Tag: WEST HAM UNITED

  • Iwobi plays for 86 minutes, misses begging chance as Everton win

    Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi was in action for 86 minutes on Saturday as Everton earned a 2-0 victory over visiting West Ham United.

    The Nigerian international, who was replaced in the 87th minute by Icelander Gylfi Sigurðsson, was very impressive but missed what Everton fans considered begging scoring chance while Everton were one goal up thanks to Bernard who had shot the homers into the lead in the 17th minute.

    The former Arsenal man had a one on one situation with West Ham goalkeeper Roberto Jiménez but fired a weak shot straight at the goalkeeper to the disappointment of some of the fans who had already jumped into celebration mood.

    Interestingly it was Sigurðsson who replaced Iwobi that scored the much awaited winner in the 2nd minute of added time

    Last minute goal scorer Gylfi Sigurdsson

    Saturday’s victory is a relief for Coach Marco Silva who has endured three back to back defeats in the hands of Burnley, Manchester City and Sheffield United respectively.

    The bookmakers prior to this all important victory had tipped Silva as the favourite to be the next Premier League boss sacked and, while Everton have historically given their managers time, a fifth consecutive defeat would have pushed the Portuguese closer to the exit door.

     

  • Mourinho in focus again as English Premier League returns

    When Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returns on Saturday to Stamford Bridge to face former club Chelsea, much would not have changed about him regarding his recent comments.

    He had said “it’s not about me” after his team’s thrilling comeback win over Newcastle United, but this is unlikely to be heeded this time.

    Mourinho’s words, spoken after united fans chanted his name in appreciation of the 3-2 victory, may have reflected weariness at the constant focus on his position at Old Trafford.

    But the spotlight will unavoidably be on the Portuguese again.

    The manner of United’s win, with three goals in the final 20 minutes of all-out attacking football, has raised the question of whether he will change.

    The change is for him to embrace a more positive style of play.

    Nothing in Mourinho’s history suggests that is likely and the prospect of facing Maurizio Sarri’s in-form team at Stamford Bridge is a strong deterrent against a cavalier approach.

    Second-placed Chelsea are unbeaten, level on points with champions Manchester City and challengers Liverpool and with their Belgian forward Eden Hazard in scintillating form they will start as clear favourites.

    Manchester United is already seven points behind the leading trio, having lost to Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United on the road and Tottenham Hotspur at home.

    Read Also: Mourinho deserves respect for being ‘real’ – Lukaku

    Surely, Mourinho will be keen to ensure they avoid defeat in west London.

    Chelsea has not lost at home to United since October 2012, losing just two of the 16 meetings between the two since then.

    Mourinho has suffered four defeats in six games against his former club since taking over at United.

    But, as he reminded the media in his recent demand for more “respect”, Mourinho won three Premier League titles in his two spells as Chelsea manager.

    The former Porto and Real Madrid boss has never been afraid to play defensively when visiting top rivals.

    So, for all the hope that he might try to replicate the ‘gung-ho’ second half display against Newcastle United, it would be no surprise if he were to revert to type on Saturday.

    Manchester City will expect to pick up three points at home to a Burnley side that will feature former City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

    City has not lost at home to the Clarets since 1963 and has lost once in their last 19 meetings in all competitions.

    Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will also be expecting maximum points when he faces off with close friend David Wagner as the Reds travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

    Huddersfield is 18th in the table, have yet to win during this campaign and have managed to score only four goals.

    Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur visit London rivals West Ham on Saturday while in-form Arsenal host Leicester on Monday looking for a 10th successive victory in all competitions.

    Sunday’s game features Everton at home to Crystal Palace.

  • Wolves will be match for anyone, says Kompany

    The Manchester City Football Club Captain Vincent Kompany says Wolverhampton Wanderers played like a well-established Premier League team against Manchester City and should be able to take points off any side in the English top flight.

    Wolves, which finished top of the championship last season to earn promotion, drew 1-1 with the champions on Saturday.

    The club drew with Everton and was beaten by Leicester City in the other two league games to start the season.

    “They don’t behave or play like a championship team that has just been promoted. I’m confident that they will take points off our competitors,” Kompany told British media.

    Read Also: NFF Presidency: No Supreme Court order stopping Pinnick, says Keyamo

    “They’re the typical type of team who is geared up to get big scalps because they have enough quality to play themselves out of situations when they are under pressure ….

    “Their key players work hard and that’s always a good mix.”

    Wolves’ next league game is on Saturday at West Ham United, which have lost all three of their matches so far.

  • Henry: Suspended on Thursday sacked on Friday

    Henry: Suspended on Thursday sacked on Friday

     

    Premier league side West Ham United have re-emphasized that the club is open to everyone who loves football irrespective race gender or religion.  The emphasis came on the heels of sacking of their former director of recruitment Tony Henry.

    The manner in which Henry was shown the door following investigation into his utterances concerning African players the club said further confirms the club’s no room for nonsense disposition. West Ham suspended Henry on Thursday and dismissed him on Friday.

    As revealed by Sportsmail, Henry sent at least one email stating West Ham did not want any more African players.

    He followed that by explaining it was ‘nothing racist’ and said: ‘It’s just sometimes they can have a bad attitude. We find that when they are not in the team they cause mayhem.’

    Unfortunately for Henry he is the only one having such opinion and his opinion does not represent that of the club as the club immediately issued a statement saying  “West Ham United have today terminated the contract of Director of Player Recruitment, Tony Henry, with immediate effect following his unacceptable comments that were widely reported in the press.

    ‘Our action follows a full and thorough investigation.’ West Ham United will not tolerate any type of discrimination.’The West Ham United family is an inclusive one where, regardless of gender, age, ability, race, religion or sexual orientation, everybody feels welcome and included.’

    Sportsmail’s exclusive story spread to the West Ham squad over the course of Thursday. Senegalese midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate posted on his Instagram account: ‘African and proud’.

    The post was liked by Manuel Lanzini, Adrian, Pedro Obiang and Arthur Masuaku, all current West Ham players.

    West Ham have six first-team stars who are of African descent. Two of the listed stars —Joao Mario and Angelo Ogbonna — have chosen to represent Portugal and Italy respectively despite being able to play for African countries through their parents. Pedro Obiang played for Spain’s youth teams but has not represented the senior side and could still play for Equatorial Guinea. Edimilson Fernandes plays for Switzerland but is of Cape Verdean descent. Left back Arthur Masuaku is yet to play for DR Congo but received a call-up in August while Cheikhou Kouyate is an experienced international for Senegal.

    Henry responded to an inquiry about a footballer of Cameroonian descent with an email on January 27 to another senior West Ham official and an agent.

    He wrote: ‘We don’t want any more Africans and he’s not good enough. I sent Thomas to watch him and the other lad last week and he said no. If Palace take them good luck.’

    It will be recalled that Nigerian international Victor Moses played for West Ham while on loan from Chelsea from 2015 to 2016.

  • EPL: Some of The Things You Might Have Missed

    EPL: Some of The Things You Might Have Missed

    English Premier League on Saturday was action pact as expected as 17 goals were recorded from the seven matches that were played.

    Incase you missed the matches including the star match of the day at Stamford Bridge in the game against Pep Guardiola’s side, read below some of the things you might have missed.

    Chelsea 0 – 1 Manchester City

    OPTA FACT

    • Kevin De Bruyne has scored nine of his last 11 Man City goals from outside the box, including each of the last four.

    A game which didn’t quite live up to its billing – not helped, of course, by Alvaro Morata limping off in the first-half with a hamstring injury. After a goalless first-half, Manchester City’s control greatly increased and Pep Guardiola’s playmakers began to make deep incisions into a shuffled Chelsea’s defence.

    When Kevin De Bruyne eventually gave the visitors the lead, after a well-timed pass from Gabriel Jesus and scything move, it was a goal they thoroughly deserved. And, ultimately, it was an advantage they protected well: Chelsea mounted a vague response, but all the best chances in the remainder of the game fell to City.

     

    Saturday’s round-up, as Tottenham run over Huddersfield and Manchester United continue to click through the gears.

     

    Huddersfield 0 – 4 Tottenham

    OPTA FACT

    • Harry Kane now has 13 goals for club & country in September 2017; his best ever goal tally in a single month of his career.

    A real lesson. Huddersfield have begun Premier League life well, but this was not David Wagner’s best day: Huddersfield played into Tottenham’s hands, got caught too high up the field three times inside the first half-hour and conceded as many goals in the first half as they had in their previous six games.

    Spurs spent most of the second half well within their comfort zone, but two goals from Harry Kane (who is now just 14 goals short of Teddy Sheringham’s Premier League record for the club) and Ben Davies capped a performance in which they played some of their brightest football of the season. Moussa Sissoko added a fourth from close range in second-half stoppage-time.

    Goals: Kane 10′, 23′, Davies 16′, Sissoko 90′

    Bournemouth 0 – 0 Leicester

    Bournemouth certainly started like a side determined pull out of the relegation zone before the international break. Jermain Defoe had the clearest opportunity, but slammed his shot against the crossbar. Eddie Howe’s team were the better of the two and certainly posed the tougher questions but, oddly for two teams who don’t exactly specialise in clean sheets, this proved a stalemate.

    Goals: *Tumbleweed*

    Manchester United 4 – 0 Crystal Palace

    OPTA FACT

    • This is the first time that Marcus Rashford has assisted two goals in a single game for Man Utd.

    Exactly the start here that Palace didn’t want. Only three minutes had passed when Marcus Rashford knotted up Joel Ward before setting up Juan Mata to open the scoring. Ten minutes before the break, an impressive Manchester United performance was further rewarded by their second, Fellaini scoring after good work from Ashley Young. Fellaini would double his tally just after half-time and Romelu Lukaku scored a late fourth for his seventh goal in as many games.

    Goals: Mata 3′, Fellaini 35′ & 48′, Lukaku 86′

    Stoke 2 – 1 Southampton

    OPTA FACT

    • Saido Berahino is now without a goal in 31 hours & 23 minutes of Premier League football (Stoke & WBA combined).

    Stoke have quietly begun to go off the boil, having not won a Premier League game since beating Arsenal in August and having not led in any game at all since their 4-0 win over Rochdale in the League Cup. Mame Diouf gave them the lead here, heading in Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner on 40 minutes.

    It wasn’t all good news in the first half, though, as there was still time for Saido Berahino to miss a penalty. His wait for a first Stoke goal continues. Fifteen minutes before time, Maya Yoshida acrobatically converted Shane Long’s flick to score only Southampton’s second goal away from home this season. Peter Crouch would have the last word, though, scoring late against his old side to win Mark Hughes three overdue points.

    Goals: Diouf 40′, Crouch 85′- Yoshida 75′

    West Brom 2- 2 Watford

    OPTA FACT

    • Abdoulaye Doucouré has scored 3 goals in his last 7 league games, as many as in his previous 57.

    Despite losing, Tony Pulis would have been greatly encouraged by the improvement he saw in his side last Monday at Arsenal and West Brom initially built on that here, scoring twice in three first-half minutes through Salomon Rondon and Jonny Evans. A first goal of the season for each and the first time since May 2017 that Pulis’s team had scored more than one in a game. Abdoulaye Doucoure pulled one back before the interval and then late, late into second-half injury time, Richarlison headed in Jose Holebas’s free-kick to steal a point.

    GoalsRondon 18′, Evans 21′ – Doucoure 37′, Richarlison 90′

    West Ham 1 – 0 Swansea

    OPTA FACT

    • Swansea have never kept an away clean sheet at West Ham, conceding 75 goals in 32 games in all comps (W2 D7 L23).

    Not a first half that gave anybody great reason for cheer; these really are two sides struggling for confidence. It didn’t really improve in the second period, either, and this game – if anyone chooses to remember it at all – become more notable for Slaven Bilic’s curious substitutions; Javier Hernandez’s withdrawal, in particular, proved unpopular with the home fans.

    Still, West Ham mounted a late siege and, after Andy Carroll had hit the bar minutes earlier, Diafra Sakho (remember him?) finished well to snatch the points. A relief for the home fans, less so the ones who (quite understandably) decided to leave early.

    Goals: Sakho ’90