WHUFC.com
29.10.2008
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United v West Ham United
Wednesday 29 October
Kick-off: 8pm
Referee: Peter Walton
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Bowyer (Sears 69),
Behrami (Boa Morte 45), Mullins, Etherington (Collison 46), Di Michele,
Bellamy
Subs: Lastuvka, Davenport, Lopez, Reid
Manchester United: Kuszczak, Rafael (Neville 81), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra,
Ronaldo, Fletcher (Carrick 69), Anderson, Nani (Rooney 69), Tevez, Berbatov
Subs: Foster, O'Shea, Park, Giggs
Manchester United 2 West Ham United 0
On a freezing and frustrating north-west night, West Ham United were
unfortunately left in the cold at Old Trafford by the reigning Barclays
Premier League champions.
Despite putting up some solid, second half resistance in which they might
even have forced an interesting finale, the contest was settled by two first
half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, who celebrated the announcement of his
FIFPro World Footballer of the Year award with a decisive double.
Following Sunday's defeat against Arsenal, Gianfranco Zola had made just two
enforced changes as Valon Behrami and Matthew Etherington came in for Scott
Parker (calf) and the suspended Carlton Cole. Sir Alex Ferguson, on the
other hand, made five switches from the side that had drawn at Everton as
Tomasz Kuszczak, Anderson, Nani, Carlos Tevez and Rafael Da Silva replaced
Edwin van der Sar, Wes Brown plus substitutes Ji-Sung Park, Ryan Giggs and
Wayne Rooney.
After drawing against Everton on Saturday, the Red Devils quickly set about
getting back to winning ways. Indeed, as early as the second minute, Ronaldo
carved down the left flank before squaring into Dimitar Berbatov, who saw
his point-blank shot deflected over.
Shortly afterwards, Nani elaborately back-heeled weakly into the clutches of
the crouching Robert Green, who then saw the Portuguese playmaker
nonchalantly drill an angled 15-yarder across the face of goal.
Already it was clear that Zola's strategy was to rely on cunning
counter-attacks using the pace of Etherington and the tireless Craig Bellamy
and, on seven minutes, Julien Faubert''s raid forward was thwarted by former
Boleyn Ground defender Rio Ferdinand, before Kuszczak hastily hacked clear
in a defensive scramble and then Etherington saw his low 20-yarder held by
the home 'keeper.
But those anxious moments quickly subsided for the home supporters, who saw
the grounded Green bravely dive into the studs of Berbatov before Matthew
Upson cleared the loose ball off the line.
Although the visitors survived that scare, just seconds later, the home side
took the lead when Nani's 13th-minute cross from the left was swept home
from ten yards by Ronaldo, who claimed his fourth goal of the season.
Having just made one, Nani then went close to netting himself when he again
fired agonisingly across goal and, after the over-lapping Behrami's by-line
cutback was intercepted, Patrice Evra was then booked for scything through
the Swiss international.
On the half-hour mark, that man Ronaldo turned an already uphill task into a
mountainous mission. The United No7 got in front of Herita Ilunga to slide
home from six yards, after Anderson's inch-perfect pass had found Berbatov,
who rolled the ball into the danger zone having beaten James Collins on the
by-line with a dazzling dance that would have seen him waltz past any
defender in the land.
The pain of that two-goal deficit was compounded for the battered Bellamy
shortly afterwards, when he took the full impact of Kuszczak's charge from
the goal-line and worse followed when Behrami was stretchered away after
injuring his calf as he escaped Evra on the stroke of half-time.
With his replacement Luis Boa Morte still finding his feet, Green pulled off
a superb flying save to hold a close-range header from former team-mate
Carlos Tevez, who again received a rapturous reception from the vociferous
visiting fans amongst the sold-out Old Trafford crowd of 75,397.
Jack Collison replaced Etherington for the restart as Zola reverted to a
more traditional 4-4-2 formation in a bid to shore up his midfield and
although Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez continued to threaten, the visitors
held them at bay.
Midway through the second half, the quick-thinking Bellamy was just inches
away from embarrassing the back-pedalling Kuszczak with a 40-yard free-kick
that sailed over the bar.
That was the catalyst for Zola to introduce Freddie Sears in place of Lee
Bowyer, while Rooney and former West Ham United midfielder Michael Carrick
stepped from the home bench as Darren Fletcher and Nani departed.
Rooney soon deposited the ball onto the roof of Green's net with a cheeky
chip before forcing Green to beat away his fierce 20-yarder and sending
another curler over the angle.
At the other end, Boa Morte ghosted into the home penalty area, where he
steered the ball straight to the helplessly-exposed Kuszczak as the offside
flag stayed down and, with five minutes remaining, the breaking David Di
Michele looked set to force a frenzied finale, only for Nemanja Vidic to
intervene at the vital moment and sum up a night of frustration for the
visitors.
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Man Utd 2-0 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Chris Whyatt
Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half brace saw Manchester United cruise to victory
over a poor West Ham at Old Trafford. Displaying flashes of real style,
United raced into a 13th-minute lead after the superb Nani cut the ball back
for Ronaldo to slot into the corner. Dimitar Berbatov's sublime skill saw
him skip past James Collins, allowing him to square for Ronaldo to tap in.
But West Ham offered little attacking threat and a lame Luis Boa Morte
effort failed to test keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. With Sir Alex Ferguson's side
eight points behind leaders Liverpool coming into the game, United were keen
to return to winning ways after being held to a frustrating draw at Everton
on Saturday. And they found the perfect opponents, with Gianfranco Zola's
Hammers looking every bit like a team who had lost their last three games
and are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
United almost took a second-minute lead after Berbatov's side-footed shot
was deflected just over the bar by Matthew Upson. And Nani was cleverly
found down the left two minutes later and flashed a powerful snap-shot just
wide of Hammers keeper Robert Green's upright. The home side did have a
momentary lapse of concentration but, with Craig Bellamy isolated upfront
and West Ham's five-man midfield proving ineffective, United began to run
riot. The ubiquitous Nani passed a simple cross behind the visitors static
back-line for Ronaldo to guide a low left-footed shot into the corner.
United - who have now not scored in their past 33 league matches - created
chance after chance as Nani fired just wide and Anderson failed to register
his first goal for the club when presented with an easy opportunity.
Upson fought manfully to stem the tide but United's class was simply
overwhelming them. And the inevitable second goal came on 29 minutes when
Anderson caressed the down the left and, after flummoxing Collins with a
breathtaking moment of skill on the by-line, Berbatov squared for Ronaldo to
slot in his second. United continued to keep West Ham on the back foot until
the break, and Zola's half-time team talk and changes did at least see his
side fight under in the second half. Hayden Mullins made a crucial block on
the ever-willing Carlos Tevez in the penalty area, and a posse of Hammers
defenders had to combine to block his progress minutes later. Bellamy did
rouse West Ham's travelling contingent with a 45-yard free-kick which dipped
just over United's crossbar, as he tried to catch Tomasz Kuszczak off his
line. But substitute Wayne Rooney came on for Nani with 20 minutes remaining
and soon had Green pushing a deft chip over his bar and scrambling to block
a vicious drive. Boa Morte was put through by Bellamy's floated pass over
the top of the United defence but knocked a weak effort into Kuszczak's
arms. The Hammers did also make a couple of late counter-attacks amid a
flurry of substitutions but, time and again, their final ball was not good
enough.
Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan:"We felt we should have
attacked the game more and gone for more goals. We weren't as comfortable as
we should have been in the second half. "Berbatov showed his credentials and
that piece of skill was the highlight of the game. "We need to keep the run
going and the players realise that goal [difference] could be important at
the end of the season."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola:"They are the champions of Europe so it's
difficult but at least they gave everything in the second half. "My players
deserved a goal in the second half but Sears and Collison came on and did
very well. "I have a great belief in my players, I trust them very much, and
I am sure this bad spell will be over soon."
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva (Neville 81), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra,
Ronaldo, Fletcher (Carrick 69), Anderson, Nani (Rooney 70), Tevez, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Giggs, Park, O'Shea.
Booked: Evra.
Goals: Ronaldo 14, 30.
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Boa Morte 44),
Bowyer (Sears 69), Mullins, Etherington (Collison 46), Di Michele, Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Reid.
Booked: Collison, Collins.
Att: 75,397
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match on 90 minutes: Manchester United's
8.71 (on 90 minutes).
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Hammers to fight Curbishley claim
BBC.co.uk
By Nabil Hassan
West Ham have told Alan Curbishley they intend to fight his claim for
compensation following his resignation in September, BBC Sport understands.
Curbishley has written to the Hammers informing them he intends to pursue a
claim for constructive dismissal. The club has responded by telling
Curbishley he waived any right to compensation when he resigned. Curbishley
argues the club broke a clause in his contract guaranteeing him a say in all
transfer dealings. The former Charlton boss says this was not the case
during his final months at Upton Park, when he argues the club sold
defenders Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney against his wishes.
This prompted the 50-year-old to quit his role with Italian Gianfranco Zola
replacing him at Upton Park. Curbishley joined West Ham as manager in 2006
having previously spent 15 years as boss at Charlton. After taking over at
Upton Park in December 2006 he helped the Hammers beat the drop despite West
Ham looking certainties for relegation. His second season saw the Hammers
finish 10th in the Premier League but he resigned in September with the club
fifth in the table. Hammers officials are currently waiting to hear back
from Curbishley. "We are aware of Alan Curbishley's position and it is now a
matter for the lawyers for the two parties," a West Ham official told BBC
Sport.
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Curbs set to sue
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley is set to sue West Ham United for constructive dismissal.
The former Hammers boss walked out of the club at the beginning of last
month in disgust at the board's policy of selling players without his prior
knowledge. With a clause in his contract confirming that Curbishley retained
full control over the movement of players, the 50-year-old is now in a
position to sue the club for the remainder of his contract, which had just
under two years to run. The figure in question is thought to be around
£1million. An unnamed spokesman for West Ham United told the BBC: "We are
aware of Alan Curbishley's position and it is now a matter for the lawyers
for the two parties."
Sue are ya? Who's coining it in from West Ham
Kia Joorabchian
Went to the High Court last year in a bid to win £7million damaages which
the Iranian business was owed as a result of the Mascherano/Tevez transfers.
The case was conveniently dropped ahead of the recent arbitration hearing.
The Premier League
Fined the Hammers a world record £5.5million in 2006 with regard to rule
infringements pertaining to the Carlos Tevez transfer.
Terry Brown
Attempted to sue the Hammers for around £5million last year as a result of
having his prvileges removed in the wake of a bust-up with Eggert Magnusson.
An out of court settlement was reached with Brown's privileges being fully
reinstated.
Sheffield United
Northern hypocrites who recently filed a £30million damages claim against
the Hammers in respect of sums lost as a wake of their relegation from the
Premier League in 2006/07.
Sheffield United players
It was announced last night that 15 current and former Blades' players are
set to sue West Ham for up to £3million in lost earnings.
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Wednesday's snippets
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
The latest tantalising titbits from the wacky world of West Ham ...
* West Ham United are being linked with a move for Blackburn's Zurab
Khizanishvili by the Daily Mirror. According to the tabloid, United are
'leading the race' to sign the out-of-favour defender.
* Gianfranco Zola will tell his team to carry on regardless as they prepare
to face Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight. The Italian, whose team
have lost their last three successive games will stick with his attacking
4-3-3 formation.
* Freddie Ljungberg, who left West Ham in the summer several million pounds
the richer after having his three year contract ripped up has signed for MLS
outfit Seattle Sounders. The Swede is also keen on taking up acting,
something which aided his decision to move to the States.
* Former Hammer Marlon Harewood, who scored the goal that took United to the
FA Cup final just two years ago is to be the subject of a £4million bid from
Stoke City. Harewood has barely featured for Aston Villa since being signed
by Martin O'Neill from West Ham for £4million.
* Scott Parker has hailed the arrival of Gianfranco Zola as successor to
Alan Curbishley, telling The Sun that 'he has helped everyone, including
me'.
* Former Hammer Frank McAvennie will be signing copies of a new book at the
club's Lakeside store this Friday. The Scot will be in store between 1:30pm
and 5:30pm to promote new Hammers book 'West Ham Utd In my Day, Volume II'.
* On-loan Ashley Miller made his second appearance inside three days for
Bishops Stortford last night as the North Essex club came from behind to
snatch a 3-3 with local rivals Chelmsford City.
* Former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp was mercilessly booed by Portsmouth
fans as he accepted the freedom of the city from council bigwigs in a civic
ceremony yesterday. Redknapp, who shafted Pompey for the second time in four
years earlier this week when joining Tottenham has the audacity to call the
hecklers 'idiots'.
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Ronaldo too hot for Hammers
SSN
Champions condem West Ham to fourth successive defeat
Last updated: 29th October 2008
MATCH FACTS
Man of the match - Dimitar Berbatov: The Bulgarian oozes class from every
orifice and was again at the hub of United's best work, especially in the
first half.
Moment of the match - Ronaldo's second goal: The Portuguese wide man will
not score an easier goal but the manner of Berbatov's assist was stunning.
James Collins will probably still be wondering how he was beaten so close to
the by-line.
Attempt of the match - Rooney's chip: The in-form striker was left kicking
his heels on the bench for most the game but could have grabbed a couple
when unleashed. His best effort was a deft chip, which Robert Green did well
to turn over.
Talking point: After a fourth consecutive league defeat, are West Ham set
for a battle to beat the drop?
Cristiano Ronaldo's brace was enough to silence those that have accused him
of being out-of-sorts this season and in the process condemn West Ham to a
fourth consecutive league defeat. Manchester United rarely had to get out of
first gear as they had too much guile, power and pace for Gianfranco Zola's
shy of confidence Hammers at Old Trafford. Ronaldo's first saw compatriot
Nani cast as the architect, as his precision cross from the left, after
being fed in by Patrice Evra, was dispatched from ten yards. It was then
left to Dimitar Berbatov to further enhance his glowing reputation as a
darling of the United faithful, when the most exquisite piece of skill left
James Collins flummoxed on the by-line, before he fed in Ronaldo for the
simplest of finishes. Sir Alex Ferguson will feel his side could have scored
more in the second half as they took their foot off the throttle, but it was
a more than comfortable evening for the Scot and his players. After
Saturday's slip-up at Everton, the three points were all Ferguson wanted as
his side look to keep current pacesetters Liverpool in view. In leaving out
Wayne Rooney for Carlos Tevez, Ferguson was omitting a man, one visit to
Everton apart, at the top of his game. The need to give Tevez a chance after
sitting on the sidelines for virtually a month, was obvious. Some fans,
though, questioned why Rooney was the man sacrificed. Others wonder why
Berbatov was bought at all given last year's strikeforce proved to be a
devastating combination at home and abroad. Berbatov has tried to answer the
doubters with a flurry of goals and eye-catching assists. But none came
close to his contribution after half an hour.
Collins must have thought he was in control as he shadowed Berbatov to the
by-line as the pair chased Anderson's pass. But the young Wales
international was in for a shock. With a pirouette any ballet dancer would
have been proud of, Berbatov turned, rolled the ball beyond Collins and was
gone, hugging the white line before presenting Ronaldo with a tap-in for his
second goal. Even Collins must have felt like applauding. Having faced
Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday, Zola is quickly discovering management is
not quite as easy as he found being a player. If only Zola had someone with
his instinctive brain and silky touch at West Ham. Almost daily his players
are being linked with moves elsewhere. England defender Matthew Upson is
among that number, deservedly so judging by the way he threw his body in the
way of so many United chances. Berbatov, Ronaldo and star man Nani were all
denied by the centre-half. There was nothing Upson could do to deny Ronaldo
his opener though, the Portugal superstar crashing home from eight yards
after one of Nani's pinpoint crosses had rolled into his path. Tevez was
eager to make an impression and he would have scored if his header from
Patrice Evra's cross had been a foot either side of Robert Green rather than
straight at him. Any faint hopes of a West Ham revival were dealt a grievous
blow just before the break when Valon Behrami went down in agony with no-one
near him. The immediate fear was a serious knee injury and the Swiss was in
obvious pain as he left the field on a stretcher.
Zola might have been getting some much-needed advice as he strolled down the
touchline in earnest conversation with Ferguson as the pair made their way
to the dugouts. But the second period just brought more worries for the
newly-installed Hammers chief. Tevez might have had a penalty when he was
hauled down by Herita Ilunga before Nani's rushed his shot when Berbatov
laid a neat pass and smashed it over. The introduction of Rooney and, for
only his third appearance of the season, Michael Carrick merely illustrated
the difference in standards Zola must now try to overcome. Rooney had gone
for the bald look again and a delicate chip straight after his arrival might
have shaved the crossbar if Robert Green had not touched it over. There was
nothing delicate about Rooney's next effort, a thunderous shot from 30 yards
that Green was forced to beat away. The keeper might have expected to work
harder when Patrice Evra set up Ronaldo but with a hat-trick beckoning, the
winger's shot was disappointing. Not as disappointing as the volley Craig
Bellamy fired into the stands though which must have made Zola wish he could
pull his boots back on.
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Zola keeps the faith
SSN
Italian refuses to panic despite another Hammers defeat
Last updated: 30th October 2008
Gianfranco Zola was refusing to be too downbeat despite watching his West
Ham side fall to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United. The Hammers have
now lost four games on the bounce in the league and are in real danger of
becoming embroiled in a relegation scrap this season. Cristiano Ronaldo's
first-half brace was enough to put United in complete control and at no
point did West Ham look like reversing the situation. West Ham did improve
after the half-time break, after what was an uninspiring first 45 minutes,
and Zola is keen to draw on such a positive. "The second half has to be a
starting point for us," said Zola, whose side tackle Middlesbrough at the
weekend. "It is very important for us to pick something up on Saturday and
stop this losing run. "I have total belief in the players. I have so much
faith in their quality and I am sure they will soon get over this bad
spell." Zola went on to report Valon Behrami had been stretchered off with a
major calf injury that will rule him out for a lengthy spell.
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Cristiano Ronaldo brace for Manchester United swats aside poor West Ham
Manchester United (2) 2 West Ham United (0) 0
Telegrpah
By Tim Rich
Last Updated: 8:38AM GMT 30 Oct 2008
As the Icelandic economy slips beneath the chilly, grey waters of the
Atlantic, as its banks are nationalised, its airlines go bust, so its most
famous sporting institution is collapsing almost in sympathy.
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's determination to cling on to the ownership of West
Ham in the teeth of personal losses estimated at £230 million could not have
been improved by a video of this, their fourth successive defeat under
Gianfranco Zola.
Sir Alex Ferguson described Zola as his favourite foreign footballer outside
Old Trafford and, as the teams came out for a second half whose conclusion
was already foregone, the Manchester United manager placed a paternalistic
arm around his shoulder. Zola's team, however, needed someone's boot up
their collective backside, though by the finish Ferguson thought much the
same about his own side.
"They took their foot off the pedal and slipped a couple of gears below what
they're capable of," he said. "It ended up too lax for me. The football in
the first half was magnificent. Afterwards it was disappointing."
It is not a crime to lose at Old Trafford, or to be beaten by Cristiano
Ronaldo's goals, but United seldom broke sweat. The gulf between the two
sides was demonstrated when Zola put on young Fred Sears and Ferguson
responded with young Wayne Rooney, who immediately reeled off two vicious
shots.
Realising that Carlos Tevez had been feeling sidelined, Ferguson admitted he
had little option but to start with the Argentine.
"I sat down with him only last week to stress that our faith in him remains
absolute," he said. Although his signing might cost West Ham £50 million in
compensation to Sheffield United, Tevez is still revered by those who
travelled from London, though he was their only source of cheers.
Very rarely does Old Trafford seem anything other than the centre of the
football world but last night the stadium appeared to accept it was staging
something of a sideshow, as if it knew the big battles were elsewhere — at
the Emirates, at Anfield and, most improbably of all, at the Kingston
Communications Stadium, Hull.
Despite the club wallowing in self-congratulation before kick-off: with
Ronaldo accepting yet another award for what must be a mantelpiece sagging
under the weight of silverware, and entering to the kind of fanfare usually
reserved for boxers at Caesars Palace, Manchester United's beginning was
sluggish and sloppy.
And then, with one turn and shot, Ronaldo demonstrated why he is worthy of
so many awards. The Portuguese language which unites them off the pitch was
a common thread in the build-up as Anderson found Nani and his low cross was
buried past Robert Green in one fluid move by the FifPro world footballer of
the year.
It was a beautifully-taken goal but, compared with his second, it was almost
ordinary. When Dimitar Berbatov appeared trapped on the West Ham goal-line
halfway to the corner flag it appeared his only hope was to force a corner
by driving the ball against his marker, James Collins.
Instead, with no room for manoeuvre, Berbatov flicked it into the foot of
space between the line and Collins' boot and slid the ball hard and low
across the West Ham goal for Ronaldo to slide home. "It showed fantastic
imagination, control and balance," Ferguson observed. "You would pay double
the money to watch that."
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Alan Curbishley set to claim compensation from West Ham
West Ham are facing the possibility of a drawn-out legal battle with their
former manager Alan Curbishley over his claim for compensation following his
resignation in September.
Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 7:46AM GMT 30 Oct 2008
Curbishley is understood to have written to West Ham informing them he
intends to pursue a claim for constructive dismissal, with the club
believing that he waived any right to compensation when he resigned. The
former Charlton manager felt he had a clause in his contract guaranteeing
him a say in all transfer dealings and he was particularly unhappy with the
deadline day departure of George McCartney. West Ham, though, believe that
Curbishley was kept informed of their strategy throughout the transfer
window. The London club are also involved in a legal battle with Sheffield
United over the Carloz Tevez affair and are now awaiting a new hearing to
determine the success of Sheffield United's attempt to block an appeal to
the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Sheffield United, who are claiming in
excess of £30 million in damages, have applied for an injunction which
argues that the two clubs entered the Football Association's arbitration
process with the understanding that there would be no appeal unless it was
over a point of law. Headed by Manchester United director Maurice Watkins,
West Ham's new legal team have written a detailed document which maintains
that the FA's statutes do not exclude an appeal to CAS. West Ham also
believe that CAS is the dispute resolution chamber that Fifa, the game's
governing body, formally recognises as the body that should hear appeals
regarding final decisions. An FA independent arbitration tribunal ruled
against West Ham last month and it has even been suggested that some of the
relegated squad will launch private actions over loss of earnings. However,
West Ham have not heard from any aggrieved players, while there is a feeling
that any private claim could undermine Sheffield's United's overall damages
award. This is because the club's claim for compensation is understood to
focus on lost revenue without acknowledging any reduced costs, such as a
smaller wage bill, that may have arisen as a result of relegation.
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Ferguson frustrated by United's 'lax' approach
Manchester United 2 West Ham United 0
By Jeremy Cross
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Sir Alex Ferguson showed a mixture of admiration and irritation in the wake
of Manchester United's comfortable victory over West Ham at Old Trafford,
which came courtesy of two strikes in the first half from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo's goals and some inspired play from Dimitar Berbatov were more than
enough to cater for the feeble challenge presented by Gianfranco Zola's
side, who slipped to their fourth straight defeat.
Ronaldo will take the headlines for two well-taken goals that increased his
tally to five for the season, yet it was Berbatov who tormented the visiting
defence most with the talents which persuaded Ferguson to spend £30m on
bringing him to Old Trafford from London. He was exceptional, but the
problem for Zola's team was that so were several other players in red
shirts.
While Ferguson lavished praise on both players, he was irked in equal
measure by the fact they failed to score more goals after the interval.
Ferguson said: "The first half was magnificent and I was looking for more of
the same in the second half. Goals can be important come the end of the
season but we took our foot of the pedal. They ended up too lax for me.
"Ronaldo took his goals very well, but Berbatov's play was magnificent. He
showed fantastic imagination, control and balance and you'd pay double the
money to watch that."
Ferguson made no fewer than five changes from the side held to a draw at
Goodison Park last weekend, the most notable being the omission of Wayne
Rooney at the expense of Carlos Tevez.
Zola, who earned lavish praise from Ferguson in his programme notes, was
without the suspended Carlton Cole as the visitors embarked on the seemingly
thankless task of trying to arrest their recent slide.
Their challenge appeared far greater within 14 minutes – the time it took
United to forge ahead and capitalise on their enterprising start. Berbatov
had been denied a certain goal by the outstretched boot of Matthew Upson
before Nani's slide-rule pass found Ronaldo on the penalty spot and the
outcome was inevitable, the Portugal international sweeping home a clinical
shot past the helpless Robert Green. Nani came within inches of doubling
United's advantage just two minutes later but saw his angled drive flash
just wide as the onslaught showed no signs of abating.
Craig Bellamy was becoming an increasingly isolated figure leading his
side's attack on his own, yet even he would not have failed to admire the
sublime skill of Berbatov in creating Ronaldo's second goal.
Taking a long pass from Anderson, Berbatov left James Collins in a daze on
the byline with a quicksilver turn before finding Ronaldo for the simplest
of finishes. It might have taken Berbatov some time to settle after his
arrival from Tottenham, but this moment of genius alone made the wait
worthwhile.
Within half-an-hour the visitors had been left facing a damage limitation
exercise as the gulf in class between the sides continued to be cruelly
exposed. Tevez should have increased the misery on the cusp of half-time but
he headed Patrice Evra's cross straight at Green from close range. In the
end it didn't matter that no more goals came and Zola admitted there were
few answers to the problems posed by United when they decide to turn on the
style.
Zola said: "We knew it was going to be difficult, to be hard for us but we
made it that little bit harder by conceding two goals so quickly.
"Manchester United are such a special team, but our second-half performance
is a starting point. It gives us something to build on. I know the qualities
of my players so I'm not worried. I still believe in them and have faith in
them."
Zola is also facing an anxious wait to discover the extent of a calf injury
sustained by Julien Faubert and he added: "We don't know how long he will be
out for but it doesn't look good."
Goals: Ronaldo (14) 1-0; Ronaldo (30) 2-0.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Kuszczak; R Da Silva (Neville, 80), Ferdinand,
Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Fletcher (Carrick, 68), Anderson, Nani (Rooney, 68);
Tevez, Berbatov. Substitutes not used: Foster (gk), Giggs, Park, O'Shea.
West Ham United (4-5-1): Green; Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami
(Boa Morte, 44), Bowyer (Sears, 69), Mullins, Etherington (Collison, 46), Di
Michele; Bellamy. Substitutes not used: Lastuvka (gk), Lopez, Davenport,
Reid, Tomkins.
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Booked: Manchester United Evra; West Ham Collison, Collins.
Man of the match: Berbatov.
Attendance: 75,397.
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Man United 2 West Ham 0: Red-hot Ronaldo hammers home a title warning By Ian
Ladyman
Last updated at 8:27 AM on 30th October 2008
Daily Mail
If squads rather than teams win league titles then Manchester United
provided firm evidence last night that they remain English football's
eminent force. Having seen his side take only a point the weekend meeting
with Everton, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes for the
visit of West Ham and he was rewarded with a comprehensive and stylish
victory. Even though arch rivals Liverpool have started this campaign
brightly, does Rafael Benitez really have a squad deep enough to outrun
Ferguson's? Does Arsene Wenger at Arsenal? Truthfully, they probably do not
and it will still be some surprise if United do not battle head to head with
Chelsea again when the season enters its business end next Spring. In truth,
they probably do not. United, for example, have three good right backs.
Liverpool do not really have one. So it will still be a surprise if United
do not again battle head to head with Chelsea for supremacy when the season
enters its business end in the spring. United were terrific at times, albeit
against poor opposition. Cristiano Ronaldo scored two first-half goals while
Ferguson even found room for Carlos Tevez in his starting line-up. Wayne
Rooney, United's best player this season, began the night on the bench.
Ronaldo, of course, will gather many of this morning's headlines, as much
for celebrating his goals as for the actual scoring. Did he smile after
scoring? Or did he frown again? After his first, he managed to do both, but
who really cares?
Last night's work was about very much more than one man. Gianfranco Zola's
team did improve after half-time and even had a chance to scare the
champions when substitute Luis Boa Morte shot weakly at Tomasz Kuszczak with
15 minutes left. But earlier, during the meat and gristle of the game, they
were dreadful. United won comfortably and Ferguson's suggestion that his
team disappointed him in the second half said much about his own high
standards. The United manager said: 'In the first half we were magnificent
and I was looking forward to more of the same. We wanted more goals as that
could be important. But they took the foot of the pedal and they ended up
too lax for me.' Aware of Tevez's recent unhappiness over being left out of
the starting line-up recently, Ferguson offered some public encouragement by
way of his programme notes and revealed that he had called the Argentine in
to his office to reassure him last week.
Tevez will have appreciated his manager's gesture and appreciated his place
in the starting line-up even more. Yet this was a night when others shone.
Ronaldo offered glimpses of his best form, Dimitar Berbatov was sublime at
times while Nani was consistently dangerous. United sensed West Ham were
defensively weak down their right flank early in the match and Ferguson's
players seized on the opportunities that Julien Faubert's poor positioning
offered them. Nani had already provided the dangerous Berbatov with one
early chance when he set up Ronaldo with his first goal in the 14th minute.
Nani had far too much space after a United corner and when he passed to his
right, Ronaldo whipped the opener across keeper Robert Green and in to the
corner with his left foot. West Ham were looking out of their depth as Nani
and Anderson again came close before Ronaldo extended the lead in the 30th
minute. Berbatov chased another pass down the left and bamboozled West Ham
defender James Collins with a superb piece of skill close to the line before
setting up the charging Ronaldo from a yard out. Bulgarian Berbatov's
contribution really was sublime and even drew applause from the United
substitutes. Collins, for his part, will hope never to see it again. After
the interval the game fell a little flat. Substitute Boa Morte should have
scored when he beat the United offside trap but the home side also came
close. Rooney came on and almost broke Green's arms with a tracer bullet of
a shot from 30 yards late on, while Tevez should have been awarded a
penalty.
West Ham manager Zola said: 'We must use the second half as a starting point
now. Saturday's match against Middlesbrough is crucial to us.'
MATCH FACTS
MAN UNITED (4-4-2): Kuszczak 6; Rafael da Silva 7 (Neville 81min), Ferdinand
7, Vidic 7, Evra 8; Ronaldo 8, Anderson 7, Fletcher 7 (Carrick 70, 6), Nani
8 (Rooney 70, 6); Tevez 7, Berbatov 8. Booked: Evra.
WEST HAM UNITED (4-3-2-1): Green 6; Faubert 3, Collins 5, Upson 6, Ilunga 6;
Behrami 5 (Boa Morte 44, 6), Mullins 6, Bowyer 6 (Sears 70, 6); Etherington
6 (Collison 45, 6), Di Michele 5; Bellamy 7. Booked: Bowyer, Collison.
Man of the match: Nani.
Referee: Peter Walton.
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