN

Sebastien Corchia has indicated that he is attracting interest from a number
of clubs but says he is focused on Sochaux, after being linked with a move
to West Ham United. The 22-year-old French full-back is also wanted by
Juventus, Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Lyon and Monaco, according to France
Football.
Corchia is under contract at Stade Bonal until 2015, but with Sochaux
currently in the relegation zone, it appears he could be set for a move to a
new club in the summer. "People are working for me on that level," Corchia
said. "Above all, I want to focus on how to get salvation for Sochaux before
thinking about me. "My value and possible opportunities will not be the same
if we remain in Le Championnat or not. To join a big club you have to be
steady. "However, I feel I have achieved the best season of my career yet."
Corchia joined Sochaux from Le Mans in 2011 and has made 25 appearances for
the club so far this season. He has previously been linked with a move to
Arsenal, who are reportedly preparing themselves for the possible departure
of Bacary Sagna in the summer. Corchia has been capped 26 times by France
Under-21s.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce bemoans managerial dismissals
Last Updated: March 15, 2013 1:45pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce says more and more managers are losing their jobs because of
the need for instant success in football. After Brian McDermott's sacking by
Reading, Allardyce is now the only manager in place at the six clubs who
were either relegated from, or promoted to, the Premier League last season.
The West Ham boss believes a lack of long-term vision is to blame. "From a
manager's point of view it is always sad when you see one of your fellow
managers lose their job," he said. "We all know it is a volatile world and
we know how volatile it is year-in, year-out now and it is becoming less
patient than ever before.
"He (McDermott) did a fantastic job at Reading and at this particular time
the owner thinks bringing someone else in for the last nine games is going
to make the difference, which is pretty sad really. "Everybody strives for
success and at the end of the day there are only three teams can get
promoted. "New owners, if they are foreign or British, they are less patient
than ever before and generally a sacking comes from poor results, media and
fan pressure and the owners are unable to deal with that pressure like the
managers can."

"Realisation and expectation don't go together, realisation is, if you have
got a small wage budget you are going to finish lower in the league. "New
owners, if they are foreign or British, they are less patient than ever
before and generally a sacking comes from poor results, media and fan
pressure and the owners are unable to deal with that pressure like the
managers can." Allardyce takes his West Ham side to Chelsea on Sunday,
looking to complete the double over the European champions after a 3-1
victory at Upton Park in December.

The trip across London is just one of three fixtures for the Hammers in
March due to their FA Cup elimination and the upcoming international week.
"We knew the situation, we have managed situations like this at
international times," said Allardyce. "All we can do is do what we did last
time we played and try and win because then it makes the two weeks pretty
pleasurable to handle it and get through it. "We have got exactly the same
situation on Sunday when we have two weeks again before we play West Brom
and we have got to try and handle it the best we can. "I would rather have
played last weekend but I'm not sure about playing Thursday night and Sunday
because that is the hardest thing to overcome. "Whether you have a good
result or a bad result in Europe it is always very difficult to get the
players to a top level of performance but Chelsea have been doing that for
years now." West Ham will still be without skipper Kevin Nolan, midfielder
Mark Noble and former Chelsea man Joe Cole.

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Chelsea hoping for derby success against West Ham
Last Updated: March 15, 2013 2:31pm
SSN

Chelsea will be hoping for derby day success when they welcome capital
rivals West Ham United to Stamford Bridge. The Blues, for all of their
perceived troubles, remain inside the Premier League's top four and on
course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They will, however, be
aware that they have little margin for error, with the chasing pack having
closed to within five points. Seeing off West Ham would help to keep them on
course to hit their target, while offering retribution for a disappointing
defeat suffered at Upton Park during the early stages of Rafa Benitez's
difficult spell as interim boss. The Hammers, though, will take plenty of
positives from the display they put in that day and will be determined to
complete a first league double over Chelsea in 10 years. Victory would also
help to edge them closer to the 40-point mark and top-flight safety. Sam
Allardyce's side sit nine points clear of the drop zone at present, but know
they could be dragged back into a basement battle if they start to relax.

Chelsea
Last 6
3-1
2-2
1-0
1-0
0-2
2-0
Demba Ba could return up front for Chelsea in place of Fernando Torres. Ba
was ineligible for the Europa League defeat of Steaua Bucharest on Thursday,
when Torres scored the decisive goal, missed a late penalty and suffered a
bloody nose. Frank Lampard, who was an unused substitute against the
Romanians, could feature against his former club with the midfielder eyeing
his 200th Chelsea goal, while long-term injury victim Oriol Romeu (knee) is
the only definite absentee.

West Ham
Last 6
0-1
2-3
2-1
1-0
3-1
5-1
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole will sit out a meeting with his former club as
he nurses a hamstring injury, while left-back George McCartney is missing
with a knee complaint. Mark Noble is struggling to shake off an arm injury
which kept him out of last weekend's 1-0 victory at Stoke and club captain
Kevin Nolan faces a race against time to prove his fitness after picking up
a foot injury during a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham on 25th February. James
Tomkins is back in contention after recovering from a virus.

Opta stats:

West Ham have not won a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge since
September 2002.
Chelsea have won their last three Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
Fernando Torres has gone 11 hours and 22 minutes since last scoring a
Premier League goal.

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Karren Brady's football diary – Bendtner still hasn't grown up
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
SunSport columnist
Published: 15th March 2013

Saturday, March 9
A PREMIER LEAGUE director has turned 60 and no expense has been spared at a
party I attend. The theme is Arabian Nights and his wife has shipped in
llamas, belly dancers and endless shisha to a marquee on their beautiful
estate. Dress code is Arabian Chic but, with so many club owners there, I'm
concerned I can't spot the real Sultans from the Ali Babas. One famous boss
dressed as a Genie. He was passing on a subliminal message to his owner. A
drunk football pundit had something much sorer than his head the next day
after trying to grope a waitress. I administered the kick!

Sunday, March 10
FORMER Hammers keeper David James says he wants West Ham to hang around at
Upton Park — and not move to the Olympic Stadium. That's his view and fair
enough. He thinks we'd never be able to fill the seats, suggesting he hasn't
checked our capacity crowds this season. I hate the way he ties it around
the neck of Bobby Moore. Perhaps it's worth replicating the words of Bobby's
daughter Roberta: "Upton Park is West Ham's spiritual home but life moves
forward and it's a wonderful opportunity. Dad would think so too. "He was
proud of his country, having played for England, and he would've loved the
Olympics and the legacy they've left."

Monday, March 11
ONE short cut to the sack is securing automatic promotion to the Premier
League and then, without notably adding to the playing staff, failing to win
the damned thing. Nigel Adkins went that way at Southampton and now the same
thing has happened to the equally excellent Brian McDermott at Reading.
Owners are running scared of missing the magic bus — more like a Rolls-Royce
— to the extra trillions of TV money coming the way of Premier clubs next
season. But panic is not the answer.

Tuesday, March 12
WHEN your first team have been beaten 43-0, what do you do? Resign? Hide
away? Kick the door down? Go for counselling? It takes a woman to be
positive about such a walloping, so it is here that I introduce you to Julie
Boyce, chairwoman of Caerphilly Castle Ladies of the Welsh Ladies Premier
League, whose reaction was so different. She uses the defeat to advertise
for better players. "There will never be a better chance for any aspiring
player to compete in the Premier League," she says. Truly, the Calendar
Girls spirit. I'm inclined to apply myself.

Wednesday, March 13
WATCHING the Champions League match tonight, I can't see too much wrong with
Arsenal. The Gunners are only a little short of real excellence and the
trouble is where once Wenger could rummage around Europe for players alone,
now there are so many scouts and agents there's barely room for spectators.
Club policy rules out paying top whack in wages too. Still, Arsenal's young
players are the envy of every club.

Thursday, March 14
I HAVE met and employed Nicklas Bendtner. At the time I passed off his
arrogance as a product of youth, as he was only a teen when I first met him.
He told me I should be pleased with myself for signing such a fantastic
talent, I vaguely wondered who he was referring to when I realised he was
talking about himself. He turned up, played well, became a local star, had
the girls fighting over him, then returned to Arsenal and received £52,000 a
week. In football, as in life, you need to be a humble loser, but also a
humble winner. Nicklas had many talents but being humble wasn't one I
observed. Recently done for drink driving and now banned from playing for
Denmark, his Juventus boss today says he needs to play at a smaller club to
rediscover his football. He thinks he should play at a bigger club. Shows
you can only be young once — but can always be immature.

Friday, March 15
LAST time I was at Stamford Bridge, I found a bra in a boardroom cupboard.
I'm there again with West Ham on Sunday and I promise to let you know if I
find the panties to go with it. Or maybe Roman has hidden a spare manager in
a wardrobe. Who knows? Who, indeed? Because if there's one thing the
billionaire doesn't know currently it's the next manager's identity. To
thousands of people, Chelsea are a fixation — to Abramovich they are a bit
of his empire, so his men are scouring Europe for a name to present to him.

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Hammer time.. again? West Ham's Allardyce interested in bringing Yossi
Benayoun back to the club
The Mirror
15 Mar 2013 22:30

Chelsea midfielder who began his Premier League career with the Irons and
had a loan spell there earlier this season is out of contract in the summer
Sam Allardyce has admitted Yossi Benayoun could return to West Ham for a
third spell. Chelsea and Israel midfielder Benayoun made only six
appearances during an injury-plagued stint on loan at Upton Park in the
first half of this season. But the 32-year-old is set to be released in the
summer and Allardyce said he will be interested in signing Benayoun on a
permanent deal. Before facing the Stamford Bridge outfit on Sunday, the West
Ham boss said: "There are lots of names on our list from our head of
recruitment and there will be lots of people chasing those players who are
not going to cost anything transfer-fee wise. He will be on our list
probably, but we will wait and see when the time comes around."

Benayoun previously spent two seasons with the Hammers when he first moved
to the Premier League in 2005, before joining Liverpool and then Chelsea.

* WEST HAM are closing in on Vitoria defender Mahamadou N'Diaye, valued at
£500,000 by the Portuguese club.

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