WHUFC.com
Sam Baldock's two-goal show against Leicester City rightly earned him plenty
of plaudits
29.10.2011
Sam Allardyce was full of praise for young forward Sam Baldock after his
second two-goal haul in successive home matches helped the Hammers to a 3-2
defeat of Leicester City. The word around the dressing room after the
five-goal thriller was 'Boom Boom Baldock', and the 22-year-old is
determined to keep on going after his match-winning double. His manager has
certainly been delighted with his efforts to date, as he also scored two
goals a fortnight ago at the Boleyn against Blackpool.
"Sam Baldock is going home with the headlines again," the manager said. "Sam
Baldock is looking like a big, big threat for everybody. I am sure the word
will reverberate around football, you have to keep your eye on him when he
plays at Upton Park. "He hasn't quite done it or had the same impact away
from home yet. But he has been terrific here. "Sam has scored two and was
very unlucky not to have had three. The quality of our finishing today was
really pleasing for me. The first goal saw Sam on the far post, outjumping
someone who is six inches bigger than him to head it in. "Then there was
Julien Faubert's finish and finally Sam's volley off Freddie Piquionne's
flick. All the goals were earned rather than gifted."
Reflecting on the match as a whole, which saw Leicester fight back well in
the second half and push the hosts all the way to the end, the manager
admitted it was a nervy contest at times. "The boys held out. Leicester
started to pump balls up there. Their substitute Steve Howard was starting
to create problems because he is so good in the air. Leicester were throwing
everyone forward to try and get on the end of the flick-ons which happened
for the second goal. "I don't think there was an awful lot we could have
done about their second goal - what a wonderful strike - but we saw the game
out really well."
The Hammers deserved the points despite the spirited Foxes fightback, the
perfect tonic before Tuesday's visit of Bristol City which young fans can
see for a fiver. Fit-again Robert Green was also a star after four weeks out
following knee surgery, while Mark Noble won the man of the match award for
a scintillating display. Allardyce added: "It was a great entertaining
football match, with a great amount of goals. It looked like we would be
very comfortable today on the first-half performance. We got ourselves
two-nil in front. "It could have been more on opportunities we had and then
a change in system and Leicester played a bit more direct. That caused us a
few problems but Robert Green made a couple of good saves. It was good to
see him back. "Mark Noble played very well. We like to get him on the ball.
Mark's quality is in his vision and his passing to set off attacks. He can
play the right balls to stretch the opposition."
Certainly the manager can have no complaints about the attitude and
application of his men, and with Carlton Cole a potential returnee on
Tuesday, his options should improve. One forced change today was not because
of injury but rather because the manager was worried John Carew would be
sent off after earning a "baffling" yellow card for persistent fouling. "It
would have been irresponsible to leave him on," explained the manager.
Still, the positives of the day far outweighed the negatives. "The whole
team are giving everything they have got and at the moment with the shortage
of numbers we have got at the minute, they are being asked to do that until
other players come back. It was a fantastic victory to get back to back
wins. "It was great entertainment and we got three very good points."
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U18s downed in derby
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee could only manage a consolation as the young Hammers lost out at
Fulham
29.10.2011
Fulham U18s 4-1 West Ham United U18s
The young Hammers went down to only their second defeat of the season in a
tough London derby on Saturday morning. Elliot Lee scored a consolation for
the Academy side but they were three-nil down at that point and while
chasing the game at the end, were to concede a fourth. Although the
scoreline appeared one-sided, Tony Carr said his team had never given up on
the cause. "We started the game quite brightly," he told whufc.com. "Elliot
lee had a great chance when one on one only for the Fulham goalkeeper to
make a good save. For half an hour there was nothing in the game at all. It
was nip and tuck between two teams at the top of the table."
Fulham struck first though before the interval and it was to be decisive.
The goal came about after a Jake Larkins' punched clearance hit Kenzer Lee
on the back and landed kindly for a home forward to score. Carr described
it as a "freak goal" but it was to be even tougher for the Hammers after the
break. "We started the second half very brightly. Blair Turgott had a great
chance to equalise but shot wide. Fulham broke back on us and scored the
second from a long-distance shot. To be fair, they took command at that
point and got to three-nil."
Despite trailing heavily, Elliot Lee was able to pull one back when he
followed in to score from close range after a Turgott shot was parried.
However, as the visitors tried to make it a close finale, Fulham went on to
add a game-killing fourth. "The final result was a little bit harsh but
Fulham deserved the win. We started to chase the game and they punished us.
It is a good test for the lads to see how they come back from this after
going so well this season. We rested a couple because a lot have been
playing development football and we have been stretched for numbers."
With Danny Potts and Kieran Sadlier coming off the bench, and the injured
Leo Chambers missing, Carr and coach Nick Haycock will at least feel they
have got the chance to look at some more of their options - both in the U18
and U16 ranks.
West Ham United: Larkins, Siafa, Shaw (Potts 25), K Lee (Boake-Yiadom 70),
Young, Powell, Hurley, Miles (Sadlier 46), Fanimo, E Lee, Turgott
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Remembering Ron
WHUFC.com
The late, great Ron Greenwood will be honoured at the visit of Bristol City
on 1 November
26.10.2011
Legendary West Ham United manager Ron Greenwood CBE will be honoured at next
Tuesday's npower Championship visit of Bristol City. The late, great
Greenwood, who would be celebrating his 90th birthday on 11 November,
oversaw the greatest period in the club's history during his 13 years in
charge at the Boleyn Ground.
After a successful playing career with Chelsea and Fulham and coaching
England's Under-23 side, Greenwood moved to east London in 1961. As well as
overseeing the development of the Academy of Football and helping the likes
of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters becoming FIFA World Cup
winners in 1966, Greenwood led West Ham to their maiden FA Cup success in
1964 and European Cup Winners' Cup glory the following year. In 1977, after
serving three years as the club's general manager mentoring John Lyall, his
achievements with the Hammers were rewarded when Greenwood was appointed as
England manager - a post he held until 1982.
To mark the great manager's unrivalled career, Tuesday's match will see
1960s legends Peter Brabrook, Ronnie Boyce, Eddie Bovington, Ken Brown, John
Bond and Brian Dear join host Phil Parkes in the Legends Restaurants, where
they will share their memories from the club's glory days. A pitchside
tribute will also take place before kick-off, giving all supporters the
chance to show their appreciation for Greenwood and the players who played
such a large role in his success.
Corporate hospitality packages to be part of this unique event are still
available, priced at just £49 per person, plus VAT.
Elsewhere on a packed evening of entertainment on and off the pitch, 1966
FIFA World Cup winner Peters will be the host in The 66 Club and 66
Champagne Bar.
For fans who would like to spend the evening with former Hammers midfielder
Martin Allen, the current Notts County manager will be joining host Allen
McKnight in the Greenwood & Lyall Lounge on the same evening. A number of
the 1960s greats will also be joining McKnight in the same lounge after the
final whistle.
For details of all the exciting corporate hospitality packages on offer for
Tuesday's fixture and other npower Championship matches in the run up to
Christmas, call
0871 221 2700, email corporatesales@westhamunited.co.uk or visit
www.hospitality.whufc.com
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West Ham 3 - 2 Leicester
Page last updated at 16:28 GMT, Saturday, 29 October 2011 17:28 UK
BBC.co.uk
Two goals from Sam Baldock helped promotion-chasing West Ham to victory over
managerless Leicester. Baldock headed home to give the Hammers the lead
before Julien Faubert's drive made it 2-0 barely a minute later. Leicester,
who had Jon Rudkin and Mike Stowell in charge following Sven-Goran
Eriksson's departure this week, pulled one back through an Andy King header.
But Baldock ran clear to slot in a third for the home side before King
smashed in a consolation. A trip to the favourites for promotion was always
going to be a tough test for City, with academy boss Rudkin and coach
Stowell having little time to prepare the side following Eriksson's
departure on Tuesday. And there was no respite for the Foxes as West Ham
secured their eighth win of the season to remain second in the Championship,
while a second successive defeat left Leicester well short of the automatic
promotion places with 19 points from 14 games. The Hammers' own form had
been patchy with only two wins in their previous five games but they
dominated the opening stages and made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when
Mark Noble surged forward unchallenged to the edge of the area before
playing in John Carew, who chipped back across goal from the byeline for
Baldock to head in at the far post.
Leicester had barely kicked the ball before they had conceded again, this
time Faubert collected the ball 20 yards out and rifled home his first goal
since February 2010. It could have been worse for the visitors had the
crossbar not denied Baldock with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
Leicester did finally wake up and home keeper Robert Green was forced into a
point-blank save from Jermaine Beckford. After the break, the Foxes grabbed
a lifeline when when former Hammer Paul Konchesky crossed from the left and
King nodded the ball back past Green. Leicester thought they had a penalty
when King tumbled in the box but their appeals were waved away by referee
James Linington. With 15 minutes to go Baldock appeared to have won the game
for the home side when he finished coolly after running clear of the
Leicester defence. However, King fired into the top corner from 20 yards to
set up a tense finish, during which they came agonisingly close to snatching
a point when James Tomkins deflected Steve Howard's header on to the
crossbar.
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West Ham Utd 3 Leicester City 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 29th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's side secured a second successive Championship win at the
Boleyn Ground - but once again had to survive some nervous moments before
doing so.
Goals from Sam Baldock (2) and Julien Faubert were enough to see the Hammers
through to a fourth home win of the season, although Allardyce's side were
pushed all the way by the managerless Foxes - led today by Academy Director
Jon Rudkin and first team coach Mike Stowell in the wake of Sven Goran
Erikkson's sacking during the week.
West Ham, who were coasting at 3-1 with 20 minutes to play - having
previously held a two-goal lead at the half time break - were guilty of
hitting the panic button as a game in which they were cruising suddenly
became a backs-against-the-wall battle to hold on for a win as City pushed
on for an unlikely equaliser.
Rob Green - back in the side following a month on the sidelines - was forced
to produce his very best saves to deny Leicester a late equaliser, although
there was nothing even he could do about Steve Howard's 81st-minute header
that deflected off James Tomkins before cannoning back off the crossbar.
Had that gone it, it would have been incredibly unfair on West Ham who were
as good going forward as they have been at any point under Sam Allardyce
(even though they were hindered by the enforced substitution of John Carew,
who had been the victim of an number of inexplicable refereeing decisions).
United threatened to blow away their opponents with an outstanding first
half-an-hour from which they scored twice and were denied a third by the
crossbar.
Both first half goals arrived within 90 seconds of each other; Sam Baldock
scored his first of the day with 20 minutes on the clock when he was
well-placed to nod home a deflected John Carew cross. Just over a minute
later Julien Faubert notched his second goal for the club when cooly
converting a Joey O'Brien pull-back, giving West Ham what should have been
an unassailable lead.
Mark Noble, who has really found his form again in recent weeks was involved
in both goals; his threaded through ball gave Carew the opportunity to cross
for Baldock's opener whilst a clever ball over the top of the City defence
fed O'Brien for the chance to pull the ball back to Faubert shortly after.
It was no surprise that he was announced as the sponsor's Man of the Match
at the final whistle.
Despite coming out of the blocks faster after the break it was Leicester who
scored next when an unmarked Andy King converted a deep Richie Wellens cross
to bring the Foxes back into a game on the hour mark. However West Ham's
nerves were settled - albeit briefly - when Baldock grabbed his second of
the afternoon with a route one goal that began from a long clearance by Rob
Green and ended up in the back of the net courtesy of a Baldock volley (via
the head of Freddie Piquionne).
With 19 minutes remaining at that stage West Ham should have had the points
in the bag. However regulars at the Boleyn Ground this season know better
than that, having seen the Hammers concede so many late goal this season -
hence it was no surprise when King grabbed his second of the day with an
admittedly splendid volley with quarter-of-an-hour left to play.
That signalled a desperate push by the visitors for an equaliser and they
certainly had their chances; David Nugent perhaps being guilty more than
most for missing from close range as the final whistle approached. But West
Ham managed to do what they had failed to against Cardiff, Aldershot, Leeds
and Ipswich and keep the opposition at bay to secure an eighth league win of
the season - much to the relief of (most of) the 30,410 crowd.
West Ham Utd 3 Leicester City 2: match facts
West Ham Utd: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Faye (Tomkins 64), Reid, Nolan,
Collison, Noble, Faubert, Baldock (Sears 86), Carew (Piquionne 31).
Subs: Boffin, Diop.
Booked: Carew (19), O'Brien (40).
Goals: Baldock (20, 71), Faubert (22).
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Bamba, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Abe,
King, Wellens, Vassell (Dyer 45, Johnson 73), Nugent, Beckford (Howard 55).
Subs: Weale, Pantsil.
Booked: Konchesky (29), Wellens (62).
Goals: King (58, 74).
Referee: James Linington (4).
Assistants: Brett Huxtable, Richard Kendall.
Fourth Official: Michael George.
Attendance: 30,410.
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Baldock bags two in Irons win
Last updated: 29th October 2011
SSN
Sam Baldock scored twice as West Ham boosted their promotion bid and left
managerless Leicester's in tatters with a 3-2 win at Upton Park. The Foxes
had Academy boss Jon Rudkin and coach Mike Stowell in charge following
Sven-Goran Eriksson's departure earlier this week. But there was to be no
respite for City under the makeshift management duo as Baldock's double,
either side of Julien Faubert's rare strike, secured victory for the
Hammers. The hosts were hanging on at the end, though, after Andy King's two
goals kept Leicester in the game and only the woodwork denied them a point
late on. Nevertheless, Sam Allardyce's second-placed side have now won three
of their last four outings to keep the pressure on leaders Southampton. They
bossed the opening stages and made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when
Mark Noble surged forward unchallenged to the edge of the area before
playing in John Carew. The big Norwegian striker chipped the ball across
goal from the byline and Baldock outjumped Lee Peltier at the far post.
And Leicester had barely kicked off when they found themselves two goals
behind, Faubert collecting the ball from Joey O'Brien 20 yards out and
thumping his first goal since February 2010 past Kasper Schmeichel. It could
have been three five minutes later when Baldock took aim from the edge of
the box but his deft curler came back off the crossbar. Leicester finally
woke up towards the end of the first half, and Robert Green, back in the
West Ham goal after a knee operation, pulled off a fine point-blank save to
deny Jermaine Beckford. After the break substitute Freddie Piquionne should
have added a third after a mazy run into the area but the Frenchman dawdled
on the ball and his shot was eventually blocked.
Instead Leicester pulled one back on the hour when former Hammer Paul
Konchesky crossed from the left and King nodded the ball back past Green.
West Ham almost hit straight back but Schmeichel pulled off a stunning save
to deny Baldock from six yards out. Leicester claimed they should have had a
penalty when King theatrically tumbled in the area but referee James
Linington was not fooled. And their chances looked bleak with 15 minutes
left as Baldock ran through on goal and coolly beat Schmeichel for his
fourth goal for the Hammers. But King smashed a fine 20-yard effort into the
top corner to set up a tense finish, and they came agonisingly close to
snatching a point but James Tomkins deflected Steve Howard's header onto the
crossbar.
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Allardyce hails Hammers
Big Sam delighted with his players
Last Updated: October 29, 2011 7:02pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce labelled his West Ham side great entertainers after a
thrilling 3-2 win over managerless Leicester. West Ham maintained their push
for promotion thanks to goals from Sam Baldock (two) and a rare Julien
Faubert strike with Andy King scoring twice for Leicester. Allardyce was
full of praise for his players as they followed up Monday's win at Brighton
with another three-point haul.
Entertaining
"It was a great, entertaining football match," said Allardyce. "It looked
like we would be comfortable on the first-half performance, we got ourselves
two goals in front.
"But then a change of system and Leicester playing more direct caused us
some problems. "But Robert Green made some good saves and Sam got his two
goals. "The quality of all our three goals was very pleasing. All the goals
were earned rather than gifted. "The whole team are giving everything
they've got. It's back-to-back wins, great entertainment and the right
result."
Baldock scored either side of Faubert's second goal in four years, but his
strike partner John Carewdid not fare so well. Allardyce revealed he had to
take off the Norway international in the first half before referee James
Linington sent him off. "The referee said he booked him for persistent
fouling," added Allardyce. "His body strength means he is bigger than the
centre-half, but when the centre-half kept bouncing off him the referee was
giving free-kicks. "It would have been irresponsible of me to keep him on so
the referee spoiled our rhythm."
Disappointing
The Foxes had Academy boss Jon Rudkin and coach Mike Stowell in caretaker
charge following the sacking Sven-Goran Eriksson. Stowell was disappointed
to lose the game, but was full of praise for their second-half showing at
Upton Park. "It's a disappointing result after that second-half
performance," said Stowell. "We gave it a right good go and with a bit more
fortune we might have got something. "They are resilient, they are good
lads, good players and they are desperate to do well for Leicester. "We are
just happy to be employed by Leicester. There are good players in that
dressing room and whoever does come in, it's all there for them."
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Match Report: West Ham 3 Leicester City 2
October 29th, 2011 - 7:03 pm by Iain Dale
West Ha, Till I Die
After 45 minutes you'd have thought we'd have had this game well and truly
sewn up. Two nil up against a side which appeared to be one of the worst
teams to have played us this season. But this is West Ham we are talking
about. Sam had always said that teams he manages never lose from 2-0 up.
Well our lot did their best to prove him wrong today. But all's well that
ended well, eh?
Mark Noble was simply brilliant today. He sprayed the ball round the pitch
like he was Glenn Hoddle and tackled like he was Joey Barton. Our first two
goals were in large part down to him. And it was a 90 minute performance.
Scott Parker, eat your heart out. It was as near as a 10/10 performance as
you're going to see. And Sam Baldock wasn't far behind. When I see him play,
I see Tony Cottee. Yes, he looks that good. He could teach Piquionne a bit
about taking chances. He's now got 4 in 4. Carew has 3 in 3. Well, if they
both keep up this strike rate we should be in for some entertaining times.
Carew's importance to the team was emphasised by the fact that as soon as he
was taken off, we didn't look the same side. Piquionne just doesn't cut it.
He played better than he normally does, by never looked that dangerous.
Indeed, I can't remember the last time he scored. Luckily he doesn't appear
to be injured. David Gold has just tweeted he was taken off as they were
worried about a second yellow. The ref was so appalling that it was probably
the right decision.
Leicester's goals were both well taken by Andy King. The second was an
absolute screamer which Green could not have done anything about. The first
was avoidable, although I didn't see who should have been marking King. But
that's enough about Leicester. Let's talk Baldock.
His first goal was a typical poacher's goal. Indeed, when the ball was
crossed by Carew, I just couldn't see him getting to it first. But he did,
and that really set us up. The second, which followed a matter of seconds
later was the result of a superb crossfield pass from Noble. It was then
played back to Faubert who controlled it, then drilled it across the goal
into the far corner. A great finish. Interestingly he didn't run to any of
his teammates to celebrate. He ran back into the West Ham half and made a
gesture at friends in the West Stand. The third goal was an Allardyce
special. Baldock ran onto Green's long punt, ran at the defence down the
left and coolly placed the ball home. Pure class.
The only negatives from the game was the performance of Jack Collison who is
nowhere near his best. I wonder if he is playing in the right position.
Under Zola he always seemed to be at his best on the right. Elsewhere in
midfield I felt that Nolan played better and Faubert played well. He should
really have scored two, though.
Southampton won too, but we remain second, three points clear of third
place. And if we play our cards right and wallop Bristol City, we could be
top on Tueesday night.
It's been a good fortnight.
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West Ham 3-2 Leicester: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 21:50 29/10/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had to be cruel to be kind yesterday.
Allardyce took striker John Carew off during the first half of the 3-2 win
against Leicester to save the Norwegian from a red card. Carew was booked by
referee James Linington after 20 minutes for persistent fouling. Ten minutes
later, the Hammers coach sent substitute Freddie Piquionne on to replace
him. "I had to take him off before he was sent off," said Allardyce. "He had
five fouls given against him in the first 20 minutes. And once he was
booked, I was afraid he would get another card. "It disrupted our rhythm
having to change so early and the situation was difficult for me.
"There was nothing malicious in any of his challenges."
But Carew may still be in trouble. As the players came off at half-time, he
confronted Linington and there was finger-pointing while he made his case to
the official.
West Ham must now wait to see if Linington includes the exchange in his
match report. If he does, then he could face a ban – and with Carlton Cole
out with a knee injury, that would hit West Ham hard.
However the plus-point for the club is the form of Sam Baldock, who is
looking the bargain of the season after his £2.5million move from MK Dons.
He ended the deadlock after 21 minutes. Man-of-the-match Mark Noble broke
clear and gave Carew possession in the area. He floated up a high ball for
Baldock to convert with a header. Moments later West Ham went further ahead.
Joey O'Brien pulled the ball back and Julien Faubert drove home. Leicester
may be without a manager since the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson last
week but what they lack in leadership they make up for with grit. Cue a
second-half recovery in which Andy King headed home a cross from Ritchie
Wellens just before the hour. Cue West Ham unease. And cue another strike
from Baldock in the 71st minute. A long ball forward was headed on by
Piquionne and there was Baldock to sweep it past Kasper Schmeichel. But
Leicester were in no mood to surrender and King turned and shot from the
edge of the area three minutes later. Joint caretaker-manager Mike Stowell
said: "The players put in a good shift in the second half. We gave it a
right good go and with a bit more fortune we might have got something."
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COMEBACK FOR WEST HAM'S CARLTON COLE
Daily Express
Carlton Cole will hand West Ham a major boost when he makes his return
against Bristol City
Sunday October 30,2011
By Sunday Express Reporter
CARLTON COLE will hand West Ham a major boost when he makes his return
against Bristol City on Tuesday night. Cole has been out for nearly a month
with a knee injury and has missed the last three games. However, the England
striker has now resumed training. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "We
aren't worried by Carlton's knee because it is long-standing. It just needs
some tender loving care."
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WEST HAM 3 LEICESTER CITY 2: WAKE-UP CALL FROM BALDOCK
Sam Baldock bagged another impressive brace to keep West Ham's promotion
charge on track
Sunday October 30,2011
By Sunday Express Reporter
Sundey Express
WHOEVER gets Sven-Goran Eriksson's job at Leicester will need to make an
alarm clock his first purchase. If Leicester had not taken last night's
extra hour's sleep early, the scoreline might have looked a whole lot
different. As it was West Ham stayed wide awake long enough to see off what
turned out to be a spirited challenge.
And as Sam Allardyce watched with relief, Sam Baldock bagged another
impressive brace to keep West Ham's promotion charge on track – thanks to
Eriksson's over generous old boys. Allardyce beamed: "Word will now be
reverberating around football that Sam has to be watched. "The quality of
our finishing was outstanding. Sam got up to a ball ahead of a defender who
was six inches taller than him. And all our goals were earned."
Big John Carew, not the speediest merchant, was allowed to get clear and
cross for Baldock (above) – not the tallest – to head the Hammers in front
as the Foxes dozed. Two minutes later Leicester were asleep again when
Julien Faubert was allowed all the room in the world to fire home the second
from 20 yards after man of the match Mark Noble set him up. Andy King headed
Leicester right back in it less than 15 minutes after the break. West Ham
really ought to have cleared Richie Wellens cross. They didn't and the
Hammers appeared to have paid the price for indolence . . . until young
Baldock popped up again. Frederic Piquione provided the pass but the little
man the Hammers paid MK Dons more than £2million for paid off another slice
of the fee with a superbly struck third goal.
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West Ham 3 Leicester 2: Baldock brace sends Foxes crashing after Sven's exit
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 6:02 PM on 29th October 2011
Daily Mail
Two goals from Sam Baldock sent managerless Leicester spinning to defeat as
West Ham's promotion bid gathered pace. The Foxes had academy boss Jon
Rudkin and coach Mike Stowell in charge following Sven-Goran Eriksson's
departure earlier this week. But there was to be no respite for City under
the makeshift management duo as Baldock's double, either side of Julien
Faubert's rare strike, secured victory for the Hammers. The hosts were
hanging on at the end, though, after Andy King's two goals kept Leicester in
the game and only the woodwork denied them a point late on. Nevertheless,
Sam Allardyce's second-placed side have now won three of their last four
outings to keep the pressure on leaders Southampton. They bossed the opening
stages and made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when Mark Noble surged
forward unchallenged to the edge of the area before playing in John Carew.
The big Norwegian striker chipped the ball across goal from the byline and
Baldock outjumped Lee Peltier at the far post. And Leicester had barely
kicked off when they found themselves two goals behind, Faubert collecting
the ball from Joey O'Brien 20 yards out and thumping his first goal since
February 2010 past Kasper Schmeichel. It could have been three five minutes
later when Baldock took aim from the edge of the box but his deft curler
came back off the crossbar. Leicester finally woke up towards the end of the
first half, and Robert Green, back in the West Ham goal after a knee
operation, pulled off a fine point-blank save to deny Jermaine Beckford.
After the break substitute Freddie Piquionne should have added a third after
a mazy run into the area but the Frenchman dawdled on the ball and his shot
was eventually blocked. Instead Leicester pulled one back on the hour when
former Hammer Paul Konchesky crossed from the left and King nodded the ball
back past Green. West Ham almost hit straight back but Schmeichel pulled off
a stunning save to deny Baldock from six yards out. Leicester claimed they
should have had a penalty when King theatrically tumbled in the area but
referee James Linington was not fooled. And their chances looked bleak with
15 minutes left as Baldock ran through on goal and coolly beat Schmeichel
for his fourth goal for the Hammers. But King smashed a fine 20-yard effort
into the top corner to set up a tense finish, and they came agonisingly
close to snatching a point but James Tomkins deflected Steve Howard's header
onto the crossbar.
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Baldock brace sees off Foxes
ESPN
Two goals from Sam Baldock sent managerless Leicester spinning to defeat as
West Ham's promotion bid gathered pace following a 3-2 win. The Foxes had
Academy boss Jon Rudkin and coach Mike Stowell in charge following
Sven-Goran Eriksson's departure earlier this week. But there was to be no
respite for City under the makeshift management duo as Baldock's double,
either side of Julien Faubert's rare strike, secured victory for the
Hammers. The hosts were hanging on at the end, though, after Andy King's two
goals kept Leicester in the game and only the woodwork denied them a point
late on. Nevertheless, Sam Allardyce's second-placed side have now won three
of their last four outings to keep the pressure on leaders Southampton. They
bossed the opening stages and made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when
Mark Noble surged forward unchallenged to the edge of the area before
playing in John Carew. The big Norwegian striker chipped the ball across
goal from the byline and Baldock outjumped Lee Peltier at the far post. And
Leicester had barely kicked off when they found themselves two goals behind,
Faubert collecting the ball from Joey O'Brien 20 yards out and thumping his
first goal since February 2010 past Kasper Schmeichel. It could have been
three five minutes later when Baldock took aim from the edge of the box but
his deft curler came back off the crossbar.
Leicester finally woke up towards the end of the first half, and Robert
Green, back in the West Ham goal after a knee operation, pulled off a fine
point-blank save to deny Jermaine Beckford. After the break substitute
Freddie Piquionne should have added a third after a mazy run into the area
but the Frenchman dawdled on the ball and his shot was eventually blocked.
Instead Leicester pulled one back on the hour when former Hammer Paul
Konchesky crossed from the left and King nodded the ball back past Green.
West Ham almost hit straight back but Schmeichel pulled off a stunning save
to deny Baldock from six yards out. Leicester claimed they should have had a
penalty when King theatrically tumbled in the area but referee James
Linington was not fooled. And their chances looked bleak with 15 minutes
left as Baldock ran through on goal and coolly beat Schmeichel for his
fourth goal for the Hammers. But King smashed a fine 20-yard effort into the
top corner to set up a tense finish, and they came agonisingly close to
snatching a point but James Tomkins deflected Steve Howard's header onto the
crossbar.
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