Penalty gives Birmingham a point - WHUFC
Freddie Ljungberg's early strike was cancelled out by James McFadden's
penalty to leave it honours even
09.02.2008
West Ham United 1-1 Birmingham City
Freddie Ljungberg's first goal for West Ham United was not enough to secure
a fourth successive home league win after James McFadden beat Robert Green
from the penalty spot to earn a point for battling Birmingham City.
The Sweden captain struck on seven minutes only for McFadden to equalise on
the quarter-hour mark on a disappointing afternoon for the home side, who
also had Lee Bowyer dismissed in the closing stages.
For the second successive Saturday, West Ham United had found themselves up
against a bottom three side struggling for their Premier League lives.
Following last weekend's defeat on Wigan Athletic's cabbage patch pitch,
Alan Curbishley came into this encounter hoping that the grass would be
greener on the carpet-like surface of the Boleyn Ground.
The home manager made just one change to his tenth-placed team as Bowyer
came in for Mark Noble, who, following his England U21 exertions in midweek,
initially found himself on the bench only to tweak his hamstring in the
warm-up and find himself hastily replaced by teenager Jack Collison. Also
back on the bench was Henri Camara, following his return from Africa Cup of
Nations duty.
Curbishley's counterpart Alex McLeish arrived in east London without a
league or cup victory since Boxing Day and, after the disappointing draw
with seemingly doomed Derby County, the Blues' boss made two switches as
Mikael Forsell and Gary McSheffrey came in for Garry O'Connor and the
suspended Olivier Kapo.
With England coach Fabio Capello looking on, Dean Ashton saw his early
acrobatic shot fielded by Maik Taylor but it was not long before the City
keeper was picking the ball out of the net. Carlton Cole flicked-on
ever-present George McCartney's long-throw into the danger zone and the
unmarked Ljungberg ghosted in at the far post to scoop a six-yarder into the
roof of the net.
The claret and blue fans in the near-capacity 34,884 crowd were still
celebrating, when Bowyer passed a low 18-yard shot an inch or so beyond the
left-hand post and then Carlton Cole volleyed wide, too. On the quarter-hour
mark, however, skipper Lucas Neill was adjudged by referee Mark Clattenburg
to have tugged back the tumbling McFadden.
After dusting himself down, the Scottish striker finally succeeded where
Kevin Doyle, Benjani, Jermain Defoe and Cristiano Ronaldo had each failed
this season, when he finally beat Robert Green from the spot. His low
penalty brushed past the keeper's outstretched right glove.
Now level, Birmingham might even have gone in front when Forssell popped up,
unmarked, eight yards out but fortunately the alert, well-placed Green
showed just why he is West Ham United's No1 when he gathered the Finland
forward's point-blank header. Despite that scare, Curbishley's team still
looked the most threatening and, after Damien Johnson was booked for hauling
down the lively Ljungberg, Etherington then climaxed a fine, free-flowing
move with a powerful, rising ten-yarder that Taylor clawed away, before
saving from Hayden Mullins.
Just after the restart, McSheffrey's low 20-yard shot deflected off the
immaculate Anton Ferdinand's heel, before flashing beyond the base of
Green's left-hand post. Shortly afterwards the midfielder became the second
City player to be booked for upending Ljungberg. In reply, Ashton unleashed
a couple of wayward efforts before Curbishley decided to unleash some more
pace on the visiting defence and give Faubert a half-hour run-out at the
expense of Cole.
As the Frenchman took his place on the left-flank, Ljungberg - battered but
not beaten - advanced forward to join Ashton, who then agonisingly failed to
steer Neill's mis-hit shot towards goal. With 17 minutes left, Matthew
Upson, who had shone so well for Fabio Capello's England in midweek, came
close to scoring against his old club but the flying Taylor saved the
header.
At the other end, Forssell fired across the face of goal before being
replaced by Cameron Jerome. Although Ashton volleyed wide and Camara arrived
for the closing stages that saw Bowyer dismissed for a tackle on Johnson -
and Jerome and the time-wasting Maik Taylor booked - both sides had to
settle for a point.
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg,
Mullins, Bowyer, Etherington (Camara 83), Cole (Faubert 62), Ashton (Spector
90)
Subs: Wright, Collison,
Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Martin Taylor, Murphy,
Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, McSheffrey (Parnaby 87), McFadden, Forssell
(Jerome 76)
Subs: Doyle, Nafti, Zarate
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ljungberg leads by example - WHUFC
Another strong attacking display by Freddie Ljungberg was capped by his
first goal for West Ham United
10.02.2008
Freddie Ljungberg was delighted to finally get off the mark for West Ham
United - the culmination of several impressive performances from the Swedish
midfielder.
Against Birmingham City on Saturday, Ljungberg popped up from close range in
the seventh minute to connect with Carlton Cole's flicked header back across
goal to send the ball beyond Maik Taylor into the net with a neat finish.
"It was a great start to the game," he said. "It was nice to score a goal
but it is disappointing we didn't win."
Ljungberg had come close in recent matches to opening his account in claret
and blue but he would have gladly swapped the goal for all three points,
having seen James McFadden earn the visitors a point with his 16th-minute
penalty. "In the first half we played really good football and maybe we
could have scored some more goals. We did some good sharp passing, and even
in the second half we created some chances and could have scored."
That difficult period after the interval saw the team up against a
Birmingham side who were content to get ten men behind the ball and look to
hit their hosts on the break. As a result, the play failed to live up to the
early exchanges. "That is something we spoke about afterwards," Ljungberg
added. "We have to keep on working and playing our football, playing our
game if things aren't going our way."
Despite the disappointment of failing to secure a fourth straight league win
at the Boleyn Ground, Ljungberg is more than content with his own form.
"Personally I have felt great the last one or two months. It helps to be
injury free and that you can train." With no game until Fulham away in a
fortnight, the squad will have the chance to rest but Ljungberg's hunger to
keep on going is such that "I would like to play again tomorrow".
Having already focused on club commitments by not playing for Sweden in
midweek, he will surely be fully recharged for that London derby on 23
February. He said: "I have never had a break like this and I am going to try
and use it as wisely as possible." There is no doubting the determination
within the squad over the next two weeks to learn from Saturday's stalemate.
"Even if we are drawing or even one-nil down we have to keep on playing,"
Ljungberg concluded.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs reflects on home draw - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley was frustrated after his team could not make it four
straight home league wins on Saturday
09.02.2008
Alan Curbishley admitted things "fizzled out for us" on Saturday after
Birmingham City were able to earn a precious point in their fight for
survival.
Although a victory in the next game away to Fulham on 23 February could well
move West Ham United up to ninth and within touching distance of the top
seven, recent fine form meant a 1-1 home draw left frustration as the
overriding emotion. "After a promising start it fizzled out for us," said
the manager, as he reflected on the way Freddie Ljungberg's early opener was
cancelled out by James McFadden's penalty, which he felt was harshly awarded
against Lucas Neill.
The manager also believed Lee Bowyer was unfortunate to receive a late red
card for a challenge on Damien Johnson. "We have asked [the referee] to look
at it and I think he will," Curbishley said. "Hopefully he will overturn it
because when it happened I didn't think it was that serious. The referee on
the spot sees it a little differently. If he is suspended it will be a bit
tough."
Of the game itself, the manager said: "We started off OK. The expectation
levels were on us. We got our goal but the penalty was really soft. I can't
even see an arm around McFadden. I was really surprised when the referee
gave it. We have seen it and we don't think it is a penalty at all. It
knocked us a little bit. For the first half we created some little openings
that perhaps we needed to take. We are really disappointed with the second.
It fizzled out on us and I think both teams looked as they were never going
to score.
"I have said to the players that the biggest disappointment for me is in
recent weeks we have played Liverpool and Manchester City a couple of times
and in those games we have passed it around and knocked it about. Our last
two games have been very difficult - today I was expecting a bit more. We
had one or two tired legs. It has been a tough week for some of them."
As well as Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill after big games for England and
Australia, young midfielder Mark Noble also felt the effects of the
international week after helping the Under-21s to a win and was a late
withdrawal from the bench. "Mark Noble come back ever so tired and didn't
train until yesterday. He went out in the warm-up and felt his hamstring a
bit so we didn't want to take a risk with him."
Those that did play gave their all but the decisive goal was not
forthcoming. "We are really disappointed with the second-half performance,"
Curbishley added, mindful that hopes were for a repeat of the 1-0 home win
against Liverpool last time out at the Boleyn Ground rather than the 1-0
reverse at Wigan Athletic a week ago. "We set our fans up after the
Liverpool game to go and get something at Wigan and today because we were
playing teams down the bottom. We haven't gone and done it. We are a little
bit frustrated."
It was not for the want of trying, with tactical changes in the second half
to introduce Julien Faubert and then Henri Camara to add extra firepower
alongside Dean Ashton, with Carlton Cole making way. "I took a decision to
change it. I wanted to beef up the midfield first because Birmingham were
getting on top of in there. I wanted to put Freddie in the hole because he
was our most effective player today. I had to make a decision and I felt if
a chance fell to Deano, he might take it."
One positive was that Faubert, who had been out with a slight calf strain,
followed up his 90 minutes in Monday's friendly against Queen's Park Rangers
with another run-out from the bench. Curbishley expects to have the France
winger available going forward and he also took the opportunity to endorse
Faubert's public commitment to the cause made on Friday, following previous
reports in some quarters to the contrary. "As soon as he saw the situation,
he came to see me and wanted to issue a statement on it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pantsil ends finals on positive note - WHUFC
John Pantsil is heading back to London after five full games for Ghana at
the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations
10.02.2008
John Pantsil went out on a high at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations by helping
Ghana to beat Ivory Coast and claim third place.
The host nation had seen their hopes of winning the trophy on home soil
dashed on Thursday with a 1-0 defeat by Cameroon, who will play Egypt in
Sunday's final, but salvaged some pride with a 4-2 defeat of the Ivorians on
Saturday. It also meant the best showing by Ghana at a finals since the 1992
edition in Senegal.
Sulley Muntari had opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a long-range
free-kick only for Boubacar Sanogo to put Ivory Coast in the lead with two
goals in quick succession. Qunicy Owusu-Abeyie levelled matters soon after
the interval and Junior Agogo made it 3-2 with ten minutes to play. Hamanu
Draman then sealed victory in the 85th minute.
Pantsil played the full 90 minutes of each of Ghana's five games and will
return to West Ham United hoping to continue the good form he showed up to
his last fixture for the club on 5 January. His club-mate Henri Camara, who
featured against Birmingham City as a substitute on Saturday, returned to
London this week after scoring once in three group-stage appearances for
Senegal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-1 Birmingham - BBC
By Owen Phillips
James McFadden's penalty earned a point for Birmingham and lifted them out
of the relegation zone. The Hammers started superbly and went ahead when
Freddie Ljungberg smashed the ball in from close range following Carlton
Cole's flick-on. But the home side spurned several good chances to extend
that lead and McFadden's penalty levelled the scores after he was felled by
Lucas Neill. West Ham's Lee Bowyer was sent off for a lunge on Damien
Johnson late on. Bowyer's red card was one of the few incidents of note in a
lifeless second period. Mikael Forssell had the best chance of the half but
was unlucky to see his cross-shot drift inches wide after a neat turn. But
an away win would have been harsh on a West Ham side looking to follow up
victories over Manchester United, Fulham and Liverpool by winning a fourth
successive home match. Birmingham headed into the game without a win in 2008
- a run of seven league and cup matches. And the early exchanges suggested
both those trends would continue. The Londoners looked bright and inventive
while the Blues appeared sluggish and defensively disorganised, and it was
no surprise when the home side took the lead. Cole showed great strength at
the front post to flick on George McCartney's long throw and Ljungberg
reacted quickly to fire the ball into the roof of the net. It was no more
than West Ham deserved, and they had chances to extend their lead. Bowyer,
back in the side for the rested Mark Noble, stroked a shot narrowly wide
after some superb one-touch passing and Cole then dragged a tricky
right-foot volley across goal. But the Blues were level on 15 minutes and it
was from another throw-in.
Neill got too tight on McFadden and bundled the striker over in the box
after being flummoxed by a nifty dummy. McFadden, the pick of Birmingham's
attacking players, sidefooted the penalty into the left corner to draw the
visitors level. West Ham responded and Bowyer had a weak shot saved by Maik
Taylor after good work by Matthew Etherington. The lively Etherington forced
a fine save from Maik Taylor following another fine move and Cole had a
dangerous volley blocked after a mis-hit Ljungberg cross. Birmingham should
have gone in front but Forssell could only send his free header straight
into the arms of Robert Green after a delightful cross from McFadden - the
final chance of an entertaining opening half. However, the second half
produced very little in the way of decent chances or entertainment. Gary
McSheffrey cut in from the left and struck a right-foot effort that hit
Anton Ferdinand and went just wide, while Forssell also went close. At the
other end, Hammers defender Matthew Upson saw a header comfortably saved by
Maik Taylor but neither side did enough to force the victory.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley on Lee Bowyer's red card:"We have asked
Mark Clattenburg (referee) to look at it, and we think he will. Hopefully he
will overturn it. When it happened I did not think it was that serious. "I
think Damien Johnson has come in and both of his feet have connected with
the ball, so I don't know if Bowyer has gone above it. We will have to wait
and see. "We started off okay and got our goal, then the penalty was really
soft - I cannot even see an arm around McFadden. It knocked us a little bit.
"We created some little openings which we needed to take, then the second
half fizzled out on us and neither team looked like they were going to
score."
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish on goalscorer James McFadden: It is great for
James. He looked lively and troubled the West Ham defenders in the first
half. "James is not an out-and-out goalscorer, hopefully he will provide
many as well with his creativity - but he will score the occasional goal and
is very dangerous." "We had a lot of the ball in the final third,
particularly in the first half, but we did not quite make as much of the
opportunities as I would like.
"In the second half we had to do a bit more defending, and it was a really
spirited performance from the players. We were written off last week, but we
have bounced back again. We are out of the bottom three this week, but it
means nothing until May."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg, Bowyer,
Mullins, Etherington (Camara 83), Ashton (Spector 90), Cole (Faubert 62).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Collison.
Sent Off: Bowyer (88).
Goals: Ljungberg 7.
Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson,
Muamba, Johnson, McSheffrey (Parnaby 87), Forssell (Jerome 76), McFadden.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Nafti, Zarate.
Booked: Johnson, McSheffrey, Muamba, Maik Taylor, Jerome.
Goals: McFadden 16 pen.
Att: 34,884.
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Birmingham's James McFadden 7.71
(on 90 minutes).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lacklustre Hammers held by Blues - SSN
A game of few chances finishes all square at Upton Park
By Chris Burton Last updated: 9th February 2008
Lee Bowyer saw red for West Ham as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with
struggling Birmingham. West Ham controlled much of the opening exchanges and
it came as no surprise when they took the lead inside seven minutes. George
McCartney's long throw from the left was flicked on by Carlton Cole and
Freddie Ljungberg ghosted in at the back post to bundle the ball home from
close range. Birmingham were level though just nine minutes later when Lucas
Neill's clumsy challenge on James McFadden resulted in referee Mark
Clattenburg pointing to the spot. McFadden picked himself up to confidently
dispatch the penalty himself, placing his kick to perfection past the
despairing dive of Hammers keeper Robert Green who had gone the right way.
The second-half produced few clear cut chances for either side as the game
drifted towards a draw. McFadden should have done better when allowed to
shoot from the edge of the box midway through the second period, while Dean
Ashton wasted a number of opportunities for the Hammers. With time almost up
Lee Bowyer was then dismissed for West Ham following a wild lunge on Damien
Johnson. The midfielder made no contact with the Blues' captain, but he went
in with his studs showing and virtually ended any hopes the Hammers had of
grabbing a winner.
It was a bright start by the hosts, with Ashton looking lively and keen to
impress watching England manager Fabio Capello, and West Ham took the lead
in the seventh minute. From a long throw in, Cole headed the ball across
goal towards the right-hand post, where Ljungberg arrived to stab home from
close range. The Hammers were in full flow now, and a well-worked move found
Bowyer with the space to shoot from the edge of the area, but his low effort
was just wide. Birmingham were forced to quickly regroup, or face being
over-run.
The Blues were handed a life-line after 16 minutes when referee Mark
Clattenburg pointed to the spot following a needless foul by Hammers captain
Neill on McFadden. The Scot got up to take the penalty himself, and made no
mistake from 12 yards, beating Robert Green with a low strike into the left
corner.
West Ham, who have beaten both Manchester United and Liverpool at Upton
Park, were soon back on the offensive. However, despite plenty of positive
build-up, Curbishley's men were unable to find a decisive pass in the final
third, much to the frustration of the home faithful. As the half-hour mark
approached, Matthew Etherington got away down the left, and cut the ball
back towards the penalty spot. However, Bowyer had to stretch and his shot
lacked pace, as Taylor got down to make the save. At the other end, Forssell
headed straight at Green when he was picked out in the middle by McFadden.
West Ham then worked the ball along the line, through Ashton and out to
Etherington on the left. His strike was well saved at the near post by Maik
Taylor.
Mullins flashed in a low drive after the ball dropped to him 20 yards out,
but it was straight at the busy Blues keeper. When West Ham did make some
progress in the second half, the choice of final delivery was poor. The
atmosphere, unsurprisingly, inside Upton Park became somewhat subdued.
Birmingham, who had not won in seven straight games, continued to frustrate
the home side without creating too much themselves. However, on 56 minutes,
a low drive from Gary McSheffrey almost sneaked into the bottom right
corner, but was deflected behind.
West Ham continued to have the better of possession, but were unable to
create a decent opening around the Birmingham penalty area. Etherington sent
over a free-kick from the left, which Matthew Upson headed down, but the
England defender was denied by a good reaction save from Taylor. At the
other end, Forssell flashed a low effort across goal, before he was replaced
by Cameron Jerome for the final 14 minutes. West Ham were reduced to 10 men
when Bowyer was dismissed late on for a rash challenge on Johnson.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs disappointed with point - SSN
Hammers fail to live up to expectations
By Chris Burton Last updated: 9th February 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley accepts that his side underperformed during
their 1-1 draw with Birmingham. Freddie Ljungberg had given the Hammers an
early lead at Upton Park, but a James McFadden penalty less than 10 minutes
later saw the visitors earn a share of the spoils. The point means that West
Ham are still six points adrift of the European places and Curbishley admits
that they will need to raise their game significantly if they are to
challenge the top six. "I thought we started well and got our goal, but
we're disappointed with theirs, we felt that Lucas Neill didn't do too much
wrong," the Hammers boss told Sky Sports. "In the first-half we should have
increased our lead, but then the second-half was a massive disappointment.
"The expectation was on us today and we didn't live up to it. "I'm really
disappointed with our passing. I thought first-half we tried and then
second-half we just put the ball in the box and hoped something would
happen, and it didn't."
Despite the disappointment of dropping two points at home Curbishley still
feels that the club have enjoyed a successful season so far, especially when
you consider the number of injuries which they have been forced to contend
with. "Everyone knows the problems we've had here with players being out,"
he said. "But I still think the players have done really well so far
considering all the chopping and changing."
Curbishley also saw his side booed off the field following the toothless
display, but accepts that the supporters will feel free to vent their anger
if they are forced to put up with substandard performances. "I understand
their frustrations, I'm disappointed as well," he said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-1 Birmingham: Bowyer sees red - Soccernet
Birmingham battled to secure what could prove to be a crucial point in their
relegation fight as they moved out of the bottom three after a 1-1 draw at
10-man West Ham. Freddie Ljungberg gave the Hammers an early lead when he
netted from close range. However, the Blues were level on 16 minutes when
James McFadden converted from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by
Lucas Neill. From then on, the visitors did enough to frustrate the home
side and earn a share of the spoils with a determined second-half
performance as Hammers midfielder Lee Bowyer was dismissed late on for his
challenge on Damien Johnson. The Hammers had been involved in a relegation
scrap themselves last season, but have found more consistency under Alan
Curbishley and sit in relative mid-table security. It was a bright start by
the hosts, with Dean Ashton looking lively and keen to impress watching
England manager Fabio Capello. West Ham took the lead in the seventh minute.
From a long throw in, Carlton Cole headed the ball across goal towards the
right-hand post, where Ljungberg arrived to stab home from close range. The
Hammers were in full flow now, and a well-worked move found Bowyer with the
space to shoot from the edge of the area - but his low effort was just wide.
Birmingham were forced to quickly regroup, or face being over-run as West
Ham continued to press forwards. Ljungberg fed Hayden Mullins just outside
the penalty area, and his chip found Cole. However, the former England
Under-21 man dragged his volley wide. The Blues were handed a lifeline after
16 minutes when referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot following a
needless foul by Hammers captain Neill on McFadden. The Scot got up to take
the penalty himself and made no mistake from 12 yards, beating Robert Green
with a low strike into the left corner.
West Ham - who have beaten both Manchester United and Liverpool at home -
were soon back on the offensive. However, despite plenty of positive
build-up, Curbishley's men were unable to find a decisive pass in the final
third - much to the frustration of the home faithful. Birmingham were
breaking down the play well and then pressing themselves. However, with only
Mikael Forssell up front, the visitors needed to get more men in support. As
the half-hour mark approached, Matthew Etherington got away down the left
and cut the ball back towards the penalty spot. However, Bowyer had to
stretch and his shot lacked pace as Taylor got down to make the save. At the
other end, Forssell headed straight at Green when he was picked out in the
middle by McFadden. West Ham then worked the ball along the line, through
Ashton and out to Etherington on the left. His strike was well saved at the
near post by Maik Taylor. Mullins flashed in a low drive after the ball
dropped to him 20 yards out, but it was straight at the busy Blues keeper.
When West Ham did make some progress in the second half, the choice of final
delivery was poor. The atmosphere, unsurprisingly, inside Upton Park became
somewhat subdued. Birmingham - who had not won in seven straight games -
continued to frustrate the home side, yet without creating too much
themselves. However, on 56 minutes a low drive from Gary McSheffrey almost
sneaked into the bottom right corner, but was deflected behind. Ashton - who
did not feature in Capello's squad for the friendly against Switzerland -
blasted a loose ball over from 20 yards, which just about summed up the
game. The former Norwich striker then had another chance to grab the
headlines when he weaved into space on the edge of the area, but dragged a
low shot wide. West Ham continued to have the better of possession, but were
unable to create a decent opening around the Birmingham penalty area.
Etherington sent over a free-kick from the left, which Matthew Upson headed
down, but the England defender was denied by a good reaction save from
Taylor. At the other end, Forssell flashed a low effort across goal, before
he was replaced by Cameron Jerome for the final 14 minutes. West Ham were
reduced to 10 men when Bowyer was dismissed late on for his challenge on
Johnson.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley hopes referee Mark Clattenburg will take
another look at the red card shown to Lee Bowyer. Curbishley said: 'We have
asked Mark to look at it, and we think he will. Hopefully he will overturn
it. When it happened I did not think it was that serious, but on the spot,
the referee sees it different. 'I think Johnson has come in and both of his
feet have connected with the ball, so I don't know if Bowyer has gone above
it. We will have to wait and see. 'If he is suspended, it is a bit tough and
we could do with a suspension least of all with the injuries we have got.'
Freddie Ljungberg gave the Hammers an early lead when he netted from close
range. However, the Blues were level on 16 minutes when James McFadden
converted from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Lucas Neill.
From then on, the visitors did enough to frustrate the home side and earn a
share of the spoils with a determined second-half performance. Curbishley -
his side looking safe in mid-table - admitted the game had 'fizzled out' in
front of watching England manager Fabio Capello following such a positive
opening. 'We started off okay and got our goal, then the penalty was really
soft - I cannot even see an arm around McFadden,' said the West Ham manager.
'It knocked us a little bit. We created some little openings which we needed
to take, then the second half fizzled out on us and neither team looked like
they were going to score.' Curbishley added: 'The biggest disappointment
for me is in recent weeks we have passed the ball around and knocked it
about - I was expecting a bit more today. 'We have not gone on and done it
today, and we are all left a bit frustrated. 'I don't know how many players
Birmingham had away this week, but it all looked a bit tired.'
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was content enough with a hard-earned point,
but knows plenty of hard work still lays ahead. 'We had a lot of the ball
in the final third, particularly in the first half, but we did not quite
make as much of the opportunities as I would like,' he said. 'In the second
half we had to do a bit more defending, and it was a really spirited
performance from the players. We were written off last week, but we have
bounced back again.
'We are out of the bottom three this week, but it means nothing until May.
We have just got keep level headed about it all.' McLeish added: 'You have
got to try and allow the players to play without huge pressure. 'I told
them before the game that you cannot guarantee the outcome, but you can
guarantee commitment and individual performances - that is what we got
today.'
McFadden's goal was his first since arriving from Everton in a
£4.75million-deal during the transfer window. The former Scotland manager
was happy to see McFadden in the thick of the action. 'It is great for
James,' said McLeish. 'He looked lively and troubled the West Ham defenders
in the first half. 'James is not an out-and-out goalscorer, hopefully he
will provide many as well with his creativity - but he will score the
occasional goal and is very dangerous.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Birmingham Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sat Feb 9 2008
West Ham United 1 Birmingham City 1
A second consecutive dismal performance saw West Ham only manage to draw
against lowly Birmingham City in poor game which neither side looked like
winning.
An early goal for the home side should have been the catalyst for a
comfortable victory but when Lucas Neill lazily pulled back James McFadden,
Birmingham were given a way back into the game via the penalty spot.
After performing so badly against Wigan, the hope was that we would react in
the correct manner and go all out to ensure victory in a game which many
would have had down as a home banker.
There was only one change to the team which started against Wigan and that
saw Mark Noble replaced by Lee Bowyer in the centre of midfield. Noble was
named on the bench but he pulled his hamstring in the pre-match warm up and
was replaced on the bench by Jack Collision.
Craig Bellamy was yet again injured and the return of Nolberto Solano had
also taken a set back as he was no where to be seen. Henri Camera returned
from international duty to take his place on the substitute's bench
alongside Jonathan Spector and Julien Faubert.
We started well and Birmingham looked shaky and found it hard to cope with
the pace of our attacks. Dean Ashton had the first of our chances with an
acrobatic attempt which lacked power but was on target.
Moments later we managed to get ourselves in front and it seemed to happen
in slow motion. George McCartney put a long throw into the area which was
flicked on by Carlton Cole and the flick found Freddie Ljungberg unmarked
and the Swede got there before Birmingham keeper Taylor to fire into the
roof of the net.
The confidence seemed sky high within the team and we started to play some
very nice one touch football which pleased the crowd.
Birmingham reacted well to going a goal down and forced a couple of corners
but I doubt they would have believed their luck when McFadden got into the
area and was tugged back by Lucas Neill. The referee Mark Clattenburg
pointed straight at the spot and the Scottish attacker stepped up and
converted the spot kick.
Hopefully this was just to be a minor blip and we would get ourselves
together and go on to score more goals.
But it was Birmingham who looked more likely to further the scoring and had
a golden opportunity when Forssell stole ahead of our defence to send a
header from point blank range straight at Robert Green.
The crowd started to get anxious and annoyed at this point which was a
change from near complete silence. I know this wasn't exactly the most
glamorous game of the season but on a very nice day with a full capacity, I
think I can be forgiven for thinking the crowd were far from on form and
this cannot have helped the players.
Blaming the fans can only work up to a point because the players needed to
offer more than they were as the lack of cohesion and ambition were really
frustrating to watch.
Ljungberg was doing his best to make things happen and was causing the
visitors a number of problems, but the lack of urgency in the area meant
that any crosses coming in were easily dealt with by a Birmingham defence
who have been appalling in recent weeks.
What was even more frustrating to me was when we actually wanted to, we were
able to play some nice football and one such move nearly resulted in a
picture perfect goal with the end result being a Matthew Etherington shot
which was clawed away by Taylor.
A number of corners and a powerful low drive from Mullins were about as much
as we could conjure up for the rest of the half with Bowyer and Ashton
leading the way as the most disappointing players on the pitch.
The second half was a dour affair which suited a Birmingham side who were
quite clearly here for a point.
I was hoping that we would come out in the second half with a spring in our
step but we actually looked worse and found no rhythm to our play.
Birmingham had the first chance of the half when a Gary McSheffery shot
deflected off Anton Ferdinand and went just inches wide of Robert Green's
goal.
A change needed to be made but most people in the ground could see that
Curbishley had yet again got it wrong as he took off Carlton Cole with
Julien Faubert replacing him. I had two issues with this substitution – one
being the obvious favouritism of Dean Ashton for a second game running. Cole
had not been spectacular but had been a damn sight better than Ashton who
had once again looked awful.
The other issue was taking off a striker in place of a right midfielder.
This also saw our best player of the afternoon Freddie Ljungberg move into a
more central position where he was simply not as effective.
Ashton had a glorious opportunity to score when Lucas Neill mis hit a shot
right into his path but the striker failed to make any sort of positive
connection as his day continued to get worse.
Our best chance of the second half and to be honest our only real chance of
the second half came from a free kick which was played into the area for
Matthew Upson to rise above everyone and head at goal, but Taylor was equal
to it.
Birmingham were attempting to break up any flow we had going and this was
usually in the way of fouls. I think it was Sebastian Larsson who made two
indentical fouls but was only shown the yellow card for one of them. I would
love to know why the referee decided not to show him the second yellow card
as it makes no sense to me.
As the minutes ticked away, Lee Bowyer went in for a challenge which I
didn't really see, but the ref saw enough to send him off. I don't think
Bowyer being sent off mattered too much because up until that point I hadn't
noticed he was even on the pitch.
Despite going down to ten men, I could not believe Alan Curbishley's
decision to take off Ashton in place of Spector - not because I was
overjoyed by Ashton's performance but with a few minutes to go in a game
that we really should be winning, this was such a negative move.
We didn't muster up one meaningful attack in the four minutes added on and
with Henri Camera leading our frontline, this was not a surprise.
Boo's rang around Upton Park at the final whistle as more points were
dropped to a side in the bottom three.
Player Review
Robert Green
Was not able to save his fourth penalty of the season but I don't think we
can hold that against him. Never had many other saves to make, and his
kicking was back to its best.
Lucas Neill
It would be easy to blame the jet lag following his appearance for his
country in midweek but given that Neill has been prone to this type of
performance all season that excuse will not wear. He was very poor in
possession and gave the ball away numerous amounts of time. He cost us a
goal with some lazy defending and the tug back which gave away the penalty.
Anton Ferdinand
Contary to some reviews of his performance I though Anton was again
excellent and apart from one mistake in the first half which allowed
Forssell to steal in, he was calm and composed on the ball and distributed
the ball a lot better than some people have claimed.
Matthew Upson
Up against his former club, he didn't exactly have a point to prove (he did
that with his England call up) but he would have wanted to put on a bit of a
show. He did well enough and could have won the game for us with a header
from a free kick which was well saved.
George McCartney
Another excellent performance from our ever present left back. He linked up
well with Etherington in the first half and burst forward a number of times.
His long throw led to the goal, and this was another first class effort from
McCartney.
Freddie Ljungberg
Simply put – he was the best player we had out there. Took on players, out
skilled his opponent, got crosses into the area, made some nice passes – and
put in loads of effort.
Lee Bowyer
His only contribution to this game was getting himself sent off which is
probably a good thing as we won't have to endure another abysmal performance
from him for a few games.
Hayden Mullins
Combative in midfield but found it hard at times to deal with the physical
presence of Muamba. He did however look to be up for the fight and battled
well, but with little to aim at up front his passing was often poor.
Matthew Etherington
Played well in patches but it wasn't consistent enough to be considered
good. When he got going he caused them some problems and did well throughout
the first half but faded away as the game went on.
Carlton Cole
Full of energy and put himself about as best he could. Got another assist
with his flick header setting up Ljungberg. He worked hard but some of his
headers were to no one even though he had done well to win them in the first
place. Once again he was very unlucky to be taken off.
Dean Ashton
Carried on from where he left off against Wigan. Easy to defend against,
slow, clumsy and never a threat. He is getting worse when we had all
expected him to get better.
Subs Used
Julien Faubert (on for Cole 62 mins)
He is obviously a great athlete but as of yet we have seen nothing from him
on the ball.
Henri Camera (on for Etherington 83 mins)
Same old.
Jonathan Spector (on for Ashton 90 mins)
On to secure that all important point.
Overall
It simply is typical West Ham that we drop points at home to sides like
Birmingham. We have no spark about us and the story of Dean Ashton is fast
becoming one of the most disappointing parts of this season.
We lack an attacking edge to our game and rarely look like scoring which has
to change or we will start falling down the table instead of moving up as we
had all hoped.
With Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all coming up, the next game against
Fulham has now become extremely important if our season is not to go
completely down the pan.
Fulham are awful and struggling in the bottom three. We are good away from
home.
Sounds like a Fulham victory then!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham's defence gives renewed hope - Telegraph
By Patrick Barclay at Upton Park
Last Updated: 2:02am GMT 10/02/2008
West Ham (1) 1 Birmingham (1) 1
On A ground where Manchester United and Liverpool have fallen since
Christmas, a relegation-threatened Birmingham thoroughly deserved their
point. Alex McLeish's defence, protected by Damien Johnson and the
impressive Patrice Muamba, made West Ham look very ordinary in front of
Fabio Capello.
So it was an afternoon on which the England Under-21s, Muamba and Liam
Ridgewell, who formed a solid partnership with Martin Taylor at centre-back,
could look back with satisfaction. Birmingham go to Fulham next and that
match might have a significant bearing on their chances of avoiding the
drop. ''We have a very young side," McLeish pointed out afterwards, ''but
the spirit they showed here gives us every chance of staying in the Premier
League."
It was, though, a dismal match, suitably culminating in the dismissal of Lee
Bowyer for a mildly over-the-top challenge on Johnson. In the brave new
world envisaged by the Premier League's Richard Scudamore, it might have
been played in Dubai or Beijing, which would have had my sympathy. Goodness
knows what Capello made of it. Any encouragement he may have taken from Alan
Curbishley's selection of eight English starters for West Ham would soon
have dissipated as he watched defenders such as Matthew Upson and Anton
Ferdinand send long balls soaring towards the big strikers, Carlton Cole and
Dean Ashton. As a satire on English football, it worked. But it created few
openings.
West Ham did score early, Cole back-heading George McCartney's long throw
and Freddie Ljungberg displaying agility in his stretch to hook the ball
high into the net, but Birmingham wasted little time in equalising with a
penalty. Lucas Neill, back from Australia, got too close to James McFadden,
who easily turned him but was tugged back. ''It was a great piece of skill
by James that worked the opportunity," said McLeish. McFadden then scored
his first goal since joining Birmingham from Everton, giving even Robert
Green, who has a good record for saving penalties, little chance with a
brisk low shot.
For a while the height of the entertainment was an ineptitude contest
between Neill, who for some reason is paid nearly £3 million a year, and
Gary McSheffrey. If only the gaps left by Neill had been filled instead by
McFadden, West Ham might have ended the first half in trouble. As it was,
McFadden's fine cross fell to the head of Mikael Forssell, who should have
done better than loop it gently into Green's arms.
Around the hour mark, Curbishley introduced Julien Faubert wide on the right
and tucked Ljungberg behind Ashton to Cole's exclusion. A fine through-ball
from Ljungberg then found Ashton, who screwed wide. But this was not
football fit for Upton Park.
Curbishley, who did not pretend otherwise, felt Bowyer's red card had been
harsh. He had been led by the referee, Mark Clattenburg, to believe it would
at least be reviewed. ''If Lee's suspended, it would be a bit tough on us,"
the West Ham manager added, ''because we've got a lot of players injured."
Ashton's confidence, too, appears a casualty. The gifted attacker picked a
bad day to give a nightmare performance.
www.telegraph.co.uk/barclay
Man of the match
Matthew Upson (West Ham) 8
• Made 23 clearances and completed 88 per cent of his passes
Best moment of the match
Ljungberg's goal. The former Arsenal man anticipated well and got his body
in just the right shape for an athletic finish.
Worst moment
Dean Ashton treading on the ball 20 minutes from the end. With Fabio Capello
watching, the striker endured an agonising search for his true touch.
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Curbishley is fighting to get Bowyer off the hook as frustration boils over
- Daily Mail
West Ham 1 Birmingham 1
By PETER HIGGS - More by this author »
Last updated at 21:52pm on 9th February 2008
Alan Curbishley asked referee Mark Clattenburg to study replays of his
dismissal of Lee Bowyer in the hope of saving the midfielder from another
suspension in his trouble-filled career. The former Leeds and Newcastle
player was given his marching orders two minutes from the end of a drab
contest for a reckless challenge on Damien Johnson as the two players
contested a ball near the halfway line. But Curbishley doubts that he
deserved a straight red. "We have asked Mark Clattenburg to look at it and I
think he will," said the West Ham manager. "We'll have to wait and see what
he does but hopefully he will overturn it. At the time I didn't think it was
that serious. If he's suspended it would be a bit tough."
Clattenburg was the central figure on an afternoon when few other
participants left a lasting impression. His decision to award Birmingham a
penalty soon after West Ham had taken the lead helped to shape the course of
a game which got worse as it wore on. Alex McLeish called the incident 'a
clear penalty' after new signing James McFadden tricked his way past Lucas
Neill and was pulled back by the West Ham captain, taking the opportunity to
go to ground without a second invitation. Curbishley, however, claimed: "I
was surprised he gave it. I've seen it again and I don't think it was
penalty."
McFadden scored from the spot for his first goal in Birmingham colours since
his £6million transfer from Everton — giving his teammates the encouragement
to claim the point that dragged them out of the bottom three. For all their
huffing and puffing, West Ham could not find a way past eight men strung
across the edge of the penalty area. It had all looked so simple early on as
Freddie Ljungberg scored his first Premier League goal since leaving
Arsenal, arriving at the far past to hook in Carlton Cole's flick from
George McCartney's throw. But the longer the match went on the more they ran
out of ideas, as the watching Fabio Capello witnessed the long-ball failings
of English football. At least Matthew Upson followed his England call-up
with another solid display and might even have been the match-winner against
his former club had Maik Taylor not grabbed his goalbound header. Birmingham
had more reason to be pleased. "It was a really spirited performance," said
McLeish. "People say you're doomed in the bottom three and now we're out.
This spirit can keep us in the Premier League."
Maybe so, but it is hardly the fare to drive them wild in Dubai, Tokyo or
Sydney.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley appeal over Bowyer dismissal - Daily Mail
Last updated at 18:56pm on 9th February 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley hopes referee Mark Clattenburg will take
another look at the red card shown to Lee Bowyer at the end of this
afternoon's Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham at Upton Park.
Midfielder Bowyer was sent off following a two-footed challenge on Blues
captain Damien Johnson in the 88th minute of the 1-1 draw. Curbishley has
seen the incident again, and felt it perhaps did not warrant the straight
red which, if it stands, will rule Bowyer out for three games. Curbishley
said: "We have asked Mark to look at it, and we think he will. "Hopefully he
will overturn it. "When it happened I did not think it was that serious, but
on the spot, the referee sees it different. "I think Johnson has come in and
both of his feet have connected with the ball, so I don't know if Bowyer has
gone above it. "We will have to wait and see. "If he is suspended, it is a
bit tough and we could do with a suspension least of all with the injuries
we have got."
Freddie Ljungberg gave the Hammers an early lead when he netted from close
range. However, the Blues were level on 16 minutes when James McFadden
converted from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Lucas Neill.
From then on, the visitors did enough to frustrate the home side and earn a
share of the spoils with a determined second-half performance. Curbishley -
his side looking safe in mid-table - admitted the game had "fizzled out" in
front of watching England manager Fabio Capello following such a positive
opening. "We started off okay and got our goal, then the penalty was really
soft - I cannot even see an arm around McFadden," said the West Ham manager.
"It knocked us a little bit. "We created some little openings which we
needed to take, then the second half fizzled out on us and neither team
looked like they were going to score."
Curbishley added: "The biggest disappointment for me is in recent weeks we
have passed the ball around and knocked it about - I was expecting a bit
more today. "We have not gone on and done it today, and we are all left a
bit frustrated. "I don't know how many players Birmingham had away this
week, but it all looked a bit tired."
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was content enough with a hard-earned point,
but knows plenty of hard work still lays ahead. "We had a lot of the ball in
the final third, particularly in the first half, but we did not quite make
as much of the opportunities as I would like," he said. "In the second half
we had to do a bit more defending, and it was a really spirited performance
from the players. "We were written off last week, but we have bounced back
again.
"We are out of the bottom three this week, but it means nothing until May.
"We have just got keep level headed about it all."
McLeish added: "You have got to try and allow the players to play without
huge pressure. "I told them before the game that you cannot guarantee the
outcome, but you can guarantee commitment and individual performances - that
is what we got today." McFadden's goal was his first since arriving from
Everton in a £4.75million-deal during the transfer window. The former
Scotland manager was happy to see McFadden in the thick of the action. "It
is great for James," said McLeish. "He looked lively and troubled the West
Ham defenders in the first half. "James is not an out-and-out goalscorer,
hopefully he will provide many as well with his creativity - but he will
score the occasional goal and is very dangerous."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee Bowyer off as Hammers toil - The Times
West Ham 1 Birmingham 1Brian Glanville at Upton Park
WATCHING this game, with its plethora of unforced errors, Fabio Capello
could only have been confirmed in his reportedly low opinion of the
technique of the players from whom he must choose. True, Matthew Upson, who
used to play for Birmingham City and had a capable game for England at
Wembley on Wednesday, was a notable exception. But even he, his manager Alan
Curbishley believed, might have been feeling the effects of the
international.
Curbishley, in mitigation, also pointed out that his right-back, Lucas
Neill, had arrived from playing for Australia only at 7am yesterday and Mark
Noble, who was at least expected to be on the bench, was "feeling his
hamstring" during the warm-up having played for England Under21s during the
week, and was kept out of the game.
Not that any of these considerations could excuse such a patchy performance
from either side. The game was blemished in the 88th minute when Mark
Clattenburg sent off Lee Bowyer for an overly robust challenge on Damien
Johnson. Give a dog a bad name? Certainly it appeared before Bowyer's
challenge that Hayden Mullins had made a far more drastic one, but it was at
Bowyer, so often expelled in the past, that Mr Clattenburg flourished his
red card.
Curbishley said he thought and hoped the referee would look at the incident
again. "I didn't think it was that serious, but obviously the referee is on
the spot and sees it a little bit differently," he said.
Curbishley felt his team had played well in the first half but hadn't seemed
likely to score in the second.
The early exchanges did, indeed, suggest that the Hammers would win at a
canter. In the seventh minute they went ahead when a huge throw in from the
left by full-back George McCartney was flicked on by Carlton Cole and
touched in at full stretch on the far post by Freddie Ljungberg, his first
goal for the club.
In the second half, Curbishley ultimately moved Ljungberg off the wing and
into central mid-field because he felt the game was getting away from his
team. But to the outsider the crucial factor was the excellent, ever
resilient goalkeeping of Birmingham's Maik Taylor.
After 16 minutes a Birmingham goal came as something of an anticlimax. The
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish praised his Scotland international James
McFadden for the way he slipped through the West Ham defence for the penalty
award, when, in Mr Clattenburg's view, he was pulled back by Neill. McFadden
sidefooted the spot kick in to the left corner.
"The penalty was real soft," Curbishley complained. "I couldn't even see an
arm around McFadden. I was really surprised when he gave it. I knocked us a
little bit."
As for a relieved McLeish, he said: "I thought we had a lot of the ball in
the first half. But we didn't make as much of the opportunities as we would
have liked. In the second half we were more fleeting."
Thanks as much to defensive inadequacy as attacking virtuosity, chance
followed chance at either end. The minute before McFadden's equaliser, a lob
by Mullins found Cole, who shot just wide. On 29 minutes Matthew
Etherington, lively on the left, sent in a cross that Bowyer met but Maik
Taylor saved.
Six minutes more and Mikael Forssell, for the first but not the last time,
wasted a good opportunity. McFadden crossed, but the Finnish striker's
header went straight into the arms of Robert Green.
On 38 minutes West Ham created their most impressive move of the game. Four
passes between four players ultimately found Etherington, but Maik Taylor
turned his shot wide.
Point, counterpoint. The very next minute McFadden, seemingly to his own
surprise, found himself all alone not far from goal. But his first touch was
atypically poor as West Ham scrambled the ball away for a corner.
The second half continued in the same error-ridden way. Dean Ashton,
particularly, wasted chances. Upson came upfield to show his attackers how
it might be done with a powerful header to Etherington's in-swinging free
kick, but Maik Taylor dealt with that one too.
Then Gary McSheffrey made what seemed the clearest of chances for Forssell,
but he squandered it, pulling his shot wide of the left-hand post.
So to the sending-off and a mediocre draw, though McLeish could at least
console himself that salvation for what he called his very young team, might
be in sight. "We're out of the bottom three this week," he said. "But it
means nothing until May."
Match stats
Player ratings: West Ham: Green 7, Neill 6, Ferdinand 6, Upson 7, McCartney
6, Ljungberg 6, Mullins 6, Bowyer 6, Etherington 7 (Camara 83min), Cole 7
(Faubert 62min), Ashton 6 (Spector 90min)
Birmingham: Maik Taylor 8, Kelly 6, Martin Taylor 6, Ridgewell 6, Murphy 6,
Larsson 6, Johnson 6, Muamba 6, McSheffrey 7 (Parnaby 87min), Forssell 6
(Jerome 76min), McFadden 7
Star man: Maik Taylor (Birmingham)
Scorers: West Ham: Ljungberg 7 Birmingham: McFadden 16 pen
Yellow cards: Birmingham: Johnson, McSheffrey, Muamba, Maik Taylor, Jerome.
Red card: West Ham: Bowyer
Referee: M Clattenburg
Attendance: 34,884
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-1 Blues - Planet Blues
By Alan Watton - 10/02/2008 12:02
If the Premier League wants to move this fixture to Bangkok or Katmandu it
won't come too soon. Upton Park must be the most inaccessible ground in
Europe as fans travelled no further than a Maik Taylor wayward goal kick in
the hour before and after the match. The Olympics are coming to east London
I believe. Pardon me for laughing.
The Blues rickety defence failed to change the travelling fans mood as they
allowed Carlton Cole to flick on a McCartney long throw and the watch
committee which passes as Blues back four allowed the ball to bounce across
the goalmouth. Ljungberg could not believe his luck as he was allowed to
hack the ball into the roof of the net for his first West Ham goal.
Blues had McSheffrey and Forssell in for Kapo and O'Connor and they and
McFadden did make some impression on the West Ham back four. The breaks were
threatening but often petered out with a poor choice of final pass. Matty
Upson, who had rightfully returned to the England side this week and was
watched by Fabio Capello, looked every bit an International defender of the
highest standing. McLaren obviously had it in for Matty and apart from
signing his £50,000 a week contract with West Ham the demise of the Wally
with the brolly must have made Upson's year.
On 16 minutes Blues got the reward their enterprise deserved when McFadden
turned the clumsy and expensive Lucas Neill. As the Blues new signing and
Question of Sport Debutant was about to pull the trigger the jet lagged
Aussie felled him. Such offenses are punishable by a penalty kick and red
card, but not in Blues world. Neill stayed on and Mcfadden slotted the ball
past England hopeful Robert Green. Green has a bit of a reputation of a spot
kick stopper so Blues were happy enough to see the net bulge and quickly
forgot the Ref's generosity to the home side.
Blues back four is nowhere near the standard of the top class rear guard of
three or four years back. Bruce struggled to find a quality left back but in
David Murphy. McLeish may well have plugged that gap. West Ham fed Ljungberg
at every opportunity and Murphy was particularly impressive with his quick
tackling. He can make a pass and is not embarrassed by pace.
Taylor was forced into a couple of saves but Blues back line grew in
confidence. Martin Taylor does not use his physique to advantage but wins
most high balls and Ridgewell is far happier on the left hand side. Forssell
almost headed Blues into the lead as the half closed. He got between
Ferdinand and Upson but his header was too close to Green.
The second half was poor fare as West Ham seemed to run out of ideas. Blues
had the more enterprise in attack with Mcsheffery causing problems on the
left. His cross shot was goal bound but it flicked off the heel of Ferdinand
and away for a corner. The front two were managing to get the ball down on
the edge of the box but were usually repelled by Upson or Ferdinand who
seemed to be allowed to put Forssell on the deck without ever being
penalised. McFadden did manage to free up Forssell with Blues best move and
the Finn beat Green, but the ball went agonisingly wide.
Forssell was immediately replaced by Jerome who almost found himself clear
from an astute pass from Kelly. Green saved his defence's embarrassment and
rushed from goal to nick the ball away.
There then followed a passage of play which just beggars belief. Mcsheffery
who had earlier been cautioned committed two very clumsy fouls. The second
of which probably warranted a second card. Mcsheffery was generously just
given a lecture. Blues sensibly whipped him off and sent on Parnaby.
Obviously Blues had decided that the point on offer was not going to be
given up. Almost immediately Bowyer made an ugly two footed lung at Damian
Johnson and was red carded. The substitution was wasted but Blues still
decided to keep what they had and put the 11 men behind the ball as West Ham
just punched themselves out.
Jerome then tripped Neill 90 yards from goal and was booked!!. 4 minutes
were added for no particular reason and West Ham took off the enormous
looking Ashton and sent on a centre half (Spector). With both sides
desperate to hold on for a point those four minutes were to say the least,
without incident.
This point lifts Blues out of the bottom three but had they not surrendered
two points last week then Blues could have gone for the win today. They were
well worth a draw but now face the Mighty Arsenal in two weeks time.
Hammers: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg, Bowyer,
Mullins, Etherington (Camara 83), Ashton (Spector 90), Cole (Faubert 62).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Collison.
Sent Off: Bowyer (88).
Goals: Ljungberg 7.
Blues: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson,
Muamba, Johnson, McSheffrey (Parnaby 87), Forssell (Jerome 76), McFadden.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Nafti, Zarate.
Booked: Johnson, McSheffrey, Muamba, Maik Taylor, Jerome.
Goals: McFadden 16 pen.
Att: 34,884.
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear) Inconsistent and looked out of his
depth.
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