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West
Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
Boleyn Ground,
Upton Park. 11th September 2002, 7.45pm. |
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Albion may not have dominated this game and they rode their luck
at times, but the same stubborn resistance that brought such success
last season was very much in evidence. The Hammers may be bottom
of the league but I can't really see them being relegated this season;
they have too many quality players. Make no mistake, this was a
fantastic result.
Another local game for me. After the Tollgate in Manchester and
the Drayton Park in North London, it was the Central on Barking
Road that was taken over by the Baggies faithful. And friends of
mine who are West Ham fans commented that it was like a small part
of the Black Country in East London.
Megson surprised us again with his selection with Gregan staying
in defence, and bringing Wallwork into midfield. Siggy, back from
injury (and Iceland) had to be content with a place on the bench.
Dobes also back from injury and a trip nearer the North Pole also
warmed a seat with the subs as the Ninja kept his place along side
Roberts.
After another impeccably observed minute's silence, this time for
the terrible events in the US twelve months ago, the Baggies started
brightly with Hughes fluffing an early chance shooting weakly at
England's Number 4, as the Albion fans named David James. After
the lively, if often ineffective, Joe Cole had missed a good opportunity
from a Sinclair pass, Albion had another good chance. Both Johnson
and Clement should have done better with a Roberts cross, before
the ball fell to Koumas who hit a firm shot straight at James.
The home side then looked as if they were beginning to take control.
Di Canio, captain in his first game back from injury, was starting
to open up the Baggies defence. Cole shot wide from distance before
Big Dave denied Kanoute with a fantastic block. But that was nothing
compared with Hoult's save a short time later. A cross from Kanoute
was volleyed goalwards by Cole, and the Albion keeper somehow got
down quickly to his right to push the ball round the post. Awesome
stuff!!
But there was more to come. On 28 minutes, Wallwork put the ball
through for ROBERTS who sprinted clear of the unimpressive Gary
Breen and coolly beat James with a shot into the bottom left corner.
As West Ham started pushing further forward, the boys from the Black
Country were playing some great quick break football with both Hughes
and Roberts finding space on the flanks. And it was nearly two when
Balis shot wide from a cross from JR.
Just before the break, Joe Cole missed yet another good chance when
he put a free header wide after Clement had been exposed by Di Canio
and Schemmel.
The Hammers came out strongly in the second half and really should
have been level. Hoult denied Kanoute at close range before Carrick
completely mis-kicked five yards out with the goal gaping.
Hughes, who didn't look his usual sharp self, was replace by Dobie
on 50 minutes. After Wallwork had almost beat James with a quick
free kick - only a deflection from a defender prevented a goal -
Hoult had his worst moment of the season to date. He rushed out
to challenge Kanoute only to deflect the ball to Cisse, who's shot
from 20 yards was deflected wide at full stretch by Gilchrist.
It should have been 2-0 to the visitors on the hour when a brilliant
turn by Roberts was followed by a firm shot. James deflected it
to Dobie, before recovering to gratefully grab the striker's weak
attempt at a lob. Gregan was moved into midfield on 63 minutes when
Siggy replaced Koumas.
As the Hammers fans called for Roeder's head, the home side resulted
to foul play to prevent further embarrassment. Andy D'Urso only
booked Joe Cole when he appeared to jump at Gregan with a leading
elbow, and Cisse escaped completely when he took Roberts out as
we was about to start another run on goal.
When the West Ham (un)faithful started streaming out with a quarter
of an hour to go, the home side's efforts dwindled. Even the fourth
official's board showing five minute's stoppage time did not worry
the increasingly solid Albion defence.
Roberts was awesome, Moore was a rock, Gregan was excellent. Once
chance in the first half and one goal - if only we'd done that against
Leeds..... We gave the ball away too much, and the midfield was
too lightweight. With neither Marshall, McInnes or Gregan there
for most of the game, we allowed West Ham too much possession. But
you bring Siggy in at the back, and his distribution is very poor
compared to Gregan. Certainly while Marshall and McInnes are out,
Gregan needs to be in midfield. But I shouldn't really complain
- two wins, two clean sheets. 1-0 to the Albion. Another 12 of those
and we should secure top flight football for another year.
RESULT - WEST HAM UNITED 0 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 1
Marks
Hoult - 7 - One dodgy moment, several excellent saves.
Balis - 7 - His best performance of the season, defended well and
looked potent going forward.
Clement - 6 - Not bad, but was a little naive defensively at times.
Gilchrist - 7 - Solid.
Moore - 8 - Excellent.
Gregan - 8 - Superb once more - a great signing
Johnson - 7 - Had to work hard and did.
Wallwork - 6 - Great pass for the goal; gave the ball away too much.
Koumas - 7 - A couple of good runs, looks like a good acquisition
Hughes - 5 - Didn't look fit to be honest, although no mention of
an injury
Roberts - 8 - MOM. Simply awesome.
Sigurdsson - 6 - Looked solid when he came on.
Dobie - 7 - Worked really hard, looked more potent than Hughesy.
Chambers 6 - Did OK, one naive moment late on when he crossed when
his should have hit the corner.
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West
Ham United (4-4-2):
James; Schemmel, Repka, Breen, Winterburn (Dailly 86); Cole, Cisse,
Carrick (Lomas 76), Sinclair; Kanoute, Di Canio (Defoe 76). Subs
not used: Van der Gouw (GK), Pearce. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Moore, Gilchrist; Balis, Koumas (Sigurdsson 63),
Wallwork, Johnson, Clement; Roberts (J Chambers 86), Hughes (Dobie
50). Subs not used: Jensen (GK), Dichio.
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Scoring: Roberts (28)
0-1.
Bookings: West Ham United - Cole (elbow 74).
Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay)
Attendance: 34,957. |
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