Daily WHUFC News - 16th October 2017

Kouyate: We've got the best fans in England
WHUFC.com

Cheikhou Kouyate was not a happy man after West Ham United's 1-1 Premier
League draw at Burnley. The midfielder admitted to feeling 'angry' after the
Hammers went ahead, were reduced to ten men by Andy Carroll's first-half red
card, then conceded an unwarranted equaliser to Chris Wood with just five
minutes to go. But the No8, who produced an all-action performance in a
deep-lying midfield role in a new diamond formation, says the players cannot
dwell on the frustration they felt after Saturday's stalemate. And Kouyate
also reserved special praise for the 3,000-strong Claret and Blue Army who
made the long trip to the North West on Saturday. "We are so angry because
it's possible to take three points from this game, but we took one point,"
he said. "This is football, though, so we just have to concentrate on the
next game because we need to take a lot of points. "Everybody fought and
gave everything – Jose, Reidy, all the defenders, all the strikers, Chicha –
but it's not easy to play with ten men. We fought from the first minute
until the end, but we just need to continue to work hard because every
player needed to win this game. "We were winning 1-0 until the 85th minute
and then took a goal, which was very hard for us."

For Kouyate, the disappointment of conceding so late was compounded by the
fact that West Ham had played so well for much of the preceding 85 minutes.
Both before and after scoring and being reduced to ten men, the visitors
created the better chances and played the better, more incisive football
against a Burnley side which started the weekend in sixth place. The Senegal
captain put the Hammers' impressive display down, in large part, to the
return of Manuel Lanzini to the starting XI. "We started very good because
we had Manu back and he is an unbelievable player. He takes the ball and he
takes the risk. "Then, in the second half, we had Pedro [Obiang] come in and
all the players were good, but it was not very good that we didn't take the
three points."

However, Kouyate saved his warmest words of praise for the Claret and Blue
Army, who consistently out-sung the Burnley supporters at Turf Moor. "This
is not a surprise. We have the best fans in England, you know, and
everywhere we go the fans are coming and making noise for the team. "They've
just got to continue that for the next game."

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Hart's brave Burnley display rightly wins recognition
WHUFC.com

'England's Number One' sang the Claret and Blue Army following the final
whistle at Turf Moor on Saturday. Joe Hart had just produced his best
performance in a West Ham United jersey, helping his ten-man side secure a
deserved point at Burnley. With the Hammers playing without Andy Carroll,
who was sent-off, for more than an hour, Hart stood tall and repelled almost
everything the Clarets threw at him. The goalkeeper was brave, strong,
committed, organised and faultless with his handling, while it was his long
clearance that provided the assist for Michail Antonio's first-half goal.
No West Ham player on the pitch made more touches of the ball than Hart's
55, including the one key pass he completed for Antonio's 19th-minute
opener, which flew over Burnley defender Ben Mee to provide the perfect
through ball for his teammate. Defensively, Hart was almost unstoppable, and
had absolutely no chance when it came to keeping out Chris Wood's
frustrating late leveller, which came in the shape of a close-range header
from Johan Berg Gudmundsson's pinpoint right-wing cross.

The 30-year-old made three clearances and a successful tackle – albeit with
his arms – to prevent Wood levelling matters moments after Carroll's
27th-minute dismissal. Burnley unleashed 20 shots on goal, but just five of
them were on target, and Hart saved four of them. The first two came in the
opening 15 minutes, when he held a low shot from Scott Arfield and a strong
header from Wood. Those stops came after his first of those three brave
clearances, which saw Hart came off his line to punch Robbie Brady's teasing
cross clear of danger. The second was a similar punch as Burnley upped the
pressure in the moments before half-time, when the England international
launched himself into a crowd of bodies to repel Stephen Ward's delivery.

Hart's next meaningful action came just after the hour-mark, when he was
beaten by substitute Gudmundsson's long-range effort, but was alert enough
to grab the loose ball after it had hit the base of the post and the
goalkeeper's own back! Moments later, he showed reliable handling to hold
onto Steven Defour's shot from outside the penalty area. With Burnley
flinging cross after cross into the box aimed for the tall pair of Wood and
Sam Vokes, Hart and his centre-backs Jose Fonte and Winston Reid were
organised and resilient. With seven minutes remaining, Hart again put his
body on the line to punch the ball clear of danger, before being clattered
by his opponents. The ball went behind for a corner, but the No25 was
courageous enough to come from his line again and push Brady's dangerous
delivery to safety. Yes, Hart was finally beaten with five minutes
remaining, but his overall performance was one to be immensely proud of.
That much was recognised by the travelling fans, who sang his name, and one
of whom was rewarded with the goalkeeper's bright yellow West Ham United
jersey.

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Martinez hat-trick seals emphatic win over Manchester United
WHUFC.com

A Toni Martinez hat-trick helped West Ham United's U23s seal an emphatic 4-2
victory over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. The Hammers youngsters
hosted the Red Devils in their first London Stadium fixture of the season
and despite going behind twice, went on to secure all three points thanks to
the Spanish striker's three goals and Joe Powell's first of the season.
Prolific frontman Martinez now has eight goals in ten U23 appearances this
season and deservedly took home the match ball after a stunning display in
front of 1,483 supporters. The clash began in the worst possible fashion for
the hosts, however. Ricky Sbragia's men instantly got on the front foot and
took the lead just two minutes in when Demetri Mitchell scored from Indy
Boonen's through ball.

Terry Westley's men took control of possession soon after, but it was the
visitors who were looking more dangerous, as DJ Buffonge's free-kick tested
Nathan Trott in the Hammers' goal. West Ham responded brilliantly, however
to the United pressure and after 26 minutes, they were level. Powell, taking
the ball from Sam Byram on the right hand side, swung in an inviting
delivery, and after Manchester United were unable to clear, poacher Martinez
pounced and smashed through the keeper's legs.

Now looking in the ascendancy, it came as a surprise when the Hammers were
pegged back eleven minutes later. Mitchell was again the scorer, following
in James Wilson's long shot which was fumbled by Trott and tapped home by
the winger. Unjust, it would have been, for the Hammers to go in at half
time behind, and Martinez made sure that would not be happening. This time
it was Nathan Holland – superb all afternoon – who was the architect. The
winger, drifting inside and out of United full-back Joe Riley, eventually
found space to curl in a beautiful delivery which West Ham's star striker
was able to power in with his head. And within two minutes of the restart,
predictably, Martinez had his third. Edimilson Fernandes, making his first
U23 start of the campaign after regaining his fitness, left Luke Shaw on the
United left for dead, getting to the byline and crossing into the
six-yard-box.

Martinez – in the right place at the right time – crashed home the header to
give the Hammers the lead for the first time. Though Sbragia's team were the
side looking to get back in the game, it was West Ham who looked more likely
to score again. And with 25 minutes remaining, they did just that.
Fernandes, stepping it up a gear as Manchester United began to tire,
stretched the visitors' defence and charged towards the box, laying it on a
plate for Powell to sidefoot home and complete the scoring.

Trott was beaten a minute later but Tosin Kehinde's long-range effort
smashed the crossbar, and later Dan Kemp was seemingly pushed over inside
the box, however referee Sam Purkiss saw nothing wrong with the coming
together. The Hammers, though, were able to comfortably see out the
remainder of the game and pick up their second Premier League 2 win in a row
– their fourth in total this season – to make sure it was an afternoon to
celebrate at London Stadium.

West Ham United: Trott, Byram (Johnson 76), Rice, Pask, Neufville, Coventry,
Powell, Kemp, Fernandes (Scully 83), Holland, Martinez (Hector-Ingram 72).
Subs not used: Matrevics, Rosa.
Goals: Martinez 26, 45+2, 47, Powell 64
Bookings: Powell 34

Manchester United: O'Hara, Riley, Shaw, Warren, Scott (Hamilton 49), Whelan,
Boonen (Williams 68), Kehinde, Wilson (Bouhi 49), Buffonge, Mitchell.
Subs not used: Richardson, Sang.
Goals: Mitchell 2, 37

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Hat-trick hero Martinez 'very proud' after London Stadium win
WHUFC.com

Toni Martinez was the headline act on an afternoon filled with star quality
as West Ham United under-23s ran out 4-2 winners over Manchester United at
London Stadium on Sunday. Martinez struck three times, with Joe Powell
adding the fourth, as the Hammers looked the comfortably superior outfit on
a glorious afternoon in East London. Despite falling behind inside two
minutes Terry Westley's side responded well, controlled possession and the
likes of Nathan Holland, Dan Kemp and Martinez were a constant threat.

Martinez celebrates goalThe Spaniard scored his first and second in the
opening 45' before completing the hat-trick soon after the restart. "I feel
delighted today" Martinez rejoiced. "I am really happy to get my first
hat-trick this season. I just try to do my work. I always think that the
best work I can do is to help my boys, to score goals and today was that
day."

Martinez becomes the first West Ham United player to score a hat-trick at
London Stadium, but rather than enjoying the celebrations of his individual
achievement, he was quick to heap praise on the rest of his West Ham
teammates. "I think the most important thing today was the teamwork and the
performance, I'm very proud for everyone. "Every week those boys play
incredible games and today everybody was perfect, everything we did was very
good and I'm very proud."

The Spaniard saved his best performance of the season for the biggest game
of the season so far but gave a special mention for the 1,843-strong crowd
who watched the game at London Stadium. "The fans were incredible today,
it's good to see so many people in the stands and it's very nice for us! It
helps the team and I'm happy we could win for them."

He has now scored eight goals in ten matches for West Ham United this
season, so can he continue his fine start? His answer was simple: "I hope
so!".

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Westley on win over Manchester United: It was a great day
WHUFC.com

West Ham United U23s boss Terry Westley labelled Sunday a "great day" as
1,483 supporters watched the hosts thrash Manchester United 4-2 at London
Stadium in Premier League 2. Spanish striker Toni Martinez was the standout
player, taking home the match ball after scoring a superb hat-trick, while
Joe Powell also got on the scoresheet for the Hammers. United were twice in
the lead – after just two minutes of play, the first time – but the Irons,
roared on by the home support, turned the game on its head to teach Ricky
Sbragia's men a lesson. Westley was naturally delighted after the full-time
whistle and praised the whole squad, in particular the first team players
who turned out on Sunday afternoon. "The win is important, and it could have
been wider," he said. "It was a great day for us. You play here [London
Stadium] three times, so to play here against Manchester United, one of the
biggest clubs, and with a great youth tradition, and win emphatically, is
great. "We have a good group, like we've always said. It may have taken
three years to collectively and culturally get what we want, but it the team
performs collectively, you have a better chance individually to stand out.
"The team comes first and I have to congratulate the three senior ones,
although they're all young. Edi [Fernandes], Sam Byram and Declan [Rice]
came into the team and really stamped some authority on the match, showed
some class and played properly. "That sets the standard when you come and
play here."

Rice, who captained the side to promotion last season, took the armband
again on Sunday and slotted back into the centre of defence as though he had
never been away. Fernandes grabbed two assists in an impressive display,
while Nathan Holland was also on top form, crossing marvellously for
Martinez's second goal.
You play here three times, so to play here against Manchester United, one of
the biggest clubs, and with a great youth tradition, and win emphatically,
is great
And of course, Westley could go without praising the striker who took his
goal tally to eight in ten games with the hat-trick. "He's the first West
Ham player to score a hat-trick at London Stadium and you won't take that
ball off him!" the Academy Director continued. "He's dangerous and effective
at this level. There aren't many who are scoring the volume of goals he is.
"It was great to have Dec back, but we don't want him back too long! You
want him to progress, you want him to play first team football. "You want
him, when you come back down, to be the outstanding player. He'll be
disappointed for the first goal. But put that to one side, his overall
performance, you'd pay money to come and see him play. "Holland can go past
anybody, and I've not seen a better player with the ball who is quick for a
very long time. He has to get better with movement and out of possession but
he's a huge threat. "We thought with Byram, [Josh] Pask, Rice and [Vashon]
Neufville, that we had a solid back four and with Nathan in goal, probably
our strongest this season, and with Edi, Kemp, Nathan and Toni we were
dangerous going forward. "I also though Conor [Coventry] and Powelly
controlled the game – they stopped and thought and were more effective."

The U23s are next in action in a week's time, when they travel west to take
on Chelsea in Division 1. Westley is hoping one or two things can be ironed
out before the clash, but is confident his side can pick up where they left
off. "We let a goal in after 15 seconds against Villarreal last week and it
was just about a minute here, so we need to get out of that. "You'll be out
of Premier League games if you do that. But our response and particularly
second half, we took control. They got frustrated and it left space for us
in the wide positions. "We've now set the standard, it's a great result, and
we'll rest tomorrow before going to look forward to playing Chelsea next
weekend."

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Hammers bested by Coventry Ladies despite Ezekiel-Meade wonder-goal
WHUFC.com

A stunning goal from substitute Andreya Ezekiel-Meade wasn't enough to stop
West Ham United Ladies falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Coventry
United.
The away side took the lead in the 20th minute as Alison Hall headed home
via the cross-bar, although there was debate as to if the ball had actually
crossed the line. Ezekiel-Meade was introduced after half-an-hour and the
No9 smashed home a fantastic goal from distance after Coventry cleared a
corner. Efforts from Molly Peters and Amber Stobbs tested Coventry but the
away side secured the points when Hall swept home midway through the second
period. Peters looked like keeping up her recent goalscoring run early on
when a low shot went wide of the near post after just a few minutes, while
the striker also just missed out on a Rosie Kmita lobbed pass. It was the
away side that then look the lead on 20 minutes. Alison Hall met a precise
pass with her head, with the ball bouncing off the underside of the
cross-bar and down. After some initial confusion, the referee deemed the
ball had crossed the line and the away side were ahead.

Cherie Rowlands was forced into action with a couple of top saves to keep
West Ham just the one goal behind, while the Hammers made an early
substitution as Ezekiel-Meade came on for Auguste on 29 minutes. That
replacement was justified only minutes later as the forward unleashed an
unstoppable curling effort from distance, after Coventry had cleared a
corner, to draw the Irons level going into half-time. The Hammers started
the second period with a similar flair and flow, and Peters again came close
before Stobbs tested the Coventry goalkeeper with a free-kick. Peters then
forced a brilliant save by Coventry's Woods with a powerful effort, before
the away side took the lead for the second time as Hall swept home her
second with just 20 minutes left to play. The Hammers lost Rosie Kmita to
injury late on and, despite pushing hard for an equalising goal, the home
side struggled to break down a resolute Coventry defence.

West Ham United Ladies: Rowlads; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste
(Ezekiel-Meade 29'); Cooper, Burr, R Kmita (M Kmita 89'), Stobbs;
Anderson-James (Chong 74'), Peters
Subs not used: Wealthall,
Goals: Ezekiel-Meade 36'

Coventry United Ladies: Wood; Buck, Wilcox, Sorensen, Cooper (Haigh 65');
Smith, Dermondy, Brook, Gauntlett, Steele; Hall
Subs not used: Miles, Jerrrim
Goals: Hall 20', 70'

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'We've shown a lot of progress' - De Carnys proud of Ladies
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies manager Greg de Carnys is proud of the week his side
have gone through despite losing 2-1 to Coventry United Ladies on Sunday.
Two goals from Alison Hall were enough to hand the Ladies a home defeat
although Andreya Ezekiel-Meade scored a fantastic long-ranged effort to draw
the home side level before half-time. The loss puts an end to an impressive
week for the Ladies team after a 5-0 victory over Swindon last Sunday and a
3-1 win at league leaders Charlton Athletic in midweek. But, despite the
loss, De Carnys can take a lot of positives from a week which saw the
Hammers take six points from a possible nine and score nine goals in three
games. "I think once I've allowed the disappointment of today's result to
subside I will reflect on this week as one where we've shown a lot of
progress," De Carnys told whufc.com. "We've got some results that our
performances deserved and we need to do that every week. We talk about
consistency and to ensure that you have to be ready every week. You've got
to be at it every week. I think that's what I'll take from this. I'm proud
of the team. "The way this week has come to an end is a shame. It's ended on
a down-note but the girls have worked very hard. Coventry are a strong side.
I think we did well against them today. There were things we could have done
better and we recognise that."

De Carnys also recognises that the Ladies now have the chance to consider
their last three games, having played three times in a week, with the next
match next Sunday at Crystal Palace. He added: "The girls now have a chance
to let this week sink in. They've not had more than two or three days
in-between games and now they've got a chance to realise what they have got
out of this week and try to reproduce the things that got them two wins. "I
think people are starting to take note of us as a team and rightly so.
Hopefully we can learn from today and be in a good place for next."

The manager also offered an update on the condition of Rosie Kmita, who was
forced from the field towards the end of the game after a heavy challenge –
one which required treatment for a number of minutes. Hopefully Rosie's
knock isn't as bad as first feared," he added: "She had a bad knee injury
not long ago and that was in her mind when it happened. She was a bit
frightened but hopefully that is all it is. "The physios will look at her in
the next few days."

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MATCH REVIEW: BURNLEY FC 1- WEST HAM UNITED 1
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 15 OCTOBER 2017 AT 11:31AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Match Report by @WestHamAmerican

West Ham took a 1-1 draw against Burnley today at Turf Moor. For the
first match after the international break, Slaven Bilic's side looked to
build upon their late win against Swansea but faced a tough task in sixth
place Burnley. Surprisingly good defending and some controversial
bookings to Andy Carroll led the Hammers to settle for a single point in
early day action.

Midway through the opening half, West Ham found the score sheet when Joe
Hart punted deep into Burnley territory and Ben Mee was unable to put a trap
on the ball. Michail Antonio swiftly made Mee pay for the lapse by side
–stepping Nick Pope and slotting it into the open net.
Moments after the goal, Andy Carroll collected a pair of yellow cards in
about two minutes of play. First he elbowed James Tarkowski. Then he
elbowed Mee and just like that, West Ham found themselves a man down for
most of the match.

With a healthy squad, other than James Collins, Bilic had multiple threats
on the pitch. With the ten man line up West Ham still had opportunities.
Today was the first time Hernandez and Manuel Lanzini were able to start a
match together. They showed some strong play and Antonio had another good
shot on goal that Nick Pope was able to save.

After ceding "time of possession" to Burnley for most of the second half and
playing behind the ball for a good bit of the final moments, West Ham's luck
ran out as Chris Wood took a Johann Berg Gudmundsson cross and found the net
to equalise the match.

West Ham were able to weather the added time and leave Turf Moor with a
single point. For the home Clarets it's been a remarkable to start to the
season as they are firmly in the top half of the league and have really
impressed against the top traditional top six clubs this early season.
For Bilic, he will have to reevaluate whether his target man can continue to
be such a liability. Carroll has at least four bookings already in this
young season. With a healthy side and a Friday evening meeting with
Brighton, hopefully West Ham can finally gain some ground after such and
abysmal start to the 2017-18 campaign.

Burnley: Pope, Lowton, Cork, Tarkowski, Mee (c), Wood, Brady, Hendrick,
Deofour, Ward, Arfield.
Subs: Taylor, Vokes (45'), Westwood, Long, Gudmundsson (45'), Barnes (81'),
Lindegaard

West Ham- Hart, Reid, Cresswell, Fonte, Zabaleta, Arnautovic, Kouyate,
Carroll, Lanzini, Hernandez, Antonio.
Subs: Adrian, Masauku (88'), Ogbonna, Obiang (45'), Noble, Ayew, Sakho
(75')
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 20,945

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Slaven Bilic says sendings off are to blame for Marko Arnautovic's slow
start
Last Updated: 15/10/17 1:28pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic admits record-signing Marko Arnautovic has made a "slow start"
to his West Ham career. Arnautovic arrived from Stoke in the summer for a
fee worth up to £25m but the Austrian forward has yet to make a significant
impact. He was sent off in his second appearance, for a dangerous elbow on
Southampton's Jack Stephens, missed the next three games through suspension,
and then sat out the win over Swansea with illness. Saturday's trip to
Burnley saw Arnautovic restored to the starting XI but he was taken off at
half-time because the Hammers needed to reorganise following Andy Carroll's
sending off. Two months on from Arnautovic's debut, Bilic accepted that West
Ham fans have still to see the best of the former Werder Bremen forward.
Yes, he has made a slow start," said Bilic.
"But that is because he got suspended for three games and then he missed the
last game, because of the flu he got. "His slow start is because of his
mistake."This [substitution] was just tactical. He didn't go out because of
a bad performance, he was taken off because my staff and I decided we needed
an extra man in midfield. "I think it was a good decision."
The encouraging second-half display of his replacement, Pedro Obiang, and
the presence of fit-again Manuel Lanzini, could mean Arnautovic has a fight
on his hands if he is to retain his starting place. Andre Ayew and Diafra
Sakho were both unused substitutes in the 1-1 draw at at Turf Moor, giving
Bilic decisions to make in the coming weeks, "It is difficult but it happens
to most clubs in the moment they have all their players," said the manager.
"Not every team is in the position of Crystal Palace, all the strikers
injured or out. "You have a squad with numbers, because very rarely are you
in a position to choose from your whole squad."

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HAMMERS TO RACE SPURS AND BOURNEMOUTH FOR SIGNATURE OF PSV WONDERKIDFeatured
Image
Date: 15th October 2017 at 9:58pm
Written by: Forever Westham

West Ham are set to fight with both Tottenham and Bournemouth for the
services of PSV wonderkid Steven Bergwijn, reports The Sun. The 20-year-old
star has emerged as one of Holland's brightest young talents over the past
year, prompting scouts from a number of Premier League sides to watch him in
action. Tottenham are understood to lead the way in the race to sign the
Holland U21 international having been tracking him since his breakthrough
into the PSV first team last year. However West Ham too are extremely keen
on the youngster with manager Slaven Bilic eager to add both youth and pace
to his attacking line-up.
The Hammers have had a poor start to the season in many respects and
currently sit 15th in the Premier League table, a problem Bilic hopes he can
sort this January by making some new additions to his squad, Bergwijn
included. West Ham have also been linked with moves for Arsenal's Jack
Wilshere and Poland striker Lukasz Teodorczyk.

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'Delighted' Toni Martinez scores West Ham's first London Stadium hat-trick
in U23 win over Man United
JAMES BENGE
ES Sport

Young Hammer Toni Martinez hailed the work of his team-mates after becoming
the first West Ham player to net a hat-trick at the London Stadium. The
20-year-old striker, formerly of Valencia, scored West Ham Under-23s first
three goals in a 4-2 home win over Manchester United before Joe Powell
rounded off the scoring. Martinez has consistently impressed in West Ham's
youth teams – he has 14 goals and three assists in 17 Premier League games –
and will hope his form will earn him a chance in the senior squad,
particularly in light of Andy Carroll's suspension. "I feel delighted
today," Martinez said. "I am really happy to get my first hat-trick this
season. I just try to do my work. "I always think that the best work I can
do is to help my boys, to score goals and today was that day." Martinez
added: "I think the most important thing today was the teamwork and the
performance, I'm very proud for everyone. "Every week those boys play
incredible games and today everybody was perfect, everything we did was very
good and I'm very proud."

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