Daily WHUFC News - 25th October 2015

West Ham United 2-1 Chelsea
WHUFC.com

Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-1 Chelsea

Andy Carroll leapt off the bench to fire West Ham United to victory over
ten-man Chelsea with his first Barclays Premier League goal since January
2015. The returning Mauro Zarate landed the first blow after 17 minutes,
when he collected the loose ball from a corner to fire the Hammers in front.
And after Nemanja Matic saw red on the stroke of half-time for a second
bookable offence, Slaven Bilic's men looked on course for another major
scalp. But Gary Cahill had other ideas, profiting from another corner to
smash the visitors level after 56 minutes. Carroll, however, would have the
final word, planting a towering header beyond Asmir Begovic to put the
Hammers second! With the on-loan Victor Moses ineligible against his parent
club, goalscorer Zarate made his first Barclays Premier League start since
the 2-1 home defeat by Leicester back in August. Dimitri Payet, meanwhile,
with his song ringing in his ears, was on the prowl. He sized one up from 25
yards inside five minutes but curled it over the top. At the other end, Cesc
Fabregas played Diego Costa in behind. James Collins, however, was quickly
on the scene and the Spaniard lashed it wildly into the Bobby Moore Stand.
Payet, almost inevitably, was involved in the goal too. Begovic tipped the
Frenchman's free-kick over the top, but was soon picking the ball out of the
net. Ramires and Costa both tried and failed to clear the resulting corner
and when it fell to Zarate on the angle, he slammed into the near corner
from 18 yards. In response, Ramires himself tried his luck from distance and
Adrian, again, watched it comfortably
over the top. But the Hammers' custodian had no such luxury with Willian's
free-kick after 33 minutes. The Spaniard flung himself to his right to repel
the bouncing ball. And then Chelsea went closer still. Manuel Lanzini got
himself in a pickle trying to clear Kurt Zouma's header and subsequent
replays showed the ball was a fraction from crossing the line when the
Argentine hooked clear. From danger at one end, West Ham could twice have
doubled their lead at the other. An unchallenged Collins saw his header
gathered by Begovic, before Lanzini too had his head in his hands. The
diminutive Argentine raced onto Payet's flick and though he dinked it over
the advancing Begovic, it cleared the crossbar as well. Meanwhile, Fabregas
thought he had fired the visitors level, but as he stroked into the far
corner, the linesman raised his flag. It looked close.The first-half drama
was not over yet. The already-cautioned Matic hauled Diafra Sakho to the
floor on the far touchline. West Ham's protests were vociferous and after a
confab with his assistant, Moss produced a second yellow. Mourinho's
response? A wry smile on the touchline. Fabregas and Costa made their views
known and both earned a caution for their troubles, while Blues coach
Silvino Louro was sent to the stands. Into the second half and Aaron
Cresswell fizzed an inviting low ball across the face of goal. Sakho hadn't
read it and the chance went begging.

Much like the Hammers' opener, Chelsea levelled matters when the hosts
failed to clear their lines from a corner. Up went the heads but the ball
fell kindly at the feet of Cahill who smashed it emphatically beyond Adrian.
Back came West Ham. Mark Noble cushioned a header into the path of Zarate,
whose half volley into the turf was a simple take for Begovic. Payet,
meanwhile, was up to his old tricks, flicking the ball over Willian before
leathering a volley across goal. Despite their ten men, Chelsea still pushed
forward. Hazard's cut-back picked out Ramires, who, thankfully, from no more
than 12 yards, made a mess of it, allowing Adrian to collect.
Over to Carroll. With 12 to play, the big No9 rose to meet Cresswell's
perfectly weighted left-wing cross and directed a pin-point header back from
where the ball had come and into the net. Text book. Chelsea, as you might
expect, threw bodies and the ball forward in the dying minutes, but there
was no way through, as Bilic's men celebrated yet another famous win in an
already unforgettable campaign.

West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell, Noble (c)
(Ogbonna 90), Kouyate, Zarate (Carroll 69), Payet, Lanzini (Obiang 82),
Sakho
Subs: Randolph, Valencia, Jelavic, Antonio
Goals: Zarate 17, Carroll 78
Booked: Kouyate

Chelsea: Begovic, Fabregas (Mikel 46), Zouma, Ramires (Falcao 83), Hazard,
Costa, Matic, Willian, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta
Subs: Amelia, Baba, Oscar, Traore, Loftus-Cheek
Goal: Cahill 56
Booked: Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Costa, Willian, Mikel
Sent off: Matic
Referee: Jonathan Moss

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Carroll - 'You can't describe that feeling'
WHUFC.com

Andy Carroll has missed the feeling of scoring big-game winners. Injury
curtailed his 2014/15 season and meant he missed the start of this, but a
return to the scoresheet with a towering header against Chelsea made up for
lost time. His 79th minute goal won a pulsating London derby for the Hammers
and added Chelsea to a list of impressive scalps that now includes four of
last year's top six. Carroll would love to experience that feeling on a
regular basis to help the Hammers maintain their fine form. He said: "It's a
great feeling to score any goal, but obviously it has been a long time since
I last scored. To get the win as well is even better. "When I saw the ball
come across I knew I had a chance to put it in and as soon as it went in it
was a feeling like you really can't describe. "I keep saying to Cress to put
those balls in and he's just said to me in the dressing room that I can shut
up for a couple of weeks because I've been on to him! As soon as it came in
I was trying to get on the end of it - it might be a typical Andy Carroll
goal but I'll take it! "I just went off celebrating with the lads and they
were all delighted as well. The noise was fantastic and with the goal at the
end the place just erupted. It was great."
West Ham's other results against the big sides have come away from home this
season, so Carroll was thrilled to get one over Chelsea on home turf. He
added: "We've had a great run against the top teams and hopefully we can
keep on going. It's a long season but if we carry on like we have been we'll
do well. "It's nice to get the result here at home, especially for the fans.
They deserve it. We've got a great belief that we can go out and beat the
top teams."

Carroll's return to the fold has been a gradual one, and he says he is
feeling stronger with every game. He explained: "It's great, I just want to
be on the pitch and if it's 20-25 minutes it's a great feeling. Obvioulsy I
want to start, but it's been a long injury and long time so I'll take every
minute I get. "I've taken my time getting back and the manager has
understood - training one day and maybe missing one out. It's a lot easier
for me and my body."

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Bilic - Carroll is a special player
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic had nothing but praise for Andy Carroll and says he is a
special player after he scored the crucial match winner against Chelsea at
the Boleyn Ground. Carroll scored his first Premier League goal since
January with a crucial header on 79 minutes and put months of disappointment
behind him with one of his best moments in a claret and blue shirt. The
Hammers striker has worked hard behind the scenes throughout the summer to
regain full fitness and was in most days during the off-season. Bilic has no
doubts he can become a major player for both club and country again this
season and says he offers so much to the first-team. Bilic said: "Andy is a
big player for us, and also for England. He is special. "He gives us a lot
of options. It's not just long balls, he is a great player, his quality has
never been in doubt. We just needed to get him fit. "Now we are in a really
good situation regarding his fitness and he should be fit and ready for the
long-term. "We will have a lot of benefits from having him fit. It is not
just his work inside the box but also his contribution outside the box. "His
pressing was amazing; his work-rate was excellent. He occupied Terry and
Cahill very well."

Bilic has nothing but praise for his players after they followed up
victories over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City with another memorable
win over the Premier League champions. Bilic added: "There are always lots
to talk about after 90 minutes of football. I am very proud of my club and
my team. "It was brilliant to beat the champions, it's a great feeling.
There is nothing wrong in admitting that we are playing really good. We
deserved to win. "We want to continue to play well and if we defend as a
unit and attack as a team we have a chance to win every game. We are very
happy. "Every win is important. It is about the home wins and when you do it
against the champions."

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Jurcevic - It's like a dream!
WHUFC.com

Nikola Jurcevic described his role as West Ham United assistant manager as
being 'like a dream' following Saturday's 2-1 win over Chelsea. The Croatian
joined forces with compatriot Slaven Bilic just a few weeks ago, and has yet
to lose since his arrival in east London, helping inspire the Hammers into
the Barclays Premier League's top three. Speaking to West Ham TV, Jurcevic
spoke of his pride at what he, his fellow staff and the Club's players are
achieving at present. "At this moment we are really happy," said the
47-year-old. "It must be like a dream because we won against a really big
club. Our performance today was really perfect. "From the first minute, all
the team fought very well and were helped by our fantastic supporters.
Everyone is so happy today!"

Under Bilic, Jurcevic and first-team coach Edin Terzic, West Ham have
developed a new philosophy whereby they go out to try to win every game.
This positive attitude saw them tear into Chelsea from the first whistle,
leading to an opening goal for Mauro Zarate, a red card for Nemanja Matic
and Andy Carroll's introduction and powerful late winner. "We worked hard
for the last three or four months and we have found a really good team – not
only the first eleven but also another seven, eight or nine who are ready to
help our team," he continued. "We had players who came in and helped us to
win this game. We have also a great atmosphere in the team, along with
discipline and hard work and all together, these help us to be in this
position."

With a little more than 20 minutes remaining, Jurcevic and Bilic were deep
in thought in the technical area, before Carroll was called back from his
warm-up to enter the fray. By that time, Chelsea's ten men had equalised
through Gary Cahill's scrambled equaliser, and West Ham had regrouped but
were finding a winner difficult to come by. Enter Carroll, whose presence
and desire led to a brutal, unstoppable header from Aaron Cresswell's
left-wing cross with eleven minutes to go, chalking up another outstanding
win for the Hammers. "Every time during the game we have short discussions
about situations about what we can do with 15 or 25 minutes to go," he said.
"We had a feeling and made this change and we were lucky with this change
because Andy Carroll scored this important goal for us."

Jurcevic and Bilic worked together previously with Croatia, Lokomotiv Moscow
and Besiktas, where they were used to trying to win every game. That
approach has now arrived in east London, where the Hammers look like a
confident force to be reckoned with under the new managerial team. "I think
everybody expects great things from us this season because of our start and
because of our wins over big teams – Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and now
Chelsea," he explained. "It's like a dream but we want to stay on the floor,
stay stable and have good training without silly things for the players.
"Our plan is to be good from game to game and we can have a successful
season."

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West Ham 2 Chelsea 1
24 October 2015
Last updated at 18:03
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

Chelsea had midfielder Nemanja Matic and manager Jose Mourinho sent off as
Andy Carroll's late winner dealt their faltering title defence another blow.
Mauro Zarate fired the Hammers in front when Chelsea failed to clear a
corner. Matic was sent off after being booked twice in nine minutes before
the break, and Mourinho joined him after speaking to referee Jon Moss at
half-time. Gary Cahill levelled from a corner but Carroll met Aaron
Cresswell's cross to send the Hammers third in the table. Chelsea, who have
now lost five of their first 10 Premier League games this season, continue
to languish in the bottom half. As well as Matic and Mourinho, the Blues'
assistant first-team coach Silvino Louro was also dismissed. Chelsea had
five other players booked in a stormy east versus west London derby, the
last to be played at Upton Park in the league before West Ham move to the
Olympic Stadium next summer. Zarate's goal, after Dimitri Payet's corner was
not cleared, meant West Ham led at the break but his goal was not the
decisive moment of the first half.
That came when Matic slipped out on the right by-line and dragged down
Diafra Sakho. The Chelsea midfielder had been booked nine minutes earlier
for hauling back Cheikhou Kouyate as West Ham looked to break. Referee Moss
took his time before showing Matic a second yellow card, which brought a
furious response from Chelsea. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were booked as
the visiting players lost their discipline, while Louro was sent from the
bench. Mourinho continued his protests at half-time and was sent to the
stands for the second half after going to speak to Moss in the referee's
room. He was stood among West Ham fans when Carroll scored, but disappeared
from view soon afterwards.
Matic's first booking came seconds after Chelsea thought they had equalised.
Kurt Zouma rose to head Cesc Fabregas's corner goalwards, but a combination
of defender Carl Jenkinson and goalkeeper Adrian kept it out - just - before
the whole ball crossed the line. Chelsea were also denied by another
marginal decision when a Fabregas goal was ruled out for offside moments
before Matic was dismissed. When Chelsea did draw level, through Cahill's
opportunistic second-half finish from Willian's corner, West Ham rethought
their approach.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic threw on Carroll for the last 20 minutes and the
home side began pumping crosses into the box. Carroll is yet to start a
Premier League game this season because of a summer setback following a
serious knee injury in February, but is getting closer to full fitness. He
was not just on for match minutes against Chelsea, however, and had the
desired impact with his first goal since January. "It's impossible to mark
him in the box," Bilic said afterwards. "His quality was never in question.
If he's in good shape now we have a good chance that he will be injury-free
for a long time. In that case West Ham and England will benefit from that a
lot."

Man of the match - West Ham's Dimitri Payet

West Ham's Dimitri Payet
He did not get on the scoresheet this week, but Dimitri Payet was again
behind almost everything West Ham did, setting up Zarate's opener from a
corner and being heavily involved in the move that led to Carroll's winner

'We're not feeling sorry for ourselves' - Cahill
When asked about the mood in the dressing room, Chelsea defender Gary Cahill
told BBC Sport: "It is not great - like you'd imagine when you lose games.
Last season we weren't used to it "The lads are devastated. Not many words
are being said at the moment. I'm sure we'll reflect in [the] next day or
so. "You're left scratching your head sometimes. In the first half the
Fabregas goal could have been given and we had the ball that was nearly over
the line. That sums up the way we're going. "And then we've got the sending
off. Originally we played on - we thought the referee had played on. Maybe
the assistant called it back, I'm not sure sure what's happened there.
"We've not had the rub of the green, but we're not feeling sorry for
ourselves. We have to work hard to turn this round."

The stats you need to know

This is West Ham's best ever start to a PL season after 10 games (20
points), while it's Chelsea's worst ever start to a PL campaign after 10
games (11 points).
Jose Mourinho has lost six of his last 12 PL matches; immediately before
that run, he had lost six in 64 in the English top-flight.
Chelsea have conceded the first goal in five of their 10 PL matches this
season; they only managed it in eight games throughout the entire 2014/15
campaign.
West Ham have now won their three Premier League London derbies so far this
season (also v Arsenal and Crystal Palace) - they only won two PL London
derbies in the whole of 2014-15.
Mauro Zarate scored his first ever PL goal at Upton Park in this match.
West Ham United scored their first goal against Chelsea in 467 minutes.
What happens next?

West Ham go to Vicarage Road on Saturday to face Watford in their next
Premier League game, while Chelsea's next test is against Stoke in the
Capital One Cup on Tuesday.

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Andy Carroll: West Ham boss Slaven Bilic backs striker to stay fit
BBc.co/uk

West Ham striker Andy Carroll can stay injury free, says manager Slaven
Bilic after the substitute's winner in the Hammers' 2-1 home victory over
Chelsea. The 26-year-old, whose career has been riddled with injuries,
scored his first goal since January in his fifth game since returning from
knee surgery. "We changed the schedule and philosophy and the way of
training," Bilic said. "He always used to come back after five or six weeks
of training, but it doesn't help him." The Croat, who replaced Sam Allardyce
in the summer, told BBC Sport: "He goes running into the box and fighting
with people. "Now he was training hard for six to eight weeks and came back
in the team gradually. "His quality was never in question. If he's in good
shape now we have a good chance that he will be injury free for a long time.
In that case, West Ham and England will benefit from that a lot." Former
Newcastle striker Carroll has only made 24 Premier League starts since his
£15m move from Liverpool more than two years ago. The last of his nine
England caps came in 2012. Carroll - who came on midway into the second half
and scored 10 minutes later - told BBC Match of the Day: "We've got a great
atmosphere at the training ground. "It's fantastic to be a part of. Slaven
is a top manager - he analyses the opposition and then tells us how to beat
them. "We all thought we could beat them today. It wasn't about Chelsea, it
was about us. We've had some great wins this season and hopefully we'll
carry on. The way we're going, we've got a right shot at it [a high finish].
I don't see why not."

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Painting a different picture
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

Chelsea's website had bemused onlookers wondering if they had watched the
same game as everyone else as they attempted to gloss over their team's
defeat to West Ham at the Boleyn Ground this afternoon.

According to tonight's match report at chelseafc.com, Jose Mourinho's side
were "beaten in cruel circumstances at Upton Park" in a 2-1 defeat that "was
harsh on the Blues".

The report claimed that "Kurt Zouma's [first half] header looked to have
crossed the line, only for the decision to go the home side's way" - despite
TV pictures proving otherwise - and that Cesc Fabregas' disallowed first
half effort probably should have stood but was "ruled out for offside when
he appeared to have been played onside".

Chelsea were also unlucky not to open the scoring after eight minutes with
"a brilliant counter" that didn't even result in an effort on goal.
Meanwhile "anybody tuning into the game late would have struggled to work
out which team were playing with a one-man advantage".

Referee Jon Moss, who sent off Nemanja Matic was partly to blame for issuing
the Serbian with a second yellow card as "only a free-kick was awarded West
Ham's way" initially - and we also learned that Andy Carroll's 79th-minute
winner "came against the run of play".

If you can stomach reading the report in full, you may find it here.

https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/10/match-report--west-ham-un
ited-v-chelsea.html

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West Ham Utd 2-1 Chelsea
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham continued the stellar start to the 2015/16 season with a defeat of
last season's Premier League champions in one of the more notable London
derbies in recent years. It was a game that had it all - including three
goals, three sending offs and a string of controversial incidents - and the
perfect outcome, as the Hammers saw off Jose Mourinho's Blues at the Boleyn
thanks to a late winner from substitute Andy Carroll. West Ham opened the
scoring after just 17 minutes when Mauro Zarate - only restored to the side
as a result of Victor Moses' enforced absence - pounced on a half-cleared
corner to fire Slaven Bilic's team ahead from the edge of the penalty area.
On the verge of half time interval, Nemanja Matic - who had earlier been
booked by referee Jonathan Moss - saw red after he pulled Diafra Sakho down
by the right touchline. The Serbian midfielder was joined in the book by
both Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, who were both embroiled in the ensuing
fracas.
Worse was to follow for the visitors who then saw assistant first team coach
Silvino Louro sent to the stands for his reaction to Matic's dismissal. He
was joined in the second half by Mourinho himself, who was told not to
reappear on the touchline after the break after launching a furious tirade
against Moss during the interval. The under-pressure Portuguese boss had
been incensed by Msss' decision to rule out a Cesc Fabregas strike for
offside and having seen Kurt Zouma's effort - which was no more than
millimetres away from crossing the line entirely - ignored.

Despite the antics of their coaching staff, the ten men of Chelsea managed
to restore parity 11 minutes after the restart when England centre half Gary
Cahill levelled from a corner. But Bilic and his side were not content to
settle for a point, and the Hammers sent on Andy Carroll for a tiring Zarate
with 20 minutes left to play.

The England international, no doubt smarting from having been overlooked for
a place in the starting XI tore around the field from the moment he was
introduced and had already earned himself a standing ovation from an
appreciative Boleyn crowd for his efforts before he struck the killer blow
just 11 minutes from time.

Aaron Cresswell - who moments before had mis-hit a cross from a similar
position - got it absolutely spot on the second time and arrowed a cross
towards the edge of the six-yard box. There Carroll was waiting to send it
back across goalkeeper Asmir Begovic into the opposite corner of the net. to
restore West Ham's advantage.

Despite putting West Ham under pressure for the final few minutes it was
took little too late for Chelsea and their manager, who left the ground
before meeting any of his post-match media requirements - something that
will almost certainly earn Mourinho yet another fine.

But that was of little concern to West Ham and their jubilant supporters,
who celebrated climbing to second spot in the Premier League - if only for a
couple of hours, thanks to Arsenal's win against Everton in their evening
kick-off at the Emirates.

West Ham Utd: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell, Noble (Ogbonna
90+1), Kouyate, Zarate (Carroll 68), Lanzini (Obiang 81), Payet, Sakho.

Subs not used: Randolph, Valencia, Obiang, Ogbonna, Jelavic, Antonio.

Goals: Zarate (16), Carroll (79).

Booked: Kouyate (73).

Chelsea: Begovic, Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta (Baba 87), Ramires
(Falcao 81), Matic, Willian, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa.

Subs not used: Amelia, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Traore.

Goals: Cahill (55).

Booked: Azpilicueta (24), Matic (35), Diego Costa (45+1), Fabregas (45+1),
Willian (81), Mikel (90+4).

Sent off: Matic (44).

Referee: Jonathan Moss.

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Post-match press conference: Jose Mourinho vs West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

We'd love to have brought you the thoughts of Jose Mourinho after today's
game - however he was too ashamed to show his face. The under-fire
Portuguese manager failed to attend to his media duties after today's big
London derby in protest at what he presumably felt was unjust treatment by
referee Jon Moss in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by Slaven Bilic's side. Yes, that's
the same Mourinho who accused West Ham of playing "19th century football"
when the Hammers held his side to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in
January 2014 - and the same Mourinho who wasn't perturbed in the slightest
when his side stole a 1-0 win in this fixture last season, thanks to Eden
Hazard's clearly offside goal. So instead all we can bring you is this
picture of what the press room looked like when bitter Jose should have been
holding court with the nation's media...

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Post-match press conference: Slaven Bilic vs Chelsea
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th October 2015
By: Staff Writer

'Super Slav' was full of praise for his team after they added reigning
Premier League champions Chelsea to their list of vanquished foes at the
Boleyn this afternoon. The West Ham manager admitted that he felt for his
opposite number, who was ordered to watch the second half of the match from
the stands, but delighted with the win that lifted his side to third in the
table at the end of the day's round of matches. Listen to what Bilic had to
say about this afternoon's events during his post-match press conference...

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West Ham 2-1 Chelsea: Andy Carroll grabs winner against 10-man Blues
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 24/10/15 8:40pm
SSN

Substitute Andy Carroll's header gave West Ham a 2-1 win over 10-man Chelsea
to condemn Jose Mourinho's side to a fifth defeat this season. Mourinho, who
was sent to the stands for the second half, watched West Ham grab the three
points through Carroll's header into the bottom corner from eight yards,
just 10 minutes after the striker had come on. Mauro Zarate had put West Ham
ahead with a fine effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area,
before Nemanja Matic was sent off for two bookings in the space of nine
minutes.
Mourinho - who swerved his media conference after the game - was dismissed
during the half-time period along with coach Silvino Louro, but though his
side equalised in the 56th minute through Gary Cahill's close-range finish,
Carroll's late winner denied them a point. West Ham are now second in the
Premier League after their sixth win of the season, while Chelsea sit 15th
on just 11 points from 10 games. The hosts, who had won just one of their
last 18 games against Chelsea, went ahead on 17 minutes after Dimitri
Payet's corner fell to Zarate at the far post, the Argentine firing an
unstoppable half-volley past Asmir Begovic from 18 yards. The Hammers
continued to allow Chelsea to play in front of them in the first half, and
the visitors were nearly level twice in the space of three minutes.
First, Willian's free-kick from 20 yards was saved well by Adrian down to
his right, before Kurt Zouma's header from Cesc Fabregas' corner was cleared
from under the bar by Manuel Lanzini and then Adrian, with the Goal Decision
System showing the ball was an inch from going fully over the line.

West Ham should have made it 2-0 just before half-time, but Lanzini's lofted
effort from Payet's through ball went over both Begovic and the bar. Chelsea
then went down to 10 men when Matic, who had earlier been booked for pulling
back Cheikhou Kouyate, was given another yellow card for a needless block on
the same player on the touchline. Mourinho - who already has a suspended
stadium ban hanging over him for previous indiscretions - was sent off
during the break, and watched the second half from the stands at Upton Park.
Cahill dragged his side back level with a finish from six yards after Zouma
had caused problems in the West Ham area from a corner, and the 10 men could
have gone ahead just before Carroll's winner. Eden Hazard, breaking forward
on the counter attack, fed Ramires in a good position 16 yards out, but the
Brazilian's weak effort fell into the grateful hands of Adrian. And West Ham
earned another superb win under Slaven Bilic through striker Carroll, who
rose highest to nod home Aaron Cresswell's left-wing cross for his first
goal since January.

Mourinho was seen leaving the directors boss in the final 10 minutes of the
game, and did not appear after the match to take part in media duties.
Menawhile, Bilic's side are now unbeaten in seven Premier League games,
their best run in the Premier League for 15 years.

Chelsea's poor start by numbers
15 - goals scored so far this term does not compare favourably with the same
period last season, by which point they had plundered 26 19 - times their
goal has been breeched this term. Last season the Blues conceded just 32
goals, making them the Premier League's tightest defence 6 - the loss to
West Ham was just the sixth London derby defeat Mourinho has tasted in 53
Premier League encounters 3 - Matic's sending off was Chelsea's third of the
season, following red cards shown to Thibaut Courtois and John Terry
Player ratings

West Ham: Adrian (6), Jenkinson (7), Tomkins (7), Collins (7), Cresswell
(7), Noble (7), Kouyate (8), Zarate (8), Payet (8), Lanzini (7), Sakho (6)

Subs used: Carroll (7), Obiang (6), Ogbonna (6)

Chelsea: Begovic (6), Zouma (5), Cahill (6), Terry (6), Azpilicueta (5),
Ramires (5), Matic (4), Willian (5), Fabregas (4), Hazard (5), Costa (4)

Subs used: Mikel (5), Falcao (5), Rahman (5)

Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic says he feels for Jose Mourinho as West Ham beat Chelsea
Last Updated: 24/10/15 8:41pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic admits he feels for Jose Mourinho after his West Ham side saw
off Chelsea 2-1 at Upton Park. Mourinho's Chelsea suffered their fifth
Premier League defeat of the campaign thanks to Andy Carroll's late header,
and played most of the match with 10 men after Nemanja Matic's dismissal for
two yellow cards. They also had a Cesc Fabregas goal disallowed for a tight
offside call, but Bilic says the decisions were not mistakes. "I feel for
[Mourinho]," the Croat said. "Decisions from his point of view have gone
against him. I would moan if it was against us. But they are not mistakes,
they are matters of opinion. "You can talk about those things. The
sending-off I didn't see. The first one was definitely yellow, the second
one was very far from me, but it looked like Sakho was already gone.
"But I think second yellows, especially in the first half, should be 'real'
bookings. The disallowed goal? No one can say onside or offside even when
you freeze the picture."
West Ham's sixth win of the season puts them on 20 points from 10 games, and
the Hammers have now seen off Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City.
Bilic praised matchwinner Carroll for his contribution, and recognises how
hard the striker has worked after being plagued with injury problems. "He
needed it of course. He did the job well. He's been training really hard for
six to eight weeks, and we were putting him slowly int o games. "It is
crucial for him to stay fit and stay away from injuries, because his quality
is never in question, just his injuries and fitness . "He is training
regularly, he is fit, and with a little bit of luck he's going to make us
very, very happy. "I'm very proud of my team and my club, it's brilliant to
win against the champions. It gives you confidence. We deserved it. But we
have to know what we have to do every time we play."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 2, CHELSEA 1. A VIRTUOUS WIN.
By David Hautzig 24 Oct 2015 at 19:47
WTID

Iain posted this report would be late. Here's what happened.

Ever since I was a little kid, my dad's day seemed to revolve around the
arrival of the mail. He would call down to the lobby of our apartment
building every morning and ask if the mail was there. It probably wasn't the
healthiest obsession then, and it certainly wasn't last week. Even though
his health aid told him they were going out for a little walk in just a few
minutes and could check the mail then, as soon as she left the room he
reached over his walker for the phone to call the lobby. At 94 years old his
remaining arm couldn't hold his weight and he toppled over. Broken left
femur and he lost consciousness for two minutes. He was in the hospital for
ten days and will be bed ridden for quite awhile. All because he was
impatient. It happens to the best of us. Impatience of a far less serious
kind is what Slaven Bilic said cost us against Leicester and Bournemouth
earlier this season, but is was patience that guided us to victory last
week, and it did it again today in memorable fashion.

My normal setup is pretty standard. I take game notes the old fashioned way
with a pen and scrap paper. But for the first few minutes of the match, my
pen stayed down. While the metaphor has been used many times, it looked like
two boxers circling each other in the first couple of rounds. The first
"punch" came in the 9th minute when Willian passed to Fabregas near the top
of the West Ham area, who then lobbed the ball into the area to Darth Costa.
His volley attempt went over the bar but the ability to get behind the West
Ham back four looked there and it looked like it could be menacing.

Which it was again five minutes later when Willian fed Costa on the right
and by not much more than brute force he won a corner despite being
surrounded by Collins, Lanzini and Tomkins. The corner was handled easily,
but at the time the pattern was concerning.

Other than you know who, the most divisive figure at West Ham last season
was Zarate. He was used early on, scored a bit, and then vanished as if he
were East London's Jimmy Hoffa (look it up if you don't know who that is).
Those that thought he was rubbish pointed to the manager not using him and
said, "The manager knows more than we do". His fitness and attitude were
questioned during his disastrous loan spell at QPR. I even Tweeted my
concern over him starting today, preferring Obiang in front of the back
four. But I have also belonged to the camp that said Zarate would be
valuable if used correctly, which was summed up best by Phil Whelan of Stop
Hammertime when he said "I've seen him play well, I've seen him score goals.
That is far more valuable evidence to me than some fitness report from a
relegated team".

Spot on, Phil.

In the 17th minute, a Payet free kick was tipped over the bar by Begovic for
a corner. The ensuing set piece floated into the box where Costa tried to
clear but didn't get much on it and the ball rolled out to Zarate who
drilled a low shot into the near corner.

West Ham 1, Chelsea 0.

Chelsea responded to the goal by keeping possession for long stretches,
asking the proverbial questions. In the 25th minute, after Matic, Fabregas,
and Willian moved the ball around Ramires fired from long range but it went
high. Then, after a clumsy defensive header by Jenkinson that gave Chelsea a
corner, Adrian was forced into action and punched out the set piece taken by
Fabregas. Two minutes later, Lanzini fouled Ramires at the top of the box
giving Chelsea a free kick in Willian's comfort zone. The Brazilian shot low
but Adrian made a diving save.

To my way of thinking, the argument about technology in football is a silly
one. To not use every available tool to make sure decisions are correct is
scandalous. Every single American sport uses video replays of some kind now,
and nothing but pig headed stubbornness is standing in the way of the same
being true in football. The one technology we do have in the EPL is goal
line technology, and that microchip was wearing Claret & Blue in the 34th
minute. Fabregas got behind the West Ham defense on a pass from Willian and
won a corner. The set piece was headed on goal by Zouma, deflected off
Lanzini and was heading over the line before Lanzini cleaned up his own mess
and cleared. The goal line system showed that quite literally 9/10 of the
ball went over the line. It might have been the closest non-goal I've ever
seen.

Last week, Dwight Gayle saw his first yellow card in I think the 32nd
minute. Matic saw his in the 35th for pulling down Kouyate. Payet took the
free kick and Collins got on the end of it, but his header had no pace and
Begovic caught it easily. Minutes later West Ham should have doubled their
advantage when Sakho flicked the ball to Payet, who then sent Lanzini in on
goal. Maybe he saw Payet's chip shot against Palace and wanted to emulate
his midfield partner. It would have had to go in for them to be comparable,
and Lanzini's went over the bar.

The 42nd minute saw end to end action. First, Lanzini passed to Noble inside
the Chelsea penalty area. If Noble were a more attack minded player he would
have one timed it. Instead, he cradled the pass and allowed Cahill and Terry
to converge. Noble did win a corner, but Chelsea defended well and broke on
the counter. Willian fed Fabregas on the right and the Spaniard rolled it
past Adrian just as the offside flag went up, allowing my heart rate to go
back down.

As a neutral, it's been odd watching the usually well oiled machine that is
Chelsea not only stumble, but look like it's imploding. In the 44th minute,
Matic pulled down Sakho to the right of the Chelsea penalty area. When Matic
ran into the box to defend the free kick, the TV announcers said he had
gotten away with one and it should have been a second yellow. It felt like
an eternity before Moss called Matic over, and as soon as that happened you
knew he was off. Just as Ibra said last year, when Chelsea don't agree with
the referee they converge on him like tearful children begging for more time
to play video games. Costa and Fabregas were also shown yellow for dissent,
a coach was sent to the stands, and eventually Mourinho was banished for
trying to get into the officials room at halftime. Unless I'm missing
something, they are a mess.

Halftime. West Ham 1, Chelsea 0.

Despite being down to ten men and having a few others on a yellow, Chelsea
dictated play to start the second half. It came as no surprise due to the
quality in that side. Ten Chelsea players would still do well against eleven
from many teams. In the 56th minute, that quality rose to the top. Terry
intercepted a bad first touch by Sakho and passed it to Costa, who then
lobbed it over the back line to an onrushing Hazard. The Belgian won a
corner, which flew through the box and eluded Adrian as he came off his line
to clear it. Cahill was right there, ready willing and able to smash it
home.

West Ham 1, Chelsea 1.

West Ham tried to respond quickly in the 60th minute when Payet sent a cross
from the touch line to Noble, who sent it to Zarate, who tried another low
shot off the ground but this one was easy for Begovic to handle and Zarate's
final contribution to proceedings because he was replaced by the pony tailed
one, Andy Carroll in the 69th minute getting the Upton Park crowd into an
excited frenzy. They remained on their fee moments later when Payet showed
remarkable skill to chest the ball down and then pass it to himself over
Willian's head before sending a cross that found nobody. It was still
skillful, though.

Much has been made and said about Sakho's work rate, and that his ability to
run the channels frees up space for everyone around him. He also looks like
an angry freight train coming right at you if you're a defender or
goalkeeper. In the 77th minute, the sight of Sakho charging made Begovic
panic and put a simple back pass out for a corner.

Andy Carroll. When he came on last week against Palace, he changed the shape
and outcome of the match. Both offensively and defensively, because he
offers so much help in our end of the pitch. So much so that I Tweeted, and
was argued with, that perhaps he has found his true role. Coming in for the
last twenty or thirty minutes against a fatigued defense to batter them into
submission. And with Bilic as the manager, battering won't be the only thing
asked of him and when he is asked to be the classic number nine, he will be
alongside skillful players who can help him fulfill his destiny. And if
there is destiny in the world of football, it showed itself in the 79th
minute. Cresswell saw Carroll in the box, lofted a cross his way, and
Carroll climbed over Azpilicueta and headed it past Begovic. The celebration
looked more genuine and joyful than I have seen from him in a very, very
long time. And his teammates looked as happy for him as they were for the
goal.

West Ham 2, Chelsea 1.

Minutes later, Carroll gave Chelsea a chance with a clumsy challenge thirty
yards from goal, but Willian's free kick was cleared by Tomkins. He made up
for it a minute later with a lovely touch pass that started a break by
Kouyate before Payet won a corner with an attempted through ball to Sakho.
It was the first of two corners taken short by West Ham, but neither of them
turned into a shot on target.

The first minute of added time was the last I watched. Sakho committed a
sloppy foul just outside the box and Willian stepped up for what I was
convinced would be the heartbreaking equalizer. I walked out of the room and
paced my hallway. When no loud voices came from the TV I walked back in and
saw West Ham close it out for a memorable, even virtuous win.

Final score. West Ham 2, Chelsea 1.

I'm trying not to constantly refer back to you know who. Those years are
done, he did an important job for us, and I'm supposed to move on. But the
narrative is so compelling in its comparisons. Zarate was treated like a
failure under you know who, but he is being appreciated for what he can do
under Bilic and is contributing. The midfield and creating through it was an
afterthought at best under you know who, and is the key to our success so
far this year. Clean sheets were the focus under you know who, while scoring
goals is a major focus under Bilic. Andy Carroll was so akin to being a
sacrificial lamb under you know who his nickname should have been Isaac, but
under Bilic he is absolutely an integral part of a plan instead of being the
only plan. The contrasts make it impossible not to address and revel in. I
still think patience will be a virtue under Bilic.

I just think it will be rewarded this time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jose Mourinho AND Nemanja Matic sent off as Chelsea's nightmare season goes
from bad to worse at West Ham
16:11, 24 OCT 2015 UPDATED 19:35, 24 OCT 2015
BY ROB BURNETT
Mauro Zarate put the Hammers ahead before things really unravelled for the
Blues at Upton Park
The Mirror

Jose Mourinho's nightmare season got even worse at West Ham as Chelsea lost
and saw Nemanja Matic, coach Silvino Louro AND Mourinho himself were sent
off. First they went behind to a Mauro Zarate goal after 17 minutes played.
Then just before half time Kurt Zouma had a goal disallowed and a furious
Jose Mourinho ran down the touchline to remonstrate with the assistant
referee. Just minutes later Blues midfielder Nemanja Matic was sent off for
a second yellow card offence. The Sebian hauled Diafra Sakho down after he
had gone past him and was deservedly shown his second yellow. Chelsea's
players were furious and surrounded referee Jon Moss, who made the decision
after consulting with his officials. Things got even worse for the Blues
when assistant first team coach Silvino Louro was sent to the stands for
protesting the red card for Matic. And then Mourinho himself was also shown
the red card by Moss for remonstrating with him in the tunnel as the teams
went in for half time. Gary Cahill got the Blues back in it in the second
half, but Andy Carroll headed in the winner with just over 10 minutes left
on the clock.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2-1 Chelsea: 5 things we learned as Mourinho and Matic see red in
Upton Park meltdown
16:57, 24 OCT 2015 UPDATED 19:09, 24 OCT 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Chelsea had Nemanja Matic sent off while Jose Mourinho also ended up in the
stands before Andy Carroll headed home late on
The Mirror

Super sub Andy Carroll inflicted a fifth defeat of the season on Chelsea
after Jose Mourinho was sent off at half-time. The Chelsea boss was
dismissed after an extraordinary first half which saw the reigning champions
trail to a 17th-minute Mauro Zarate goal – and Nemanja Matic and assistant
coach Silvino Louro sent off. The Blues bench was furious that the Serbian
midfielder was shown a second yellow just two minutes after Cesc Fabregas
had a legitimate goal disallowed for offside. Louro was sent to the stands
for protesting Matic's dismissal. The Special One replaced the Spaniard with
John Mikel at half-time before he watched the second half from the West Ham
director's box. Gary Cahill lashed home a 56th-minute equaliser and a great
rearguard effort seemed set to salvage the Blues a point.
But Carroll, who came on after 68 minutes, headed home the winner 10 minutes
later for his first goal since January. Here's what we learned.

1) Crisis far from over
Last weekend's win over Aston Villa and the midweek draw at Dinamo Kiev
suggested the corner had been turned. Even after falling behind to an early
goal and seeing Nemanja Matic sent off, they fought back bravely after the
break and were 12 minutes from salvaging a point.

2) Andy Carroll is back
Slaven Bilic has lots of silky attacking options but the raw power of the
England striker is still invaluable. Last week he came on to wreak havoc as
West Ham scored two late goals to win at Crystal Palace. Against a dogged
Chelsea defence, his back-post header earned another three points.

3) Payet outshining Hazard
The two played together for a season at Lille before the Belgian's £32m
transfer to Chelsea. But last season's Player of the Year was again
ineffective while the Frenchman dazzled down the West Ham left.

4) Chelsea struggling for top four
Chelsea are now not fighting for the title. They are struggling to reach the
Champions League. Jose Mourinho's side lost three matches in winning the
title last year. They have now lost five and could be 12 points behind
Manchester City by tomorrow night.

5) West Ham love to hate Chelsea
John Terry's every touch was booed while Jose Mourinho was serenaded with:
"You're getting sacked in the morning" followed by "You're not special
anymore" before his half-time dismissal. Upton Park's final victory over
Chelsea was the special one.

Player ratings
West Ham (4-2-3-1)
Adrian 7; Jenkinson 6, Tomkins 6, Collins 7, Cresswell 6, Noble 6 (Ogbonna,
90), Kouyate 8, Zarate 7 (Carroll, 69), Payet 8, Lanzini 7 (Obiang, 82);
Sakho 6

Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Begovic 7; Zouma 5, Cahill 7, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 6 (Baba, 87); Ramires 6
(Falcao, 82),Matic 5 (so 44); Willian 7, Fabregas 5 (Mikel, 46,7), Hazard 5;
Costa 6

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jose Mourinho refuses post-match media duties as Chelsea's shocking season
continues with West Ham defeat
17:26, 24 OCT 2015 UPDATED 19:38, 24 OCT 2015
BY ROB BURNETT
The Special One was sent to the stands as goals from Mauro Zarate and Andy
Carroll ensured yet another defeat for the Premier League champions
The Mirror

Jose Mourinho refused to undertake his post-match media obligations as
Chelsea's nightmare season went from bad to worse at West Ham.
The Special One was sent to the stands as goals from Mauro Zarate and Andy
Carroll ensured yet another defeat for the Premier League champions. Nemanja
Matic was also given his marching orders while coach Silvino Louro was also
sent off for an incident in the tunnel at half time. And afterwards it was
confirmed that Mourinho wouldn't face the media in the routine post-match
press conference. Chelsea's day started in the worst possible fashion as
they went behind to a Mauro Zarate goal after 17 minutes played. Then just
before half time Kurt Zouma had a goal disallowed and a furious Jose
Mourinho ran down the touchline to remonstrate with the assistant referee.
Just minutes later Blues midfielder Nemanja Matic was sent off for a second
yellow card offence. The Serbian hauled Diafra Sakho down after he had gone
past him and was deservedly shown his second yellow. Chelsea's players were
furious and surrounded referee Jon Moss, who made the decision after
consulting with his officials. Things got even worse for the Blues when
assistant first team coach Silvino Louro was sent to the stands for
protesting the red card for Matic. And then Mourinho himself was also shown
the red card by Moss for remonstrating with him in the tunnel as the teams
went in for half time. Gary Cahill got the Blues back in it in the second
half, but Andy Carroll headed in the winner with just over 10 minutes left
on the clock.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Raging Mourinho stormed ref's room
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Jose Mourinho got his marching orders from the dug-out after storming the
referee Jonathon Moss' room at half time. He had reacted furiously to the
sending off of Matic on half time despite it being the most obvious red card
most people will ever see. The player had cynically hauled back Cheik
Kouyate earlier in the half as he broke down the right side to earn a first
yellow card before deciding to completely block off Dimi Payet as he
threatened down the same side as half time beckoned. It was all so obvious
but it didn't stop the Chelsea whinge brigade led by John Terry
remonstrating with Moss who yellow carded Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa for
dissent. This all passed over Mourinho's head apparently and instead of
learning the lesson he instead raged into the ref's dressing room and to
quote one inside who witnessed it said: "Had a right pop – it was a proper
ruck." Moss eventually sent him to the stands to join goalkeeping coach
Christophe Lollichon and assistant first team coach Silvino Louas. It may
well be he Irons this afternoon ensured the Portuguese may also soon be
looking for alternative employment.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CandH Exclusive: The Davids hail big Andy
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Sullivan singled out Andy Carroll for special praise after the Irons
magnificent victory over Chelsea. And co chairman David Gold was celebrating
too as the club's record signing scored a wonderful headed goal in front of
watching England boss Roy Hodgson. The big man rose beautifully to meet a
cross from Aaron Cresswell which had everything except pace. But that made
no difference to AC who saw a spot at the top right hand corner and placed
it past the helpless Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. And afterwards
Sullivan declared to ClaretandHugh: "It was a fantastic performance and I
was so pleased for AC to score the winner after all his hard work." Amidst
all the excitement of one of our most memorable victories he hadn't
forgotten "this was our seventh undefeated game on the trot" and added:
"Let's all keep our fingers crossed we can keep this run going." And Gold
declared: "It was a special moment for Andy and everybody associated with
our wonderful football club will be pleased for him and proud of him. "To be
sitting in the top three at this stage of the season is beyond everybody's
wildest dreams. At this moment we are all in a fantastic dreamland and we
can all start to believe."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slav: Carroll's quality not in doubt
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
By Dave Blackmore
C and H

Slaven Bilic hailed Andy Carroll as "a great player" after he arrived off
the bench to seal the three points with a fabulously well placed header.
Slav declared in his post-match presser: "He gives us options but not just
one option. Not just long balls. "He is a great player. His quality is never
in doubt. Just want him to be fit and we are in a really good situation
regarding him for the long term. For West Han and then possibly England
should benefit also. "His quality is never in doubt. The way he pressed
Cahill when we were winning 2-1. It was great."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thrilled Slav wants a "changed Irons mentality"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H
Dave Blackmore

Slaven Bilic spoke of his pride at watching his West Ham side beat Premier
League champions today. But he admitted his players need to 'change their
mentality' when having an advantage against sides like Chelsea. The Croatian
also praised Andy Carroll's contribution after coming off the bench to score
the winner. Speaking after a fabulous victory he declared: "[I am] very
proud of my team. Brilliant to win against the champions. A win at our home
ground in front of our own crowd. It's unbelievable. We deserved to win
today." He continued: "The first half we played really good [but in the]
second half we started exactly opposite that we wanted to. There were two
reasons from my point of view. We have to change and it's a slow process. We
need to change our mentality. We can't just defend for 45 minutes and give
them the ball. "The crowd was [also] expecting us because Chelsea were a
man down. Chelsea are class when it comes to keeping the ball. They were
keeping the ball very well." Bilic also felt the two 'major incidents' in
the game, Matic's sending off and Fabregas' disallowed goal, were correct.
"For me, the first [yellow for Matic] was clear. The second one I was too
far [but] it looked like a yellow."
As for the disallowed goal, he said he has watched it after the full time
whistle but added: "Nobody can say he was on or off. When we freeze the
picture, you can't be sure. He looked more off than on." Bilic continued:
"Chelsea scored at a great time for us because it meant we had enough time
to wake up a bit to go again. Put pressure on them and limit them to counter
attacks and long balls."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Never mind top four – we're in the top two!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
Irons 2 Chelsea 1
C and H

Never mind top eight…never mind top six,..never mind top four – we're in the
TOP TWO this Saturday evening at 6 pm and will remain in the top three
should Arsenal win in the late game.

So that's Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea beaten- and if
there any non believers left among the Hammers faithful that this is the
best Hammers team in 30 years think again.

Not only is it the best team in over three decades it is becoming the most
resilient and the most courageous under a manager who refuses to accept or
respect a point – even against last year's champions.

We had gone the goal up through a magnificent Mauto Zarate half volley in
the 17th minute, Lanzini was forced to clear off the line a bit later before
Adrian scrambled away a Wilian free kick.

But we were the better team throughout the first 45 minutes and the
Argentine midfielder should have put us two up when put clear via a
brilliant Payet flicked back heel. Sadly although clear on goal he could
only fire over the top.

Things changed dramatically on half time when Matic was red carded after a
second bookable offence. He blocked off Payet totally and the ref had no
alternative after speaking to his assistant who was just yards away.

Incredibly, Fabregas and Costa were booked for dissent and Mourinho sent to
the stand when trying to force his way into the referee's room at half time.

All for nothing – the red was as clear cut as anything you will ever see on
a football pitch.

Chelsea, not unexpectedly started at the gallop after the break as the Irons
fell back and it was no surprise when they rattled in an equaliser via
Cahill from a corner which might have been better defended.

Slav's response was to throw on Carroll 10 minutes later a move immediately
followed by a brilliant piece of Payet control followed by a volley across
goal but AC couldn't get there.

Ten minutes later though he was in exactly the right place as Cresswell
crossed and although there wasn't a huge amount of pace on the ball, Carroll
rose to thud a header into the back of the net.

Chelsea pushed forward towards the end but apart from a speculative Wilian
effort never really found any edge and as the Claret and Blue Army brought
the house down on the final whistle we all knew something very special is
going on at our wonderful club.

And it's possible – just possible – the Irons have helped Mourinho towards
the Stamford Bridge exit door

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea's style suits Irons down to the ground
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2015 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H

Seems to me there's one big issue the experts may not be getting as the
Irons prepare to meet Chelsea this afternoon. Sadly I have to mention the
man's name again – Mark Lawrenson – and then there's Paul Merson hedging his
bets on a Hammers victory. Lawrenson and others have noted that we are
hardly likely to be able to rely on a counter-attacking game against a team
as good as Chelsea at the Boleyn today. Good may not be quite the right word
at this moment but even were they to return to something near their best I'd
still be favouring us purely because of the counter-attacking policy. For
Chelsea, regardless of where their game is at the moment, will have a lot
possession and do like to attack teams and given their present circumstances
they have to which will suit us right down to the ground. It seems our game
plan is suited to matches where we aren't favourites – as pointed out in a
piece on FourFourTwo.com.

In their preview of the game they say: It's easy to see how the Hammers –
like Crystal Palace, Everton, and Southampton – could sit in deep defensive
lines (nullifying the tame Chelsea attacks) and then pour forward into the
gaps left by an uncomfortable midfield and defence. "Branislav Ivanovic's
injury means that either Kurt Zouma or Baba Rahman will deputise at
full-back. Both players looked uncomfortable against Dynamo Kiev and Aston
Villa respectively, and West Ham's powerful, explosive wingers could
certainly capitalise when Chelsea's defenders are left one-on-one."

So I'm taking the Hammers to win but despite a brilliant James Collins
display last week would go with Angelo Ogbonna alongside James Tomkins at
the back. I love 'Ginge' but he can make the odd mistake and we can afford
none of those today against the likes of Diego Costa. Valencia for Moses
would be my only other change to the team that started against Crystal
Palace.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Analysis: Are The Chelsea Fans Right In Blaming The Referee In West Ham
Defeat?
http://the4thofficial.net/

Chelsea's poor start of the season continued with the 2-1 loss against West
Ham United at Upton Park. The Blues, who won the League title convincingly
last season, have already lost their fifth Premier League game of the season
out of their 10 games so far. Defense, midfield and attack, all the
departments are letting them down with all the key players playing much
below par this season.

Their most recent defeat has been an eventful one with plenty of talking
points in the match. It started with Manuel Lanzini's effort to clear from
the line. Many Chelsea fans are actually crying that it should have stood as
a goal. But Premier League, unlike other major leagues, have goal line
technology implemented and it is a perfect system to verify if the ball
actually crosses the line or not so that no team can be deprived of legal
goals.

First of all, the rule for a goal is that the whole of the ball has to cross
the line leaving nothing behind. English Premier League has implemented the
hawk-eye system to check whether the ball crosses the line or not. It is not
always possible for an official to make the right call for some instances
but the technology is never wrong. When the ball crosses the line totally,
the referee gets the signal and he allows the goal to stand. But replays
show that the ball did not cross the line wholly. There was a part of the
ball which was just on the line. It was very close but not a goal. Here is
the replay to show that it did not cross the line.

Matic's red card was also a right call by the referee. He was yellow carded
twice and in both the cases, he did not give the referee Jon Moss any other
option other than booking him. His second yellow was a foolish challenge
from him and it was an unnecessary one. The referee sent off a member from
Mourinho's coaching team when he was trying to run into the pitch protesting
over the sending off. Moss did right to send him off.

Just like Mourinho's character, his standing in the stands from the start of
the second half was a mysterious one. It is not totally clear why he was
sent off by the referee during the halftime break. Some reports say that he
had a war words with the officials in the tunnel during the halftime break.
Mourinho is no stranger to lash out at referees when his side loses and it
is believable that he would do such foolish act. After constant warnings
from FA over his comments on match officials, Mourinho might face some
severe punishments for this act. He should start thinking whom to blame for
this. People have been bored with his pointing out at Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger whenever he loses. But what he should be worried about is his team's
form. According to Opta Joe, Jose Mourinho has lost six of his last 12 PL
matches as a manager, prior to this run he's lost six of his previous 64 in
the League. The way his team is performing, he is a dead man walking.
Analysis: Are The Chelsea Fans Right In Blaming The Referee In West Ham
Defeat?

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com




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Daily WHUFC News - 24th October 2015

Preview - Chelsea
WHUFC.com

The background

West Ham United take on reigning Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea this Saturday as they look to protect a six-game unbeaten league run. The Hammers have risen to fourth in the table after a run of four wins and two draws since they last tasted defeat.
That means they currently sit six points above Saturday's visitors – a scenario that few would have predicted on the opening day of the campaign.
Chelsea's difficulties at the start of the season have been well documented, and they arrive in E13 with the fourth leakiest defence in the division. With three wins, two draws and four defeats from the first nine games, they have already tasted defeat on more occasions than last season, and currently sit in 12th position. However, they did win last time out – 2-0 against Aston Villa, and followed that up with a 0-0 UEFA Champions League draw at Dynamo Kiev in midweek.

The history

The Hammers and Chelsea have a long-standing rivalry, stretching over 103 games and 92 years. Since that first Football League meeting – a 0-0 draw in October 1923, the Blues have held the advantage with 47 wins to the Hammers' 37. Much of that Chelsea dominance comes from the last decade, with Chelsea winning 15 times in the period the Hammers have registered just one victory. That was a 3-1 success at the Boleyn Ground in 2012/13, when Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga were all on target. Last term, Chelsea triumphed 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, following that with a 1-0 victory at the Boleyn Ground a little over two months later.

The match

Team news

West Ham United

Slaven Bilic will be without Victor Moses, who is ineligible to face his parent club, and Winston Reid, who is sidelined with a minor back injury. This game comes around too quickly for Alex Song, but Enner Valencia, Angelo Ogbonna and Andy Carroll all returned for last week's victory at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea

Pedro, Branislav Ivanovic and Loic Remy are all injured and will miss Saturday's game at the Boleyn Ground. Blues boss Jose Mourinho has a decision to make over whether to recall PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard to his team.

Match info

Saturday's referee is Jonathan Moss. The Yorkshire official has already taken charge of one Hammers game this term – the 4-3 defeat to AFC Bournemouth – and he will be assisted by Andy Halliday and Harry Lennard. The fourth official is Andy Woolmer.
West Ham have won just one of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Chelsea (D3, L14).
Their last victory came at Upton Park in December 2012, when they won 3-1.
West Ham have made their best start to a Premier League season with 17 points after nine games.
They are unbeaten in their last six league games, with four wins and two draws.
Only Manchester City (24) have scored more goals than West Ham (20) in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea have only won one of their last five away games in the league (D1, L3).
The Blues have made their second worst start to a Premier League campaign with 11 points after nine games.
Ticketing, travel, coverage and other info

Tickets for Saturday's game have SOLD OUT.
The theme for Saturday's match is Greatest Moments – as voted for by you – and several Hammers legends will be returning to be presented to the crowd at half-time.
A day of cloud, with light rain at times, is predicted for Saturday. Temperature at kick-off is set to be around 14C (57F)
No closures are planned on the District and Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park. Click here for full information of TfL services. Click here for details on National Rail services.
If you're not heading to the game, make sure you stay tuned to our digital channels for all the very latest updates, pictures, stats and audio commentary. Get involved in the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUCHE

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Chelsea betting preview with Betway
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are looking for their second home win of the Premier League season and in the process trying to extend their unbeaten league run to seven matches. That form has taken Slaven Bilić's side into the Champions League spots at this early stage of the season, but history tells us that a game against Chelsea is the ultimate test. The Hammers have just one win in 18 matches against their west London rivals, but have a great chance of making that two in 19. Jose Mourinho's side arrive at the Boleyn Ground in 12th place in the table with just three wins since the start of the season.

The prices reflect Chelsea's dominance of the fixture in recent years, with an away win listed as favourite at 19/20. But even co-chairman David Sullivan has hinted that us bookies might have got this one wrong. Speaking to the Evening Standard in midweek, Sullivan said "Chelsea are odds-on, but the odds on us are generous with Chelsea travelling to Ukraine to play in the Champions League." Those "generous" odds are currently 11/4 with Betway, and the draw is listed at 13/5.

West Ham United's last win in this fixture came in December 2012 when the Blues were sent back to the other side of London with a 3-1 beating. A repeat of that scoreline is priced at a huge 25/1. A 1-0 home win is offered at a more realistic 11/1. The favourite on the 'Correct Score' market is 1-1 draw at 13/2. Both of last season's games resulted in a Chelsea win and clean-sheet – which is offered at 23/10.

The Hammers were on song in their most recent London derby last week and goalscorers from that game feature heavily in a few popular markets. The 'First Goalscorer' list has Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet at 11/1 and 9/1 respectively to break the deadlock. Let's not also forget the goalscoring form of full-back Carl Jenkinson – he is offered at a generous 11/1 to score at any time in the game.

At Betway we have over 100 markets on Saturday's game and those throughout the Barclays Premier League.

Remember you can access a whole host of Hammers exclusive Betway seasonal bets by clicking here. Our enhanced sign-up bonus for West Ham United fans is right here.

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Tactically Speaking - Chelsea
WHUFC.com

Weakness is not a term that has been associated with Chelsea, or any team managed by Jose Mourinho, too often.

However, this season the Blues have struggled in a number of areas, which is why they find themselves sitting in the bottom half of the table, rather than their usual position in the top four and challenging for the title.

For whatever reason – perhaps the 'lack of confidence and self-esteem' alluded to by Mourinho last weekend, or fatigue following three long seasons of domestic, European and international competition –Chelsea have had problems preventing their opponents from creating chances and regularly opening up their back four.

Last season, Mourinho's side conceded just 32 goals in 38 league matches on their way to winning the Barclays Premier League title, but this term they have already let in 17 goals in just nine games.
Statistics do not normally lie, and it goes without saying that Chelsea are an easier proposition to get at than they were this time a year ago.

When they do get it right, Chelsea still have an outstanding squad of players, with top-class internationals all over the pitch.

Mourinho wants his team to play a short passing, possession-based, aggressive, attacking football in the opposition half, controlling the game and not allowing their opponents the opportunity to dominate.

With averages of 55 per cent possession and 82 per cent pass completion, the suggestion is that Chelsea are not in complete disarray, while their average of 14.9 shots per game is actually marginally up on the 2014/15 campaign.

The problems the Blues are experiencing are clearly at the defensive end, where they are allowing a barely believable 13.3 shots on their own goal per game. Last season, that figure was just 10.9.

After selecting a consistent back four of Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill and Azpilicueta ahead of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois last season, Mourinho has chopped and changed his defence regularly this season in search of a winning formula.

Courtois' injury problems have seen Asmir Begovic replace him between the sticks, while Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic have all struggled to show their very best form on a consistent basis.

A week ago, Ivanovic too was injured and Azpilicueta moved to right-back, with untested Ghanaian Baba Rahman brought in for his Premier League debut at left-back. Kurt Zouma partnered Terry in the centre of defence, with recent England captain Cahill dropped to the bench.

With Nemanja Matic restored from the bench at half-time in place of youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea finally found some semblance of rhythm in the second half of their win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Central to that improved showing was the return of striker Diego Costa, who led the line with aggression and fight – characteristics valued highly by his manager.

In between is arguably Chelsea's strongest suit – their midfield. Spaniards Cesc Fabregas and Pedro, Belgian Eden Hazard and Brazilians Oscar, Ramires and Willian are all supremely talented players, so it is somewhat puzzling that they have not clicked more regularly this term.

However, when you consider that many of those mentioned have been playing non-stop for club and country for years on end, maybe the demands of being some of the best on the planet have, for the moment, caught up with them?

Formation-wise, Chelsea WILL line up in the 4-2-3-1 shape that Mourinho has favoured with Chelsea and previous club Real Madrid for many seasons. Which players will be picked to fill it is less certain.

Possible team: (4-2-3-1) Begovic, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry, Rahman, Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, Willian, Pedro, Costa

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Kanu relishing sparkling form
WHUFC.com

Young striker Idris Kanu is relishing the U18's journey to south Wales to play Swansea City U18 on Saturday 24 October.

The Hammers have been in fantastic form of late, winning their last five consecutive games.

The sixteen year-old's goals have directly contributed to this run, his strike against Chelsea – unbeaten at the time – helped secure the three points.

The youngster found himself through on goal with just one Chelsea defender to beat. He expertly cut inside on his stronger right foot and curled his shot into the top right-hand corner of the net.

His second goal proved was arguably more important as it proved to be the winner over then league leaders Reading.

Reflecting on the victory, Kanu said: "I think the 1-0 against Reading is our best win so far. They were top of the table and they're a good side, it was a real battle with two sides playing similar styles of football. To come through that and win was really good."

Now, the young Hammers find themselves on a six game winning streak. Reflecting on their magnificent run of form, he continued: "We've been on a great run recently; everyone's been playing well together and working hard. It's all going well for us at the moment.

"We've all gelled well together, and we're very strong defensively now. Because we don't let in many goals, that's a good platform for us to go on attack from. We've won a lot of games 1-0 and 2-0, which is largely down to the defence allowing us to play the way we want to.

"The aim is to finish in the play offs so we can play the best teams in the Northern Division. I really like working with Steve Potts and Mark Phillips, they want the best for you and they allow you to perform and demonstrate your ability."

The U18s play Swansea City U18 on Saturday 24 October, kick off 11am at Fairwood Training Ground.

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

After nine games we are fourth in the Premier League and are virtually a quarter of the way through the season. We have shown that we are a decent side. The fans are excited by the way we are playing and the results we have achieved this season. We go into a big game against Chelsea feeling very optimistic but I have to stress they are a wounded animal and we are still facing the Premier League champions. There is very little change in the squad from last season and I see them challenging again this year. I am aware of the great talent they have got and there is still a long way to go. I have great admiration for the job Jose Mourinho has done at Chelsea and I know the criticism he has received this season will be hurting him and everyone at the Club.

It can all change for them so quickly but we obviously hope that will not happen on Saturday. I am looking forward immensely to the game and feel fairly relaxed. It is nice to know we are not struggling at the foot of the table and we are competing at the right end.
Slaven's contribution has been fantastic and he has helped put together the strongest squad of players since we took ownership of the Club. Each of the nine games we have played this season, the bench has only got stronger and I am sure it will be the same again when we play Chelsea. I mentioned it last week but I thought James Collins was outstanding during the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. That was his first Premier League start but it shows the strength in depth that we have got in the squad. There is no certainty for anyone to keep their place and they have to keep performing to the best of their ability every week to stay in the team. If James is picked to play against Chelsea on Saturday, I am sure he will not let anyone down once again and will relish the chance to come up against a talented player like Diego Costa. We will certainly need James to be at his best. These are the last occasions we are going to see big Clubs like Chelsea coming to the Boleyn Ground and I know it is going to be another special atmosphere inside the stadium. I am sure all eyes will once again be on Dimitri Payet but I don't think it matters who we play against. Payet plays his game and shines whoever the opposition is.

But he also has other players who help him perform so well. He is relishing the chance to play with the likes of Sakho, Lanzini and Carroll. I know we are celebrating the Club's greatest moments at the Boleyn Ground when we face Chelsea. One of my greatest moments was seeing Sir Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool at Upton Park and he was someone who was so iconic at that time – probably how David Beckham is now. But he was upstaged by a small winger called Jimmy Andrews who managed to get the winner in a 2-1 victory back in 1952.
I am sure our supporters have so many magical memories throughout the years and let's hope we can provide another one with three points against the champions on Saturday.

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Collins - I want to stay in the team
WHUFC.com

James Collins enjoyed one of the best moments of his career last week after he was part of the Wales squad that famously reached the Euro Finals next summer.

Wales have not been part of a major international tournament since 1958, but Collins and his team-mates have defied all the odds during the qualifying campaign and finished above Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach the showpiece event in France.

The 32-year-old has become a fans favourite at the Boleyn Ground during his ten-year spell in east London and capped off a fine week when he was handed his first Premier League start against Crystal Palace.

Collins showed once again why he is rated so highly as he produced a superb display at the heart of the Hammers defence and played a major role in the 3-1 victory.

With Winston Reid ruled out of the big London derby against Chelsea on Saturday, Collins hopes he will get the chance to cement his place in the side and show Slaven Bilic why he should be a first-team regular.

Collins said: "I have been waiting a while and I knew when the chance came along I would have to perform well. I don't think I made too many mistakes and we came away with a victory.

"It is down to me now and I have got the shirt. That is the good thing being at West Ham at the moment in that we have got to perform well every week to stay in the team.

"We have got world class players waiting to step in if we don't perform well. That is the beauty of having a big squad and you need the competition behind you to keep you on your toes.

"If I get the chance to play against Chelsea on Saturday I know I will have to perform just as well or even better.

"No disrespect to anyone I have played with at West Ham but this is the best squad I have been part of. We can probably put out two teams at the moment and competition for places has helped.

"There is a good atmosphere around the training ground and everyone gets on. Confidence is high and if we can defend well, we know we have players upfront who create chances and score goals. It is a great place to be at the moment."

With the Hammers already recording big away wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, Collins sees no reason why they cannot extend that impressive run and beat the Premier League Champions this weekend.

Collins added: "There is every chance we can beat them. Chelsea are struggling more than when they came to Upton Park last season.

"We have had a good week's training and we are all looking forward to a good game. I remember when we beat them 3-1 at home a couple of seasons ago and we have had some great games against them."

Collins will be joining up with the Wales squad once again next month when they play Holland in a friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium and is already counting down the days to the big tournament in France next summer.

Hammers skipper Mark Noble recently joked that Collins is always pictured alongside Gareth Bale in the celebrations, but the 'Ginger Pele' says he is only jealous and would love to be following in his footsteps!

He joked: "I try and get in the photos! I have always been close with Gaz and he is probably the longest I have been playing with in the squad. I think Nobes is a bit jealous and I like to send him a few photos!

"When we qualified in Bosnia it was an amazing feeling and something I never thought I would experience. To be part of the team that has qualified for the first team is something special.

"It is a special moment for my whole family who have been following me all around Wales and watching me play since I was 15 all the way through to the senior squad.

"With the squad we have got there is no reason why we cannot go and compete against the bigger teams and do well. We have got world class players all over the pitch."

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West Ham v Chelsea
KO 15:00
23 October 2015
Last updated at 11:30
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 24 October

TEAM NEWS

West Ham are without defender Winston Reid again because of a minor back injury, and Victor Moses is ineligible to face his parent club.
Enner Valencia could make his first start of the season, while Alex Song will return to full training next week.

Visitors Chelsea remain without the injured trio of Pedro, Loic Remy and Branislav Ivanovic. Manager Jose Mourinho would not comment on whether Eden Hazard will be recalled to the side.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Jonathan Pearce: "I love this fixture. It's always been a growler of a London derby with snap, crackle and pop - more often than not there goes another Chelsea winner. But that might not happen this time if Slaven Bilic gambles on Andy Carroll from the start.
"Whisper it quietly but John Terry and Chelsea are slowly regaining their mojo. They ground out a result against Villa and were resolute in Kiev. They now have two clean sheets in a row. "But they'd hate to face Carroll. He made all the difference to West Ham at Palace last week. "Chelsea have a brilliant record at the Hammers but, unless Hazard sparkles, this could be a home win."

Twitter: @jpearcefootball

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "We have played some really good stuff, but we have to be more patient when we play at home. "We have that patience away, and we scored goals at Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool at the right times. We are trying to approach the game in the same way, regardless of where we play."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "The players were man enough to assume responsibility and to say even publicly some of them that they were feeling responsibilities in their individual poor start. "But the team was always together. We've got two important results - three points in the Premier League and, against a direct rival for qualification in the Champions League [Dynamo Kiev], we got a point away.
"The mood improves with results and people are happy."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Chelsea beat Aston Villa last week, albeit without playing particularly well, and I see a similar outcome this time after what could be a horrible, scrappy game. West Ham have only won one out of four games at home and I don't think they will get much joy out of trying to hit Chelsea on the break. Only Chelsea have stopped West Ham from scoring in their last 21 matches at home.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Ham have won just one of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Chelsea (D3, L14).
Their last victory came at Upton Park in December 2012, when they won 3-1.
Since that defeat, Chelsea haven't conceded a goal against the Hammers in five meetings.
West Ham
West Ham have made their best start to a Premier League season with 17 points after nine games.
They are unbeaten in their last six league games, with four wins and two draws.
Only Manchester City (24) have scored more goals than West Ham (20) in the Premier League this season.
The Hammers have won their two London derbies so far this season, against Arsenal and Crystal Palace, but have lost their last three at home.
Dimitri Payet has scored five goals and provided three assists in nine Premier League appearances for West Ham.
Chelsea
Chelsea have only won one of their last five away games in the league (D1, L3).
The Blues have made their second worst start to a Premier League campaign with 11 points after nine games.
Jose Mourinho has lost just five of his 52 London derbies in the Premier League (W36, D11).
Chelsea have conceded a league-high five headed goals this season.

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West Ham United v Chelsea
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd October 2015
By: Preview Percy

They appear to have discovered a star in the depths of space that is surrounded by some sort of hyperstructure that may, or may not have been constructed by an intelligence far in advance of anything the human brain can comprehend. If you're reading this up there, have you got anyone who can write match previews? Until they get back to us, here's Preview Percy....

Next up we play host to the money laundering operation that is Chelsea. Kick-off is 3pm Saturday which, for any Chelsea fans reading this, is the traditional time and day on which matches kick off in England. Tradition? Dictionaries are available both online and from all good bookshops.

Trains throughout the east of this wonderful city of ours appear to be engineering work-free (with the exception of the quarantine works in the Tottenham area). Rain is forecast at the time of writing so don't say you weren't warned.

Well it's all a bit messy over there isn't it . After picking up the title last season they've got off to the sort of start that one might describe as "indifferent". Or "bloody awful" when you take into account the fact that they are the defending champions. They're currently sitting in 12th place with 11 points from 9 games, the win against a poor Villa side covering over the cracks to a certain extent. The fact is they have lost four times already, which is hardly the stuff of champions.

There have been rumours-a-plenty of what is euphemistically referred to as dressing-room "unrest" and the so-called "special (needs) one" has been going into conspiracy theory overload. Mourinho went into print recently to describe some of the fines dished out to him and his club as "a disgrace". Well that's one thing on which we can agree Jose. Chelsea were fined £40,000 for their players part in the fracas in the Arsenal match following incidents in which their player was found guilty of unpunished violent conduct. Consider that against the £50k we got hit with for an incident in which it was proven that we had been the victims of genuine refereeing injustice up at Liverpool. Yup Mourinho, I make you right there – "disgrace" is definitely the word.

It wouldn't be so bad if he had any sort of genuine point, but over the years his players have gotten away with so much murder over the years – Andre Marriner was their MOTM at the Boleyn last season - you'd think he'd learn to bite his lip on those rare occasions that the den of mediocrity that is our refereeing gene pool actually get something right and punish the one in twenty blatant dives they manage to spot. Of course Mourinho, like Ferguson before him, is a past master of building up pressure on referees as a combination of reverse psychology and distraction tactic. However, unlike the red-nosed Scottish git, his methods lack subtlety and, for the reverse psychology bit anyway, they appear to be proving counterproductive at the moment.

So – apart from the fact that even our stupid match officials may have rumbled what the rest of us have known for years - why the poor start? Well they didn't have much of a pre-season to start with. Whilst some of us were slumming it, knocking back cocktails at the Dom Mintoff Retirement Complex and Workhouse in clocking up meaningful competition time in Malta in the Europa League, Chelsea players were probably on a beach somewhere having been given extra time off. Now there will have been genuine reasons for this – some will have been on Copa America duty for example and, to be fair it felt like we were playing Europa League matches six months before we'd even qualified for the bloody thing. However, when it came around to the (Care In The) Community Shield they did look for all the world like a side only a week or so into its pre-season preparation which seems to have consisted of a holiday in the States. This left Arsenal to carry home the not-very-coveted-unless-you-win-the-thing Shield, and the fact that they'd beaten the reigning champions ended up giving them a false sense of security which almost certainly contributed to their 2-0 defeat to us the following weekend. So the shortened pre-season then. A genuine attempt at giving some players rest time of a spot of arrogance? Probably an element of both.

Then there was "medigate" when the team's doctor was castigated – and eventually (constructively) dismissed for not being able to tell when a Chelsea player is feigning injury and when he was actually injured. Now ok with Chelsea obviously nine times out of ten it will be the former but, given all that Hippocratic oath stuff that doctors tend to take rather seriously, Crippen/Shipman/Fox (possibly not a real doctor) notwithstanding, the medic's treatment by the club was pretty bad darts all round and it certainly didn't help any with club harmony.

Of course they splashed the cash over the summer – yacht-boy's expenditure since taking over has, according to the work experience kid with the Harry Potter spectacles, topped the one BILLION mark. Even if you accept the new-fangled definition of a billion that's still £1,000,000,000 of Her Majesty's pounds. To put that into context, if you laid out that amount in five pound notes placed end to end, the line of banknotes would stretch half way around Neil Ruddock. I expect.

This summer something like £64 and a half million went in player acquisitions, though when netted out with funds received from sales the total net spend was "only" something like £29.25m.

The biggest fee shelled out was the £19m (rising to about £24.5m with add-ons and depending on how many Euros to the pound the nearest Post Office to Stamford Bridge is giving) for the Canary Islands-born winger Pedro.

The next biggest fee was the £14m (potentially £22m with add-ons) for Augsburg left-back Abdul Rahman. Rahman, whose "Baba" nickname as seen on the back of his shirt comes from his Dad is a Ghanaian international whose youth career started in his homeland with the improbably-named Dreams FC, which, thankfully, has no connection with the dreadful and not in any way missed Sky football-soap Dream Team. There are rumours that the same youth setup has a team called Nightmare FC who play in Spurs kit. Or at least there will be once I start spreading them.

"Baba" had been used sparingly thus far this season – until his league debut against Villa last weekend the League Cup had been his territory. £14m (never mind £22m) does rather seem a lot but frankly, like the rest of the world I've long since given up on trying to make sense of Chelseanomics.

An injury to the no.1 no.1 (if you see what I mean) Thibault Courtois (actually no.13), has led to more game time than might otherwise have been anticipated for the no.2 no.1 Asmir Begovic (actually no.1). Begovic came in for £8m plus a player on loan from Stoke during the summer.

He's lived in a few places in his life having legged it out of Bosnia with his family when the civil war that followed the disintegration of what we used to call Yugoslavia made things rather unpleasant in that part of the world. They ended up in Germany then Edmonton, Canada before Begovic got a trial at Pompey. Pompey were impressed enough to sign the player before he had a chance to attend a subsequent trial that had been arranged for him at Spurs, presumably pointing out that Edmonton N9 had more in common with Bosnia than it did with its Alberta namesake. His arrival at Fratton Park at the age of 18 means that he actually qualifies as a "home grown" player when they are counting these things up, even though his lack of an EU passport while at Portsmouth meant his early years there were covered by a student visa meaning he couldn't play in any matches that people paid to watch.

Ironically, considering the fact that they have a squad and a half's worth of players out on loan, one of the bigger names to arrive, Falcao, came in on the borrow. Falcao had a largely uninspiring season at Old Trafford last term, something that may have put off even a club with as deep pockets as Chelsea from considering an immediate permanent deal. The deal with Monaco includes an option to purchase but he's not pulled up any trees with the Pensioners having scored just the once this season. Current reports suggest that his agent is trying to negotiate a curtailment of the season-long loan in order to find the player gainful employment somewhere on the continent more suited to his game.

Falcao might have hoped for more involvement given the recent suspension to Diego Costa. Costa's antics in the Arsenal match which were the subject of retrospective punishment from the authorities and gave him a three match lay-off for violent conduct. I'd wager a few bob with Winstones The Turf Accountants that that suspension might not be the last the player sees this season, given his confusion over the terms "channelled aggression" and "mindless thuggery". He's one of those players of whom it is often claimed that if you took that side of his game away he wouldn't be half the player. That's an argument that holds as much water as an ocean-going colander made of plutonium-enhanced lead strapped to a 20 tonne concrete block tied to Neil Ruddock. That sort of argument always strikes me as a lazy excuse for a player not to work on an aspect of his game that is letting him down and I reckon if the player erred on the "channelled aggression" of the equation Chelsea would end up with a much more potent threat. If nothing else they'd get more games out of him.

Enough of them. What of us? Good win last week I thought even if we did leave it late. The performance of Lanzini overall fair made the mouth water and it was good to see innovative substitutions from Mr Bilic made in what was eventually a successful attempt to grab all three points.

Elsewhere in the world of football, Man City are being hauled up before UEFA because their fans booed the pretentious so-called Champions League "anthem", a piece of music that should be rolled up and shoved up the firmament of whoever had the bright idea that what an overblown competition already up its own backside really needed was its own bloody anthem. Assuming that UEFA find something to charge Man City with and fine them, it will be interesting to see whether the resulting fine is larger or smaller than the €15,000 slap on the wrist given to Dinamo Kiev last March for racial abuse. Meanwhile EVERY supporter attending a so called Champions League match in the future should make sure they boo every time the damn thing is played.

Back to this weekend's events and injury news is that Reid is still out whilst Song needs a few more weeks yet. We will also be without Victor Moses who is one of the millions of players over the world who are on loan from Chelsea, thus rendering him ineligible. Enner Valencia was given a runout for the Development Squad in midweek, picking up a goal in the process so he may be in the frame to replace Moses.

Prediction? Hmm. Well they aren't always going to be as bad as they have been so far this season– though frankly they'd really have had something to worry about had they not beaten Villa last week. So the main question is when are they going to start to improve? Our reputation as sequence-busters would usually suggest that they'd start getting better at the Boleyn, and our home form thus far this season hasn't really suggested that the trend would be bucked. On the other hand, a number of sources have suggested that there is still much disharmony in the ranks. They will also have had a tough round trip to Kiev in midweek which won't help in their preparation. Throw into the fact that this season the more (supposedly) exalted the opposition has been the better we've performed and you know what? I think that I'll think that I'll put the 1p fines collected here at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered from everyone who mentioned Back To The Bloody Future this week (£2.50) down to Winstones and stick it on a 2-2 draw.

Enjoy the game!

When Last We Met At The Boleyn: Lost 0-1 (March 2015). An offside goal and a string of disgraceful refereeing decisions in favour of the visitors strangely eluded the attention of the special needs one, whose team had Andre Marriner to thank for all three points.

Danger Man: Diego Costa –dangerous from a medical point of view as well as a playing one. Our centre halves will need to be at their most disciplined to avoid retaliation against some of the stuff that they are likely to face.

Referee: Jonathon Moss Regarded even by his fellow officials as a bit lucky to be in a job. We need a strong ref for this one. We haven't got one.

Irritating Celebrity Supporter Of The Week: Well we'll ignore the ignoramus who turns up to their home games with the 1905 London's First & Finest banner (They aren't even the oldest club with an SW postcode and I make it at least 8 professional clubs in the capital are older. Finest? I've wiped finer stuff off the soles of my shoes). No this week it has to be David Mellor. In some ways he's the archetypal Chelsea supporter in that until they started winning stuff – something that "coincidentally" started to occur just after the dodgy Russian took over- he used to support someone else. In Mellor's case it was Fulham for whose programme he used to chip in the odd note bemoaning how difficult it was to get down to Craven Cottage what with being an MP and all. In the interest of balance, it should be said that the story about him having sex in a Chelsea shirt was a load of made-up hokum. As the woman pointed out – it must have been unbearable enough without adding the horror of a Chelsea shirt into the equation.

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West Ham v Chelsea preview: Blues eye first back-to-back victories
Last Updated: 23/10/15 10:58pm
SSN

Chelsea are looking for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season when they travel to West Ham. Jose Mourinho's men lie 12th in the table heading into Saturday's match, but they returned from the international break in much better form, beating Aston Villa last Saturday before producing an improved display in the 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday. The Blues have yet to win two league games in succession this season, and it will be tough to do so as they travel to one of the division's form teams.

West Ham are unbeaten in their past six Premier League outings, with Slaven Bilic's men lifting themselves to fourth in the table.
But with a poor record against Chelsea and only one win at home the season, Mourinho may go into Saturday's clash with renewed confidence.

Team news

West Ham will be without Victor Moses, who is ineligible to face his parent club, while Winston Reid has not quite shaken off the knock which kept him out of the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace last weekend. Midfielder Alex Song, meanwhile, is still a couple of weeks away from returning after a long-term ankle injury.

Mourinho has confirmed that there is no change to the injury situation at Stamford Bridge, which means Loic Remy and Pedro (both knocks), Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) and Thibaut Courtois (knee) remain out.

Opta stats

West Ham have won just one of their past 18 Premier League clashes with Chelsea (won one, drawn three, lost 14).

Chelsea have not conceded a single goal in any of their past five Premier League matches against the Hammers, last conceding in a 3-1 defeat in Dec 2012.

West Ham have scored with a league-high 22 per cent of their shots this season in the Premier League, while only Manchester City (24) have scored more goals than the Hammers (20).

Dimitri Payet has created more goal-scoring chances than any other Premier League player so far this season (39).

West Ham have won their two Premier League London derbies so far this season (against Arsenal and Crystal Palace) - they only won two Premier League London derbies in the whole of 2014-15.

The Hammers have lost their past three Premier League London derbies at home, however.

Merson's prediction

If I were Chelsea, I'd be happy this game is at Upton Park, considering West Ham's recent away form. This is still a hard game for Chelsea, though, and they're in a position where they must win as many games as possible. Each week they just have to tick each game off as it comes.

West Ham have been very impressive this season, but if Eden Hazard finally turns up in a game - he needs to turn up sooner or later - I see Chelsea winning, although I'm not 100 percent sure.

Premier League questions
We take a look at 10 questions that could be answered by the end of the weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

Betting

Fourth-placed West Ham are underdogs with Sky Bet ahead of the visit of Chelsea (10/11) to Upton Park. The Hammers have a poor record against the Blues and have failed to score in their five league matches and Chelsea are 2/1 to keep another clean sheet. They lost this fixture 1-0 last season and Sky Bet offer 15/2 for a repeat of that scoreline. Dimitri Payet has scored in successive matches for the Hammers and is 11/4 to net anytime with Eden Hazard, who scored the winner in this match last season, 3/1 to score in a Chelsea win.

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West Ham's on-song Dimitri Payet delighted to hear Hammers fans chant he's "better than Zidane"
22:30, 23 OCT 2015
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Frenchman has five goals and three assists already in his debut season and credits manager Slaven Bilic for his smooth transition to the Prem
The Mirror

Dimitri Payet's first sight of Slaven Bilic was the Croatia defender getting Laurent Blanc sent off at the 1998 World Cup. Now, West Ham manager Bilic is helping the French midfielder to dismiss the Premier League's best defenders in more thrilling style. At £10.7million from Marseille, 28-year-old Payet has been arguably the buy of the season with his five goals and three assists adding Gallic flair to the Hammers attack. And he claimed his rapid ­assimilation into English football is down to Bilic. "We speak a lot – he is quite close to me," said Payet. "I wouldn't say father and son, but a bit in that style. I like to have a good relationship with my manager. I am someone who responds better to praise. "I like to be given ­responsibility. When it goes badly, he can tell me, when it goes well, he can say as well. I like this relationship. It is going well and he has given me a lot of trust and I have tried to give it back on the pitch. "I knew from Joe Cole [a team-mate at Lille] that this was a special club and had a way of playing. From the first match, I quickly understood that the fans really like that and I was going to like it here."

Payet's popularity with the West Ham faithful has already been rewarded with his own song claiming he is "better than Zidane".
"I heard it after the Crystal Palace match – it was posted a lot on my Twitter feed," he smiled. "It is the first time I have a song with my name – it never happens in France. It really touched me. I would like to thank the fans. "Even to be compared with him is a really good thing for me."

But Payet is hardly an overnight success at the age of 28. He left Reunion – a French-ruled island in the Indian Ocean – at the age of 11 to go to Le Havre, before returning home four years later. "I think what happened in my formation, especially not to be been kept, to have gone home, to come back again with a real determination, has forged my ­character," he said. Payet then went back to France to play for Nantes, St Etienne, Lille and Marseille before finally crossing the Channel in June.

Payet, who once had an on-field ­altercation with a St Etienne team-mate, believes he has mellowed. "I am calmer nowadays," said the France international. "An enfant terrible? Yes, I was difficult to control. But the passing years and the fact I now have children have calmed me." So, like Bilic, he has a colourful past. "I remember him from the 1998 World Cup," Payet added. "He deprived Laurent Blanc of the World Cup final, but Blanc was still a world champion. We have never discussed it. I remember thinking at the time what he had done wasn't good – but he did a good simulation (circle)!"

Payet has been left out of the France squad since June. And with Didier Deschamps captaining Les Bleus in 1998, asking Bilic to call the current France coach to plead his case might not be the best idea "I don't know about that," he laughed. "But it makes me happy that he is willing to defend me. Playing for France at Euro 2016 is one of my personal aims. I have to play well for my club and that is what I try to do."

* DIMITRI PAYET reckons champions Chelsea have lost their fear factor – but his former team-mate Eden Hazard is still scary.
Jose Mourinho's side visit Upton Park this Saturday down in 12th place – eight spots behind West Ham – after only one win their last five games. And Payet said: "As Chelsea have lost one or two matches at the start of the season, everyone says: 'It is now possible to beat Chelsea'. There is maybe less fear than before. Other teams are a bit more relaxed when they play Chelsea. "But they remain a top team. They have not lost their quality in two months."

Payet played for a season with Hazard at Lille before the Belgian joined Chelsea in 2012. "It was a pleasure to play with such a player - it was easy to play with Eden," he recalled. "I think in the years to come he is going to be the best along with Messi and Ronaldo."
Hazard has struggled so far in this campaign, but the Frenchman explained: "There is a lot of pressure. Chelsea's game goes a lot through him. Last season he created nearly all their chances and goals. So the team relies on him. "I watched the match against Newcastle and two or three other matches. As soon as he touches the ball, there are two or three players on him trying to stop him playing. "It is going less well at the moment but I am not worried for him. Eden is someone very strong mentally. I have no worries that he will get through this and return to his usual level and he will help Chelsea reach their goals. "If I said I was not scared of him, I would be a liar! He is still their top player going forward."

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laven Bilic compares Manuel Lanzini to Luka Modric and declares "he makes our other players play better"
18:45, 23 OCT 2015 UPDATED 18:46, 23 OCT 2015
BY ALEX RICHARDS
The Argentine is spending the season on loan from Al Jazira with the Hammers and West Ham hold an option to make his move permanent if he impresses
The Mirror

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has hailed on-loan Argentine starlet Manuel Lanzini, comparing him to Real Madrid's Luka Modric. Lanzini, 22, has wasted little time in impressing at Upton Park as part of Bilic's East End revolution, having joined on a season-long loan from UAE side AL Jazira in the summer. The former River Plate youngster already has two Premier League goals to his name - in the win at Liverpool and last week's 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace - and the Hammers sit fourth in the table. Now former Croatia boss Bilic has acclaimed the young schemer, likening him to the man around whom he built his national side, ex-Spurs midfielder Modric . "I have never seen a player who reminds me of Luka Modric as much as Manuel Lanzini," the 47-year-old wrote in The Evening Standard. "Luka is my favourite player. He is my prototype of a great midfielder. I put Luka in the Croatia Under-21s and then in the senior team and we have a special kind of bond. But Lanzini has the same kind of qualities." The Hammers face Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday afternoon, looking to further cement their place among the league's elite. Lanzini, who has taken a more central role in Bilic's attacking lineup recently, is once more expected to start, with his manager believing that the Argentine makes those around him lift themselves. "What I do know is he is making our other players better," continued the Irons chief. "He always wants the ball. That's why we put him in midfield. "He always makes himself available. If the players are in trouble, he comes and gets it. He does not look strong but some players can defy that physicality to impose themselves. Modric is the same and, like him, Lanzini is not afraid either. I am delighted with him."

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Carlton Cole hails West Ham fans as he vows to become a hit with Celtic supporters
12:29, 23 OCT 2015 UPDATED 12:29, 23 OCT 2015
BY JOHN CROSS
Cole turned down several offers, including one to join up with Sam Allardyce at Sunderland, to sign at Celtic Park
The Mirror

Carlton Cole has paid a glowing tribute to West Ham's fans - and is confident of becoming a big hit with Celtic supporters. Former England striker Cole, 32, who was a free agent, has signed a two-year deal at Celtic following his departure from Upton Park in the summer. That followed a disappointing end to his West Ham career after Sam Allardyce blocked him from joining West Brom in January only for him to barely get a look-in at Upton Park for the rest of the campaign. Cole has always enjoyed a close affinity with West Ham fans and was left upset at the way it finished after spending nine years in two spells at Upton Park. But Cole is hoping he can have the same relationship with the supporters at Celtic after turning down offers from abroad and the Premier League, including one from Sunderland boss Allardyce. Cole said: "At this stage of my career I want a challenge, an opportunity to win things and have a great rapport with the fans like I did at West Ham. "People talk to me about what happened in January but that's way behind me now, I've got great memories with the West Ham fans and I will always appreciate the support they gave me. "I genuinely could have earned a lot more money from other offers I had in England and around the world but once you see what Celtic is all about then it's a no-brainer." Cole has been talking to Celtic boss Ronny Deila for the past few weeks as he looked to secure his long term future for his family and the rest of his career. He says a taxi journey during negotiations was a reminder of just how big Celtic is and he hopes to become a big hit like some big name strikers before him. Cole added: "I'm already beginning to feel part of the family here, yes it's a big family but everyone makes you feel wanted and part of something. "I'm really happy to have finally signed for Celtic, now I'm excited about the prospect of playing in front of 60,000 amazing fans. "I've spent a few weeks up here getting a feel for the club and passion of the fans. Because of that I feel ready for the challenge. "Celtic is a huge club, one of the biggest in the World, everyone in the city love football and want to talk about it. "I got in a taxi yesterday and the driver started talking to me about how much the club means to him and explaining the deep passion and connection the fans have. "That's why I'm here, I want to give everything for this club, I want to wear the shirt with pride and put all I've got on the line. "It has also been good to have some chats with Ronny Deila, he's told me what he wants from me and how he wants to play, we are developing a good relationship. "The lads have been brilliant, there's been plenty of banter in the changing room and they have been keen for me to join. "I feel rejuvenated, enthusiastic and exciting about pulling on the shirt and running out with the lads. "People have asked me about Lee Griffiths but he is a different player to me and hopefully we can play together and form a decent partnership. "We have a decent squad with players that can score goals from many positions, everyone knows that this club has to win things and I am happy to be part of it. I will give everything for this club and the fans."

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Leroy names Chelsea 'weakest link' and result!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in Leroy's Blogs, News, Whispers
C and H

John Terry arrives at the Boleyn tomorrow as the weak link in the Chelsea team for me.

Should he play it will be his 450th match for Jose Mourinho's side and it could become a nightmae because he's lost a lot of pace and we have that everywhere in this brilliant West Ham eam.

We find out tomorrow whether we are dreaming of a top four West Ham team or whether the results so far have been a flash in the pan so far. I don't think that's the case at all but I'd be even more confident of my predicted 2- 1 result were Winston Reid to be playing.

Chelsea have real problem and I was interested to read Hugh's report of Mourinho's prress conference today when the Chelsea boss looked as if e had the troubles of the world on his shoulders. That's all very good news.

I love too the way Slav has been so humble refusing to play on the current problems and talking him up as the great manager. It's non confrontational and clever before we go and give em a hiding!

In the privacy of the dressing room Slav will be telling the lads they will never have a better chance of beating Chelsea.

I'd love Victor Moses to be playing but in his absence the way is clear for Enner Valencia to return. He has plenty to prove and will be well up for this game.

If, as I expect, we come out of this game with three points we will have 20 before the end of October which is an amazing achievement.

I do think what we have been seeing is the real deal and that we are going to b atop four/six club this season but tomorrow will tell us an awful lot.

The home form is still a bit of a worry and this is the perfect game to get it right. We will see Chelsea having a lot of possession but they have plenty of problems at the back for me.

Quite apart from Terry's lack of pace, Zouma is quick but lacks anticipation and the keeper doesn't have the presence of several before him.

We will go out entirely relaxed and I am confident.

I expect a 2-1 and here's how I see the Irons lining up: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate, Payt, Valencia, Lanzini, Sakho

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Lawrenson at it again
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

This really needs no comment from me other than to say that Mark Lawrenson's animosity towards West Ham is now beyond a joke. Having predicted our demise in virtually – if not every game this season – he is at it again ahead of the match against Chelsea tomorrow afternoon. Here's what TV's most miserable pundit has to say: Chelsea still beat Aston Villa last week, albeit without playing particularly well, and I see a similar outcome this time after what could be a horrible scrappy game. West Ham have only won one out of four games at home, compared to four out of five away, and I don't think they will get much joy out of trying to hit Chelsea on the break at Upton Park. Horrible scrappy game – "NURSE!!!"

Lawro's predicton 0-1

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CandH exclusive: DS speaks on takeover rumours
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Sullivan has responded angrily to rumours that the Hammers could be taken over and that secret talks are underway. The chairman – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – has quickly denied the stories following after his son Jack had tweeted there was a zero chance of it happening. An old story – recycled perhaps in the light of the club's present run of success – that the Qatari Royal Family are set to invest in the club – has been brushed off by Sullivan. We approached the chairman a few minutes ago and he was keen to explain the position and denied emphatically there was any truth in the speculation. He said: "It's 100 per cent NOT TRUE. We are in discussions with nobody and beyond that we have absolutely no desire to sell this club to anybody. " I can only assume the rumours are being spread by people who are jealous of our success and want to unsettle us. It's just not true."

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Costa could regret coming to Upton Park
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in News, Whispers
By Scott Alsweiler
C and H

CostaWe've proved that we're no slouches, and last weekend was a great example of that. But we do look a bit fragile at home. This Saturday is our chance to show we've grown. The key to this one will be remaining calm.

Leroy has rightly pointed out that Terry looks vulnerable – and he'll look even more so under the probably withering chants from the stands – and our pace and maneuverability should rattle him very quickly. Once we've done that, and put one or even two into the net, I expect Chelsea's mental strength (which I believe to be already shaky) to collapse.

That isn't to say that they'll be a pushover. If they get in early, and look dominant, then the reverse could easily happen. Chelsea seem to be at something of a crossroads in their season. They could either recover and be a commanding force (albeit probably not title contenders), or collapse into the lower mid table for the season.

They may also be tired after their travels this week. All of this can play into our hands, if we go out confident and exploit any weaknesses. Mourinho's press conference suggests those weaknesses are there. A manager who fails to exude confidence will not impart it to his team.

We know Reid is out, and that our Ginger Pele is likely to start. You can't ever fault Collins on his heart. He plays with his entire being. But he does make mistakes, and those can be costly. Having said that I rather l look forward to watching Costa run into the big Welsh wall. If Collins is on his game, Costa might well regret coming to the Boleyn.

Our other missing man is Victor Moses. We're not exactly short of options here. I think Antonio deserves to play at least a sub role tomorrow, but would probably start Valencia. Let's see him back out there and try and re-ignite his partnership with Sakho.

While it would be his first run out since his injury it would be a great chance to have him prove his place in the squad. We know he has impressive talent, and his pace would fit well into Slav's setup.

So here's to it. Let the game flow naturally and don't feel pressured. That has probably been our biggest fault at home so far. We can, and should, win this one. A loss wouldn't wreck our season, but wouldn't be indicative of our quality either.

A draw wouldn't surprise me, but I think our expectations have grown beyond that. I'm going for a 2-1 win. 3-1 if we shock them early (and don't fade at the end of either half – a bad habit of ours in injury time). We are West Ham. And we're going to add another scalp to wall.

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Bilic keeps tabs on young defender
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Slaven Bilic has sent scouts to regularly watch Croatian Under-21 centre-back Antonio Milic.

The youngster is well known to Hammers boss Slaven Bilic and his staff, having played for all of Croatia's junior sides up to Under-21 level.

And the Irons made it clear to ClaretandHugh that another central defender is very much on their shopping list a Jaes Collins reaches the veteran stage and is out of contract in the summer.

The Hammers boss sent spies to watch him against Club Brugge last weekend whom Milic only joined n January and has impressed since.

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Morrison's clumsy 'January' hint
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Ravel Morrison last night dropped a clumsy hint that he's back on his travels (aren't you glad we have Manu Lanzini!) After being an unused sub in Lazio's the Europa League clash he posted a one word tweet – "January" in the usual enigmatic style. He had been expected to play in the match against Rosenberg – from which Lazio emerged as 3-1 winners – but had apparently felt an injury the day before. Frustrated Morrison heard Lazio director Igli Tare explain how good he when he said: "We hadn't predicted so many changes to the line-up, but are forced to rotate the squad again today. "Morrison has undoubted quality and is world class, as well as being talked about and a little 'mad.' We really like him, but yesterday he had a fitness problem. "He was in the running to start in place of Stefano Mauri, but didn't train and as a precaution will be on the bench. Maybe he'll come on during the game."

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Farewell Boleyn: Mooro's final appearance
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

March 9, 1974! The last time Bobby Moore would wore the shirt of the club he joined as a schoolboy nearly 20 years before. The opposition that day was Plymouth Argyle in a reserve fixture played in front of a smattering of a crowd, while the first team were drawing away at Derby County. Perhaps an undignified way to end a career, having not appeared for the first team since a draw with Hereford United in the Cup at the Boleyn in the January. Hee would sign for Fulham six days after this picture was taken, returning just once – the next day – though to walk up the tunnel one more time and wave farewell to the fans before the first team lost 3-2 to Coventry. The empty North bank is the back drop for the picture. Underneath the refreshments sign was the entrance to the terracing from the concourse. I migrated from the Upper West to the North Bank in 1983 (still there to this day) and used to get my first sight of the pitch walking in under that sign. Bobby would finally bow out for good in 1977 away at Blackburn Rovers with a Fulham team including George Best in the side going down 1-0.

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