ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - West Ham United - Manchester City 3 West Ham 1 (Away)

Posted by Billy Blagg on 09/28/2009

I'm not employed by Soccernet and I'm nothing to do with Radio Five Live; I was born and raised in the east end of London and I support West Ham - the name is on my birth certificate. Therefore, I do not have go overboard in praise of a team that have spent hundreds of millions of pounds, nor abuse a cash-strapped lightweight side who struggle when injuries occur. I will merely say that West Ham's season gets under way at home to Fulham on Sunday and leave it at that.

As I heard the City team being named as I drove to the 'Fustillian and Bucket' to watch this game on ESPN, it wasn't the names of Tevez, Wright-Phillips or Bellamy that made me groan aloud but rather that of Martin Petrov, returning from injury, one of the myriad of players who seems to love playing against the Hammers.

It was no surprise therefore when Petrov left Faubert for dead and cut smartly across the penalty area for Tevez to strike home after six minutes. Carlos apologised to the Hammers fans behind the goal and the fans applauded the little Argentine accordingly. Frankly, this is all starting to get rather crazy..

The idiot commentators seemed to sense a goal glut and, while going behind early wasn't the best of starts, it's not always the case that a team losing after six minutes goes on to concede ten. City certainly had their chances to extend their lead after but the Hammers held on, even if there was a sense that the home side eased off rather than the Hammers frustrated them. It would be ludicrous though to deny that West Ham's equaliser wasn't against the run of play. A free kick played in wasn't cleared and Kovac's shot going wide was turned in by Cole amongst a melee of players.

City went ahead again when Petrov scored on the half hour from a free kick and though Robert Green must have disappointed with his positioning it must be mentioned the free kick itself should never have been awarded, Jiminez barely touching De Jong who went tumbling. Of course, this being West Ham and the goal being City's this was barely mentioned by the pundits. Mind you, even the most biased of commentators was left stunned by Scott Parker's disallowed equaliser just before half time. The Hammers were in a brief period of ascendancy at the time and Carlton Cole clearly beat Lescott before racing clear to pull back for Parker but the whistle blew for a foul on the ex-Everton man. It looked a strange decision at normal speed but slow motion replays did it no favours, clearly showing Lescott not only losing control but pulling Cole's shirt in the process.

2-1 down at half-time, West Ham needed to produce something to bring themselves back into contention and they did start the half brightly but City slowly took a grip and it was no real surprise when they went further ahead on the hour mark, Kovac poorly playing Tevez onside after Bellamy floated over a free-kick. Three City men were left to queue up to score and it was Tevez who nodded home from six yards. I fully expected the ex-Hammer to burst into tears and promise to sacrifice one of his children to the visiting fans but, oddly, he decided to celebrate in front of the blue half of Manchester instead.

West Ham never seriously threatened after and City could have made it more with Barry and Santa Cruz missing when it looked easier to score but I think anything more than a 3-1 defeat would have been too cruel and I. for one, was grateful that the Hammers escaped with what might be described as an 'acceptable' defeat - there won't be too many teams outside the top four winning at the City of Manchester stadium this season. West Ham's real league battle continues against Fulham on Sunday and that will be a more relevant test..

Comments

Posted by paul on 09/29/2009

Billy,

Agree, especially about the pundits. Danny Mills on five live (for personnel reasons could not get to the pub, so radio for me)was appalling. No mention was also made of upson absence as he criticised the defence. So one eyed it was unbeleiveable. These people get paid for that. Do agree about next week though.

Blagg says: The standard of football punditry currently is appalling. Too many ex-players - many of them not particularly good players either - toeing the party line on the all consuming CL and top six Premier schtick.

Posted by Bonzo on 09/29/2009

Another good post Billy, you just about summed the game up.Perhaps if the goal that truly was had been allowed we may have just sneaked something but then that would have been pure luck.
As far as the biased pundits go,I do wonder what we have to do as a team to even get equal billing with anyone.It was all City this and that, although I suppose when Mr Faubert endears himself to the fans like last night it gives Champion ammo.It was nice though to hear Joe supporting Paulo after the snotty remarks from Jon brainless.
I hope the next match will put the smile back on Gianfranco's boat.

Posted by Homeabroad on 09/29/2009

Nice post, Billy, and yes, the Hammers are in a temporarily sticky situation, but they're playing well enough to bounce back now that they've got over the hurdle of their first few games against three of the top 5 clubs (let's just forget about the Bolton match. Green was right about that). But whatever happens, we will not, shall not and even cannot be relegated - because without the Academy's constant supply of brilliant young talent (who we are forced to sell just as they are showing their promise), the quality of the top Premier clubs would plummet. All I want for Xmas is an Arab millionaire to snap up WHU. Just think what we could do with even half of City's dosh.

Posted by gazza_az on 09/29/2009

We go back the the ESPN studios at half time - and we hear three poxy northern monkey accents - talking up Manchester City.

ESPN have got to be able to obtain one studio host from London - a solid person with a london accent init.
They spoke cr*p and it sounded like cr*p. Bloody ridiculous.

Blagg says: Is it northern bias? Or just a simple lack of professionalism and ability to do a difficult job well. Hear that sound? That's Moore and Wolstenholme spinning in their graves...

Posted by Boaz on 09/30/2009

"I have decided not to celebrate my goals out of respect to West Ham," Tevez told the Daily Mail. "They were my first club in England and, in my heart, part of me will always be a Hammer."

I applaud Tevez for understanding what he meant to us West Ham supporters the year he single handedly kept the Hammers up. I will always respect Tevez no matter where his footballing career takes him. Although, the same can't be said for all those academy players that used the club to earn a fatter pay check.

Posted by Canhammer on 10/01/2009

Interesting point about WH fans' love for Tevez. They'll never forget that vital goal that kept them in the top division.

In the same critical game against Man. Utd. Yossi Benayoun cleared a would be certain goal off the line for the Hammers.

On his first visit back to Upton Park, Carlos got an ovation from the WH faithful; but on Yossi's return he got a raspberry! Go figure!

Posted by blueinva on 10/03/2009

As a City fan you might expect me to have a different view on the game, but I can't fault Billy's analysis (real fan's views are almost always better than the ex-players we get served up on tv).
I saw City start brightly, and then begin to coast...it was no shock that City conceded a goal even against the run of play. Last season (or your pick of any of the last 30 seasons) that would have spelled the end of City's chance of getting more than a point. This is a different team though - they pulled their heads out of their rear ends and played as if they wanted the points. I'll be interested to see the return match with some of the injuries West Ham are currently carrying, bound to be more competitive.

Finally - nice to see Tevez's reaction to scoring, he obviously enjoyed his time at Upton Park and it came in stark contrast with Adebayor's celebration.

Blagg says: Thanks - nice to see I'm not regarded as a complete numpty then. The match day analysis by biased former players is a tedious trend currently and, unless it's done just to inflame fans produce reactions, I find it hard to understand why it continues.

Posted by Daniel on 10/03/2009

As a City fan, this was a well written piece and I agree with all of it. Good luck this season, I hope you boys do as well as possible.

Blagg says: You lot are starting to worry me now....

Post your comment

Name:

Email Address:

Comments:

characters left