Daily WHUFC News - 22nd May 2017

Hammers sign off with Burnley win
WHUFC.com

2016/17 signed off in style; West Ham United's final day 2-1 win at against
Burnley at Turf Moor ensured an eleventh-place finish for Slaven Bilic's
side in the Premier League table. Sofiane Feghouli's first half equaliser
came before Andre Ayew bagged a sixth goal of the season – his fifth away
from home – in the second period to cancel out Sam Vokes' opener and secure
maximum points for the visitors to end the campaign on a high note. It was a
game the Hammers went into on the back of a defeat, but the victory meant
Bilic's men ended the term with just one defeat in their final seven
matches, and impressive end-of-term record. In the sixth minute, Feghouli
began the half as he meant to go on, testing Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal
when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box before his volley was too
central on goal. Four minutes later, it was Burnley's turn to scare their
opponents – Stephen Ward delivered from the left, but his dangerous cross
was just beyond Vokes' reach. A Tarwowski header was glanced over soon
after, but on 23 minutes, the hosts had the lead. Andre Gray raced down the
right, and crossing low, the ball found its way to Vokes – who tapped in
comfortably from eight yards – via Scott Arfield. The lead did not last
long, though. An instant response from Slaven Bilic's men saw them draw
level when Feghouli slotted past Heaton inside the penalty area. And it was
at the end of a lovely move – Fernandes' patient passing in midfield
eventually gave Andre Ayew a chance to flick for the Algerian, something he
duly did, allowing the ex-Valencia man to find the back of the net. Five
minutes later, a golden chance again delivered itself for Feghouli – with
space and time to find the target from 18 yards, the winger smashed over
with the goal at his mercy. Shortly before the break, Gray flicked wide for
the hosts but they made their way back down the tunnel level.

The second half began with little goalmouth action, though the Hammers had
the better of the attacking play, winning a number of corners and causing
problems particularly down the right through Sam Byram. And, pushing for the
winner, it finally came with 72 minutes on the clock. Edimilson Fernandes,
impressive throughout for the away side, lined up a cracking shot from
range, though Heaton was equal to the effort, tipping it onto the crossbar.
The ball would only fall for Ayew, however, to score another important goal
for West Ham in a strong end to the season for Ghanaian. There was still
time for Manuel Lanzini to curl a free-kick narrowly over, and Declan Rice
was handed a first team debut as he came on for the final minutes, but
Burnley could not test Adrian in the visiting goal.

And so West Ham ended the season with a win, a win that sees them finish
eleventh in the Premier League table, just eight goals outside the top half.

Burnley: Heaton, Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward, Brady (Gudmundsson 66),
Hendrick, Westwood (Defour 78), Arfield, Gray (Barnes 78), Vokes.
Subs not used: Pope, Flanagan, Darikwa, Agyei.
Goals: Vokes 23
Bookings: Lowton 27, Gudmundsson 86

West Ham United: Adrian, Byram, Fonte, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Rice
90+1), Fernandes, Lanzini, Feghouli, Snodgrass, Ayew.
Subs not used: Randolph, Fletcher, Quina, Makasi, Kemp.
Goals: Feghouli 27
Bookings: Collins 18, Lanzini 43

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Ayew - It's great to finish strongly
WHUFC.com

Andre Ayew was delighted to score the Hammers' final winning goal of the
2016/17 season as the visitors won 2-1 at Burnley
Sofiane Feghouli had grabbed an equaliser after Sam Vokes gave the Clarets
the lead early on
The victory saw Slaven Bilic's side finish the season in eleventh in the
Premier League

West Ham United's 2-1 win over Burnley on the final day at Turf Moor was a
great way to end the season, according to match winner Andre Ayew. The
Ghanaian forward scored in the 72nd minute to sign off the 2016/17 in style,
bagging his sixth of the campaign – a fifth goal away from London Stadium
for the Hammers.
It came after Sofiane Feghouli had drawn the visitors level following Sam
Vokes' opener, and Slaven Bilic's side dominated a second half they could
have scored further goals in. The victory meant the Claret and Blues
finished eleventh in the Premier League table, though had results in the
past swung one way rather than the other, Ayew highlighted it could have
been even better. "We are happy with today's three points and to finish on a
good note," the striker said. "The whole season has been difficult so we're
happy to end like this. "Overall, the season has been difficult, but we're
just a point away from eighth spot at the end of the day. We were quite
disappointed because there were games where we definitely could have had
more points. "You take away from it that you need to win your points and
take your chances and learn from this season now. We'll learn, and prepare
for the next one." Ayew scored when Edimilson Fernandes' long-range effort
was saved well by Tom Heaton, though the keeper's stop cannoned off the
crossbar before falling perfectly for the Hammers' record signing to nod in.
And it was a case of strikers' instinct, said the forward who celebrated in
front of the packed away end. "My goal for sure was right place, right time.
I had a similar opportunity at Stoke and missed it, so I'm happy to score
today and hopefully now it's the end of the season that will set us up for
next season. "We are going to have holidays now and prepare for next season.
"I think this year we have been unlucky with injuries and we didn't start
the season well. We had the Europa League also, and we didn't manage to
qualify, but after the start we had, we got to a point where we managed to
turn things around, so it's been a good end."

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Slav - It's nice to finish with a win
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic praised his players for finishing a challenging 2016/17 Premier
League season on a real high with a deserved 2-1 win at Burnley. West Ham
United completed a rollercoaster campaign on a run of one defeat in seven
matches and with a fifth away victory courtesy of goals from Sofiane
Feghouli and Andre Ayew.
Despite being without a host of senior players absent through injuries and
season-ending surgeries, the Hammers produced a display full of energy and
commitment to become just the sixth team to leave Turf Moor with all three
points. Victory in east Lancashire secured an eleventh-place finish with 45
points, just a point behind Southampton in eighth – a satisfactory return
after West Ham lost five of their opening six Premier League fixtures. "We
wanted to finish positive and I think we deserved to beat them and it's
always nice to win the last game because this result stays," the manager
confirmed. "You can't make it up in a week's time or whatever, so that's why
I'm really pleased for the guys. "We deserved to win. We knew that we would
have problems when they were playing the ball straight forward, like every
other club here, because they are really good in that way with presence and
delivery. They were playing balls into the channels or winning good second
balls and we knew we were going to struggle, but we coped well with that in
the main. "We tried to match them, and we were coming out of the situations
in the midfield with Edimilson Fernandes and Manuel Lanzini with the ball at
their feet. "They bossed the game and were playing very nice football and
creating a lot of clear-cut chances, switching the play in dangerous areas
and crossing well into the box. I'm really pleased with the way we played
and it's good to finish the season with a win. "I have to praise the referee
also before the second goal for playing a double advantage. He didn't give
us a foul two times, he let the ball go and I have to praise him for good
refereeing. So, overall, it's good to finish the season like this."
When asked to reflect on the season as a whole, Bilic's response was
typically honest but felt his squad had risen to the numerous challenges put
in front of them.
"We thought we were going to do better but, considering everything, and I
didn't want to talk about it during the season because we wanted to stay
positive and all that, we had so many obstacles and so many injuries and so
many surgeries, it was not normal. "Then, although the move to the new
stadium is the best thing the Club has done in the long term, it was always
going to take some time to settle in, like it does for every club. "It was a
tough season with its ups and downs but at the end, we did it and I have to
praise the guys because we never lost belief, we showed character and we
showed quality and finished better, like we wanted to. "We were one point
from the top eight and in this league it's not a season to talk about hating
it because it's not a very, very bad season, but we've done it."

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Slaven Bilic believes several factors hindered West Ham this season
Last Updated: 21/05/17 7:59pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic insisted he thought West Ham's season would have panned out
better, but believes several factors hindered their progress after his
side's 2-1 final day win at Burnley. Victory in Lancashire elevated the
Hammers to an 11th-placed finish and earned them some welcome, additional
prize money. Nonetheless, after an up-and-down-season, there is speculation
that the Hammers boss' position could be under threat in the close season.
Bilic admitted that he is aware that many expected better from his side this
campaign, but believes a new stadium and a long injury list haven't helped
matters. "It is always nice to win on the last day," Bilic told Sky Sports.
"I am pleased for the players. "We thought that we were going to do better
[this season]. I didn't want to talk about that in the season, I wanted to
stay positive. "We had so many obstacles, so many injuries. We had eight
surgeries, which is not normal. "Although the move to the new stadium is the
best thing that has ever happened to the club in the long term, like any
club, it is going to take time to settle. "It has been difficult. If you are
talking about England, it happened with Arsenal, it happened with Man City,
Southampton when they moved to their new stadiums. You need time. "It is
very hard to get that Upton Park feeling, but it is going to get better and
better. "The game against Liverpool last week, there was a bit of
complacency, because we thought we had done the job against Spurs. I am
expecting to better next season, of course. "It has been a tough season with
ups and downs, but we have finished it now, and I want to praise the guys.
We finished 11th, we wanted to finish higher, but we are just one point away
from eighth. In this league, it is not a very, very bad season."

Despite an outlay of over £70m on players this campaign, Bilic was also
adamant that some first-team additions are needed in the summer transfer
window.
"I think next season every club is going to be busy [in transfer market],"
Bilic added. "Even Barcelona want to improve. Today we showed that we have a
good squad of players. Some players maybe will go [in the summer] and we
will replace them. "Today, we were without eight players and still looked
good. If you are talking about the squad I am happy with the squad, but we
need a few players to improve our first XI. We have our targets."

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Burnley 1-2 West Ham: Visitors come from behind to finish season on a high
By Pete Hall
Last Updated: 21/05/17 5:45pm
SSN

Andre Ayew scored the winner as West Ham came from behind to win 2-1 at
Burnley and finish a tumultuous season on a high, claiming some extra prize
money in the process. Sam Vokes put Burnley in front in the 23rd minute as
he slotted home Andre Gray's cross, but the Hammers were level four minutes
later after Sofiane Feghouli finished off a fine move. Ayew headed home from
close range in the 72nd minute to complete the turnaround and put the
Hammers on course for just a third win in 14 league outings, relieving some
of the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic's shoulders. he three points means
the Hammers climbed up table to finish the season in 11th to earn themselves
that additional prize money, while Burnley missed the chance boost the
coffers, dropping to finish in 16th. Burnley brought Gray back into the side
in place of Ashley Barnes, and the Clarets hitman almost had an immediate
impact, but he got his lofted effort all wrong with Adrian stranded, and the
ball drifted harmlessly wide. Down the other end, a man back in the Hammers
side - Feghouli - brought the ball down on his chest before being denied by
a smart stop from Tom Heaton. James Tarkowski wasted a golden chance to
break the deadlock, but could not guide his header on target from close
range. The home crowd didn't have to wait long for a goal, however, as Gray
burst down the right, fed the ball across for the onrushing Scott Arfield,
who missed it completely, but Vokes was on hand to net his 10th of the
season just behind.
Less than four minutes later we were back level again, as Feghouli finished
off a fine move. Angelo Ogbonna fed the ball into Ayew, who flicked the ball
through for Feghouli first time, before the impressive former Valencia man
fired home. Feghouli then should have put the Hammers in front, but blasted
over with the goal at his mercy following a fortunate ricochet. After the
break, the tempo slowed somewhat as neither side could conjure any real
openings of note. It took until 18 minutes from time for the half's first
goalmouth action, and it proved to be the game's deciding moment. Edimilson
Fernandes saw his thunderous effort brilliantly saved by Tom Heaton, but he
could only beat the ball up into the air, it came down, hit the crossbar,
and landed right on Ayew's head, a few yards out, and he just stood there,
let the ball hit him and go into the net. Manuel Lanzini curled a free-kick
just over the top as the Hammers went in search of a third, but the two
goals proved to be enough for a final day flourish.

Player ratings

Burnley: Heaton 6, Long 6, Lawton 6, Tarkowski 6, Ward 6, Brady 5, Westwood
4, Hendrick 5, Arfield 5, Vokes 6, Gray 6.
Subs: Defour 6, Barnes 6, Gudmundsson 6.

West Ham: Adrian 6, Cresswell 6, Collins 6, Ogbonna 6, Byram 7, Fonte 6,
Feghouli 8, Lanzini 6, Snodgrass 5, Fernandes 5, Ayew 8.
Subs: Rice N/A, Fletcher 6

Man of the match: Sofiane Feghouli

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Burnley 1-2 West Ham: Andre Ayew hits winner to give Slaven Billic ends
season on a high
Ayew netted to complete West Ham's comeback on 72 minutes
The Mirror
BYDAVID ANDERSON
16:58, 21 MAY 2017UPDATED18:27, 21 MAY 2017

Slaven Bilic's meeting with David Sullivan today should be less awkward
after this. Bilic would not have relished sitting down with the West Ham
co-owner if they had followed up the debacle at home to Liverpool with
another defeat. But he was bullish after a first away win since February
ended the Hammers' difficult season with just one loss in seven games. Bilic
argued West Ham would benefit from this challenging season, which saw them
blighted by injury, struggle to settle at their new London Stadium home and
Dimitri Payet jump ship mid-season. "I'm not bothered about that," said the
Hammers boss in reference to today's meeting. "I'm happy with the way we
finished the season. "We had eight major surgeries and we've had 10 players
who were out, each one of them for a minimum of two-and-a-half-months. Ten
of them. That's scary, it's too much. "So considering that and considering
the move to the new stadium, which is long term the best thing this club has
ever done, we've done well. "It's not a season to hail as the best one. It's
nowhere near the season of last year, but there is something between great
and bad and we have done it because we never lost belief. "It wasn't
enjoyable, but individually and as a team, I'm sure we will benefit from
this season a lot."
Bilic's squad was so stretched he was only able to name six substitutes,
including the 18-year-old Declan Rice, who made his debut in stoppage time.
But the Hammers still possessed enough quality to win and Andre Ayew stood
out. Ayew made the first and scored the winner and West Ham's season might
have been better if he had not been seriously injured on his debut in
August. He produced a deft backheel to put Sofiane Feghouli through to
equalise on 27 minutes - four minutes after Sam Vokes had put Burnley ahead
with his 10th Premier League goal. West Ham's defence went to sleep and when
Scott Arfield missed Andre Gray's cross, the ball fell for the unmarked
Vokes to score. Sean Dyche felt his side should have won the game in the
first half and Gray and James Tarkowski missed chances, although Ashley
Westwood was lucky not to be sent off for a high tackle on James Collins.
The Hammers made them pay as they took control of the game and netted the
winner on 72 minutes. Tom Heaton did well to push Edimilson Fernandes' shot
onto his bar, only for the ball to rebound to Ayew to nod home from the
close range. Still a pub near Turf Moor has offered Dyche free drinks for
keeping Burnley up in the top flight for the first time since 1975. "I might
just have half a shandy," he grinned.

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West Ham to pay just a fraction of business rates on London Stadium
Telegraph.co.uk
21 MAY 2017 • 6:57PM

West Ham United will pay just a fraction of the £2.3m annual business rates
on their London Stadium home, it has been revealed. In a further blow to the
taxpayer, it has emerged that the club will pay additional rates on just the
retail and office space in the stadium they secured for just £2.5m a year in
rent.
The stadium, formerly known as the Olympic Stadium, is owned by E20 Stadium,
a joint venture between the publicly funded London Legacy Development
Corporation and Newham Council. The agreement that gave West Ham the stadium
has already been dubbed the "deal of the century", and has faced intense
scrutiny since it emerged that the costs of policing, stewarding, heating
and pitch maintenance would all be covered by the taxpayer. It was revealed
last week that a £20m deal for Vodafone to sponsor the London Stadium had
collapsed

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