Daily WHUFC News - 6th January 2013

An important message for supporters
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will continue it support for equality projects throughout
2013
05.01.2013

West Ham United will be continuing to support programmes that promote
tolerance and inclusion in 2013 by marking a number of key equality dates
throughout the year. The club remains committed to tackling discrimination
in whatever form it takes and will be promoting events and campaigns that
highlight and combat prejudice towards individuals because of disability,
race, sex, sexual orientation and religion. The first high-profile event the
club will be supporting is the annual Holocaust Memorial Day, which will be
marked at the Queen's Park Rangers fixture on Saturday 19 January. The club
will also be sending representatives to the local events in remembrance of
the estimated eleven million people who were killed by the Nazis in the
Second World War. This included six million Jews, one and half million of
whom were children, as well as gypsies, the mentally ill, homosexuals,
religious dissidents and other minorities. The aim for this year's Holocaust
Memorial Day events are to 'build a bridge' between communities, which ties
in perfectly with West Ham United's commitment to equality, social inclusion
and community cohesion. The Hammers won praise last season for their work
with the newly-launched Football v Homophobia campaign, as they became only
the second football team to wear the organisation's T-shirts. That support
will continue during FvH's awareness week this year, which ties in with the
annual Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Month in February.

West Ham will then once again celebrate International Women's Day on 8
March, where the club will carry on its support for initiatives that promote
gender equality throughout football. Likewise, the club will be marking
Black History Month, which takes place in October. West Ham prides itself on
being a place that welcomes supporters from all faiths and the club will be
working with local inter-faith projects that help contribute to greater
understanding of different beliefs during Inter-Faith Week in November. The
Hammers also has a thriving Disabled Supporters' group and recently hosted a
hugely successful Disabled Supporters' Forum, which was attended by Sam
Allardyce, Guy Demel and Robert Hall. The International Day of Disabled
People falls on 3 December and the club will be consulting with its disabled
members on the Supporter Advisory Board to help promote the issues that
affect disabled fans.

Joint Chairman David Sullivan said: "Both David Gold and I feel it is hugely
important that we continue our great work from 2012 that highlights
discrimination in society today. We supported a number of key initiatives
last year, which we will be looking to build on throughout 2013. "We both
firmly believe that West Ham United is a club that promotes fairness and
inclusion across the board and we want the Boleyn Ground to continue to be a
place that people from all backgrounds feel welcome. "I would like as many
fans as possible to join us in this work and we would love to hear from any
of you that have suggestions or ideas for any other projects or campaigns
that you would like to see West Ham United supporting. "Our tagline of
'Moore than a Football Club' has become well known throughout football this
season and we want to carry on demonstrating to the rest of the world why
West Ham United is exactly that."

The Joint-Chairman's comments follow the positive reaction to the club's
response to the unsavoury reports from the Premier League game with
Tottenham Hotspur on 25 November. Kick It Out Chairman Lord Herman Ouseley
said: "Clubs have the power to show leadership and set an example for the
vast majority of its supporters to follow in instances like this. Here, West
Ham have done exactly that. "Kick It Out has seen first-hand the appetite
the club has in embracing anti-discrimination initiatives, with David Gold
and James Tomkins both acting as campaign ambassadors in 2012. By doing this
they're helping to send a message as to what is and what isn't acceptable.
"It is clear they feel abuse of this kind won't be tolerated and, in a
period where the issue is high on the agenda, this approach is something we
applaud."

Keep an eye out in the programme, whufc.com and the club's twitter and
Facebook pages for further updates on the events when they are available. If
you have any suggestions for any inclusion projects you would like to see
West Ham United support, email customerservices@westhamunited.co.uk

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Ginge at the double
WHUFC.com
James Collins had mixed emotions after his two goals so nearly earned a win
against Manchester United
06.01.2013

James Collins' brace so nearly earned West Ham United a famous FA Cup
third-round victory against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday.
As it is, the Hammers had to settle for a highly-creditable 2-2 draw with
the eleven-times winners and players and fans alike can look forward to an
Old Trafford replay in ten days' time. Central defender Collins glanced in
two superb headers from Joe Cole crosses either side of half-time to strike
out Tom Cleverley's opener and the hosts looked on course for a brilliant
cup victory in east London before Robin van Persie's late leveller. "I'm
delighted to get the two goals but ultimately disappointed we didn't win the
game," Collins said. "You know you're going to get quality delivery [from
Joe Cole]. They're both from a set-play, the balls gone out and then come
back in so you've just go to try and make the run and the ball's there. I
didn't need to move too much and the ball just landed on my head. "I've seen
their goal on the replay in the changing room and sometimes you've just got
to hold your hands up. It was an unbelievable ball and the touch and finish
was top drawer. "We are happy with the way played. Their goal at the end has
put a bit of a dampener on it but if you look at the performance and the
team they put out I think we'll sit down on Monday and probably be really
happy. We had a chance to make it 3-1 which would have probably killed it
but we take massive plusses out of the performance."

Collins was voted Man of the Match by match sponsors Sure Men for his
efforts as he was back to his customary best after missing the New Year's
Day win at home to Norwich City through suspension. The performance was
particularly pleasing for the Wales international after his mistake cost the
Hammers dear in the 1-0 defeat at Reading. "The Reading game was the
ultimate disappointment. I've done it twice now this season and I don't
think I've done it once before in my career. It would have been nice if this
game was in the league so I can rectify it. Those things happen in football,
though, I've just got to put it behind me and get on with it."

The 2-2 draw sets up a mouthwatering replay in Manchester, which will take
place at 8pm on Wednesday 16 January. West Ham are likely to be allocated a
large section of the ground and the travelling claret and blue army will
head to the north west hoping for a repeat of the famous 1-0 FA Cup
fourth-round win at Old Trafford back in 2001. "I'm sure both managers might
say it's a game they could've done without with the heavy league fixture.
But we'll go there and try our best. We went there in the league and were
disappointed to lose in the end. We'll go there with confidence having
played them twice now and done very well each time. It's the FA Cup so we'll
hope we can cause an upset."

Collins is also happy to see that car parking spaces at West Ham's Chadwell
Heath training complex are getting harder to come by as more bodies return
from injury or are added to the squad. New signing Joe Cole made an
immediate impact against the Red Devils and 'Ginge' has backed loanee
Marouane Chamakh to follow suit, possibly in the Hammers' next game - away
at Sunderland next Saturday. "Chadwell Heath is getting busier. Chamakh has
been at Arsenal and Bordeux before, where he's done well. If he can come
here and we can get the best out of him that's a plus and with Joe's
performance against United to look at we're only going to get better. It's
great to have bodies about as we had a couple of injuries a few weeks ago
and it didn't seem like we'd have anyone about so it's great."

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Big Sam proud of 'fantastic performance'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce praised his players following their 2-2 FA Cup third-round
draw with Manchester United
05.01.2013

Sam Allardyce was brimming with pride after his West Ham United side held
Manchester United to a thrilling 2-2 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round draw
with Manchester United. The Hammers recovered from falling behind to a Tom
Cleverley goal to go ahead through two James Collins headers - both assisted
by the returning Joe Cole - only for Robin van Persie's added-time finish to
deny them a famous victory. From a tactical point of view, West Ham were
magnificent, restricting the Barclays Premier League leaders to a handful of
chances. At the other end, Carlton Cole was denied a possibly
match-clinching third by David De Gea before Van Persie's dramatic late
intervention. "I thought we grew into the game really well," said Big Sam.
"We saw Manchester United moving the ball around in the early stages and
were tactically aware of the need not to get frustrated because they are a
good passing side and they rotate positions very well. We started to probe
and get on the front foot a little bit and started to get into their half
and get our wide men and full-back in down the side. "We started to create
chances and certainly our best chance, which was headed off the line [by
Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic from Alou Diarra's header] and we were
unlucky not to go 1-0 up. They then scored a fantastic goal with their
movement and one-touch football and a great finish at the end of it. "Then
we came storming back with a really quality ball from Joe Cole and a great
header from Ginge. It was unlikely enough that he would score once, but then
he scored a second for us and got us in front. We kept United extremely
quiet and then Matt Taylor headed back from Mark Noble from a great cross
from Matt Jarvis and Coley just couldn't toe-poke it in. "Ryan Giggs then
smashes a half-volley diagonal about 65 yards and Van Persie peels off James
Tomkins, his first touch is in front of him and bang, it's in the back of
the net. It was a sickener but it was a great performance from the lads and
it's a real shame they didn't get us through at the first time of asking.
"We're still in the draw after a fantastic performance on the back of a very
good win over Norwich. I hope our bad run is now over and, if we continue to
keep performances like this going, we will continue to get results."

Big Sam was rightly delighted with the display of Joe Cole, who created both
West Ham goals and produced a performance full of the class and talent
Hammers fans came to know and love during his first spell in claret and
blue. "He is a top international player for England and he played for the
top team in the country at Chelsea. He had a move that went wrong to
Liverpool so you could relate it to Steven Pienaar, who went from Everton to
Tottenham and it didn't work, then he has gone back and it's gone well. "Joe
is still in his early thirties and, as long as he stays fit for me - we'll
work hard at doing that - then he will be a great asset."

It was not only the No26 who impressed. Every West Ham player was
'outstanding', according to the manager. "Everybody was outstanding - the
only one who wasn't was Jussi because he didn't have anything to do. What
does that say about the performance? If he had saved Van Persie's shot he'd
have been the hero because I think we'd have won the game. "How many saves
did he have to make? We have limited Manchester United to the fewest chances
they've probably created in a game this season. I know people will say they
scored two but they did so with probably the only three chances they've had.
"They had a header at the far post [from Giggs] that went over which was a
reasonable chance, but at the other end we opened them up and exposed them
on several occasions, so it's just a shame we didn't get the win."

A replay means West Ham now have mid-week games in the three final weeks of
January - at Manchester United, Arsenal and Fulham. Big Sam said the fixture
pile-up will test a squad that has been strengthened by the arrival of Cole
and Marouane Chamakh and the return to fitness of a number of important
players.
"January is going to be massive in terms of the number of games and that
means we have got to get Diame and Carroll fit and Gary O'Neil back. I think
we'll strengthen the squad - we have Chamakh who has come in - and that will
be massive for us. "We've seen the effect of Collison and Vaz Te coming back
and the competition for places making people produce good performances.
"We've seen Danny Potts come back from Colchester and put in a massive
performance here against Manchester United, so I hope he can keep that up.
If I can get another player in during the window, so be it, and hopefully
that will give us the strength in depth to rotate during that period because
that's what I'll have to do to get some results."

Finally, the manager is looking forward to helping Chamakh return to the
form that made him a feared striker during a successful, league
title-winning spell with French club Bordeaux. "Modibo Maiga has gone to the
Africa Cup of Nations and Yossi Benayoun has gone back to Chelsea, so the
two new players have come in and replaced them. If we can add anybody else
then that will be fine. "We've got Andy, Carlton and Chamakh - three good
strikers. Hopefully we can give him a lift after the disappointment he had
to suffer at Arsenal in the last year or so. What he did at Bordeaux is what
I'm going to try to get him to do here. He was an outstanding centre forward
with Bordeaux who won the French league there."

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Fixture update
WHUFC.com
Dates for West Ham United's away fixtures at Manchester United and Arsenal
have been confirmed
05.01.2013

Dates for West Ham United's FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay at
Manchester United and re-arranged Barclays Premier League visit to Arsenal
have been confirmed.

They will be as follows:

Manchester United v West Ham United
FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round Replay
Wednesday, 16 January 2013, kick-off 8pm

Arsenal v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Wednesday 23 January 2013, 7.45pm

Supporters should also note that the FA Cup fourth-round draw will be on
Sunday 6 January 2013 at approximately 3.30pm and will be made by David
Seaman and Dave Beasant live on ESPN. West Ham United/Manchester United will
be No26. Ties are to be played on the 26/27 January 2013.

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Spurs date confirmed
WHUFC.com
The FA Youth Cup game with Tottenham Hotspur has been confirmed for Tuesday
22 January
05.01.2013

West Ham United's fourth round FA Youth Cup game with Tottenham Hotspur has
been confirmed for 7pm on Tuesday 22 January at the Boleyn Ground. Steve
Potts' youngsters will play host to their north London neighbours on what
will surely be a special night under the Boleyn Ground lights. Tickets will
cost just £3 for adults and £1 for concessions and the club hope a bumper
crowd will be in full voice to cheer on the youngsters. The club shops will
also be staying open late so any fans hoping to stock up on Hammers
merchandise ahead of the game can pop instore.

whufc.com will all the big match build-up ahead of the game.

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West Ham 2 Man Utd 2
5 January 2013
Last updated at 19:56
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport

Robin van Persie scored in stoppage time as Manchester United remained in
the FA Cup by the skin of their teeth and denied West Ham a famous win. Tom
Cleverley gave the visitors the lead when he sidefooted in before James
Collins headed the equaliser, his first goal since returning to the
club.Collins gave the Hammers the lead with another header after the break.
With seconds remaining, Van Persie latched on to Ryan Giggs's through-ball
to earn the visitors a replay. Although the Premier League leaders left it
very late, there was something inevitable about the final act given the
visitors' reputation for recovering the most unpromising of situations. It
was, however, heartbreaking for West Ham, who few would have said did not
deserve their place in the fourth round following a mature performance. Both
sides fielded strong line-ups, while the visitors also named an impressive
bench that included Rio Ferdinand, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Ashley
Young and Van Persie.

Welbeck took the Dutchman's place in the starting XI and his pace was a
worry in the opening 45 minutes, but it was the speed of thought of strike
partner Hernandez that led to the opening goal for United. The Mexican has
scored three in the last three, but was provider on this occasion when he
darted down the right and delivered a pacey ball into the area for
midfielder Cleverley, who opened his body up and guided a firm strike past
Jussi Jaaskelainen. His goal delighted the travelling fans and was warmly
applauded by match attendee and ex-Old Trafford favourite David Beckham, to
whom the goalscorer has been likened.

In the last three competitive meetings between West Ham and Manchester
United at Upton Park, four different Hammers players have scored a brace
A few moments earlier, defender Nemanja Vidic had a header cleared off the
line by Daniel Potts, while West Ham's Alou Diarra saw his headed effort
cleared from danger by a well-positioned Paul Scholes. That aerial threat
has benefitted Sam Allardyce's side this season, and five minutes after the
opener they were level via those means when Collins scored his first goal
since returning to the club from Aston Villa. Joe Cole, making his second
debut for the Hammers, roamed from wing to wing during the match and bent in
a delightful ball from the left that was powered in by the centre-back off
his forehead. Ferguson's side made another lively start after the break and
Cleverley should have at least hit the target instead of thrashing over when
the ball came to him at the edge of the area.

Although the tactics seemed set right, Ferguson's defenders appeared to
allow Cole more room than should have been afforded as the game went on.
Coming up to the hour, Cole was again allowed space to deliver. And on
almost the same spot from which he had supplied the cross for West Ham's
first goal, he found his partner-in-crime Collins, whose flicked header was
beautifully directed into the corner. Ferguson threw on the bigger guns -
Van Persie and midfielder Antonio Valencia - to try to remain in a
competition his side last won in 2004. As four minutes of stoppage time were
announced, the Hammers must have entertained the thought they had the
11-time winners beaten, but Van Persie changed all that as he brilliantly
controlled Giggs's lofted ball and rifled in.

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Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson feared FA Cup exit
BBC.co.uk

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said he feared missed chances had
consigned his side to an early FA Cup exit at West Ham. The Premier League
leaders were 2-1 down after 90 minutes, but earned a third-round replay when
Robin van Persie levelled in stoppage time. "We have had some terrible draws
over the years and been knocked out early and we don't enjoy that," he said.
"We missed some good chances and I thought it wasn't going to be our day."
He continued: "We had headers over the bar and [Shinji] Kagawa had one
blocked on the line. "But you have to say the pass from Ryan Giggs, and the
first touch from Robin and his finish were world class," added the
71-year-old Scot. Giggs was one of three substitutes, along with Van Persie
and Antonio Valencia, introduced after James Collins had scored his second
header to put the home side in front. Midfielder Tom Cleverley had given the
visitors the lead in the first half, when he guided in Javier Hernandez's
cross from the right. Collins equalised a few minutes later with a header
from Joe Cole's cross. The two combined again when Cole, making his first
appearance in his second spell at Upton Park, delivered another excellent
cross that Collins flicked in. "For us to be losing 2-1 in that game is
amazing with the way we played," said Ferguson. "But when you play West Ham
you have got to defend those crosses and set pieces, because they are
brilliant at that, the best team in the league, but we did not do that.
"Twice in the same position, [it was] James Collins from a cross by Joe Cole
and we have lost two goals. But with some of the chances we missed, we
should have been home safely."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce said he knew from experience his opponents are
never beaten while the game is still in play. "You have never beaten
Manchester United until the final whistle blows and I have learned that in
the past," said the former Bolton manager. "It was a great performance and
in that dressing room we almost feel like we have lost when you get done in
the last minute, but we are still in the hat. "We have a difficult January
now. That game gets fitted in, and we have some important league games
before and after that, so we have to get the players fit who are out
injured."

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Ferguson on....
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th January 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2

....well nothing actually.

Win lose or draw, most clubs manage to send their manager or an assistant
along to the press room after matches to discuss the game. However, it seems
yet again Manchester United see themselves above such things.

Now we weren't particularly interested in what Ferguson had to say - let's
face it he talks a load of rubbish at the best of times. However, the press
room would have appreciated a quick word to the effect that they couldn't be
bothered slightly earlier in proceedings.

Some of you might think that such actions are typical of an arrogant club
with no class.

We could not possibly comment.

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West Ham to sign Brazilian striker on loan
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are set to sign Brazillian striker Wellington Paulista on loan for
the remainder fo the season, according to reports. The 29-year-old Cruzeiro
striker is said to be on his way to London to join the Hammers for the
remainder of the 2012/13 campaign according to Cruzeiro director of football
Alexandre Mattos.
"Cruzeiro would like to thank Wellington a lot, he is a great professional,"
said Mattos. "He always honoured and liked Cruzeiro a lot, as Cruzeiro liked
him also. The clubs doors are always open for him."

Paulista has been with Cruzeiro since 2009, having moved to the Campeonato
Brasileiro Série A side from Botafogo where he was something of a cult hero
amongst fans.

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West Ham Utd 2-2 Man Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

A last-gasp equaliser from substitute Robin Van Persie secured the current
league leaders a second bite at the FA Cup cherry, despite being outmuscled
and outplayed for most of the game by United at the Boleyn Ground this
afternoon.

Twelve years ago this month Joe Cole was part of the Harry Redknapp team
that did the impossible and beat the then-reigning European Champions 1-0 at
Old Trafford in the FA Cup 4th Round through a second half Paolo Di Canio
goal.

And the returning hero, who was making his first appearance for United since
returning to the club from Liverpool last week was just moments away from
celebrating another shock Cup result - and one that he had a major role in.

Cole provided both assists for United's two goals, both of which were scored
by a second of West Ham's 'JC's - James Collins. It looked as if those two
strikes would be enough to win the game for Sam Allardyce's side - that was
until Van Persie's untimely intervention as the game entered added-on time.

Always a lively encounter, United were inches away from drawing first blood
when Alou Diarra, in for his first start since joining the club back in
August saw a 12th-minute header hacked off the line by Paul Scholes.

The visitors hit back quickly and Nemanja Vidic saw his header cleared from
under his own bar eight minutes later by young Danny Potts, back in the
first team for the first time since September. That proved to be a warning
that United failed to heed, for within three minutes Man U had taken the
lead.

With West Ham's attack having broken down, the Reds countered on the right
through Hernadez. The Mexican's cross found Tom Cleverley, who had been left
totally unmarked by Jack Collison, and the midfielder sidefooted the ball
into the net to make it 1-0.

However United were not to be outdone and were back on level terms within
five minutes. Ricardo Vaz Te, working the left flank provided a short pass
inside to Joe Cole. Cole's inswinging cross was met by a glancing header
from James Collins, who had pulled away from his marker, which the Welshman
guided into an empty net. 1-1, game on again.

It was to be another half-an-hour before the next goal arrived and, in
truth, it could have gone to either side. But it was to be United who
grabbed it - and it proved to be a carbon-copy of their first.

Joe Cole, who had teased and tormented Man U from the opening minute once
again created an opening on the left and sent over an inswinging cross.
James Collins, once more in an advanced position lost his marker again
before making a clinical connection that saw the ball fly into the top
corner of David de Gea's net.

As the game wore on the only surprise was that Man U's expected 'cavalry
charge' failed to arrive and West Ham were looking comfortable as the game
entered its closing stages. United could have wrapped the game up with two
minutes of normal time remaining when a Matt Jarvis cross eventually found
its way to Carlton Cole who just couldn't find the clinical touch required.

And as is so often the case, that miss proved to be fatal. As the game
entered the first of four added-on minutes, a long Ryan Giggs ball over the
top caught West Ham's (unusually advanced) defence off guard.

Robin Van Persie, who had been almost completely anonymous since entering
the fray midway through the second half took the ball down with his first
touch, made space for himself with a second and planted the ball beyond the
despairing dive of Jussi Jaaskelainen with his third to take the tie to a
replay.

United will no doubt feel hard done by, but Sam Allardyce's players - who
started the game without a string of first team regulars - can all be proud
of their efforts, even if the odds are firmly stacked against them now in
the replay.

That match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 16th January (8pm kick
off); with up to 15,000 tickets available for travelling fans, it promises
to be another night to remember. Now to recapture that spirit of 2000...

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West Ham 2 Manchester United 2: Robin van Persie saves Sir Alex Ferguson's
men
Last Updated: January 5, 2013 8:26pm
SSN

A dramatic late Robin van Persie equaliser rescued Manchester United from FA
Cup elimination at West Ham United in a 2-2 draw. Joe Cole - who re-joined
West Ham from Liverpool on Friday - had looked set to inspire the Hammers to
victory in a fairytale second debut. The midfielder created both headed
goals for the excellent James Collins either side of half-time to cancel out
Tom Cleverley's opener. However, substitute Van Persie stepped off the bench
to score a wonderful equaliser in the last minute of injury time to set up a
replay at Old Trafford on 16th January. It had been a bright start by
Manchester United and the visitors thought they had gone ahead on 16 minutes
when Danny Welbeck swept home a low cross from Javier Hernandez but the
offside flag was up. On 23 minutes, Sir Alex Ferguson's side took the lead,
as another Hernandez cross was met by Cleverley and the midfielder swept the
ball home in acres of space at the back post. However, just four minutes
later, West Ham were level when Cole had the ball on the left and his
floated centre was met with a powerful header by centre-back Collins, which
left United goalkeeper David De Gea rooted to the spot. West Ham turned the
tie around on the hour mark, with Cole again the provider, as he delivered
another perfectly-weighted ball from the left which Collins met with a
header. With 23 minutes left, Ferguson had seen enough, making a double
change as Van Persie and Antonio Valencia replaced Hernandez and Paul
Scholes. On 77 minutes, new boy Cole was replaced by Matthew Taylor, leaving
to a standing ovation from the home support. It was the away fans, however,
who were cheering in the final minute as Van Persie broke into the right
side of the penalty area on to a stunning cross-field pass from fellow
substitute Ryan Giggs, beautifully controlled the ball, held off James
Tomkins and expertly drilled the ball into the far corner.

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Brazilian striker Wellington Paulista is set to finalise a move to West Ham
United
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @graemebailey. Last Updated: January 5,
2013 9:18pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands that West Ham United have agreed a deal with Cruzeiro
for Brazilian striker Wellington Paulista. The 28-year-old is set to join
Sam Allardyce's side on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a
permanent deal. Paulista has scored 19 goals this season for Cruzeiro and
will add an extra striking option for Allardyce for the second half of the
campaign. Sky Sports understands that the player is due to arrive in England
on Sunday to undergo a medical ahead of finalising his move. Paulista does
not require a work permit to move to the Premier League as he has an EU
passport, so could figure immediately for the Hammers.

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West Ham's Sam Allardyce praises Joe Cole after Manchester United FA Cup
draw
Last Updated: January 6, 2013 8:13am
SSN

Sam Allardyce paid tribute to debutant Joe Cole and all of his 'outstanding'
players after West Ham United's draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup
third round. The Upton Park club came within seconds of eliminating their
Premier League rivals in London on Saturday evening after taking a 2-1 lead
into injury time. And after on Friday re-joining West Ham from Liverpool,
boyhood Hammer Cole had been one of the main architects, setting up two
James Collins headers to cancel out Tom Cleverley's opener. Robin van
Persie's wonderful injury-time equaliser ultimately forced a replay but
Allardyce was still full of praise for Cole and his team, as the manager
told West Ham's official website: "He is a top international player for
England and he played for the top team in the country at Chelsea. "He had a
move that went wrong to Liverpool so you could relate it to Steven Pienaar,
who went from Everton to Tottenham and it didn't work, then he has gone back
and it's gone well. "Joe is still in his early thirties and, as long as he
stays fit for me - we'll work hard at doing that - then he will be a great
asset." Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were
not at their best and Allardyce had thought West Ham would be good value to
win after a quiet game for goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. "Everybody was
outstanding. The only one who wasn't was Jussi, because he didn't have
anything to do," said Allardyce. "What does that say about the performance?
If he had saved Van Persie's shot, he'd have been the hero, because I think
we'd have won the game."

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Cruzeiro striker Wellington Paulista ready for loan move to West Ham
By Paulo Freitas. Last Updated: January 5, 2013 9:43pm
SSN

Cruzeiro striker Wellington Paulista has confirmed he is on his way to West
Ham United and is determined to make a success of his move to the Premier
League. Paulista is due to arrive in England on Sunday to undergo a medical
ahead of finalising a loan move to Upton Park, with the option of a
permanent arrangement. He will not require a work permit as he holds an EU
passport and the Brazilian is looking forward to the next chapter in his
career. "I have had two successful spells at Cruzeiro," Paulista told
Lancenet. "I thank the fans for their kindness during the time I was
honouring the blue shirt. "I am sure I am leaving via the front door and I
hope I can return in the future. "The transfer was good for everyone
involved, now I'll work hard to succeed in this new stage of my career."

Cruzeiro's director of football Alexandre Mattos wished Paulista well for
the future and paid tribute to the 28-year-old's time at the club. Mattos
told Terra: "Cruzeiro thanks Wellington, who is a great professional. He has
always honoured and liked Cruzeiro, just like Cruzeiro likes him. He leaves
with the club's doors open."

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Really Very Predictable: RvP saves Man United with last-gasp leveller at
West Ham
The Mirror
5 Jan 2013 19:26

Joe Cole was denied a heroic return to West Ham by Manchester United's new
hero Robin van Persie. Twelve years since being part of the Hammers side
that won at Old Trafford in the fourth round, Cole looked to have inspired
West Ham to another famous FA Cup win. He produced two wonderful ­moments of
quality to set up both Hammers goals for defender James Collins and left the
field to a standing ovation with 12 ­minutes remaining. But Van Persie
stepped off the bench to score a stunning ­stoppage-time equaliser and
­underline his own growing status as United's latest hero. The goal was Van
Persie's 20th in all competitions since joining United from Arsenal. And it
was the third time the Dutchman had netted in stoppage time to change the
outcome of a game. The 29-year-old will be grateful to another United
substitute Ryan Giggs for the superb pass that set up his late, late
leveller, but the striker's first touch and finish were sublime.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The pass from Ryan Giggs and the finish
from Van Persie were world-class. "It was a challenge for Van Persie to come
to a new club and repeat what he had done. But he is a full international
and he has brought maturity to our front-line. He's been tremendous." West
Ham boss Sam Allardyce said: "It was a fantastic debut from Joe and he got a
great reception from the fans. But the whole team played really well." Cole
added: "I didn't like all the fuss about me returning, I just wanted to get
out there and play again. It was nice to be involved, but it still feels
like a missed ­opportunity for us."
Up until Van Persie's goal, it seemed Cole had done enough to complete a
dream return to Upton Park, ­despite passing almost ­unnoticed for the first
26 minutes of his ­second West Ham debut. United dominated possession in the
early stages and, despite Paul Scholes heading off the line from Alou
Diarra, it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead.

Rafael played a wonderful pass to Javier Hernandez, who crossed for Tom
Cleverley to beat West Ham goalkeeper Jussi ­Jaaskelainen without breaking
his stride. Former United star David ­Beckham celebrated Cleverley's goal
with his sons from the Upton Park stands. Beckham's ­representatives
insisted his ­presence was no more than an evening out to watch United,
­despite the fact he is yet to make a decision on his playing future. Cole
had barely touched the ball up to that point, but the ­midfielder's first
meaningful contribution prompted West Ham's equaliser. Having cut inside
from the left, Cole produced a superb right-foot cross that Collins headed
powerfully past David De Gea. The home crowd erupted and Cole's West Ham
career was up and running again. Collins' ­equaliser lifted West Ham, but it
was Ferguson's team that went closest to regaining the lead ­before
half-time.

Danny Welbeck skipped his way into the area, but shot far too close to
Jaaskelainen instead of ­squaring the ball for the unmarked ­Hernandez.
Cleverley had a good chance to double his and United's tally just three
minutes after the break, but fired over after Rafael's attempted cross had
been diverted into his path by James Tomkins. It was the unlikely
Cole-Collins partnership that again proved to be deadly for West Ham, as
they went ahead in almost identical circumstances as their first goal. Cole
picked the ball up on the left, produced another superb right-footed cross
and Collins thundered his second header past De Gea. It was far too easy for
the ­Hammers and Ferguson will have been furious that his team fell for the
same trick twice. Ferguson ­responded by sending on Van Persie, along with
­Antonio Valencia. And his last roll of the dice was to replace ­defender
Chris Smalling with Giggs. Just as fourth official Kevin Friend showed there
would be four minutes of added time, Giggs played an incredible high angled
pass that picked out Van Persie and he took the ball down ­perfectly before
firing
home.

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