Antonio - We needed the clean sheet
WHUFC.com
Michail Antonio says the self-belief of the West Ham United squad never
wavered ahead of Saturday's battling win at Crystal Palace. The Hammers were
on a run of five Premier League games without victory, but ended that
sequence thanks to Manuel Lanzini's fine early goal and a penalty miss from
Palace's Christian Benteke in first half stoppage time. Slaven Bilic's men
then had to overcome a harsh red card for Aaron Cresswell with 15 minutes
remaining but they passed the test – much to Antonio's delight. He
explained: "We knew it [the win] was coming – we just needed to make sure we
gelled together and kept a clean sheet because we always believe we will
score goals. It's nice to get that clean sheet and a win, so onwards and
upwards. "We managed to keep the lead even though we had ten men for the
last 15 minutes. The boys are buzzing and can't wait for the next game."
The Hammers lined up in an unfamiliar three at the back formation, with
Antonio operating as a wing-back – but the former Nottingham Forest man was
happy to put in a shift for his teammates. He added: "We lost one or two of
our defensive players before this match, so I had to do a job [there] for
the team and I will do that. "It's a challenge going up for headers with
Benteke – he's a big, strong lad and you can see he's quality with his head.
"I'm decent with my head too, so I just had to go and see what I could do."
Antonio spent the previous week-and-a-half away with the England squad, and
although he did not make Gareth Southgate's selection for the meetings with
Malta and Slovenia, he is determined to give himself another crack. He
added: "It was a decent time with the England team. It's always good
experience and always good to go there and train with the elite [England]
players. "Hopefully I can keep doing it and keep getting into the squad."
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Cresswell - It was about us being a team
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell faced a rollercoaster of emotions on his comeback for the
Hammers but was thrilled to play his part in a crucial 1-0 win over Crystal
Palace.
Cresswell was making his first appearance of the season after damaging knee
ligaments during the pre-season trip to Austria, but looked as if he had
never been away with a superb display at left back. The Hammers full-back
played a major role in the only goal of the game when he linked up with
Dimitri Payet and played in the perfect ball for Manuel Lanzini to produce a
clinical finish Cresswell's return was marred by his sending-off late in the
game after he picked up two yellow cards within the space of 51 seconds –
even though both incidents were extremely harsh on the 26-year-old. Despite
being forced to watch the final stages in the dressing room, Cresswell was
delighted that his team-mates were able to hold on for the victory and hopes
this can be a major turning point in the season.
Cresswell said: "It was a rollercoaster game for me with a lot of ups and
downs. I am a little bit disappointed to be sent off but it was great to be
back with the lads and to get three points which we desperately needed. "It
is not about me or the other lads, it is about the team and we came here to
get three points and that is what we have done. "Everyone knows we have had
a slow start and coming off the back of last season when we finished
seventh, to start the season the way we have is very disappointing getting
just one victory from seven games. "To come to Palace which is one of the
toughest places to come because the crowd are on top of you and there is a
great atmosphere – to get three points is massive. The times we have been
here we have got some good results. "Thankfully I was able to set Manu up
for the goal which was a great feeling and it as something we had worked on
in training. Tonks and the back four are all six foot plus and we only had
Zaza up top with Manu and Dimi. "I needed to put the cross along the floor
and it was a great finish from Manu. The main thing was to be involved with
the lads and get the three points. "It was a battling performance and we
were fortunate that they missed a penalty. That gave us a chance and we
defended brilliantly. "For me to sit inside and watch the final 15 minutes
was very nervous and I am glad we held on to get the three points. "It was
not about individual performances today. It was about us being a team and I
thought we worked hard for each other."
There were a number of impressive performances from the West Ham players but
Cresswell had special praise for Simone Zaza who was one of the unsung
heroes in the victory. Cresswell added: "I thought Zaza was brilliant
upfront and he is just missing a goal but he will get one soon. "I am
delighted to be back with the lads and it is disappointing I cannot play
against Sunderland next week. "There is nothing I can do about that now and
I am sure the lads will do well and take this victory into next week."
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Stat's a Fact - Aaron's back!
WHUFC.com
That West Ham United had missed Aaron Cresswell in the opening months of the
2016/17 season was obvious.
The common opinion among players, staff, fans and independent pundits alike
was that the defender's absence played a big part in the Hammers'
indifferent start to the campaign.
On Saturday, that view was reaffirmed as the No3 made a stunning return to
action in a morale-boosting 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
Cresswell's return in a left wing-back role in a new 3-1-4-2 formation that
paid dividends at a rain-soaked Selhurst Park.
The 2015 Hammer of the Year marked his first Premier League appearance of
the season with a typically energetic, tenacious and technically-proficient
performance.
Any concerns about his match-fitness quickly disappeared as he raced forward
within the opening four minutes before blasting a rising shot into Steve
Mandanda's side netting.
Cresswell was always available on the left touchline, combining regularly
with Dimitri Payet. The pair were involved in West Ham's goal, swapping
passes before the returning player's superb low cross was expertly converted
by Manuel Lanzini.
So, how did his display stack up statistically?
Defensively, Cresswell made two clearances – Winston Reid and Cheikhou
Kouyate each made 15 – and two interceptions – two fewer than Angelo
Ogbonna.
In possession, his 36 touches were just the tenth-highest among West Ham
players, with Mark Noble (64) and Pedro Obiang (60) leading the way in that
department, while his pass-completion of 60% (successful passes shown in
green) was eleventh-highest.
However, Cresswell did make two 'key' passes (shown in yellow) including, of
course, his cross for Lanzini's match-winning goal (shown in blue) – the one
accurate cross of the three he delivered.
Sadly, the returning player was also sent-off for two bookable offences in
the space of 60 second-half seconds. The first came when he went down in the
Palace penalty area under a challenge from Yohan Cabaye and was booked for
simulation, although replays showed he was touched. The second yellow card
was shown after he was penalised for a foul on Wilfried Zaha.
Statistically, then, Cresswell's performance was good but not outstanding,
but his contribution to a vital victory was there for all to see. His return
played a massive part in West Ham's win.
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CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST HAM – MATCH REPORT
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 15 OCTOBER 2016 AT 11:26PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
West Ham produced their best performance of the season to date this evening
as Manuel Lanzini scored the crucial goal to secure the much needed 3 points
in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Underfire Manager, Slaven Bilic changed
his system around for the trip to Selhurst Park as he reverted to three at
the back and the return of Aaron Cresswell played a major part in the
Hammers securing all three points. Cresswell had missed the last 3 months
with a knee ligament injury but his return was vital for the Hammers as it
was his cross that produced the only goal of the game from Lanzini.
The only downside for the Hammers and Cresswell was his red card late in the
game after two ridiculous decisions from the officials as Aaron received two
yellow cards in 51 seconds and neither was a bookable offence. Thankfully,
the decision did not affect the outcome of the game and Bilic and his
players were left celebrating a memorable victory. They will now be hoping
to build on this with the visit of Sunderland next weekend.
The Hammers started the game on the front foot and Cresswell almost made a
dream return to action when he could have opened the scoring after just four
minutes. Obiang played the ball through to the Hammers full-back who raced
towards the Palace goal and fired a powerful shot into the side netting.
Cresswell was involved once again two minutes later as he played the ball
into Simone Zaza who struck a low shot which was comfortably saved by Palace
keeper Steve Mandanda.
The away side continued to create the best openings and had another golden
chance on 14 minutes when Dimitri Payet's corner picked out Cheikhou Kouyate
who rose above the Palace defence and headed the ball just wide of the post.
Michail Antonio came within inches of connecting with Kouyate's header with
the goal at his mercy
The Hammers were rewarded for their early dominance when they opened the
scoring on 19 minutes and it was a superb move which led to the opening
goal. Payet and Cresswell were involved in a neat interchange which resulted
in the Hammers full-back bursting clear down the left hand side. Cresswell
played in the perfect cross for Lanzini who produced a clinical finish and
struck the ball with his first touch past Mandanda into the corner of the
net.
The Hammers were handed a major lifeline on the stroke of half-time after
Ogbonna brought down Benteke inside the box. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed
to the spot, but the Palace striker fired his effort wide of the post. The
Belgian striker was then denied by the woodwork just a few seconds later as
he rose the highest to meet a cross from Joel Ward but his close-range
header struck the post.
The Hammers went in search of the second goal and nearly extended their lead
on 56 minutes. Lanzini burst clear into the box and the ball fell to Payet
who saw his shot superbly kept out by Mandanda. Antonio was then very
unlucky not to get his 6th goal of the season in the 75 minute when he saw
his close-range header cleared off the line by Jason Puncheon.
The Hammers were reduced to ten-men sixty seconds later and Bilic was forced
to re-shuffle his pack for the closing stages of the game. Benteke came
close with another header on 81 minutes when his header flew just past the
post and Adrian saved the best for last in injury time when he made a superb
save to deny a close-range header from Connor Wickham.
Crystal Palace: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly (Fryers 46);
Townsend, Ledley (Cabaye 46), McArthur (Wickham 70), Puncheon, Zaha; Benteke
Subs not used: Hennessey, Campbell, Lee, Sako
Bookings: Benteke
West Ham: Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Kouyate, Antonio, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble,
Lanzini (Nordtveit 88), Payet (Fernandes 79); Zaza (Calleri 86)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Feghouli, Collins, Fletcher
Bookings: Noble, Ogbonna, Cresswell
Red Card: Cresswell
Referee: Martin Atkinson
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: INJURIES EXPLAINED AND TRANSFERS DISCUSSED
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 OCTOBER 2016 AT 9:44PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
It has been a long time since I have written one of these and this has been
a conscious decision. There seemed to be a real barrage of negative and
unhelpful press at the moment. From the ladies team, to the players drinking
at all hours and of course the team's performance. If I am honest with you
there are other negative stories that I could quite easily put out but it
really isn't constructive to do so at the moment. We all needed to get
behind the team and try to create some positive press and thankfully this
will happen now that we got the win at Palace. I am a huge fan and
ultimately all I want is for the club to win and do as well as they can and
unlike other sites we chose what news we feel is appropriate to put out as
some things are better off being dealt with internally.
The Palace match feels like a real turning point. We played really well and
the introduction of Cresswell is a massive boost for us. You could see that
from his assist and support for Payet. The change of formation really suited
the team and I am a firm believer of sticking with a winning team so I
wouldn't change it (unless enforced like Cresswell's suspension). I thought
Reid was outstanding, Obiang proving why I called and called for him on our
radio show and I thought Kouyate was amazing in a position that he hasn't
played in this season.
Unfortunately defensively we will be missing Cresswell, Byram, Masuaku and
Arbeloa for the Sunderland game. Cresswell's suspension cannot be overturned
because it needs to be a straight red before the club can appeal. The only
way that they can appeal is if the referee admits to a mistake and knowing
the ref in question this is not going to happen even though it clearly was.
Byram suffered a bad hamstring strain and will be about for around 6-8
weeks, Masuaku should be back in a month and Arbeloa will not be available
for a few weeks. I personally would continue with the same system and maybe
play Feghouli as the left wing back, although I have no idea whether he has
played there before. Bringing in Oxford or Collins and playing Ogbonna there
could be another option.
Good news is that Ayew is progressing very well from his injury and is ahead
of schedule for his comeback. He should start to train with the first time
at the end of the month/start of the new one and this will be a massive
boost for us. With Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho their return is much harder
to predict. Both were meant to be available for the Palace game but the
players and their injury situation have always been delicate because they
are both so prone to it. Therefore I can't predict and the club try to avoid
estimating when they will be back.
The result and performance really showed how much the players back Bilic and
support him. You could see by the performance, the reaction from the players
to him and the comments in the interviews afterwards. This is very
important to note and another good performance against Sunderland and things
suddenly look very different for us.
The ladies situation has now changed with the club bringing them under the
umbrella of the main club and with the old chairman Stephen Hunt leaving his
position. There are expected to be many other changes brought in personnel
(a new manager), playing staff and how the club is organised, all will
hopefully have a positive impact for the West Ham ladies game.
The situation with Zaza is an interesting one because I thought he played
well on Saturday and it was his best performance by a mile. I hope he
retains his place against Sunderland where I hope he will score and I am
sure will show lots of passion if he does. The problem is he only has about
10 games left now before we will have to sign him permanently for around
£25m. Has he done enough to warrant that fee? At this point I would say no
but if he was to suddenly get a few goals it is a tricky situation for the
club to find itself in. Whatever happens with Zaza will dictate our January
transfer window. We have clubs lined up that are willing to take Zaza should
we cancel the loan deal and an early target list being drawn up by us. So
far though no decision has been made on Zaza's future.
Reece Oxford situation is an interesting one. The club decided against
loaning him out this season because they felt he was going to feature more
especially if we were still in Europe. Of course with our elimination he
hasn't figured much and is said to be quite frustrated. The club really want
him to stay but this isn't looking clear cut at the moment. There is a
strong chance that we will now loan him out in the January window with a
host of clubs interested including Newcastle and Aston Villa.
I am delighted that we have a positive feeling at the club now and I hope
that this continues into the Sunderland game. I cannot wait to do our radio
show on Wednesday as it is the first one we have done after a good
performance, I have already chosen my song. I was delighted that the site
got shortlisted for the FBAs best new blog award and would be so grateful
for your votes. Please click here to do so: ctt.ec/4em0d
I have also been shortlisted for the best social media account for the
second year and again any votes would be greatly received. ctt.ec/kHeuU
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Mark Noble reveals West Ham players and staff held crunch talks after team
night out
22:30, 16 OCT 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The Irons captain took on critics who have savaged them over their poor
defending and last month's night out, which has resulted in an internal
investigation
The Mirror
Mark Noble summed up the frustration of his West Ham team-mates after this
impressive win. The Irons captain took on critics who have savaged them over
their poor defending and last month's night out, which has resulted in an
internal investigation. "It's not nice to pick up your phone and read how
bad we are," said Noble. "People saying that we're this and we're that. I
watched TV before the game and saw people saying how bad our defending was.
"That win was a little boost for us. Just to show we do care. We really,
really care. The way we've trained, the way we are as players, it's really
important to us. "When you look at it, by all accounts we've had a terrible
start, our worst in how many years. But we're only a point now behind
Leicester, who won the league last season. Start winning a couple of games
and it doesn't look so bad after all. "We've had meetings as players, with
the staff. We got hammered for going out on a night out, but since that
night we've picked up four points, so is it a bad thing? I don't know."
Good points, all of them. West Ham were indeed good value for this victory
with Palace not at the races until it was too late. But Noble will be well
aware the criticism was not unwarranted. The players were slaughtered
because performances were light years away from the ones that put them into
top-four contention last season. They were, pardon the pun, hammered for an
apparent complacency that plunged them into the bottom three. Even boss
Slaven Bilic remarked that some of them appeared to be dining out on past
glories. And on the subject of dining out, the criticism was not for the
team-bonding meal to which the squad were fully entitled. It was because of
what followed. At least two players were still in a pub the following
morning. Fortunately, when they are focused, the Irons can do some damage.
With the league as tight as it is, there is still time for them to use this
win as a springboard.
At times in the first half, Palace could not get near them. Manuel Lanzini's
well-taken winner was just reward for a fine display. West Ham rode their
luck with Christian Benteke inexplicably missing a penalty on the stroke of
half-time. But the Hammers look a different side with Aaron Cresswell at
full-back instead of the awful Arthur Masuaku. So it was a shame that
referee Martin Atkinson overreacted by booking him for protesting when Yohan
Cabaye fouled him in the box. Atkinson then ensured Cresswell will be
suspended with a second yellow for a challenge on Wilfried Zaha that was not
even a foul. Ludicrous. Bilic presumably decided he did not need the
aggravation of criticising an official, but Noble made his feelings clear.
"He's hard done by," said the midfielder. "He does get caught for the
non-penalty. It's a reckless tackle. I think if it's outside the box he
gives a foul. Then he gets sent off. "If that's a yellow card, I'm probably
getting 10 of them a night."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, October 17
Sunday, October 16
Daily WHUFC News - 16th October 2016
Lanzini goal secures crucial victory
WHUFC.com
Manuel Lanzini was the hero for West Ham as he scored the crucial winner to help the Hammers record their first Premier League win since August with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The Hammers certainly enjoy playing at Selhurst Park and following the 3-1 victory in south London last season, they came away with another impressive victory to help them move out of the bottom three. Slaven Bilic said his players had worked even harder over the international break to turn their season around and the results paid off as they celebrated a hard fought win. Bilic changed the system around as he reverted to three at the back and the return of Aaron Cresswell played a major part in the Hammers securing all three points. Cresswell has been forced to miss the start of the season with a knee ligament injury but he looked as if he had never been away with a crucial part in the winning goal as his cross picked out Lanzini and he produced a clinical finish to strike the ball into the corner of the net.ena You could sense the luck was finally turning West Ham's way after Christian Benteke missed a penalty for the home side on the stroke of half-time and that was to prove costly.
The only downside for the Hammers and Cresswell was his red card late in the game after he was harshly sent off for receiving two yellow cards within the space of 51 seconds. The first was given for a dive in the area, although there appeared to be contact from Yohan Cabaye's challenge. The second was just as questionable following a tussle with Wilfried Zaha but Cresswell was given his marching orders. Thankfully, the decision did not affect the outcome and Bilic and his players were left celebrating a memorable victory. They will now be hoping this can the turning point as they look to move towards the top half of the table.
Cresswell almost made a dream return to action when he could have opened the scoring after just four minutes. Pedro Obiang played the ball through to the Hammers full-back who raced towards the Palace goal and fired a powerful shot into the side netting. Cresswell was involved in the heart of the action two minutes later as he played the ball into Simone Zaza who struck a low shot which was comfortably saved by Palace keeper Steve Mandanda. Zaza looked keen to open his account for the Hammers and came close again on nine minutes when he found himself unmarked inside the area and he fired a shot inches past the post.
The away side continued to create the best openings and had another golden chance on 14 minutes when Dimitri Payet's corner picked out Cheikhou Kouyate who rose above the Palace defence and headed the ball just wide of the post.
The Hammers were rewarded for their early dominance when they opened the scoring on 19 minutes and it was a superb move which led to the opening goal.
Payet and Cresswell were involved in a neat interchange which resulted in the Hammers full-back bursting clear down the left hand side Cresswell played in the perfect cross for Lanzini who produced a clinical finish and struck the ball with his first touch past Mandanda into the corner of the net. The Hammers were handed a major lifeline on the stroke of half-time after Ogbonna brought down Benteke inside the box. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, but the Palace striker fired his effort wide of the post. Benteke was then denied by the woodwork just a few seconds later as he rose the highest to meet a cross from Joel Ward but his close-range header struck the post.
The Hammers went in search of the second goal and came close to extending their lead on 56 minutes. Lanzini burst clear into the box and the ball fell to Payet who saw his shot superbly kept out by Mandana. Antonio has already scored five goals this season and he was desperately unlucky not to make it six on 75 minutes when he saw his close-range header cleared off the line by Jason Puncheon. The Hammers were reduced to ten-men sixty seconds later when Cresswell was harshly sent off for a challenge on Zaza. Replays showed there was not much connection but Bilic was forced to re-shuffle his pack for the closing stages of the game. Benteke came close with another header on 81 minutes when his header flew just past the post. Adrian then came to the Hammers rescue in injury time when he made a superb save to deny a close-range header from Connor Wickham. The Hammers held on for all three points and will now be hoping to maintain their winning feeling when they host Sunderland at London Stadium next weekend.
Crystal Palace: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly (Fryers 46); Townsend, Ledley (Cabaye 46), McArthur (Wickham 70), Puncheon, Zaha; Benteke
Subs not used: Hennessey, Campbell, Lee, Sako
Bookings: Benteke
West Ham: Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Kouyate, Antonio, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble, Lanzini (Nordtveit 88), Payet (Fernandes 79); Zaza (Calleri 86)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Feghouli, Collins, Fletcher
Bookings: Noble, Ogbonna, Cresswell
Red Card: Cresswell
Referee: Martin Atkinson
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Bilic - We showed character and spirit
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic had nothing but praise for his players after they recorded a crucial 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and says they showed the character and spirit to help them move out of the bottom three. Manuel Lanzini scored the only goal of the game to help the Hammers record their first victory since August but it could prove to be a major turning point in the Club's season. Bilic made a big decision to change the system and revert to three at the back and the move paid off as the Hammers produced another impressive display at Selhurst Park. The Hammers manager had special praise for Winston Reid and Aaron Cresswell and feels both players played a major role in the victory. Bilic said: "We showed everything, character, spirit, we deserved to win. The goal we scored was an amazing move from many players. "We need more than one game, more than one win. We showed how good a team we are and how good a unit we are. "Straight after the Middlesbrough game we started to prepare for Palace and find a system which suits us. I really like this system but it doesn't work without players such as Cresswell or Masuaku. "Now that Aaron was back we made a little gamble because we didn't expect him to be totally match fit, but he had a great game.
"I was a little worried about Winston because he had a long journey back but I spoke to him and he said he was fit. He was magnificent and the whole team was.
"The goal helped us and there is no way of gaining better confidence than scoring a goal. It is hard to play against Palace because they have pace but we coped really well and we could have scored a second as well. "It is only one game but we need more than one win. It is not about the system which won the game. It is more about the approach we had and how we close them down and didn't give them the time on the ball. "We showed how as a team we need to be."
The only downside for Bilic was the harsh dismissal of Aaron Cresswell late in the game and the Hammers manager felt he should never have been sent off.
Bilic added" "For me it was a penalty on Cresswell and then the second yellow card is very harsh - never a second yellow card, never. "It was a good performance and a deserved result in the end."
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Adrian - We defended so well
WHUFC.com
Adrian delighted by first away win of the Premier League season at Crystal Palace
Goalkeeper and three centre-halves were in superb form at Selhurst Park
West Ham United climb out of bottom three and up to 15th with victory
Adrian was all smiles after helping West Ham United score a morale-boosting 1-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace. The Hammers dominated the first half and were rewarded by Manuel Lanzini's second goal of the season, before Christian Benteke missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time. West Ham's task was made even harder when Aaron Cresswell was controversially sent-off for two bookable offences in the space of 60 seconds, but thanks to a resilient defensive display and a spectacular late save from the Spaniard, the Claret and Blue Army went home from a sodden Selhurst Park wet but happy. "I think we fought until the end with one player less, which was very difficult because they pushed and their fans pushed a lot," he began. "We defended so well until the last minute and finally we got the win and it's a massive three points for us. "It would have probably changed the game if he'd scored but he missed the penalty and we continued fighting in the second half and I think we deserved the win."
Adrian had kept just one clean sheet this season – in a 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium back in August – and the Spaniard was delighted to keep his goal intact in south London. The No13 was aided by a determined display by his outfield colleagues, who lined up in a new but very effective 3-5-1-1 formation. With Winston Reid, Cheikhou Kouyate and Angelo Ogbonna rock solid – aside from the Italian's trip on Benteke to concede the spot-kick – West Ham were a different proposition from recent matches. "It's very important to keep a clean sheet because if you score one goal, like we did today, you win three points," he continued. "Today is a change of our mind. We need to start winning games and getting points because we want to climb the table. "This system worked for us. Every game is different and today we went with this one and luckily for us, it worked!"
Finally, Adrian was delighted to deny Belgian Benteke, who not only missed a penalty but also saw a header hit the outside of the Spaniard's post seconds before half-time. "He's a great striker and he missed a penalty and had some chances, but we kept fighting. At the end of the day, I'm so happy for my team keeping a clean sheet and getting three points."
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Wheeler targets cup progress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies defender Hannah Wheeler hopes the club can make a winning start to their new era.
The Ladies were brought into under the Hammers' wing this week, marking the club's 25th anniversary by becoming fully-fledged members of the West Ham family.
It has been a challenging start to the season for the Ladies, who have won just two of the ten matches they have played in all competitions, but Wheeler and her teammates hope the announcement will be followed by a morale-boosting victory over Crystal Palace in the London FA Capital Cup on Sunday afternoon.
"The changes can only be for the better," said the 18-year-old, who has recently started a sports science degree at the University of Kent. "We have worn the shirts and the badge, but we have not formally been part of the Club.
"We have always wanted to be part of the family and be more involved with the Club, like the Ladies teams are at clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Crystal Palace, and now that is going to happen.
"It's about building on the new arrangements and boosting the profile of the Ladies team, increasing our support and winning matches.
"When we played Tottenham at the Boleyn Ground earlier this year, it showed the potential of the Ladies."
The teenager joined West Ham from local rivals Millwall Lionesses a little over a year ago, swapping U18 football for first-team football.
Last season proved difficult for the Ladies, who won just five of their 22 matches to finish tenth in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.
The new campaign has also seen more lows than highs, but Wheeler says it is still early days and there is plenty of opportunity for the squad to turn things around.
"Last season was my first year with the club and it was a bit of a rollercoaster, and it has been the same again so far this season," she confirmed. "It's been a real experience playing senior football at such a high level, for sure.
"We have got some really talented players, but we have been playing as individuals rather than as a team, so if we can start playing better as a team, then the results will come, I'm sure.
"I travel from Kent to train at Chadwell Heath and the girls all over the country to play matches, so I and all the girls are really committed to the club.
"Having a bigger profile will hopefully mean more fans come along to support us and that, in turn, will motivate the players to perform to a higher level on the pitch."
Sunday's game will see the Hammers host the Eagles for the second time this term, with Palace scoring a 4-0 Southern Division victory at Thurrock FC a month ago. Centre-half Wheeler is hopeful of a more positive result second time around.
"It's a massive game for us," she said. "Palace have a very attacking team. They came up from the division below in the summer and have played well so far this season.
"They are a team to look out for but we have got the personnel and the capability to give a good account of ourselves and get through to the next round."
Kick-off at Ship Lane is at 2pm on Sunday 16 October. Free parking is available, with tickets priced at £5 for Adults and £1 for Under-16s.
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Henry's hat-trick fire U18s to victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s comfortably beat Norwich City 5-2 away from home on Saturday
Korrey Henry scored a hat-trick, with Tunji Akinola and Alfie Lewis adding to the scoring
The Hammers are now up to second in the U18 Premier League South
West Ham United U18s cruised to a 5-2 victory over Norwich City with assistant manager Mark Phillips labelling it a "controlled performance".
The Hammers went into the match after a losing 1-0 at Chelsea before the international break, and Steve Potts made two changes with Korrey Henry and Mason Barrett coming into the starting eleven.
Anthony Scully was missing through illness and Conor Coventry was away on international duty with Ireland U17s, but the changes in personnel did not affect the Hammers' display, who won very comfortably.
"It's a long way away from our best performance of the season but it's still a big achievement to score five away at Norwich," said Phillips.
"We controlled the second half. We played some really good football and the lads did themselves proud today."
The Hammers went behind after eight minutes after Louis McIntosh pounced on a loose ball and slotted beyond Sam Howes.
But Steve Potts' side responded in emphatic fashion. Korrey Henry, who was returning to the starting eleven, closed down a Norwich man in possession and showed great composure to slide the ball into the bottom corner.
The Hammers kicked on from their equaliser and went ahead just before the half hour mark. Ben Johnson swung a free-kick to the back post and Ben Wells squared the ball to captain Tunji Akinola to tap into the net.
Henry added his second just before the break, after the tenacious Jahmal Hector-Ingram was fouled in penalty area. The resulting spot kick was stroked home by Henry with ease.
Henry was in the thick of things just after the break for the Hammers fourth goal. He was tugged back in the penalty area and stepped up to score again from the spot and complete his hat-trick.
Alfie Lewis scored the Hammers fifth, stabbing home after great persistence from Hector-Ingram and although Norwich added a second with ten minutes to play, the Hammers held out for a comfortable win.
The victory moves Potts' side up to second in the table, and they're now just a point behind leaders Arsenal in the U18 Premier League South, with a home fixture against bottom side Swansea City to come next weekend.
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Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham United
By Chris Osborne
BBC Sport
West Ham beat Crystal Palace to climb out of the relegation zone as Christian Benteke missed a penalty for the hosts. Manuel Lanzini converted Aaron Cresswell's low cross to secure the Hammers' first win in six Premier League games in an uninspiring match at Selhurst Park. Benteke missed two chances to level for Palace, floating a woeful spot-kick wide after he was fouled by Angelo Ogbonna and heading against the post moments later. West Ham, who started the game in the bottom three but are now up to 15th, were reduced to 10 men for the last 15 minutes when Cresswell received two bookings within the space of 51 seconds.
Hammers keeper Adrian had to make a point-blank save from Connor Wickham's header in injury time, but Alan Pardew's eighth-placed Palace were generally lacking in attack as their five-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end.
Bilic breathes a sigh of relief
It was a timely result for West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, whose only other league win this season had come against Bournemouth in August. After leading West Ham to a seventh-placed finish last season, Bilic had overseen the Hammers' worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1988-89 in the first seven games this term. But this solid, if not exhilarating, win will ease fears of a relegation battle for a club that has moved into the London Stadium, which currently has a 57,000-capacity.
The Croat reshaped his side from the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough two weeks ago, playing with three centre-backs and bringing left wing-back Cresswell back into the team for the first time this season after a knee injury. And it was Cresswell, who has been touted as a possible England international, who provided the tantalising ball from the left that Lanzini side-footed past Steve Mandanda for his eighth West Ham goal. The Hammers almost finished the game off before Cresswell's dismissal, but Jason Puncheon was on hand to clear Michail Antonio's header off the line.
Cresswell unlucky to go?
Instead, West Ham had to hold on to their lead with a one-man disadvantage after a harsh sending off for Cresswell. His first booking, moments after the Antonio chance, was given for a dive in the area, although there looked to be some contact from Yohan Cabaye's challenge. And less than a minute later he was shown another questionable yellow card for putting an arm across Wilfried Zaha when the pair were chasing a ball down the Palace right flank. Palace, who had improved in the second half, immediately saw more of the ball and pinned back the visitors, but only produced the late chance for substitute Wickham.
Wasteful Benteke costs Eagles
For Crystal Palace, it was a performance uncharacteristic of their season so far, having won four of their first seven league games and soaring into the top half of the table. And even though they failed to register a shot on target until the 57th minute, the Eagles could have won the game had Benteke not been so wasteful.
The Belgian has three goals already this season and scored a hat-trick for his country against Gibraltar on Monday, but his wayward penalty, alongside a pair of headed chances - one that hit the post and another that went over from close range - could have salvaged something for Palace from an uninspiring display.
The result continues Palace's recent struggles against West Ham, having won just one of their past five top-flight meetings with their London rivals.
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini
Manuel Lanzini
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic told BBC Sport: "We opened them up really well and created chances. We produced a really good performance. "The second yellow card was an extremely, extremely harsh decision. Those two decisions were not correct. I don't like to moan. I'm the first to say it's very hard for referees... but those two decisions today... thank God it didn't affect the result. "It was by far Simone Zaza's best performance today. He won more balls in the air than in the previous games. I hope we have turned the corner. We need to repeat this. We have to have this kind of approach. It's a cruel league but I never stop believing."
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew told BBC Sport: "I was disappointed with a lot of aspects of the game. "We didn't start well and they got a deserved lead. We had to make changes at half-time because weren't playing with the fluidity as we have done. We were better in the second half. "We should have at least got a draw. With the penalty I was thinking with the week Benteke has had it'll go in. "That would have been a lifeline and would have turned the game on its head. We would gave gone in 1-1 at half-time. This happens in the course of the season. Adrian made a good save at the end."
The stats you need to know
For the first time, West Ham have won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league
The Eagles have lost each of their past five Premier League London derbies at Selhurst Park
Six of Manuel Lanzini's eight Premier League goals have come away from home
Lanzini has scored in each of West Ham's last three top-flight clashes with Palace (three goals in total)
Since his debut in August 2014, Aaron Cresswell has provided nine assists in the Premier League, a haul only two other defenders can better (Janmaat 11, Baines 10)
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REF WATCH – CRYSTAL PALACE V WEST HAM – MARTIN ATKINSON
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 15 OCTOBER 2016 AT 10:11PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Sam Roydell-Ryell
After 7 games, we're sitting uncomfortably at the foot of the league and the international break was a welcomed break for Slaven Bilic and the team to work on the basic area in defence and attack, which has been lacking in the first 7 games. Aaron Cresswell starts for the first time this season, after getting injured in pre-season. It's a welcomed return and I hope he will give some stability to the defence. James Tomkins plays against West Ham for the first time since his transfer in July to seek first team football. Tonks was a solid player for West Ham and I wish him all the best. The referee appointed for this London derby is Martin Atkinson. Atkinson was the man in the middle in our 4-2 defeat at home to Watford in September.
Martin Atkinson had a relatively quiet half right up until the 45th minute when he had to make two big decisions within seconds of each other. The first decision Atkinson had to make was to determine whether Michali Antonio fouled Andros Townsend on the edge of the area. Atkinson was very quick to signal this wasn't a foul by it waving away. Whilst Atkinson was waving away the appeals, the ball ricocheted into the path of Angelo Obgonna and he attempted to clear the ball but Christian Benteke was quick and Ogbonna caught the Belgium on his right foot. This was incredibly clumsy by Ogbonna but Atkinson was spot on to award the penalty. Atkinson made two very good decisions, which other referees could of easily got wrong. There were a couple of fouls against Benteke in the first half. Kouyate was in the wars with the Belgium international and I expected further tussles with the two players in the second half. The only player cautioned in the first half was West Ham's captain Mark Noble for a poor challenge on Townsend. The challenge was reckless, unnecessary and did warrant a yellow card in my opinion.
What can I say about Martin Atkinson on his second half performance after I praised him very highly in the first half; it really was a tale of two halves. The two decisions in the first half were brilliant, however the two decisions against Aaron Cresswell in the second half were very disappointing. West Ham and Cresswell will feel very hard done by for the two decisions Atkinson made within two minutes of each other. The first decision Atkinson had to make was whether contact was made by Yohan Cabaye on Cresswell inside the penalty area. Atkinson blew for a foul against Cresswell and was issued a caution for simulation. Cresswell's second yellow card was for bringing down Wilfried Zaha on the right hand touchline. The assistant referee was the official to award this foul against Cresswell and mouthed to Atkinson 'off'.
I have so many issues with both of these decisions and it could have cost West Ham well deserved 3 points. Firstly, Atkinson was in the perfect position to see that Cabaye took Cresswell's right foot away from him. I cannot defend Atkinson in this situation and his decision should have been straightforward awarding a penalty to West Ham. If Atkinson made the correct decision, Cresswell wouldn't have received the unfair yellow card. Secondly, the decision the linesman made on Cresswell's challenge on Zaha was very, very harsh with minimal contact made by Cresswell. The linesman made the call, which was a huge decision to make in such a critical period of the game and Atkinson chose to listen by issuing a yellow card on the information he received. If Cresswell wasn't on a yellow card, I think Atkinson would still have issued a yellow card, which I still feel would have been harsh. Regardless of this, in my opinion Cresswell should have still been on the pitch and Atkinson did make two huge errors. Cresswell will be suspended for one game for two bookable offences and West Ham are unable to appeal the decision. What I did find interesting was that Martin Atkinson waved away a very similar coming together earlier in the second half with Cresswell and Zaha. This was inside the penalty area with once again minimal contact made by Cresswell; the inconsistency is an issue for me.
Martin Atkinson had a very good first half but for me, a very disappointing second half. In my opinion, I feel that Atkinson guessed the two decisions, especially the penalty. Cresswell shouldn't have issued a yellow card for 'simulation' as there was blatant contact by Cabaye and contact by Cresswell on Zaha was very soft.
On a positive note, it's great to see us play so well again with glimpses of last season, particularly in the first half. Billic changed his formation and it worked a treat but I feel this formation suits us more when Cresswell is in the team. He was very impressive as a wingback and made some great attacking positions. For me, there were so many standout performances alongside Cresswell with Ogbonna, Reid and Kouyate also solid in defence. You also have to give Zaza a lot of credit. He was non-stop throughout, chasing down every ball and putting pressure on the Palace defence. He does need to take his opportunities and have a shot on goal, but his goal will come and hopefully he can push on. Next week we welcome a Sunderland team rooted to the bottom of the league and I hope we can push on and get on a winning streak.
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Noble: we're behind Slav - as we always have been
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble continued his defence of manager Slaven Bilic tonight in the wake of recent criticism from some areas of the media. The club captain, speaking moments after the Hammers had secured their first away win of the season at Crystal Palace reiterated his support for Bilic after the manager's credentials had been called into question following West Ham's poor start to the season. "If everyone reads the papers and listens to what everyone's saying, sometimes it does get to you. It does," Noble, who played a full 90 minutes at Selhurst Park this afternoon told BT Sport. "We've deserved a bit of criticism now and then because we have been bad. "But we're fully behind the manager - I think everyone's come out and said that - and I think that showed tonight with the way we played."
The three points lift West Ham out of the relegation zone into 15th place in the Premier League. Today's match - West Ham's first Premier League win since 21 August - ended 1-0 as Manuel Lanzini's 19th-minute strike proved to be sufficient to secure a precious three points.
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Redknapp blasts 'disgusting' Cresswell decision
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
Harry Redknapp has branded referee Martin Atkinson's decision to dismiss Aaron Cresswell at Selhurst Park this afternoon "disgusting". West Ham's returning full back was dismissed by match official Atkinson for a foul on Wilfried Zaha just 50 seconds after he was mistakenly booked for diving at the other end of the field.
And the decision to dismiss the Liverpudlian for an "innocuous" challenge on Palace winger Zaha was slammed after the game by former Hammers boss Redknapp.
"It was a ridiculous decision," blasted Redknapp, a guest of match broadcasters BT Sports. "How can you send someone off for that? It was disgusting. It was an innocuous challenge - two players running towards each other. "He [Atkinson] could have ruined a great performance from West Ham with that sending off, but they kept going and it was a great result for them."
Despite being forced to play the remaining 19 minutes with only ten men, West Ham held on to record their first away win of the Premier League campaign thanks to Manuel Lanzini's first half effort.
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Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham: Manuel Lanzini grabs winner as Christian Benteke misses penalty
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 15/10/16 10:05pm
SSN
Manuel Lanzini's first-half goal gave 10-man West Ham a much-needed 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening. Lanzini put West Ham ahead in the first half with a sweeping finish inside the area, before Christian Benteke missed a penalty and hit the post with a header on the stroke of half-time. Aaron Cresswell was sent off with 15 minutes remaining after picking up two bookings within a minute, but West Ham held on for a vital win. It leaves West Ham 15th in the Premier League with seven points from eight games, while Palace are in eighth, four points above the Hammers. In the pouring rain at Selhurst Park, West Ham dominated the opening stages, and were ahead on 19 minutes. After exchanging passes with Dimitri Payet on the left wing, Cresswell's superb centre was swept home by Lanzini from six yards, after the Argentine ghosted into the area unmarked. Palace struggled to claw their way back into the game until a frantic final few minutes of the first-half, the hosts winning a penalty after Angelo Ogbonna had brought down Benteke in the area.
The Belgian, who scored a hat-trick in midweek against Gibraltar, stepped up, but nonchalantly stroked his penalty wide of the top right corner. Benteke almost made amends instantly, but his towering header from a right-wing cross came off the outside of Adrian's right-hand post. Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda thwarted Payet after the break from close range as Lanzini's good work set up the Frenchman inside the area, before Michail Antonio's close-range header from a corner was cleared off the line by Jason Puncheon.
Cresswell then got the first of his bookings for simulation after going down easily under Yohan Cabaye's tackle in the area, and barely a minute later was harshly shown a second yellow for pulling back Wilfried Zaha on the right wing. Benteke should have brought Palace level with 10 minutes remaining, heading over the bar from Puncheon's fine ball, and Adrian was at his best to deny substitute Conor Wickham's close-range header at the far post in stoppage time.
Player ratings
Crystal Palace: Mandanda (6), Ward (6), Tomkins (6), Delaney (6), Kelly (6), McArthur (5), Ledley (5), Puncheon (6), Townsend (6), Zaha (6), Benteke (4)
Subs: Cabaye (6), Fryers, (5), Wickham (6)
West Ham: Adrian (6), Reid (8), Cresswell (6), Kouyate (8), Lanzini (8), Zaza (6), Obiang (6), Noble (7), Ogbonna (7), Payet (7), Antonio (6)
Subs: Nordtveit (6), Calleri (NA), Fernandes (NA)
Man of the match: Winston Reid
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Slaven Bilic: West Ham's win over Crystal Palace doesn't change much
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 15/10/16 10:31pm
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday should not paper over some cracks in his side. Manuel Lanzini's first-half goal gave West Ham a much-needed win, only their second in the Premier League this season, to lift them out of the relegation zone. But Bilic, while praising his side for their character, says the win does not mean his side are now "OK". "It's always the players. I am more than happy to take the whole responsibility when it's not good but it's about the players who tonight showed everything. Showed confidence, showed composure, showed team spirit and showed quality on the ball," Bilic said. "It's a very cruel league. We spoke about this a few times with the guys in the press conferences at Rush Green. I didn't stop believing. These three points aren't going to change [league position] if we stop doing what we did today. But this league is very cruel. "If we think for one second that now we are OK and we are going to win points or games just because we turn up, and just because we won. No. "There is no yesterday in football. But this has to be a pattern for us in a positive way, what we have to do, only to come into a position to win football games in the Premier League. If you're not like this then you don't have a chance."
Christian Benteke missed a first-half penalty for Crystal Palace, while Aaron Cresswell was sent off for two quick bookings in an eventful game at Selhurst Park.
Palace boss Alan Pardew admitted Cresswell had been harshly dealt with, while Hammers manager Slaven Bilic added: "The first yellow is a penalty for us, and the second yellow is simply not a yellow."
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West Ham receive Andre Ayew boost with £20m signing set to return in December
22:30, 15 OCT 2016
BY STEVE STAMMERS
The former Swansea man has only played 35 minutes for West Ham but hopes to be back for a crunch run of fixtures
The Mirror
Andre Ayew has given struggling West Ham a massive boost with a return to training – and he plans to be fit in six weeks. Ayew signed for £20.5 million from Swansea in the summer but has so far played only 35 minutes for the club. He was injured in the first match of the season against Chelsea where the Hammers lost 2-1. But he starts light training tomorrow the plan now is for him to be back for three crucial matches at the end of November and the beginning of December.
In successive Premier League matches, West Ham face Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Manager Slaven Bilic is desperate to have Ayew's fire-power back for that trio of taxing matches. And Ayew is impatient to help the club who showed so much faith in him.
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Andy Carroll enjoys pint in London pub as his West Ham team-mates beat Crystal Palace
20:53, 15 OCT 2016 UPDATED 21:26, 15 OCT 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
Carroll was spotted with ex-Hammers team-mate Joey O'Brien at the Slug and Lettuce pub in Canary Wharf
The Mirror
Andy Carroll has been spotted enjoying a pint while watching his West Ham team-mates in action from an east London pub. As West Ham celebrated their first Premier League victory since August with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace just 13 miles up the road at Selhurst Park, England striker Carroll was with ex-Hammers team-mate Joey O'Brien at the Slug and Lettuce bar in Canary Wharf. Carroll is currently working his way back into first-team contention following a lengthy injury lay-off. The former Liverpool frontman hasn't featured for Slaven Bilic's side since August when he suffered a knee blow in the Europa League game with Astra Giurgiu. Carroll remains at the centre of an ongoing probe by his club after he and No.2 goalkeeper Darren Randolph were pictured in a pub last month on the morning after a team-bonding night out. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had given his blessing to that team bonding night out. However, the Hammers' hierarchy took a dim view of the fact that both he and Randolph had allowed themselves to be pictured in a situation last month that attracted negative publicity for the pair and the club. The Mirror understands that the club is aware of the new photos of Carroll in the pub and will be speaking to the player.
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Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 1: Aaron Cresswell red card a 'diabolical, disgusting' decision, says Harry Redknapp
TOM DUTTON
Evening Standard
Harry Redknapp has branded the decision to send off West Ham's Aaron Cresswell in their victory over Crystal Palace 'diabolical'. Martin Atkinson plunged for his red card after showing Cresswell two yellow in the space of 60 seconds as the clock ticked down at Selhurst Park. Cresswell was initially cautioned for diving in the Palace box when there appeared to be contact, while his second yellow came moments later after a clash with Wilfried Zaha which many felt didn't warrant a booking. Redknapp told BT Sport: "I thought it was the most diabolical decision, how can you send someone off for that? "I thought it was a disgusting decision."
Gary Lineker ✔ @GaryLineker
Horrible refereeing! Never a dive, it was a penalty. And not a 2nd yellow. Cresswell badly treated.
7:03 PM - 15 Oct 2016
The former Tottenham manager was joined in the studio by Ian Wright, who added: "There didn't seem to be much contact. You know how Wilf plays, but the fact is he's got his arm up and he was on the way down almost." Cresswell was making his first appearance since returning from an injury suffered in pre-season and injected life into a Hammers team which has looked out of sorts so far this term. But the 26-year-old will be absent for SUnderland's trip to London Stadium unless they lodge a successful appeal.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Manuel Lanzini was the hero for West Ham as he scored the crucial winner to help the Hammers record their first Premier League win since August with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The Hammers certainly enjoy playing at Selhurst Park and following the 3-1 victory in south London last season, they came away with another impressive victory to help them move out of the bottom three. Slaven Bilic said his players had worked even harder over the international break to turn their season around and the results paid off as they celebrated a hard fought win. Bilic changed the system around as he reverted to three at the back and the return of Aaron Cresswell played a major part in the Hammers securing all three points. Cresswell has been forced to miss the start of the season with a knee ligament injury but he looked as if he had never been away with a crucial part in the winning goal as his cross picked out Lanzini and he produced a clinical finish to strike the ball into the corner of the net.ena You could sense the luck was finally turning West Ham's way after Christian Benteke missed a penalty for the home side on the stroke of half-time and that was to prove costly.
The only downside for the Hammers and Cresswell was his red card late in the game after he was harshly sent off for receiving two yellow cards within the space of 51 seconds. The first was given for a dive in the area, although there appeared to be contact from Yohan Cabaye's challenge. The second was just as questionable following a tussle with Wilfried Zaha but Cresswell was given his marching orders. Thankfully, the decision did not affect the outcome and Bilic and his players were left celebrating a memorable victory. They will now be hoping this can the turning point as they look to move towards the top half of the table.
Cresswell almost made a dream return to action when he could have opened the scoring after just four minutes. Pedro Obiang played the ball through to the Hammers full-back who raced towards the Palace goal and fired a powerful shot into the side netting. Cresswell was involved in the heart of the action two minutes later as he played the ball into Simone Zaza who struck a low shot which was comfortably saved by Palace keeper Steve Mandanda. Zaza looked keen to open his account for the Hammers and came close again on nine minutes when he found himself unmarked inside the area and he fired a shot inches past the post.
The away side continued to create the best openings and had another golden chance on 14 minutes when Dimitri Payet's corner picked out Cheikhou Kouyate who rose above the Palace defence and headed the ball just wide of the post.
The Hammers were rewarded for their early dominance when they opened the scoring on 19 minutes and it was a superb move which led to the opening goal.
Payet and Cresswell were involved in a neat interchange which resulted in the Hammers full-back bursting clear down the left hand side Cresswell played in the perfect cross for Lanzini who produced a clinical finish and struck the ball with his first touch past Mandanda into the corner of the net. The Hammers were handed a major lifeline on the stroke of half-time after Ogbonna brought down Benteke inside the box. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, but the Palace striker fired his effort wide of the post. Benteke was then denied by the woodwork just a few seconds later as he rose the highest to meet a cross from Joel Ward but his close-range header struck the post.
The Hammers went in search of the second goal and came close to extending their lead on 56 minutes. Lanzini burst clear into the box and the ball fell to Payet who saw his shot superbly kept out by Mandana. Antonio has already scored five goals this season and he was desperately unlucky not to make it six on 75 minutes when he saw his close-range header cleared off the line by Jason Puncheon. The Hammers were reduced to ten-men sixty seconds later when Cresswell was harshly sent off for a challenge on Zaza. Replays showed there was not much connection but Bilic was forced to re-shuffle his pack for the closing stages of the game. Benteke came close with another header on 81 minutes when his header flew just past the post. Adrian then came to the Hammers rescue in injury time when he made a superb save to deny a close-range header from Connor Wickham. The Hammers held on for all three points and will now be hoping to maintain their winning feeling when they host Sunderland at London Stadium next weekend.
Crystal Palace: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly (Fryers 46); Townsend, Ledley (Cabaye 46), McArthur (Wickham 70), Puncheon, Zaha; Benteke
Subs not used: Hennessey, Campbell, Lee, Sako
Bookings: Benteke
West Ham: Adrian; Reid, Ogbonna, Kouyate, Antonio, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble, Lanzini (Nordtveit 88), Payet (Fernandes 79); Zaza (Calleri 86)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Feghouli, Collins, Fletcher
Bookings: Noble, Ogbonna, Cresswell
Red Card: Cresswell
Referee: Martin Atkinson
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Bilic - We showed character and spirit
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic had nothing but praise for his players after they recorded a crucial 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and says they showed the character and spirit to help them move out of the bottom three. Manuel Lanzini scored the only goal of the game to help the Hammers record their first victory since August but it could prove to be a major turning point in the Club's season. Bilic made a big decision to change the system and revert to three at the back and the move paid off as the Hammers produced another impressive display at Selhurst Park. The Hammers manager had special praise for Winston Reid and Aaron Cresswell and feels both players played a major role in the victory. Bilic said: "We showed everything, character, spirit, we deserved to win. The goal we scored was an amazing move from many players. "We need more than one game, more than one win. We showed how good a team we are and how good a unit we are. "Straight after the Middlesbrough game we started to prepare for Palace and find a system which suits us. I really like this system but it doesn't work without players such as Cresswell or Masuaku. "Now that Aaron was back we made a little gamble because we didn't expect him to be totally match fit, but he had a great game.
"I was a little worried about Winston because he had a long journey back but I spoke to him and he said he was fit. He was magnificent and the whole team was.
"The goal helped us and there is no way of gaining better confidence than scoring a goal. It is hard to play against Palace because they have pace but we coped really well and we could have scored a second as well. "It is only one game but we need more than one win. It is not about the system which won the game. It is more about the approach we had and how we close them down and didn't give them the time on the ball. "We showed how as a team we need to be."
The only downside for Bilic was the harsh dismissal of Aaron Cresswell late in the game and the Hammers manager felt he should never have been sent off.
Bilic added" "For me it was a penalty on Cresswell and then the second yellow card is very harsh - never a second yellow card, never. "It was a good performance and a deserved result in the end."
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Adrian - We defended so well
WHUFC.com
Adrian delighted by first away win of the Premier League season at Crystal Palace
Goalkeeper and three centre-halves were in superb form at Selhurst Park
West Ham United climb out of bottom three and up to 15th with victory
Adrian was all smiles after helping West Ham United score a morale-boosting 1-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace. The Hammers dominated the first half and were rewarded by Manuel Lanzini's second goal of the season, before Christian Benteke missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time. West Ham's task was made even harder when Aaron Cresswell was controversially sent-off for two bookable offences in the space of 60 seconds, but thanks to a resilient defensive display and a spectacular late save from the Spaniard, the Claret and Blue Army went home from a sodden Selhurst Park wet but happy. "I think we fought until the end with one player less, which was very difficult because they pushed and their fans pushed a lot," he began. "We defended so well until the last minute and finally we got the win and it's a massive three points for us. "It would have probably changed the game if he'd scored but he missed the penalty and we continued fighting in the second half and I think we deserved the win."
Adrian had kept just one clean sheet this season – in a 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium back in August – and the Spaniard was delighted to keep his goal intact in south London. The No13 was aided by a determined display by his outfield colleagues, who lined up in a new but very effective 3-5-1-1 formation. With Winston Reid, Cheikhou Kouyate and Angelo Ogbonna rock solid – aside from the Italian's trip on Benteke to concede the spot-kick – West Ham were a different proposition from recent matches. "It's very important to keep a clean sheet because if you score one goal, like we did today, you win three points," he continued. "Today is a change of our mind. We need to start winning games and getting points because we want to climb the table. "This system worked for us. Every game is different and today we went with this one and luckily for us, it worked!"
Finally, Adrian was delighted to deny Belgian Benteke, who not only missed a penalty but also saw a header hit the outside of the Spaniard's post seconds before half-time. "He's a great striker and he missed a penalty and had some chances, but we kept fighting. At the end of the day, I'm so happy for my team keeping a clean sheet and getting three points."
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Wheeler targets cup progress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies defender Hannah Wheeler hopes the club can make a winning start to their new era.
The Ladies were brought into under the Hammers' wing this week, marking the club's 25th anniversary by becoming fully-fledged members of the West Ham family.
It has been a challenging start to the season for the Ladies, who have won just two of the ten matches they have played in all competitions, but Wheeler and her teammates hope the announcement will be followed by a morale-boosting victory over Crystal Palace in the London FA Capital Cup on Sunday afternoon.
"The changes can only be for the better," said the 18-year-old, who has recently started a sports science degree at the University of Kent. "We have worn the shirts and the badge, but we have not formally been part of the Club.
"We have always wanted to be part of the family and be more involved with the Club, like the Ladies teams are at clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Crystal Palace, and now that is going to happen.
"It's about building on the new arrangements and boosting the profile of the Ladies team, increasing our support and winning matches.
"When we played Tottenham at the Boleyn Ground earlier this year, it showed the potential of the Ladies."
The teenager joined West Ham from local rivals Millwall Lionesses a little over a year ago, swapping U18 football for first-team football.
Last season proved difficult for the Ladies, who won just five of their 22 matches to finish tenth in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.
The new campaign has also seen more lows than highs, but Wheeler says it is still early days and there is plenty of opportunity for the squad to turn things around.
"Last season was my first year with the club and it was a bit of a rollercoaster, and it has been the same again so far this season," she confirmed. "It's been a real experience playing senior football at such a high level, for sure.
"We have got some really talented players, but we have been playing as individuals rather than as a team, so if we can start playing better as a team, then the results will come, I'm sure.
"I travel from Kent to train at Chadwell Heath and the girls all over the country to play matches, so I and all the girls are really committed to the club.
"Having a bigger profile will hopefully mean more fans come along to support us and that, in turn, will motivate the players to perform to a higher level on the pitch."
Sunday's game will see the Hammers host the Eagles for the second time this term, with Palace scoring a 4-0 Southern Division victory at Thurrock FC a month ago. Centre-half Wheeler is hopeful of a more positive result second time around.
"It's a massive game for us," she said. "Palace have a very attacking team. They came up from the division below in the summer and have played well so far this season.
"They are a team to look out for but we have got the personnel and the capability to give a good account of ourselves and get through to the next round."
Kick-off at Ship Lane is at 2pm on Sunday 16 October. Free parking is available, with tickets priced at £5 for Adults and £1 for Under-16s.
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Henry's hat-trick fire U18s to victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s comfortably beat Norwich City 5-2 away from home on Saturday
Korrey Henry scored a hat-trick, with Tunji Akinola and Alfie Lewis adding to the scoring
The Hammers are now up to second in the U18 Premier League South
West Ham United U18s cruised to a 5-2 victory over Norwich City with assistant manager Mark Phillips labelling it a "controlled performance".
The Hammers went into the match after a losing 1-0 at Chelsea before the international break, and Steve Potts made two changes with Korrey Henry and Mason Barrett coming into the starting eleven.
Anthony Scully was missing through illness and Conor Coventry was away on international duty with Ireland U17s, but the changes in personnel did not affect the Hammers' display, who won very comfortably.
"It's a long way away from our best performance of the season but it's still a big achievement to score five away at Norwich," said Phillips.
"We controlled the second half. We played some really good football and the lads did themselves proud today."
The Hammers went behind after eight minutes after Louis McIntosh pounced on a loose ball and slotted beyond Sam Howes.
But Steve Potts' side responded in emphatic fashion. Korrey Henry, who was returning to the starting eleven, closed down a Norwich man in possession and showed great composure to slide the ball into the bottom corner.
The Hammers kicked on from their equaliser and went ahead just before the half hour mark. Ben Johnson swung a free-kick to the back post and Ben Wells squared the ball to captain Tunji Akinola to tap into the net.
Henry added his second just before the break, after the tenacious Jahmal Hector-Ingram was fouled in penalty area. The resulting spot kick was stroked home by Henry with ease.
Henry was in the thick of things just after the break for the Hammers fourth goal. He was tugged back in the penalty area and stepped up to score again from the spot and complete his hat-trick.
Alfie Lewis scored the Hammers fifth, stabbing home after great persistence from Hector-Ingram and although Norwich added a second with ten minutes to play, the Hammers held out for a comfortable win.
The victory moves Potts' side up to second in the table, and they're now just a point behind leaders Arsenal in the U18 Premier League South, with a home fixture against bottom side Swansea City to come next weekend.
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Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham United
By Chris Osborne
BBC Sport
West Ham beat Crystal Palace to climb out of the relegation zone as Christian Benteke missed a penalty for the hosts. Manuel Lanzini converted Aaron Cresswell's low cross to secure the Hammers' first win in six Premier League games in an uninspiring match at Selhurst Park. Benteke missed two chances to level for Palace, floating a woeful spot-kick wide after he was fouled by Angelo Ogbonna and heading against the post moments later. West Ham, who started the game in the bottom three but are now up to 15th, were reduced to 10 men for the last 15 minutes when Cresswell received two bookings within the space of 51 seconds.
Hammers keeper Adrian had to make a point-blank save from Connor Wickham's header in injury time, but Alan Pardew's eighth-placed Palace were generally lacking in attack as their five-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end.
Bilic breathes a sigh of relief
It was a timely result for West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, whose only other league win this season had come against Bournemouth in August. After leading West Ham to a seventh-placed finish last season, Bilic had overseen the Hammers' worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1988-89 in the first seven games this term. But this solid, if not exhilarating, win will ease fears of a relegation battle for a club that has moved into the London Stadium, which currently has a 57,000-capacity.
The Croat reshaped his side from the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough two weeks ago, playing with three centre-backs and bringing left wing-back Cresswell back into the team for the first time this season after a knee injury. And it was Cresswell, who has been touted as a possible England international, who provided the tantalising ball from the left that Lanzini side-footed past Steve Mandanda for his eighth West Ham goal. The Hammers almost finished the game off before Cresswell's dismissal, but Jason Puncheon was on hand to clear Michail Antonio's header off the line.
Cresswell unlucky to go?
Instead, West Ham had to hold on to their lead with a one-man disadvantage after a harsh sending off for Cresswell. His first booking, moments after the Antonio chance, was given for a dive in the area, although there looked to be some contact from Yohan Cabaye's challenge. And less than a minute later he was shown another questionable yellow card for putting an arm across Wilfried Zaha when the pair were chasing a ball down the Palace right flank. Palace, who had improved in the second half, immediately saw more of the ball and pinned back the visitors, but only produced the late chance for substitute Wickham.
Wasteful Benteke costs Eagles
For Crystal Palace, it was a performance uncharacteristic of their season so far, having won four of their first seven league games and soaring into the top half of the table. And even though they failed to register a shot on target until the 57th minute, the Eagles could have won the game had Benteke not been so wasteful.
The Belgian has three goals already this season and scored a hat-trick for his country against Gibraltar on Monday, but his wayward penalty, alongside a pair of headed chances - one that hit the post and another that went over from close range - could have salvaged something for Palace from an uninspiring display.
The result continues Palace's recent struggles against West Ham, having won just one of their past five top-flight meetings with their London rivals.
Man of the match - Manuel Lanzini
Manuel Lanzini
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic told BBC Sport: "We opened them up really well and created chances. We produced a really good performance. "The second yellow card was an extremely, extremely harsh decision. Those two decisions were not correct. I don't like to moan. I'm the first to say it's very hard for referees... but those two decisions today... thank God it didn't affect the result. "It was by far Simone Zaza's best performance today. He won more balls in the air than in the previous games. I hope we have turned the corner. We need to repeat this. We have to have this kind of approach. It's a cruel league but I never stop believing."
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew told BBC Sport: "I was disappointed with a lot of aspects of the game. "We didn't start well and they got a deserved lead. We had to make changes at half-time because weren't playing with the fluidity as we have done. We were better in the second half. "We should have at least got a draw. With the penalty I was thinking with the week Benteke has had it'll go in. "That would have been a lifeline and would have turned the game on its head. We would gave gone in 1-1 at half-time. This happens in the course of the season. Adrian made a good save at the end."
The stats you need to know
For the first time, West Ham have won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league
The Eagles have lost each of their past five Premier League London derbies at Selhurst Park
Six of Manuel Lanzini's eight Premier League goals have come away from home
Lanzini has scored in each of West Ham's last three top-flight clashes with Palace (three goals in total)
Since his debut in August 2014, Aaron Cresswell has provided nine assists in the Premier League, a haul only two other defenders can better (Janmaat 11, Baines 10)
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REF WATCH – CRYSTAL PALACE V WEST HAM – MARTIN ATKINSON
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 15 OCTOBER 2016 AT 10:11PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Sam Roydell-Ryell
After 7 games, we're sitting uncomfortably at the foot of the league and the international break was a welcomed break for Slaven Bilic and the team to work on the basic area in defence and attack, which has been lacking in the first 7 games. Aaron Cresswell starts for the first time this season, after getting injured in pre-season. It's a welcomed return and I hope he will give some stability to the defence. James Tomkins plays against West Ham for the first time since his transfer in July to seek first team football. Tonks was a solid player for West Ham and I wish him all the best. The referee appointed for this London derby is Martin Atkinson. Atkinson was the man in the middle in our 4-2 defeat at home to Watford in September.
Martin Atkinson had a relatively quiet half right up until the 45th minute when he had to make two big decisions within seconds of each other. The first decision Atkinson had to make was to determine whether Michali Antonio fouled Andros Townsend on the edge of the area. Atkinson was very quick to signal this wasn't a foul by it waving away. Whilst Atkinson was waving away the appeals, the ball ricocheted into the path of Angelo Obgonna and he attempted to clear the ball but Christian Benteke was quick and Ogbonna caught the Belgium on his right foot. This was incredibly clumsy by Ogbonna but Atkinson was spot on to award the penalty. Atkinson made two very good decisions, which other referees could of easily got wrong. There were a couple of fouls against Benteke in the first half. Kouyate was in the wars with the Belgium international and I expected further tussles with the two players in the second half. The only player cautioned in the first half was West Ham's captain Mark Noble for a poor challenge on Townsend. The challenge was reckless, unnecessary and did warrant a yellow card in my opinion.
What can I say about Martin Atkinson on his second half performance after I praised him very highly in the first half; it really was a tale of two halves. The two decisions in the first half were brilliant, however the two decisions against Aaron Cresswell in the second half were very disappointing. West Ham and Cresswell will feel very hard done by for the two decisions Atkinson made within two minutes of each other. The first decision Atkinson had to make was whether contact was made by Yohan Cabaye on Cresswell inside the penalty area. Atkinson blew for a foul against Cresswell and was issued a caution for simulation. Cresswell's second yellow card was for bringing down Wilfried Zaha on the right hand touchline. The assistant referee was the official to award this foul against Cresswell and mouthed to Atkinson 'off'.
I have so many issues with both of these decisions and it could have cost West Ham well deserved 3 points. Firstly, Atkinson was in the perfect position to see that Cabaye took Cresswell's right foot away from him. I cannot defend Atkinson in this situation and his decision should have been straightforward awarding a penalty to West Ham. If Atkinson made the correct decision, Cresswell wouldn't have received the unfair yellow card. Secondly, the decision the linesman made on Cresswell's challenge on Zaha was very, very harsh with minimal contact made by Cresswell. The linesman made the call, which was a huge decision to make in such a critical period of the game and Atkinson chose to listen by issuing a yellow card on the information he received. If Cresswell wasn't on a yellow card, I think Atkinson would still have issued a yellow card, which I still feel would have been harsh. Regardless of this, in my opinion Cresswell should have still been on the pitch and Atkinson did make two huge errors. Cresswell will be suspended for one game for two bookable offences and West Ham are unable to appeal the decision. What I did find interesting was that Martin Atkinson waved away a very similar coming together earlier in the second half with Cresswell and Zaha. This was inside the penalty area with once again minimal contact made by Cresswell; the inconsistency is an issue for me.
Martin Atkinson had a very good first half but for me, a very disappointing second half. In my opinion, I feel that Atkinson guessed the two decisions, especially the penalty. Cresswell shouldn't have issued a yellow card for 'simulation' as there was blatant contact by Cabaye and contact by Cresswell on Zaha was very soft.
On a positive note, it's great to see us play so well again with glimpses of last season, particularly in the first half. Billic changed his formation and it worked a treat but I feel this formation suits us more when Cresswell is in the team. He was very impressive as a wingback and made some great attacking positions. For me, there were so many standout performances alongside Cresswell with Ogbonna, Reid and Kouyate also solid in defence. You also have to give Zaza a lot of credit. He was non-stop throughout, chasing down every ball and putting pressure on the Palace defence. He does need to take his opportunities and have a shot on goal, but his goal will come and hopefully he can push on. Next week we welcome a Sunderland team rooted to the bottom of the league and I hope we can push on and get on a winning streak.
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Noble: we're behind Slav - as we always have been
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble continued his defence of manager Slaven Bilic tonight in the wake of recent criticism from some areas of the media. The club captain, speaking moments after the Hammers had secured their first away win of the season at Crystal Palace reiterated his support for Bilic after the manager's credentials had been called into question following West Ham's poor start to the season. "If everyone reads the papers and listens to what everyone's saying, sometimes it does get to you. It does," Noble, who played a full 90 minutes at Selhurst Park this afternoon told BT Sport. "We've deserved a bit of criticism now and then because we have been bad. "But we're fully behind the manager - I think everyone's come out and said that - and I think that showed tonight with the way we played."
The three points lift West Ham out of the relegation zone into 15th place in the Premier League. Today's match - West Ham's first Premier League win since 21 August - ended 1-0 as Manuel Lanzini's 19th-minute strike proved to be sufficient to secure a precious three points.
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Redknapp blasts 'disgusting' Cresswell decision
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 15th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
Harry Redknapp has branded referee Martin Atkinson's decision to dismiss Aaron Cresswell at Selhurst Park this afternoon "disgusting". West Ham's returning full back was dismissed by match official Atkinson for a foul on Wilfried Zaha just 50 seconds after he was mistakenly booked for diving at the other end of the field.
And the decision to dismiss the Liverpudlian for an "innocuous" challenge on Palace winger Zaha was slammed after the game by former Hammers boss Redknapp.
"It was a ridiculous decision," blasted Redknapp, a guest of match broadcasters BT Sports. "How can you send someone off for that? It was disgusting. It was an innocuous challenge - two players running towards each other. "He [Atkinson] could have ruined a great performance from West Ham with that sending off, but they kept going and it was a great result for them."
Despite being forced to play the remaining 19 minutes with only ten men, West Ham held on to record their first away win of the Premier League campaign thanks to Manuel Lanzini's first half effort.
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Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham: Manuel Lanzini grabs winner as Christian Benteke misses penalty
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 15/10/16 10:05pm
SSN
Manuel Lanzini's first-half goal gave 10-man West Ham a much-needed 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening. Lanzini put West Ham ahead in the first half with a sweeping finish inside the area, before Christian Benteke missed a penalty and hit the post with a header on the stroke of half-time. Aaron Cresswell was sent off with 15 minutes remaining after picking up two bookings within a minute, but West Ham held on for a vital win. It leaves West Ham 15th in the Premier League with seven points from eight games, while Palace are in eighth, four points above the Hammers. In the pouring rain at Selhurst Park, West Ham dominated the opening stages, and were ahead on 19 minutes. After exchanging passes with Dimitri Payet on the left wing, Cresswell's superb centre was swept home by Lanzini from six yards, after the Argentine ghosted into the area unmarked. Palace struggled to claw their way back into the game until a frantic final few minutes of the first-half, the hosts winning a penalty after Angelo Ogbonna had brought down Benteke in the area.
The Belgian, who scored a hat-trick in midweek against Gibraltar, stepped up, but nonchalantly stroked his penalty wide of the top right corner. Benteke almost made amends instantly, but his towering header from a right-wing cross came off the outside of Adrian's right-hand post. Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda thwarted Payet after the break from close range as Lanzini's good work set up the Frenchman inside the area, before Michail Antonio's close-range header from a corner was cleared off the line by Jason Puncheon.
Cresswell then got the first of his bookings for simulation after going down easily under Yohan Cabaye's tackle in the area, and barely a minute later was harshly shown a second yellow for pulling back Wilfried Zaha on the right wing. Benteke should have brought Palace level with 10 minutes remaining, heading over the bar from Puncheon's fine ball, and Adrian was at his best to deny substitute Conor Wickham's close-range header at the far post in stoppage time.
Player ratings
Crystal Palace: Mandanda (6), Ward (6), Tomkins (6), Delaney (6), Kelly (6), McArthur (5), Ledley (5), Puncheon (6), Townsend (6), Zaha (6), Benteke (4)
Subs: Cabaye (6), Fryers, (5), Wickham (6)
West Ham: Adrian (6), Reid (8), Cresswell (6), Kouyate (8), Lanzini (8), Zaza (6), Obiang (6), Noble (7), Ogbonna (7), Payet (7), Antonio (6)
Subs: Nordtveit (6), Calleri (NA), Fernandes (NA)
Man of the match: Winston Reid
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Slaven Bilic: West Ham's win over Crystal Palace doesn't change much
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 15/10/16 10:31pm
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday should not paper over some cracks in his side. Manuel Lanzini's first-half goal gave West Ham a much-needed win, only their second in the Premier League this season, to lift them out of the relegation zone. But Bilic, while praising his side for their character, says the win does not mean his side are now "OK". "It's always the players. I am more than happy to take the whole responsibility when it's not good but it's about the players who tonight showed everything. Showed confidence, showed composure, showed team spirit and showed quality on the ball," Bilic said. "It's a very cruel league. We spoke about this a few times with the guys in the press conferences at Rush Green. I didn't stop believing. These three points aren't going to change [league position] if we stop doing what we did today. But this league is very cruel. "If we think for one second that now we are OK and we are going to win points or games just because we turn up, and just because we won. No. "There is no yesterday in football. But this has to be a pattern for us in a positive way, what we have to do, only to come into a position to win football games in the Premier League. If you're not like this then you don't have a chance."
Christian Benteke missed a first-half penalty for Crystal Palace, while Aaron Cresswell was sent off for two quick bookings in an eventful game at Selhurst Park.
Palace boss Alan Pardew admitted Cresswell had been harshly dealt with, while Hammers manager Slaven Bilic added: "The first yellow is a penalty for us, and the second yellow is simply not a yellow."
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West Ham receive Andre Ayew boost with £20m signing set to return in December
22:30, 15 OCT 2016
BY STEVE STAMMERS
The former Swansea man has only played 35 minutes for West Ham but hopes to be back for a crunch run of fixtures
The Mirror
Andre Ayew has given struggling West Ham a massive boost with a return to training – and he plans to be fit in six weeks. Ayew signed for £20.5 million from Swansea in the summer but has so far played only 35 minutes for the club. He was injured in the first match of the season against Chelsea where the Hammers lost 2-1. But he starts light training tomorrow the plan now is for him to be back for three crucial matches at the end of November and the beginning of December.
In successive Premier League matches, West Ham face Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Manager Slaven Bilic is desperate to have Ayew's fire-power back for that trio of taxing matches. And Ayew is impatient to help the club who showed so much faith in him.
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Andy Carroll enjoys pint in London pub as his West Ham team-mates beat Crystal Palace
20:53, 15 OCT 2016 UPDATED 21:26, 15 OCT 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
Carroll was spotted with ex-Hammers team-mate Joey O'Brien at the Slug and Lettuce pub in Canary Wharf
The Mirror
Andy Carroll has been spotted enjoying a pint while watching his West Ham team-mates in action from an east London pub. As West Ham celebrated their first Premier League victory since August with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace just 13 miles up the road at Selhurst Park, England striker Carroll was with ex-Hammers team-mate Joey O'Brien at the Slug and Lettuce bar in Canary Wharf. Carroll is currently working his way back into first-team contention following a lengthy injury lay-off. The former Liverpool frontman hasn't featured for Slaven Bilic's side since August when he suffered a knee blow in the Europa League game with Astra Giurgiu. Carroll remains at the centre of an ongoing probe by his club after he and No.2 goalkeeper Darren Randolph were pictured in a pub last month on the morning after a team-bonding night out. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had given his blessing to that team bonding night out. However, the Hammers' hierarchy took a dim view of the fact that both he and Randolph had allowed themselves to be pictured in a situation last month that attracted negative publicity for the pair and the club. The Mirror understands that the club is aware of the new photos of Carroll in the pub and will be speaking to the player.
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Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 1: Aaron Cresswell red card a 'diabolical, disgusting' decision, says Harry Redknapp
TOM DUTTON
Evening Standard
Harry Redknapp has branded the decision to send off West Ham's Aaron Cresswell in their victory over Crystal Palace 'diabolical'. Martin Atkinson plunged for his red card after showing Cresswell two yellow in the space of 60 seconds as the clock ticked down at Selhurst Park. Cresswell was initially cautioned for diving in the Palace box when there appeared to be contact, while his second yellow came moments later after a clash with Wilfried Zaha which many felt didn't warrant a booking. Redknapp told BT Sport: "I thought it was the most diabolical decision, how can you send someone off for that? "I thought it was a disgusting decision."
Gary Lineker ✔ @GaryLineker
Horrible refereeing! Never a dive, it was a penalty. And not a 2nd yellow. Cresswell badly treated.
7:03 PM - 15 Oct 2016
The former Tottenham manager was joined in the studio by Ian Wright, who added: "There didn't seem to be much contact. You know how Wilf plays, but the fact is he's got his arm up and he was on the way down almost." Cresswell was making his first appearance since returning from an injury suffered in pre-season and injected life into a Hammers team which has looked out of sorts so far this term. But the 26-year-old will be absent for SUnderland's trip to London Stadium unless they lodge a successful appeal.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th October 2016
Preview - Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com
When and where?
West Ham United v Crystal Palace
Premier League
Saturday 15 October 2016, 5.30pm
Selhurst Park
What's the story?
The long wait for the return of Premier League football comes to an end on Saturday when the Hammers make the short journey south of the River Thames to take on Crystal Palace.
After an international break in which the likes of Dimitri Payet, Darren Randolph, Winston Reid, Sofiane Feghouli and Cheikhou Kouyate all turned out for their countries, the focus returns to club football with Slaven Bilic keen to return to winning ways.
The opening two months of the new Premier League season have not gone to plan for West Ham, with one win and one draw from their opening seven games leaving them 18th in the early league table.
A draw with Middlesbrough last time out, in which Dimitri Payet scored an outrageous solo goal, arrested a run of four defeats in the league and Bilic will be hoping that signals an upturn in fortunes.
Crystal Palace have enjoyed a better start, with eleven points from their opening seven games – although only four of them have been gained at home.
At Selhurst Park, they came up short against West Bromwich Albion in their season opener, but have recovered to draw 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth and comfortably defeat Stoke City 4-1.
They drew 1-1 at Everton last time out and possess a striker who has three goals to his name already this term in Christian Benteke.
Team news
The Hammers welcome Aaron Cresswell back into the fold following a three-month absence with a knee injury and he is expected to be in the matchday squad after returning to full training recently.
Elswehere, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri are fit again, but Sam Byram (hamstring) and Gokhan Tore (quadriceps) are both injured.
Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Arthur Masuaku continue their recoveries from injury.
For Crystal Palace captain and centre back Scott Dann is missing with a hamstring injury.
Pape Soure and Loic Remy are long-term absentees and will not be available for Saturday's fixture.
Player head-to-head
Any links between the two?
Mark Noble admits Saturday's game will be a strange one for him as he lines up against friend and long-time teammate James Tomkins for the first time.
Tomkins needs no introduction to Hammers fans, having come through the ranks at the Boleyn Ground and played 243 games for the Club.
Palace manager Alan Pardew is also a familiar face for the Hammers, having managed the Club between 2003-06, winning promotion in the 2004/05 campaign and leading West Ham to the FA Cup final the following year.
How do I get to the game?
Click here for directions of how to get to Selhurst Park. The latest news on the roads and TfL train and Underground services can be found here and National Rail services here.
How can I watch the game?
The game is being shown live in the UK on BT Sport. See below for details of international coverage.
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Five Talking Points - Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com
Cresswell, Tomkins, Antonio and Townsend are among the topics for discussion ahead of the Hammers' trip to Selhurst Park...
London derby
West Ham United return to Premier League action after a two-week international break eager to end a run of five top-flight matches without a victory. The Hammers' indifferent form and results have seen them unexpectedly slip towards the lower reaches of the table, and Slaven Bilic and his players will be desperate to return to winning ways on Saturday. However, the teatime kick-off at Selhurst Park will be no cakewalk for West Ham, where they face a resurgent Crystal Palace. Alan Pardew's side have collected ten points from their last four Premier League matches to climb into the top half and the form guide suggests the Eagles will soar to another three on home turf.
However, this is a London derby, and the form guide will (hopefully) go out of the window…
A welcome return
West Ham fans will likely have reason to cheer come 4.30pm on Saturday, when the official teams and substitutes are announced at Selhurst Park. Aaron Cresswell's name is set to be among them, ending a three-month injury absence for the popular left-back, who was hurt in a challenge during a pre-season fixture in Austria back in July. The No3's absence has been recognised as one of the reasons for the Hammers' slow start to 2016/17, and the defender's return will add solidity and balance to a back four which has conceded 16 goals in seven matches without him.
Pards
Alan Pardew may have departed the Boleyn Ground on the back of a terrible run of form that needed a Carlos Tevez-inspired Great Escape to keep West Ham in the Premier League, but his previous achievements will ensure his popularity in east London endures. As manager, 'Pards' led the Hammers to two Play-Off finals, winning the second in 2005, to within seconds of glory in the 2006 FA Cup final, and to a host of exciting Premier League victories during his three-plus years in charge. Pardew's win-percentage of 41.1% puts him fourth on the all-time list behind caretaker Sir Trevor Brooking (64.29%), Billy Bonds (43.61%) and Charlie Paynter (41.25%), but his only motivation on Saturday will be to score his fifth win in eleven career matches AGAINST West Ham.
Andros v Antonio
Saturday's fixture will pit two current England squad members against one another in wingers Andros Townsend and Michail Antonio. Townsend was involved as a substitute in Tuesday's goalless World Cup qualifying draw in Slovenia, while Antonio made the trip to Ljubljana for no more than a watching brief. A look at the statistics shows that the West Ham man has enjoyed the better start to the season, with five goals to Townsend's one, more shots on goal and an equal number of dribbles attempted, but it is the Palace player who has earned international recognition. This weekend, Antonio will get the chance to show Gareth Southgate that it is he who should feature for the Three Lions when they face Scotland and Spain in November.
Tonks
Saturday's fixture will see James Tomkins face West Ham for the first time since he completed a summer switch to Crystal Palace. The Basildon-born centre-half has made a fine start to life in south London, helping his side to collect seven points from the four Premier League matches he has featured in, and defeat Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round. At the age of 27, and after nearly ten years in the West Ham first-team squad, Tomkins felt he needed to leave the club which produced him in search of regular Premier League football, and this weekend he will have the opportunity to show his previous employers exactly what they let go.
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Hammers' Nigerian partnership confirmed
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's relationship with African partner Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd strengthened
Managing director Angus Kinnear welcomed to Nigeria by founder Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah
Agreement was signed in August 2016 with aim of boosting football in the African nation
West Ham United's strong relationship with the Club's first African partner was confirmed at a star-studded ceremony in Nigeria.
The Hammers agreed a historic partnership with Nigeria Premier League side FC Ifeanyi Ubah as part of the long-term agreement signed with the club's principal investor Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd in August.
The partnership between West Ham and FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which will see the clubs work together to produce and develop young Nigerian footballers, was confirmed at a gala event in the West African country's largest city, Lagos.
Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who founded Capital Oil and Gas in 2001 and bought the club which now bears his name in 2015, welcomed West Ham's managing director Angus Kinnear and a host of leading dignitaries from Nigeria's political and sporting worlds to the launch event.
Also present at the partnership launch event were the Chairman of Nigeria's National Assembly Sports Committee Senator Joseph Ogba, Nigerian Football Federation Chairman Amaju Pinnick, League Management Company Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary Solomon Dalung and members of the FC Ifeanyi Ubah coaching staff.
Alongside them sat a who's who of Nigerian football, including former internationals Taribo West, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Agali, Julius Aghahowa and Henry Nwosu, as well as current Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu.
There, Dr Ubah spoke passionately of the major benefits of the partnership for young Nigerians, saying: "Our vision is to get kids involved in football. Nigeria is a nation of over 180 million people. Nothing should stop us from producing the future Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of these world.
"We have at least 18 areas why we are partnering with West Ham United ranging from scouting and merchandising to going to England to play friendly matches, among others. We chose West Ham United because they are famed for running the best academy in the world.
Dr Ubah's enthusiasm was shared by Kinnear, who also presented a £35,000 donation to the Anambra State Football Association and Okongwu Memorial Grammar School towards the development of youth sport in the state.
"We believe FC Ifeanyi Ubah are ideal partners as they share West Ham's vision and ambition for youth football development," Kinnear confirmed. "We are delighted to seal our first partnership in Africa and this trip has proved we could not have made a better choice. Whilst we are confident this partnership will deliver elite playing talent we will focus initially at the grass roots level where it has the capacity to turn young lives around.
"The fantastic on pitch achievements of FC Ifeanyi Ubah since their foundation less than two years ago demonstrate that the driver of this partnership, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, is a man who is passionate about football and has a unique vision for the development of the game across Africa.
"In the next two to ten years, we want to look back and see that we have created a lot of value for Nigerian football, whilst simultaneously building the West Ham fan base in Africa's most populous nation."
The duo's visit to the businessman and philanthropist's home state to promote the 'Made in Anambra Football' project was graced by the supportive presence of Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chief Solochukwu Lobelu and the traditional supreme ruler of the city of Nnewi, HRH Igwe K.O.N III (Igwe of Nnewi), who was presented with a West Ham United shirt.
Also present were local cabinet members Crown Prince Obi Orizu and Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, alongside former Nigeria and Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu and Nollywood actor and comedian John Okafor.
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Angelo's World
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna returns in the latest edition of his new blog, which delves into the Italian's life with the Club and outside football.
This week, the former Juventus centre-back discusses the recent international break which saw him team up with the Italy squad and West Ham's upcoming Premier League London derby against Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old also revealed why he can't wait for Christmas to come around this year…
Hello everyone,
I've just returned from the international period with Italy, and it was a good break for me. For us, our 1-1 result at home to Spain was a very good result. Spain are huge in world football with a great team so it was a good result. First half maybe wasn't as good as we'd liked, but in the end, we drew and one point for us is really good.
Then we had Macedonia, and it was the first time I've ever been there. It is a nice country. It was quiet and that was good for the squad. We won 3-2 which was also a great result because although we made a few mistakes, after we got back to win.
The team morale around our Italy camp is good. There have been a lot of changes and we have a new generation, and sometimes you can lose games and make mistakes. But you have to be very focused as it can be hard, but it is good around the team at the moment.
For West Ham, I'm not sure if the international break came at a good or bad time for us. But it has been our time to reflect and work on things ahead of the game against Crystal Palace. We tried to win the last game against Middlesbrough and we tried to show our character.
At the moment, of course it is a difficult time for us. We have no excuses to complain; the Stadium or anything – no. We have to work and always prepare for the next game which we are now doing.
The upcoming match is our big London derby so we're all looking forward to it. I think the most important thing is the performance. If our performance is good, the points will come.
We will obviously be up against my former teammate James Tomkins, and it will be great to see him. He is a good player, and I didn't expect his move during the summer. It was a good move for him. I wish him the best of luck at Palace – although not on Saturday! After the game, hopefully we can greet him and have a chat.
I enjoyed playing with him at the back last season. He can play in many positions on the pitch, so everyone liked to be alongside him. Sometimes when there are a lot of changes, you are disappointed because you have lost your friend or teammate, but this is football. I wish him the best of luck.
Away from football, everything is good for me and my wife, who is currently pregnant. Our baby is due on Christmas Day! It could be a big celebration for us and a really good gift! We are starting to prepare but we are not in a rush, we have time. My wife needs to be relaxed.
We know it is going to be a boy, and maybe he can be a footballer when he is older too! The most important thing is that he is healthy, though.
As I said previously, I have a very good relationship with Matteo Darmian as we played together at Torino. We meet frequently, but I see a lot of footballers who are in London who I also know too!
London and England is great; there is respect. You can walk where you want and people don't stop you too much and you can live your life.
When you are the training ground, you are focused fully on your next game, as we are for Palace, but outside of football, England allows you to live your life also.
I hope we can get the three points on Saturday at Selhurst Park. Enjoy the game, everybody.
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Noble & Adrian visit Richard House
WHUFC.com
It was another special day for the young children at Richard House Hospice after club skipper Mark Noble and Adrian spent the afternoon supporting such a great cause in Beckton.
Noble has a special affiliation with the Hospice having grown up just down the road and has been a patron for a number of years.
The Hammers midfielder donated part of his Testimonial proceeds to Richard House and has forged a number of close relationships – including some special young friends.
Noble cannot praise the staff enough for the sacrifices and hard work they put in to support the youngsters and says it makes him realise how fortunate he is to be a Premier League footballer.
Noble said: "This is something that means a lot to me. Some of the proceeds from my Testimonial came to Richard House and I wanted to see how everyone is getting on.
"The staff do an amazing job and you don't really appreciate until you come here how lucky you are. It puts life into perspective every time you come here.
"When people hear the word hospice, you know what that means. It is not a nice word and no-one likes it. But you have got to face it and the job the staff do and the patience they have is incredible.
"You see us playing with the kids for ten minutes and water being chucked about and the kids squirting everyone, the staff have this all the time and they deserve a lot of credit.
"I didn't realise until I had kids how hard it is for them. It is not going great at West Ham at the moment, but you come to places like this and realise there is a lot worse things going on in the world.
"It is nice to come here and realise that life is not really that bad. We all want the results to turn around and I am sure they will, but places like this make you realise what is important in the world.
"I know our results affect a lot of people and as captain I feel it as much as anyone else because winning games is very important."
Adrian was also pleased he could put a smile on the few of the youngsters and also paid tribute to the hard work that is done by everyone at Richard House.
Adrian said: "It is great to spend some time with the children. They probably don't know much about us but they enjoyed playing with the ball and the water. It is a great thing.
"This is real life and it is great that we can provide the opportunity for them to have a smile on their face. The staff do an amazing job every day to support the children when they have difficult moments.
"The children need maximum support and they need help from the beginning and the staff help them so much.
"It is a great thing for the Club to show their support towards such a great cause."
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Latest fixture changes confirmed
WHUFC.com
The Premier League have announced their fixture changes for December and January, with five changes for the Hammers.
West Ham United's home fixture against Arsenal remains on Saturday 3 December, but will now kick-off at 5.30pm.
The game at Liverpool the following weekend will now take place on Sunday 11 December with a 4.30pm kick-off.
As a result of this fixture moving, the Hammers' home date with Burnley will now be on Wednesday 14 December, with kick-off still at 7.45pm.
Our first game of the New Year, at home to Manchester United, remains on Monday 2 January, but kick-off is now at 5.15pm.
Finally, the home match against Manchester City moves back 24 hours to Wednesday 1 February, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
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Adrian - We need to get back that winning feeling
WHUFC.com
Adrian has stressed the importance of getting back on the winning trail against Crystal Palace and moving out of the bottom three this weekend.
The Hammers are keen to get their season back on track in south London following a frustrating start to the campaign which has seen them win just one Premier League game.
But Slaven Bilic's side showed they have the character to get out of the situation as they came from behind to earn a draw with Middlesbrough in the last game and end their losing run of games.
Adrian says the players have been working even harder over the international break to address the situation and hopes they can achieve a similar result to last season when they came away with an impressive 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
Adrian said: "We are hoping to get back to winning ways against Crystal Palace on Saturday. We have been preparing for this game for a long time and we have spent a long time together over the national break.
"The players who were away on international duty are now back with the squad and we have enough time to prepare. We want the three points and a victory.
"We had a good result against Palace last year but this is a different season and we need to get a win and move towards the top of the table.
"We have great players and a good squad and we just need to get back that winning feeling and just take it game-by-game."
Adrian is looking forward to meeting up with former team-mate James Tomkins for the first time following his summer move to Palace.
The Spanish keeper knows the qualities that Tomkins possesses having played behind him for such a long period and hopes he gets a great reception from the travelling West Ham supporters.
Adrian added: "It will be strange to play against James Tomkins but this is football. I wish him all the best but not for this Saturday. We need to get the win and have a good performance.
"James played for West Ham for a long time and was a great player and a great person. He deserves a good welcome from the West Ham fans."
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Crystal Palace v West Ham United
SAT, 15 OCT 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
17:30
Venue: Selhurst Park
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has presided over the club's worst start to a top-flight season since 1988-89.
TEAM NEWS
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has confirmed Scott Dann will again be missing with a hamstring injury, but he should return for their next match.
Long-term absentees Pape Soure and Loic Remy remain out.
West Ham include fit-again Aaron Cresswell for the first time this season after a knee injury. Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have shaken off knocks, but Andre Ayew, Sam Byram, Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Arthur Masuaku and Gokhan Tore are out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Jonathan Pearce: "Are you a glass half-full or glass half-empty person? "Palace will equal their best Premier League run if they avoid defeat. But they've picked up just eight points from the last 33 in derbies. If they don't improve that record they won't finish in the top half. "West Ham have won on their last two visits to Selhurst Park. They looked better defensively against Middlesbrough. But it's still their worst start to a top-flight campaign since they were relegated in 1988-89.
"In the last five years, nine of the 15 clubs in the bottom three at this stage have gone down "How's your glass now?"
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew on Slaven Bilic's problems: "It is part of the managerial role we have that everything is centred on the results. Sometimes all the stuff that goes on around them makes it difficult to get those results. "But he's an experienced manager - an experienced international manager - and he'll know how to deal with it. Better than I will. I have no doubt he'll get it right sooner rather than later."
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic: "Crystal Palace didn't start well but the last four games they have got 10 points and they probably didn't want the break.
"We played really well there last year and won 3-1 and hopefully we can do the same on Saturday."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Crystal Palace are one of the form teams in the country at the moment. It's safe to say that West Ham aren't. Dimitri Payet got the Hammers out of jail against Middlesbrough with that superb solo goal to earn them a point. I think they would be happy with the same result at Selhurst Park,
Prediction: 1-1
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Crystal Palace have won just one of their last four top-flight meetings with West Ham.
The Hammers have won on each of their last two league visits to Selhurst Park - they have never won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league.
There has been a sending off in each of the last three league games between these sides: Cheikhou Kouyate in April 2016, Dwight Gayle in October 2015 and Glenn Murray in February 2015.
Crystal Palace
Palace can equal their Premier League club record of six matches unbeaten, which they have achieved twice before: November-December 2015 and February-March 1993.
Alan Pardew's side have gone 12 successive league matches without a clean sheet.
Jason Puncheon has created 24 goalscoring chances this season, more than any other Premier League player prior to the weekend matches.
Since his Premier League debut in September 2012, Christian Benteke has scored 19 goals with his head - the joint most in that period with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.
West Ham United
West Ham are without a win in their last five league games.
The Hammers have conceded 17 goals so far this season, the most in the division.
They have failed to score a first-half goal in six of their seven league games.
Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini scored in both of West Ham's league matches against Crystal Palace last season.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 24%
Probability of home win: 51% Probability of away win: 25%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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West Ham donate £35,000 to Nigerian club
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have announced a partnership with Nigerian Premier League club Ifeanyi Ubah FC.
According to the club, the new partnership "will see the clubs work together to produce and develop young Nigerian footballers".
The deal was signed on behalf of Ifeanyi Ubah by Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who was the subject of a recent article in the West Ham Utd vs Southampton match day programme (25 September).
Celebrating Dr Ubah's birthday, the article on page 39 described him as "a successful businessman, industrialist, publisher, oil magnate, philanthropist, humanitarian, ambassador, plenipotentiary, sports investor, youth mobiliser and mentor as well as an astute politician."
The new partnership will see the two clubs work together in order to enable young, talented Nigerian (population 180m) footballers to develop. Representing West Ham at a ceremony in Lagos to celebrate the new partnership was Managing Director Angus Kinnear.
Speaking at the event, Unah said that he chose West Ham as a partner due to the club's well-established Academy. "Our vision is to get kids involved in football," he said. "Nothing should stop us from producing the future Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of this world.
"We chose West Ham United because they are famed for running the best academy in the world. We are partnering with them in at least 18 areas ranging from scouting and merchandising to going to England to play friendly matches, among others.
"With this partnership with West Ham United, we are going to be producing over 50,000 footballers in [FC Ifeanyi Ubah's home state of] Anambra soon."
West Ham United ✔ @WestHamUtd
West Ham United have strengthened the Club's partnership with @CAPITALOILNIG and @FCIfeanyiUbah ➡️ http://wes.hm/COG141016 #COYI
3:56 PM - 14 Oct 2016
46 46 Retweets 50 50 likes
Kinnear presented a cheque from West Ham for £35,000 to aid Anambra State Football Association and Okongwu Memorial Grammar School with youth development.
"We believe FC Ifeanyi Ubah are ideal partners as they share West Ham's vision and ambition for youth football development," said Kinnear. "We are delighted to seal our first partnership in Africa and this trip has proved we could not have made a better choice.
"Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, is a man who is passionate about football and has a unique vision for the development of the game across Africa.
"In the next two to ten years, we want to look back and see that we have created a lot of value for Nigerian football, whilst simultaneously building the West Ham fan base in Africa's most populous nation."
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Evening all: five games rescheduled for TV
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
No less than FIVE of West Ham's fixtures between December and the beginning of February have been rescheduled for the benefit of television.
Three games in December - plus one each in January and February - have been changed at the behest of the TV companies, four of which are to be played at the Olympic Stadium later than originally scheduled.
The home fixtures against Arsenal, Burnley, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been moved to either late afternoon or evening kick-offs - whilst the trip to Liverpool will now take place on a Sunday afternoon.
That means only five of West Ham's pre-2017 home matches will take place at the traditional 3pm kick-off time. The new dates are as follows:
Saturday, 3 December: Arsenal (h) 5.30pm
Sunday, 11 December: Liverpool (a) 4.30pm
Wednesday, 14 December: Burnley (h) 7.45pm
Monday, 2 January: Manchester Utd (h) 5.15pm
Wednesday, 1 February: Manchester City (h) 7.45pm
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Stadium operators to oppose capacity rise
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
Olympic Stadium operators LS1856 are set to oppose West Ham United's plans to extend the capacity of the ground by a further 9,000, according to reports. A story in today's Daily Mail claims that West Ham's proposal to accommodate up to 66,000 supporters every game will be blocked by the company, who have been heavily criticised for their handling of previous matches at the stadium this season. And whilst the news may not go down particularly well in West Ham's boardroom, it is potentially good news for existing supporters who have experienced serious delays getting to and from the stadium in recent weeks - with attendances considerably below maximum capacity (currently 57,000). Whilst the stadium infrastructure is already in place to cope with extra demand, LS185 will oppose West Ham's plans as a result of the extra costs likely to be incurred, adds the Mail, citing the need for additional stewarding. It is also suggested that the stadium operators are determined to eradicate any of the many existing issues that have plagued West Ham's move from Upton Park to Stratford before agreeing to expand the arena's capacity.
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Crystal Palace v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2016
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy takes a look at this weekend's visit to Crystal Palace. As usual we would advise readers with any connection to the London Borough Of Croydon to take a stiff drink before proceeding any further.....
Next up we have to visit the London Borough Of Croydon, where we will be hosted by Crystal Palace. Kick-off is 5:30pm for televisual purposes and, for those of you coming in to Liverpool Street, that's probably just as well. Yup those pesky engineering works that have blighted our home matches in recent weeks are set to continue so if you are coming in from anywhere between Liverpool Street and, well, Russia, look forward to rail replacement buses etc. Thankfully south of the water there's no digging up of the tracks but check before you leave to be on the safe side.
The London Borough Of Croydon is, as I'm sure you will remember, the dreadful place that spawned the first Mrs Percy, something that even the locals there are embarrassed about. Unfortunately, my proposal that a huge wall be erected around the place lest anyone quite so dreadful escape from there again still hasn't been granted planning permission so it looks like we will have to continue our annual outing from the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered for another year until they get relegated. Which is a shame because once that odd Mr Trump fails to get elected there will be millions of workers hanging around over there with no wall to build.
The local side are having a not bad run at the moment sitting in 8th spot with 11 points from their 7 games. This followed a particularly poor run in the league last season after last yuletide which saw them barely scrape a win in the league until the end of term, their early season form being enough to keep them afloat. All that was sort of disguised by their progress to the FA Cup Final where they lost to the team that would have been out at the quarter final stage but from some remarkably dishonest refereeing at Old Trafford last March. Did I say "remarkably" I meant "typically".
Their main problem last season was the fact that nobody employed as a forward at the club seemed capable of scoring goals. Which, when you think about it, is pretty much a failing if you happen to be a forward employed to do just that. The failure in this department was hardly surprising when you think that the striking options at various stages included Emmanuel Adebayor and Marouane Chamakh, neither of whom would qualify as "prolific". Clearly changes were required if improvements were to be made.
Out went Dwight Gayle to Newcastle for what the work experience girl wearing the Van Der Graaf Generator T-Shirt without knowing who they are assures me was £10m of Her Majesty's Pounds. That seemed a lot to me – maybe the notoriously tight-fisted Mike Ashley was off sick that day.
The money didn't rest in that account for too long though. In fact they returned it to SJP with a further £3m in return for Andros Townsend. Townsend it appears had a clause in his contract allowing him to leg it out of toon the second they got relegated. It was a case of "yes guys it's all very nice up here and all and the Northumberland countryside is very nice but, if it's all the same to you I'd rather go to someone still in the Premier League, because, like, I won't get picked for England if I stay here". Having said that he was initially omitted from the latest England squad, only being drafted in when Raheem Sterling got hooked due to injury (I bet HIS calf muscle strain will have cleared up by this weekend).
A reported £27m went to Liverpool in return for Christian Benteke as the scousers cut their losses on the player after an unimpressive spell up there. Now he's picked up a goal or two in recent weeks prompting some to bemoan the fact that we didn't sign him ourselves. However, I've not been over-impressed with him over the years and he wouldn't have been my first choice of striker when we were in the market for one.
Slightly less known is the fact that Benteke came in a "buy-one-get-one –free" type deal whereby Palace nipped over to Belgium to pick up Benteke's kid brother Jonathan. I'm sure that the deal was completed on merit and was in no way a sweetener made in return for Benteke senior's signature. The pair of them had 6 minutes of shared pitch time towards the end of their trip to Boro' but Benteke minor suffered a knee injury and is now out of contention for 4 months, an injury described by the manager (of whom less later) as "disappointing".
They also brought in Chelsea striker Loic Remy on loan from that bit of the Chelsea organisation that seems to have been specifically set up to buy and subsequently loan out players – football's equivalent of Moss Bros if you will. He promptly got injured and went back to the Stamford Bridge treatment room where he is likely to stay for another month or so.
The worst injury of all happened to full-back Pape Souare. It's not often one could describe a player with a broken leg as "lucky" but given that the break was the worst of the injuries the lad received during a car crash on the M4 things could have been a whole lot worse for the Senegalese full-back. Happily the prognosis is that the player should be able to make a full – if lengthy – physical recovery.
Back on the transfer front they also went abroad to pick up a new 'keeper in the form of Steve Mandanda who came in for either an undisclosed fee or on a free transfer – sources differ – from Marseille. Mandanda was born in Zaire and qualifies internationally for the Democratic Republic Of Congo on the grounds that it is the same country following a "rebranding" (as we must call it) that took place in 1997. However, he opted to play for France which led to his goalkeeper siblings to nickname him "Frenchie". Which is a pretty damned horrible insult in my book, ranking right up there with "Croydonian". Mind you "Steve" did rather get the short straw when it comes to forenames when you consider the fact that his younger brothers are named Parfait, Riffi and Ever. Steve has been capped over 20 times at senior level by France though these days he is seen pretty much as Lloris's deputy over the channel. Which meant that he got to watch Payet play against Bulgaria last weekend like the rest of us.
They bolstered the central defensive area by paying us a reported £10m for James "He Hits Who He Wants" Tomkins. Now that was a transfer that didn't overly please us at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered, though, having reportedly been told that his first XI chances would be limited at the Olympic Stadium one can see the logic of his departure to ensure first team football, even if it does mean his having to visit Croydon every other week. The uncertain start we've made would have meant him having the chance to build up a run in the first team. Strength in depth against keeping players happy - the perennial struggle.
Tomkins may be partnered by skipper Scott Dann who is due to return from a hamstring injury. Palace supporters have been clamouring for him to be included in England squads for a while, which just goes to show that once you start picking players as limited as Henderson everyone starts to think they can get in.
They are of course managed by Alan Pardew about whom the kumb lawyers have insisted I write precisely nothing. For some reason. So I'll move swiftly on to other matters. England then. Liverpool fans were hailing their latest "world-class" player (titter) as Jordan Henderson was the least worst player on the pitch against, er, Malta, resulting in him being awarded the captaincy against Slovakia. Whereupon he gave the ball away so often he reminded the rest of us that he's bloody lucky to be anywhere near an international squad in the first place. Still, as awful as it is watching England these days (Sturridge here's a cow's backside, here's a banjo. Come back when you've mastered that) at least we're not Scottish. (Note to Scottish readers: hahahahahaha!)
Meanwhile we are all avoiding looking at the photos of the Boleyn being demolished – we were tearful enough on that last night without seeing the place getting pulled apart. Taking our minds off things we have injury news, and as usual, there is another one to add to the list. This time it's Gokan Tore who has a thigh injury that will keep him out for about five to six weeks. Poor bloke must have walked under half a dozen ladders on his way over from Turkey. It had been thought that Carroll and Sakho might be close to recalls but that now looks more likely to happen at the end of the month – maybe the extra hour in bed when the clocks change just before Everton away will make all the difference. Ayew & Masuaku are still a fair way off and Byram's hamstring was bad enough to require an operation last week. On the plus side Cresswell, Nordveidt and Calleri have all returned to full training. Cresswell has been sorely (pun intended) missed after that two-bob nutter from Karlsruhe did him in pre-season so let's just hope he really IS fully fit this time around – we can't afford for him to miss any more games.
Prediction? Well my original optimism for this match has been tempered by the injury news – I'd originally been working on the lines that one or more of Carroll and Sakho might be about. Their absence leaves us looking at Zaza and Calleri as the main options, with perhaps Antonio taking on some sort of striking role as he did against Boro'. Zaza is struggling for form at the moment and if he wants to stay he'll need to start pulling his finger out. Calleri has been injured but even before that he wasn't exactly in the Samsung league in terms of setting the world alight. I do have a rather bad feeling about this one given they are in a run of luck at the moment. So I think that the £2.50 I was going to pay to watch the next UKIP boxing match (well there's bound to be one isn't there?) will go on a pessimistic 2-1 home victory as soon as I can get myself down to Winstones The Turf Accountants, the one bright spot being that if any idiot dressed as a clown gets in my way as I get near the ground on Saturday I can happily deck them safe in the knowledge that, since they come from the London Borough Of Croydon, I will be doing the world a double favour.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met at Selhurst Park: Won 3-1 (Premier League October 2015) An eventful match that took place almost a year ago to the day. Jenkinson put us 1-0 up before a very dodgy twice-taken spot kick from Cabaye levelled the scores. Gayle then got himself dismissed rather stupidly, kicking lumps out of Payet and Kouyate with a petulant shove on Adrian coming in between to suggest that he had an early date that evening – (this being back in the days when referees actually bothered to issue second yellow cards when they were due). It seemed that the self-styled greatest supporters in the world all had similar plans to Gayle as even the twit with the "official drum" legged it once Lanzini had put us 2-1 up. So they would have missed the delightful finish from Payet that sealed the points. Talking of whom, it was in this match that "The Payet Song" really started to take hold, something that occurred with a spontaneity light years beyond the comprehension of the risible home "ultras".
Danger Man: Christian Benteke I don't particularly rate him but that makes him precisely the sort of player in form that will play well enough to bite us on the bum. Honourable mention for James Tomkins who will be a danger at corners with the added influence of the law of the ex to come into play.
Referee: Martin Atkinson Of course it is. We get him every three bloody games whatever happens.
Percy's Poser: Last time out we asked you why the BBC had to issue a disclaimer at the end of series 3 of Auf Wiedersehen Pet, which had partly been set in Middlesbrough. The first correct answer out of the digital hat came from Mrs Winifred Cornplaster of Pitsea who told us: "The BBC told us that they had had received complaints that the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge had been dismantled for the programme. The last episode of the programme therefore contained a disclaimer aimed at Spurs supporters and other hard of thinking groups pointing out that the bridge was still actually intact and fully functional and the apparent absence of the structure on the tv was the result of not very convincing special effects.." The prize of a can of genuine Middlesbrough Smog is on its way to you Mrs Cornplaster even as we speak. Well done Winifred!
For this week's poser we will be asking the question: The London Borough Of Croydon's employees have a warped sense of humour – how else do you explain their granting of a safety certificate to Selhurst Park every year? But what did the burghers of that lousy borough do in 1954, 2000, 2002 and 2012 that caused the rest of the country to collapse uncontrollably with laughter. First correct answer out of the digital hat will win either the London Borough Of Croydon or a used J-cloth. Good luck everyone!
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Crystal Palace v West Ham preview: Scott Dann misses out, Tomkins to start against former club
Last Updated: 14/10/16 3:13pm
SSN
Crystal Palace and West Ham, who are at contrasting ends of the form table, meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening. The Eagles are unbeaten in five Premier League games (W3 D2 L0), their longest run without defeat since December 2015 while West Ham are without a win in their last five top-flight games (W0 D1 L4), their longest winless streak in the competition since December 2015. West Ham will be hoping Dimitri Payet, who has scored just once in the league this season, rediscovers his best form against a team he scored twice against last campaign.
Team news
Crystal Palace's Scott Dann remains unavailable for the hosts. The captain and central defender is still recovering from a hamstring strain, so James Tomkins is expected to start against his former club alongside Damien Delaney.
Manager Alan Pardew hopes Dann will be fit for next Saturday's trip to Leicester, but beyond him his only absentees are Pape Souare, who fractured his thigh and jaw, and Jonathan Benteke, who has an injured knee.
Aaron Cresswell is in the West Ham squad for the first time this season.
The left-back is fit after recovering from a knee injury sustained in pre-season, and he is joined by midfielder Havard Nordtveit and striker Jonathan Calleri who have shaken off minor niggles.
Summer signing Gokhan Tore (thigh) and right-back Sam Byram (hamstring) have replaced them in the treatment room while Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew, Arthur Masuaku and Diafra Sakho are still unavailable.
Match stats
Crystal Palace have won just one of their last four top-flight meetings with West Ham, drawing one and losing two.
West Ham have won on each of their last two top-flight visits to Selhurst Park; they've never won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league.
There has been a sending off in each of the last three top-flight clashes between these two sides (Kouyate in Apr 2016, Gayle in Oct 2015 and Murray in Feb 2015).
Manuel Lanzini also scored in both West Ham's games against the Eagles last season (two goals in total); with Palace the only side he has scored more than one against in the top flight.
Since Christian Benteke's Premier League debut in September 2012, only Olivier Giroud (also 19) has scored as many headed goals in the competition as the Belgian striker.
Crystal Palace have now gone seven games without a London derby win in the Premier League (W0 D2 L5), the longest run of any current top-flight club.
West Ham have picked up just four points from their opening seven Premier League games; their worst points tally in a top-flight season at this stage since 1988-89 (also 4 - and they were relegated at the end of that campaign).
Since the start of last season, Dann has netted seven goals in the top-flight, more than any other defender.
Jason Puncheon has created more goalscoring chances than any other Premier League player in the opening seven matchdays of the 2016-17 season (24).
Merson's predictions
Benteke should be unplayable. He is tall, strong, quick and great in the air, and it was just a lack of confidence at Liverpool. He's got that back now and has been great for Palace.
In contrast, West Ham are struggling and their confidence is shot, so if Alan Pardew's side start quickly I can see them running away with it.
It is a concerning time for the Hammers because it took an unbelievable piece of magic by Payet to get a draw at home to Middlesbrough.
They have played Watford, Bournemouth, Southampton and Boro at the London Stadium and only have one win. All the big boys are still to come.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Betting
A Saturday evening London derby at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace are 11/10 with Sky Bet to inflict another defeat on struggling West Ham. The Hammers are 12/5 for their second Premier League win of the campaign, with the same price available on the draw.
Benteke has scored in Palace's last two games and netted a hat-trick for Belgium against Gibraltar: he's a clear 4/1 favourite to net the opening goal in this one.
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West Ham look to reboot in London derby against Crystal Palace
ESPN.com
West Ham return to league action after the international break with a clearly defined objective. The team need to start winning matches -- and soon. Although many football fans find the enforced international breaks a distraction, it's undoubtedly a fact that the Premier League season is now defined by the segments resulting from the demands of the international football timetable. Following a poor early season and a series of awful defensive displays, the Hammers' latest season restart is surely the most significant. There's always a point when a poor slump turns into a crisis and Slaven Bilic and his men are slowly approaching it.
If the improvement shown against Middlesbrough last time out is maintained, then the Hammers can hopefully move out of the bottom three and set about repairing their season. If the calamitous start continues however, then the club will almost certainly find themselves in a relegation battle. It's usually during the autumn when these things are set in stone. League history then often dictates that the battle -- whether ultimately successful or not -- will continue well into the next spring.
The return to form of Dimitri Payet is one thing that should encourage Bilic. It was noticeable that the whole team seemed lifted when the French international scored his wonder goal against Boro. The manager will also be hoping that the age-old injury issues are starting to ease with both Andy Carroll and Aaron Creswell both hoping for an earlier than expected return from the physiotherapist's room.
Despite strong reservations from many fans about the injury-prone striker's long-term contribution to the squad, the fact remains that Carroll's strength up front and, more importantly, in defence is something that the team miss when he is unavailable. As for Cresswell, there was never a doubt. An instant hit from the moment he joined the club from Ipswich, the 26-year-old's influence at left-back is keenly felt. The Hammers' defence looks completely out of kilter when he is not playing.
A local derby is always eagerly anticipated and the hop across the river to face south London rivals Crystal Palace will be a strong test for Bilic and his team. Many of the claret and blue faithful think their latest manager can learn a lot from their old boss. Alan Pardew's return to Palace, the club he used to play for, has been nothing but an unqualified success. The former West Ham and Newcastle United manager bought well in the summer -- not least in securing the services of Boleyn favourite James Tomkins. Meanwhile, seeking a winger, Bilic turned to players he knew from his previous club; the result has been depressingly underwhelming. Pardew on the other hand, shrewdly bought Andros Townsend from Newcastle. There is no doubt who has made the most impact. Dimitri Payet's late goal allowed West Ham to avoid extra time. Dimitri Payet's form has been one of the few bright sparks for West Ham United this season.
Similarly, while the Hammers searched for a striker all summer, it was Pardew who decided that the Premier League experience of Liverpool forward Christian Benteke would be a sensible option. West Ham were linked with the Belgian International throughout but ultimately did nothing. Instead, Bilic's pursuit of Simone Zaza is already looking like a big mistake; with rumours that the player will return to Italy in January rife.
The Hammers have a good record against Palace generally, but there is one major threat to them this time out. When a player with something to prove comes up against his old club there is usually only one outcome. Tomkins is a fine defender, but he scored many goals in the claret and blue by powering in from the far post; he will surely be looking at the porous defence of his former club and thinking he can prove Bilic was wrong to let him leave in the summer for £10 million.
West Ham may be happy to take a point away from Selhurst Park, but Bilic knows his team need to start winning soon. If not, then there might be another type of chill wind blowing around the club in the coming months.
Peter Thorne, aka Billy Blagg (@BillyBlaggEsq), is ESPN FC's West Ham blogger.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
When and where?
West Ham United v Crystal Palace
Premier League
Saturday 15 October 2016, 5.30pm
Selhurst Park
What's the story?
The long wait for the return of Premier League football comes to an end on Saturday when the Hammers make the short journey south of the River Thames to take on Crystal Palace.
After an international break in which the likes of Dimitri Payet, Darren Randolph, Winston Reid, Sofiane Feghouli and Cheikhou Kouyate all turned out for their countries, the focus returns to club football with Slaven Bilic keen to return to winning ways.
The opening two months of the new Premier League season have not gone to plan for West Ham, with one win and one draw from their opening seven games leaving them 18th in the early league table.
A draw with Middlesbrough last time out, in which Dimitri Payet scored an outrageous solo goal, arrested a run of four defeats in the league and Bilic will be hoping that signals an upturn in fortunes.
Crystal Palace have enjoyed a better start, with eleven points from their opening seven games – although only four of them have been gained at home.
At Selhurst Park, they came up short against West Bromwich Albion in their season opener, but have recovered to draw 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth and comfortably defeat Stoke City 4-1.
They drew 1-1 at Everton last time out and possess a striker who has three goals to his name already this term in Christian Benteke.
Team news
The Hammers welcome Aaron Cresswell back into the fold following a three-month absence with a knee injury and he is expected to be in the matchday squad after returning to full training recently.
Elswehere, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri are fit again, but Sam Byram (hamstring) and Gokhan Tore (quadriceps) are both injured.
Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Arthur Masuaku continue their recoveries from injury.
For Crystal Palace captain and centre back Scott Dann is missing with a hamstring injury.
Pape Soure and Loic Remy are long-term absentees and will not be available for Saturday's fixture.
Player head-to-head
Any links between the two?
Mark Noble admits Saturday's game will be a strange one for him as he lines up against friend and long-time teammate James Tomkins for the first time.
Tomkins needs no introduction to Hammers fans, having come through the ranks at the Boleyn Ground and played 243 games for the Club.
Palace manager Alan Pardew is also a familiar face for the Hammers, having managed the Club between 2003-06, winning promotion in the 2004/05 campaign and leading West Ham to the FA Cup final the following year.
How do I get to the game?
Click here for directions of how to get to Selhurst Park. The latest news on the roads and TfL train and Underground services can be found here and National Rail services here.
How can I watch the game?
The game is being shown live in the UK on BT Sport. See below for details of international coverage.
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Five Talking Points - Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com
Cresswell, Tomkins, Antonio and Townsend are among the topics for discussion ahead of the Hammers' trip to Selhurst Park...
London derby
West Ham United return to Premier League action after a two-week international break eager to end a run of five top-flight matches without a victory. The Hammers' indifferent form and results have seen them unexpectedly slip towards the lower reaches of the table, and Slaven Bilic and his players will be desperate to return to winning ways on Saturday. However, the teatime kick-off at Selhurst Park will be no cakewalk for West Ham, where they face a resurgent Crystal Palace. Alan Pardew's side have collected ten points from their last four Premier League matches to climb into the top half and the form guide suggests the Eagles will soar to another three on home turf.
However, this is a London derby, and the form guide will (hopefully) go out of the window…
A welcome return
West Ham fans will likely have reason to cheer come 4.30pm on Saturday, when the official teams and substitutes are announced at Selhurst Park. Aaron Cresswell's name is set to be among them, ending a three-month injury absence for the popular left-back, who was hurt in a challenge during a pre-season fixture in Austria back in July. The No3's absence has been recognised as one of the reasons for the Hammers' slow start to 2016/17, and the defender's return will add solidity and balance to a back four which has conceded 16 goals in seven matches without him.
Pards
Alan Pardew may have departed the Boleyn Ground on the back of a terrible run of form that needed a Carlos Tevez-inspired Great Escape to keep West Ham in the Premier League, but his previous achievements will ensure his popularity in east London endures. As manager, 'Pards' led the Hammers to two Play-Off finals, winning the second in 2005, to within seconds of glory in the 2006 FA Cup final, and to a host of exciting Premier League victories during his three-plus years in charge. Pardew's win-percentage of 41.1% puts him fourth on the all-time list behind caretaker Sir Trevor Brooking (64.29%), Billy Bonds (43.61%) and Charlie Paynter (41.25%), but his only motivation on Saturday will be to score his fifth win in eleven career matches AGAINST West Ham.
Andros v Antonio
Saturday's fixture will pit two current England squad members against one another in wingers Andros Townsend and Michail Antonio. Townsend was involved as a substitute in Tuesday's goalless World Cup qualifying draw in Slovenia, while Antonio made the trip to Ljubljana for no more than a watching brief. A look at the statistics shows that the West Ham man has enjoyed the better start to the season, with five goals to Townsend's one, more shots on goal and an equal number of dribbles attempted, but it is the Palace player who has earned international recognition. This weekend, Antonio will get the chance to show Gareth Southgate that it is he who should feature for the Three Lions when they face Scotland and Spain in November.
Tonks
Saturday's fixture will see James Tomkins face West Ham for the first time since he completed a summer switch to Crystal Palace. The Basildon-born centre-half has made a fine start to life in south London, helping his side to collect seven points from the four Premier League matches he has featured in, and defeat Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round. At the age of 27, and after nearly ten years in the West Ham first-team squad, Tomkins felt he needed to leave the club which produced him in search of regular Premier League football, and this weekend he will have the opportunity to show his previous employers exactly what they let go.
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Hammers' Nigerian partnership confirmed
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's relationship with African partner Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd strengthened
Managing director Angus Kinnear welcomed to Nigeria by founder Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah
Agreement was signed in August 2016 with aim of boosting football in the African nation
West Ham United's strong relationship with the Club's first African partner was confirmed at a star-studded ceremony in Nigeria.
The Hammers agreed a historic partnership with Nigeria Premier League side FC Ifeanyi Ubah as part of the long-term agreement signed with the club's principal investor Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd in August.
The partnership between West Ham and FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which will see the clubs work together to produce and develop young Nigerian footballers, was confirmed at a gala event in the West African country's largest city, Lagos.
Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who founded Capital Oil and Gas in 2001 and bought the club which now bears his name in 2015, welcomed West Ham's managing director Angus Kinnear and a host of leading dignitaries from Nigeria's political and sporting worlds to the launch event.
Also present at the partnership launch event were the Chairman of Nigeria's National Assembly Sports Committee Senator Joseph Ogba, Nigerian Football Federation Chairman Amaju Pinnick, League Management Company Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary Solomon Dalung and members of the FC Ifeanyi Ubah coaching staff.
Alongside them sat a who's who of Nigerian football, including former internationals Taribo West, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Agali, Julius Aghahowa and Henry Nwosu, as well as current Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu.
There, Dr Ubah spoke passionately of the major benefits of the partnership for young Nigerians, saying: "Our vision is to get kids involved in football. Nigeria is a nation of over 180 million people. Nothing should stop us from producing the future Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of these world.
"We have at least 18 areas why we are partnering with West Ham United ranging from scouting and merchandising to going to England to play friendly matches, among others. We chose West Ham United because they are famed for running the best academy in the world.
Dr Ubah's enthusiasm was shared by Kinnear, who also presented a £35,000 donation to the Anambra State Football Association and Okongwu Memorial Grammar School towards the development of youth sport in the state.
"We believe FC Ifeanyi Ubah are ideal partners as they share West Ham's vision and ambition for youth football development," Kinnear confirmed. "We are delighted to seal our first partnership in Africa and this trip has proved we could not have made a better choice. Whilst we are confident this partnership will deliver elite playing talent we will focus initially at the grass roots level where it has the capacity to turn young lives around.
"The fantastic on pitch achievements of FC Ifeanyi Ubah since their foundation less than two years ago demonstrate that the driver of this partnership, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, is a man who is passionate about football and has a unique vision for the development of the game across Africa.
"In the next two to ten years, we want to look back and see that we have created a lot of value for Nigerian football, whilst simultaneously building the West Ham fan base in Africa's most populous nation."
The duo's visit to the businessman and philanthropist's home state to promote the 'Made in Anambra Football' project was graced by the supportive presence of Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chief Solochukwu Lobelu and the traditional supreme ruler of the city of Nnewi, HRH Igwe K.O.N III (Igwe of Nnewi), who was presented with a West Ham United shirt.
Also present were local cabinet members Crown Prince Obi Orizu and Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, alongside former Nigeria and Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu and Nollywood actor and comedian John Okafor.
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Angelo's World
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna returns in the latest edition of his new blog, which delves into the Italian's life with the Club and outside football.
This week, the former Juventus centre-back discusses the recent international break which saw him team up with the Italy squad and West Ham's upcoming Premier League London derby against Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old also revealed why he can't wait for Christmas to come around this year…
Hello everyone,
I've just returned from the international period with Italy, and it was a good break for me. For us, our 1-1 result at home to Spain was a very good result. Spain are huge in world football with a great team so it was a good result. First half maybe wasn't as good as we'd liked, but in the end, we drew and one point for us is really good.
Then we had Macedonia, and it was the first time I've ever been there. It is a nice country. It was quiet and that was good for the squad. We won 3-2 which was also a great result because although we made a few mistakes, after we got back to win.
The team morale around our Italy camp is good. There have been a lot of changes and we have a new generation, and sometimes you can lose games and make mistakes. But you have to be very focused as it can be hard, but it is good around the team at the moment.
For West Ham, I'm not sure if the international break came at a good or bad time for us. But it has been our time to reflect and work on things ahead of the game against Crystal Palace. We tried to win the last game against Middlesbrough and we tried to show our character.
At the moment, of course it is a difficult time for us. We have no excuses to complain; the Stadium or anything – no. We have to work and always prepare for the next game which we are now doing.
The upcoming match is our big London derby so we're all looking forward to it. I think the most important thing is the performance. If our performance is good, the points will come.
We will obviously be up against my former teammate James Tomkins, and it will be great to see him. He is a good player, and I didn't expect his move during the summer. It was a good move for him. I wish him the best of luck at Palace – although not on Saturday! After the game, hopefully we can greet him and have a chat.
I enjoyed playing with him at the back last season. He can play in many positions on the pitch, so everyone liked to be alongside him. Sometimes when there are a lot of changes, you are disappointed because you have lost your friend or teammate, but this is football. I wish him the best of luck.
Away from football, everything is good for me and my wife, who is currently pregnant. Our baby is due on Christmas Day! It could be a big celebration for us and a really good gift! We are starting to prepare but we are not in a rush, we have time. My wife needs to be relaxed.
We know it is going to be a boy, and maybe he can be a footballer when he is older too! The most important thing is that he is healthy, though.
As I said previously, I have a very good relationship with Matteo Darmian as we played together at Torino. We meet frequently, but I see a lot of footballers who are in London who I also know too!
London and England is great; there is respect. You can walk where you want and people don't stop you too much and you can live your life.
When you are the training ground, you are focused fully on your next game, as we are for Palace, but outside of football, England allows you to live your life also.
I hope we can get the three points on Saturday at Selhurst Park. Enjoy the game, everybody.
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Noble & Adrian visit Richard House
WHUFC.com
It was another special day for the young children at Richard House Hospice after club skipper Mark Noble and Adrian spent the afternoon supporting such a great cause in Beckton.
Noble has a special affiliation with the Hospice having grown up just down the road and has been a patron for a number of years.
The Hammers midfielder donated part of his Testimonial proceeds to Richard House and has forged a number of close relationships – including some special young friends.
Noble cannot praise the staff enough for the sacrifices and hard work they put in to support the youngsters and says it makes him realise how fortunate he is to be a Premier League footballer.
Noble said: "This is something that means a lot to me. Some of the proceeds from my Testimonial came to Richard House and I wanted to see how everyone is getting on.
"The staff do an amazing job and you don't really appreciate until you come here how lucky you are. It puts life into perspective every time you come here.
"When people hear the word hospice, you know what that means. It is not a nice word and no-one likes it. But you have got to face it and the job the staff do and the patience they have is incredible.
"You see us playing with the kids for ten minutes and water being chucked about and the kids squirting everyone, the staff have this all the time and they deserve a lot of credit.
"I didn't realise until I had kids how hard it is for them. It is not going great at West Ham at the moment, but you come to places like this and realise there is a lot worse things going on in the world.
"It is nice to come here and realise that life is not really that bad. We all want the results to turn around and I am sure they will, but places like this make you realise what is important in the world.
"I know our results affect a lot of people and as captain I feel it as much as anyone else because winning games is very important."
Adrian was also pleased he could put a smile on the few of the youngsters and also paid tribute to the hard work that is done by everyone at Richard House.
Adrian said: "It is great to spend some time with the children. They probably don't know much about us but they enjoyed playing with the ball and the water. It is a great thing.
"This is real life and it is great that we can provide the opportunity for them to have a smile on their face. The staff do an amazing job every day to support the children when they have difficult moments.
"The children need maximum support and they need help from the beginning and the staff help them so much.
"It is a great thing for the Club to show their support towards such a great cause."
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Latest fixture changes confirmed
WHUFC.com
The Premier League have announced their fixture changes for December and January, with five changes for the Hammers.
West Ham United's home fixture against Arsenal remains on Saturday 3 December, but will now kick-off at 5.30pm.
The game at Liverpool the following weekend will now take place on Sunday 11 December with a 4.30pm kick-off.
As a result of this fixture moving, the Hammers' home date with Burnley will now be on Wednesday 14 December, with kick-off still at 7.45pm.
Our first game of the New Year, at home to Manchester United, remains on Monday 2 January, but kick-off is now at 5.15pm.
Finally, the home match against Manchester City moves back 24 hours to Wednesday 1 February, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
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Adrian - We need to get back that winning feeling
WHUFC.com
Adrian has stressed the importance of getting back on the winning trail against Crystal Palace and moving out of the bottom three this weekend.
The Hammers are keen to get their season back on track in south London following a frustrating start to the campaign which has seen them win just one Premier League game.
But Slaven Bilic's side showed they have the character to get out of the situation as they came from behind to earn a draw with Middlesbrough in the last game and end their losing run of games.
Adrian says the players have been working even harder over the international break to address the situation and hopes they can achieve a similar result to last season when they came away with an impressive 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
Adrian said: "We are hoping to get back to winning ways against Crystal Palace on Saturday. We have been preparing for this game for a long time and we have spent a long time together over the national break.
"The players who were away on international duty are now back with the squad and we have enough time to prepare. We want the three points and a victory.
"We had a good result against Palace last year but this is a different season and we need to get a win and move towards the top of the table.
"We have great players and a good squad and we just need to get back that winning feeling and just take it game-by-game."
Adrian is looking forward to meeting up with former team-mate James Tomkins for the first time following his summer move to Palace.
The Spanish keeper knows the qualities that Tomkins possesses having played behind him for such a long period and hopes he gets a great reception from the travelling West Ham supporters.
Adrian added: "It will be strange to play against James Tomkins but this is football. I wish him all the best but not for this Saturday. We need to get the win and have a good performance.
"James played for West Ham for a long time and was a great player and a great person. He deserves a good welcome from the West Ham fans."
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Crystal Palace v West Ham United
SAT, 15 OCT 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
17:30
Venue: Selhurst Park
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has presided over the club's worst start to a top-flight season since 1988-89.
TEAM NEWS
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has confirmed Scott Dann will again be missing with a hamstring injury, but he should return for their next match.
Long-term absentees Pape Soure and Loic Remy remain out.
West Ham include fit-again Aaron Cresswell for the first time this season after a knee injury. Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have shaken off knocks, but Andre Ayew, Sam Byram, Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Arthur Masuaku and Gokhan Tore are out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Jonathan Pearce: "Are you a glass half-full or glass half-empty person? "Palace will equal their best Premier League run if they avoid defeat. But they've picked up just eight points from the last 33 in derbies. If they don't improve that record they won't finish in the top half. "West Ham have won on their last two visits to Selhurst Park. They looked better defensively against Middlesbrough. But it's still their worst start to a top-flight campaign since they were relegated in 1988-89.
"In the last five years, nine of the 15 clubs in the bottom three at this stage have gone down "How's your glass now?"
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew on Slaven Bilic's problems: "It is part of the managerial role we have that everything is centred on the results. Sometimes all the stuff that goes on around them makes it difficult to get those results. "But he's an experienced manager - an experienced international manager - and he'll know how to deal with it. Better than I will. I have no doubt he'll get it right sooner rather than later."
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic: "Crystal Palace didn't start well but the last four games they have got 10 points and they probably didn't want the break.
"We played really well there last year and won 3-1 and hopefully we can do the same on Saturday."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Crystal Palace are one of the form teams in the country at the moment. It's safe to say that West Ham aren't. Dimitri Payet got the Hammers out of jail against Middlesbrough with that superb solo goal to earn them a point. I think they would be happy with the same result at Selhurst Park,
Prediction: 1-1
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Crystal Palace have won just one of their last four top-flight meetings with West Ham.
The Hammers have won on each of their last two league visits to Selhurst Park - they have never won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league.
There has been a sending off in each of the last three league games between these sides: Cheikhou Kouyate in April 2016, Dwight Gayle in October 2015 and Glenn Murray in February 2015.
Crystal Palace
Palace can equal their Premier League club record of six matches unbeaten, which they have achieved twice before: November-December 2015 and February-March 1993.
Alan Pardew's side have gone 12 successive league matches without a clean sheet.
Jason Puncheon has created 24 goalscoring chances this season, more than any other Premier League player prior to the weekend matches.
Since his Premier League debut in September 2012, Christian Benteke has scored 19 goals with his head - the joint most in that period with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.
West Ham United
West Ham are without a win in their last five league games.
The Hammers have conceded 17 goals so far this season, the most in the division.
They have failed to score a first-half goal in six of their seven league games.
Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini scored in both of West Ham's league matches against Crystal Palace last season.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 24%
Probability of home win: 51% Probability of away win: 25%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.
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West Ham donate £35,000 to Nigerian club
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have announced a partnership with Nigerian Premier League club Ifeanyi Ubah FC.
According to the club, the new partnership "will see the clubs work together to produce and develop young Nigerian footballers".
The deal was signed on behalf of Ifeanyi Ubah by Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who was the subject of a recent article in the West Ham Utd vs Southampton match day programme (25 September).
Celebrating Dr Ubah's birthday, the article on page 39 described him as "a successful businessman, industrialist, publisher, oil magnate, philanthropist, humanitarian, ambassador, plenipotentiary, sports investor, youth mobiliser and mentor as well as an astute politician."
The new partnership will see the two clubs work together in order to enable young, talented Nigerian (population 180m) footballers to develop. Representing West Ham at a ceremony in Lagos to celebrate the new partnership was Managing Director Angus Kinnear.
Speaking at the event, Unah said that he chose West Ham as a partner due to the club's well-established Academy. "Our vision is to get kids involved in football," he said. "Nothing should stop us from producing the future Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of this world.
"We chose West Ham United because they are famed for running the best academy in the world. We are partnering with them in at least 18 areas ranging from scouting and merchandising to going to England to play friendly matches, among others.
"With this partnership with West Ham United, we are going to be producing over 50,000 footballers in [FC Ifeanyi Ubah's home state of] Anambra soon."
West Ham United ✔ @WestHamUtd
West Ham United have strengthened the Club's partnership with @CAPITALOILNIG and @FCIfeanyiUbah ➡️ http://wes.hm/COG141016 #COYI
3:56 PM - 14 Oct 2016
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Kinnear presented a cheque from West Ham for £35,000 to aid Anambra State Football Association and Okongwu Memorial Grammar School with youth development.
"We believe FC Ifeanyi Ubah are ideal partners as they share West Ham's vision and ambition for youth football development," said Kinnear. "We are delighted to seal our first partnership in Africa and this trip has proved we could not have made a better choice.
"Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, is a man who is passionate about football and has a unique vision for the development of the game across Africa.
"In the next two to ten years, we want to look back and see that we have created a lot of value for Nigerian football, whilst simultaneously building the West Ham fan base in Africa's most populous nation."
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Evening all: five games rescheduled for TV
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
No less than FIVE of West Ham's fixtures between December and the beginning of February have been rescheduled for the benefit of television.
Three games in December - plus one each in January and February - have been changed at the behest of the TV companies, four of which are to be played at the Olympic Stadium later than originally scheduled.
The home fixtures against Arsenal, Burnley, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been moved to either late afternoon or evening kick-offs - whilst the trip to Liverpool will now take place on a Sunday afternoon.
That means only five of West Ham's pre-2017 home matches will take place at the traditional 3pm kick-off time. The new dates are as follows:
Saturday, 3 December: Arsenal (h) 5.30pm
Sunday, 11 December: Liverpool (a) 4.30pm
Wednesday, 14 December: Burnley (h) 7.45pm
Monday, 2 January: Manchester Utd (h) 5.15pm
Wednesday, 1 February: Manchester City (h) 7.45pm
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Stadium operators to oppose capacity rise
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th October 2016
By: Staff Writer
Olympic Stadium operators LS1856 are set to oppose West Ham United's plans to extend the capacity of the ground by a further 9,000, according to reports. A story in today's Daily Mail claims that West Ham's proposal to accommodate up to 66,000 supporters every game will be blocked by the company, who have been heavily criticised for their handling of previous matches at the stadium this season. And whilst the news may not go down particularly well in West Ham's boardroom, it is potentially good news for existing supporters who have experienced serious delays getting to and from the stadium in recent weeks - with attendances considerably below maximum capacity (currently 57,000). Whilst the stadium infrastructure is already in place to cope with extra demand, LS185 will oppose West Ham's plans as a result of the extra costs likely to be incurred, adds the Mail, citing the need for additional stewarding. It is also suggested that the stadium operators are determined to eradicate any of the many existing issues that have plagued West Ham's move from Upton Park to Stratford before agreeing to expand the arena's capacity.
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Crystal Palace v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2016
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy takes a look at this weekend's visit to Crystal Palace. As usual we would advise readers with any connection to the London Borough Of Croydon to take a stiff drink before proceeding any further.....
Next up we have to visit the London Borough Of Croydon, where we will be hosted by Crystal Palace. Kick-off is 5:30pm for televisual purposes and, for those of you coming in to Liverpool Street, that's probably just as well. Yup those pesky engineering works that have blighted our home matches in recent weeks are set to continue so if you are coming in from anywhere between Liverpool Street and, well, Russia, look forward to rail replacement buses etc. Thankfully south of the water there's no digging up of the tracks but check before you leave to be on the safe side.
The London Borough Of Croydon is, as I'm sure you will remember, the dreadful place that spawned the first Mrs Percy, something that even the locals there are embarrassed about. Unfortunately, my proposal that a huge wall be erected around the place lest anyone quite so dreadful escape from there again still hasn't been granted planning permission so it looks like we will have to continue our annual outing from the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered for another year until they get relegated. Which is a shame because once that odd Mr Trump fails to get elected there will be millions of workers hanging around over there with no wall to build.
The local side are having a not bad run at the moment sitting in 8th spot with 11 points from their 7 games. This followed a particularly poor run in the league last season after last yuletide which saw them barely scrape a win in the league until the end of term, their early season form being enough to keep them afloat. All that was sort of disguised by their progress to the FA Cup Final where they lost to the team that would have been out at the quarter final stage but from some remarkably dishonest refereeing at Old Trafford last March. Did I say "remarkably" I meant "typically".
Their main problem last season was the fact that nobody employed as a forward at the club seemed capable of scoring goals. Which, when you think about it, is pretty much a failing if you happen to be a forward employed to do just that. The failure in this department was hardly surprising when you think that the striking options at various stages included Emmanuel Adebayor and Marouane Chamakh, neither of whom would qualify as "prolific". Clearly changes were required if improvements were to be made.
Out went Dwight Gayle to Newcastle for what the work experience girl wearing the Van Der Graaf Generator T-Shirt without knowing who they are assures me was £10m of Her Majesty's Pounds. That seemed a lot to me – maybe the notoriously tight-fisted Mike Ashley was off sick that day.
The money didn't rest in that account for too long though. In fact they returned it to SJP with a further £3m in return for Andros Townsend. Townsend it appears had a clause in his contract allowing him to leg it out of toon the second they got relegated. It was a case of "yes guys it's all very nice up here and all and the Northumberland countryside is very nice but, if it's all the same to you I'd rather go to someone still in the Premier League, because, like, I won't get picked for England if I stay here". Having said that he was initially omitted from the latest England squad, only being drafted in when Raheem Sterling got hooked due to injury (I bet HIS calf muscle strain will have cleared up by this weekend).
A reported £27m went to Liverpool in return for Christian Benteke as the scousers cut their losses on the player after an unimpressive spell up there. Now he's picked up a goal or two in recent weeks prompting some to bemoan the fact that we didn't sign him ourselves. However, I've not been over-impressed with him over the years and he wouldn't have been my first choice of striker when we were in the market for one.
Slightly less known is the fact that Benteke came in a "buy-one-get-one –free" type deal whereby Palace nipped over to Belgium to pick up Benteke's kid brother Jonathan. I'm sure that the deal was completed on merit and was in no way a sweetener made in return for Benteke senior's signature. The pair of them had 6 minutes of shared pitch time towards the end of their trip to Boro' but Benteke minor suffered a knee injury and is now out of contention for 4 months, an injury described by the manager (of whom less later) as "disappointing".
They also brought in Chelsea striker Loic Remy on loan from that bit of the Chelsea organisation that seems to have been specifically set up to buy and subsequently loan out players – football's equivalent of Moss Bros if you will. He promptly got injured and went back to the Stamford Bridge treatment room where he is likely to stay for another month or so.
The worst injury of all happened to full-back Pape Souare. It's not often one could describe a player with a broken leg as "lucky" but given that the break was the worst of the injuries the lad received during a car crash on the M4 things could have been a whole lot worse for the Senegalese full-back. Happily the prognosis is that the player should be able to make a full – if lengthy – physical recovery.
Back on the transfer front they also went abroad to pick up a new 'keeper in the form of Steve Mandanda who came in for either an undisclosed fee or on a free transfer – sources differ – from Marseille. Mandanda was born in Zaire and qualifies internationally for the Democratic Republic Of Congo on the grounds that it is the same country following a "rebranding" (as we must call it) that took place in 1997. However, he opted to play for France which led to his goalkeeper siblings to nickname him "Frenchie". Which is a pretty damned horrible insult in my book, ranking right up there with "Croydonian". Mind you "Steve" did rather get the short straw when it comes to forenames when you consider the fact that his younger brothers are named Parfait, Riffi and Ever. Steve has been capped over 20 times at senior level by France though these days he is seen pretty much as Lloris's deputy over the channel. Which meant that he got to watch Payet play against Bulgaria last weekend like the rest of us.
They bolstered the central defensive area by paying us a reported £10m for James "He Hits Who He Wants" Tomkins. Now that was a transfer that didn't overly please us at the Avram Grant Olympic Rest Home For The Bewildered, though, having reportedly been told that his first XI chances would be limited at the Olympic Stadium one can see the logic of his departure to ensure first team football, even if it does mean his having to visit Croydon every other week. The uncertain start we've made would have meant him having the chance to build up a run in the first team. Strength in depth against keeping players happy - the perennial struggle.
Tomkins may be partnered by skipper Scott Dann who is due to return from a hamstring injury. Palace supporters have been clamouring for him to be included in England squads for a while, which just goes to show that once you start picking players as limited as Henderson everyone starts to think they can get in.
They are of course managed by Alan Pardew about whom the kumb lawyers have insisted I write precisely nothing. For some reason. So I'll move swiftly on to other matters. England then. Liverpool fans were hailing their latest "world-class" player (titter) as Jordan Henderson was the least worst player on the pitch against, er, Malta, resulting in him being awarded the captaincy against Slovakia. Whereupon he gave the ball away so often he reminded the rest of us that he's bloody lucky to be anywhere near an international squad in the first place. Still, as awful as it is watching England these days (Sturridge here's a cow's backside, here's a banjo. Come back when you've mastered that) at least we're not Scottish. (Note to Scottish readers: hahahahahaha!)
Meanwhile we are all avoiding looking at the photos of the Boleyn being demolished – we were tearful enough on that last night without seeing the place getting pulled apart. Taking our minds off things we have injury news, and as usual, there is another one to add to the list. This time it's Gokan Tore who has a thigh injury that will keep him out for about five to six weeks. Poor bloke must have walked under half a dozen ladders on his way over from Turkey. It had been thought that Carroll and Sakho might be close to recalls but that now looks more likely to happen at the end of the month – maybe the extra hour in bed when the clocks change just before Everton away will make all the difference. Ayew & Masuaku are still a fair way off and Byram's hamstring was bad enough to require an operation last week. On the plus side Cresswell, Nordveidt and Calleri have all returned to full training. Cresswell has been sorely (pun intended) missed after that two-bob nutter from Karlsruhe did him in pre-season so let's just hope he really IS fully fit this time around – we can't afford for him to miss any more games.
Prediction? Well my original optimism for this match has been tempered by the injury news – I'd originally been working on the lines that one or more of Carroll and Sakho might be about. Their absence leaves us looking at Zaza and Calleri as the main options, with perhaps Antonio taking on some sort of striking role as he did against Boro'. Zaza is struggling for form at the moment and if he wants to stay he'll need to start pulling his finger out. Calleri has been injured but even before that he wasn't exactly in the Samsung league in terms of setting the world alight. I do have a rather bad feeling about this one given they are in a run of luck at the moment. So I think that the £2.50 I was going to pay to watch the next UKIP boxing match (well there's bound to be one isn't there?) will go on a pessimistic 2-1 home victory as soon as I can get myself down to Winstones The Turf Accountants, the one bright spot being that if any idiot dressed as a clown gets in my way as I get near the ground on Saturday I can happily deck them safe in the knowledge that, since they come from the London Borough Of Croydon, I will be doing the world a double favour.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met at Selhurst Park: Won 3-1 (Premier League October 2015) An eventful match that took place almost a year ago to the day. Jenkinson put us 1-0 up before a very dodgy twice-taken spot kick from Cabaye levelled the scores. Gayle then got himself dismissed rather stupidly, kicking lumps out of Payet and Kouyate with a petulant shove on Adrian coming in between to suggest that he had an early date that evening – (this being back in the days when referees actually bothered to issue second yellow cards when they were due). It seemed that the self-styled greatest supporters in the world all had similar plans to Gayle as even the twit with the "official drum" legged it once Lanzini had put us 2-1 up. So they would have missed the delightful finish from Payet that sealed the points. Talking of whom, it was in this match that "The Payet Song" really started to take hold, something that occurred with a spontaneity light years beyond the comprehension of the risible home "ultras".
Danger Man: Christian Benteke I don't particularly rate him but that makes him precisely the sort of player in form that will play well enough to bite us on the bum. Honourable mention for James Tomkins who will be a danger at corners with the added influence of the law of the ex to come into play.
Referee: Martin Atkinson Of course it is. We get him every three bloody games whatever happens.
Percy's Poser: Last time out we asked you why the BBC had to issue a disclaimer at the end of series 3 of Auf Wiedersehen Pet, which had partly been set in Middlesbrough. The first correct answer out of the digital hat came from Mrs Winifred Cornplaster of Pitsea who told us: "The BBC told us that they had had received complaints that the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge had been dismantled for the programme. The last episode of the programme therefore contained a disclaimer aimed at Spurs supporters and other hard of thinking groups pointing out that the bridge was still actually intact and fully functional and the apparent absence of the structure on the tv was the result of not very convincing special effects.." The prize of a can of genuine Middlesbrough Smog is on its way to you Mrs Cornplaster even as we speak. Well done Winifred!
For this week's poser we will be asking the question: The London Borough Of Croydon's employees have a warped sense of humour – how else do you explain their granting of a safety certificate to Selhurst Park every year? But what did the burghers of that lousy borough do in 1954, 2000, 2002 and 2012 that caused the rest of the country to collapse uncontrollably with laughter. First correct answer out of the digital hat will win either the London Borough Of Croydon or a used J-cloth. Good luck everyone!
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Crystal Palace v West Ham preview: Scott Dann misses out, Tomkins to start against former club
Last Updated: 14/10/16 3:13pm
SSN
Crystal Palace and West Ham, who are at contrasting ends of the form table, meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening. The Eagles are unbeaten in five Premier League games (W3 D2 L0), their longest run without defeat since December 2015 while West Ham are without a win in their last five top-flight games (W0 D1 L4), their longest winless streak in the competition since December 2015. West Ham will be hoping Dimitri Payet, who has scored just once in the league this season, rediscovers his best form against a team he scored twice against last campaign.
Team news
Crystal Palace's Scott Dann remains unavailable for the hosts. The captain and central defender is still recovering from a hamstring strain, so James Tomkins is expected to start against his former club alongside Damien Delaney.
Manager Alan Pardew hopes Dann will be fit for next Saturday's trip to Leicester, but beyond him his only absentees are Pape Souare, who fractured his thigh and jaw, and Jonathan Benteke, who has an injured knee.
Aaron Cresswell is in the West Ham squad for the first time this season.
The left-back is fit after recovering from a knee injury sustained in pre-season, and he is joined by midfielder Havard Nordtveit and striker Jonathan Calleri who have shaken off minor niggles.
Summer signing Gokhan Tore (thigh) and right-back Sam Byram (hamstring) have replaced them in the treatment room while Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew, Arthur Masuaku and Diafra Sakho are still unavailable.
Match stats
Crystal Palace have won just one of their last four top-flight meetings with West Ham, drawing one and losing two.
West Ham have won on each of their last two top-flight visits to Selhurst Park; they've never won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league.
There has been a sending off in each of the last three top-flight clashes between these two sides (Kouyate in Apr 2016, Gayle in Oct 2015 and Murray in Feb 2015).
Manuel Lanzini also scored in both West Ham's games against the Eagles last season (two goals in total); with Palace the only side he has scored more than one against in the top flight.
Since Christian Benteke's Premier League debut in September 2012, only Olivier Giroud (also 19) has scored as many headed goals in the competition as the Belgian striker.
Crystal Palace have now gone seven games without a London derby win in the Premier League (W0 D2 L5), the longest run of any current top-flight club.
West Ham have picked up just four points from their opening seven Premier League games; their worst points tally in a top-flight season at this stage since 1988-89 (also 4 - and they were relegated at the end of that campaign).
Since the start of last season, Dann has netted seven goals in the top-flight, more than any other defender.
Jason Puncheon has created more goalscoring chances than any other Premier League player in the opening seven matchdays of the 2016-17 season (24).
Merson's predictions
Benteke should be unplayable. He is tall, strong, quick and great in the air, and it was just a lack of confidence at Liverpool. He's got that back now and has been great for Palace.
In contrast, West Ham are struggling and their confidence is shot, so if Alan Pardew's side start quickly I can see them running away with it.
It is a concerning time for the Hammers because it took an unbelievable piece of magic by Payet to get a draw at home to Middlesbrough.
They have played Watford, Bournemouth, Southampton and Boro at the London Stadium and only have one win. All the big boys are still to come.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Betting
A Saturday evening London derby at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace are 11/10 with Sky Bet to inflict another defeat on struggling West Ham. The Hammers are 12/5 for their second Premier League win of the campaign, with the same price available on the draw.
Benteke has scored in Palace's last two games and netted a hat-trick for Belgium against Gibraltar: he's a clear 4/1 favourite to net the opening goal in this one.
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West Ham look to reboot in London derby against Crystal Palace
ESPN.com
West Ham return to league action after the international break with a clearly defined objective. The team need to start winning matches -- and soon. Although many football fans find the enforced international breaks a distraction, it's undoubtedly a fact that the Premier League season is now defined by the segments resulting from the demands of the international football timetable. Following a poor early season and a series of awful defensive displays, the Hammers' latest season restart is surely the most significant. There's always a point when a poor slump turns into a crisis and Slaven Bilic and his men are slowly approaching it.
If the improvement shown against Middlesbrough last time out is maintained, then the Hammers can hopefully move out of the bottom three and set about repairing their season. If the calamitous start continues however, then the club will almost certainly find themselves in a relegation battle. It's usually during the autumn when these things are set in stone. League history then often dictates that the battle -- whether ultimately successful or not -- will continue well into the next spring.
The return to form of Dimitri Payet is one thing that should encourage Bilic. It was noticeable that the whole team seemed lifted when the French international scored his wonder goal against Boro. The manager will also be hoping that the age-old injury issues are starting to ease with both Andy Carroll and Aaron Creswell both hoping for an earlier than expected return from the physiotherapist's room.
Despite strong reservations from many fans about the injury-prone striker's long-term contribution to the squad, the fact remains that Carroll's strength up front and, more importantly, in defence is something that the team miss when he is unavailable. As for Cresswell, there was never a doubt. An instant hit from the moment he joined the club from Ipswich, the 26-year-old's influence at left-back is keenly felt. The Hammers' defence looks completely out of kilter when he is not playing.
A local derby is always eagerly anticipated and the hop across the river to face south London rivals Crystal Palace will be a strong test for Bilic and his team. Many of the claret and blue faithful think their latest manager can learn a lot from their old boss. Alan Pardew's return to Palace, the club he used to play for, has been nothing but an unqualified success. The former West Ham and Newcastle United manager bought well in the summer -- not least in securing the services of Boleyn favourite James Tomkins. Meanwhile, seeking a winger, Bilic turned to players he knew from his previous club; the result has been depressingly underwhelming. Pardew on the other hand, shrewdly bought Andros Townsend from Newcastle. There is no doubt who has made the most impact. Dimitri Payet's late goal allowed West Ham to avoid extra time. Dimitri Payet's form has been one of the few bright sparks for West Ham United this season.
Similarly, while the Hammers searched for a striker all summer, it was Pardew who decided that the Premier League experience of Liverpool forward Christian Benteke would be a sensible option. West Ham were linked with the Belgian International throughout but ultimately did nothing. Instead, Bilic's pursuit of Simone Zaza is already looking like a big mistake; with rumours that the player will return to Italy in January rife.
The Hammers have a good record against Palace generally, but there is one major threat to them this time out. When a player with something to prove comes up against his old club there is usually only one outcome. Tomkins is a fine defender, but he scored many goals in the claret and blue by powering in from the far post; he will surely be looking at the porous defence of his former club and thinking he can prove Bilic was wrong to let him leave in the summer for £10 million.
West Ham may be happy to take a point away from Selhurst Park, but Bilic knows his team need to start winning soon. If not, then there might be another type of chill wind blowing around the club in the coming months.
Peter Thorne, aka Billy Blagg (@BillyBlaggEsq), is ESPN FC's West Ham blogger.
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