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West
Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
Boleyn Ground,
Upton Park. 8th November 2003, 3.00pm. |
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In years to come, I'll be able to say "I was there!" What a comeback
and, more importantly, what a result. If there was disbelief after
18 minutes when the Baggies were 3-0 down, it was utter incredulity
when the Ninja's shot flicked off a West Ham boot and flew into
the corner of the net to make it 4-3 with 12 minutes left. Apparently,
it was the first time ever that the Baggies have come back from
3-0 down to win.
The Baggies line-up was as expected with the only slight surprise
being that Hughes was on the bench. But given his niggling groin
injury, it was half-expected. James Chambers got a surprise recall
to the bench. With David Connolly injured, Brian Deane was making
his league debut for the Hammers.
The game could not have started in a more disastrous manner for
the Baggies. Inside the first minute, DEFOE picked up the ball from
Etherington, ran at Gregan turning him inside out and is low shot
beat Hoult and was deflected into the net by Gilchrist on the goal
line.
And it got worse. With Albion struggling to retain any sort of possession,
Gregan passed the ball to Don Hutchison on the edge of the Albion
box. He ran into the area and squared it to DEANE who swept it into
the net from eight yards past the despairing left hand of Russell
Hoult. It was somewhat surreal.
West Ham sensed that Albion were there for the taking, and tried
to press home their advantage. On 18 minutes, Gaardsoe fouled Defoe
on the edge of the box. With Gregan on the line after doing the
absent Clement's job of lining up the wall, Dean dropped into the
six yard box. Defoe shaped to shoot but chipped it onto DEANE's
head who, with Gregan static, flicked a back header into the corner
to make it three-nil to West Ham.
I slumped in my seat but never pondered doing what that Wolves fan
had done a couple of weeks ago and leaving. Having said that, I
couldn't see Albion coming back in the way that they did.
In fact, it should've been 4-0 just two minutes later when Defoe
was put through on goal, but his early shot was well saved by Hoult.
Albion's first attempt on target was a long range shot from Andy
Johnson that was well wide, but then Albion were handed a lifeline.
On 25 minutes, Robinson hit a long ball over the back of the West
Ham defence and while two internationals in James and Dailly pondered
about who should play the ball, HULSE nipped in between then and
stabbed the ball into the net from 18 yards.
The comeback still didn't look on the cards, however, as it was
West Ham who looked the stronger side. Deane and Defoe were combining
well and both had good chances to restore the three-goal advantage.
During a ten minute spell just after the half hour, Defoe had two
good chances, one of which produced a great save from Hoult, and
was booked for diving, and Deane should have completed his hat-trick
when he headed wide from six yards.
Then, on 40 minutes, Albion broke and HULSE picked up the ball 30
yards from goal, advanced on the Hammers defence before hitting
an unstoppable shot past James into the top corner. Suddenly, Albion
were right back in this game.
Things got better for the visitors on the stroke of half time when,
after clearing the ball, Gregan was on the end of an atrocious late
tackle from Defoe, which saw the Hammers striker receive a straight
red card.
After the break, it was clear that Albion were looking to complete
the comeback and looked the more likely winners from the first whistle.
AJ put O'Connor through on goal, but Ian Pearce just got his challenge
in before the short Irishman could get his shot away. Pearce was
there again to clear when Hulse looked set to get on the end of
an O'Connor cross, and Repka had to be alert to block a shot from
Robinson as the Baggies piled on the pressure.
Sakiri replaced O'Connor on 56 minutes, and the Macedonian soon
started showing some excellent touches.
Haas got in on the act on 62 minutes, twisting and turning in the
box before his shot was blocked by Quinn. Then, on 65 minutes, Koumas
swung a corner across and as he attempted a clearance, DEANE sliced
the ball into his own net, completing his hat-trick at the wrong
end, but putting the Baggies back on level terms.
On 69 minutes, Megson threw Hughes on in place of Dobie to see if
the Ninja could repeat his feat at Newcastle last week and grab
the winner. He came close within 3 minutes of his introduction as
he tested James from long range, but the England stopper saved well.
But six minutes later, Calamity James was found wanting. The ball
was deflected high into the air some fifteen yards out and James
came out to punch. He failed to connect properly and it fell to
HUGHES who returned the ball goalwards with interest, and it flicked
off Repka's boot and high into the net. It was a remarkable moment
that sparked a mass exodus of West Ham fans despite the fact that
there were thirteen minutes remaining.
Hulse thought he'd got his hat-trick a few minutes later when he
turned in a cross from Koumas, but it was ruled out for offside.
It didn't matter. Albion comfortably held out for the most astounding
victory I have ever witnessed.
It was all about the three points, but what a way to achieve them.
I fancied us to grab a 1-0 before the game, and after 20 minutes
I was dumbstruck. The defending was appalling and, although it may
be unfair to put it down to one man, Gregan was at fault for each
goal. He did play much better in the second half, but he won't get
away with that too often. What a result, what a comeback and what
a game! Back on top of the league!!
RESULT - WEST HAM UNITED 3 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 4
Marks
Hoult - 7 - Not at fault for any goals, and was hardly tested otherwise.
Gregan - 5 - Appalling first half, good second.
Gaardsoe - 8 - Good solid showing.
Gilchrist - 7 - Maybe should've cleared the first goal, but otherwise
did well.
Haas - 8 - Excellent performance with roving runs.
Koumas - 8 - Sparkled, particularly in the second half.
Johnson - 9 - Another fantastic performance, almost MOM.
O'Connor - 6 - Did OK, but overshadowed by AJ again.
Robinson - 8 - Good solid performance, got forward well in the second
half.
Hulse - 9 - MOM. Looked sharp all game, two excellent goals.
Dobie - 6 - Did OK.
Sakiri - 8 - Played mostly on the left and looked entirely at home
with some excellent passing and movement.
Hughes - 8 - Looked sharp, great finish for the goal.
Clement - 6 - Not really on long enough to impress.
The Manager - 8 - Thankfully played Sakiri on the left and it was
a much more balanced side, obviously said the right things at half
time.
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West
Ham United (4-4-2):
James; Repka, Dailly, Pearce, Quinn (Lee 79); Mullins, Hutchison,
Carrick, Etherington; Deane, Defoe. Subs not used: Bywater (GK),
Ferdinand, Kilgallon, Cohen. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist; Haas, O'Connor (Sakiri 56),
Johnson, Koumas, Robinson; Dobie (Hughes 69), Hulse. Subs not used:
Murphy (GK), J Chambers.
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Scoring: Defoe (1)
1-0, Deane (10) 2-0, Deane (18) 3-0, Hulse (25) 3-1, Hulse (40)
3-2, Deane (o.g. 65) 3-3, Hughes (77) 3-4.
Bookings: West Ham United - Defoe (diving 32), Dean (foul 74). West
Bromwich Albion - Haas (foul 41)
Sending off: West Ham United - Defoe (foul 45)
Referee: M Dean (Wirrall)
Attendance: 30,359.
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