Looking at West Ham’s new co-owners Gold and Sullivan and indeed listening to them for that matter; it’s difficult not to think of fellow East End cockneys Del Boy and Rodney. Since Christmas time, performances on the pitch have been fairly comical too. Optimism was therefore rife of a potential first away win since the opening day at Bolton Wanderers for the lads. It would be foolish to write the Hammers off mind, buoyed by their last gasp equaliser at Everton last Sunday.
Bruce named the same line-up that took to the field against Spurs last week, meaning the newly crowned cult hero Bolo Zenden was unable to force his way into the starting eleven, joining Kenwyne and the fit/ eligible again Alan Hutton on the bench. West Ham were missing inspirational midfielder Scott Parker through suspension; meaning Robert Kovac deputised in centre midfield with Mark Noble. Brazilian Ilan’s diving header last week was duly rewarded by Zola; he partnered potentially South Africa bound Carlton Cole up front.
West Ham started the game very edgily, their determination and commitment was there for all to see, but very little in the way of creativity, with most moves starting and ending with a long ball up to Cole; who was dealt with impressively by Michael Turner in their opening exchanges. Lee Cattermole was at his tenacious best, playmakers Kovac and Behrami were given no time on the ball to dictate the play. Our passing and movement was threatening, Malbranque was ominously dangerous, forcing a corner from which Frazier Campbell could perhaps have scored, the ball flashing past him in the six yard box before he could sort his feet out and make contact with the ball. Our closest attempt of the half came after quarter of an hour; a ball over the top was chased down by Bent, and despite the ball going away from goal, an audacious chip left Green stranded; only for it to land on the roof of the net.
This seemed to shake the Hammers into life, however, who flew straight down the other end, with Behrami’s drive from twenty yards forcing a clever save from an outstretched Craig Gordon. The quality of their passing was beginning to match their industry and endeavour, almost paying off when a Gordon clearance slammed into the back of Carlton Cole, the ball miraculously falling away from goal. Soon after, a clever one - two left Kovac in plenty of space, but he blazed well over. Between then and half time we had to just one attempt of note, Bent working hard to create some space to the left of Green’s goal, but struck his shot straight into the England stopper’s arms from the edge of the area. Cattermole was booked on the twenty minute mark, reining in his game somewhat, giving the West Ham midfield some crucial breathing space. The game meandered towards half time with little incident, West Ham unable to carve an opening, and us senselessly lumping the ball to Campbell, who was all but nullified by Matthew Upson. There was one moment of controversy just before half time however; a ball into the box was dropped by Gordon, who then proceeded to haul the on rushing Carlton Cole to the ground. A blatant penalty, but thankfully the whistle was blown, Cole judged to have fouled the Scot in the air.
When Ilan blazed a free kick into the top terrace soon into the second half, it seemed the game was heading the same direction as the first. However, this was quickly dispelled just minutes later. David Meyler, who was off the pace all day, gave away another pointless foul on the half way line. Manuel Da Costa launched it into the area; Cole flicked on; Ilan rushed onto the ball to poke past Gordon from seven yards. Unsubtle, Route one football. One-nil before you could blink. To be fair to the lads, we responded by looking to get the ball down, and forced some possession in dangerous areas, but time and time again we gave the ball away at the last moment, or slammed a cross into the first man. We dug in, however, and created our best chance on the hour mark: Bent’s quick footwork allowed him to tee up the on-rushing Cattermole on the edge of the area, whose shot flew agonizingly wide of the post. Bruce quickly made the sub we were crying out for, with Kenwyne replacing Meyler. Henderson moved into the middle with Campbell dropping to the right wing, and it almost paid immediate dividends. Jones drove into the West Ham half, before sliding a perfect ball through to Bent, who, one on one with Green, proceeded to trip over his back leg. The ball drifted away aimlessly and looking at Bent sprawled on the floor, it was easy to see why those who don’t watch him as much as we do think he should never go to the World Cup.
Henderson came close from a clever free kick, but the last twenty minutes were painfully frustrating, and were most notable for some filthy tactics from West Ham. Spector threw himself over two trailing legs to win free kicks, Behrami fell over the second someone came within ten yards of him, and Guillermo Franco appeared to be brought on with the sole intention of winding up every player in a red and white shirt. Sometimes it was difficult to tell what the Hammers were attempting to reproduce: Swan Lake or the first morning of the Battle of the Somme. It worked; unfortunately, we were suitably agitated, and gave away pointless free kick after pointless free kick and never got back in the game, all our earlier momentum lost. Nevertheless, West Ham’s calmness was impressive for the perilous state they find themselves in and they could have had two goals late on. First, Cole fired just over; before Franco did indeed put the ball in the back of the net, and went on to celebrate wildly. He hadn’t fooled the ref this time, mind, his blatant handball when bringing the ball down was spotted, bringing a swift end to his celebrations. His humiliated face was very minor consolation for all watching, as the game was already won.
Despite their game killing tactics late on, West Ham were good value for the three points, and wanted it more than we did, plain and simple. Our poor away form continues…
Final Score: 0-1
ALS Man of the Match: Paolo Da Silva. Best of a bad bunch, does his job with minimal fuss, and reads the game exceptionally well.
Phillip Smith
ALS Books click here
|
