Despite plenty of pressure, the home side could not make the extra man count
26.12.2007
West Ham United 1-1 Reading
West Ham United just could not land a late knockout blow in this Boxing Day
fixture as ten-man Reading left the Boleyn Ground with a precious point.
Alan Curbishley's side had looked set to record their second win inside five
days after Nolberto Solano had given the hosts an interval lead with his
second goal of the season. Dave Kitson levelled on the hour for a Reading
team that had been reduced to ten men as a result of Brynjar Gunnarsson's
first-half dismissal.
Following his eleventh-placed side's sensational last-gasp win at
Middlesbrough on Saturday, Curbishley had made just one change as Carlton
Cole returned from suspension to replace Henri Camara in attack. Sitting
just one spot and four points below West Ham United, Steve Coppell had
predictably named an unchanged side following his team's stoppage-time
sinking of Sunderland at the weekend.
Safe in the knowledge that the visitors had come into this contest with just
two draws from eight Premier League awaydays, the hosts began in determined
mood. Straight from the kick-off, the marauding Hayden Mullins climaxed his
bulldozing run to the 18-yard line with a low shot into Marcus Hahnemann and
then Solano curled a long-range free-kick just inches wide of the Reading
keeper's right-hand angle.
Both Cole and Lucas Neill also slashed shots wide of the target, while at
the other end, a couple of Royals' raids saw Kevin Doyle drill a low shot
wide, before the Republic of Ireland international sent a diving header
thudding into Robert Green's ribcage. Slowly but surely, the blue-and-white
hoops were finding their feet and, on 17 minutes, Doyle was in the thick of
things again as he nodded into the path of Bobby Convey, whose point-blank
shot was bravely charged down by Green.
On 29 minutes, though, the visitors' game-plan was wrecked by the receipt of
an unwelcome Christmas card, after the airborne Gunnarsson, having just
missed out to Scott Parker, slid full-length into Mullins, before picking
himself up off the Boleyn Ground grass to see referee Peter Walton
brandishing red. Only the alert Hahnemann prevented Matthew Upson from
turning in the consequent free-kick and, as the half-hour mark passed,
Ashton hooked a 12-yarder on to the roof of the net.
Somehow, Reading looked set to limp off all-square, but three minutes before
the break, West Ham United sent the claret and blue supporters amongst the
holiday crowd of 34,277 wild with delight as they finally broke the
deadlock.
This time, Carlton Cole's run into the heart of the Royals' rearguard was
thwarted by a trio of defenders but as the ball broke from the scrum, the
supporting Solano got the better of Nicky Shorey before lifting an angled,
eight-yarder over the advancing Hahnemann, beyond the retreating Ibrahima
Sonko on the line.
Just before the break, the dynamic Mullins almost doubled the advantage with
a scorching shot that flashed across the face of goal and just an inch or so
beyond the far post. Just after the restart, Parker also had a great chance
to find the net, but after craftily cutting back from the byline, he found
the angle too tight and Hahnemann saved.
Instead of being down and out, Reading were still in the contest and, as the
hour-mark approached they clawed themselves level, when Shorey hooked a
defensive clearance back into the danger area for the unmarked Kitson to
spin and fire a 12-yarder beyond the exposed Green.
Jolted by the loss of their lead, West Ham United quickly went looking to
restore it, as Jonathan Spector back-headed Freddie Ljungberg's cross on to
the outside of Hahnemann's near post, and then the Swede himself forced the
towering American keeper to divert his close-range effort skywards.
With well-drilled Reading defending deep and in numbers, Curbishley
introduced the fresh legs of Henri Camara at the expense of Cole, while Mark
Noble stepped from the bench to replace the tiring Solano for the
frustrating final stages in which West Ham United just could not force
another late winner as Parker went close and Ashton's stoppage time header
bounced on to a post.
West Ham United: Green, Neill (c), Spector, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Noble
77), Mullins, Parker, Ljungberg, Ashton, Cole (Camara 71)
Subs: Wright, Pantsil, Ferdinand
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty (c), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hunt, Gunnarsson,
Harper, Convey (Cisse 66), Kitson (Long 85), Doyle (Bikey 90)
Subs: Federici, Bikey, Lita, Long
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green keen to bring on United - WHUFC
Robert Green is expecting better when the champions visit on Saturday
26.12.2007
Robert Green is expecting both the team and the crowd to play their part
when Manchester United come to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
The England goalkeeper was speaking after the 1-1 draw against Reading on
Boxing Day that saw West Ham United fail to make a man advantage count for
the last hour of the game. However, Green is confident that Alan
Curbishley's side, who have nevertheless jumped two places to ninth in the
table, will again show they are capable of coping with the elite sides.
"We have played well against teams from the top," Green said. "We had a good
game against Chelsea earlier this season and were disappointed to lose it.
It was a little bit flat today and hopefuly the fans will be really up for
Saturday. We need to lift the crowd and it is a two-way thing."
The Reading draw was yet another example where the team has been unable to
replicate the outstanding away form - as seen in Saturday's 2-1 win at
Middlesbrough - in front of the home support, and Green admitted he was both
"disappointed" and "frustrated" at the way events panned out on Wednesday.
As in previous drawn fixtures, the visitors defended in numbers as soon as
they had the equalising goal - asking questions of the home attack. "It was
something that typifies our season at home so far. The problem of the man
going off just accentuated the difficulties we have during the course of the
game when trying to break teams down - they make it particularly hard for
you."
While admitting that "Reading worked fantastically hard", Green said more
could have been done to keep out Dave Kitson's goal, which cancelled out
Nolberto Solano's effort just before half-time. "Against ten men you are
thinking that realistically the only chances they are going to create are
from set-pieces and that's the time when you want to defend and we didn't.
And we didn't on Saturday against Middlesbrough as well.
"There are some goals you say well done, hold your hands up and things like
that. You are going to concede goals over the course of a season but you
want to keep goals like today and the one on Saturday down to a minimum. Two
in two games is too many.
"We have got to defend well. We have got to play well. In some ways a game
like today is more difficult than playing against Manchester United because
there your mind is made up. Here a lot was imposed on to us by them sitting
back and them making it hard for us. Against United, it is going to be a
diffferent ball game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley frustrated but focused - WHUFC
While Alan Curbishley regretted two points dropped, the Hammers are up to
ninth
26.12.2007
Alan Curbishley was understandably frustrated after his side were held to a
1-1 home draw by Reading even though the club have jumped two places to
ninth after the Boxing Day fixtures.
The visitors were left with ten men when Brynjar Gunnarsson was sent off
just before the half-hour mark following a challenge on Hayden Mullins. The
referee Peter Walton had no hesitation in producing the red card, and
Curbishley said the fact both the midfielder's feet left the ground meant it
was a "no brainer" for the official.
He added: "At the start of the season, we were told in no uncertain terms if
both feet leave the ground you are off. No matter if you get the ball or
not." That decision left the impetus with the home side and it looked like
all three points would be secured when Nolberto Solano burst through to
score just before half-time. However, Reading were able to battle back and
earn a point through Dave Kitson on the hour, much to the manager's dismay.
"We should have taken more advantage," he said. "We are massively
disappointed about the points - we feel we have definitely dropped two.
Although it wasn't spectacular - we had enough chances to have won the game
in the second half. We had some good positions to have got the second goal.
Reading, to be fair, kept going and it probably looked that if they were
going to score it was going to be from a set-play."
Curbishley particularly felt for the supporters, who had high hopes at the
Boleyn Ground following the tremendous 2-1 win at Middlesbrough last
Saturday. "We seem to set our fans up by winning away from home and coming
back here and not doing it. It is not for the want of trying, that's for
sure. You expect to win your home games."
Recalling other home draws against Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers,
Curbishley added: "They are games that you have got to get the three points
and turn the stadium into a place where no one wants to come. We are doing
it the wrong way round at the moment. We know that, we understand that.
"The fans are as frustrated as me - we are all frustrated - but the players
are giving their all. They have given me the lot, we have got 26 points and
I will take that." As well as the point moving the team back into ninth
spot, ahead of Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, there are more
positives in terms of injury news.
"They are slowly coming back, [Julien] Faubert's started training which is a
big boost. [Lee] Bowyer and [Matthew] Etherington were running the other
day, we are hoping that one or two will join this week and we have obviously
got [unused substitute Anton] Ferdinand back now. They are slowly coming
back, we have just got to get on with it."
The team will certainly have to do that when Manchester United arrive on
Saturday. "It is the big game. Everyone looks forward to it and I am hoping
that we can lift the crowd or the crowd can lift us and we turn it into a
bit of a game. I can't tell you who will be in the team, I am hoping that
one or two might be back.
"Carlton Cole has been ill all week, although he was suspended, he has been
ill and it looked like it. We will see what we have got but I can't ask any
more. They have given everything they have got. Perhaps at times it isn't
good enough - drawing games here that perhaps we should win - but overall I
am delighted with them. We need to win some games. That is what we are
desperately trying to do and if it starts on Saturday, then why not. We did
it last year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-1 Reading - BBC
By Paresh Soni
Dave Kitson's superb second-half strike earned 10-man Reading only their
third away point of the season at Upton Park. The visitors looked more
threatening until Brynjar Gunnarsson saw red for a two-footed lunge at
Hayden Mullins. Nolberto Solano dinked West Ham ahead and Marcus Hahnemann
denied Scott Parker but Kitson latched on to Nicky Shorey's pass to fire
home expertly. Jonathan Spector and Dean Ashton hit the woodwork as West Ham
pressed in the closing stages but Reading hung on. It was no more than they
deserved for playing a full part in an entertaining clash which belied the
teams' poor records - West Ham were searching for only their third home win
and the Royals their first victory away from the Madejski Stadium. There
were plenty of efforts on goal in a bright opening - albeit lacking the
direction or power to seriously inconvenience the keepers. Ashton played in
Mullins, who shot straight at Hahnemann, and the powerful striker was
brought down by Ivar Ingimarsson for a free-kick which Solano curled just
wide. After those opening forays from the hosts, Reading posed the greater
threat on the break, particularly through Bobby Convey and Stephen Hunt down
the flanks. The lively Kevin Doyle and Kitson combined to leave Convey in
front of Robert Green inside the six-yard box, only for the keeper to
bravely deny the American winger. Ashton went close soon after with a dinked
shot which looped just over the bar with Hahnemann beaten. And once
Gunnarsson was dismissed, Carlton Cole's persistence led to the ball
breaking for Solano, who ran through to clip the ball over and across the
on-rushing Hahnemann in the 42nd minute. It was pretty much one-way traffic
at the start of the second half, with West Ham making their numerical
superiority count. Hahnemann bravely denied Parker after the midfielder
unleashed a powerful shot from an acute angle. But Reading refused to buckle
under the pressure and stunned the home crowd with a brilliantly worked
equaliser on the hour-mark. The impressive Shorey chipped through a pass
which the swivelling Kitson pounced on to fire beyond Green. With the game
now stretched, West Ham twice went desperately close to regaining their
lead. Spector headed against the angle of post and bar and Hahnemann
majestically palmed away Freddie Ljungberg's strike after Parker had picked
him out. The Hammers also had claims for a penalty waved away in the closing
minutes when Mark Noble's cross appeared to brush Ingimarsson's hand. And
Ashton hit the post with a header right at the end of a hard-fought
encounter which, just about, ended with the right result.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: "I'm as frustrated as the fans and
players. We couldn't quite get the goal that would have finished the game
off - we had a few chances to do that but didn't take them. We needed a
second goal. We knew Reading would keep going and the goal gave them
something to hold on to but we should have finished it. "We keep setting
our fans up by winning away and then coming back here and not doing it but
it is not for the want of trying."
Reading boss Steve Coppell: "We were disrupted by the sending-off but we got
through to half-time and we had to be very careful how we approached the
second half, in terms of commitment and trying to salvage the game. We
thought if we could keep it tight for the last 15-20 minutes it would be
interesting - we knew we would get oppportunities. "It was terrific play
from Shorey and Kitson and it fell to the right man. He was very sharp in
finishing it off."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney, Solano (Noble 77),
Parker, Mullins, Ljungberg, Cole (Camara 72), Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Ferdinand, Pantsil.
Booked: Green, Cole.
Goals: Solano 42.
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Shorey, Hunt, Harper,
Ingimarsson, Convey (Cisse 66), Doyle (Bikey 90), Kitson (Long 85).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Lita.
Sent Off: Gunnarsson (29).
Booked: Hunt, Shorey.
Goals: Kitson 60.
Att: 34,277
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Nolberto Solano 8.06 (on 90
minutes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 1 Reading 1 - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 26th December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham failed to make the most of a host of chances against 10-man Reading
at the Boleyn this afternoon.
Despite playing for much of the game against ten men after Reading's Brynjar
Gunnarsson was dismissed midway through the first-half for a two-footed
lunge on Hayden Mullins the Hammers failed to do enough to secure all three
points, for what would have been only the third time at the Boleyn this
season.
Quite why United are struggling so badly at home is a mystery, but what is
quite clear is that Curbishley's side lack the inventiveness required to
break down teams who opt to sit back and soak up the pressure.
Without any creative outlet in the team - although Scott Parker tried his
best - Curbishley's side are often left to resort to the long ball; a tactic
which clearly dismays the home fans who once again greeted the final whistle
today with a chorus of boos.
With Dean Ashton - so often the target for the 'route one' punts - failing
to impress again the Hammers simply lacked the guile required to break down
Reading who were never going to do anything but sit back and defend after
they were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Gunnarsson.
In all fairness, the Hammers at least created a number of opportunities
today - and twice hit the post through John Spector and Scott Parker - but
clear cut chances were few and far between.
Despite this Nobby Solano's goal - three minutes ahead of the break - was a
thing of beauty, and brightened up an otherwise dull first 45 minutes. But
once again, as they have done so often at home this season, the Hammers paid
the price for failing to extend their slender lead.
This time it was flame-haired striker Dave Kitson who was United's undoing;
the forward, who was a constant thorn in the side to West Ham's defence
latched on to a Nicky Shorey through ball to twist and fire home the
equaliser on the hour mark, right after West Ham has enjoyed a sustained
period of pressure.
Yet the Hammers still had chances to win the game, and none more so than
when Scott Parker - last weekend's Riverside hero - wriggled free inside the
box in the third minute of injury time. However this time there was to be no
last minute winner which, given Reading's determined showing, was probably
just about right.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Spector, Mullins, Parker,
Solano (Noble 77), Ljungberg, Cole (Camara 72), Ashton.
Subs not used: Wright, Ferdinand, Paintsil.
Goals: Solano (42).
Booked: Green (45), Cole (65).
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Gunnarsson, Hunt,
Harper, Convey (Cisse 66), Doyle (Bikey 92), Kitson (Long 85).
Subs not used: Federici, Lita.
Goals: Kitson (60).
Booked: Hunt (46), Shorey (67).
Sent off: Gunnarsson (29).
Referee: Peter Walton.
Attendance: 34,277.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jewell: no Barnes deal (as far as I know) - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 24th December 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
New Derby boss Paul Jewell has dismissed reports suggesting that Giles
Barnes is set to sign for the Hammers. A number of today's tabloids repeated
earlier stories claiming that Barnes was set to join the Hammers in January
for £5m. But Jewell laughed off those reports this morning when he said:
"It's a nice Christmas present - I just wish I knew about it. Maybe Santa
Claus will drop the cheque down the chimney tonight! "But I know nothing
about it. What I do know for a fact is that I have not had any contact with
any club about Giles Barnes. "Until the phone rings or somebody tells me
differently, then I can't say any more about it."
Of course, Jewell's intimation that he is personally unaware of any deal
doesn't mean that a deal between the two clubs hasn't already been struck -
something which the Newham Recorder were fairly sure of when they claimed an
agreement had been reached last month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers held by gritty Royals - SSN
Royals overcome Gunnarsson red card to claim point
Last updated: 26th December 2007
West Ham United endured further frustration at Upton Park after heing held
to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Reading. Alan Curbishley's side have not won at home
in over two months and the Hammers struggled to break down a stubborn
visiting rearguard. Reading were reduced to 10 men just before the half-hour
mark when Brynjar Gunnarsson was sent off for a two-footed challenge on
Hayden Mullins. Nolberto Solano cleverly put West Ham ahead before half-time
before Dave Kitson's fine volley levelled the scores on the hour mark. In
injury-time, Dean Ashton headed against the post, but defeat would have been
unjust on a Reading side still to win away in the league this season. In
stark contrast to recent games at Upton Park, where West Ham have struggled
to break their opponents down, it was a bright encounter full of chances for
both sides.
Ashton slipped the ball to Mullins who charged towards the edge of the
Reading box, where he tested Marcus Hahnemann with a low drive. Solano then
curled a dangerous free-kick just wide of Hahnemann's near post after Ashton
had been fouled by Reading centre-back Ivar Ingimarsson. Kevin Doyle had
kept Robert Green alert with an early snap-shot from 20 yards and should
have done better with a header after he was picked out in the box by Kitson.
Spector was beaten again on the edge of the West Ham box as Doyle rose to
get his head to a long-ball from Hahnemann. The flick-on fell to Kitson who
linked again with Doyle to set up Bobby Convey, whose strike from six yards
out was well blocked by Green at point-blank range. Reading were then
reduced to 10 men after Gunnarsson was given his marching orders for a nasty
challenge on Mullins as both midfielders hunted a loose ball in midfield.
Hammers defender Matthew Upson almost got his head to the lofted free-kick
and had he done so, Hahnemann would have been horribly out of position.
Scott Parker kept the pressure on as he broke into the box and picked out
Ashton, who could only hook a difficult pass onto the roof of the Reading
net. West Ham took the lead three minutes before the interval after Solano
pounced to beat Convey's challenge with a delicate touch before lifting the
ball over Hahnemman. Shortly after the interval Ingimarsson made a hash of a
long clearance from Green and the ball fell to Ashton but Sonko did well to
recover and he blocked the shot. Parker did escape into the Reading box but
was guilty of ignoring Cole and Ashton, who were both unmarked and in prime
position, when he drilled a near-post shot straight at Hahnemann.
Reading continued to stretch West Ham and their enterprise paid off just
before the hour when Kitson turned onto a through-ball from Shorey and fired
past Green to draw the Royals level. West Ham were spurred into action and
Ljungberg latched onto a through-ball from Parker but his low drive was
deflected one-handed over the bar by Hahnemann. But West Ham lacked
invention, particularly after Solano was replaced. As the clock ticked down
Parker wasted a golden chance after working space inside the box when his
weak shot was easily held by Hahnemann. Ashton rose well to meet a near-post
corner but saw his header rebound off the post as Reading held on for the
draw.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs - Two points dropped - SSN
Hammers boss frustrated after home draw
Last updated: 26th December 2007
Alan Curbishley feels West Ham United dropped two points after being held to
a 1-1 draw at home by Reading. The Hammers appeared to be in control of the
game when Nolberto Solano scored before half-time after Reading's Brynjar
Gunnarsson had been sent off. But Dave Kitson equalised on the hour to leave
West Ham without a home win in over two months and Curbishley a frustrated
manager. "We are massively disappointed," said Curbishley. "We felt we
dropped two points and while it wasn't spectacular we had enough chances to
have won the game. "We got ourselves in good positions to have got the
second goal. Reading kept going and when you see their goal again it is a
shocking piece of defending from us. "We keep setting our fans up by winning
away from home and then coming back here and not doing it, but it is not for
the want of trying."
The Hammers were booed off at full-time, but Curbishley remains happy with
his side's points haul at this stage of the season. He added: "The fans are
as frustrated as me. We are all frustrated. "You expect to win your home
games. We have drawn with Bolton in the 93rd minute. We have drawn again
today. We have drawn with Wigan. "They are games you have to get the three
points from and turn this place into somewhere teams don't want to come.
"But the players are giving their all. During this season I have asked
players to play out of position and they have given their lot. "We are on 26
points and I'll take that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton ignoring fan jibes - SSN
Hammers ace blocking out physique abuse
By James Pearson Last updated: 26th December 2007
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has stated fan abuse over his weight is 'water
off a duck's back'. The England international has come under fire from
opposition supporters this season as he battles his way to full fitness
after missing the whole of the 2006/07 campaign. Although Ashton has four
Premier League goals to his name this term, including netting the equaliser
against Middlesbrough at the weekend, he has consistently come under fire
from opposing fans. The former Norwich City and Crewe man is surprised at
the criticism - as he believes he is nearly in top shape - although he has
admitted his physique has changed since the injury. "A lot has been made of
my physique. I've been compared with an over-conditioned racehorse and too
many people have had a surprising amount to say about the way I look," said
Ashton. "But I've worked really hard and, if people actually saw me in the
flesh, they would realise I'm not that big and I feel as strong - and as
quick - as I've ever been. "There's not a lot of difference between my
weight now and what it was when I got injured on England duty at the start
of last season, but my physique has changed. I have got a lot more muscle
and a lot less fat, so my body has changed. "As far as opposition supporters
are concerned, it's all just a bit of banter and I enjoy all of that. It's
water off a duck's back to me."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Reading Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Wed Dec 26 2007
West Ham United 1 Reading 1
West Ham's poor home form continued with a 1-1 draw against a Reading side
who were forced to play with 10 men for the majority of the match.
If you are only watching West Ham play at home then you must be thinking
that we are the poorest we have been for many a year as at Upton Park we
just do not cut it, and even when we get ourselves in front we never look
totally sure of ourselves.
This performance was no different to the one which we put in against
Middlesbrough last Saturday, but with it being at home the fans expect us to
go at the opposition and force the play and with the players we have in our
first team this is not possible and it is to our detriment.
There was only one change to the side which started against Boro' and that
saw Carlton Cole come back from suspension and replace Henri Camera who
dropped to the bench. Also on that bench was the returning Anton Ferdinand
as Alan Curbishley kept faith with Jonathan Spector at centre half.
The first chance of the game came our way as Hayden Mullins drove forward
and hit a decent shot at goal which was saved by the Reading keeper Marcus
Hahnemann.
Dean Ashton was fouled by Ingimarsson and Nolberto Solano stepped up and
curled a wonderful free kick over the wall but inches wide of the goal when
some parts of the crowd thought it had gone in.
The atmosphere was flatter than usual but with it being Boxing Day I was not
surprised as I do not remember a good atmosphere on this day for a long time
with people still recovering from Christmas. Couple this with their being no
atmosphere at Upton Park anyway, it was as flat as our performance would
become.
Reading settled down and started playing some football of their own with
their wingers (Hunt and Convey) causing us problems and getting the ball
into the area. On one of these occasions they should have taken the lead
when a cross found Kevin Doyle unmarked but his diving header was straight
at Robert Green.
This wasn't to be the end of Reading's chances and another golden
opportunity presented itself when Doyle played in Convey who had a clear
sight of goal from not far out but his shot was charged down by Robert
Green.
Any progress Reading were making was undone when Gunnarsson went in with a
two footed challenge on Hayden Mullins and was subsequently shown the red
card by referee Peter Walton.
Given our recent home failings this would surely give us the platform to go
on and get the three points and from the resulting free kick we very nearly
got in front when Hahnemann denied Matthew Upson.
Dean Ashton had a half chance moments later when his looping shot dipped at
the last moment and nearly dropped into the net but ended on the roof.
With half time approaching it looked as though all our work was going to
have to be done in the second half but in Nobby Solano we have a little bit
of class and that class shone through as he scored a very well taken goal.
A ball was played into the feet of Carlton Cole who managed to shrug off a
few defenders and the ball broke for Solano to clip it over an onrushing
defender and then clip it over the keeper.
To score a goal at this time should relieve the pressure that we would have
been under in the second half as with the extra man we would have been
desperate to make that breakthrough even more so.
Robert Green had a bit of an altercation with Reading's Stephen Hunt. A long
ball forward saw Hunt push Scott Parker in the back towards Green to try and
force a mistake (the ref somehow missed it), and Green pointed this out to
the referee. Hunt obviously said something to Green who turned around and
attempted to throw the ball at Hunt which it luckily missed as he could have
seen more than the yellow card he received.
The second half performance should have been about getting that second goal
early and maybe having a little bit of fun with a few more goals, but the
performance was again flat we never really got going as a dominant force.
We did manage to create the first opportunity of the second period when
Scott Parker did well to get into the area, cut inside and hit a shot but it
was straight at Hahnemann.
Reading were never out of this game and looked to counter attack whenever
they could and they forced a few corners in which they had success.
A poor clearance from a corner by Mullins came out to Nick Shorey who was
closed down weakly by Ljungberg and his cross into the area found Dave
Kitson who somehow spun and hit an excellent shot from 12 yards past Green
to get the 10 men level.
The unrest from the supporters spread onto the pitch as we tried in vein to
muster up some sort of attack, but with most of our players being static
this was becoming very difficult.
A corner kick was delivered to the near post and Jonathan Spector met it
with a header which smashed off the angle of the post and bar and was
cleared by the Reading defence.
A wonderful defence splitting pass from Parker and a well timed run from
Ljungberg sent the Swede through on goal but his shot was saved well by
Hahnemann who was starting to become a very busy man.
Carlton Cole was taken off in favour of Henri Camera which was an odd change
to make given that we were never going to stop playing the long ball even if
Camara is only two feet tall.
Not long after, Mark Noble was brought on in place of Nolberto Solano.
Again, I felt this was the wrong change, because although I am aware Solano
cannot last an entire game, his set piece taking which we would surely need
when desperate for a goal would have come in really handy and with the extra
man I felt we could have carried him for the remainder. Hell, we had carried
Ljungberg for the entire game.
Our final two chances fell to Scott Parker and Dean Ashton. Parker's chance
was similar to one he had earlier in the game but this time he really should
have put the ball across to the unmarked players but he chose to shoot and
he scuffed the shot and it was easily saved.
And the final chance came from a corner which Ashton got to but his down
header hit off the post and it was cleared.
The boo's rang around Upton Park as the final whistle went with people
shouting that Curbishley doesn't know what he is doing.
Well, until we win again.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Made a few solid saves in the first half and there was nothing he could do
about the Reading goal. His kicking was usually good and he again looked to
get the ball out quickly for us to counter.
Lucas Neill
A better performance to some we have seen this season. He was rarely beaten
and got forward well.
Jonathan Spector
Was excellent against Boro' but did struggle at times today especially in
the first half where he was often caught out of position and his
distribution of the ball did leave a lot to be desired. Simply stop gaps
until others return to full fitness.
Matthew Upson
I think he plays better alongside defenders who have good reading of the
game as this gives him the freedom to do the 'brut' work such as the hard
tackles, headers and charging the ball down. At times he struggled up
against a clever Dave Kitson but with only 10 men, Reading didn't get enough
players forward to really trouble our defence.
George McCartney
Thought he was made to look silly by Ljungberg – what I mean is that
Ljungberg wanted him to do all the wing play like beating players and
crossing the ball. Of course McCartney will get in a few crosses but his
first and foremost a defender and he was caught out of position simply
because he was trying to cover the entire left hand side as Freddie went
walkabout.
Nolberto Solano
Continues to be out bit of class and he took his goal superbly. His set
pieces were excellent and his all round performance was that of our only
true class player.
Scott Parker
Once again he was full of drive and determination and got forward well to
make things happen. Should have scored with one of his chances but his
willingness to get in to the area is what I like to see.
Hayden Mullins
The game did not pass him by and he was heavily involved in today's
proceedings. His drive forward in the first half was catalyst to the goal
and he made many drives forward as he and Parker controlled the midfield.
I'm sure this will go down a storm with many on here, but Mullins was my man
of the match.
Freddie Ljungberg
There was once today when he got off his arse and made a very good run as
Parker played him in. What this showed me is that he still can make those
brilliant runs which he did so well at Arsenal. What it also shows me is a
player who really does care enough to play to his very best. Etherington,
Boa Morte, Where Art Thou?
Carlton Cole
Never got going in this game and although is effort was there nothing fell
for him and apart from one half chance in the first half when his header
went wide, it was a quiet day for Cole.
Dean Ashton
Got a bit of stick from a few fans in the second half but I suppose you
could see why as he did look totally off the pace. This is the type of
performance that we worry about when we see Dean Ashton and there was no
spectacular goal to paper over what seems like a few cracks. Are we
expecting too much? Or was this just another off day?
Subs Used
Henri Camera (on for Cole 72 mins)
Useless is for life. Not just for Christmas.
Mark Noble (on for 77 mins)
Did well when he came on and really looked up for it.
Overall
Our home form is a real stumbling block at the moment and is the reason that
we are not moving up the table. We can only thank our stars that we have
some away form or we would be in a relegation battle.
There is nothing I can say about the home performances that I haven't
already said. We need a creative midfielder and until we find one we will
struggle to break teams like Reading down as they come to soak up pressure.
Away from home space is given to us as the opposition are the ones forcing
the play and attacking. Curbishley really needs to sort this out and change
the way we play at him – why he hasn't done this already I do not know.
Manchester United are up next in a few days and with them just having won
4-0 at Sunderland, it is clear that this will be a real test. A performance
like today strangely would probably work well against a side like Manchester
United. We need to adapt our game for the opposition we face or we will have
many more days like this.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-1 Reading - West Ham Online
Biscuits - Thu Dec 27 2007
Christmas is a time to surround yourself with familiar surroundings and
friendly faces, not an occasion to travel away from home. Just try telling
that to West Ham though. Perched in ninth place now, which is a far cry from
last year's relegation struggle, they are fluent on their travels yet
invariably stutter at Upton Park, to the increasing agitation of their
supporters.
If Scott Parker's last minute winner at Middelsbrough on the weekend was the
feast, then this was the cold turkey. Against a Reading side who played with
ten men for an hour, were a goal down at half time, but still managed to
come away with a point thanks to Dave Kitson's equaliser on the hour, West
Ham were creatively listless. That has become a recurring theme here.
Reading enjoyed the better of the opening half hour, carving out two early
presentable chances for Kevin Doyle and Bobby Convey. Both were denied by
smart stops by Robert Green, while at the other end, Nolberto Solano curled
a free kick just wide and Dean Ashton made a mess of Carlton Cole's header.
Then, a moment of madness. Two footed tackles are all the vogue at the
moment, and Brynyar Gunnarson became the latest to join the club when he
leapt at Hayden Mullins. There was perhaps no malicious intent, but Peter
Walton was right to reach for his red card.
That changed the complexion of the game, Upton Park demanding a goal and
Reading to adopt a more conservative approach. Ashon went close, directing a
volley over, yet the opener soon arrived. On 42 minutes, Cole appeared to
have made a mess of a move just outside the area, yet his gangly persistence
allowed Solano to break past Nicky Shorey and dink the ball over the
advancing Marcus Hahnemann.
Reading, with two points from eight away games, might have been expected to
crumble after that. Not so. West Ham began the second half in complacently
laidback fashion and that, coupled with Reading's admirable willingness to
attack, meant an equaliser seemed likely.
Sure enough Kitson soon grabbed it. West Ham failed to properly clear their
lines from a corner, and when Shorey's disguised chip completey fooled the
home defence, the pass found the ginger striker in acres of space and he
hooked home.
Naturally the home side attacked, desperate to appease a furious home crowd
and to regain their advantage. They lacked confidence and composure though,
and the frantically scrappy nature of the game was what Reading wanted.
Still, they rode their luck at times. Jonathan Spector headed against the
post and Freddie Ljungberg and Parker both had efforts saved by Hahneman
after cutting in from the left. Then in stoppage time, Ashton nodded Mark
Noble's corner against the woodwork and Reading had survived the storm. For
West Ham, it was the same old home truths. Manchester United are the
visitors on Saturday- it may get worse before it gets better.
Green- He made a couple of decent stops early on, but was perhaps guilty of
a bit of indecision with defenders. 7
Neill- A mixed bag defensively, though he was involved in the build up to
Solano's goal. 6
Spector- A jittery performance mostly and Kitson often got the better of
him. 6
Upson- As a defender he is hard to beat thanks to his anticipation, but the
long punts up field can become frustrating. 7
McCartney- He appears to be more troubled when Ljungberg is in front of him,
as he is almost expected to patrol the left flank alone. 6
Solano- A touch of class for his goal, yet it is tiresome to see him
constantly withdrawn in the second half. He selfishly takes the team's
creative spark with him. 7
Mullins- He doesn't tend to have bad games so much- it's just that at home,
when the onus is attack, he struggles to live up to expectations. 6
Parker- Following on from his goal on Saturday, this was another pleasingly
all action performance which probably should have brought him another goal.
8 MOM
Ljungberg- He could have scored when it was 1-1 but missed. Sadly it is hard
to see exactly what else he brings to the party. Could there be more effort?
6
Ashton- He was indeed a goal threat and could have had a hat-trick on
another day. However he still looks a tad heavy- will the fans' patience
last. A few whispered rumours that he is a sulky presence and it will do him
no favours. Something of an enigma. 6
Cole- He did well to retrieve the situation for the goal, but was otherwise
let down by a poor first touch. 6
Noble- One dangerous corner aside, he did little when he came on. 6
Camara- Poor, again. 5
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reading pay at West Ham for red-card folly - Telegraph
By Clive Tyldesley
Last Updated: 2:55am GMT 27/12/2007
West Ham United (1) 1 Reading (0) 1
There was about as much seasonal cheer as you find in a Christmas edition of
EastEnders at Upton Park yesterday. Thousands of unhappy Hammers fans booed
at the final whistle and over two months have now passed since West Ham last
won a home game. Reading were able to hold them comfortably despite playing
more than an hour with 10 men. At times, it was easy to forget that Bryn
Gunnarsson had been sent off.
A couple of glimpses of victory in the final frantic moments were not enough
to compensate the restless home fans for a flat and edgy display. "We are
massively disappointed," West Ham manager Alan Curbishley admitted. "We seem
to set the fans up by winning away, then let them down here. You expect to
win your home games and we need to win some games here now." Manchester
United are at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Another two-footed challenge, another red card, another game changed by a
mindless, reckless lunge. Reading were looking the more dangerous team when
Gunnarsson added to the Premier League's latest crimewave by launching
himself studs first at Hayden Mullins. His flying boots came crashing down
on the ball and Mullins was barely touched, but referee Peter Walton saw no
mitigating circumstances. He wasn't alone.
"The two-footed jump tackle is very current, and, like everyone else, I want
to see it removed from the game. He had to go," Gunnarsson's manager Steve
Coppell said.
"We were told at the start of the season that if you leave the ground in the
challenge, you're off, no matter if you get the ball or not," Curbishley
added. Gunnarsson had just won the ball cleanly from Scott Parker, but then
he reacted rashly as it spun away from him and took off in Mullins'
direction. The referee invited him to keep going.
With Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle in bright and breezy form up front, Reading
looked ready to end the wait for their first away win of the season. Doyle
headed straight at Robert Green from Kitson's flipped cross, then the two
strikers combined to fashion a close-range chance for Bobby Convey whose
shot brought the best out of Green. All that attacking intent was
immediately curbed by Gunnarsson's red card. Chances for West Ham's Matthew
Upson and Dean Ashton came and went almost immediately, but just before
half-time Carlton Cole stumbled to the ground just outside the Reading
penalty area, and in the confusion that followed the ball broke loose for
Nolberto Solano to burst forward and beat the advancing Marcus Hahnemann
with a clever chip.
The goal should have been just what was needed to settle West Ham nerves but
Reading had other ideas. The 10 men carried the game to the 11, and it came
as no surprise when the outstanding Kitson equalised on the hour mark. A
corner-kick was only partially cleared and Nicky Shorey steered the ball
back into the path of Kitson who volleyed forcefully off Green's flailing
arm into the corner of the net. The rangy Reading striker seemed to enjoy
the challenge of taking on the West Ham rearguard single-handedly, giving
them problems upstairs and downstairs.
"For a big tall man, Kitson is very adept on the ground," Coppell said.
"Left or right foot he doesn't mind, and he has a real physical presence. He
gives us something we don't have when he is not in the side." Ashton looked
rusty and careless by comparison. With little service coming from the
flanks, West Ham were unable to get behind Reading and mount any concerted
pressure until the game drifted into stoppage time.
The tireless Parker kept the home team ticking over but shot weakly at
Hahnemann when Fredrik Ljungberg picked him out astutely with the clock
running down. And then from the final attack of the match, Ashton headed
against a post and Ibrahima Sonko cleared gratefully. Reading earned their
luck.
With Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington back in training, and the likes of
Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer also absent, West Ham are not without excuses.
But their fixture list is as daunting as their injury list with Arsenal and
the two Manchester clubs coming next. Eastenders never change.
Man of the match
Dave Kitson 8
• Scored the equaliser
• Completed 78 per cent of passes
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Homesick Curbishley left to rue the late Christmas gifts his Hammers gave
away - Daily Mail
Last updated at 05:36am on 27th December 2007
West Ham were hit by another bout of home sickness as 10-man Reading held on
for a 1-1 draw to dampen all the Christmas cheer inside Upton Park.
The Hammers fans booed their team off the field after witnessing another
wasted opportunity for maximum home points. Nolberto Solano had put West Ham
ahead at the interval after Brynjar Gunnarsson was sent off for a two-footed
lunge on Hayden Mullins. West Ham started the game in confident mood
following their 2-1 win at Middlesbrough last weekend. But they could not
shake off a determined Reading side, who drew level on the hour mark when
Dave Kitson turned to fire past Robert Green after latching on to a
through-ball from Nicky Shorey. Dean Ashton hit the post in the closing
stages but West Ham lacked the necessary composure and creativity to break
down a resilient Reading rearguard. "We are doing it the wrong way round at
the moment," said Curbishley.
"We keep setting our fans up by winning away from home and then coming back
here and not doing it. "The fans are as frustrated as me. You expect to win
your home games. We have drawn with Bolton in the 93rd minute. We have drawn
again today. We have drawn with Wigan. "They are games you have to get the
three points from to turn this place into somewhere teams don't want to
come."
The dropped points from home draws against Wigan, Bolton, Tottenham and
Reading could prove costly over the next month as West Ham face a tough
league programme. Manchester United visit Upton Park on Saturday while the
Hammers must also tackle Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool before the
end of January. But given West Ham's vast injury list, which still includes
the likes of Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer,
Curbishley is content to be mid-table on 26 points from 18 games. "The
players are giving their all," said Curbishley. "During this season I have
asked players to play out of position and they have given their lot. "We are
on 26 points and I'll take that."
Reading manager Steve Coppell was proud of his side's resilience and
particularly the contribution of Kitson, who scored the equaliser but also
kept West Ham's defence under pressure all afternoon. Reading were bent on
revenge after West Ham's 3-0 victory at the Madejski Stadium earlier this
season. "It was a good result in the circumstances," said Coppell. "We
started brightly and then the sending-off knocked the chair from underneath
us a bit but we were solid, we were together and the players rose to the
challenge. "We were very conscious of the first game this year when it could
easily have been 6-0. For a home team, that hurt us and today was an
opportunity to try and salvage something from that game."
Coppell added: "Kitson has got qualities which you just admire in players.
"He is one of those big, tall fellows who is very adept on the ground. he is
good in the air, he is a physical presence. There is a lot to his game. "I
would say I have four really good strikers but he gives us something the
others can't give." Coppell had no argument with Gunnarsson's dismissal for
a two-footed lunge at Mullins. "I know Bryn didn't mean anything by it but
by the strict letter of the law it was a two-footed jump tackle and he had
to go," said Coppell. "I, like everybody else, wants to see the two-footed
jump tackle removed from the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SHAMBLES - The Mirror
Curbishley faces home truths as fans turn on his flops
By Neil Mcleman 27/12/2007
West Ham 1
Reading 1
Alan Curbishley was forced to defend his West Ham players last night after
they were booed from Upton Park for failing to beat 10-man Reading. Despite
racking up five Premier League wins on the road this season, the big
spending Hammers have now not won at home in five games since October.
AdvertisementAnd they blew a gilt-edged chance to end that run yesterday
when the Royals played the last hour a man down after the dismissal of
Brynjar Gunnarsson. But despite Nolberto Solano scoring his first goal at
Upton Park just before the break, Curbishley admitted "shocking" defending
allowed Dave Kitson's to score a deserved equaliser on the hour. And he
conceded the West Ham fans were right to be frustrated by another
sub-standard home display.
"You expect to win your home games but we haven't done it here and we know
it," said Curbishley, who has also seen his team held by Wigan and Bolton at
home this season. "They are as frustrated as me, the fans. We are all
frustrated. I have said all season the players are giving their all. I have
asked some of them to play out of position and they have given me their lot.
We are on 26 points and I will take that. "We are doing it the wrong way
around at the moment.
Our last few away games we have beaten Blackburn, Derby and Middlesbrough
and have had a good go at Chelsea. "We seem to set our fans by winning away
and then coming back here and not doing it. It is not for the want of
trying."
But West Ham did want for basic competence in a display littered with
carelessly mislaid passes, crosses failing to beat the first defender and
players failing to take attacking responsibility. The lack of confidence and
nervousness spread from the field around the Boleyn Ground and back again.
After a soporific start, the game was woken from its slumber when
Gunnarsson's two-footed challenge on Hayden Mullins after 29 minutes got a
straight red card. With the Upton Park faithful finally roused into full
voice, the atmosphere and tempo changed immediately. After 42 minutes, the
recalled Carlton Cole lost possession after being found by Lucas Neill but
Solano burst through on to the loose ball. The Peruvian's first touch took
him past the lunging Bobby Convey and his second clipped the ball over the
onrushing Marcus Hahnemann for a neat finish. It was a rare piece of touch
from a West Ham player in a disappointing match. Robert Green and Stephen
Hunt were booked on the stroke of half-time after squaring up but switching
the Republic of Ireland player into central midfield after the break gave
his side more balance and bite. And after 60 minutes, West Ham failed to
clear a James Harper corner and Nicky Shorey's ball back in found Kitson
with the time and space to fire home his sixth goal of the season. With his
lethal finish and intelligent movement throughout, the former Cambridge
United forward looked the more likely England candidate than the labouring
Dean Ashton at the other end. This time groans of discontent forced West Ham
into greater effort. Hahnemann twice denied Scott Parker with near-post
saves while Jonathan Spector and Ashton - in injury time - both hit the same
post from corners. "We should have taken more advantage of having a one-man
advantage," Curbishley admitted. "We are massively disappointed about
dropping two points. "Although it wasn't spectacular, we had enough chances
to win the game in the second half. We got ourselves in good positions to
have got the second goal but Reading kept going. When you see the goal
again, it is a shocking piece of defending."
Curbishley said flair players who remain on the injury list - such as Craig
Bellamy and Kieron Dyer - could have made the difference. But none of them
will be back on Saturday when Manchester United come calling. The only
consolation is the Hammers did the double over the champions last season.
63% POSSESSION 37%
6 SHOTS ON TARGET 5
9 SHOTS OFF TARGET 3
6 OFFSIDES 0
10 CORNERS 6
8 FOULS 7
2 YELLOW CARDS 2
0 RED CARDS 1
ATTENDANCE: 34,277
Man Of The Match: Kitson
TEAMS AND RATINGS
West Ham: Green 7, Neill 7, Spector 6, Upson 7, McCartney 6, Solano 8 (Noble
77), Parker 7, Mullins 7, Ljungberg 6, Ashton 6, Cole 5 (Camara 72)
Reading: Hahneman 6, Murty 6, Sonko 7, Ingimarsson 6, Shorey 7, Hunt 6,
Gunnarsson 3, Harper 7 Convey 6 (Cisse 66,4), Doyle 7 (Bikey 90) Kitson 8
(Long 85).
Referee: PETER WALTON
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leaders Manchester United wary of trip to West Ham - The Guardian
By Martyn Herman
LONDON, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Champions Manchester United begin the second half
of their Premier League title defence at the top of the league on Saturday
but manager Alex Ferguson will be hoping for better luck at West Ham United.
United were imperious in a 4-0 thrashing of Sunderland on Wednesday to move
a point above Arsenal, who could be four adrift by the time they begin their
match at Everton later in the day. Third-placed Chelsea know they can ill
afford many more dropped points as they host Newcastle United while
Liverpool and Manchester City battle for fourth place on Sunday. United were
beaten home and away by West Ham last year despite the Hammers spending most
of the season in the relegation zone and Ferguson has suffered several
disappointments against them in the past. Carlos Tevez, the man who inspired
West Ham to a remarkable escape from the drop last season, including a
final-day winner at Old Trafford, will no doubt get a warm welcome from the
Upton Park faithful. Tevez has now become a favourite at Manchester United
since his move north and has struck up a lethal combination with Wayne
Rooney. After being rested against Sunderland, the Argentine will be raring
to go in the second of United's holiday fixtures.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kitson denies Hammers in tight tussle at Upton Park - This Is London
Last updated at 07:27am on 27.12.07
West Ham were booed off at Upton Park after failing to overcome 10-man
Reading. Brynjar Gunnarsson should be donating his bonus to his Reading
team-mates, who battled so hard over 62 minutes after the Icelandic
midfielder was sent off for the latest example of the dreaded two-footed
tackle. West Ham United's Hayden Mullins slides in to tackle Reading's James
Harper (right) as Brynjar Gunnarsson looks on during the Barclays Premier
League match at Upton Park today Referee Peter Walton flourished the red
card without hesitation for the reckless challenge on Hayden Mullins on 28
minutes and even Reading manager Steve Coppell did not defend his man.
Coppell said: 'The one tackle that is really current is the two-footed jump
tackle which I, like anybody else, want removed from the game. 'I know Bryn
didn't mean anything by it but, by the strict letter of the law, it was a
two-footed tackle so he had to go.' Hammers manager Alan Curbishley said: 'I
can only assume his feet left the ground, which is the big talking point at
the moment. 'There have been inconsistencies but with what has happened over
the last two weeks, you can't tackle like that. If he has left the ground
it's a no-brainer for the referee.'
West Ham have not won any of their last five home games while winning four
of their last five away and the fans vented their fury against a side who
face four of the top five in their next five Barclays Premier League games,
starting with the visit of Manchester United on Saturday. Curbishley said:
'The fans are as frustrated as me. We seem to set our fans up by winning
away and then come back to our place and not do it. It's not for the want of
trying. 'You expect to win your home games. We've lost to top-six sides —
but it's the other games, the draws against Bolton and Wigan, where we
should have got the three points.' Curbishley said: 'The players are giving
their all, some of them playing out of position. I'll take the 26 points
which we're on at the moment.' The fans weren't quite so forgiving, as
Reading's rampaging frontman Dave Kitson looked in a different class to the
man who is supposed to be a certainty for England when he's fully fit again,
West Ham's Dean Ashton. Although Ashton could have won it near the end with
a header which struck a post, he did not show half the inventiveness and
all-round ability of Kitson, about whom Coppell said: 'He's got qualities
which you admire in players. 'For such a tall fellow he is so adept on the
ground and he's good with his left and his right foot, excellent in the air
and has physical power. I've got four really good strikers but he gives me
something the other three can't.' Despite Reading going down to 10 men, they
looked the better side even after West Ham took the lead through their best
player, Nobby Solano, on 42 minutes. The Peru winger seized his chance after
a Mullins through-ball bounced away from Carlton Cole. As Reading keeper
Marcus Hahnemann went to ground a split second too early, Solano knocked the
ball over him for his second goal of the season. But Reading, for whom the
industrious Stephen Hunt and Nicky Shorey excelled, kept plugging away and a
poor clearance on the hour by the otherwise excellent Solano gave Reading
the chance to equalise. Shorey, a January transfer target for the home club,
put in a short centre for Kitson, who came off the sleepy Jonathan Spector
and whipped the ball into the far corner of the net for his sixth goal of
the season. Solano was substituted for the eager Mark Noble but West Ham
were too obvious and direct as they hurled themselves forward. Although
Scott Parker had an outstanding chance when he was in the clear on 90
minutes, his shot was too weak and Hahnemann went down smartly to his right
to hold. Reading may not be the prettiest side, but they give everything and
redoubled their efforts after going down to 10 men.
Too many West Ham players were strolling and they had better take a look at
their attitude quickly — with the likes of United, Arsenal, Manchester City
and Liverpool to come in their next five League games. West Ham: Green,
Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Parker, Mullins, Ljungberg, Cole,
Ashton. Subs: Wright, Ferdinand, Pantsil, Noble, Camara.
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Shorey, Hunt, Harper,
Ingimarsson, Convey, Doyle, Kitson. Subs: Federici, Cisse, Lita, Bikey,
Long.
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 1 Reading 1: Cool Kitson rescues Reading after Gunnarsson's
red card - The Independent
By Mike Rowbottom
Published: 27 December 2007
Within the current footballing climate, two-footed tackles are the biggest
no-no for any player aiming to stay on the pitch, so when Reading's Brynjar
Gunnarsson took off in the 30th minute into a challenge with the home
midfielder Hayden Mullins, the referee, Peter Walton, swiftly produced a red
card.
The Icelander's dismissal left Reading to survive for an hour against the
side who had taken them apart in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
But Reading did far more than survive, fully deserving their point against a
team that, through the ravages of injury, bore little relation to the
rampaging outfit which returned from the Madjeski Stadium in September with
three points thanks partly to a lightning display from Craig Bellamy.
The Wales forward is one of several long-term absentees on the West Ham cast
list, but in the meantime they are proceeding erratically, displaying
enterprising form away from home only to falter in front of their own fans.
"We are doing things the wrong way round at the moment," said their bemused
manager, Alan Curbishley. "The players are as frustrated as me and the fans,
but they gave their lot today and we are on 26 points now. I'll take that."
The bright news for Curbishley is that his French signing Julien Faubert has
started training and both Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington are now running
freely.
Steve Coppell, Reading's manager, accepted the sending-off with just a trace
of resignation. "At the moment, that's the one tackle you really cannot
make. I knew that Brynjar didn't mean anything with it but by the letter of
the law he had to go. I want to see two-footed tackles out of the game as
much as anyone else."
With the visitors reduced to 10 men, the expectations of the home crowd rose
appreciably, and Dean Ashton roused himselfto lift Scott Parker's headed
pass on to the roof of the net.
Two minutes before the break, West Ham made the breakthrough their fans were
looking forward to, although it came fortuitously from a move which, like so
many others, broke down on the edge of the Reading box. Lucas Neill's
through-ball to Carlton Cole offered a momentary opportunity. But the
striker – who has apparently been ill this week – went to ground and was
losing possession, at which point Nolberto Solano darted forward to maintain
the momentum and chipped over the Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann to record
his first Upton Park goal since his summer transfer.
Faced with the ideal opportunity to restore their home form, West Ham fell
short of the task. After 60 minutes the concentration of a defence where
Jonathan Spector always looked lightweight in a central position
collectively lost concentration following a Reading corner on the left, and
Nicky Shorey was able to send striker Dave Kitson through to drive home an
equaliser unopposed.
West Ham responded within three minutes with a Matthew Upson header which
hit the post, and Ashton also hit the woodwork with a header in the first
minute of time added on. But three points would have been more than the home
side deserved.
Goals: Solano (42) 1-0; Kitson (60) 1-1.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Spector, Upson, McCartney; Solano
(Noble, 76), Mullins, Parker, Ljungberg; Ashton, Cole (Camara, 72).
Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Ferdinand, Pantsil.
Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Hunt,
Gunarsson, Harper, Convey (Cissé, 65); Kitson (Long, 85), Doyle (Bikey, 90).
Substitutes not used: Federici (gk), Lita.
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Booked: West Ham Green Cole; Reading Hunt, Shorey.
Sent off: Reading Gunnarsson.
Man of the match: Ingimarsson.
Attendance: 34,237.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reading's ten men draw on strength of character - the Times
West Ham United 1 Reading 1
Reading held West Ham United to a Boxing Day draw at Upton Park after
battling for over an hour with ten men.
Steve Coppell's side may still be without an away win all season but a point
was the least they deserved for their bold approach to the game after
Brynjar Gunnarsson was sent off. The Icelandic midfielder was shown a
straight red card after 28 minutes for a dangerous two-footed lunge on
Hayden Mullins.
West Ham took advantage with a strike from Nolberto Solano just before
half-time but they could not shake off a Reading side short on numbers but
not on work rate or determination. Dave Kitson scored the equaliser after
turning onto a neat through-ball from Nicky Shorey, a reported January
target for West Ham, to beat Robert Green. West Ham threw everything forward
in the closing minutes and Dean Ashton saw his header hit the post but they
could not break down a resilient Reading defence. "It was a good result in
the circumstances," Coppell said. "We were very conscious of the first game
this year when it could easily have been 6-0. For a home team, that hurt us
and today was an opportunity to try and salvage something from that game.
"We started brightly and then the sending-off knocked the chair from
underneath us a bit but we were solid, we were together and the players rose
to the challenge. "It was a controlled performance. The problem when you
only have ten men is when you attack and lose your shape. To keep your shape
together all the time you have to work hard - but it is not a marathon test
by any means. We have a training ground routine where we play eight against
any number and if you are communicating well enough you can withstand it
most of the time."
Coppell accepted Peter Walton, the referee, had no option but to produce the
red card for Gunnarsson. "I, like everybody else, wants to see the
two-footed jump tackle removed from the game. I know Bryn didn't mean
anything by it but by the strict letter of the law it was a two-footed jump
tackle and he had to go," Coppell said. In stark contrast to recent games at
Upton Park, where West Ham have struggled to break their opponents down, it
was a bright encounter full of chances for both sides. Ashton slipped the
ball to Mullins who charged towards the edge of the Reading box, where he
tested Marcus Hahnemann with a low drive. Solano then curled a dangerous
free-kick just wide of Hahnemann's near post after Ashton had been fouled by
Reading centre-back Ivar Ingimarsson.
Kevin Doyle had kept Green alert with an early snap-shot from 20 yards and
should have done better with a header after he was picked out in the box by
Kitson. Centre-back Ibrahima Sonko was forced into a near-post clearance but
when the West Ham corner fell to Lucas Neill at the far post he drilled his
shot high over the bar. Spector was beaten again on the edge of the West Ham
box as Doyle rose to get his head to a long-ball from Hahnemann. The
flick-on fell to Kitson who linked again with Doyle to set up Bobby Convey,
whose strike from six yards out was well blocked by Green at point-blank
range. Spector may have been under pressure at the back but he did spark a
quick West Ham move with a drilled ball down the middle to Freddie
Ljungberg.
George McCartney pushed forward and his cross was headed back across the
area by Cole but Ashton had just crept offside. Reading were then reduced to
10 men after Gunnarsson was given his marching orders for a nasty challenge
on Mullins as both midfielders hunted a loose ball in midfield. West Ham
defender Matthew Upson almost got his head to the lofted free-kick and had
he done so, Hahnemann would have been horribly out of position. Scott Parker
kept the pressure on as he broke into the box and picked out Ashton, who
could only hook a difficult pass onto the roof of the Reading net. West Ham
took the lead three minutes before the interval after Solano pounced to beat
Convey's challenge with a delicate touch before lifting the ball over
Hahnemman. West Ham had carved the opening well as Parker linked with
full-back Neill on a diagonal run across the box. Although Carlton Cole lost
his footing after receiving the lay-off, the ball fell to Solano and two
deft touches later it was in the back of the net. Shortly after the interval
Ingimarsson made a hash of a long clearance from Green and the ball fell to
Ashton but Sonko did well to recover and he blocked the shot.
Reading were making themselves a nuisance, switching into a 4-3-3 formation
when in possession and Kitson managed to knock the ball down for Hunt, whose
long-range strike skewed wide. Parker did escape into the Reading box but
was guilty of ignoring Cole and Ashton, who were both unmarked and in prime
position, when he drilled a near-post shot straight at Hahnemann. Reading
continued to stretch West Ham and their enterprise paid off just before the
hour when Kitson turned onto a through-ball from Shorey and fired past Green
to draw the Royals level. Upson's clearing header fell to Shorey outside the
West Ham box and the England full-back worked space cleverly before lifting
his pass through to Kitson. West Ham was were spurred into action and
Ljungberg latched onto a through-ball from Parker but his low drive was
deflected one-handed over the bar by Hahnemann. But West Ham lacked
invention, particularly after Solano was replaced.
As the clock ticked down Parker wasted a golden chance after working space
inside the box when his weak shot was easily held by Hahnemann. Ashton rose
well to meet a near-post corner but saw his header rebound off the post as
Reading held on for the draw. "We are massively disappointed," Alan
Curbishley, the West Ham manager, said. "We felt we dropped two points and
while it wasn't spectacular we had enough chances to have won the game. "We
got ourselves in good positions to have got the second goal. Reading kept
going and when you see their goal again it is a shocking piece of defending
from us. We keep setting our fans up by winning away from home and then
coming back here and not doing it but it is not for the want of trying."
The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos from the West Ham
supporters growing increasingly frustrated by their side's home form. But
given West Ham's vast injury list, which still includes the likes of Craig
Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer, Curbishley is
content to be mid-table on 26 points from 18 games. "The fans are as
frustrated as me. We are all frustrated," Curbishley said. "You expect to
win your home games. We have drawn with Bolton in the 93rd minute. We have
drawn again today. We have drawn with Wigan. They are games you have to get
the three points from and turn this place into somewhere teams don't want to
come. "But the players are giving their all. During this season I have asked
players to play out of position and they have given their lot. We are on 26
points and I'll take that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
